Bo Derek Defends Kim Kardashian's Cornrows

Kayla Boyd February 2, 2018 at 11:07 AM

Kim Kardashian has been heavily criticized lately for a revealing photo shoot she did, in which she wore her hair in cornrows. She referred to them as "Bo Derek braids" instead of their proper name: cornrows or Fulani braids. This has been considered cultural appropriation by many people across social media and Kim has responded by posting more photos in the braids and essentially saying she doesn't care about the controversy. Now, the 1970s actress who Kim claims inspired her hairstyle has spoken up in Kim's defense.

Bo took to Twitter to defend Kim and say that it's "just a hairstyle" that we all copied from "Queen Nofretari" -- which I believe she meant the Egyptian Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, who was buried in braids.

Hey! It’s just a hairstyle that I wore in the movie “10” @KimKardashian calls it the Bo Derek because she copied my pattern of braids. I copied it from Ann-Margret’s backup singer from her Vegas Sho. And we all copied Queen Nofretari. I hope Her Royal Highness is flattered. pic.twitter.com/UuQkh8VKOi
— Bo Derek (@boderek) January 31, 2018

Bo wrote on Twitter:
"Hey! It’s just a hairstyle that I wore in the movie “10” @KimKardashian calls it the Bo Derek because she copied my pattern of braids. I copied it from Ann-Margret’s backup singer from her Vegas Sho. And we all copied Queen Nofretari. I hope Her Royal Highness is flattered."

Many people on Twitter felt that Bo should have just stayed out of it ...

pic.twitter.com/uWGDSuWmLj
— mikasa ackerman (@MalikaNgozi) February 1, 2018

More from CafeMom: Kim Kardashian Got Cornrows & Credited a White Woman for the Style -- Obviously, Twitter Is Tearing Her Apart
Others pointed out one of the most important aspects of cultural appropriation when it comes to African hairstyles, which is the fact that it is STILL widely considered unprofessional for people of color to wear cornrows in certain settings.

divachronicles_/Twitter
nesha_silva/Twitter
The Shade Room reposted Bo's response on their Instagram page and many people in the comments also expressed concern.

theshaderoom/Instagram

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Those who decided to weigh in wanted to make it clear that these Fulani braids originated in Africa and it's still not right that Kim failed to properly attribute them.
And some women of color didn't appreciate Bo's attempt at "schooling black women about our own culture."
People also pointed out her spelling error when she attempted to credit the Egyptian queen.

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We wonder what Kanye thinks?
Obviously this is an issue that people will continuously debate, but it is important for celebrities like Kim and Bo to at least take the time to listen to those who are upset by their choices.

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Bo Derek Defends Kim Kardashian's Cornrows, but the Internet Is NOT Having It

Bo took to Twitter to defend Kim and say that it's "just a hairstyle" that we all copied from "Queen Nofretari" -- which I believe she meant the Egyptian Queen Ahmose-Nefertari, who was buried in braids.

Many people on Twitter felt that Bo should have just stayed out of it ...

Others pointed out one of the most important aspects of cultural appropriation when it comes to African hairstyles, which is the fact that it is STILL widely considered unprofessional for people of color to wear cornrows in certain settings.

The Shade Room reposted Bo's response on their Instagram page and many people in the comments also expressed concern.

Those who decided to weigh in wanted to make it clear that these Fulani braids originated in Africa and it's still not right that Kim failed to properly attribute them.

And some women of color didn't appreciate Bo's attempt at "schooling black women about our own culture."

People also pointed out her spelling error when she attempted to credit the Egyptian queen.

We wonder what Kanye thinks?

Obviously this is an issue that people will continuously debate, but it is important for celebrities like Kim and Bo to at least take the time to listen to those who are upset by their choices.