REAL PEOPLE: JETTA FOSBERG
Ten-year-old, Jetta Fosberg, donated her 14 inches of hair to cancer patients and rocked a new pixie cut style to school. She had no idea she would be bullied by her classmates! Peers taunted her that she looked and wanted to be a boy and that she was ugly. The internet came to her rescue with overwhelming support. We interviewed Jetta about her experience, if she’d do it again, her involvement with Wig for Kids and the be nice. campaign, and what she’s up to next! Read on to find out about this incredible girl!
Photo credit: Sherry Couch
GLITTER: What inspired you to cut your hair for charity?
JETTA: My grandma passed away from lung cancer that spread to her brain and my grandpa is currently fighting stage 4 colon cancer. I just knew that I wanted to do something to help other cancer patients!
GLITTER: Were you nervous in the beginning?
JETTA: Yes, I was nervous! My hair was very long and had been for a few years. I knew I wanted to do it, but it was going to be a big change!
GLITTER: How long did the process take to cut and donate your hair?
JETTA: Just a little longer than a normal haircut. She parted my hair into sections and braided them. Then she used the clippers and cut the braids off. Then after that she finished cutting my hair into a short bob. A few days later I decided I wanted it even shorter, so we went back!
GLITTER: After receiving negative remarks from peers at school, your story hit all the media outlets and news. How did it feel having millions of people support you and help spread your message?
JETTA: Amazing!!! Knowing that all of those people supported my decision felt really good. It was a little overwhelming, but it made confident that I made the right decision!
GLITTER: Is cutting your hair something you would consider again when it grows back?
JETTA: Yes, of course! I am planning on it, but this time I don’t want to wait as long, so once its 12 inches, I’m planning on shaving my head!
GLITTER: What message do you hope to spread to those who deal with bullying?
JETTA: Stay positive! Always be yourself, even if others don’t like you. Follow your heart no matter what others say! It’s always easy, but try to stay positive and you’ll get through it! Make sure you talk about it with a parent, teacher or an adult you trust. And if they don’t listen, talk to someone else!
GLITTER: You recently were on The Queen Latifah Show. What was that experience like?
JETTA: Crazy! It was a lot of fun, but it was exhausting! We were only in LA for 25 hours, so it was a busy and quick trip! It was also my first time flying that I remember… Last time I was a baby! Queen Latifah was so nice and very funny! I had my own dressing room and got to go get my hair and makeup done! I was nervous at first, but once I meet Queen, I felt a lot better!
Also while we were in LA, Sabrina Carpenter from the Disney Channel contacted us and we got to go meet her and Laura Marano at the studio where they were recording music videos! It was awesome! They were so nice and we took a bunch of selfies!
GLITTER: What did you learn throughout this whole experience?
JETTA: To always be myself! And to stay positive! A negative situation doesn’t need any more negativity!
GLITTER: If you could cut your hair to raise awareness, would you do it again?
JETTA: Yes!
GLITTER: Can you tell us about the Wigs for Kids program and how you’re helping with that?
JETTA: Wigs For Kids is great! They make wigs for children who have lost their hair from chemo, radiation, alopecia, trichotillomania and burns. They never charge for the wigs and a lot of the help they get is from volunteers. They are a non-profit charity, so they need donations to be able to help these kids. I have been using my #standwithjetta page to try to get more attention for them. I have also been fundraising with tshirt and bracelet sales and have more than $2500 to donate so far!
GLITTER: Are you working with the be nice. campaign and if so, what are you doing with them and how can others help?
JETTA: be nice. is the program that was chosen to come to my school and start an anti-bullying and kindness program. We like their ideas and are excited to get started with them! I also wanted to support them, so I’ve been raising money to donate to them too!
GLITTER: What do you like doing in your free time?
JETTA: I love reading, playing soccer, singing and dancing!
GLITTER: How can teens help others during this holiday season?
JETTA: Just be kind to others! Think more about how you can help someone else instead of thinking about all of the things you want. They could ask for donations to a favorite charity instead of a gift for them self. They could volunteer their time at a senior center, children’s hospital or homeless shelter.
GLITTER: How are you helping others?
JETTA: I am still fundraising for be nice. and Wigs For Kids, I’m participating in my school’s canned food drive, and I am asking for donations instead of birthday and Christmas presents.
GLITTER: What is next for you?
JETTA: I’m not exactly sure! I’m just going to see what happens! We still have a couple of events and interviews planned, and I have been nominated for a couple of awards. I still want to continue to raise awareness about bullying and promote Wigs For Kids!
Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
