Are King Ezekiel's Dreads on 'The Walking Dead' Real?

In the show 'The Walking Dead', one of the most beloved characters is King Ezekiel, played by actor Khary Payton. Many fans wonder if Ezekiel’s dreadlocks are real or not. To clear up any confusion, let's delve into the truth behind Ezekiel's hair.

Are the Dreads Real?

Patently no, Ezekiel's dreadlocks are not real.

According to Khary Payton, the actor who portrays King Ezekiel, the dreadlocks are not his real hair. They are, in fact, wigs he wears on set.

Production Costs and Wig Usage

Khary Payton revealed on various platforms, including The Talking Dead, that they often use wigs for the characters with dreadlocks, and these wigs can be quite expensive. Payton estimated that the cost of one wig could be around $50,000.

During an interview, Payton explained, 'No, they are wigs on all the characters who have dreadlocks. Payton estimated that wig cost the show 50 grand.' This information aligns with the meticulous detailing and expense often associated with The Walking Dead production.

The Behind-the-Scenes Process

The actor that plays Ezekiel is indeed bald. However, he has a seamless transformation process to wear the dreadlocks convincingly.

It is noteworthy that actors like Danai Gurira, who plays Michonne, also have a similar preparation process. They often shave their heads to wear the wigs, which makes the look more believable on screen.

Observational Evidence

Some fans have noted that they have seen Khary Payton without the dreadlocks in appearances and interviews. This further supports the notion that the dreadlocks are indeed not his real hair.

For instance, a fan of the show mentioned, 'No there not, his real dreads at ALL. They’re real just not grown by his head, by someone else's.' This indicates that the dreadlocks are actually styled onto a hair piece, ensuring a more realistic appearance.

Shaving the Head for Wigs

Khary Payton, in an interview on The Talking Dead, shared that he has shaved his head to wear the dreadlocks. This process allows for a more seamless fit and a more natural look when the wigs are on.

He elaborated, 'I’ve seen him on the Talking Dead, and he shaves his head to wear the dreadlocks just as Danai Gurira keeps her hair quite short to wear her wig.' This shared process highlights the dedication and professionalism of the actors to ensure the authenticity of the character.

Another fan, who watched episodes related to the Talking Dead last season, added, 'The actor that plays Ezekiel appeared sans dreadlocks on the Talking Dead. So no, they are not real dreads.'

Conclusion

In summary, while King Ezekiel’s dreadlocks in 'The Walking Dead' are not his real hair, the effort and attention to detail in making them look realistic is impressive. Fans can appreciate the dedication of the actors and the production team to ensure the show looks visually compelling and believable.

As always, the curiosity of fans leads to fascinating insights and discussions about the characters and the show. Whether the dreads are real or not, King Ezekiel remains a beloved character in the world of 'The Walking Dead'.