There's so much to appreciate about Laurie Hernandez. The 16-year-old is an Olympic gold medal winning gymnast, a best-selling author and the youngest person to win Dancing with the Stars ever. But Hernandez's success is only part of what inspires her fans. The fact that she's embraced her Puerto Rican culture and her naturally curly hair has proven to be an inspiration to so many. Here's what she had to say about it along with her best curly hair moments so far!
More from MamásLatinas: 10 Celebs who aren't afraid to rock their curls
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Her curly hair story is an inspiring one.
"I went to visit a gym once and one of the parents came up to me and she was like, 'You don’t understand how much it means to me and my daughter, you being Hispanic and not only that, but you wearing your curly hair on the floor. It makes my daughter comfortable to wear her curly hair," Hernandez shared in a recent interview with Huffington Post.
This is why it's so important.
The reason why Hernandez wearing her naturally curly hair is such a big deal (especially for us Latinas), is because for years curly hair was considered "pelo malo" or bad hair in many parts of Latin America. Seeing a Latina proudly embracing her natural texture helps to break the negtive cycle and sends a message to other Latina girls with curly hair that their hair is just as beautiful.
To honor this, we've rounded up Hernandez’s best curl moments! Check them out here!
She wears her hair curly more than straight.
Hernandez was seen in NYC back in January showing off her beautiful head of curls. She wore it down and tucked a little to the side. Every once in a while she'll straighten it, but she usually prefers her natural rizos.
She rocked her natural hair on 'Dancing with the Stars.'
She wore her natural curls a number of different ways on the show. The high pineapple look was a favorite of hers.
Hernandez wore her hair curly on 'Sesame Street.'
There she is again rocking that adorable pineapple style–love it!
She accessorizes her curls sometimes.
This denim headband not only worked as the perfect curly hair accessory, it paired perfectly with her outfit.
Sometimes she wears it down.
Hernandez’s curls look best when she wears them out with a side part. Let down that hair, girl!
She likes to experiment with styles.
A few simple twists instantly took her curls to another level.
She wears her hair curly during competitions.
Hernandez often wears her hair natural for Olympic competitions and it always looks so pretty and polished.
She’s all about trendy styles.
How cute do her curls look in this half-up, half-down hairstyle?
She even wears it curly on the cover of magazines.
She graced the cover of Justine magazine rocking her natural hair and we can’t get enough of it.
