Nicole Kidman's Real-Life Hair Is So Different From The Wigs She Wears

Aside from her impressive range as an actor, Nicole Kidman is known for her signature look, including classic French nails, a tall frame, a flawless complexion, and gorgeous blond hair. Over the years, that fair mane has varied in length, texture, and shade, although it's generally sleek, volumized, and red-carpet glossy. But with more dramatic changes to her tresses in 2025, from a two-tone layered pixie at the Met Gala to long, buttery, and straight locks with curtain bangs at the Academy of Country Music Awards, it's clearer than ever that the A-lister is a fan of wigs. Looking back at some of her blond looks over the years, fans have caught on that Kidman may turn to wigs even when sporting subtle ensembles, and that seems especially true when you consider her natural hair. 

As far as we know, Kidman is a natural blond, but her tone veers far more toward reddish strawberry blond than platinum, as evidenced by modeling photos of the star in her teens. Contrary to what some say, however, her hair has never been truly red. In a 2016 appearance on "The Graham Norton Show," the "Big Little Lies" actor revealed that the deep-auburn tone of her hair in said modeling shots was a dye job, but the curls were as real as they come. "I honestly wish my hair was like that now," she reminisced. "It's so dreadful. I have to say, anyone that has curly hair that's young, keep your curly hair, don't straighten it, because after a while, you don't get your curls back."

So, we know that Kidman's hair was naturally once very curly, but what's it like now? "It's gone," she told Norton, noting that her tight curls have become a "frizz mass." Though wigs seem to be her go-to move, Kidman does occasionally show off her natural hair on social media, and if there is frizz, we can't see it. 

An April 2024 carousel of Instagram snaps shows glimpses of Nicole Kidman's natural strawberry-blond curls that have since loosened but are still shaped into enviable ringlets. The previous September, she appeared to rock the same ginger-blond curls in a studio session with husband Keith Urban. Obviously, the peachy hue is the best red hair color for her cool skin tone.

The wigs aren't necessary for ensuring she looks fabulous, as Kidman's natural locks are still gorgeous. But along with her comments on "The Graham Norton Show," she did tell the Sydney Morning Herald back in 2020 that she "screwed up" her hair with excessive straightening, so the curl pattern probably has changed. It's possible that she uses wigs in her hair and makeup routine because she wants to avoid doing more damage, which is inevitable when you're constantly straightening it, bleaching it, and twisting it up into tight updos. You have to know how often you can safely bleach your hair; you generally need to wait six to eight weeks between bleaching sessions without incurring too much damage, which may not be possible with Kidman's schedule. Another possible factor could be her desire for more volume; a 2015 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology noted that 40% of women experience female-pattern hair loss by the age of 50, and this usually manifests as hair thinning. 

Of course, there could also be no pressing reason behind Nicole Kidman's taste for wigs. Hair is just easier to style when you can control its volume and texture, and at the end of the day, nobody needs a reason to wear a wig. Whether Kidman is wearing hair pieces on the red carpet or for one of her many roles, these wigs allow her to have more control over her look and take it worlds away from her natural locks — even if they're stunning as they are.