AN ASPIRING young model has released a 20 minute short film, inspired by a harrowing hair experience she faced on a Caribbean reality show.
Gabrielle Bernard starred on Caribbean's Next Top Model and was shamed for her natural hair. In a clip from the short film, entitled Black Hair, Bernard can be seen visibly upset and is heard saying she did not want her hair chemically straightened and also gave reasons why.
One of those reasons, Bernard said, was that she wanted to embrace the “natural beauty and empowerment of black people.”
“You need to understand that my hair is my identity…people seek me out just because of my hair,” she told the hairdresser.
In the clip, after Bernard agrees to eventually chemically treat her hair, Wendy Fitzwilliam, executive producer of the Caribbean Next Top Model competition, is heard saying: “Darling…what was all of that in my salon? I need you to explain to me why you were so unbelievably naughty and unprofessional?”
Although the series of events took place last year, Bernard would still like an apology from Fitzwilliam, describing Fitzwilliam’s attitude towards her as a “passive, aggressive and scolding.” Bernard also took to her Facebook page where she called on Fitzwilliam to apologise to her publicly.
"This is ludicrous as far as I can see. I do love Wendy and am proud of her accomplishments on behalf of our country, at the same time I’m so appalled at this attitude and scolding towards a gorgeous young woman with a head of healthy beautiful hair.”
She added: "I would always look back and wonder “what if.” So I decided to jump, hoping to win, but I came in third place. You can imagine how disappointing it was making such huge sacrifices, all for nothing.”
Black Hair was premiered at the T&T festival last week, and has since gained support from many online.
Vloggers and social media influencers Jay and Tri of CurltureUK shared a clip from the film on their Instagram, writing: "We still have so much work to do. The fact that this happened this year is upsetting and the fact that it's from one black woman to another is even more upsetting."
Happy Hair Box also took to Instagram to share her thoughts on the issue, saying: "Next Top Model.....CARIBBEAN! I am SO angry and upset by this, sooooo many reasons. The girl herself and the BLACK JUDGE AND SALON OWNER?! If they really "had to" why not just use straighteners?!"
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