Ariana Grande’s Brunette Revival Isn’t Going Exactly as Planned — and She Says Her Hair Keeps “Spitting Out the Toner”
Ariana Grande is officially closing the chapter on her Glinda-inspired blonde era — but her hair appears to be resisting the transition. The pop star and actor debuted a fresh chestnut brown shade earlier this month, a dramatic shift from the honey-blonde tone she has worn since beginning rehearsals for Wicked in 2022. Yet fans quickly noticed the brunette tone appearing lighter with each appearance, and Grande has now confirmed that her hair is, quite literally, rejecting the color.
“My Hair Doesn’t Want To Be Brunette”
During one of her final Wicked press tour interviews with co-star Cynthia Erivo on November 17, Grande explained why her brunette shade keeps evolving. “My hair doesn’t want to be brunette,” she said, adding, “It’s spitting out the toner every time.”
Slicked back into a bun during the interview, her hair appeared noticeably brighter and warmer than the deep, glossy chestnut tone she originally debuted. Grande joked that while she isn’t a method actor, her hair seems to have taken on a role of its own: “I washed my hair one time and woke up with highlights!”
Her new look was created by celebrity colorist Francesco De Chiara, who crafted the brunette shade through a toner treatment — but as many salon experts know, toner doesn’t always stick perfectly on hair that has undergone long-term bleaching.
Why Blonde-to-Brunette Transformations Are Tricky
Grande’s color struggle is not uncommon. Moving from blonde to brunette may seem like a simple reversal, but heavily bleached hair often resists deeper tones. Because bleach strips pigment from the hair shaft, the hair becomes porous, making it harder for brunette pigments to bind evenly. As a result, toner can fade quickly, causing unexpected lightening or patchiness.
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| Ariana Grande at the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good on November 18, 2025. |
Grande acknowledged the process and said she’s embracing the transition phase. “I’m still adjusting and so is my hair,” she shared during the Dinner With Sally interview.
Playing With Color During the Wicked Press Tour
At the New York City premiere of Wicked: For Good on November 17, Grande addressed her hair’s evolving color yet again. “We’re a lighter brown now, and it’s fun to play with the storytelling on the press tour,” she told Entertainment Tonight.
She explained that during the promotion for the first Wicked installment, she leaned fully into Glinda’s iconic aesthetic — soft blonde curls, pink-forward fashion, and a whimsical, fairy-tale feel. “I wanted to celebrate Glinda in a more on-the-nose way,” Grande said.
Now, as she steps into a new phase of the franchise, she feels free to appear more as herself and to experiment with deeper shades. “I can kind of show up as the actress that played her, and play into the darker tones of the movie,” she added. “It’s fun to play with hair and makeup and fashion as an extension of what the story is doing.”
A New Beauty Era Inspired by Wicked
Whether her hair settles into a rich brunette or continues to evolve, Grande’s recent revelations make it clear that her years as Glinda have shaped her creative approach to beauty. From pink palettes to playful nods to her character through fashion, the role has left a lasting impression — and fans are eager to see how her next chapter unfolds, both on-screen and on the red carpet.
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