According to Vanguard, British singer of Nigerian descent, Natalie Okri, has explained why she no longer wears wigs or human hair, revealing personal and spiritual reasons behind her decision. In an Instagram story, the singer, best known for her impressive rendition of Alicia Keys’ “No One” on Britain’s Got Talent at just 9 years old, shared her belief that there is something “fetish” and “diabolical” about wearing wigs and human hair.
She stated, “There are three reasons as to why I stopped wearing wigs or human hairs: some human hairs are sacrificed to some demons, deities, and different gods. Not all human hairs, but some.” Okri went on to explain how many women, particularly from countries in Asia, go to temples to sacrifice their hair to their gods. “They believe that their god will purify them and cleanse them, getting rid of their bad luck, poverty, and everything that stresses them, allowing them to start anew,” she said. The belief behind this practice is that sacrificing their hair will bring blessings, and in turn, they shed their bad luck.
However, Okri pointed out the cycle that follows. “In the temple they sacrifice their hair in, they take their hair and sell it off to different big vendors, and we black women go to the vendors to buy these hairs for hundreds of pounds. These women sacrificed their hairs believing they would receive blessings from their gods, shedding their bad luck, and we black women are buying what they consider their bad luck. What we are doing is wearing someone’s bad luck on our heads,” she explained.
She continued, stressing that while individuals may not believe in the gods or deities tied to these practices, Christians view them as demonic forces. “The thing that is scary is, you may not believe in their god, but as a Christian, we see them as demons and deities. And that works against what I believe in.”
Furthermore, Okri emphasized the spiritual risks of wearing the hair of someone who has undergone such rituals. “When you are wearing somebody’s bad luck, you don’t know what burden or spirits you are carrying and wearing on your head,” she warned.
Backing up her views, Okri referenced Bible scriptures, emphasizing her Christian perspective in relation to the spiritual implications of engaging with such practices.
Natalie Okri, born November 20, 1998, in London, UK, rose to prominence in 2009 when she performed on Britain’s Got Talent at the age of 10, reaching the semi-finals. Her powerful performance of “No One” by Alicia Keys became the 6th most-watched audition on YouTube, with over 127 million views. Growing up in Deptford, London, Natalie had been singing since she was just four years old. Her career continues to evolve, as she remains a prominent figure in the UK music scene.
