If you’ve spent any time watching Yellowstone, you’ve seen him. Mo Brings Plenty, playing the stoic and loyal right-hand man to Thomas Rainwater, commands the screen without saying much. But honestly, it’s not just his acting or that steady gaze that catches people's attention. It is the hair. Mo Brings Plenty hair has become a symbol of cultural pride, sparking thousands of searches from fans who are genuinely curious about the significance, the maintenance, and the rules surrounding Indigenous hair.
It’s long. It’s thick. It’s usually perfectly braided.
For Mo, who is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, his hair isn't a "style choice" he picked out of a lookbook to land a TV gig. It is an extension of his soul. In many Indigenous cultures, hair is a physical manifestation of one's thoughts and a connection to the Creator. It’s a living record of time.
Why Mo Brings Plenty Hair Isn't Just for Show
Most people see a celebrity with long hair and think about products. They want to know what shampoo he uses or how he gets that shine. While those are fair questions, you have to understand the "why" before the "how." In Lakota culture, and many other Native American nations, hair is sacred. It isn't just dead cells. It’s power.
Cutting hair is often reserved for moments of deep mourning. When a loved one passes away, cutting the hair signifies a period of grief and a physical shedding of a past life. Outside of that, you let it grow. You'll notice that Mo Brings Plenty hair is almost always kept in two neat braids when he’s on screen or at public events. This isn't just because it looks sharp. Braiding is a meditative act. It represents the braiding together of mind, body, and spirit.
Historically, the US government and boarding school systems tried to forcibly cut the hair of Native children to "civilize" them. So, when you see Mo Brings Plenty on a massive hit show like Yellowstone sporting waist-length hair, it’s a quiet, powerful act of resistance. It’s a way of saying, "We are still here, and our traditions didn't break."
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The Reality of Maintenance and Modern Perception
Let’s talk about the logistics. Keeping hair that long healthy requires a level of patience most of us don't have. Mo has mentioned in various interviews and social media posts that his hair is a reflection of his health and his discipline.
Imagine the weight. Long, thick hair like that gets heavy, especially when wet. But there is a specific gleam to Mo Brings Plenty hair that suggests he isn't just using whatever is on sale at the local pharmacy. Indigenous hair care often leans heavily on natural oils. While Mo hasn't dropped a specific "routine" video—he's a bit too private for that—traditional care often involves sweetgrass washes or cedar infusions, alongside modern high-quality conditioners to prevent breakage.
You've probably noticed it never looks frizzy. That's the braids. By keeping the hair braided, he protects the strands from environmental damage, wind, and friction against clothing. It’s the ultimate "protective style," as the beauty world calls it.
Addressing the Cultural Appropriation Question
Because the look is so striking, a lot of fans want to emulate it. This is where things get a bit tricky. There is a difference between admiring Mo Brings Plenty hair and trying to replicate it without understanding the weight behind it.
Is it okay for non-Indigenous people to wear "Mo-style" braids?
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That's a conversation with a lot of layers. Most Indigenous people will tell you that while they appreciate the admiration, the specific "two-braid" look carries a lot of historical trauma and identity. When a Native man wears his hair long, he might face discrimination or "othering" in corporate spaces. When a celebrity does it, it’s a trend. That discrepancy is why some people feel protective of the style.
If you're a fan, the best way to honor the look is to respect the person behind it. Mo Brings Plenty uses his platform to advocate for the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and for the accurate representation of Indigenous people in Hollywood. His hair is part of that advocacy.
What Most People Get Wrong About Native Hair
There’s this weird stereotype that all Native American hair is naturally pin-straight and jet black. While that’s often the case, there is a ton of variety. However, Mo’s hair fits that classic, iconic profile.
People also assume it grows fast. It doesn't. Hair grows at an average of half an inch per month. For Mo Brings Plenty hair to reach the lengths we see on Yellowstone, we’re talking about decades of growth. Decades of not giving in to the urge to just "chop it all off" during a hot summer.
The Influence on Yellowstone and Beyond
Taylor Sheridan, the creator of Yellowstone, has been praised (and sometimes critiqued) for his portrayal of Native life. But having Mo Brings Plenty on set as both an actor and a cultural advisor changed the game. Mo ensures that the way he looks—his hair, his clothes, his mannerisms—is authentic to his heritage.
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He isn't a costume.
When he is on a horse, his braids flying behind him, it isn't just a "cool shot" for the cinematographer. It’s a piece of history moving through the 21st century. It has influenced how other Indigenous actors are styled in Hollywood. We are seeing a shift away from the "wig" era, where actors wore fake, poorly made hairpieces, to a time where natural, long hair is celebrated as a requirement for authenticity.
Practical Insights for Long Hair Care Inspired by Mo
If you are trying to grow your hair out to significant lengths, whether you're Indigenous or not, you can learn a lot from the discipline Mo displays.
- Scalp Health is Everything: You can't have healthy hair without a healthy base. Use oils like jojoba or almond oil to keep the scalp hydrated.
- Low Manipulation: Part of why Mo’s hair looks so thick is that he isn't constantly heat-styling it. No blow-dryers, no flat irons. He braids it and lets it be.
- Tension Matters: If you braid too tight, you get "traction alopecia," which causes thinning at the hairline. Mo’s braids are secure but never look like they are pulling his skin back.
- Silk or Satin: If you aren't sleeping on a silk pillowcase or wrapping your hair at night, you're losing the battle against split ends.
The Bigger Picture
Mo Brings Plenty has become a bit of an accidental hair icon. He didn't set out to be a "hair influencer," but by simply existing as his authentic self on one of the biggest shows in the world, he’s educated millions.
It’s about more than just aesthetics. It’s about the right to exist as you are. For a long time, Native men were told their hair was "unprofessional" or "dirty." Mo Brings Plenty proves it is anything but. It is elegant. It is powerful. It is a story written in keratin.
Actionable Next Steps for Those Interested in Indigenous Culture and Hair
To truly appreciate the significance of hair in this context, move beyond the screen.
- Support Indigenous Creators: Follow Indigenous hair stylists and traditional knowledge keepers on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. They often share the deep spiritual meanings behind specific styles that you won't find in a mainstream magazine.
- Educate Yourself on History: Look into the history of the "Boarding School Era" in the United States and Canada. Understanding why hair was taken away helps you understand why seeing it on screen today is such a victory.
- Invest in Quality Tools: If you are growing your hair long, ditch the plastic brushes that rip through knots. Switch to wide-tooth wooden combs which distribute natural oils better and reduce static.
- Watch the Credits: Look at the work Mo Brings Plenty does as a cultural advisor. He works hard to ensure that the representation you see is more than skin deep.
By understanding the culture, you respect the man. And by respecting the man, you see that Mo Brings Plenty hair isn't a trend—it's a legacy.