Sheryl Lee Ralph and Janelle James are both stars of Abbott Elementary, and both are known for their versatile hairstyles. Today, we're focusing on Sheryl Lee Ralph's best looks—from sleek bobs to voluminous curls, she pulls them all off effortlessly.
So, what are her best and most iconic hairstyles? Interested in trying out one of Sheryl Lee Ralph's signature looks? Let's take a closer look at her hairstyles and explore how you can recreate them.
Who is Sheryl Lee Ralph?
If you aren't yet familiar with Sheryl Lee Ralph's character, Barbara Howard, in Abbott Elementary, you simply must watch the show. (Trust me, you won't regret it.) Not only will you appreciate the laughter Ralph brings, but you'll also be captivated by her radiant beauty.
Sheryl Lee Ralph is an American actress and singer. From her unforgettable portrayal of Deena Jones in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls to her role as Barbara Howard in the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary—for which she won the 2022 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, becoming the first Black woman to receive this honor in 35 years—Sheryl Lee Ralph has established herself as a Hollywood star.
What is Sheryl Lee Ralph's Natural Hair?
Sheryl Lee Ralph has naturally textured, curly hair, though she has not publicly specified her exact curl type (such as 3C or 4C). Throughout her career, she has showcased both her natural hair and the use of wigs or hair extensions.
Early in her career, she styled her natural hair into braids. Today, Ralph continues to switch between various looks—including natural styles, wigs, extensions, curls, waves, braids, and short cuts. She frequently collaborates with stylists like Moira "Fingaz" Frazier, ensuring her natural hair remains well-protected beneath custom glueless wigs or protective styles.
Sheryl Lee Ralph Best Hairstyles You Will Love
Wavy Hair with Side-Part
This is Royal Emmys Hair. This side-parted style features bold, glamorous curls that create a stunning, alluring look. The curls add movement and vitality without weighing down the roots, resulting in a hairstyle that is both dynamic and easy to manage. The bold curl pattern creates a dimensional silhouette, avoiding heaviness and lending the style an airy, graceful feel.
The look also softly frames the face, accentuating the jawline and shoulders while showcasing the natural fullness of the hair. The hair at the crown is kept straight and side-parted; this sleek top section adds textural contrast, while the bangs drape naturally beside the eyes, framing the face and softening the lines of the forehead and eye area.
Once styled, apply a setting product to ensure the curls hold their shape perfectly. This cut and style are low-maintenance; regular trims to keep the ends healthy and minimize split ends are all that is needed to keep it looking its best.
Trendiest Braided Hairstyle
One of Sheryl Lee Ralph's most popular braided hairstyles is the curly goddess braid hairstyle. She showcased this goddess box braid style while promoting her new book, DIVA 2.0: 12 Life Lessons From Me For You!, on Fox 29's Good Day program.
Goddess braids (also known as boho braids) are not only a trendy summer hairstyle but also an excellent choice for vacations; Ralph's version features impressive length, with wavy, curly ends cascading down past her waist. The style incorporates wavy or curly strands at various points along each braid, with the curls almost completely enveloping the underlying slender box braids.
A Distinctive Bob Hairstyle
Sheryl Lee Ralph made a memorable impression with her distinctive bob hairstyle when she appeared on the red carpet at the 29th Critics' Choice Awards. This look is at once classic and uniquely stylish. The bob hairstyle has been a major red-carpet trend—celebrities have embraced a wide range of variations, from Ayo Edebiri's blunt bob cut to Taraji P. Henson's flipped-out ends.
Sheryl Lee Ralph's bob style features side-swept bangs, with added height and volume to create a striking visual impact. The key technique for achieving this look is the "flip." To style it, the hair is first curled slightly inward, then flipped outward as it reaches shoulder length, allowing the ends to rest just above the neckline of the gown.
Sleek Ponytail Braid
On the red carpet at the 2022 Emmy Awards, Sheryl Lee Ralph wore a sleek ponytail braid hairstyle that cascaded down to her hips. Her hairstylist adorned both her head and the length of the ponytail with a multitude of sparkling hair gems, reflecting the stylist's view that Ralph was undoubtedly the night's most dazzling star—a rare treasure and a true diamond.
Super-Sleek High Ponytail With Kiss Curls
When Abbott Elementary stars Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph stepped onto the 2024 Emmys red carpet, their looks shared a standout feature: a tribute to Josephine Baker-style sleek kiss curls—those curved tendrils of hair pressed against the forehead or temples. For Ralph, this meant incorporating a delicate curl into her ultra-sleek high ponytail, adding a touch of chic playfulness.
Voluminous Curly Hairstyle
When Sheryl Lee Ralph performed Lift Every Voice and Sing—widely regarded as the Black National Anthem—at the 2023 Super Bowl, her choice of a hairstyle that showcased the texture of her natural curls was truly fitting.
To create this voluminous curly look, her hairstylist, Fraser, used 4 bundles of 30-inch curly hair bundles to craft a custom U-part wig. This allowed the wig to blend seamlessly with her natural hair at the crown, resulting in a full, natural-looking style that beautifully highlighted the healthy texture of the curls.
Barbara Howard's Hair in Abbott Elementary
For many young fans, Sheryl Lee Ralph is best known for her role as Barbara Howard in Abbott Elementary. Barbara's look is a far cry from the glamour Ralph displays on the red carpet; she consistently sports a sharp, short hairstyle—a deliberate stylistic choice. Her appearance conveys a polished, professional, and classic aesthetic that perfectly suits her character as a seasoned elementary school teacher.
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FAQs About Sheryl Lee Ralph
Does Sheryl Lee Ralph Wear Wigs?
Like many actresses active on television and the red carpet, Ralph has experimented with a variety of hairstyles and looks. She has spoken openly about wearing wigs and hair bundles for her work and personal styling, emphasizing her preference for a natural look—one where the hair appears to be growing directly from the scalp.
Which Sheryl Lee Ralph-style Hairstyles are Suitable For Older Women?
A sleek bob, soft curls, vintage finger waves, or a shoulder-length layered cut can all create an elegant Sheryl Lee Ralph-inspired look. The specific choice depends on individual face shape, hair texture, and personal preference.
Can I Recreate Sheryl Lee Ralph's Hairstyle Using a Wig?
Absolutely. Human hair wigs are perfect if you want to experiment with different lengths and textures. Whether it's a bob, curls, body waves, or a short cut, you can use a wig to achieve Ralph's signature look.
Will Sheryl Lee Ralph Return to Abbott Elementary?
Yes. Abbott Elementary will return for its season 6 on October 7, 2026, and Sheryl Lee Ralph will continue in the role of Barbara Howard. This season will also mark the show's 100th episode.
What Movie is Sheryl Lee Ralph Set to Appear in?
Ralph is appearing in Lin-Manuel Miranda's upcoming musical film Octet. The film is currently in post-production, and a release date has not yet been set.
What is Sheryl Lee Ralph's New Book?
Her new book is titled You Better Love What You See. Scheduled for publication on April 6, 2027, the book explores self-worth, resilience, and insights from her personal life and career.
Final Summary
As Abbott Elementary gears up for its season 6, fans will once again have the chance to see the evolving hairstyles of the character Barbara Howard. Whether it is the styles worn within the show or the fashionable looks she sports on screen, Sheryl Lee Ralph's hair is always a hot topic among fans.
That wraps up my roundup of Sheryl Lee Ralph's popular hairstyles from recent years. Do you like these looks? Many of her styles are achieved using wigs or hair bundles, so you can easily recreate these classic Sheryl Lee Ralph hairstyles yourself—give it a try!