A Harvard University study has revealed that redheads, once teased on school playgrounds for their fiery locks, are now having the last laugh. The research indicates that natural selection is causing the ginger gene to become more common among Europeans, leading to a surge in their numbers.
The Global Picture of Red Hair
Despite this increase, natural redheads remain a rare global minority. Estimates suggest they constitute only between one and two per cent of the world's total population. This scarcity means that not every auburn-haired individual you encounter is a natural redhead; many people, including numerous high-profile celebrities, quietly mimic the look with hair dye.
Celebrity Redheads: Real vs. Fake
Several A-list stars known for their copper locks are actually flame-haired fakers, with fans often completely unaware of their natural blonde or brunette roots. Here is a detailed look at which famous faces have long been tweaking their hair colour and who has been genuinely blessed with ginger genetics.
Julianne Moore: A Natural Redhead
American actress Julianne Moore is beloved for her signature red tresses, frequently showcased on red carpets. Fans will be pleased to learn that Julianne is, in fact, a natural redhead. While she has experimented with different looks, her auburn hair remains her go-to colour.
Julianne has spoken candidly about feeling like an outsider in her youth due to her hair. Redheads are two percent of the global population. Nobody wants to feel like they're in the minority, she told The Times. Now, I feel very identified with my hair and freckles. But there's still a part of me that would rather be a tanned blonde.
Bella Thorne: A Blonde in Disguise
Since her debut on Disney Channel's Shake It Up in 2013, Bella Thorne's red locks have garnered significant attention. However, in 2019, she revealed her signature look is far from natural. A lot of people don't know I'm not actually a redhead. I'm a blonde. I dyed it for Big Love, she disclosed to Allure.
Emma Stone: Stylist-Created Red
Award-winning actress Emma Stone is long-associated with vibrant red hues, but her colour is achieved by skilled hair stylists, not genetics. Emma is a natural blonde who transitioned to red early in her career. I like to dye my hair red. I'm not a redhead naturally, but you know I'm a great supporter, she told Ginger Parrot.
Her colourist, Tracey Cunningham, uses Redken Shade EQ gloss to create Emma's striking auburn tone, noting that the red suits her exceptionally well due to family genetics.
Isla Fisher: Embracing Natural Red
Australian actress Isla Fisher's long auburn locks are a staple of her brand, yet she struggled with her natural red hair as a child. Having red hair was something that made me feel a little different to people—I wouldn't say I naturally embraced that difference, I sort of wanted to blend in, she told Marie Claire Australia. As she matured, she realised it made her feel unique.
Lindsay Lohan: A Strawberry Blonde Icon
Lindsay Lohan became a redhead figure after Parent Trap in 1998. She has experimented with other colours but always returns to her strawberry blonde tresses. Redheads are unique, and their hair is beautiful. It's a special color, she told Elle Magazine, adding that she now embraces her natural roots.
Geri Halliwell-Horner: The Ginger Spice Fake
Famously dubbed Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell-Horner's fiery red hair was iconic in the 90s, but it was achieved with hair dye. She is a natural blonde who reverted to her roots but occasionally dyes it red for nostalgia. There is a connotation that comes with being ginger. It's an attitude, she told ELLE.
Jessica Chastain: Proud Natural Redhead
Award-winning actress Jessica Chastain is a natural redhead who wears her auburn hair with pride. She refuses to dye it for roles, using wigs instead. In her youth, she struggled with self-esteem, wanting to be blonde, but now fully embraces her ginger tresses.
Christina Hendricks: A Blonde Turned Red
Mad Men star Christina Hendricks is associated with fiery red locks, but she was originally a blonde. At age 10, she dyed her hair red after being inspired by Anne of Green Gables, and the colour stuck. I was a blonde, but I loved Ann-Margret and Lucille Ball, so my mom suggested I change my color to red with a rinse, she told Wall Street Journal.
She kept the red hair because it helped her stand out in modelling and acting, booking more jobs due to its rarity.
