Originally appeared on E! Online
Dakota Johnson did not go fifty shades darker when it came to her recent hair transformation.
But the Verity actress did lean into a lighter look for the 2026 TIME100 Gala on April 23, swapping her usual dark locks for a slightly dirty blonde hairstyle—marking one of her lightest hair colors in years.
Inspired by the blonde locks of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Dakota’s subtle transformation included a lightening of her roots to a cashmere-colored brown and adding pops of blonde highlights throughout—a style that has since been coined “the Bessette Blonde.”
Her longtime colorist Tracey Cunningham used Schwarzkopf Professional’s Foiled Cashmere technique to create the “dirty blonde” look, according to a press release from the brand.
The 36-year-old’s hairstyle also featured a layered cut as well as her signature wispy bangs.
Though Dakota’s hair transformation mostly slid under the radar, it’s far from the first time that she has changed her ‘do. In fact, the Fifty Shades of Grey star previously chopped off her hair and debuted a short bob in 2015.
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In 2022, Dakota showed off her blonde highlights over her usual dark locks while out and about in Santa Monica, Calif. And later that year, she changed things up again, rocking a platinum-blonde bob and blunt bangs for her role in Daddio.
But despite the many hair changes she’s had through the years, Dakota has been vocal about keeping one thing consistent: Her bangs.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for TIME
“I’ve had bangs since I was a child,” she told Vogue in November. “I cut them myself. I’ve had the same haircut my entire life, apart from between the ages of about 10 and 14. I just feel like myself with bangs.”
That’s not to say her bangs haven’t caused occasional inconveniences at times. As Dakota put it, “I would love to do without having to trim it all the time. I always travel with scissors and love to drink a martini while trimming my own bangs.”
Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty Images
As for the style tips she swears by?
“My hair and nails grow quickly,” she told the outlet. “I think it just has to do with what you do on the inside. I eat very healthily, drink lots of water, and don’t do too much to my hair.”
Dakota isn’t the only celeb who has debuted a hair transformation as of late. Keep reading for more stars and their new ‘dos…
Sami Sheen
The daughter of Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards shared her at-home hair dying journey, including its many missteps, on TikTok and raved about the results.
“I’ve been wanting to do this to my hair for years now,” she said, “and I’m so happy that I finally did it.”
Carrie Underwood
Trading in her signature golden locks, the country music star wrote on Instagram in August 2025, “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.”
Jessica Chastain
The Help star debuted her “choppity chop,” she she put it, on the red carpet of the Breakthrough Prize Ceremony in April 2026.
Jason Momoa
In July 2025, the actor shaved off his beard for the first time in six years to film Dune: Part Three, which required him to rock a clean shaven look to reprise his role of Duncan Idaho.
Kelly Clarkson
The American Idol winner debuted a shorter hairdo in a July 2025 The Voice promo, trading her signature blonde waves for a shorter, darker bob style.
Chris Pratt
The actor debuted a bearded look, which he sports on season two of The Terminal List, in June 2025.
Finn Wolfhard
The Stranger Things star changed up his trademark shaggy hairstyle in May 2025 by debuting a buzzcut at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards in Tokyo, Japan.
Sebastian Stan
JoJo Siwa
In March 2025, the “Karma” singer debuted her rainbow mohawk at the GLAAD Media Awards.
Emily Ratajkowski
Gypsy Rose Blanchard
The Gypsy Rose: Life After Lockup star debuted a short bob in March 2025, more than two months after giving birth to her and fiancé Ken Urker‘s first child, daughter Aurora Urker.
Whitney Rose
The formerly blond Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star debuted a red bob on Watch What Happens Live in January 2025.
Hailey Bieber
The model debuted lighter locks in September 2024, a month after giving birth to her and Justin Bieber‘s first baby, son Jack Blues Bieber.
Lily Collins
The Emily in Paris star debuted her dramatic transformation at the world premiere of her new horror movie, MAXXXINE, in June 2024.
“Changing my hair always brings out different sides of my personality and I love playing around,” Lily told Vogue. “This cut and color feels bolder and yet somehow lighter. And completely more me—right now.”
Katie Holmes
While attending Chanel’s Tribeca Film Festival Artists dinner in June 2024, Katie debuted a subtle, yet striking transformation of rich caramel balayage highlights that were blended throughout her brunette tresses.
Kylie Jenner
Lisa Rinna
The former Bravo star debuted a platinum blonde look during 2024 Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture.
Priyanka Chopra
The Heads of State star debuted a drastic haircut—a shoulder-grazing bob—while attending a Bulgari event in Rome i May 2024.
Jessica Biel
In May 2024, the actress chopped her hair into a bob that many fans on social media said reminded them of one of the looks she sported as Mary Camden on the ’90s series 7th Heaven.
Megan Fox
The Transformers actress returned to her dark brown tresses and debuted a sassy bob in May 2024, a month after she dyed her hair blue to enter what she dubbed her “Jedi era.”
Dannielynn Birkhead
At age 17, the daughter of the late Anna Nicole Smith debuted a new lob hairstyle overnight during 2024 Kentucky Derby weekend, which she attended with dad Larry Birkhead.
Demi Lovato
The singer debuted a lighter, shorter ‘do in April 2024.
Kelly Osbourne
The Fashion Police alum debuted a blonde bombshell hair transformation May 8.
Kim Kardashian
Back to blonde: Kim debuted a new platinum ‘do in April 2024.
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