'Queen Charlotte' star Golda Rosheuvel said she 'cried' after hairstylists made her feel seen. Here are 17 Black celebrities who faced hair discrimination on set.

Lauren Edmonds,Pauline VillegasMay 15, 2023, 01:44 IST

Golda Rosheuvel (left), Monique Coleman (middle), and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (right).Araya Doheny/ Steve Granitz/Jeff Kravitz

Black actors have spoken out about the lack of inclusivity on sets, specifically with hairstylists.
"High School Musical" star Monique Coleman said she wore headbands while filming because stylists didn't know how to do her hair.

Black actors in Hollywood have been vocal about the lack of inclusivity on TV and film projects, but in recent years, conversations have shifted to include beauty expectations, as well.

"High School Musical" star Monique Coleman told Insider in January 2021 that her character wore headbands because on-set stylists didn't know how to style Black hair properly. One year later, Taraji P. Henson revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that a stylist with little knowledge of Black hair damaged her tresses with a root booster.

From Gabrielle Union to Halle Bery, here are 17 Black actors who been candid about their experiences.

Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the titular role in Netflix's "Queen Charlotte," said she "cried" and "got emotional" after hairstylists made her feel seen as a person of color for the first time.

Golda Rosheuvel and India Amarteifio as Queen Charlotte.Netflix

Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the titular role in Netflix's "Queen Charlotte," said she "cried" and "got emotional" after hairstylists made her feel seen as a person of color for the first time.

"High School Musical" star Monique Coleman said her character wore headbands because the stylists didn't know how to work with Black hair.

Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie in "High School Musical."Disney Channel

The "America's Got Talent" production reportedly told Gabrielle Union that her hairstyles were "too Black."

Gabrielle Union at the"America's Got Talent" Season 14 Live Show Red Carpet at Dolby Theatre on September 10, 2019.Steve Granitz/Getty Images

Taraji P. Henson opened up about dealing with inexperienced hairstylists on set, adding that she was "tired of biting my damn tongue" over hair discrimination.

Taraji P. Henson attends the 90th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Natasha Rothwell, who appeared in "White Lotus" and "Insecure," said she styles her hair before arriving on set because stylists may not know what to do.

Natasha Rothwell as Kelli on HBO's "Insecure.""Insecure"/HBO

"New Girl" star Lamorne Morris said he was forced to style his hair during one project because the production "didn't have the budget."

Lamorne Morris attends the photocall of Sony Pictures' "Bloodshot" on March 6, 2020.Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

Meagan Good said a hairstylist inexperienced with Black hair burned her with a hot comb.

Meagan Good at the premiere of "Shazam! Fury of the Gods" on March 14, 2023.Gilbert Flores/Getty Images

Halle Berry said she sported her signature pixie during the 1990s because some hairstylists didn't know how to maintain Black hair.

Halle Berry attends the 89th Annual Academy Awards on February 26, 2017.Christopher Polk/GettyImages

Tia Mowry, who starred in "Sister Sister" with her twin Tamera Mowry, said she cried after seeing how one hairstylist attempted to style her hair.

Tia Mowry-Hardrict at the 2019 Build Brunch.Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Trina McGee said a costar referred to her as "Aunt Jemima" while she was getting hair and makeup done on set.

Trina McGee for "Boy Meets World' in July 1998.ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

Queen Latifah said she faced ignorance about Black hair from stylists early in her career.

Queen Latifah at a "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" screening in 2022.Charles Sykes / Invision / AP

Tiffany Haddish recalls leaving a movie set in tears to find someone who could properly style her hair.

Tiffany Haddish attends the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Easter Sunday" at TCL Chinese Theatre on August 02, 2022.Unique Nicole/WireImage/Getty

Jurnee Smollett said her "Birds of Prey" costar Margot Robbie helped her advocate for a Black hairstylist on set.

Jurnee Smollett at the 2021 InStyle Awards.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Model Olivia Anakwe made headlines after revealing the struggles she experienced at photoshoots and projects.

Model Olivia Anakwe poses at the 2016 KENZO x H&M Show - Backstage at Pier 36 on October 19, 2016.Jared Siskin/Getty Images

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II said "100%" of Black actors have faced hair discrimination on TV and film sets.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022.Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Yvette Nicole Brown said she often comes to set with her hair done to avoid looking "crazy on screen."

Yvette Nicole Brown attends the world premiere of Disney's "The Little Mermaid" on May 8, 2023 in Hollywood, California.Matt Winkelmeyer/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Tati Gabrielle spoke about styling her own finger waves for "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

Tati Gabrielle at the 2022 Oscars.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

7 things 'Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story' gets right and wrong about Queen Charlotte and King George III's epic love story

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'Queen Charlotte' star Golda Rosheuvel said she 'cried' after hairstylists made her feel seen. Here are 17 Black celebrities who faced hair discrimination on set.

Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the titular role in Netflix's "Queen Charlotte," said she "cried" and "got emotional" after hairstylists made her feel seen as a person of color for the first time.

"High School Musical" star Monique Coleman said her character wore headbands because the stylists didn't know how to work with Black hair.

The "America's Got Talent" production reportedly told Gabrielle Union that her hairstyles were "too Black."

Taraji P. Henson opened up about dealing with inexperienced hairstylists on set, adding that she was "tired of biting my damn tongue" over hair discrimination.

Natasha Rothwell, who appeared in "White Lotus" and "Insecure," said she styles her hair before arriving on set because stylists may not know what to do.

"New Girl" star Lamorne Morris said he was forced to style his hair during one project because the production "didn't have the budget."

Meagan Good said a hairstylist inexperienced with Black hair burned her with a hot comb.

Halle Berry said she sported her signature pixie during the 1990s because some hairstylists didn't know how to maintain Black hair.

Tia Mowry, who starred in "Sister Sister" with her twin Tamera Mowry, said she cried after seeing how one hairstylist attempted to style her hair.

Trina McGee said a costar referred to her as "Aunt Jemima" while she was getting hair and makeup done on set.

Queen Latifah said she faced ignorance about Black hair from stylists early in her career.

Tiffany Haddish recalls leaving a movie set in tears to find someone who could properly style her hair.

Jurnee Smollett said her "Birds of Prey" costar Margot Robbie helped her advocate for a Black hairstylist on set.

Model Olivia Anakwe made headlines after revealing the struggles she experienced at photoshoots and projects.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II said "100%" of Black actors have faced hair discrimination on TV and film sets.

Yvette Nicole Brown said she often comes to set with her hair done to avoid looking "crazy on screen."

Tati Gabrielle spoke about styling her own finger waves for "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."