Shailene Woodley Donating Hair For The Fault In Our Stars

Shailene Woodley is donating her hair before filming The Fault In Our Stars.

Woodley plays Hazel, a teenager with cancer, in the movie adaptation of John Green’s best-selling young adult novel. Woodley will be donating her hair to Children with Hair Loss, an organization that provides free wigs to kids who’ve had hair loss due to a medical condition.

Green said in a post on his Tumblr that the idea was Woodley’s, and he didn’t think the studio was even aware of her plan. He also said Woodley’s mother, Lori, would also be donating her hair.

Woodley also explained why she wanted to donate her hair in her own Tumblr post. She explained that she had been trying to grow her hair as long as possible, and that about halfway through her hair growing journey, she stopped to look at why she was determined to grow it.

“After much thought and curiosity surrounding the subject, I ?nally came to the conclusion that hair, for me, was a symbol of strength,” she wrote. “It was a symbol of commitment to my power. Of connection to my ancestry. Of recognizing my natural beauty.”

The Secret Life of the American Teenager star said that the decision to cut her hair came ofter her younger brother played Regina Spektor’s Ghost Of Corporate Future for her. In the song, Spektor sings, “Maybe you should just cut your own hair, ’cause that can be so funny. It doesn’t cost any money and it always grows back, hair grows even after you’re dead.”

Woodley added, “Upon hearing these words, I was immediately inspired to cut my own hair off with abandon. Shed old layers and practice the art of playfulness. Out of nowhere, I did a complete 360. I went from sacralizing the length of my hair, to appreciating the spontaneity of chopping it off. And also recognizing the beauty of freedom.”

The 21-year-old also said that she is “over-the-top grateful” that she gets to “share that gift [of having long hair] with another.”

At the end of her post, Woodley said that Green had been emailing her to let her know how many people have also donated their hair. Those who want to join can show their support by using the hashtags #hairforhazel and #itgrowsback.

Filming for The Fault In Our Stars is expected to begin on August 26.

What do you think of Shailene Woodley’s decision to donate her hair?

[Photo credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com]