Hill Rejects Blonde Hair Appropriation Claims
The former ESPN host said she chose blonde hair because she likes the color, and she will not change it.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Women’s Clothing
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Jemele Hill addressed criticism that her blonde hair amounts to cultural appropriation during an appearance on Flagrant and Funny with Cari Champion. Hill said she will not change her hair color and argued that a hair color is not the same as a culturally specific hairstyle.
Why it matters
The exchange reflects an ongoing debate over whether hair color and hairstyles carry cultural ownership, a question that has been raised alongside state-level CROWN Act legislation protecting hairstyles. Critics argued her hair choice signaled she is not Black, a claim Hill rejected.
The only dated figure in the source is from 2020, when Hill mocked Adele for wearing Bantu knots. The source does not quantify the criticism Hill received, and it is not established how widely the debate has spread beyond the livestream.
The players
Jemele Hill
Jemele Hill is an American journalist and commentator known for her work at ESPN and her outspoken commentary on race, sports, and culture.
Cari Champion
Cari Champion is a sports television host and commentator who has worked on national sports broadcasts and digital programming.
The details
During an appearance on Flagrant and Funny, a public livestream included a question about Hill's hair, and Cari Champion challenged the appropriation argument by asking whether a non-Black brunette dyeing her hair blonde would be appropriating. Hill said she chose blonde hair because she likes the color and looks good in it.
Timeline
2020: Hill mocked Adele's appearance wearing Bantu knots, which critics later cited in the debate.
Hill's remarks on Flagrant and Funny were made during the livestream appearance; the stub does not give an exact date.
Legal Context
CROWN Act legislation has been adopted in numerous states and jurisdictions to protect hairstyles associated with race from discrimination. Hill's argument that hair color differs from culturally specific hairstyles places her remarks at the edge of that legal framework.
The debate over hair color and cultural identity shapes how readers may discuss personal style choices in public settings. The exchange offers a concrete example of how appropriation arguments are applied to everyday appearance decisions.
The takeaway
The exchange shows that disagreements over appearance and cultural identity often turn on whether a specific feature, such as a hairstyle, carries a cultural meaning distinct from a general choice like hair color. Readers weighing similar debates may find it useful to separate the two categories.
Further reading
For related style coverage, see Women's Clothing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EURweb.
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Do you think accusing someone of cultural appropriation over hair color is fair?
