I took America’s ‘most inbred family’ The Whittakers for a haircut – their reactions to their new look are priceless
OFTEN referred to as the “most inbred family in America”, the Whittakers of West Virginia’s latest adventure involved a brand new look – and their reactions are priceless.
With the help of YouTube channel Soft White Underbelly, the clan was taken to get brand new haircuts and shaves and they look unrecognisable.
The family members can be seen entering a barber shop, where they are placed into chairs and the work begins.
The “matriarch” of the family, Betty, watched on as her brothers and sisters got new looks.
Lorene Sue got a cut and blow dry as her brothers and sisters watched and she grinned ear to ear.
Her final look put her white hair into beautiful curls, as YouTuber Mark told her: “I think you’re beautiful!”
Timmy was also excited to get his cut, and hopped up out of his chair when they called him over for his trim.
Michael Steven got a touch up on the sides of his hair, and watched the entire process in the mirror.
After the family had their new do’s, they were beaming as they walked outside to their car.
The clan looked fresh faced with their new cuts, and Timmy shaved off his signature beard, opting for a moustache instead.
One of the barbers who helped the clan get 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 YouTuber Mark for his kind acts towards the family who haven’t always been treated nicely.
Vicki 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.”
Some of the family’s secrets were unveiled last year after filmmaker Mark began a series on the West Virginia natives.
Some members of the Whittaker family have mental and physical abnormalities.
A few members only communicate through grunts and cannot speak, and some did not attend school.
Laita first visited the family in 2004 for his first book, “Created Equal.”
He called the visit “the craziest thing I have ever seen,” on an episode of the Koncrete KLIPS podcast.
He didn’t receive a warm welcome – an angry neighbour appeared with a shotgun, threatening to use it if Laita didn’t leave them alone.
Neighbors are incredibly protective of the family and will chase away anyone who shows up looking to photograph or taunt the Whittakers.
Mark said on an episode of the Koncrete KLIPS podcast: “They are kind of protected by the neighbours and the relatives don’t like these people coming to ridicule them.”
He was, however, able to snap some photos of the family, offering the service so the family could place the portrait in the casket of a relative who had recently passed away.
That began a relationship that would span nearly 20 years, and has stretched to this most recent video shared on Mark’s channel.