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Zendaya's Hairstylist Ursula Stephen Reveals the All-Star Details Behind Her Blonde Transformation

Zendaya wowed at the Challengers premiere in Australia after debuting blonde hair. The star's hairstylist Ursula Stephen exclusively told E! News all about the transformation.

By Alyssa Morin Mar 26, 2024 11:38 PM
| Updated Mar 26, 2024 11:37 PM
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Watch: Zendaya Debuts New Hair Transformation And Another Futuristic Outfit!

Zendaya proved once again why she's an all-star on the red carpet.

While attending the Australian premiere of her new film Challengers, the Euphoria star not only dressed in a tennis-themed ensemble (a nod to her character in the movie), but she also debuted a blonde hair transformation.

That's right, the 27-year-old said goodbye to her signature brunette strands and opted for a lighter look that consisted of a mix between honey and sandy blonde shades.

"She has been wanting to go blonde for quite some time," Zendaya's hairstylist Ursula Stephen exclusively told E! News, "and felt this press run was the right time. Her colorist did a great job at customizing the right blonde for her."

For the March 26 event, Ursula gave the actress a glamorous updo that featured tousled twists and soft side-swept curls to frame her face. To "keep this effortless updo in place for the night," the hairstylist said she used SexyHair's Spray & Play Hairspray and The Hair Shop's 18" Skinny Clip-ins for extra volume.

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Zendaya's Best Looks

Zendaya paired her bombshell tresses with a glittery green Loewe dress that sparkled against the black-and-white backdrop at the State Theatre. As Ursula noted, "The hair should never compete with the look."

In fact, the Spider-Man star's custom design, which Law Roach styled, also included a thigh-high slit, plunging neckline and black-embellished silhouette of a tennis player holding a racket and hitting a tennis ball into the air.

Don Arnold/WireImage

And in true Zendaya fashion, no detail went unnoticed: She served some game, set, matching style by coordinating her gown with sparkly green eye makeup, too.

It's no secret the actress is the MVP of any red carpet, but her latest makeover comes less than a month after she surprised fans with yet another new hairstyle in the form of a shoulder-grazing bob

While attending Essence's Black Women in Hollywood Awards on March 7, the Dune: Part Two star turned heads with her fresh cut and futuristic-inspired look.

And she's not the only one to push the style boundaries.

Keep reading to see all of the other celebrities who have made drastic hair changes in recent months.

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."

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

The Marvel actor said goodbye to Bucky Barnes' signature long hair in April 2025, showing off a shaved head at the Los Angeles premiere of Thunderbolts*.

JoJo Siwa

In March 2025, the "Karma" singer debuted her rainbow mohawk at the GLAAD Media Awards. 

Emily Ratajkowski

In a March 2025 TikTok video, the model called this 'do with shaggy bangs the "worst haircut of my life."

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

The Kardashians star debuted a platinum blonde look and a bob haircut after rocking waist-length strands for quite some time.

"Did someone say they missed king kylie," Kylie teased in the caption of her June 8 Instagram post, to which her sister Khloe Kardashian cheekily replied, "I did! I did!!!!!!"

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.

Rihanna

The Fenty Beauty founder debuted a bright blonde hair transformation April 17 while celebrating her latest Fenty x Puma collection in London.

Delilah Belle Hamlin

The model debuted a bleach blonde pixie cut at the FRAME event April 4.

Megan Fox

The Jennifer's Body star traded in her bubblegum pink tresses for a baby blue bob, which she debuted April 2.

Zendaya

Less than a month afer chopping her hair into a long bob, Zendaya debuted a honey blonde transformation at the Challengers premiere March 26.

Elle Fanning

The Great star ushered in spring with a fresh cut, as she debuted a long bob March 25.

Rachel McAdams

The Mean Girls alum swapped out her signature blonde hair for a dark brunette transformation on March 18.

Bre Tiesi

The Selling Sunset star looked completely unrecognizable after debuting a dramatic blonde transformation March 16.

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