British Curlies

British Style

Curl Icon - Dame Cleo Laine

by Keisha Jo

Dame Cleo Laine is one of the most extraordinary women Great Britain has ever produced. She has legions of faithful fans the world over who adore both her exquisite voice and her beauty. From humble beginnings to the stuff of dreams this is one Curl Icon who has touched and inspired Curlies around the world never more than right here at home in Britain. Leona Lewis and Joss Stone are just a few of the many who have had the way paved clear for them by the talent and hard work of this multi-faceted award winning Super Star. Dame Cleo Laine showed herself and the world that with natural raw talent and the desire to do your absolute best; you can overcome any and all obstacles curly hair and all! "She is the only female performer to have received Grammy nominations in the jazz,popular and classical music categories."

Keisha Jo: What was it like growing up with naturally curly hair?

Dame Cleo: It was very bushy and uncontrollable. My mother had to cut knots out all the time and I did a lot of screaming when it was combed or brushed.

Keisha Jo: So your mother found it challenging managing your curly hair?

Dame Cleo: Mother certainly had a challenge with my hair as my brother and sister had relatively manageable hair – not me.

Keisha Jo: As a little girl who did you look to for inspiration?

Dame Cleo: Oh! I loved the movies – mostly musicals and fell for all the singing stars of the day – Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Shirley Temple because of her beautiful curls.

Keisha Jo: Were you ever frustrated with your curly hair? Ever tempted to straighten your curls?

Dame Cleo: When I got older I certainly did straighten my hair - that was when the West Indians brought the material and know how which was not available before.

Keisha Jo: Do you have any curl wisdom you would like to share with our British Curlies?

Dame Cleo: I eventually discovered that if I went under the shower everyday and put conditioner on it could be tamed and not to brush it.

Keisha Jo: Do you have any home remedies or tips that you use to tame your curls?

Dame Cleo: I generally keep the conditioner on the hair rather than rinse it out.

Keisha Jo: Travelling around the world what hair products did you make sure you never left home without?

Dame Cleo: I make sure I have Frieda products – but you can get them the world over.I am continually experimenting if I see anything new.

Keisha Jo: What was the best compliment you ever had about your curls?

Dame Cleo: I had many compliments – but once I was out walking in the USA and a young man passed me said “Hey! I love your hair” – lots of people say that.

Keisha Jo: How do you feel about your curls today?

Dame Cleo: I love my hair – it’s so easy to maintain – I don’t go to the hairdresser anymore.

Keisha Jo: Of all your amazing accomplishments, Grammy and Tony Awards what achievement do you savour the most?

Dame Cleo: All my honours have been wonderful. Being a Dame was great; my first concert at Carnegie Hall in New York but a memorable one as was the Grammy award. I was appearing on Broadway at the time in the Mystery of Edwin Drood. I got a telegram and 2 dozen roses from Ella Fitzgerald saying “Congratulations girl – it’s about time!” I had been nominated for a Grammy – 6 times before I won outright.

Dame Cleo thank you  so much for sharing your time and wisdom with British Curlies. It has been a true honour to have one of our Curl Icons take time out to give an insight in her own Curl Story. You are a living legend and a continuing source of inspiration for women and girls the world over. We adore you!