Nicole Kidman stunned onlookers at the 2025 Met Gala as she arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on Tuesday night with a dramatic new look that had fans doing a double take.
The 57-year-old actress, known for her signature strawberry blonde waves and timeless style, revealed a striking hair transformation that set social media buzzing.
Ditching her usual flowing locks, Nicole debuted a sleek, slicked-back blonde style with a dark brunette undercut, a bold, edgy update that instantly became one of the most talked-about moments of the evening.
It marked a new style era for the Moulin Rouge! star, who stepped confidently onto the Met steps in a custom black Balenciaga gown, cinched at the waist with sculptural belts. In line with this year’s theme, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, the look was architectural, elegant and full of attitude.
And while her dramatic dress drew admiration, it was the hair that stopped people in their tracks.
© Variety via Getty ImagesWearing her newly cropped hair pulled back tightly, Nicole added a hint of red to her lips, black evening gloves, and silver and diamond leaf-shaped jewellery by designer Cindy Chao. Her signature poise was on full display as she posed for the cameras, effortlessly proving that reinvention has no age limit.
Nicole hasn’t spoken publicly about the reason for the dramatic cut, but her confidence spoke volumes.
© WireImageHer appearance marked a sharp contrast from just 48 hours earlier, when she was spotted enjoying a night out at a Charli XCX concert in Brooklyn.
At the Barclays Center gig, Nicole looked relaxed and rock-inspired, wearing an all-black outfit with a lacy singlet and loose boyfriend jeans. Her hair at the time was long and pulled back into a ponytail, and she accessorised with dark sunglasses and a casual grin.
‘Great night NYC,’ she wrote on Instagram Stories after the show, alongside a green apple emoji and a tag for Charli XCX. In the snap, she struck a hands-on-hips pose that radiated cool mum energy, stylish and effortlessly in her element.
© David Fisher/ShutterstockBut Tuesday night’s transformation at the Met was something else entirely. It wasn’t just a new haircut. It felt like a reintroduction.
Dramatic makeovers
And it’s not the first time Nicole has changed up her look this year.
© DisneyEarlier in 2025, fans were taken aback when promotional photos were released for the second season of Nine Perfect Strangers, in which Nicole reprises her role as mysterious wellness guru Masha. The photos showed Nicole looking almost unrecognisable with an icy blonde bob, a wig, in this case, as she fully immersed herself in her enigmatic character.
Nicole Kidman: 5 top roles
© Getty1. To Die For (1995)
Nicole plays Suzanne Stone-Maretto, who wants to become a broadcast journalist and will do anything to achieve fame.
2. Moulin Rouge (2001)
Nicole Kidman starred as the romantic lead alongside Ewan McGregor in this timeless classic, filled with musical numbers and Parisian charm.
3. The Hours (2002)
Nicole nabbed an Oscar for Best Actress as Virginia Woolf in this film, a modern reinterpretation of the 1925 novel ''Mrs Dalloway.''
4. Big Little Lies (2017)
In this Stepford-Wives-esque series, Nicole shines as Celeste Wright, a rich mother trying to survive an abusive marriage. The show has a stellar line-up including Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, and Zoë Kravitz.
5. Babygirl (2024)
Nicole plays a sophisticated CEO who begins a passionate affair with a younger intern played by Harris Dickinson.
Away from the spotlight, Nicole is mum to four children. She shares two teenage daughters, Sunday Rose, 15, and Faith Margaret, 13, with her husband, country music star Keith Urban, and two older children, Bella, 31, and Connor, 29, with ex-husband Tom Cruise.
