TheGame of Thronesalum, who currently stars inThe Invitation,spent her 20s fightinghair discriminationon set.
In my teens and 20s, I was already acting and started being in the public eye.
Suddenly I had to present myself a certain way and had the expectations of the world on me.
Deveaux top. Anita Ko earrings, necklace, and rings. Laura Bond nose ring. To create a similar makeup look: Eye Tint Liquid Eyeshadow in 34 and Ecstasy Mirror Lip Gloss in 401 by Giorgio Armani.
I felt a bit overwhelmed.
My mum was always like, “It’s not about your appearance.
Youdon’t need anything.
Olivia von Halle pajamas. Anita Ko earrings. To create a similar makeup look: Revitalizing Lip Balm in Sheer Shimmer and Hydro Boost Multi-Use Stick with Smoothing Hyaluronic Acid in Temptation by Neutrogena.
You’re talented, you’re smart, kind, funny.”
I could only be me at the end of the day.
But I was on a TV show in England calledHollyoaks, which was a teen show.
Nanushka top and pants. Sophie Bille Brahe earrings. To create a similar makeup look: Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 28 Matte Cobalt and Glossed Lip Gloss in Sleek by Sephora Collection.
I definitely tried to become that.
You should do this all the time."
I’d always be like, “Hmm, or not.”
You tend to be much more vulnerable to influence.
you gotta have straight hair."
And I was like, “Really?”
I just actively didnt want to do that.
That’s everybody’s choice for themselves.
But for me it never felt right.
That was just really heartbreaking.
Olivia von Halle pajamas.
I think that’s changed significantly.
[I’ve had people] touch my hair like it’s a bomb about to go off.
People might assume that because I’m established, it doesn’t happen.
That’s not true.
So imagine what’s happening to the actress who just comes in as a day player.
There was a lot of pressure to conform, to have straight hair
I recently cut my hair short.
To her, I was perfect.
It wasn’t based on empowerment.
I went back to school that September with my hair brushed out into a huge fro.
I was like, “Let them tell me I cant wear my hair.”
I was like, “Yeah, my hair’s amazing.
Don’t touch my hair, but its amazing.”
I’m going to go natural because of you."
Then I realized how important it was, even in simple things, like fashion magazines and red carpets.
And I was like, “No, I’m going to do mytexture.”
Nanushka top and pants.
Sophie Bille Brahe earrings.
I just wanted to reset.
And Im still rocking my natural texture.
It’s just shorter.
Generally, our sort of style on British TV and film is very, very minimalist.
So I’m somewhere in the middle.
I just have to remind myself that Ive been told a lie.
I love you, little roll here.
I love you, little scar here.
Oh, my God, that’s like a memory.
You’re beautiful."
I feel super silly doing it at times, but it does kind of work in a way.
It sort of helps hack my brain.
It’s empowering to say, “Im in love with all of this.”
As told to Alaina Demopoulos
Fashion stylist: Cher Coulter.
Hair: Nicola Harrowell.
Makeup: Marco Antonio.
On-set producer: Joseph Beattie.
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