Guinness World Record holder gets 24ft fingernails cut off

By Helena Biggs | 07 April 2021 | Movers & Shakers, News

Gwr Women Longest Nails

A Texan woman who has been growing her nails for 30 years has had them cut to embrace a new chapter in her life.

Ayanna Williams held the Guinness World Records title for the longest fingernails on a pair of hands (female) at a combined length of 733.55 cm (24 ft 0.7 in).

The global authority in record-breaking achievements partnered with Ripley’s Believe it or Not! on Ayanna’s final nail measurements before her nail cutting procedure in Fort Worth, TX, USA.

Ayanna, who felt mixed emotions about cutting her nails, first achieved the Guinness World Records title in 2017, when her nails reached a total of 576.4 cm across both of her hands. The last post on her Instagram was in March 2018, where she wrote: “My nails are never going away so don’t ask.”

Her record-breaking nails are now immortalised with the updated record title and display at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium.

When asked about the nail display at Ripley’s, Ayanna commented: “It’s going to feel like it’s a wax of myself. Even though it’s just my nails, it’s going to be awesome. Guinness World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not! are really on it. I’d rather for them to have them than anyone else. And one thing, it’s history for my kids and my grandkids. It’s very exciting.”

Before Ayanna’s nails were cut, dermatologist, Dr. Allison Readinger, measured them to find they had grown substantially since the 2017 record title certification.

Ayanna’s nails reached 338.5 cm on her right hand and 395.05 cm on her left hand. Post-cut, Ayanna expressed instant relief in her thumb and knuckles.

She is encouraging the next history-making nail enthusiast to grow their nails and go for a title, adding: “Do what you want to do! Let everyone be themselves. If you want to grow your nails long, do it!”

Check out the video of Ayanna’s nails being cut, below.

www.guinnessworldrecords.com / www.ripleys.com

Images courtesy of GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS/RIPLEY’S BELIEVE IT OR NOT!