In 1954, Dorothy Dandridge became the first Black woman nominated for the Best Actress category at the 27th Academy Awards. Dandridge debuted a classic curled coif at the ceremony, marking her as one of the few natural-haired beauties to appear at the award show. Before Dandridge’s debut came other iconic looks from actress Ethel Waters and Hattie McDaniel, who wore a curled coif to her segregated ceremony in 1939.
Although wearing natural hair at elegant functions can still be seen as an anomaly today, this year’s Oscars brought some of the best hair scene-stealing moments to the carpet. From loc’d looks to pressed and curly hairdos, here are the standout natural hair moments from the 96th Academy Award show.
Regina King
Image credits: GettyImages/John Shearer
The Academy Award-winning actress stunned at this year’s Oscars with a natural updo partnered with coily face-framing tendrils. Regina paired her pulled-back look with a bright orange Versace dress and a bejeweled heel to match her lightly jeweled gown.
Erika Alexander
Image Source: GettyImages/Aliah Anderson
Erika Alexander is no rookie to a beautiful natural ‘do. The actress swapped her usual technicolored braids for brushed-out curls in a rich chocolate hue. However, the American Fiction star didn’t leave the bright colors at home. Instead, she opted to wear it on her custom Christian Siriano ombré tulle dress.
Sterling K. Brown & Ryan Michelle Bathe
Image Source: GettyImages/Mike Coppola
Sterling K. Brown, another American Fiction star and Academy Award nominee, kept it clean with a David Yurman suit and a freshly shaved face. The soon-to-be silver fox let his sprouts of gray hair shine on the red carpet. Brown’s beautiful wife, actress Ryan Michelle Bathe, slicked her golden brown curls into a voluminous bun.
Porchè Brinker
Image Source: GettyImages/Robert Gauthier
The Last Repair Shop may have won the Best Documentary Short Film, but the real winner of the night was a 12-year-old student, Porchè Brinker. Brinker pranced on stage to collect her award in a powder blue gown, rocking fluffy curly ringlets and a subtle bedazzled headband.
Issa Rae
Image Source: GettyImages/Aliah Anderson
Issa Rae confidently slicked up her copper ‘do into a twisted top knot bun for the 96th Academy Awards. Rae paired the knotted look with an AMI Paris custom sequined black dress.
Lupita Nyong’o
Image Source: GettyImages/Gilbert Flores
Someone who isn’t afraid to wear her natural hair on the carpet is academy-award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o. The actress paid homage to her 2014 Oscar look by wearing a blue gown from Giorgio Armani, rocking it with a glitter-dusted mini afro.
Jon Batiste
Image Source: GettyImages/Aliah Anderson
The only thing better than Jon Batiste’s performance of “It Never Went Away” at the 2024 Oscars ceremony was his custom Zegna suit in plum. The singer tied his locs up to highlight his handsome face and taper fade.
Danielle Brooks
Image Source: GettyImages/Christina House
Best Supporting Actress nominee Danielle Brooks pressed out her hair to complement her figure-hugging “deconstructed tuxedo” dress from Dolce & Gabbana. The long bob sat slightly above her shoulders, allowing The Color Purple star to have her old Hollywood glam moment.
Zendaya
Image Source: GettyImages: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Zendaya was another starlet that shined in a bob. The Dune star paired her soft-curled short cut with a custom pink and silver Giorgio Armani gown.
Ava DuVernay
Image Source: GettyImages/ Gilbert Flores/Variety
Filmmaker and screenwriter, Ava DuVernay loc’d her tresses in an elegant high bun, pairing her ‘do with a light blue Louis Vuitton buckle-strapped gown and silver jewelry.
Monet McMichael
Image Source: GettyImages: DAVID SWANSON/AFP
Social media star Monet McMichael found her way to the 96th Academy Awards red carpet, and let’s just say: she did not disappoint. The 24-year-old stunned in a black off-the-shoulder Sophie Couture gown, styling her tousled waves in a half-up, half-down look.
Reece Feldman
Image Source: GettyImages/Mike Coppola
Another social media star we can’t get enough of is 25-year-old Reece Feldman, who paired his curly locks with a satin black look from Saint Laurent.
Laverne Cox
Image Source: GettyImages/Mike Coppola
Laverne Cox radiated in vintage Thiery Mugler, pairing her black and gold gown with a honey-highlighted updo. The actress draped herself in gold and vintage jewelry and a custom neck sash from Marco Morante.
All in all, the true winners of the night were all the viewers who got to see the gorgeous representation of natural hair on the acclaimed red carpet. We hope this becomes more of a norm in the years to come.
