NYC woman aims to break Guinness World Record with insane afro: ‘Bigger and better’
It’s her crowning glory!
A Queens woman is aiming to beat the Guinness World Record for largest afro with luscious locks that reach about 14 inches high and 20 inches wide.
Jessica Martinez, 28, applied for the women’s ‘fro category last year, had her application approved and is now going to great lengths to meet the rigorous requirements for gathering “evidence” and planning her official record-breaking attempt.
“A lot of it is about proving to myself that I can do hard things and go for bigger and better,” Martinez told The Post.
But it’s also about inspiring younger generations — like her eight nieces and nephews — to embrace their natural hair and show they don’t need to bleach, straighten or use “relaxers” packed with harsh chemicals to tame it, she said.
Martinez was bullied in middle school after she started growing her hair out and wearing a natural ‘do.
“It was rough. One time, at the water fountain, the kids were like, ‘You look like you got struck by lightening,’” she recalled. “Imagine we got rid of that at a young age and showed young people they can feel comfortable with their natural hair?”
Martinez, who works for a criminal justice nonprofit, moonlights as a content creator and also runs an e-commerce brand, also hopes to break the stigma of afros in the workplace.
“I think going after Guinness and showing people that they can do this too is a way to normalize it in the mainstream media,” Martinez said.
The idea first was sparked after an Instagram video with her hair “picked out” went viral, drawing more than 45 million views. Comments flooded in urging her to go after the record, and asking for hair care tips, which inspired her to write an e-book on inner and outer beauty.
At least once a week, Martinez washes, detangles and styles her voluminous curls — and has gotten it down to an hour and a half. Using dermatologist recommended and high-quality products makes a difference, she said. In the winter, her purse is stocked with a massive wooden comb and a spray bottle of water to help fluff her hair.
Martinez is planning her official record-breaking attempt for February to coincide with Black History Month.
The strict Guinness guidelines require the measuring be filmed and done by a qualified medical practitioner in a public space with two professional hairdressers as witnesses.
Three measurements must be taken: vertically from the top of the head to the furthest point of hair, horizontally from the ear to the furthest point of hair, and the overall circumference.
And it must be done three times to calculate averages that will be considered.
All three measurements must exceed those of the current record holder, Aevin Dugas of Napoleonville, Louisiana.
Dugas set the record in 2010, 2021 and 2023, her most recent afro clocking in at 5.4 feet in circumference, 9.8 inches tall and 10.4 inches wide. In 2020, the title was held by Brooklynite Simone Williams.
But Martinez is brushing that off her shoulder.
“It’s fun — a little competition,” she said. “The record is really about not letting fear stop me from trying something new.”
Martinez should find out within about 12 weeks if she made the history books.
