… the Miss Teen USA title, marking the first time in two decades that the crown was placed on natural hair.
“There was one day when my friend saw my curls coming in from my roots because I didn’t straighten my hair very well that day, and she was like, ‘You have beautiful curly hair, you should go natural.'” That one conversation encouraged Garris to grow out her hair and then go for the big chop. “My mom thought I was only going to get a little trim, but I actually chopped all the straight ends off, and ever since then, I’ve been natural,” the beautiful Garris adds.
“Being able to spread the message of diversity, being yourself, and being confident in your curly, natural hair is something that I’m really looking forward to with my new national title.”