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Ariana Grande is shaking things up with her latest hair transformation, and fans are loving the change! The singer shared behind-the-scenes photos from her upcoming short film Brighter Days Ahead on Instagram on April 8, giving fans a glimpse of her new look. Gone is the platinum blonde shade she rocked during the Wicked press tour; instead, Ariana is sporting a deeper, warmer auburn brown color.
Her signature high ponytail remains a staple, styled with a soft side part and gentle waves flowing down her back, giving off a fresh and effortless vibe. The shift to a darker color had actually been hinted at earlier this year, especially at the 2025 Golden Globes, where Ariana’s hair showed signs of transitioning toward a warmer hue. Her colorist, Rachel Bodt, explained to InStyle that they opted for a warm auburn base with chunky highlights to create contrast and a bold yet natural finish.
This new look marks a significant departure from the vibrant red hair Ariana wore as Cat Valentine on Victorious. That bright red color, while iconic, came with a lot of upkeep, causing significant damage from frequent touch-ups. Ariana has shared that it was so hard on her hair that she had to start wearing it up to protect it, which led to the high ponytail becoming her signature style.
In a 2020 interview on the Zach Sang Show, Ariana reflected on her time with red hair, explaining that it was more a reflection of her Victorious character than her real self. She said she looks back on the red hair fondly but feels it belongs to a different chapter of her life.
With the release of Brighter Days Ahead and new phases in both her music and film career, it seems Ariana is embracing a fresh look for this exciting next chapter. Fans can expect even more updates from her film as they continue to roll out.