OITNB Actress’s Essay: ‘If I Could Control My Hair, I Could Control My Life’

Tanya Wright, embracing her curls. (Photo: Instagram/TanyaTWright)

For many women, the contentment they have with their hair can completely dictate their mood and self-image that particular day. Many of us have no problem chalking our sudden dip in self-esteem as the product of a bad hair day (or days, for that matter), and we’re not alone. Celebrities have been coming forward to discuss their own displeasure with their hair, reminding us that this is a problem all women deal with.

For Tanya Wright, an actress on the hit show, Orange is the New Black, life’s answers were to be found in her hair. Wright penned an essay for the Huffington Post in which she describes how the tragic loss of her brother, savings, home, and car pushed her forward to a fresh start: “In 2010, I began to think about rebuilding my life. The world seemed new, different. I wanted to start fresh. I was out walking my pooch, Macarena, whom I had gotten a year after my brother’s death and had the overwhelming feeling that if ‘I could get control over my hair, I could get control over my life.’”

This realization comes after Wright had despised her hair during most of her lifetime, saying that it had been the bane of her existence and was “massive, curly and had a life all its own.”

Knowing that this was a deeply rooted insecurity for her, Tanya decided to tackle her coils head on, submersing herself in all things hair. “As I started to cultivate a more loving relationship with my hair, I realized those curly coils atop my head were teaching me a lot about patience,” she wrote. “That shedding (which is natural, we shed skin and hair daily) is an integral part of the ‘letting go’ process to make a way for the new.”

For Tanya, this journey of handling her hair was a way for her to learn about personal growth and leave her difficult past behind her, something many of us struggle with. Although this all began with Tanya trying to control her curls, she ended up doing the opposite, and found that she preferred her natural texture over the smooth and straight stereotype.

Tanya is just the latest to open up about the importance and freedom associated with wearing her hair naturally. Other prominent celebrities, like Corinne Bailey Rae and Beyoncé, have joined in the conversation, encouraging women to embrace their curls rather than trying to control them.

Unsurprisingly, Wright’s essay has brought out a staggering positive response from readers. “Great article, I too have started my back to natural journey,” said one supporter commenting on the essay. “Loved reading this…I agree there is something about accepting who you are and perhaps my hair is my greatest statement of that!” exclaimed another.

With more and more people opting to embrace their natural hair, we can’t help but love the newfound confidence and freedom that women have been able to acquire through it. Read Tanya’s entire essay here.

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