Clairol's Nice’n Easy brings back Tracey Norman for new campaign

CINCINNATI -- After a 30 year hiatus, Tracey “Africa” Norman is making a return to modeling in the new “Color As Real As You Are” campaign for Clairol Nice’n Easy.

The campaign celebrates Nice’n Easy users like Norman who embrace real color and their real selves. Norman discovered the transformational power of hair color early on in her modeling career.

“Clairol really believes in the power of hair color to transform you, and so do I,” said Norman. “It helped me feel feminine - like the real me. And being the real you is what the new Nice’n Easy campaign is about.”

Norman first began working with Clairol when she appeared on a Born Beautiful box for several years in the 1970s, and she’s been a devoted Clairol user ever since. Though Norman never thought of herself as a transgender model, her gender identity was a carefully guarded secret throughout her modeling career. Every day she said a prayer that she wouldn’t be found out. When her truth was revealed her career came to an abrupt end, and she considered her modeling days to be over.

In December 2015 Norman shared her story with NY Mag’s The Cut. Her lifelong commitment to expressing her true identity inspired Clairol to reconnect with her and find out if she would be interested in working with the brand again. Norman was surprised and overjoyed to have the opportunity to return to modeling, and Clairol is equally excited to work with Tracey again. 

“Our new “Color As Real As You Are” campaign celebrates the confidence that comes from embracing what makes you unique and using natural color to express yourself freely. We’re honored to bring back Tracey Norman as a woman who no longer has to hide her truth. Her warm, genuine spirit and authentic approach to life make her a natural fit for the campaign,” says Global Clairol Associate Brand Director Heather Carruthers.

Norman will appear in the “Color As Real As You Are” print ad and her first TV commercial set to launch in January 2017.