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Anne Hathaway: ‘I Was Inconsolable’ After Chopping My Hair

07/13/2012 at 01:00 PM ET

Anne Hathaway Hair
Andrew Toth/PatrickMcMullan.com/Sipa

Anne Hathaway has proudly worn her pixie cut since chopping her long brown locks for her role in Les Misérables — but initially, she wasn’t happy about it.

“I wasn’t expecting it to be such a big deal, because it was my idea,” she admitted Thursday on Live! with Kelly. “It was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I knew it was something the character did, so I just offered it to the director and he said ‘Yes,’” she recalled. “As it got closer, I thought: I can’t really take it back now.”

Though she was mentally prepared, the day of the cut was tough. “I’ve now done back-flips out of windows, I’ve jumped off buildings,” she said. “And cutting my hair reduced me to, like, mental patient-level crying. I was inconsolable.”

To make matters worse, Hathaway had to sit with half-cut hair for 20 minutes; an actress made the initial chop on film, but her stylist, Paul, had to put on that actress’s dress and stand in to finish the cut as the cameras rolled.

“It was all worth it,” however, she said, “because at the very end of the shot I turned around and I saw Paul, beautiful Paul, in the dress with his arms outstretched. It was totally worth it just for that.” Tell us: Have you ever chopped off all of your hair?

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Cindy on July 13th, 2012

A few years ago, I had my head shaved as part of a fund-raiser for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. My formerly brown-dyed tresses grew back in lovely shades of gray and platinum. My hair guy begged me NOT to color it again and it was a bit of an adjustment at first but I’ve never regretted it for a moment. (I also raised $800!!)

Kristine on July 13th, 2012

@ TERRI and EMILY….beautifully said Terri! I hope more people share your perspective! And Emily…my heart goes out to you. It’s time to get a life (or at least a meaningful one).

Jules on July 13th, 2012

If you’ve never had long, beautiful hair, then you cannot relate to feeling distraught about having your hair chopped off. My hair was my trademark, so my first major haircut was traumatic. Everyone who saw me gasped. I cried for days and days. And yes, I did get over it, but still!

fortunateizzi on July 13th, 2012

Yeah it’s not a good look on her, but it was her decision to do it, she should have been more professional and not held up shooting over a haircut.

Lynn on July 13th, 2012

I think Anne’s hair looks great on her! If she was ‘inconsolable’ for a few minutes, well then that was her way of getting through that time of change. Each of us has our own way with dealing with life’s hiccups. Maybe if we all tried to be a fountain, rather than a drain to each other, our journey in this life would be even better.

Robyn on July 13th, 2012

For all of you that are saying disparaging things about her tears: I seriously doubt that you’ve never cried over something superficial! Like perceived FAT maybe?? Give poor Anne a break. As women we all want to feel attractive and when we don’t we get upset. I would probably have cried too!

PS on July 13th, 2012

She cries about her hair… meanwhile Sylvester Stallone and Kelsey Grammar are both grieving over losing their children. Guess who’s going to get my sympathy and compassion? On another note, Anne Hathaway has also said some pretty astoundingly insensitive things about depression. Something tells me she’s not exactly in touch with reality.

klb on July 13th, 2012

My head has been completely shaved on multiple occasions for brain surgery. I actually handled it quite well and decided to appreciate the positives of the situation: faster to care for in the shower, easier to get ready to go out with my husband and two young children, etc. My hair used to be dark brown and despite trying to get it to curl through having permed it several times over the years, it absolutely always remained straight as a board; however, every time my hair comes back in it is more and more curly. It’s just hair, and losing it isn’t the end of the world.

Melanie on July 13th, 2012

@Terri While I agree it’s good to keep persepctive in general, we need to also keep in mind that making major changes like this is a shock that can take some getting use to, and we shouldn’t dismiss someone’s feelings about an experience just because another’s was worse.
I really don’t know why try to tell someone that their feelings are not a big deal just because it could be worse. We don’t do it about happy things. If I got a good review at work and praise from my boss should I not feel pleased just because my co-worker did better and got a promotion? In my opinion our feelings are individual to us first, relative to anyone else second, and in either case still perfectly valid.

Kim SC on July 13th, 2012

To a lot of women, their identity has a lot to do with their hair. I cut mine short after always having long hair. I did not feel feminine, girly or sexy. I knew it would grow back but that didn’t stop me from regretting my choice, struggling with my identity and accepting my new look. I know Anne got alot of money for the role, but “cut her some slack”. It was difficult for her. She is a human being after all and has feelings.

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