Jess Martinez Breaks Guinness World Record for the World’s Largest Afro

There is something quietly revolutionary about hair. For Jess Martinez, it became a statement, a legacy, and now a Guinness World Record. The New York–based advocate and content creator has officially earned the title of the world’s largest afro, her curls measuring 29 cm tall, 31 cm wide, and a staggering 190 cm in circumference.

At first, the news felt surreal. “It didn’t quite sink in,” Jess admits, reflecting on the moment her hair became a global symbol of visibility and pride. Yet as the excitement settled, she realized it was more than a personal milestone. It was a celebration of identity, culture, and the natural hair movement that has inspired countless conversations about beauty, representation, and self-love.

Jess is only the second woman to hold this record, following Aevin Dugas, who first set the standard in 2010 and was named a Guinness World Records ICON in 2025 for her advocacy around body positivity and natural hair acceptance. Now, Jess steps into that lineage, joining a small but powerful circle of women whose hair journeys have shaped global dialogues.

Behind the record lies a story of patience, persistence, and community. Jess, who also works as a criminal justice advocate and runs her brand Somebody’s Auntie, recalls the countless people who encouraged her to submit her afro for the record. Measuring every curl required precision, multiple hands, and more than a little perseverance.

Her relationship with her hair has not always been effortless. Childhood memories of salon visits and chemical relaxers left her feeling frustrated, her confidence shaken. Returning to her natural curls became a gradual reclamation, a process of healing and self-acceptance. Over time, as her hair flourished, so did her sense of self, inspiring her mother to embrace locs as well.

Speaking about the achievement, Jess said, “To see someone like me, with hair like this, in the Guinness World Records book, is just so absolutely incredible. A part of me also felt proud because I can do hard things… and the fact that I stuck it through makes me feel like I can do anything.”

On Instagram, she shared images of her afro in full glory, framing it as more than hair—a symbol of showing up fully as oneself. Through her record-breaking achievement, Jess hopes to inspire others to embrace their natural texture, challenge stereotypes, and continue pushing against hair discrimination, proving that confidence can indeed take on monumental form.