6 Iconic Bald Celebrity Moments — Emma Stone’s ‘Bugonia’ Joins the List
Bald celebrity moments never fail to capture attention. From A-list actors shaving their heads for movie roles to pop stars debuting a fresh buzz cut on social media, going bald can signal empowerment and reinvention. These moments often spark conversation amongst fans and redefine public perceptions of beauty and confidence. Beyond the glamour, bald transformations reveal a daring side of celebrities that’s entirely unapologetic, proving that sometimes the biggest statements are made not with outfits or accessories, but with sheer courage. Here are the top six iconic bald celebrity moments that fans need to know about
1. Natalie Portman shaved her head in one take for ‘V for Vendetta’
Natalie Portman’s decision to shave her head for the 2005 film V for Vendetta remains one of Hollywood’s most striking acts of commitment to a role. In a pivotal scene, her character, Evey Hammond, is forcibly shaved by the regime’s authorities, symbolizing her complete loss of identity and autonomy. Portman chose to undergo the head shaving for real, rather than using a wig or prosthetics, making the moment all the more raw and authentic.
Director James McTeigue emphasized the importance of capturing the scene in a single take, as it was impossible to replicate the act of shaving her head multiple times.
“The first time I saw her about the role, I had her put her hair behind her head because I wanted to see what she looked like bald. That was the only conversation we had about it,” McTeigue told USA Today. “She knew the day was coming. I put three cameras on her, made sure the clippers weren’t stuck, and then we shaved her head. She loved it and kept rubbing her head.”
2. Emma Stone went bald for her role in ‘Bugonia’
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, Bugonia features Emma Stone as Michelle Fuller, a pharmaceutical CEO who is kidnapped by conspiracy theorists convinced she is an alien sent to destroy Earth. In a pivotal scene, Stone’s character is forcibly shaved. In reality, the actress chose to undergo the transformation herself.
While speaking to Vogue, Stone admitted that before shaving her head, she burst into tears in her trailer. However, she now loves the feeling.
“No better feeling in the world,” she said of the cut. “The first shower when you’ve shaved your head? Oh my God, it’s amazing.”
3. Millie Bobby Brown shaved her head at 12 years old for her role in ‘Stranger Things’
At just 12 years old, Millie Bobby Brown embraced a shaved head for her role as Eleven in Stranger Things. Reflecting on the experience, Brown described it as “the most empowering moment of my whole life,” noting that removing her hair allowed her to present her true self without hiding behind appearances.
“The last strand of hair cut off was the moment my whole face was on show, and I couldn’t hide behind my hair like I used to,” Brown captioned a post on X, according to People. “As I looked in the mirror, I realized I had one job to do. Inspire.”
Brown also noted that some family members, including her mom, didn’t love the shaved head look. “My dad reacted fine, but my grandfather … nope!” she continued. “Everyone was saying, ‘No,’ but I didn’t. My friends didn’t want me to do it either, but my best friend told me I should definitely do it.”
4. Jada Pinkett Smith celebrated ‘Bald is Beautiful Day’ on Instagram
Jada Pinkett Smith’s baldness is both a personal choice and a result of her experience with alopecia, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss. She has openly discussed how alopecia has affected her over the years, explaining that it sometimes led to patches of thinning hair and ultimately influenced her decision to embrace a fully shaved look.
On Sept. 13, 2022, Pinkett Smith posted a selfie on Instagram with her shaved head — and fans loved it. “Happy Bald is Beautiful day to all my brothers and sisters with no hair,” she captioned the post.
5. Demi Moore said she likely wouldn’t shave her head after ‘G.I. Jane’
Demi Moore’s decision to shave her head for her role in G.I. Jane (1997) remains one of the most iconic and controversial transformations in Hollywood history. To portray Lieutenant Jordan O’Neil, the first woman undergoing Navy SEAL training, Moore underwent a rigorous two-week boot camp and shaved her head.
In 2022, Moore told People that she doesn’t feel like she ever needs to shave her head again following her 1997 experience.
“I think now that I’m older, I also know, I don’t have anything to prove,” she admitted. “So if they really need my hair different, they can give me a wig.”
6. Cynthia Erivo found going bald for ‘Wicked’ to be a ‘big moment’
Cynthia Erivo’s bald head for Wicked has become one of her most iconic looks. Erivo shaved her head to facilitate the application of the character’s signature green makeup and to ensure her braided wigs would sit naturally on her scalp. This preparation allowed the makeup team to seamlessly paint her entire scalp, eliminating any visible separation between her skin and the wigs.
Beyond the practical aspects, Erivo viewed the head-shaving process as a profound moment of vulnerability and self-acceptance. Reflecting on the experience, she described it to People as a “big moment” that made her feel “open” and more in tune with herself.
