At a Glance
- Shaun White hints at regrowing his signature long red hair ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
- The three-time Olympic gold medalist will serve as an NBC broadcaster, not a competitor, in Milan-Cortina.
- Fans and the U.S. Snowboarding Team are rallying behind the possible comeback of his iconic mane.
- Why it matters: White’s hair became as famous as his tricks, and its return could rekindle the nostalgic magic of his competitive era.
Shaun White is flirting with a full-circle moment: the potential return of the flaming red mane that earned him the nickname “The Flying Tomato.” The 39-year-old snowboarding legend teased the idea on Instagram, suggesting he’ll grow it back in time for the 2026 Winter Games-where he’ll trade his board for a broadcaster’s mic.
The Instagram Tease That Sparked Hype
On January 14, White posted a carousel of throwback shots featuring his waist-length red waves. One snap captured him atop the 2006 Turin podium, gold medal around his neck, curls flying. His caption: “Just a couple more weeks to grow my hair back out for @milanocortina2026 🦁.”
Comments exploded within minutes:
- “please please please do,” wrote the U.S. Snowboarding Team.
- “We loveeeeee the long hair 🫶🏻,” added another follower.
- “will it still be RED?” asked a fan, questioning whether genetics or dye would recreate the shade.
White has not replied publicly to the color question, but the post alone was enough to reignite Olympic-era nostalgia.
From Flying Tomato to Broadcast Booth
White competed in five Winter Games, collecting three golds and cementing halfpipe’s place in mainstream sports culture. After finishing fourth in Beijing 2022, he retired from competition and signed with NBC. For Milan-Cortina 2026 he will co-host the Opening Ceremony Parade of Nations alongside Savannah Guthrie and the network’s staple team.
> “I’m kind of nervous. This is my first Olympics where I’m just going to go spectate,” White told News Of Los Angeles in June. “I’m going to be on this side of the fence now cheering for these other athletes.”
Timeline of the Trademark Mane
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Wins first gold at Turin; red curls become global trademark |
| 2010 | Defends gold in Vancouver; hair still long and vivid |
| Dec 2012 | Cuts 18-inch ponytail, donates to Locks of Love; YouTube vlog racks up millions of views |
| 2014-22 | Experiments with bleached buzz cuts, fades, and shorter styles |
| Jan 2025 | Teases regrowth for 2026 Games |
The Chop Heard Round the World
White’s December 2012 haircut felt seismic to fans. In the YouTube video titled “It’s Only Hair,” cameras followed him to a Los Angeles barbershop where 18 inches of red curls were snipped for donation. “Somebody needs it more than I do,” he said, admitting he was “panicking” as the scissors closed. The finished cut showed a smiling White running his hands through a newly shortened style.
What Comes Next
White is currently coaching and mentoring young riders while filming content for his YouTube channel. He has not set a firm date for when he’ll stop trimming, but the countdown appears to have started. If he maintains average hair-growth speed-about half an inch per month-he could sport shoulder-length locks again by the time NBC goes on air from northern Italy.
Key Takeaways
- No comeback on the halfpipe: White will narrate the action, not drop into it.
- Fan enthusiasm is sky-high: Nearly every comment on his post begs for the red mane’s return.
- Marketing gold: NBC gains a recognizable face-and potentially the return of an unforgettable silhouette-to draw casual viewers.
The Flying Tomato may not soar above the pipe in 2026, yet the mere hint of his hair’s resurrection has already generated the kind of buzz most athletes only achieve with medals.
