A teenager has landed a modeling gig after being denied a job at 6 Flags due to his dreadlocks which are not allowed according to the HR supervisor of Six Flags.
17-year-old Kerion Washington from Texas, US, was thrilled after submitting his application for a summer job at the theme park.
Nevertheless, things quickly went in a downward spiral as the recruiters at his job interview told him he couldn’t work for them because of his dreadlocks.
Fortunately, the disappointment led the teen to get scouted by IMG Models LA who offered the “confused and disappointed” 17-year-old a modeling gig at Jones Model Management.
Lashing out at the job recruiters at Six Flags on Facebook, the boy’s mother, Karis, wrote:
“Took my son for an interview at 6 flag…he didn’t get the job cuz he has locs. I spoke with the HR Supervisor and she said they gave him the opportunity to come back when he don’t have dreads.
“She said dreads are NOT allowed but he can have braids.”
According to Karis, the HR supervisor compared the “extreme hairstyle” to piercings and tattoos.
“I told her I read the grooming policy and it says your hair cannot hang more than two inches below your collar and two inches above your head including dreads, braids, etc… nowhere did i read dreads are not allowed,” the upset mother added.
“Then she said she can see how i got confused but dreads are not allowed.”
Following the social media uproar, Director Leslie Jones of the Jones Model Management spoke out and referred to Kerion as a “natural.”
“We got him here and he was a natural. We are just helping him learn how to pose and how to walk,” she said. “He was just so good for it being his first time.”
Speaking of the unexpected modeling offer and his one-of-a-kind experience, Kerion said:
“I just thought it would be another job offer for just a regular job for the summer, but when I heard about modeling, I had to take it.
“As I got used to it – based on what they taught me – it was fun. It was fun to experience taking pictures and walking the way I’m supposed to walk. I think it’s great that they got me to where I can truly be myself.
“Regardless of your race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or hairstyle type – you can achieve anything with hard work. That’s the message I want people to learn from all of this.”
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