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Rihanna delivered a powerful performance of “Diamonds” and accpected the first-ever Icon Award during Sunday’s 2013 American Music Awards. However, some people seemed far more concerned about her hairstyle: the doobie wrap.
During an interview with Elle, Rihanna’s hairstylist, Ursula Stephen, explained the inspiration behind the wrap, which has long been used by African-American and Latina women to preserve straight hairstyles.
“It was actually Rihanna’s idea,” Stephen explains. “She had her mind made up! Honestly, I was a little hesitant but I knew she could pull it off, so I was all for it.”
She goes on, “I knew it would get a reaction but I wasn’t sure if it would be positive or negative. A doobie on the red carpet has never been done before so I knew it could have gone either way.”
When asked about the criticism Ri Ri received, the stylist says, “Everyone has an opinion. However, the doobie has been worn to Bergdorf Goodman. They just haven’t been paying attention. And it’s been around since the ’30s.”
Ursula hints that there might even be even more daring looks from Rihanna coming soon. “I feel like we have done everything,” she says.
“However, there is a mental list of ‘looks,’ not styles, that we want to try. More iconic sh** is on the list.”
Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio
