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The White Lotus continues to dominate the entertainment industry, winning over audiences and critics alike. But while viewers enjoy the show’s luxurious settings and compelling drama, the actors sometimes go through major transformations to bring their characters to life. Michelle Monaghan, who plays Jaclyn—a glamorous TV star—in Mike White’s hit series, recently opened up about one big change that made her nervous: going blonde.
In a chat with PEOPLE, the Mission: Impossible III actress shared her initial hesitation about changing her signature brunette hair. “I knew Mike (White) really wanted me to go blonde, and of course, I was happy to do it,” she said. “But I was worried because I had to go back to brunette right after for another film.”
Beyond just the color change, Monaghan was also concerned about maintaining her new blonde look while filming in Thailand for several months. The Kiss Kiss Bang Bang actress admitted that keeping up with the color was a challenge, but luckily, she had celebrity colorist Tracey Cunningham by her side.
Cunningham, known for her work with Hollywood’s biggest stars, even made multiple trips to Thailand to ensure Monaghan’s hair stayed flawless throughout filming. Monaghan expressed her gratitude for Cunningham’s expertise, saying that despite the heavy treatments, her hair remained surprisingly healthy. “The whole production crew was so thankful to her because my hair actually survived it all,” she shared.
Reflecting on her role, Monaghan said she had a blast playing Jaclyn. She described the character as “a departure from me, especially in terms of looks,” noting that Jaclyn loves makeup, a deep tan, and, of course, being blonde.
The White Lotus boasts an impressive ensemble cast alongside Monaghan, featuring Aimee Lou Wood, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Jason Isaacs.