Natural Hair Celebrity- Chrisette Michele

CN: What’s your hair story? Also, you were natural early in your career, right? Why did you decide to straighten?
Chrisette: My hair story is one of a very healthy relationship. Although I was always changing my hair from relaxed, to braided to red to natural, no matter the style it was always healthy. I made sure to give a rest when needed and loved to nurture it. My dad would relax my hair or I’d go with my mom to the salon about once a week. She always made sure I looked fabulous for church on Sundays. I was her princess.

Yes I was natural early in my career. Honestly I’m not really sure why I changed it again. I just wanted to try something new and fun. I had my hair like that many times but I’m very open minded and I love change. I think my look at that time helped me to convey the sound that I wanted to portray.

CN: Did you have a transition period? If so, how did you wear your hair during this time?
Chrisette: This being my third BC, I already knew what I’d look like so I didn’t feel a need to transition very long because I wasn’t afraid of not having much hair. Actually before my latest BC I’d have to say my hair was probably more damaged then it had ever been. That was a result of over processing and far too much styling day after day for tours, and different types of shoots and appearances.

CN: After the BC, what were your thoughts and feelings?
Chrisette: I was so proud of my hair. I was even more proud of my heart and courage. In an effort to take my life back from the rigors of my career, the BC was my first step in a new healthier regimen that I’ve been wanting to adopt for a while now beginning with the head and then down. My natural hair is a symbol of a promise to myself to be kinder to myself.

CN: What or who inspired you to go natural again? Was it a spontaneous decision or a process?
Chrisette: I have the most incredibly beautiful mother and she BC’s all the time (our hair grows fast). She looked gorgeous upon her last BC and I felt like that was my next step towards feeling good about the way I treat my body. Also my cousins Christine and Alecia and their lovely mother Ginger and even many of my aunts have natural tresses. I feel like we are all each others twin now! I LOVE sitting next to my mom and having the same hair as her.

I’d been thinking about doing this for about a year. I was often told that fashion and kinks don’t mix well together. I was often discouraged with the thinking that perhaps my music would have to change for me to pull this look off. I believe that if this is what my heart is saying then my music which is from my heart will match just perfectly.

CN: How have your family and close friends reacted to your decision? Are they complimentary?
Chrisette: Everyone loves my hair. My band, New Genisis, who has become my family and crew came with me to the barber and they cheered like I won a million bucks! I only stick around people who are positive. No one in my circle would say anything negative about a decision they know I trust in. My dad told me I’m beautiful no matter what I do. He’s so fly. He was so excited about the new earnings I had to go shopping for. He loves fashion.

CN: How do you feel the industry will react? Are you concerned about how music executives, your fans, or the media will view your natural hair?
Chrisette: L.A. Reid and Def Jam have been extremely supportive of my creativity. This is the way my hair was when they signed me. When my mother asked an executive what she thought of one of the pictures she said “I don’t know why she changed it in the first place.” That was comforting to know. Truthfully however, I must say, that I’m not very good at hearing things I don’t want to hear. My ears sort of turn off when someone tells me that what my heart is saying isn’t a good idea. Truth is, I cut my hair for freedom not for beauty.

CN: How do you plan to rock this newly natural fade? Hats, weaves, wigs? What are your length goals?
Chrisette: I have all these cute lil vintage head pieces I’ll play with, I have tons of head bands I’ve been collecting. The band came over after the barber shop visit and helped me dye it blonde. I’m not sure if that’s a healthy option. I may keep it my natural color if this shade is too harsh for my hair. I want a big bunch of hair on my head, just wild like it used to be. I really enjoyed that. I plan to grow my natural hair for a long time.

CN: What do you think of the pressure you will inevitably experience from the industry to return to a straight style? How do you plan to deal with it? We all experience this struggle in our daily lives, but we are not in an international spotlight the way you are!
Chrisette: God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear but sometimes our flesh fights our heart. Every once in a while I’m afraid in my natural body even though my spirit knows precisely what it wants to do. I can never let what any one says shake me into being something I’m not. I have to be brave. Every TV stage I walk on, I shake. Every controversial interview I do, I shake. Every time I change anything, including my hair, I shake. My record label knows me. I speak softly but, I don’t lie. When I know what I want I say it. My shaven head is my way of saying “I wont take no for an answer”, it is my way of saying “I believe in my creativity and artistry”. This is how I’ve chosen to express myself and guess what? I’m shaking. But that’s okay with me because I’m conquering my fears and living out of the box.

CN: Great skincare and makeup serve to enhance a BC to its fullest beauty potential. Obviously you’ve got that routine on lock! Please share some of your skin tips with us…what’s your favorite cleanser, moisturizer, brand of makeup?

I’m an ivory girl at heart. I like to be clean and pretty natural. My diva takes over on stage and for appearances, and can be a little dramatic at times but if you see me on the street, my face is probably going to be pretty bare.

CN:Will your future music reflect your decision to BC? Meaning will your next album be more of the true Chrisette and less of what the industry wants you to put out?
Chrisette: You’ve never heard from me anything that I wasn’t comfortable with. I feel insulted when people ask me if the “industry” asked me to do something, especially when it came from my heart. I work very hard to stay honest. Nevertheless, this album will likely sound very bold. I’ll be working closely with my own writing and production team. I think you will all feel a sense of control and focus that you haven’t heard from me before. I’ve learned alot about myself and I believe I finally know what I want to share about my own personal life. I’m not afraid to share my story anymore.

CN: Will you be trusting your coils to someone, or will you be handling haircare yourself…..& if so, what products have you used or would like to try?
Chrisette: HA!!!!! The excitement of all of this is the fact that I’ll be doing my own hair most of the time! I plan to do flat twists and two strands twists in the future but oooh girl I’m excited to be underneath the loving, caring, styling of my own ten nurturing fingertips!

CN: Who are your natural inspirations?
Chrisette: My mother and her sisters and my darling cousins as I mentioned earlier. Kelis and Solange have been my most recent inspirations as they are highly fashionable and natural. Tracy Ellis Ross is such a lovely diva. India, my sister, has been such an inspiration in her boldness and courageous manner. Lastly my bff and gospel singer Danielle Lewis.

CN: What would you tell someone toying with the idea of transitioning or Big Chopping?
Chrisette: Do what’s best for you. What is your heart saying? Follow it. We are incredibly beautiful, us curly girls. Let’s be proud and supportive of each other. To be quite honest I’d have to say…are you ready for what I’m about to say? Ok… Don’t be one of those girls out there who have our beautiful curls but wear no smile, head is down, ain’t got no presence! Give it! Cat walk down the street! Rock that hair with the fiercest of outfits. This is not just a spiritual journey, it’s an incredible fashion statement that not everyone can wear! Treat it like a manicure or a new Prada bag and be the most amazing diva on your block. This beauty is fierce and it’s ours naturally! Let’s make each other proud! Amen?!

CN: What was the attitude surrounding women and hair in your family when you were younger, and how did that affect you as you transitioned into the music scene? Also, to what extent do you feel that returning to your roots will effect the way women are viewed in the music industry?
Chrisette: Well in the church I was raised in the women were VERY feminine. Their hair was a big part of their person. I was groomed to be lady like and quite girly. I think that I’m always aware of my poise and diction because of that up-bringing. Put together. Sharp. Much of my life, I must say, is an experiment. My mom is the planner. I’m free spirited. I try to think long and hard about things but my ADD tends to act up. I wonder if R&B music will be affected by my hair. I wonder if I can change the ridiculous image that plagues our community. I despise the fact that if you aren’t wearing a certain outfit and a certain cut, you aren’t cool. I am in the business of tearing down barriers. I did it with the stereotype that thick girls couldn’t be fashionable. With my latest album debuting at #1 I realized that people were comfortable with my presentation. Now I will make sure my hair is just as accepted. This is my heart you see. This is self expression. This is me.

CN: How did you hear about CurlyNikki.com?!
Chrisette: Can you believe I was referred to CurlyNikki.com while tweeting my twit-fam about where to go for super kewl natural styles and and hair care?

CN: Anything else you’d like to add?
Chrisette: I am so grateful for the bold acceptance I’ve received from my sisters. I think together we are breaking down barriers in the main stream and I’m excited about our journey ahead. There is a new integrity and honesty that we are experiencing that says “Take us as we are, or don’t take us at all”. There is a new pride rising from our community reminiscent of the times when we knew each others poetry, and held our fists in the air. We are going to support each others new business ventures, we are going to see each other in graduate schools, we will see each other in government and we will lift each other out of this depression. It starts in the heart and I pray I’ve inspired many of my sisters to follow theirs.