Did Joy Reid Wear A Wig?

Joy Reid, a popular Microsoft National Broadcasting Company (MSNBC) host and political commentator, is known for changing her hairstyle frequently and often wearing wigs and extensions. Here's an overview of her hair journey and the various wig styles she employs.

1. Joy Reid's Natural Hair Journey

In 2020, Reid decided to start wearing her natural hair on the show as a "political statement" and to recognize the right of black women to wear their hair naturally without being seen as unprofessional. She had previously relied heavily on chemical treatments, wigs and weaves, which had damaged her hair over the years.

Reid explained her thought process for debuting natural hair on her show, The ReidOut: "If it's going to be a new show, a new moment, then we can also adopt new visuals." She said, "I think black women have become who we are in every way, including insisting on being who we are, including our hair."

2. Joy Reid's Wig Styles

While embracing her natural hair, Reid continues to experiment with a variety of wig styles, often changing her look nightly for her MSNBC show "The Reid Out." Some of her famous wig styles include:

Weave Wigs: Reid has been praised and criticized for her bold, unconventional look by wearing intricate weave wigs, sometimes with colorful embellishments.

Curly wigs: she has worn curly wigs of various lengths and colors, showcasing the versatility of natural hair.

Blonde wig: Reid occasionally wears a blonde wig, including a short pixie cut, which has sparked debate about cultural appropriation.

Straight wigs: she has also worn stylish straight wigs of various lengths and colors, creating a more traditional live look.

3. Embracing wigs and hair experimentation

While embracing her natural hair, Reid continued to experiment with a variety of wig styles, frequently changing her look on the MSNBC show. She wore an intricate braided wig, a curly wig that showed off her natural texture, a short pixie-like blonde wig, and a sleek straight wig.

Reid has been praised and criticized for her bold, non-traditional hair choices, with some finding them distracting and others appreciating her self-expression and challenge to traditional beauty norms.

Her ever-changing hairstyles have sparked discussions about cultural appropriation, professionalism, and the regulation of Black women's appearance.

4. Joy Reid on the Pros and Cons of Wig Wearing

Joy Reid has spoken openly about her hair loss journey and embraces her natural hair texture while often experimenting with different wig styles. Here are some of her potential pros and cons of wearing a wig:

Pros:

Versatility and Self-Expression: wigs allow Reid to easily change her appearance and hairstyle, enabling her to express herself through different styles and colors. This versatility has become part of her signature aesthetic.

Protecting Natural Hair: Wearing a wig helps protect Reid's natural hair from damage caused by over-styling, heat and chemical processing. This allows her natural hair to grow and stay healthy.

Boosting confidence: Reid talked about how hair loss affected her confidence early in her career. A wig helps her feel more confident and comfortable in front of the camera.

Cons:

Potential for distraction: some viewers found Reid's frequent wig changes and bold style distracting from her journalism and commentary. It sparked debate about professionalism and appropriateness.

Issues of cultural appropriation: Reid faced criticism, especially for wearing a blonde wig, and some accused her of cultural appropriation of white hair.

Maintenance and cost: high quality wigs can be expensive and maintaining a range of different styles can take a lot of time, effort and resources.

5. Summary

While Reid's ever-changing hairstyles have been a topic of discussion, with some finding them distracting and others appreciating her self-expression, one thing is clear: she embraces the freedom to experiment with her hair and challenge traditional beauty norms.

Ultimately, Reid's decision to wear a wig was a personal choice that allowed her to express herself while dealing with hair loss and embracing her natural texture. While it has been met with both praise and criticism, her ever-changing style has become part of her public image and fashion statement.