Zooey Deschanel Is Almost Unrecognizable Without Bangs

If you were asked to name celebrities with bangs, your list might include Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Anne Hathaway, Lisa from Blackpink, or Dakota Johnson, depending on what and who you're into. It might also include Zooey Deschanel. After all, the "New Girl" actor's bangs are as much a part of her public persona as her well-publicized romance with husband Jonathan Scott.

Not only does Deschanel wear a fringe beautifully, but she has also shown how versatile bangs can be. She helped usher in the return of blunt bangs thanks to the Tumblr twee renaissance with her long, straight-across style. Moreover, she's rocked the effortless, retro-inspired Birkin bangs hair trend with their thick yet soft wispiness, and she's undoubtedly inspired more than a few women to imitate her curtain bangs. Bangs also suit the "500 Days of Summer" star's mod, retro-inspired vibe that dictates her fashion choices. We're used to seeing her in vintage looks, like full-skirted dresses that would be more at-home in the '50s, and head-to-toe mod-inspired outfits. It's no surprise, then, that Deschanel told Real Simple that Twiggy and Audrey Hepburn are her "style icons." Perhaps unsurprisingly, both women are also known for their bangs.

But Deschanel hasn't always had bangs and long, brown hair. When she started making a name for herself in Hollywood around the year 2000, with roles in "Almost Famous," "The Good Girl," and "Elf," Deschanel was actually had blond locks sans bangs. She's basically unrecognizable compared to the Deschanel we know and recognize today. It was just a phase, however. By 2003, she was back to her natural brunette hair with a longer length and bangs. For the most part, her signature style was born and has remained the same since — except for the odd occasion when she switches up her signature look and completely throws us.

The long brown hair and bangs look became such a signature style for Zooey Deschanel that, in 2021, she actually acknowledged on Instagram that she did, in fact, have a forehead. She posted a photo with the text "Proof I have a forehead," showing what appeared to be her bangs pulled to the sides to reveal her forehead. But some commenters questioned the legitimacy of the picture, saying it looked photoshopped. One wrote, "There's some digital trickery here. You can see where the forehead meets the hair, it's all pixelated on one side. The other side looks weird too in a different way. I think she photoshopped it to see what she would look like without the bangs." Some said to keep the look, while others begged for the bangs to come back. Another commented, "Someone said that you do not look the same without your iconic bangs. You definitely don't. I would have never guessed that was you. Gorgeous either way."

Fans also pointed to other actors that she looked like with her bangs pulled to the side, including her sister, "Bones" star Emily Deschanel. Another mentioned that she looks like Rachel Brosnahan from "Superman" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." This certainly isn't the only time Deschanel has been compared to other actors. She's frequently been called Katy Perry's doppelgänger, and there are discussion boards online devoted to the topic, with her suggested look-alikes including Shannon Doherty, Krysten Ritter, Lizzy Caplan, Lily Allen, Kat Dennings, Aubrey Plaza, Alexis Bledel, and Robin Tunney. Yes, the round eyes plus brown hair and bangs may not be unique to Deschanel, but it's still fair to say it's firmly her signature look — to the point that most of us don't recognize her without it.

Feeling inspired to get your fringe on? Use our guide to find the best bang style to suit your face shape.