I remember reading an article about a certain Hollywood starlet who swore her entire career changed once she dyed her hair red. It all seemed so simple. If you mixed a perfect combination of old Hollywood lore (it worked for Harlow and Monroe, right?) with a touch of impulsivity, you could theoretically change the entire course of your career by simply going to the salon.
By many accounts—including said starlet’s—this technique is a tried-and-true way to unlock the elusive door to success. But this starlet also failed to mention the team of people working behind the scenes who may have recommended this change. Not to mention the fact that Hollywood only has so much room for each blonde, brunette, or redheaded leading lady archetype, so you may as well choose the most genetically rare shade.
I realize that this admission was supposed to simply be a charming anecdote to make an already endearing actor more endearing. But it brings up a sort of low-level anxiety for some actors. If the solution to “breaking out” is one dye job away, then what are we doing banging our heads against the wall after every rejection? Seems pretty straightforward, right?
I spoke to a few fellow actors during pilot season
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