MARISKA HARGITAY REVEALS THE HAIRCUT THAT ‘ALMOST’ GOT HER FIRED FROM SVU
The Pixie Cut That Shocked Everyone
Bad haircuts can be tough for anyone, but for Mariska Hargitay, a pixie cut nearly cost her role on Law & Order: SVU. She spoke about the experience in a recent Allure interview.
A Hairstylist and a Glass of Wine
“My hairstylist had a glass of wine, and I should have known better,” Hargitay joked. “Maybe he thought I’d be aerodynamic while chasing perps. I have no idea.”
Shorter Than Expected
Hargitay explained, “We went real short—shorter than expected. I almost got fired.” Despite the scare, she now describes the haircut as “easy, cool, and cop-like.”
When Haircuts Affect Careers
Hargitay isn’t the only actor affected by a drastic haircut. Keri Russell also faced backlash for cutting her hair on Felicity. Creator J.J. Abrams suggested the change for a storyline about a college breakup.
Public Reaction Surprised Her
Russell recalled in 2017, “J.J. called me over the summer and asked if I would cut my hair for a storyline. I agreed, but the public reaction shocked me.” She added, “My hair was curly and awkward, but I loved it. Strangers even said, ‘You were so pretty before you cut your hair.’”
Looking Back With Humor
Both Hargitay and Russell show how haircuts can affect image and storylines. In hindsight, Hargitay embraces her pixie cut as a defining moment. It proves that on-screen risks can sometimes pay off.