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In recent weeks, there have been significant developments in the long-standing cold case of Tupac Shakur’s murder. However, it seems this is not the only unsolved mystery surrounding the legendary American rapper’s life. Jada Pinkett Smith, in her efforts to promote her forthcoming memoir “Worthy,” has disclosed that Tupac also battled alopecia, a condition she herself has been open about.
This autoimmune disorder, which Pinkett Smith has been actively working to raise awareness about, gained widespread attention after Chris Rock made a derogatory comment about her baldness at the 2022 Oscars. This led to a shocking moment where Will Smith went on stage and slapped the host. The incident has remained a topic of discussion, especially as Pinkett Smith has recently made some startling revelations, including her separation from Will Smith since 2016, being asked out by Chris Rock, and initially thinking Will’s actions were part of an elaborate skit.
In a recent interview with People magazine, Pinkett Smith turned her attention to Tupac Shakur, a friend since high school, and disclosed that he, too, suffered from alopecia. His experience with the condition began in 1991 after an arrest for jaywalking in North California. However, he chose to keep it a secret, likely due to societal pressures.
While Tupac never openly discussed his alopecia, Pinkett Smith noted that he looked remarkably good with a bald head. She emphasized that during his era, it was not something one would openly address.
Pinkett Smith described Shakur’s alopecia patterns as being more severe than her own. This claim, however, is corroborated by director Allen Hughes, who directed Tupac’s early solo music videos. He affirmed that Tupac did indeed suffer from alopecia, which began after the 1991 incident, a detail also mentioned in the FX docuseries, “Dear Mama: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur.”
Hughes recalled a significant moment when Tupac, feeling insecure about his newly shaved head due to alopecia, showed up at his door the night before they were set to shoot his first music video. This revelation serves to humanize the late rapper and highlight the challenges he faced.
Jada Pinkett Smith’s mission in discussing Tupac’s struggle with alopecia, as well as her own experience, is to bring attention to alopecia areata and dismantle the shame associated with it for those who suffer from the condition. By sharing these personal stories, she aims to foster a greater understanding and empathy for those dealing with alopecia.