The continuing story of a Texas teen not being able to walk at graduation over refusing to cut his dreadlocks, now receives new light. He recently got invited to walk the red carpet at Hollywood’s biggest night as Gabrielle Union’s guest.
What We Know:
- Union formally invited DeAndre Arnold to the 2020 Academy Awards on Feb. 9 after the national news attention over the situation of a student being penalized for the simple reason of his hairstyle.
- School officials told Arnold, a senior at the public Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas, that he will be banned from graduation unless he adjusts his hairstyle to accommodate the schools dress code policy. The teen has subsequently received an outpouring of support from Ellen DeGeneres, Alicia Keys, and Gabrielle Union.
This is the full video we sent Deandre @itsgabrielleu @DwyaneWade @Dove pic.twitter.com/kcW288b6JY
— Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) January 31, 2020
- Union’s husband, Dwyane Wade, also expressed his thoughts on the matter as well as saying he and his wife are big fans of Arnold. Arnold and his mother, Sandy, are to be treated with a trip to Los Angeles to attend the 2020 Academy Awards.
- The retired NBA star also said the Dove Company would give Arnold and his mother “the red carpet treatment”, not only paying for their Oscar tickets, but also providing full wardrobe and glam for the big night.
- Team members behind Oscar nominated short film, Hair Love, are the latest celebrities to show strong support for Arnold. Ellen DeGeneres and Alicia Keys surprised the teen with a $20,000 scholarship toward his college tuition on an episode of The Ellen Show that aired Wednesday.
Union has been an avid supporter of natural hair. The former America’s Got Talent judge, raised allegations of sexist and racist behavior on set of the show. According to a report from Variety, she was told her hair was “too black” and “a white male performer crossing a line in portraying people of color”.
