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Home • Braids

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows

Cornrows have long been a pillar of styling in the Black hair community. Although it seems the rest of the world is just getting familiar with the beauty of this classic look, we've been rocking it for eons. And we love seeing our favorite famous ladies wearing straight backs on and off the red carpet. Get inspired by some of our favorite moments below!
By Samantha Callender · Updated October 26, 2020
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01
Ruth Negga

The Loving star was certainly a standout at the 2017 Met Gala. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Venturelli
02
Mel B.

Her neat and sleek braids are the definition of glam. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Albert L. Ortega
03
Kat Graham

In 2015, the actress turned her straight backs into a low bun, creating this sleek look.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Michael Stewart
04
Ciara

The mother of two left quite an impression when she hit the red carpet in this bold hair and makeup look. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
05
Gloria Govan

This simple style makes Gloria glow on the red carpet.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Jason LaVeris
06
Jordin Sparks

The singer spruced up her ponytail with straight back cornrows at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Jeffrey Mayer
07
Leigh-Anne Pinnock

The Little Mix singer accessorized her cornrows with a touch of gold. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Mike Marsland
08
Yara Shahidi

The Blackish star wore loose cornrows to the 2017 NAACP Image Awards.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Jason LaVeris
09
Herizen Guardiola

We love this look on The Get Down star.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Brad Barket
10
Keke Palmer

We love the red hot take of this classic style. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
David Livingston
11
Serayah

Badass is how we’d describe this look on the Empire star. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Frazer Harrison
12
Mila J.

Cool and effortless. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Desiree Navarro
13
Regina King

The Emmy Award winner has worn walked the red carpet in cornrows multiple times. And each appearance is an effortless slay. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
14
Tracee Ellis Ross

The Golden Globe winner has long coveted cornrows and other braid styles on the red carpet. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
15
Alicia Keys

Who could forget the beginning of Keys’s career, when she hardly steered away from her signature braids?

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
16
Jada Pinkett Smith

Back in 2006, the gorgeous actress and singer hit the scene in straight back braids.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Gary Gershoff
17
Tyra Banks

The queen of the smize has dabbled in her share of braided styles, including classic cornrows. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
18
Jourdan Dunn

In 2015, the supermodel hit the Met Gala red carpet in long and luscious cornrows. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Larry Busacca
19
Zendaya

This Black girl magic moment at the Glamour’s Game Changers Lunch was made that much better by the Disney star’s beautiful braids. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Stefanie Keenan
20
Teyana Taylor

What hairstyle hasn’t she slayed?! This look was definitely Fashion Week-approved. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Victor Hugo
21
Christina Milian

Nothing compliments a fresh face quite like cute cornrows. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Michael Kovac
22
Beyoncé

Who could forget this iconic look from Queen Bey during MTV’s TRL era? Classic! 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
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23
Eve

Back in her pink-haired days, the rapper and actress traded in her pixie for a set of neon cornrows. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
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24
Alek Wek

The Sudanese-British model, known for her close cut coif, has also experimented with straight back braids. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
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25
Claudette Ortiz

The City High singer has styled her hair into a myriad of looks, including classic cornrows. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
26
Nona Gaye

While celebrating her work in The Matrix trilogy, the actress and singer gave life in cornrows on the red carpet. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
27
Joy Bryant

The actress looked undeniably radiant in small cornrows at the 2002 GQ Men of the Year Awards.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Getty Images
28
Theresa Randle

For the 2003 premiere of Bad Boys II, the actress smoldered on the red carpet in cornrows.

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Chris Polk
29
Vivica Fox

The seasoned actress is no stranger to cornrows. Here she is slaying in the classic look back in 2006. 

For The Culture: 29 Celebs Slaying In Straight Back Cornrows
Johnny Nunez
TOPICS:  Celebrity Hairstyles