Black Actress Nike Imoru Sues Harvard Theater for Alleged ‘Cataclysmic’ Damage to Her Hair

**Actress Nike Imoru Sues American Repertory Theater for Discriminatory Treatment and Hair Loss**

Nike Imoru, a Washington-based actress, has lodged a lawsuit against the American Repertory Theater Company (A.R.T.) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, alleging that she suffered “discriminatory mistreatment” which led to permanent hair loss and significant emotional distress. The case has garnered attention for its implications regarding race and the standards of care provided to performers.

The legal action stems from Imoru’s experience during the theatre’s 2025 production of *The Odyssey*, where she was cast in a lead role. According to the lawsuit, A.R.T. advised Imoru to change her hairstyle from knotless silver box braids to a shorter cut. Instead of utilising an in-house licensed hair technician, the theatre suggested that a backstage employee, who was not qualified for such a task, could style her hair. This employee, described as a dresser with no formal training as a hair technician, was responsible for braiding Imoru’s hair into cornrows using inappropriate extensions.

Imoru asserts that the braiding process caused her “extreme pain” and left her with red welts on her scalp. When she raised concerns about her discomfort, the dresser allegedly suggested removing the braids, a process that Imoru claims was agonising and resulted in her natural hair being forcibly pulled out. Consequently, she was left with no choice but to wear a hairpiece for the majority of the performances in *The Odyssey*.

The lawsuit highlights a breach of the CROWN Act, which explicitly prohibits discrimination based on racial characteristics, including hair texture and styles, alongside a violation of the Actors’ Equity Association’s collective bargaining agreement. This agreement mandates that theatres provide actors with access to qualified hair technicians, a standard which, Imoru argues, was not upheld in her case.

In an alarming twist to her story, Imoru documented her struggles with doctors, eventually receiving a diagnosis of “traumatic loss of hair” from an urgent care provider. A Black dermatologist then recommended Keralase laser treatments, which Imoru described as painfully invasive, even indicating that they caused a distinct burnt smell during application. Although A.R.T. promised reimbursement for her treatment over four months, the emotional and physical toll had already begun to manifest.

The actress also stated she had to shave her head entirely, following results from a scalp biopsy that revealed trauma-induced follicle loss consistent with traction alopecia, a condition caused by excessive pulling on the hair. Imoru claims this hair loss has drastically altered her career trajectory, leading to a withdrawal from public appearances and acting engagements.

In a heartfelt statement shared with PEOPLE, Imoru expressed her emotional turmoil, saying, “I was in such profound shock that I lost a sense of who I was, because my hair is so much a part of who I am.” She recounted how her hair, which had been a defining aspect of her identity, began to fall out in patches, leaving her distressed and struggling with her self-image.

The lawsuit references A.R.T.’s historical commitment to addressing racial discrimination, recalling a 2014 incident involving allegations of racism during the production of *Witness Uganda*, which was later renamed *Invisible Thread*. It quotes A.R.T.’s Artistic Director, Diane M. Paulus, who publicly apologised and pledged to uphold anti-racism values, highlighting the discrepancy between those commitments and the treatment Imoru claims to have received.

Imoru further asserted her belief that the theatre has not lived up to the standards they profess regarding race. She remarked, “There were contractual safeguards to prevent this kind of injury. But those safeguards weren’t followed. Textured hair requires particular types of care, and I don’t think that was followed through because we had two different disparate sets of treatment.”

As the lawsuit unfolds, the implications of Imoru’s allegations resonate within the wider discussion of race, equity, and the responsibility of artistic institutions to provide inclusive and respectful environments for all performers. The outcome of this case may prompt further scrutiny of practices within the theatre world, particularly concerning race and diversity in hair care for actors.

The American Repertory Theater has yet to respond publicly to the allegations made by Imoru. As this situation continues to develop, many are closely watching how it may influence both the theatre community and broader conversations surrounding racial equity in the arts.