Lorraine viewers in tears as Elika Ashoori cuts her hair in support of Iranian women

2022-10-06

Lorraine Kelly was joined this morning on her show by Elika Ashoori who spoke about the current protests in Iran after Mahsa Amini’s death – cutting her own hair live on the show, to show solidarity with the current female-led revolution.

And viewers were quick to take to Twitter in support of the TV moment, describing it as "powerful".

Elika Ashoori is the daughter of Anoosheh Ashoori, who was detained in Iran for almost five years and alongside Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

During her powerful interview, Elika pulled out a pair of scissors and said: “I have brought a pair of scissors today to show my solidarity to my sisters in Iran and this pales to the bravery that they're showing in the streets, risking death."

She then cut a chunk of hair from her right side and said: “So I’m going to cut my hair as well, just to show that we are all behind you.”

As she cut the other side of her hair she added: “This one is for what the European, US and UK governments need to do with their trade and deals with Iran. They need to stop and cut everything. Just like that."

She continued: “This [protest] started with the murder of one girl who was showing a few strands of hair and was beaten by the morality police.

“But it soon escalated into nationwide protests and it progressed into women asking for the removal of compulsory hijabs, which has been implemented for four decades in Iran.

“And from there it has taken another shape and now has become a nationwide revolution led by women.”

Elika further explained the history behind the protest: “This is the first female-led revolution that we’ve seen in our time where the demographic of age is between 16 and 22.

“They force women from the age of nine to wear a covering, because that's the age by Islamic law where a girl becomes seductive to a man.

“If you look at a nine-year-old and you're seduced by her, the sickness is in your mind.

“People have been desensitised when they see news coming from the Middle East, they need to be engaged…What if they were your sisters and your daughters?”

Viewers on Twitter were quick to praise Elika with one saying: "That segment on cutting your hair has brought me to tears. How powerful was that against the leaders of Iran? Wow. Imagine the uproar with the people making this horrific law to the girls and women of Iraq and Iran. I saw it in your face. Truly Amazing."

Another echoed: "What an eloquent, passionate speaker she was. I cried when she cut her hair live."

A third added: "So powerful, actually cried when she cut her hair" and a fourth wrote: "Cutting your hair on TV in support of the Iranian women, well done to Elika."

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV and ITV Hub.

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