When I saw the first pap shots of Nicole Kidman walking the red carpet at the 2025 Met Gala, I thought she’d done a simple updo with big, glamorous side bangs—you know, a pretty staple Nicole look—but then she turned to the side and I gasped when I realized there wasn’t a ponytail or a bun or a chignon to be found. Rather, Kidman’s hair tapered off into air at the nape of her neck.

The look is just barely too short and too layered to be a bob, but it’s too long to be a true pixie, too…either way, it’s probably the shortest hair Kidman has ever worn on the red carpet.

Photo: Getty Images

After double-taking at Kidman’s neck and hairline, I made the assumption that this haircut was the work of an incredibly well-made wig—but Kidman’s hairstylist, Adir Abergel, confirms via a press release that it’s the real deal. He cut the actor’s hair off earlier that day in a nod to the gala’s tailoring theme. The cut is very tailored, the way it’s contoured to the curves of Kidman’s head, the way it tapers at the neck.

To prep the fresh haircut for styling, Abergel applied a few products from his line, Virtue Labs: the Damage Reverse Serum, Volumizing Primer, and Un-frizz Cream. Then, he blow-dried the back of her hair into place with a Kristin Ess blow-dryer and dried the front, with that voluminous swoop, with the Denman Vent Brush. With a one-inch curling iron, he gave the side bangs a soft, wavy shape before finishing everything off with more Un-Frizz Cream and hair oil.

Photo: Getty Images

Personally, I couldn’t love this look more. She may be the queen of the mussy bedhead and beachy waves, and even natural ringlets, but I’m ready to see this new era of short-haired Nicole Kidman.

More celebrity beauty:

• Nicole Kidman’s High Ponytail Is So Brat
• Megan Thee Stallion’s Latest Hair Color Is So Bright, I Need Sunglasses
• Here’s Exactly How Beyoncé Is Getting Her Cowboy Carter Tour Hair Look

Now, watch Tyla get ready for her first-ever Met Gala:

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