SEE IT: Gabrielle Union invites Texas teen, barred from HS graduation over refusing to cut dreadlocks, to the Oscars Muri Assunção By MURI ASSUNÇÃO NEW YORK DAILY NEWS | FEB 01, 2020 | 11:08 AM
Gabrielle Union (R) has invited Texas teen Deandre Arnold (L) barred from HS graduation over refusing to cut dreadlocks, to the Oscars. (CBS / Getty)
Hair’s the deal: if you are barred from your own high school graduation, would going to the Oscars — accompanied by one of Hollywood’s hottest stars — work as a fair replacement?
That’s the difficult question which Texas teen DeAndre Arnold had to respond Friday, after Gabrielle Union invited him to go with her and the team behind an Oscar-nominated film to the lavish affair celebrating the best in film on Feb. 9.
Arnold, 18, is a former senior at Barbers Hill High in Mont Belvieu, Texas, a city located some 30 miles east of Houston.
He made national headlines last month after news that he was being penalized for his hairstyle spread through social media feeds, group conversations and traditional news outlets.
When he returned from Christmas break early in January, school officials told him that, unless he cut his dreadlocks, he wouldn’t be able to attend his graduation ceremony, because of a dress code policy.
Because of his Trinidadian culture, DeAndre refused to comply, and was subsequently suspended.
His mother later confirmed to local station KPRC-TV that she had withdrawn him from the school. However, the actions taken by officials at Barbers Hill High caused widespread outrage and many celebrities came rallied behind him.
Singer Alicia Keys surprised DeArnold in an episode of “The Ellen Show” that aired Wednesday, when she joined Ellen DeGeneres to present the teen a a $20,000 scholarship check.
In a segment that aired on “CBS This Morning” Friday, the team behind the much-buzzed about short “Hair Love” had a little surprise for the teen.
"Hey DeAndre, I’m Gabrielle Union and I am one of the producers of the Oscar-nominated short film 'Hair Love,'" she said. "When we heard about your story, and you just wanting to wear your hair the way you want, at school, and all this scrutiny that you faced and how unwavering you have been in standing up for yourself, we knew that we had to get involved."
Union’s husband, NBA legend Dwyane Wade joined in sweetened the deal, formalizing the all-expenses-paid trip to Los Angeles.
“You and your mother, Sandy, are the official guests of the Oscar-nominated team behind ‘Hair Love’ at the 2020 Academy Awards,” he said.
The film’s director, Matthew A. Cherry added that his act of defiance is an inspiration for all.
“We’ve all been so inspired by your story and this is the very least we can do to thank you for standing up for yourself and for your right to wear your natural hair at school.
“Hair Love,” which can be seen on YouTube in its entirety, is a sweet story of an African American dad learning to do his daughter’s hair for the first time — and for a very important cause.
