Strictly star ordered to change appearance to be popular in astonishing moment years before show
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two host Fleur East previously opened up about being ordered to change her appearance years before fame. Since finishing as runner up on the 2014 series of The X Factor, Fleur has excelled in a singing and presenting career.
However, in the past she has opened up about being told ‘to change’ her signature curly locks. Speaking to HELLO! in 2020, about her experience as a woman of colour starting out in the entertainment industry, the star said: "When I went into The X Factor, one thing that I really didn't want to compromise on was my hair." This carried on into her stint during I’m A Celebrity four years later, when people were asking if she was going to braid her hair, saying she couldn’t have her afro down whilst in the jungle.
However, Fleur then continued to speak about parents thanking her for embracing her natural hair, as their children have someone to look up to.
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"But I wanted to have it out and wear it proudly. I've been to shows where backstage I've met young black and mixed race kids whose parents have said, 'Thank you so much Fleur, for wearing your hair proudly and for speaking about your culture and your roots. Because my child has someone to look up to.' And that is so important," she expressed.
In her younger days, the Sax singer didn’t have as much as a positive experience, sharing that she was in a group before The X Factor, where she was told to straighten her hair. Fleur says she was also told she ‘wouldn’t be able to sell if she had her natural hair.’
Earlier this year, Fleur and her sister Keisha launched revolutionary haircare brand Kurl Kitchen, which offers the kind of products they wished they had growing up in east London. The sisters were over the moon to be releasing their brand in the UK and said they were aiming to 'redefine' beauty for those with curly hair.
In a joint statement at the time of release, the pair said: “We're excited to bring Kurl Kitchen to the UK, where we're redefining beauty with a range carefully formulated in Ghana, using ingredients straight from the heart of African kitchens.
“The range is ethically sourced and specially created for coily, curly and wavy hair types. We're bringing A-beauty to the forefront of hair care. From our roots to yours.”
Fleur, who wed husband Marcel Badiane-Robin in 2019 wore her curls out on her wedding day, as she hopes she and Keisha can be a strong example to her daughter, Nova. "I remember on my wedding day I had my curls out and now I'm so happy that Nova can look back on our wedding pictures and see that. I feel like me and Keshia can be a strong example for her,” she told HELLO!
