Sarah Paulson Debuts Must-See Transformation as Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos

Sarah Paulson was spotted in full character as serial killer Aileen Wuornos while filming the fourth season of Ryan Murphy’s true crime series, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, in California. 

By Adrianne Reece Dec 18, 2025 10:36 PM
| Updated 8 days ago
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Watch: Sarah Paulson Makes Must-See Transformation as Serial Killer Aileen Wuornos

Sarah Paulson has divorced her bob for a killer shag.  

Weeks after the All’s Fair actor was announced to star as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the Netflix true crime series, Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, she’s already testing out her lethal instincts in her latest transformation.  

In a Dec. 17 photo, Sarah was spotted in character while on set of the Ryan Murphy-produced show in Los Angeles. Sporting a maroon robe and sweats, the 51-year-old wore a light brown tapered wig and bleached brows similar to Aileen, who was convicted of committing six murders in Florida between 1989 and 1990. She was later executed in 2002. 

It’s not yet clear how much of Sarah’s rendition will appear in the anthology series. (After all, the upcoming fourth season will largely follow killer Lizzie Borden—who will be played by Ella Beatty—and the infamous axe murders of her parents in 1892.) 

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Sarah Paulson's Best Looks

However, the American Horror Story star confirmed that her menacing transformation won’t take up too much screen time.   

“I’m coming on to do a particular thing that I can’t talk about,” she told Variety in an interview published Dec. 2. “But I’m always going to be interested in the why of human behavior. If there’s any opportunity for me to get inside something that has been predetermined by society and have a little look at it through my own particular lens, I’m always going to want to do that. Ryan knows that.”

But beyond being invested in the human psyche, Sarah also noted this role tapped into another angle of acting she’s always wanted to explore.

“I like having a blueprint and undeniable facts about a character that are not open for my interpretation, because I can sort of have more freedom inside of it,” the Ratched actor explained. “You would think it would be the opposite, but it sort of taught me that I like to immerse myself in another person’s experience, in the reality of it.”

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And this won’t be her last transformation that’ll grace viewers’ screens. Indeed, Sarah is set to return to the AHS universe alongside longtime costars Jessica Lange, Evan Peters and Angela Bassett—as well as new additions like Ariana Grande—for the show’s 13th season in October 2026. 

With it being almost five years since she last appeared in the franchise, she’s more than excited to be a scream queen again.  

“I missed it, and I’m really looking forward to doing it again,” she admitted. “It was like this dovetailing of my longing for it and the idea that I would be reunited with [all of them] just came together at the right time.”

Keep reading to see more bold celebrity hair transformations... 

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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