James Harden’s iconic facial hair has gone through various iterations over the years
NBA star James Harden has become synonymous with his iconic beard.
But the now 34-year-old former NBA MVP, also known as ‘The Beard,’ hasn’t always sported his eye-catching facial foliage.
![James Harden (pictured) has spent fifteen seasons in the NBA](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/user-expressly-acknowledges-agrees-downloading-859850573.jpg)
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James Harden (pictured) has spent fifteen seasons in the NBACredit: Getty
![An unrecognizable high school snap of Harden recently resurfaced, showing him without his trademark beard](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/james-harden-reebok-abcd-camp-859850738.jpg)
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An unrecognizable high school snap of Harden recently resurfaced, showing him without his trademark beardCredit: Getty
Originally from California, Harden burst onto the basketball scene starring for Artesia High School in Lakewood.
A McDonald’s All-American in 2007, the 6-foot-5, 190-pound guard looked unrecognizable in a recently resurfaced photo from his teenage days, via TalkSport.
Starring at a basketball camp in 2005, Harden sported a short haircut and no facial hair as he dribbled in ice-white and red sneakers.
Ranked 21st in the nation by ESPN in 2007, Harden went on to star for Arizona State where he was named an All-Pac-10 First-Teamer twice, and the Pac-10’s Player of the Year in 2009.
And it was during his days with the Sun Devils, that Harden slowly adopted his signature look.
According to his brother Akili Roberson, who spoke to The Athletic about the ten-time All-Star’s facial hair in 2018: “We didn’t care about facial hair. Our uncle or father, they didn’t wear a beard.
“It was never an issue. It was something to try. I don’t think he had peach fuzz. He was never a hairy guy like that. He didn’t have real facial hair until college.”
Roberson went on to add that he believes it was his influence that led Harden to grow his beard out.
“To be truthful I think he started growing a beard because he saw mine coming in and he got hair on his face,” he said, continuing: “He won’t say that’s what it was, but he won that battle.”
But Harden vehemently denied this, commenting: “You see his beard? It’s terrible, I didn’t get it from him, I just got it. I didn’t get it from him.”
Roberson, who is also Harden’s barber, explained that his brother began to let his beard grow out during his sophomore season.
Then after being drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, Harden seemingly decided it was time for a change.
Roberson said: “Once he got to OKC, he just one summer said, ‘Don’t cut my beard. Just line it up.’ It went from there. It can grow at a fast pace and it grows all over his face.”
And Harden’s beard has gone on to help him establish his brand.
“You might not know my name but you know that beard from somewhere,” he explained.
“Same thing with [Michael] Jordan. You know that sign with him spreading his legs in the air with the ball. It’s a cool feeling.”
The Beard has gone on to forge a legendary reputation during his fifteen seasons in the NBA.
Named the MVP in 2018, Harden has led the league in scoring three times, and in assists twice.
Most of his career was spent with the Houston Rockets, where ‘Fear The Beard’ could regularly be spotted on merchandise and social media.
Along with nine seasons in Houston, Harden has also starred for the Thunder, Brooklyn Nets, and the Philadelphia 76ers.
He was traded to the LA Clippers on November 1 and has since made five appearances alongside the likes of Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook.
![Harden began to experiment with his facial hair while at Arizona State](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/68-56-pacific-life-pac-859850660.jpg)
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Harden began to experiment with his facial hair while at Arizona StateCredit: Getty
![Harden has become synonymous with his iconic beard](https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/user-expressly-acknowledges-agrees-downloading-859850546.jpg)
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Harden has become synonymous with his iconic beardCredit: Getty
The dynamic between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has raised questions about the existence of their support system, as discussed by Royal commentator Michael Cole. In a recent conversation with GB News, Cole shed light on the potential dangers arising from the lack of a familial bond within the Sussexes. Cole began by highlighting the similarities between Meghan and Harry in terms of their relationships and the apparent lack thereof.
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On one side, Meghan has strained relationships with most of her family members, maintaining limited contact only with her mother and one niece.
![Anne Breaks Silence: Slams Greedy Meghan Markle for Alleged Blackmail and Praises Kate](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRnWXUUiFXvsJhu3ySiLN9qqSIs5rJPa74cBk2VpH5GxqXujWeAkyV_KacmPJvHBjiNQ-8oFlLMNAqASFRQ0fAlsxFUes_QK_cJte61ovxSUBXHPpRgUv3qXoQijRDUWvi-DCuKSjqnsej-si542YETDbb4XcI9Sf1I9tF5UnwIVBUgM7egTiGHBIQmk/w640-h360-rw/Anne%20Breaks%20Silence%20Slams%20Greedy%20Meghan%20Markle%20for%20Alleged%20Blackmail%20and%20Praises%20Kate-0.png)
On the other side, Prince Harry is estranged from the entire royal family, with Princess Anne reportedly issuing an ultimatum to halt PR attacks on the royal family or face severe consequences. These reports coincide with claims by Miss Angela L about the Sussexes’ second memoir.
Expressing skepticism, she questioned whether Megan’s memoir, filled with complaints and varying recollections, would resonate positively with the public. Another revelation suggests that Harry boasts to Meghan about having access to and overseeing the financials of the Duchy, positioning himself as equal to William in line for the throne.
Meghan allegedly urges him to claim his supposed entitlements, portraying themselves as king and queen. The royal insider contends that Harry’s attempt to blackmail King Charles for financial support to salvage his marriage reflects his misguided expectations.
The insider also reveals that Prince Harry believed marrying Meghan would automatically grant them the same privileges as William and Catherine. However, the reality for William and Catherine involved gradual progression, earning titles, Kensington Apartments, and a sophisticated wardrobe through growing their family and engaging in substantial patronages and successful tours. The insider suggests that Harry’s entitlement mindset, combined with petulance and vindictiveness, may be contributing to his unrealistic expectations. It highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of the royal dynamics and the pace at which rewards are traditionally granted, even comparing unfavorably to Prince Andrew, who, as the son of the monarch, did not receive benefits at the same rapid pace.
![Ryan Reynolds' Awkward Joke About Meghan Markle's Royal Title - Business Insider](https://i.insider.com/5f0d7b75aee6a846c7083335?width=700)
The tension was palpable as Ryan Reynolds took the stage at the Forbes Iconoclast Summit. Known for his affable demeanor, the A-list actor's unease was noticeable, signaling that something momentous was about to unfold.
What Reynolds revealed next sent shockwaves through the room and the global audience watching the event. In a bombshell announcement, the Deadpool star claimed to have been entrusted with explosive information about The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, by a mysterious source – a photographer who had worked on the set of the TV show Suits, where Meghan first rose to prominence.
The allegations were nothing short of scandalous. According to Reynolds, the photographer had come forward with damning evidence that painted Meghan in a strikingly different light than the public persona she had carefully cultivated. The claims were as serious as they were shocking: Meghan, the photographer alleged, had been a ruthless gold digger whose sole focus was on advancing her career and meeting wealthy, influential men.
The specifics were even more damning. The photographer claimed that Meghan had engaged in a pattern of theft, charging personal expenses to the crew’s tab without reimbursement. But the most explosive claim of all was that Meghan had allegedly slept with multiple cast members, using these relationships to climb the show's hierarchy and secure her own success.
As evidence, the photographer purported to have photographic proof and receipts that would corroborate these explosive claims. Reynolds, visibly shaken as he relayed the information, stated that he felt compelled to share this information with the public, believing that the truth needed to come to light. The reaction in the room and online was immediate and divisive. Some were quick to condemn Meghan, seeing the allegations as confirmation of the rumors and criticisms that had long swirled around The Duchess. Others, however, dismissed the claims as nothing more than another attempt to vilify a woman who had dared to defy traditional expectations.
It’s important to note that these allegations have not been independently verified, and Meghan herself has yet to respond to the claims. However, the implications of such serious charges, if true, could have far-reaching consequences for The Duchess and her reputation.
The photographer's account paints a picture of a ruthless, manipulative individual willing to exploit her co-workers and engage in unethical behavior to achieve her goals. If these allegations are accurate, it would call into question the very foundation of Meghan's rise to prominence and her claims of being a champion for social justice and female empowerment.
![Meghan Markle - IMDb](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMjExNzU3ODY3NF5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMjI0MzM0OA@@._V1_.jpg)
The fallout from this controversy is sure to be widespread, with many questioning The Duchess’s integrity and the authenticity of her public persona. Some may argue that this is yet another example of the ongoing vilification of Meghan, while others may see it as a necessary reckoning with the truth. Regardless of one’s stance, the allegations leveled by the anonymous photographer have the potential to significantly impact Meghan's public image and her position within the royal family.
As the dust settles, it will be up to The Duchess and her team to address these claims and, if necessary, mount a robust defense against the damaging accusations. But the implications of this scandal go far beyond just Meghan Markle. The revelation has sparked a broader conversation about the nature of fame, ambition, and the price that some are willing to pay to achieve their dreams.
In an industry where success is often measured by wealth, status, and influence, the allegations against Meghan raise questions about the ethical boundaries that some may be willing to cross in the pursuit of their goals. The photographer's claims suggest that Meghan may have been willing to sacrifice her morals and even her relationships to climb the ladder of success. This is not the first time the entertainment industry has been rocked by such allegations, and it is unlikely to be the last. From the #MeToo movement to ongoing debates around nepotism and privilege in Hollywood, the issue of unethical behavior and the abuse of power has been a persistent thorn in the side of the industry.
But what sets the Meghan Markle case apart is the sheer level of public scrutiny and the stakes involved. As a member of the British royal family, Meghan's every move is subject to intense media attention and public scrutiny. The allegations leveled against her have the potential to not only damage her own reputation but to also cast a shadow over the entire institution of the monarchy.
The question at the heart of this controversy is simple: Who is the real Meghan Markle? Is she the principled, philanthropic figure she has presented to the world, or is she a ruthless, manipulative individual willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals? The answer to this question may never be fully known, as the truth often lies somewhere in the gray area between the extremes. What is clear, however, is that the allegations have shaken the public's perception of Meghan and have forced us to reexamine the way we view celebrity and power in the modern age.
As the world watches with bated breath, the fallout from this scandal is sure to be felt for years to come. The stakes are high, and the implications are far-reaching. Regardless of the ultimate outcome, one thing is certain: Meghan Markle's meteoric rise to fame has been marked by scandal, sabotage, and a level of ambition that has left many questioning the true nature of her character.
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