Jayla Cunningham, a Maryland hairdresser, is making headlines. A heated dispute with a 15-year-old client escalated into an alleged assault. The incident was captured on video. It has since gone viral. The footage shows Cunningham physically confronting the teenager over an unpaid $150 hair service.
What Happened?
According to a report by Fox5DC, Cunningham claims the 15-year-old attempted to leave her salon without paying for hair extensions. The video was allegedly posted by Cunningham herself. It shows her dragging the girl by her sweatshirt. She uses scissors to remove the extensions.
In the footage, Cunningham can be heard saying, “Sit here until someone sends it. I wasn’t fing playing. You just tried to run. You’re lucky I didn’t beat your a.”*
Cunningham defended her actions in an interview with Fox5DC, stating that the teen insisted on leaving without payment. “I brought her back into the salon. I kept her there until I could get paid. I stayed until the police arrived. Or I waited until she let me remove the extensions. She was literally trying to run away. I felt if I didn’t do that, she would have left, and I would never have been paid,” she explained.
Cunningham has been charged with second-degree assault and is scheduled to appear in court on April 18th.
The Teen’s Family Responds
The mother of the teenage client spoke out, revealing that her daughter was left “traumatized” by the incident. She also claimed that her daughter accidentally sent the payment to the wrong CashApp account. Her daughter was trying to figure out how to pay Cunningham.
The family has retained Jackson and Associates, a law firm, to represent them. Attorney De’aja Thompson condemned Cunningham’s actions, stating, “The video is horrific. She’s a 15-year-old girl. We’re talking about a child being dragged through a salon over something as simple as a mistake.”
Social Media Reacts
The viral video has sparked a heated debate on social media, with users sharing mixed reactions. Here’s what some had to say in The Shade Room’s comment section:
- @__Realestate2: “Any hairdresser who would do this to a client clearly doesn’t have a state license!”
- @fjsdabest: “She got what she deserved. People are tired of adults thinking it’s okay to put their hands on others whenever.”
- @BXBY.SHARISSA: “IDC what anyone says, the hairstylist was wrong.”
- @Eliyajoeel: “It wasn’t a ‘simple mistake’; she knew exactly what she was doing when she ran.”
- @43jaay: “If she was in the right, charges wouldn’t have been filed. You can’t justify dragging a 15-year-old over emotions.”
- @_damnjenniferr: “If you think the hairdresser is wrong, go work for hours and not get paid.”
- @Prettys.angel: “No matter what happened, she shouldn’t have put her hands on her—period! Whether it’s a minor or adult, she could’ve just called the police.”
What’s Next?
As the case unfolds, Cunningham’s court appearance on April 18th will determine the legal consequences of her actions. Meanwhile, the incident has reignited conversations about professionalism. It has also sparked discussions on conflict resolution and the appropriate way to handle disputes in the beauty industry.
What do you think, Roommates? Was Cunningham justified in her actions, or did she cross the line? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
