Jessica Chastain garnered attention on Thursday evening at the Metrograph in New York, arriving at the premiere of her new film "Heartland" with a newly debuted blonde bob. The actress, 49, also turned heads in a plunging black minidress, cinched at the waist with a silver belt, and complemented by towering heels.
Chastain, who plays a former country music star in the mystery movie, explained her hair transformation was inspired by a three-month stint testing the color on set for "The Off Weeks." "I just played a part where I had a very similar hair colour in a wig and so, I guess I got to test drive the hair for three months. And I was like, 'All right, I’m going I’m going for it!'" she told Daily Mail.
She noted the public's reaction to her blonde hair has been notable. "It is funny being a blonde," Chastain said, adding that people often expect a blonde to be "soft and demure," a contrast to the "sassy" perception she feels comes with being a redhead. She confirmed this was her first time actually dyeing her hair, having previously only worn wigs for roles.
"Heartland" follows Misty Jones, a former country megastar who emerges from seclusion to investigate the disappearance of her niece, a rising musician. The film also requires Jones to confront her own past and the darker aspects of Nashville's music industry.
At the premiere, Chastain was joined by co-stars Garrett Hedlund, who wore a white pinstriped suit, and Ross Lynch, dressed in a black blazer and blue striped shirt. The cast, including Skyler Day, Sarah Helbringer, Carter Faith, and Paul Sparks, posed for group photos.
Chastain later added a black blazer over her dress for the film's afterparty. This is not the first time the actress has experimented with blonde hair; she sported platinum locks for the 2023 Met Gala, a look she described as making her feel "quite villainess."
Chastain, an Oscar winner for her transformative role as Tammy Faye Bakker in "The Eyes of Tammy Faye," has previously discussed the extensive makeup and prosthetics required for that part, which could take over seven hours to apply.