Ariana Grande's Brunette Hair Transformation Is a Callback to Her Roots

Ariana Grande returned to her brunette roots in an emotional new commercial alongside her Wicked costar Cynthia Erivo.

By Rachel McRady Nov 12, 2024 6:30 PM
| Updated Nov 13, 2024 12:01 PM
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Watch: Ariana Grande Returns to Her Brunette Hair in Emotional 'Wicked' Commercial

Ariana Grande is harkening back to a time before she got Glinda-fied.

The 31-year-old, who is preparing to star as the Good Witch in the highly anticipated film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, returned to her roots (literally) for an emotional new commercial.

The nostalgic Xfinity ad begins with two little girls meant to be young Ariana and a young version of her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo, who plays “Wicked” Witch Elphaba in the film.

Little Ariana attends the Broadway production of Wicked before heading to her laptop to tweet, “Loved seeing Wicked again… amazing production! Made me realize again how badly I want 2 play Glinda at some point in my life! #DreamRole.”

In the clip, the “One Less Problem” singer is sporting her formerly brunette hair, showcasing the time jump back to 2011 when she actually tweeted that very message.

The commercial then cuts to the film’s director, Jon M. Chu sharing with both Ariana and Cynthia that they received the coveted roles as they separately burst into tears.

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All of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's Wicked-Inspired Fashion

The two women then come together with Ariana in her current blonde locks as they grasp hands and run down the yellow brick road together along with their childhood selves.

YouTube/Xfinity

“This whole commercial is about colliding destinies,” director Alice Brooks shared in a behind-the-scenes video, “And Ari and Cynthia growing up and their destiny’s to be Elphaba and Glinda in Wicked.”

Ariana first went platinum blonde in 2022 after being cast as Glinda. She opened up about her journey to the finished look this past September.

“My pop persona is such a characterized version on its own,” she told Vogue at the time. “Beauty really helped me deconstruct that person and find Glinda. Even though I was wearing wigs, I needed to be blonde, too.”

She also dyed her eyebrows as a part of the process, saying there is a “softness that Glinda has with the lighter brows. It didn't make any sense when I had my dark brows.”

Wicked hits theaters Nov. 22.

For more shocking hair transformations, read on.

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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