First Ellen and now Oscars: Texas teen told to cut dreadlocks getting star treatment
A Texas teenager who was suspended from his high school due to the length of his dreadlocks may not be able to walk at his graduation, but he will walk the red carpet at the Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 9.
Deandre Arnold, 18, has already appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and was awarded a $20,000 scholarship from singer Alicia Keys on behalf of Shutterfly. But the star treatment has continued, as the Barbers Hill High School student was invited to the Oscars by actress Gabrielle Union, her husband and former NBA superstar Dwayne Wade and Matthew A. Cherry, creator of the Oscar-nominated short film “Hair Love.”
In a video Deandre received by the three stars Friday morning and shown on “CBS This Morning,” Union said it was clear they wanted to get involved in Deandre’s cause.
Deandre has refused to cut his dreadlocks, which are not allowed to go past his collar, per the high school’s dress code. It has lead to his suspension and the possibility he cannot walk at his graduation, McClatchy News reported
His mother Sandy, who was also invited to the Academy Awards, told KRIV his hair is a part of his family heritage.
“Hair is a part of his heritage, culture, his dad is a Trinidadian,” Deandre’s mom told KRIV. “How can I put him in a barber chair and say OK Deandre in order to graduate, let me cut your hair.”
Wade told Deandre he loves the way he carries himself and they “wanted to do something special.”
“You just wanting to wear your hair the way you want at your school, all the scrutiny you faced and how unwavering you have been in standing up for yourself, we ... knew we had to get involved,” Union, who is a producer of “Hair Love” along with her husband, said in the CBS video.
Deandre’s story has similarities to “Hair Love,” Union said. According to Cherry’s website, “Hair Love” is a 7-minute animated short about an African-American father who has to do his daughter’s hair for the first time. Part of the project’s goal was “to promote hair love amongst young men and women of color.”
Cherry said personal care brand Dove will provide a wardrobe for Deandre and his family, and airfare and hotel lodging will also be covered.
After receiving the invite, Deandre said “it means the world” to him and his family.
“It’s crazy. Like I never thought people like D Wade and Gabrielle Union would be on my side,” he said in the interview with CBS.
Deandre still has not gone back to school after being suspended earlier this month, according to media reports. He told Ellen that if he goes back without chopping off his dreadlocks, he will receive in-school suspension or go to an alternative school with students who have behavioral issues.
When Deandre appeared on “Ellen” earlier this week, Ellen pleaded for the school to allow the high school senior to walk at his graduation.
“I am begging you... This kid is a good kid, he deserves to graduate, to walk with all the other kids,” she said. “He’s a good guy.”
Greg Monroe with the United Urban Alumni Association said last week they plan to take the issue to federal court if a resolution was not made, according to KPRC.
This story was originally published January 31, 2020 at 11:42 AM.