Queen Latifah Reveals She Had to Do Her Own Hair on Living Single

When Living Single premiered in 1993, Queen Latifah was already a rising star balancing a flourishing music career and her breakthrough role on one of television’s most beloved sitcoms. But behind the laughter and cultural impact of the show, the actress and rapper was quietly dealing with a challenge that spoke to a larger issue in Hollywood: Black women not receiving adequate hair care support on set.

The Pressures of Constant Styling

At the height of Living Single, Queen Latifah was not only filming weekly episodes but also promoting an album. This meant her hair was being styled—primarily pressed—four to five times a week. The relentless manipulation soon took its toll. Her edges began breaking, and her hair showed visible signs of damage.

“I ain’t about to lose my edges over no show,” she later reflected, making clear that protecting her hair health had to come before production demands.

This experience mirrors the reality for many Black actresses in the 1990s and even today, when hairstylists on set are not always trained to work with natural textures. As a result, performers are often forced to take matters into their own hands.

Taking Control: Doing Her Own Hair

Rather than risk further breakage, Queen Latifah decided to style her own hair during the show’s run. Skills she learned from her mother—like basic curling—and close observation of makeup artists and hairstylists on shoots gave her the foundation to manage her own look on set.

This decision was both protective and empowering, allowing her to preserve her hair while continuing to deliver the polished image required for her role as Khadijah James.

A Turning Point: Embracing Natural Hair

A key figure in her hair journey was hairstylist Julie Baker, who eventually advised Latifah to grow out her relaxer and embrace her natural hair. Relaxed hair, while sleek, was more vulnerable to the frequent styling demands of television production. Natural hair, Baker suggested, would withstand the pressure better and protect Latifah’s long-term hair health.

That advice marked a turning point, shifting her approach to hair care and planting the seeds for the versatility and strength of the styles she’s known for today.

A Broader Reflection on Representation

Queen Latifah’s story is not just about personal resilience—it reflects a systemic gap in Hollywood that Black actresses have spoken about for decades. Lack of adequate hairstyling resources often forced them to become their own experts, even as their white counterparts benefited from specialized care.

By taking ownership of her hair on Living Single, Latifah not only safeguarded her health but also helped spotlight the need for better industry practices—a conversation that continues to evolve today.

The Legacy

More than 30 years later, Living Single remains a cultural touchstone, and Queen Latifah’s decision to do her own hair is part of that legacy. It’s a reminder of the unseen challenges Black women navigate in entertainment—and the strength it takes to thrive despite them.

Would you like me to expand this into a feature-length piece with commentary from other Black actresses who faced similar hair struggles (e.g., Gabrielle Union, Tracee Ellis Ross), to frame Latifah’s story within a wider Hollywood context?