Actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson surprised fans by sporting a notably bushy beard and wavy curls while attending the 2025 Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, on August 29. The star’s distinctive new appearance marks a departure from his previously cleaner-cut image, capturing widespread attention as he made his way through the airport.
At 35 years old, Taylor-Johnson combined his beard and curls with casual attire, including loose black pants, a white shirt left partly unbuttoned, a beige jacket, a matching ballcap, and brown suede shoes. He was seen navigating the airport while pulling his luggage, presenting a relaxed yet striking look that hints at a transformation both personal and professional.
Gradual Transformation from Clean-Shaven to Bushy Beard
This rugged style is the culmination of a longer hair and beard evolution that fans have witnessed over the past year. In December, during the Los Angeles premiere of his film Nosferatu, Taylor-Johnson appeared with a short haircut and a neatly trimmed beard, showcasing a more polished silhouette.
By June 2025, at the Paris premiere of 28 Years Later, his look had shifted noticeably. His hair had grown into loose, flowing ringlets framing his forehead, and his beard had thicken and extended down his neck, signaling a shift toward a more natural aesthetic.
Earlier, in August 2024, Taylor-Johnson had opted for a clean-shaven face combined with a close-cropped haircut, a look he promoted on Instagram with the caption, “From one look.. to another.” This new Venice style demonstrates a full transition into a bushier, more untamed visual identity.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Commitment to Physical Transformations
Beyond hairstyle changes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has a reputation for physically transforming to suit his roles. For example, in the 2024 film Kraven the Hunter, he engaged in demanding physical activity that pushed his athletic limits.
Reflecting on that experience in an interview with Men’s Health from November 2024, he explained,
“I was doing a lot of parkour movements and quadruped movements—meaning I run on my hands and feet,”
he said.
“We got through an entire shoot with a ton of action with not one injury. I thought that was amazing.”
—Aaron Taylor-Johnson, actor
This highlights Taylor-Johnson’s dedication to embodying his characters through both appearance and physicality, matching his evolving on-screen personas to his real-world transformations.
Other Celebrities Who Embraced Dramatic Hair Changes
Aaron Taylor-Johnson is among numerous stars who have recently showcased bold hair transformations that garnered public and media attention throughout 2024 and 2025.
Sami Sheen Shares Her Hair Dyeing Experience
Sami Sheen, daughter of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, documented her journey of dyeing her hair at home on TikTok, candidly sharing the ups and downs of the process. Her enthusiasm about the final look was clear.
“I’ve been wanting to do this to my hair for years now,”
she revealed,
“and I’m so happy that I finally did it.”
—Sami Sheen
Carrie Underwood Returns to Her Natural Hair Color
Country music star Carrie Underwood surprised fans by embracing her natural hair color that she hadn’t seen since childhood. On Instagram in August 2025, she shared the decision to revert to her roots in a refreshing change.
“Well, the last time I saw my natural hair color, I was probably about 12 years old, but I thought it might be time to give it a second chance.”
—Carrie Underwood
Jason Momoa Shaves Beard After Years
In July 2025, Jason Momoa shaved off his beard for the first time in six years to fulfill the role of Duncan Idaho in Dune: Part Three. His clean-shaven face was a sharp contrast to the rugged look he is known for.
Kelly Clarkson’s New Shorter Hairstyle
The American Idol winner unveiled a shorter, darker bob hairstyle in July 2025 as part of a promo for The Voice, moving away from her usual long blonde waves.
Chris Pratt Adopts a Bearded Look for New Series
Chris Pratt debuted a bearded appearance in June 2025, embracing a new look for season two of The Terminal List, which added a tougher edge to his screen persona.
Finn Wolfhard’s Bold Buzzcut
Actor Finn Wolfhard stunned fans in May 2025 by trading his iconic shaggy hair for a sharp buzzcut at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo, Japan—an unexpected but fresh change.
Sebastian Stan’s Shaved Head for Marvel Premiere
At the April 2025 premiere of Marvel’s Thunderbolts, Sebastian Stan presented a shaved head, departing from Bucky Barnes’ signature long hair and offering a new look for the veteran actor.
JoJo Siwa’s Rainbow Mohawk Debut
At the March 2025 GLAAD Media Awards, singer JoJo Siwa made a bold statement with a rainbow-colored mohawk, highlighting her playful style and colorful personality.
Emily Ratajkowski Labels Shaggy Bangs Her Worst Haircut
In March 2025, model Emily Ratajkowski candidly called her shaggy bangs
“the worst haircut of my life”
during a TikTok video, expressing regret over the bold style.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s Postpartum Bob Hairstyle
The Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup star unveiled a short bob in March 2025, two months after giving birth to her daughter Aurora Urker with fiancé Ken Urker.
Whitney Rose’s Vibrant Red Bob
In January 2025, Whitney Rose, formerly blonde on Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, debuted a striking red bob during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live.
Hailey Bieber’s Postpartum Hair Lightening
Model Hailey Bieber lightened her hair in September 2024, shortly after welcoming her and Justin Bieber’s son, Jack Blues Bieber, marking a fresh post-baby look.
Lily Collins’ Bold Hair Change
In June 2024, Lily Collins revealed a dramatic hair transformation at the world premiere of her horror film MAXXXINE. She described the change to Vogue as a reflection of her evolving personality.
“Changing my hair always brings out different sides of my personality and I love playing around,”
she shared.
“This cut and color feels bolder and yet somehow lighter. And completely more me—right now.”
—Lily Collins
Katie Holmes’ Subtle Caramel Balayage
Attending Chanel’s Tribeca Film Festival Artists dinner in June 2024, Katie Holmes revealed a subtle yet eye-catching caramel balayage that augmented her brunette hair.
Kylie Jenner’s Platinum Blonde Bob
The Kardashians star transitioned to a platinum blonde bob after a long period of waist-length hair. In June 2024, she teased the shift on Instagram.
“Did someone say they missed king kylie,”
she captioned, prompting a playful reply from Khloe Kardashian, “I did! I did!!!!!!” —Kylie Jenner
Lisa Rinna’s Paris Fashion Week Look
During the 2024 Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture, Lisa Rinna turned heads with a bright platinum blonde hairstyle, marking a fresh look for the Bravo alum.
Priyanka Chopra Shows Off Chic Bob
In May 2024, Priyanka Chopra attended a Bulgari event in Rome flaunting a shoulder-grazing bob, representing a significant style shift for the Heads of State actress.
Jessica Biel Recalls 90s Inspiration
Jessica Biel chopped her hair into a bob in May 2024, which many fans noted resembled her hairstyle as Mary Camden on the 1990s show 7th Heaven.
Megan Fox Shifts to Sassy Bob After Blue Hair
The Transformers star swapped bubblegum pink hair for a chic bob with dark brown tresses in May 2024, following the vibrant look she called her Jedi era.
Dannielynn Birkhead’s Sudden Lob Transformation
At 17, Dannielynn Birkhead, daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith, debuted a lob hairstyle overnight during the 2024 Kentucky Derby weekend, stunning attendees including her father, Larry Birkhead.
Demi Lovato’s Lighter, Shorter Hairstyle
Singer Demi Lovato unveiled a fresh, shorter, and lighter haircut in April 2024, marking a notable change in their style.
Kelly Osbourne’s Blonde Bombshell Look
The former Fashion Police co-host shocked fans with a bright blonde transformation announced on May 8, 2024.
Kim Kardashian Returns to Blonde
Kim Kardashian debuted a new platinum blonde hairstyle in April 2024, reversing her recent darker hair phases and returning to a familiar look.
Rihanna’s Bright Blonde Celebration
In London during an April 17 event for her Fenty x Puma collection, Rihanna introduced a vivid blonde hair transformation, celebrating her brand’s success with fresh style.
Delilah Belle Hamlin’s Bleach Blonde Pixie Cut
Model Delilah Belle Hamlin debuted a bleach blonde pixie cut at the FRAME event in April 2024, emphasizing her bold approach to fashion and beauty.
Megan Fox’s Baby Blue Bob Debut
Earlier in April 2024, Megan Fox surprised fans by trading pink hair for a striking baby blue bob, illuminating her playful and ever-changing style.
Zendaya’s Honey Blonde Makeover
Shortly after chopping her hair into a long bob, Zendaya debuted a honey blonde color in March 2025 at the premiere of Challengers, embracing a warm new aesthetic.
Elle Fanning Welcomes Spring with a Long Bob
Also in March 2025, Elle Fanning introduced a fresh long bob haircut as a seasonal update, enhancing her sophisticated image.
Rachel McAdams Switches to Dark Brunette
The Mean Girls star surprised fans on March 18, 2025, with a dramatic swap from her signature blonde hair to a richer dark brunette tone.
Bre Tiesi’s Dramatic Blonde Change
On March 16, 2025, star of Selling Sunset Bre Tiesi stunned with an unrecognizable transformation after going blonde, showing off a bold new lifestyle look.
Why Celebrity Hair Transformations Matter
These various changes reflect how celebrities like Aaron Taylor-Johnson and others are using their appearance to express evolving personal stories, artistic growth, and character development. For Taylor-Johnson specifically, his Aaron Taylor-Johnson bushy beard signals both a new chapter in his public image and possible indications of upcoming roles requiring a rugged aesthetic. Fans and industry watchers alike will be curious to see how this visual reinvention influences his projects and public persona moving forward.
