Follow Vogue Arabia

Why Rihanna Requested to Wear Locs For Her Latest Movie Role

rihanna-oceans-8-social

Photo: Getty

She’s sported blunt bobs, voluminous curls, and sleek ponytails in her time, but there was a deep meaning behind Rihanna‘s hairstyle towards the end of 2016. The Grammy winner was pictured on the set of Ocean’s 8, the upcoming heist movie starring Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock, with waist-length dreadlocks, as part of her role as Nine Ball. However, the Bajan-born singer has revealed she personally requested her character’s choice of hairstyle, in a powerful and intentional statement of identity.

“We thought it would be strong,” Rihanna’s hairstylist, Yusef Williams, told Refinery29. “Her locs would maintain that tie to Africa. She’d keep her accent. She wasn’t just going to be some American girl in this movie. Nine Ball is still a Caribbean girl that just happens to be in America.”

The “Umbrella” singer plays a hacker in the star-studded, female-driven blockbuster, which also features Mindy Kaling, Helena Bonham Carter, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, and Anne Hathaway. “When people have locs, it’s kind of like their crown. It’s their pride and joy. It’s like a flower… you gotta nourish it and watch it grow. Hair played a really big part in who Nine Ball came to be,” Williams added. “[Rihanna] made them glamorous when she wanted, and then super casual when she wanted. I thought it was cool to see her locs own the night whenever she went out. You will be seeing her with locs again, for sure. I don’t know when, but it will happen.”

Ocean’s 8, a spin-off from the Ocean’s trilogy, is set to be released on June 8, and follows a group of women intent on robbing New York’s annual Met Gala. The promotional tour has been working its way around the world in recent weeks, and offering up plenty of sartorial inspiration. Click here to see the best fashion moments from Blanchett, Bullock, and co…

Now Read: 9 Times Imaan Hammam Gave Us #HairGoals

Suggestions
Articles
View All
Vogue Collection
Topics