Mom With Alopecia Speaks Up Following Controversial Oscar Joke Aimed at Jada Pinkett Smith

alopecia Jada Pinkett Smith Oscar Awards McKenna Reitz chris rock alopecia joke Will Smith baldness alopecia diagnosis Dr. Ali Jabbari Ella Wilson Ashley Wilson autoimmune disorder

By Lili Scott , Parent Herald Mar 31, 07:45 am

Photo: (Photo : Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)

Last Sunday, March 27, Hollywood's Oscar Awards brought to light a condition that McKenna Reitz, a mom with alopecia, has been dealing with for more than five years. She has the same autoimmune disorder as actress Jada Pinkett Smith, who figured in a controversial Oscar joke about her hair loss.

Reitz saw what happened at the Oscar Awards after Jada's husband, Will Smith, physically hit the host, Chris Rock, because he made a joke about Jada's lack of hair. In an interview with WTOL11, Reitz said that the shocking moment on TV could raise the opportunity for people to be aware of alopecia.

The mom from Ohio learned of her alopecia diagnosis in 2015, after she had her first child. She said that she was scared and confused at first because she always found clumps of hair on the bathroom drain whenever she showered.

After her six-year ordeal with the autoimmune disorder, Reitz, a teacher, said that she has been trying to inspire and educate other people on her condition. She is seizing the chance to talk about it in light of the Oscar controversy. She implied that the Oscar event must be a teaching moment, even for those who may be going through the same thing.

"I do not support violence," Reitz wrote on Facebook. "I do, however, support the unconditional love you have for your wife and for your words during your acceptance speech that we must LOVE one another and be empowered BECAUSE of our adversity!"

What is Alopecia?

Alopecia areata translate to bald patches. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, people who suffer from this condition develop unpredictable hair loss at any age. They may also develop brittle nails that could turn red.

Only two percent of the world's population suffers from alopecia areata. Dr. Ali Jabbari, a dermatological expert at the University of Iowa, said that this condition isn't just about hair loss as the patients also experience some mental health issues like anxiety and depression because of what they are going through. While there are treatments available, hair loss may persist for months, impacting a person's quality of life.

Ella Wilson, a 14-year-old from North Carolina, also suffers from alopecia and her mother, Ashely Wilson, told WRAL that she understood Smith's emotions during that outburst on the Oscar stage. She said that people don't see the tears that alopecia patients like her daughter go through. The child started experiencing hair loss when she was nine years old.

Ashley thought that Jada was a brave advocate and should not have been "knocked down" with a joke about her appearance. She said she would also go off like a Mama Bear if anyone would talk about Ella in an ugly way. However, part of her is glad that people are likely googling about alopecia areata after the Oscars because the public needs to learn more about this condition.

Jada Pinkett Smith's Alopecia Struggles

Jada went public with her alopecia diagnosis in 2018. She said that the bald patches appeared so sudden one day that it was becoming more difficult to hide from the public.

However, in 2021 the actress said that she reached a point where she could laugh about her bald head, and she has learned to highlight her baldness with some hair ornaments like rhinestones or tiaras. The mom said she has made peace with her condition and has been vocal about it after fearing what would happen in the beginning.