Image Text:

LOVING HER AFRO: Cleo Higgins

CLEO HIGGINS is urging young black women to be confident wearing their hair naturally.

The former Cleopatra singer, who is currently a contestant on the BBC show The Voice, says she hopes that by wearing her hair in an afro on the show, she’ll encourage other young black women to do the same.

“I really hope I can inspire our young women to rock their natural hair,” says the 31-year-old, who wowed the show’s judges with her rendition of Beyoncé’s hit, Love On Top.

SISTER ACT: Higgins shot to fame as the lead singer of Cleopatra with her sisters Zainam (centre) and Yonah (right)

“If by going out on TV with my hair natural, it can inspire others to do the same, I’d be really happy. Get your afros out girls!”

Revealing that her mum is currently creating a range of products for natural hair, Higgins, who shot to fame with her sisters Zainam and Yonah in the ‘90s group Cleopatra, says she’s encouraged by the number of young black women she sees sporting natural hair.

“Our hair can be so versatile and I find it really encouraging when I see young girls wearing their hair natural,” says the Birmingham-born artist. “I see more and more of that nowadays and I think it’s great.”

Read the full exclusive interview with Cleo in the next issue of The Voice, out today (May 9)