Zendaya's Afro on the Red Carpet is a Political Statement We Can Get Behind

Earlier this week, Zendaya set the fashion world and Internet abuzz when she rocked a TWA down the red carpet at this year’s InStyle Awards. 

The perfectly-rounded ‘fro framed the young actress/activist’s face and sat atop her head much like a crown. Styled by celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble, the two worked together to create a style that proved yet again, Zendaya is a queen of hair versatility. 

Zendaya took what is oftentimes a frivolous choice, a hairstyle for an awards dinner, and made it into a statement — a real one. 

The star shared via Instagram that the inspiration behind her style choice was her aunts. “Last nights inspo…my stunning aunties (my daddy’s all the way on the left) and a hint of Angela Davis,” she said. 

The black and white photo she posted of her family, which was taken in her grandmas living room, is one that almost all of us have; an aged photo circa the Soul Train era with family members clad in bell bottoms and fringed vests.  

While more Black women are now letting their natural hair do as it pleases, thanks in large part to the second-wave natural hair movement, for many wearing a full on ‘fro is unfamiliar territory. But Zendaya braved those waters to show us that our natural hair looks absolutely stunning in all it’s textures, despite what the media may tell us. 

As we all know a diverse representation of what it means to be beautiful across a range of shades, shapes and hair textures is of the utmost importance. So thank you, Z for boldly making that statement on the red carpet.