The Whittakers: America's most inbred family gets haircuts and looks unrecognizable in video
ODD, WEST VIRGINIA: The Whittaker family, known for their extensive inbreeding, have undergone a dramatic transformation with fresh haircuts. The family gained fame after their complex family history was revealed in a 2004 YouTube documentary. The family's inbreeding began in the early 1900s when twin brothers, Henry and John, allowed their children to marry each other, resulting in 15 offsprings. Unfortunately, many of the children did not survive their early years.
Presently, the Whittaker family still resides in a run-down home located in Odd, a town in West Virginia. The household is shared by siblings Ray, Betty, Larry, Lorene, and Lorene's son Timmy. All five family members seem to have visible physical and mental impairments, likely due to their genetic makeup. Ray, in particular, appears to be the most severely affected, communicating mainly through grunts and other non-verbal sounds. Recently, Mark Laita, the filmmaker who created a documentary about the Whittaker family almost 20 years ago, revisited the family's residence to provide them with haircuts. Laita is the founder of the YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly, which is dedicated to documenting individuals and communities that are often overlooked by society.
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America's most inbred family gets hair makeovers
In a video, the Whittaker family can be seen entering a barber shop where they take a seat and receive haircuts. Betty, who is considered the "matriarch" of the family, observes as her siblings get new hairstyles. One of the siblings, Lorene Sue, received a cut and blow dry while her brothers and sisters looked on. She was thrilled with her new look, beaming from ear to ear. Her final look put her white hair into beautiful curls, as Laita told her, "I think you're beautiful!"
Timmy was also eager to receive his haircut and jumped out of his chair when it was his turn. Michael Steven received a hair touch-up on the sides and watched the process attentively through the mirror. Once their haircuts were complete, the family exited the barber shop with radiant smiles and headed toward their car. With their fresh hairstyles, the Whittaker family appeared rejuvenated, and Timmy even decided to shave off his beard, choosing a mustache instead.
'It was an absolute blast to have them'
One of the barbers who helped the clan get their new looks commented on the video, "So I'm the bearded guy in the video. It was an absolute blast to have them in the shop!" Others praised Laita for his kind acts towards the family who haven't always been treated nicely. One said, "Never underestimate the deep power of human touch, compassion and treating all as equals. So much respect for you Mark and the crew you arranged to show kindness to The Whittakers." Another commented, "Big thanks to the two patient men that cut hair. You could tell that you are professional and caring. It warms my heart to see that you weren't turned off by the situation. You can tell when someone isnt as accepting of people's differences. Thank you for making (their) day," while a third said, "This series with the Whittaker's has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Everything from the first video with you meeting them, taking them to Walmart to buy them anything they wanted, having you n your gal cook them breakfast, n now this and everything in between is truly heartwarming and way too wholesome."
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