Adrianne Curry Speaks Out About Damage to Her Hair from ‘ANTM’ Makeover
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Former ‘America’s Next Top Model’ winner, Adrianne Curry, has recently come forward with claims that her makeover on the show left her hair permanently damaged. Curry, who won the first season of the popular modelling competition series, expressed her concerns in a video shared on Instagram, shedding light on the lasting impact of the hair transformation she experienced during the show.
In each season of ‘America’s Next Top Model’, host and supermodel Tyra Banks would decide on new hairstyles for the finalists as part of their makeovers. These makeovers often involved dramatic changes that sometimes led to emotional moments. During the first season which aired in 2003, Banks decided to have a weave installed in Curry’s hair. A weave is a hairstyle typically used in Black hairstyles, where either natural or synthetic hair is sewn into a person’s own hair.
Curry revealed in her Instagram video that the weave she received caused permanent damage to her hair growth. She pointed out two areas around her temples where the hair is now shorter and sparse, stating, “Like, hair doesn’t grow anymore.” Despite concerns raised by the hairstylists about the fragility of her hair, Banks insisted on proceeding with the weave, leading to detrimental effects on Curry’s scalp and hair.
Following the show’s conclusion, Curry sought help at a Black hair salon in her hometown, Joliet, Illinois, to have the weave removed. She recounted the ordeal of having the weave taken out, resulting in a “horrific mullet” and scabs on her scalp. The former model expressed frustration over the situation, claiming that her scalp has been permanently damaged due to the weave, and lamented the lack of consideration for her hair’s health during the makeover process.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Curry expressed her feelings of betrayal and deception by the show, stating, “They told us every day whoever was going to win was going to be a big Revlon model, and then they dubbed over voiceovers when it aired on TV because they never intended that. They lied to us because none of us would’ve fought as hard as we did for some half-ass prize. We’d be like, that’s stupid.”
Despite the challenges she faced during and after her time on ‘America’s Next Top Model’, Curry has embraced a quieter life in Montana after being involved in other reality TV shows. Reflecting on her experience, she acknowledged the harsh realities of the modelling industry and expressed gratitude for not achieving the level of success she initially sought, remarking, “I’m grateful that things didn’t pan out the way they were supposed to because I don’t think I would be a very good person if I had found major success in modeling.”
Curry’s story highlights the importance of considering the long-term effects of makeovers and hair treatments, especially in the high-pressure environment of reality TV competitions. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for proper care and respect for contestants’ well-being, both physically and emotionally, in such intense and competitive settings.