20 Female Hollywood Stars Who Look Completely Different With Their Natural Hairstyles
The comparisons are almost shocking... but in a surprisingly good way.
Hollywood hair changes can be dramatic, but the biggest surprise is often seeing a star without the styling tricks fans are used to. A sleek blowout, a wig, or a fresh dye job can make someone look completely different from their natural hair.
This roundup compares famous women in their everyday texture and color with the polished looks they wear on screen, on red carpets, and in public. From curls and coils to straightened styles and bold color changes, the contrast is what makes these photos so striking.
Some of these transformations are subtle, and others are hard to believe at first glance. Read on for the full lineup.
1. Look how wild and healthy Taraji P. Henson's hair is. But her stylist tames it when she goes on-screen.
? tarajiphenson / instagram, © Joseph Gotfriedy/Broadimage/EAST NEWS2. Nicole Kidman was a redhead with curly hair back in the day. Now she keeps her blonde hair straight.
? Days of Thunder / Paramount Pictures, © DJDM / WENN.com/agefotostock/East News3. Tyra Banks' natural hair is black, but you've probably seen her in various hairstyles.
? tyrabanks / instagram, © tyrabanks / instagram
4. Kerry Washington has puffy, curly hair. Now, she keeps everything straight.
? Rob Rich / WENN.com/agefotostock/East News, © Van Tine Dennis/ABACA/EAST NEWS
5. Gabrielle Union's hair used to be big, but she cut it all off and maintains a straight, short hairstyle.
? Gilbert Flores/Broadimage/EAST NEWS, © gabunion / instagram
6. Katy Perry used to be a brunette. Jet-black hair was one of her hairstyles, and we've seen her in a blonde pixie cut too.
? katyperry / instagram, © Gilbert Flores /Broadimage/Broad Image/East News
The style changes keep coming, and some of them are hard to miss.
7. Angela Simmons has gone from her natural black curls to dyed, straightened hair.
? angelasimmons / instagram, © angelasimmons / instagram
8. Another picture of her natural, curly black hair.
angelasimmons
9. Zooey Deschanel used to be blonde, but she's really embracing her brunette hair.
? The New Guy / Revolution Studios, © Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/East News
10. Sanaa Lathan's original hair is bouncy. She sports it in curls too.
? sanaalathan / instagram, © sanaalathan / instagram
11. Lindsay Lohan returned to her original red hair, but we've seen her sporting a blonde look for a long time.
? Instagram/East News, © EVERETT COLLECTION/EAST NEWS
12. We're used to seeing Jennifer Aniston with her beautiful highlights, but her natural hair color is actually brown.
? Leprechaun / Trimark Pictures, © Invision/Invision/East News
That contrast is exactly why these before-and-after looks get so much attention.
Also, if you like polished transformations, see which Best-Dressed Stars at Oscars 2026 stole attention early.
13. Nowadays, you won't see Meghan Markle's curls because she wears her hair straight all the time.
? Coleman-Rayner/EAST NEWS, © MEGA/Mega Agency/East News
14. Ariana Grande is popular for her high ponytail, so we no longer see her natural curls.
? 0000584/Reporter, © Jack Shea/Starshots/Broadimage/Broad Image/East News
15. Oprah Winfrey isn't afraid to show her natural hair, but she also likes to style it differently.
? KENA BETANCUR/AFP/East News, © Shooting Star/Sipa USA/East News
16. Viola Davis looks gorgeous with her natural curly hair, but she also opts for a styled look.
? Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/East News, © AFP/EAST NEWS
17. Kate Hudson's super short brown hair shocked people because she usually has beach blonde hair.
? Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/East News, © Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/East News
By this point, the hair transformations are doing all the talking.
18. Emma Stone confessed that she's more comfortable with red hair than with her natural blonde.
? Steve Sands/Bauergriffin.com/East News, © Degun / Starface/STARFACE PHOTO /East News
19. Gillian Anderson is actually a brunette, but you often see her as a redhead in her role as Dana Scully.
? gilliana / instagram, © The X-Files / FOX
20. Zendaya is completely fine with a variety of styles, and her natural hair is just as beautiful.
? zendaya / instagram, © Joe Sutter, PacificCoastNews/EAST NEWS
21. Did you know Gwen Stefani was a brunette? But we're so used to seeing her with platinum blonde hair.
? Gwen Stefani / youtube, © Bella/Broadimage/EAST NEWS
These stars prove that one hairstyle can completely change the whole vibe.
There are many reasons why celebrities might change their hairstyle.
Maybe they want to try a new look, or perhaps it's for a specific role in a movie or TV show. Certain hairstyles might also be more popular at certain times, so celebrities might change their hair to stay up-to-date.
Whatever the reason, it's always interesting to see how celebrities change their hairstyles. Some of the most recent changes have been quite dramatic, and many people are curious to see how they'll look with a new 'do.
Want more hair-and-attitude drama, check out the Oscars 2026 red carpet fails that had everyone talking.
