Amir Manuel Mendez is truly a cut above the rest thanks to his fabulous record-breaking hair do.
The 14-year-old, from Anaheim, California, USA, officially has the largest afro on a living person (male).
His hair was measured in at an impressive 19.67 cm (7.74 in) high and 24.83 cm (9.77 in) wide with a circumference of 226 cm (88 in) on 10 August 2022, sending him straight into the record books.
Amir Manuel Mendez first began growing his hair out about four and a half years ago.
“It wasn't intentional at first,” he said.
But after about a year, I realized that my hair had the potential, so I started growing it out.
Amir says he loves how unique his hair is because it’s not something people see every day.
He also says it’s a great conversation starter.
Amir says most people who see his afro love it and enjoy asking questions and striking up conversations about it.
“All the time, any time I walk around outside with my hair out, there are always people staring at me,” he said.
I think the attention is cool, but sometimes it can become a bit overwhelming.
The most common questions he receives are: “How long have you been growing it out?” or “How long is it?”
Amir’s hair care routine consists of keeping his hair in twists and consistently moisturizing and oiling his scalp and afro.
Since he’s not able to fully wash his hair without destroying it, he frequently uses dry shampoo and leave-in conditioner.
He has been occasionally trimming his hair since earning his record title to get rid of dead ends and to keep his hair healthy.
However, at the moment, he does not know if he will continue to grow out his hair.
Amir first decided to apply for the Guinness World Records title for the largest afro on a living person (male) after seeing the previous record holder and realizing his hair was even longer.
“I combed my hair out, measured it with a ruler, did the math, and realized my hair was longer,” he said.
I was full of excitement and ran over to my mom like a happy kid who finally broke the record.
Amir’s mom submitted the application, and the rest is history.
Amir says his friends and family were very excited to learn of his new-found record title.
He urges those with unique traits to be proud and show them off.
“Be proud of it,” said Amir.
God gave you a unique trait so show it off.
Amir also says he would like to continue breaking his own record title, and that it would be pretty funny to have five of the same record titles.
For those wanting to attempt a similar record title, Amir says to just “go for it.”
"If you get it, you get it. If you don’t, you don’t,” he said.
“What do you have to lose?”
He also says he could have never imagined he would hold a Guinness World Records title.
“It’s a dream come true, always looking in the books and wanting to be in it. Now it’s a reality,” said Amir.
It’s also pretty cool to be one out of eight billion people who holds a record.
Amir also leaves those with unique hairstyles with some final words:
“I think that people should be proud of their natural hair and stop being ashamed of it,” he said.
I see too many people with textured hair always straightening it out or putting wigs over their already healthy - and good-looking - hair.
See Amir in Guinness World Records 2024 - on sale soon!
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