Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Reveals Negative Childhood Perceptions that Made Her Embrace Long-Colored Hair and Nails

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is one the pioneers of long and colored hair among track and field stars during competitions and she has explained over the years how it makes her feel.

The Jamaican track legend, who announced her retirement from track at the end of the 2025 World Championships, wears her wigs proudly, applies makeup and occasionally spots long nails, which has rubbed off on many others in recent years.

While she has previously explained how it makes her feel confident and also acts as a form of self-expression, the 38-year-old has now let out some key reasons that made her first embrace the trait.

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The Kingston-born sprinter says she opted to wear her wigs proudly to change the perception in her country which frowned upon women who spotted long and colored hair as well as long nails, terming them dumb or ill-mannered.

“I grew up in Kingston and if you had coloured hair or big earrings, long nails or lashes, they would think you do not know anything or you're loud,” Fraser-Pryce told The Inside Lane in Tokyo.

“But I have been able to have a platform where it's important to show up authentically you and celebrate who you are in different moments and understand that we are uniquely made and no one can be Shelly Ann.”

The mother of one says she has been on a mission not just to win medals for her country but also represent the women in her hometown who were misunderstood for being themselves

“Being able to represent my hometown because that is how I saw the ladies in my hometown. I saw strength in them before I saw the world,” she added. “It was important to take that strength with me on the track and celebrate the different women that wear their hairstyle proudly.”

“Just have fun with different colours. It brings life to different circumstances and for me being able to change my hair is like an alter ego kind of thing on the track and you are like a whole new person.”

Fraser-Pryce has been a great ambassador for women not just from her country but the world and she leaves behind a remarkable legacy while she will not worry about track stars donning coloured hair and long nails as there are a large number now doing it proudly within the sport.