> At a Glance
> – Ariana Grande debuted her darkest hair color since 2023 at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 4
> – The 32-year-old is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Glinda in Wicked
> – She wore a baby pink Alberta Ferretti gown with cape sleeves and Swarovski jewelry, styled by Law Roach
> – Why it matters: The shift from platinum blonde to deep brunette marks her transition from method dressing as Glinda to embracing the darker tones of the Wicked sequel
Ariana Grande arrived at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards with a dramatic hair transformation, unveiling her darkest brunette shade since returning to her natural color in October 2025. The Best Supporting Actress nominee stepped out in a romantic baby pink gown that signaled a new chapter beyond her Glinda-inspired blonde era.
The Look That Turned Heads
Grante’s brunette banged updo was a stark contrast to the platinum blonde she sported during Wicked filming. Styled by Law Roach, her Alberta Ferretti gown featured embellished overlay and cape sleeves, paired with Swarovski jewelry.
From Blonde to Brunette
The hair evolution wasn’t instant. After dyeing her hair brown in October, Grande revealed her locks were “refusing” the change.
> “My hair is spitting out the toner. Every time I wash it, my hair doesn’t want to be brunette.”
She joked that her hair was method acting, waking up with highlights after one wash: “I did wake up blonde again.”
Saying Goodbye to Glinda
Grande explained the intentional shift in her beauty choices:
- First press tour: Celebrated Glinda with blonde hair and on-the-nose styling
- Now: Embraces darker tones to reflect the Wicked sequel storyline
- Goal: Show up as the actress, not the character
At the awards, she told E! that closing the Wicked chapter feels “really beautiful”:
> “We’ve given it to the world to let them have it and enjoy it. It feels peaceful, it feels good.”
Key Takeaways
- Ariana Grande’s darkest brunette look debuted at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards
- The hair change aligns with the darker narrative of the Wicked sequel
- Her pink gown and jewelry completed the post-Glinda transformation
The new look marks a peaceful farewell to Oz and a stylish hello to 2026.
