SHOWING SUPPORT
Ex On The Beach’s ZaraLena Jackson whips off her wig on Steph’s Packed Lunch after slamming Chris Rock’s alopecia joke
EX On The Beach star ZaraLena Jackson has removed her wig on live TV in the wake of Chris Rock's ill-judged alopecia joke.
ZaraLena, 29, suffers from alopecia - just like Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith - and she has a bald head.
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Following Chris' quip at the Oscars about Jada's shaved head, ZaraLena has stood in support of the US star and other hair loss sufferers.
Speaking on Steph's Packed Lunch, ZaraLena said: "Obviously I don't condone violence. I'm sure Will Smith himself doesn't condone violence."
But she added: "It's very clear that Jada having hair loss has massively impacted Will as well.
"It's very clear to see it does affect the mental health of everyone - not just the person going through hair loss."
ZaraLena began the C4 interview in a blonde bobbed wig, but decided to whip it off when asked how having alopecia has affected her confidence.
She admitted: "My confidence was massively....I've got a wig on - I'll take it off now actually."
You've just got to embrace it. Not everything is based on vanity.
ZaraLena Jackson
ZaraLena then removed her wig, adding: "I'm still obviously adapting to it and it is a new image. But it's not something to be ashamed of.
"Don't get me wrong, if I had the choice, I would have hair. But I don't have the choice and a lot of women and men out there don't have the choice.
"You've just got to embrace it. Not everything is based on vanity."
RAISING AWARENESS
ZaraLena lost all of her body hair within the space of six weeks during the first lockdown.
But she made the brave decision early on to share her journey on social media in a bid to raise awareness and help others.
Jada has also spoken publicly about her alopecia, saying in 2018: "It was terrifying when it first started.
"I was in the shower one day and had just handfuls of hair in my hands and I was just like, ‘Oh, my God, am I going bald?'"
Most read in TV
Jada embraced her natural look at Sunday night's Oscars ceremony in Los Angles and looked stunning in an emerald green gown.
But during the event, Chris Rock compared the actress to fictional character GI Jane, prompting a furious Will to march up on stage and slap him.
Will has since issued a lengthy apology following the shocking incident.
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