Will Smith slapping Chris Rock is one of the most controversial Oscars moments, with some people thinking the 'King Richard' star crossed a line with his action and disrespected the event. But others thought the slap was a fair defense against the joke Rock launched against Jada Pinkett Smith for her bald head. And now, fellow women with alopecia are sharing what they feel about the whole situation.
ZaraLena Jackson is one among those who have been open about the autoimmune disorder while maintaining a career in the entertainment industry.
ZaraLena, who has also shaved her hair bald due to Alopecia, has also watched the live moment when a slap landed on Rock's face because of his tongue-in-cheek jokes that did not sit well with Jada.
She shared her thoughts, "Despite difference of opinions on the events that occurred, the outcome has been outstanding for Alopecians like myself and seems to have finally caused waves around this testing condition."
"Finally, the mental impacts of Alopecia are exposed, and the “cosmetic” label of this diagnosis is put to shame," she wrote with content.
She made herself clear that it was not the violence that she condone but the act of taking such jokes seriously.
She told SWNS, "To be clear, I don’t condone violence, but him defending Jada showed strength in my eyes and was very comforting to see a man stand by his woman when she has alopecia."
"I think it's inappropriate to make any joke about someone with alopecia as it's a condition that highly impacts mental health for that individual and isn't a laughing matter," said the woman who lost all her hair in just a matter of weeks.
"Being a comedian is very tongue in cheek, and we all dislike when jokes are targeted as us, regardless of the subject, but he should have anticipated that response naturally and known better."
The 'Ex on the Beach' star started her career as an influencer in 2017, but not over three years later, she started noticing clumps of hair falling off.
SWNS
The model and lingerie line owner shared that every clump of hair missing was stripping her of her identity, and the process felt like torture. And some people wouldn't skip a beat to launch a bald joke or just straight up call her so.
"I've had it all - I've had strangers say 'Hey baldy,' which doesn't phase me at all; I am bald," she shared.
"I've had friends and family joke about 'let your hair down' or ask to borrow a razor or shampoo, which I just laugh at because I know they mean no harm, and it can be humorous to see them panic without thinking about the comment," the woman shared.
"I've had a few reference me with the G.I. Jane comment. I think GI Jane looks insane, though, so I wasn't offended. My mum actually walked in on me in my dressing room the other day without a wig, and she went, 'Oh wow, Zara, you look like a GI Jane babe!'
There is, however, one comment that she's rated the worst when it comes to her hair - or lack thereof.
The Alopecia advocate shared that the constant commenting has made her more thick-skinned, but there are still times when comments get unbearable.
"For me, I always liked the idea of natural beauty, and I'm not saying no hair isn't beautiful, but I now wear wigs and put on eyebrows to look 'normal' or 'natural.'"
"The worst snide comment for me is, 'Oh wow, nothing is natural anymore, is it?'."
She added, "I don't have a partner currently, but if I did and he defended me, I'd feel comforted and proud."
"If alopecia was taken as a medical condition and not cosmetic, the subject wouldn't be joked around lightly," she pointed out.
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"Everyone seems to make noise around the importance of mental health when a life is lost, yet won't put changes in place to prevent or support the initial cause, in my opinion."
