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Nico Parker and Marsai Martin graced the the March/April 2019 cover of Teen Vogue serving natural hair inspiration and style goals. Nico Parker wore her natural curls, full of volume and bounce. Marsai Martin wore very sleek and neat cornrows. These two up-and-coming 14-year-olds don’t let their age stop them from being powerful in Hollywood.
Photographer: Bec Parsons; Stylist: Ashley Furnival
Confidence and Power
Both of Marsai and Nico play in roles as young heroes who show their power. These young ladies are mindful of all of their decisions and words, and the power that they have in them. Both actresses are learning about the importance of speaking up for themselves as they grow older, whether they are working with a group of adults on set or hanging out with their friends. Nico and Marsai also both believe in having confidence. Nico knows confidence is important when she stands up for what she truly believes in, and when she thinks she is right. Marsai believes that what you have to say does matter, and that you have to have confidence in your voice so that it can be heard. She told Essence, “You don’t really see a 14-year-old girl creating her own stuff and actually making it into theaters,” she adds. “That’s why you have to start working with people that will trust you and will believe that you can do it and will trust that you can carry…such a big responsibility.”
Photographer: Bec Parsons; Stylist: Ashley Furnival
How They’re Challenging the Narrative in Media
Marsai planned to change what has been considered “normal”, through her film Little. She wanted the film to have an all-black leading cast, and a black woman as the director. Marsai feels that the filmmaking industry needs more representation, and she will keep creating and working on projects to make it happen. “I’ve never worn an Afro…in any performance or for a character,” Martin, who’s played Diane Johnson on ABC’s Blackish, a sitcom centered on a Black family, for more than 100 episodes, said. “And when I was able to create such a strong character where she can do whatever she wants, I wanted her to wear her natural hair and be confident. No one can take her down — all of that would be in her hair.”
Photographer: Bec Parsons; Stylist: Ashley Furnival
Nico Parker
Nico will have her first acting role in the movie Dumbo (in theaters on March 29, 2019″>. Nico Parker stars as Milly Farrier in Dumbo. Milly Farrier dreams of being a scientist that views Dumbo as the magical being that he truly is, and not as a moneymaker or freakish outcast. Milly Farrier is caring, adventurous, and is the only stable person in her family that is unstable. Milly and her little brother use their critical-thinking skills and patience, which saves the lives of Dumbo and his mom. These two accomplish this by not listening to those who doubted them, and said that they view the world wrong due to being young. Currently, Nico is continuously auditioning for more roles.
Photographer: Bec Parsons; Stylist: Ashley Furnival
Marsai Martin
Marsai has made history by being the youngest executive producer in Hollywood for the movie Little. Marsai is also the founder of her company Genius Productions, which she created in 2017. It signed a deal with Universal for her projects. Marsai has pitched another film with Universal called StepMonster, which she will also star in.
In the film Little (in theaters on April 12, 2019″>, Marsai Martin stars in the role of the younger version of Jordan Sanders, a tech CEO who is portrayed by actress Regina Hall. Jordan Sanders is very stylish and confident. Jordan Sanders is also a very successful businesswoman, due to being demanding. Jordan gets cursed through magic and has to live out her preteen years all over again as a punishment for being mean, and treating her employees unkindly. Marsai Martin plays the younger ambitious Jordan with bright ideas, who is scarred by her school talent show where her big ideas caused her to get attacked. When she works her way to being a grown-up again she learns that she became a bully because she was previously bullied, which she always knew deep inside.
Both Nico Parker and Marsai Martin are powerful, and they both play powerful characters in Little and Dumbo. Whether on or off camera, they both prove that you can be successful no matter your age.
What movie will you go see? Let us know in the comments below.
Natural hair is making its mark in the animated film industry this year! Do you have a little naturalista at home? Whether you or a friend has a daughter, niece, cousin, or neighbor with natural hair, you have to be sure to take her to see the short animated film called Hair Love, which tells an empowering story about natural hair.
Image Source: kickstarter
This Year, the animated film on natural hair will be in theaters. The film, Hair Love which was created by Matthew A. Cherry presents a story about a black father doing his daughter’s natural hair for the very first time. This animated short film has the duration of 5 minutes, which is just enough time to make a lasting impact on all viewers.
Image Source: matthewacherry
Hair Love will also become a published children’s picture book. Kokila Books/Penguin Random House will publish Hair Love on May 14, 2019. Hair Love will be available through barnesandnoble, penguinrandomhouse, amazon, and greenlightbookstore.
Hair Love was originally supported through a Kickstarter campaign from 2 years ago in 2017. The campaign helped raise money for the short film. The campaign broke records for fundraising history through Kickstarter, which led to Sony Pictures Animation’s involvement with the short film. $300,000 was raised through Kickstarter for Hair Love. Out of all the film projects on Kickstarter’s platform, Hair Love received the most funding and support. To check out the creator of Hair Love, Matthew A. Cherry’s Kickstarter page click here. Sony Pictures Animation’s President Kristine Belson understands that audiences want have been craving to see new stories that are relatable and true to different cultures, and supports the storyline of the film. The directors Peter Ramsey and Frank Abney, of Sony Pictures Animation’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse will serve as executive producers for Hair Love.
Image Source: matthewacherry
The creator and writer, Matthew A. Cherry felt passionate about getting the father-daughter story out to the world. The inspiration behind Hair Love came from observing a lack of representation in animated mainstream films. Cherry wanted to encourage young women and men of color to love their natural hair.
Matthew A. Cherry is excited to direct and produce Hair Love with continued support. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Matthew A. Cherry was a professional NFL player. Matthew A. Cherry played as a wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Carolina Panthers. In 2007 Cherry retired from his professional football career, and relocated to Los Angeles, California to work on his entertainment career.
Cherry has previously worked as a director on music videos for musicians including Snoop Dogg, K’Jon, Beyonce, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland, Bilal, Jazmine Sullivan, Kindred The Family Soul, and many more. His first feature film called The Last Fall is currently available for viewers on Netflix, which originally debuted at the 2012 SXSW Film Festival. Cherry’s second feature film called 9 Rides was created and captured with two IPhone 6’s, which debuted at the 2016 SXSW Film Festival. To learn more about Matthew A. Cherry’s film and television work visit his website, matthewacherry.com.
Whether you see the film or buy the book, Hair Love will inspire all audiences to love their natural hair, and will celebrate all daughters and daddies of color. Take a little naturalista to see the Hair Love film, purchase the book for her, or both!
Who will you take to see the short film? Who will you buy the book for? Share in the comments below!
Learn about 10 books you can read to curly kids here.
Check out even MORE books written for curly kids here.
Crazy about books with curly characters? See them here.
