Entertainment
Will Jennifer Lawrence Suffer the 'Felicity' Effect At the Oscars After Cutting Her Hair?
The Oscar's Golden Girl, Jennifer Lawrence, is up for her third Academy Award in just four years. After being nominated in 2011 for her performance in Winter's Bone, winning in 2013 for Silver Linings Playbook, and getting rave reviews for American Hustle (which would lead to yet another nomination), it seemed like Jennifer Lawrence had reached a career climax in Hollywood — until she chopped off her hair.
Lawrence premiered the blonde pixie cut back in early November of 2013 and immediately the media set ablaze with reactions to the new 'do. Don't get me wrong — her new cut looks stunning and we only encourage actresses to embrace any hairstyle they wish. That said, we are all too aware of the Felicity Effect, named for Keri Russell's WB character who watched her ratings disappear faster than her hair after getting an ill-advised pixie cut. Shaun White, who cut his hair prior to the 2014 Sochi Olympics, was just the latest victim — failing to medal in his best event — and Lawrence's Oscar is not quite as guaranteed as it was just one year back. After all, going into next Sunday's ceremony, Lawrence has to contend with SAG and Critics Choice Award winner, Lupita Nyong'o.
Can we blame the hair? In this image-obsessed industry, some would point to career pitfalls experienced by Jennifer Grey after her nose job, or Meg Ryan after... something. But, as it turns out, Lawrence is in good company. Not only has the actress found success for being able to rock a variety of looks in films like Silver Linings Playbook, The Hunger Games, and American Hustle, but an inspired haircut can even lead to more movies and Oscars. (A Twiggy biopic, anyone?) Here are six other actresses who chopped it all off, and still experienced great success.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry has been rocking short hair in spurts throughout most of her career, and the look is still working for her. Most recently, she rocked a curly hairdo in The Call and will soon dawn her infamous grey wig for her reoccurring role as Storm in the upcoming X-Men: Days of the Future Past. As for what she looked like when she picked up an Oscar for 2001’s Monster’s Ball? She hardly fell short with a glamorous short ‘do.
Ginnifer Goodwin
Ginnifer Goodwin has made her pixie cut work for her latest role as Snow White on ABC’s Once Upon a Time. While she also sports long curls throughout the series, she is frequently seen with her short locks to distinguish the character’s reality and fairytale lives. A happily ever after for audiences and make-up artists eager to make the series work.
Michelle Williams
Michelle Williams has kept her hair chopped in memory of her dearly departed fiancé, Heath Ledger, who she said loved her short hair. It has had zero bearing on her acclaimed performances, including her Oscar-nominated turns in 2010’s Blue Valentine and 2011’s My Week With Marilyn. Seems a pixie is a girl’s best friend.
Emma Watson
Following the finale of the Harry Potter film series, Emma Watson chopped off her iconic curly mane and started working a sleek brunette angled pixie cut. Though she has yet to score any major nominations during her short career, the new look upped her status in the industry, leading audiences and insiders to view Watson as a mature actress who has definitely outgrown magic and wands. What followed were star turns in 2012’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower and 2013’s The Bling Ring, which showcased the range of the actress formerly known as Hermione Granger.
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman took things to the extreme when she shaved her entire head for her role in 2005’s V for Vendetta. And though the film left something to be desired, the look definitely didn’t. Portman not only proved that actresses could look beautiful with an unconventional look, but she also proved she would be willing to take a brave approach to roles. What followed? A character who similarly took things to the extreme: Nina Sayers, Black Swan’s prima ballerina, which won Portman a 2011 Oscar.
Anne Hathaway
The actress made headlines for chopping off her hair to play Fantine in Les Misérables, a role for which she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2013. Since, she’s had no problem nabbing roles — she is set to star alongside Matthew McConaughey in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar — but she has had a problem nabbing fans. Will a longer ‘do make you love her again, Hathaway haters?
