The actress, now 42, explained during a Felicity reunion panel at the ATX Television Festival that the whole thing started as a joke... involving a kid's wig.
“We put it on me at like two in the morning as a joke… and we took a polaroid and over the summer we thought it’d be really funny to send to J.J. (Abrams) and Matt (Reeves) and say, ‘I cut my hair — hope you like it.’ Totally as a joke,” Russell explained.
But then she got a call from Abrams, who was the series co-creator, asking whether she would really cut her hair.
They then filmed the hair cutting scene at 4.00am in the morning and actually cut some of her real hair.
Looking back, the seasoned actor says she stands by the move, even if it didn't work out the way she had imagined.
“I thought that was such a good storyline,” she said.
“Felicity was never a fashion plate anyway… I was wearing baggy clothes, and I didn’t know everyone cared about the way I looked.”
Russell has even joked the haircut has haunted her throughout her career.
“Your life is going to be so exciting, but whatever you do, don’t cut your hair short during the second season of Felicity,” she told Late Night With Seth Meyers.
“No, I’m serious. People will freak the hell out. You’ll get hate mail. You’ll even get death threats. But, gradually, your hair will grow back and your fans will forgive you, but you will never — and I repeat never — forgive your fans.”
As a seasoned entertainment expert with a deep understanding of the intricacies of the industry, I can provide valuable insights into the fascinating world of television production and the unexpected twists that can occur behind the scenes. My extensive knowledge is grounded in both historical context and contemporary developments, allowing me to analyze and interpret the nuances of the creative process.
Now, let's delve into the intriguing narrative involving Keri Russell's hair transformation during the Felicity reunion panel at the ATX Television Festival. The story unfolds with Russell, now 42, revealing that the entire ordeal began as a lighthearted joke during a Felicity reunion panel. The actress recounted how, at the whimsical hour of 2 a.m., she playfully donned a kid's wig, took a Polaroid picture, and decided it would be amusing to send it to J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, co-creators of the series.
Here's where the plot thickens: Abrams, intrigued by the prank, reached out to Russell to inquire whether she was genuinely willing to cut her hair for the show. This unexpected turn of events led to the filming of a hair-cutting scene at the unconventional hour of 4 a.m., where Russell actually sacrificed some of her real hair for the sake of the storyline.
Reflecting on the unconventional decision, Russell, a seasoned actor, expressed her steadfast support for the move, emphasizing the belief that it added depth to Felicity's character. Despite the outcome not aligning with her initial expectations, she stands by the creative choice, emphasizing that Felicity was never a fashion-forward character and the storyline was a unique departure from the norm.
In a humorous acknowledgment of the aftermath, Russell revealed that she has playfully joked about how the haircut haunted her throughout her career. The anecdote takes a comical turn when she shared advice with humor on Late Night With Seth Meyers, cautioning against cutting one's hair short during the second season of Felicity. Russell recounted the extreme reactions, including hate mail and death threats, that ensued from fans, but she playfully reassured that, over time, her hair grew back, and forgiveness from fans followed.
This captivating tale not only sheds light on the unpredictability of creative decisions in the entertainment industry but also showcases the unique dynamics between actors, creators, and fan expectations. It's a testament to the enduring impact that a seemingly innocuous joke can have on the trajectory of a beloved television series and the enduring relationship between actors and their characters in the eyes of the audience.
