Before starring in the 1993 cult classic, My Father the Hero, Katherine Heigl had another camera-ready vocation: unenthusiastic child model.

“Oh my god, it was brutal,” she tells Anderson Cooper on Wednesday’s episode of Anderson. “You even understand it, even when you’re 9, you’re like, ‘This is silly and lame’ and they’re like, ‘No, no, it’s adorable, do it,’” she says of posing for clients including Macy’s and Sears.

And though her modeling days are over, Heigl appreciates a girl with more than one look. “She had one signature move,” she gripes of another former child model. “I was like, ‘Let’s shake it up, please!’”

Check out the hilarious clip below, in which Cooper reveals a modeling shot of his own and tune into Anderson, Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. EST.

–Justine Harman

CHECK OUT JENNIFER HUDSON’S STUNNING STYLE TRANSFORMATION!

There were shags and bobs, bangs and pixies, and all sorts of crazy new looks in 2011. It seems that most stars wanted a change this year, and many of them made one — in the form of a big haircut.

Katherine Heigl freshened her look in March with a close cut (and new color). And of course there was the haircut heard ’round the world — Jennifer Aniston‘s February chop! Model Brooklyn Decker let her stylist take a whopping 10 inches off of her long blonde locks, while Evan Rachel Wood debuted a flattering short cut that took her into summer.

Of course there was Vanessa Hudgens, who went super-short for a role and later flirted with extensions. And don’t forget Julianne Hough, who, after going from blonde to brunette to blonde, took a few inches off of her do. New moms loved Ali Larter‘s latest look, while Glee‘s Dianna Agron chopped her tresses live on camera.

So many haircuts — and that’s probably not even the half of them! What do you think? Which star had the best haircut of 2011?

TRY ON STARS’ LATEST CUTS IN ‘INSTANT MAKEOVER’

Katherine Heigl has always been a master of the quick color change — she’s gone from blonde to brunette and back again more times than we can count. But the actress took her style up a notch yesterday while out in Los Angeles (in a Cushnie et Ochs Wall Street dress), debuting a super-short platinum do (could it be inspired by Kate Winslet?). Heigl has long been married to her somewhat lengthy locks — regardless of the color, she’s sported shoulder-length or longer hair for some time. So to see her snip it off is a surprise, to say the least! Tell us: What do you think of Heigl’s new look? –Kate Hogan
VOTE ON STAR HAIR CHANGES IN ‘WHAT’S HER BEST HAIR?’

Jason Merritt/Getty

Katherine Heigl isn’t exactly immune to stirring up controversy, but on-set tussles aside, if there’s one thing that really gets her fans talking, it’s her drama-queen-worthy hair changes–and after months as a brunette, the actress is back to blonde. In the past, honey-colored hair has been her standard blonde staple, but this time around it looks like Heigl hit the bottle a little bit harder, bleaching it out to soft platinum. And while most stars tend to stick to one side of the hair color spectrum, Katherine seems to be one of the few A-listers who can gracefully shift between extremes. But we want to know your take on the change. Should Heigl stick with the lighter color, or defect back to the dark side? –Katherine Kluznik Rentmeester

Jon Furniss/WireImage

Talk about rocking a ‘killer’ look! While on the road promoting her new film Killers, Katherine Heigl has been going wild changing up her hair. Certainly the star has never shied from switching up her style — even going from brunette to blonde and back again in a day! But when she headed to London for today’s U.K. debut, the 31-year-old actress amped up the look — and quite possibly her age, with a structured bouffant that reminded us of the sprayed-in-place coifs from the Reagan-era ’80s. Paging Designing Women! Though the chic mom can pull off just about any look, it’s a distinct departure from the soft-and-pretty Hollywood hair standard we’re used to seeing on the red carpet. Tell us: Do you like Katherine’s big bouffant?

Fame; JCalderon/Splash News Online

Who needs to pick just one hair color when you can flip-flop from brunette to blonde and back again all in the course of one day? Not Katherine Heigl! Just weeks after debuting a new brunette hairstyle, the former Grey’s Anatomy star was back on the set of her action-comedy film Killers yesterday in a blonde wig that replicated her previous golden color. But hair today, gone tomorrow! In true Hollywood quick-artist style, Heigl headed to dinner just hours later with her dark brown locks firmly in place in a ponytail. Tell us: Do you wish she’d stick with with brunette or return to blonde?

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Katherine Heigl may be returning to the halls of Seattle Grace Hospital, but she won’t be doing it as a blonde! The Grey’s Anatomy star stepped out for lunch yesterday in L.A. as a brunette! And while Katherine has become one of Hollywood’s most noteworthy blonde bombshells, we are loving her darker do. The drastic color change and longer length is definitely a look Katherine can pull off. Tell us: What do you think of Katherine’s new brunette locks? Do you love it or hate it?–by Andrea DeSimone

Roger Walsh/Landov; John Shearer/WireImage

Katherine Heigl is as known for her classic blonde beauty as she is for her outspoken ways, so when she arrived at the premiere of her new film The Ugly Truth last night, we were thorougly surprised to see her with dark brown hair! The color sets off her chocolate brown eyes and looked lovely with her soft taupe Lanvin dress, but we can’t help but miss the blonde already! Tell us: What do you think of Katherine’s new dark hair? Do you love it or hate it?

Vince Bucci/Getty

Looks like Katherine Heigl isn’t the only one in her household to get the attention of designers. Australia’s “pajama king” Peter Alexander will debut a collection of PJs inspired by one of Heigl’s dogs, Romeo, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The best part? The pup will be helping his brethren, as all the proceeds will benefit animal charities, Hearts United for Animals and Kinder4Rescue. So is all this attention — including his likeness on the pajama bag– going to give her little schnauzer a big head? “You know what’s funny about Romeo is he’ll never care. He’s like, ‘You guys are lame. I don’t care about this,’” Heigl told PEOPLE on Wednesday night at the opening of the Peter Alexander boutique on Robertson Boulevard, where she and a Moschino-clad Alicia Silverstone stressed the importance of rescuing animals. But the Grey’s Anatomy star said she has no plans to adopt anymore, for the sake of her husband Josh Kelley, who attended the event with her mom. “Josh would kill me. Kill me! He married into a five-dog household.” Although more dogs are out of the question, kids are not. “I have grand aspirations of having a big family, though I’m a little afraid of saying that out loud because I might have one or two and call it a day. I get tired easily,” she said.– Jenny Sundel

Kevork Djansezian/AP, Luis Martinez/Celebrity Photo

Beautifully sculpted curls ruled the red carpet at this year’s Academy Awards, showing up on lots of our favorite glammed-up stars, including Katherine Heigl and Best Actress winner Marion Cotillard. Actress Zoe Saldana got the style memo and arrived at the hottest party of the evening, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar after-party, in long corkscrew curls that perfectly complemented her flowy J. Mendel dress. Find out how to transform your own locks into perfectly piecey curls like Saldana’s, and check out the other top hair and beauty trends from Hollywood’s most glamorous night right now on InStyle.com.

Steve Granitz/WireImage, Frederick M. Brown/Getty, Vince Bucci/Getty

Red dresses ruled the Oscars last night from Miley Cyrus in Valentino, Anne Hathaway in Marchesa to Katherine Heigl in Escada. We think the look is classic, elegant and a great way to stand out at your own event! Now, most of us can’t afford couture gowns so we’ve tracked down the look for less for you. And make sure to check out all the Best Dressed at the Oscars by clicking here. Tell us: Whose gown was your favorite?

Pleated Silk Slipdress, $60 at spiegel.com

Alex Evenings One Shoulder Gown, $118 at nordstrom.com

Nicole Miller Ruby Red Chiffon Lace Trim Cowl Back Gown, $179 at bluefly.com

Calvin Klein Halter Gown, $208 at nordstrom.com

Mary L Couture Shirred Gown with Cross Back Straps, $228 at nordstrom.com

Cousart-Ramirez-Rios/JFX

Forget the no-white-after-Labor-Day rule! Stars like Katherine Heigl show how us how to wear the classic color in the dead of winter. Out for another day of shopping, the newly-wed toted a white patent leather bowler bag from Juicy Couture and topped off her dark sweater dress with a white cropped coat from Club Monaco with black buttons. We love how she brightened up her look with white and even found her bag! Get Katherine’s patent leather “Lovely” bag by Juicy Couture, $350, at eluxury.com or get the Yvonne faux leather tote, $20, forever21.com for a more budget-friendly option. Katherine’s white coat with black buttons, $249, can be found at Club Monaco Stores or try this Laura Clement short pea coat, $45, at us.redoute.com.

Carlos Diaz/INF

Katherine Heigl was radiant at the premiere of her new movie 27 Dresses. And while part of this could be attributed to her recent wedding to Josh Kelley, her gorgeous gray dress and elegant hair and makeup certainly didn’t hurt. We were so impressed with Heigl’s look that we decided to track it down from head to toe.

MAKEUP MAGIC
Katherine’s make-up artist, Monika Blunder, gave us the step-by-step on how to recreate her look. Taking inspiration from Grace Kelly, Blunder started by giving Katherine luminous skin, first prepping her face with a light serum. She then applied Teint Innocence Naturally Luminous Fluid Makeup in Shell, $45, to her whole face. To give Heigl a natural looking flush, she brushed Chanel Powder Blush in Orchid Rose, $40, along her cheekbones and apples of her cheeks. She used sheer pink-hued shadows from Chanel’s Quadra Eye Shadow palette in Demure, $55, on her lids and brow bone and the brown shade on her outer lid. A coat of matte Lipstick Queen lipstick in Rouge Sinner, $18, completed this classic look.

Click through to find out how to get her dress and accessories!

RED CARPET CHIC
For her role as the perpetual bridesmaid in 27 Dresses, Katherine had to endure wearing a parade of less than gorgeous gowns. (Click here for our exclusive sneak peek.) So when it came time for the film’s Hollywood premiere, it’s no surprise she chose this much more flattering knee-length gray Bill Blass gown from the designer’s spring 2008 collection. For a similar look try this gown, $50, by Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Heigl paired the look with sleek open-toed Jimmy Choo pumps similar to these, $65, from zappos.com. And she finished off the look with a string of chunky black pearls like these from from anntaylor.com.

Most Wanted/Flynet

I love Katherine Hiegl’s Primp portrait hoodie in cream that you have posted today. Do you know how to where to purchase that one?– Mary Beth Procopio

We spotted newlyweds Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelly heading to the grocery store in L.A. this weekend. Katherine went casual in a Primp Cameo hoodie, black newsboy cap and wide-leg jeans for their afternoon shopping trip. Guess Britney‘s not the only one loving her Primp prints these days! Get her Primp Potrait hoodie in cream, on sale for $116 from $165, at shopbop.com. If you love the cameo print, also try this v-neck long sweater, $156, revolveclothing.com.

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage; Dean M/Gabo/Bauer-Griffin

We all know that Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge have enviable style — and we can’t stop drooling over their glossy Treesje bags. Lauren totes her black patent Asher Grande, $680, from coast to coast while traveling, and switches to the smaller black patent Metro Clutch , $340, for nights out on the town (we’ve spotted Lindsay Lohan and Vanessa Minnillo with the same style!) Audrina opts for the Divino Grande, $705, in black patent with a girly ruffle detail. We love Treesje’s vibrant colors and shiny patent finishes, and most styles can easily get you from day to night. Check out how to get the girls’ bags and check out our picks for Great Bags Under $100 for some similar — and way more affordable– looks.

Ramey

Katherine Heigl has a great easy street style — we can always imagine ourselves wearing her outfits (and wanting to!). The 27 Dresses star headed out for a birthday dinner in L.A. in a fun, ruffled-plaid coat paired simply with jeans tucked into tan suede boots. We love how the plaid coat takes care of the whole outfit — and keeps you warm at the same time! We found Katherine’s actual Juicy Couture jacket for you and the look for a whole lot less.

Get It for Real!
Katherine’s Plaid Juicy Couture Coat, $498 at bloomingdales.com

Get It for a Steal!
Emily Coat, $40 at delias.com

ROXY Hide And Seek Womens Trench Coat, $69 at tillys.com

Sherlock Double-Breasted Plaid Coat, $89 at forever21.com

Oxford Plaid Baby Doll Coat, $130 at anntaylorloft.com

AE Classic Plaid Pea Coat, $130 at ae.com

American Rag Double-Breasted Plaid Coat, $139 at macys.com

Courtesy instyle.com

How do certain celebs always manage to look perfect? We had some of your favorites, like Katherine Heigl and Marcia Cross dump the contents of their cosmetics bags for our cameras. Find out what products they count on to look great!

courtesy little lily

While we all take inspiration from our favorite stars’ red carpet gowns for our own big nights out, now our pooches can too! Celeb-fave canine couturier Little Lily has created replicas of some of the Emmys best gowns, including America Ferrera‘s Monique Lhuillier and Katherine Heigl‘s Zac Posen. They’ll be the hit of the dog run in these luxe gowns (or can you say brilliant Halloween idea?). Get them for your own pampered pooch at little-lily.com — the Katherine retails for $120 and the America retails for $88.

London Entertainment / Splash News Online

To celebrate her surprise win, Katherine Heigl went to lunch at famed L.A. eatery The Ivy, looking just as fabulous in her street wear as she did on the red carpet. The Emmy winner kept warm in an Juicy Couture grandfather cardign, oversized Dolce & Gabbana shades, Valentino’s must-have Maison bag and comfy Tory Burch leopard-print flats. We love Katherine’s style no matter where she is and though her white Zac Posen gown is harder to come by, we found the Grey’s star complete post-Emmy’s look–and of course some steals!

Get Katherine’s Look From Head to Toe!
Start with the Dolce & Gabbana skinny-arm sunglasses, $275, neimanmarcus.com and if your looking for a bargain snatch these vintage oversized round frame sunglasses, only $9, amazon.com.

Get her Juicy Couture striped jersey cardigan, $278, juicycouture.com or opt for this equally comfortable Rugby Striped Cardigan, $58, urbanoutfitters.com and save on a basic black tee, $5, forever21.com to layer.

If you have the funds, tote a real Valentino Maison bag, $3495, at Valentino stores nationwide or grab this patent Nine West red tote, $99, at baghaus.com for a similar look.

Save on the denim with a pair of Old Navy “Diva” low-rise flare jeans, on sale $20, oldnavy.com then splurge on Katherine’s Tory Burch leopard flats, $255, saksfifthavenue.com or keep in your budget with these sable leopard ballerina flats, $13, target.com.

Mathew Imaging/FilmMagic

Katherine Heigl‘s elegant Emmy took its inspiration from another cool blonde, Grace Kelly. Makeup artist Monika Blunder kept the eye neutral, first applying Ombre d’Eau, a liquid-y eyeshadow, in Sand, $30, then brushing on a pressed eyeshadow in the champagne colored Dessert-Rose, $39, on top of that to give her eyes “a sparkling glow.” She dotted Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Ebene, $27, between her lashes, and then applied three coats of Inimitable Mascara in Noir, $28, on the upper lashes. Blunder brought out her cheekbones by contouring the hollows first with Powder Blush in Nude, $40, and then brushing the tops of the cheeks with Narcisse, $40, a light pink color. Before applying lipstick, she used Lip Definer in Red, $29, to fill in the lips. For Heigl’s bright red lips, Blunder chose Rouge Allure Lipstick in Lover, $30, because of its pink undertones. She finished the look by brushing on a bit of translucent powder to “help it stay throughout the show.”

Hair stylist Campbell McAuley created a complementary old school– yet modern– style to go with the makeup and went for a cool twist on the bun. He put Katherine’s hair in Velcro rollers when it was still wet, blew it dry and sprayed with Frederic Fekkai Coiff Fini Sheer Hold Hairspray, $23. Then he removed the curlers, except for two in the front and brushed out the curls, using Frederic Fekkai Glossing Cream, $20, to set the hair. He divided the hair into three sections and then wrapped each section in a different direction to create three separate buns. He took the two front curlers out and worked back into the hairstyle to create a soft, touchable look on the top.