I’m honestly not trying to show off my lack of knowledge about black women’s hair, but I honestly don’t know if Janet Jackson’s newly-cropped look is a fashion statement or a styling necessity. Does Janet usually wear wigs? Or does she have a weave? Or was her previous hair all her own? Here’s a photo of her from early May, at the Costume Institute gala. My call? I think the roots are hers but she got some weaves/extensions happening, and probably a full-on hairpiece for the bun.
So, did Janet Jackson chop off her hair as some kind of dramatic fashion statement, or was her hair just over-processed and she needed a clean slate? Or has it been short for a while and she’s been wearing wigs? Whenever I have these kinds of questions about an African-American celebrity, I turn to Bossip. Bossip never fails… she asks “Did She Cut All Her Hair Off Or Is She Just Letting The Lace Front Breathe?!??” Bossip doesn’t know for sure either. However, Us Weekly kind of thinks that this is all because Janet and Jermaine Dupri broke up last year? No, Us Weekly. She would have shaved her head back then if it was about the split.
Oh, and Jesus Christ I want her purse. I LOVE her purse so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.
Janet Jackson in London on May 19, 2010. Credit: Pacific Coast News.
I think she looks great in these pics.
Weaves and extensions shred your hair and make your scalp sore. She’s probably sick of it. She is so beautiful, with such a lovely complexion – I think it actually enhances her face.
“Oh, and Jesus Christ I want her purse. I LOVE her purse so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.”
Kaiser, you just hit a home run with that quote, lol!!
Hahaha, Tracy Jordan! Love it. The picture of her with the bun, that isn’t her real. It’s a combination of weave and a bun on top. Our hair doesn’t grow that long without breaking.
Sometimes it’s what you just have to do. Having braids, weaves, lace-fronts, and on top of that relaxing your hair takes a toll. And our hair is known for it’s breakage.
Good for her for having the confidence to cut it so short. I know many black girls, myself included who could never do that. The black hair industry is a $7 billion dollar business. We care a lot.
If you’re really interested Kaiser, you should watch “Good Hair” that documentary by Chris Rock. It’s what I recommend to all my non-black friends when they ask about my hairstyles 🙂
She cut her hair. I think for a more indepth answer you need to give her a call. I know that sounds a little bitchy, but sometimes a haircut is just a haircut.
Go Janet! I’m have short hair that I wear natural. Hate the media image that women *need* to have long, flowing hair — even isn’t their own (Beyoncé, Britney Spears, etc).
Wow, she looks beautiful with short hair! And her face is all glow-y and healthy looking. I hope she’s really taking care of herself now and now just over-dieting.
I think she looks great and a person should not be defined by their hair.GO JJ!!
Great skin and eyebrows, the haircut not so much!
just a break from all the extensions, & lace fronts imo. her face is so pretty…she could be bald & still look good.
i like her hair short. i hope she keeps it that way.
Kaiser: I love her jacket so much I want marry it and tell it I love it every single day.
looks great on her – im sure she’s had many wigs/weaves over the years, which i think has become nearly as common among non-black famous women – i am a white girl so i don’t really know what i’m talking about here, but i’ve seen/heard reference to some black women being offended by the beyonces of the world b/c there is a belief that the long, straight and often blondish fake hair is an insult – a way of “trying to look more white”, suggesting that a black woman’s natural looks are not “good enough”. so, from that perspective, for the young black girls who might feel that way, good for janet setting an example. she has that killer jackson bone structure and a beautiful complexion, so it really works on her.
She’s always had weaves and extensions. Eventually it breaks your hair off. I actually like the shorter look.
Wow, I think she looks absolutely amazing with that short hair. She looks so much younger too.
I think its the best she has looked in years. She is just one of those lucky ladies who keeps getting prettier as she ages. Aside from the obvious surgeries she has great bone structure.
Our hair doesn’t grow that long without breaking.
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I guess by “our hair” you mean Black hair. I’m Black and that’s just not true. If you get your hair conditioned properly it will grow quite long without breaking. Not trying to argue; just making a correction.
I love Janet’s short hair. Maybe she just decided she needed something different; maybe she decided to get it short for the Summer. Who knows? I think she looks beautiful.
I also love the purse and the jacket.
“I LOVE her purse so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.”
LMAO! Who says that?
@Miranda Ann
I’m going to have to agree/disagree. If you are mixed or your descendants are from North-eastern Africa like Ethiopia, then yes, your hair may not break as much because the texture is different.
But I was speaking in the sense of using relaxer, having braids, weaves, you know, the normal practices in black hair culture. No amount of moisturizer or conditioner can reverse the effects of the pulling and tugging and weaving of years. I’m from West Africa and our hair is THICK and is easily breakable if we don’t use the right relaxer and if we add heat to it like straighteners or curlers. We are both right in our respects.
Ps, just curious, how long are you talking? Like Kim Kardashian long? Because I’ve never met a full black girl with hair that naturally long. My hair reaches a little below my scapula, but that’s it.
Methinks she’s just taking a vacay from the extensions and weave. All hair needs a rest from the mess sometimes. Since she has it shaped up, she may actually wear her hair short when she’s out of the limelight.
Miranda Ann – Good points on refuting that myth! Also there are plenty of black folks walking around with locs to their waist.
I’m black,
Never used weaves etc and my hair is past my shoulders. but yeah, you really have to take care of it. relaxing really makes your hair very dry and brittle.
lol… I LOVE her purse so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant..
LOVE IT!!! LOL
i guess it’s really very individual more than it’s entirely race-specific. i know a few white girls who can’t grow their hair past their chin w/o it breaking or starting to fall out. i, on the other hand, have straight hair that grows like a damn weed, but it WILL NOT hold a curl no matter what you do to it.
LOL, love the Tracy Jordan line!
I actually really like it that short, it looks good on her.
Blaster, speak for yourself. I am black and have not have processed hair for over ten years. When it is blown out it my hair it is in the middle of my back. Anyway, Janet looks beautiful but her hair looks thin. It will probably thicken now that she has left the weaves and wigs alone.
A lot of women look beautiful with short hair and Janet certainly does. Gorgeous!
So basically, if you use a lot of chemicals and/or extensions or braiding/weaves, your hair will break off, no matter what color you are. I think that is what Miranda Ann is trying to say.
If you take care of your NATURAL hair, it won’t break.
I think Janet looks stunning and has a great head shape. Right now, I would KILL to have that much hair, so not everybody has a great skull shape. My head looks like a bald egg at the moment and it ain’t pretty. But it should start growing back in a few months. (I’m in remission, ya’ll! 😀 )
She looks beautiful in those pictures
she can pull off short hair – lovely skin and a pretty face.
Congrats on the remission gg!
@Blaster – I’m not doubting that growing long hair may be a problem for some Black women but it has not been a problem for me. Regarding ancestral history, I don’t think if my grandfather was of a fairer complexion (he died when my mother was 6 yrs old so I’ve never even seen a photo), that it’s the reason why my hair has always been able to grow so long (and I’ve used chemical relaxers since the age of 10, I’m now 37).
My parents are from Trinidad and my father’s side have a darker complexion. Yet my father’s sister has always had thick hair that she chooses to keep at her shoulders. My younger cousin on my mother’s side has hair exactly like my own: thick and grows like a weed. If there is mixed ancestry, it is far down the line and I’m guessing many of us (white or black) have mixed ancestry we’ll never be able to confirm.
Back to Janet, I loved her hair during the “If” days (album cover where her then hubby’s hands were covering her boobs). Real it not, it was lovely and my favourite look for her. Her hair is obviously thinner so let’s hope she lets it breathe for awhile longer.
HEAD LICE?
@Blaster- Peace! Please don’t make statements about “us” black people. Just speak for yourself. My hair is pretty long and thick, and I easily wear those styles- never had a weave. I’m in the process of growing my relaxer out, but only b/c I don’t like the smell. And what is “full” black? When neither of your parents are exactly 1/2 and 1/2? *snort* Rhetorical. Not looking to argue 🙂
@Kaiser, you might try theybf.com for more things African American.
Thanks, Kimble! 😀
I appreciate hair more than ever now.
The profile shots show that she has great bone structure and she can definitely pull off the short hair. Is bet she’s just giving her hair a breather from the wigs/weaves/extensions/hairpieces.
I wish we could see a shot of her from the front to get the full effect, but she looks beautiful.
That bag is definitely fabulous; it looks like a crocodile Balenciaga. NICE!
Congrats @gg!
I love it. So bold. She’s so beautiful, and the cut really makes you focus on her face.
pretty
That is awesome for you gg. Hope all goes well. I think Janet just has her weave out. Must feel a bit better to let your scalp breathe! I don’t know a thing about African American hair. I will look into that documentary by Chris Rock. Thanks to whomever made that suggestion.
@strawberry:
Just know that I am that hot *beep* jacket’s mistress!
@kaiser: I only like to flirt w/the bag 🙂
CUTE.
Actually one of the best sites about Black hair is http://www.afrobella.com
I like Janet’s haircut, perfect for the summer!
Maybe it is stress. Her brother passed away last year. Maybe the stress of his passing caused her hair to fall out and she took the opportunity to cut it off and get a new look. I think she looks beautiful. Anyone with her great bone structure can wear their hair in many different styles. I am a black woman and I cut my hair entirley off every two years, just for a new head of hair. My hair is currently past my shoulders. Black women not being able to grow their hair long is a myth. As long as you are healthy and take care of it, it will grow.
gg: High five! Stay strong 🙂
It’s also a myth that relaxing/using chemicals makes your hair break off.
I’ve used relaxers for 14 years now and my hair doesn’t break off and never has. I don’t like having long hair-it takes too long to wash and dry and style so I keep mine at around my shoulders but I’ve let it get down past there to about mid-back. I just hated it that way so i cut it shorter.
Janet seems to be between weaves. She’s just giving her hair a breather which is smart. Using weaves and hair pieces can be murder on one’s hair.
How long your hair grows isn’t race related. Some people’s hair is more brittle and falls out or off and some people have thicker hair that doesn’t Some hair is oily (like mine) and doesn’t break off easily, others have dryer hair. But how long your hair grows, in my opinion, is far more related to how well you take care of it and how well you know your head of hair.
Oh and gg: Congrats and here’s to your continued good health! 🙂
@gg…congrats to u!!! 🙂
I agree that girls with short hair aren’t a big deal, and I can’t help but notice this blog makes a big article any time any woman or girl gets their hair cut short, a la Shiloh. Gender issues much? It is 2010… Honestly, Janet looks good. As for ‘dramatic fashion statement’, can’t a girl just get a new hair style because she’s bored and wants a change? Honestly, short hair isn’t that dramatic and not everything a celebrity says or does has some grand meaning. It’s summertime, it’s hot, it’s the perfect time to chop locks. People read into a hairstyle WAY too much.
Oh, and Jesus Christ I want her purse. I LOVE her purse so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.”
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Ha ha ha ha!!!! Epic win.
And Janet looks fabulous. She probably didn’t want to end up the Viveca A. Fox’s hairline, which makes her look like a Klingon.
I was on another gossip site about two days ago and people were arguing about wether Janet had a weave. Janet as far as I knew wore weaves most of the time but she had very good ones. I don’t believe Janet wears lace fronts because you see her real hair at the front not a fake lace hair line. I like her hair like this but I think it makes her look older. Also puts more focus on her nose which isn’t a good thing.
I’m African-American and although I have Native American, Welsh-American and Jewish ancestors my hair is super super thick and coarse with no curl at all. Relaxers don’t take well in my hair so I use super strength. Even still I’ve always had long hair. It doesn’t break or fall out. I’ve never had a bad reaction to a perm.
As far as hair falling out from perm and weaves it really depends on the persons hair. No two black people are the same and it has nothing to do with past ancestry only the actual texture, growth pattern, and what you actually do to the hair.
@Blaster, if you have a good beautician and my beautician is a great one, then you shouldnt have issues with breakage or growing your hair long. I used to have long hair in my younger years and itz due to my beautician using the right kind of products on my hair. Plus I dont use alot heat (i.e. flat ironing/drying)on a daily basis. Relax, coloring, braiding etc all these practicies can cause damage to your hair. Please put the myth out of your mind that black women cant grow long hair cause we can!
Good lawd, she’s gorgeous! With that bone structure, she can pull off any length hair.
I think that it’s important not to make generalizations about black hair care. I’m 1/2 Nigerian and have waist length hair. Before you question my mother is also black and so are both of my grandparents. Again to dispell the myth I chopped all of my hair off and started from hair similar to Janet’s moral of the story is not to make blanket statements!
let’s call this what it is folks:
a cry for help.
A word of advice, Kaiser, please don’t go to Bossip for information regarding Black celebs. I found that site, along with Media Takeout (aka Media Fakeout) to be just flat out ignorant and negative. I know gossip sites aren’t supposed to be positive or progressive, but there’s some far better ones out there than that site.
I suggest nicolebitchie.com or Crunktastical.net.
To add, I don’t understand why this is big news on any gossip site, black or white. Chrisette Michelle also cut off her hair, stopped wearing weaves, wigs, etc. Even Solange Knowles wears short hair. Sometimes it’s time for a change.
I think it looks wayyy better than bad long weave.
“Oh, and Jesus Christ I want her purse. I LOVE her purse so much I want to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.” I can’t decide if that quote is funny or creepy.
Janet does wear weaves but I think she cut it that short. I think she looks good with this style. Short cuts can look great or a complete disaster on a person.
Go gg go!
I think the hair looks good. She shouldn’t have butchered her face, though. 🙁 She was so much prettier before…
@Blaster:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=6
Wow it looks great on her! She is just taking a break from extentions, weaves etc. They will be back lol.
yeah umm Blaster…what everyone else said. I don’t want to come off as attacking you, but “mixed” ancestry has nothing to do with length retention. Take care of your hair and it will grow, that’s for all ethnicities. You really need to check out longhaircareforum.com if you need help getting your hair to the point that you want it to be and it will also debunk some of those myths out there about our hair.
Janet looks beautiful. I love her hair.
Maybe she cut it because short hair looks amazing. Same reason white girls cut it short.
Ya’ll realise we’re living in the 21st century, right? Because damn if you don’t have some Victorian attitudes about women’s hair.
@43 I think you’re right. Women often claim that cutting their hair ‘frees’ them or releases the stress. When people with dreads cut their hair they say the same thing. After the episode with Chris Brown, Rihanna shaved of the sides of her hair.
I cut all my hair off when I divorced my ex. It was like he had soaked into it or something and I needed to get rid of it – to be free.
Go gg go!!!!
I love Janet’s new hair-do. She recently celebrated her 44th birthday so maybe she decided to do go for a fun, new look to celebrate? Just guessing and she looks fabulous as always.
The short hair looks good on Janet unlike that disaster recently seen on Renee Zellwegger!
She looks great, I love it when a woman is beautiful enough to wear her hair however and look good either way,lol. I like how chopping your hair off is so much easier to fix. 😉
@gg:
As long as your attitude is positive, and with GOD’s help you can beat anything. I will keep you in my prayers.
@mel:
You’re absolutely right! Black women are very capable of growing very long hair; however, genetics does play a role in how long a person’s hair will grow.
Janet Jackson looks fabulous with her new short cut. As I recall from her childhood and teenage years, Janet’s hair is naturally very soft, short and wavy. Many women regardless of their racial and/or ethnic background simply get tired of the additional maintenance longer hairstyles require. After years of hair pieces and weaves, Janet probably decided to experiment with a more natural look and for her, it’s really quite attractive. Also, keep in mind, that if she’s working out a lot more, shorter hair is much more practical due to the additional washing and styling required after her workouts.
I love her skin!
She looks beautiful and can definitely pull this look off! Go Miss J!
How come nobody is talking about the fact that she has “beautiful” bone structure is because she has butchered her face throughout the years? Do her nostrils even look normal? I’m sure there’s Botox in there as well, but because it’s not overdone… hmmm nobody says a word. I love JJ as an artist.. but let’s keep it real.
oh god people! Hair is Hair. The only difference between black and white hair is black hair is super curly, making it easier to break off, harder to straighten and drier since the oils don’t go down the shaft because of the curl. THATS IT!! Janet’s hair looks good either way.
@ Sharonkings
Haha. Co-sign. The weave will be back. It’s hard for black female celebrities who wear perms and/or weave to let go of it. Trust, however, that the weave will make a reappearance. It’s NOT easy, as hair in the black community is such a huge issue.
And for those who are claiming, “It’s just hair.” fyou are black woman, though it should just be “hair”. It comes with it’s own heavy socio-culural baggage, so please don’t be dismissive.
@ gg
Congrats!
I love it. It looks great on her.
I’m a black woman. Black women cut our hair short for the same reason other women do – for a change, sometimes symbolizing a life change. She could have switched from weave to a natural looking wig if she just wanted to give her hair a break from processing. Plus, it looks terrific so it looks like a fashion statement.
Also, the white women you write about are wearing weaves too, but you never seem to mention it. Problematic.
I would give my right arm for her skin! Gorgeous.
@ gg ~ Congrats on the remission! 😀
I hope that Janet is just giving her hair a break, or wanted a new style, and that’s there isn’t a medical reason she cut her hair short. (Because it’s thin.) My mom cut hers off when chemo made it start falling out. We kept telling her to get a mohawk, but she wouldn’t listen. lol
@ DiMi
Actually, they constantly rag on Britney Spears and Kate Gosselin. Just as well; their weave is forever busted.
Janet’s hair looks amazing and so does she. She is rocking this hair style and every last one of you would love to be as gorgeous as she is, especially at 44. I say you go Janet, you are beautiful. Work it Girl.
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Quite a smartly written article and supporting comments here. I would like to point out that others may make a varying case, particularly in terms of natural health. Have you run across additional viewpoints on the Internet, and would you let me know where?
Janet has always had extensions or weaves attached to her hair. She was probably giving her hair a much needed break. Wearing extensions and weaves all the time increases the damage done to the hair so that is why it is necessary to give your hair a break. I think she still looks amazing with or without a weave.
I am not a hater but you all please, she looks much much better with longer hair. She looks old as hell and tired!! WFT man! Put some weave back in your hair and go! Dont be afraid to be a cutie pie. Some women looks nice w/short hair and some women look better w/long hair. Put it back in, please! And for goodness sake, come on out w/some more music! We all are tired if hearing that old shit from you, Janet, damn! You have been pn top or the SHIT since you split w/Renee. With all due respect, but Damn, was he the musical talent behind you! I respect you and this is why i feel i can keep it real w/u! And please, open up your freaking mouth and SING!!! DAMN, WE’RE TIRED OF ALL THAT SOFT ASS SINGING! DAMN JANET, REPRESENT OF US SISTERS. Don’t just leave it up to Beyounce! She’s a pretty girl too and can’t sing a damn bit. Except for her first solo album! come back, Damita Jo, come back!! 🙂