Nicole Kidman, always a style icon, made headlines at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival — but not for the usual reasons.
While accepting the prestigious Kering Women in Motion Award on May 18, the star’s glamorous red lace gown almost took a backseat to what some eagle-eyed fans called a noticeable wig topper mishap.
A flurry of online buzz
The Cannes Film Festival is in full swing, and the glamorous, prestigious event on the French Riviera has already made plenty of headlines — including a buzzworthy speech from Robert De Niro, where he delivered a brutal jab at Donald Trump.
Another star making waves at the festival is none other than 57-year-old Nicole Kidman. While she’s long been known for transforming her look with wigs on screen, fans have noticed she rarely shows her natural hair in films anymore.
But this time, it was her offscreen appearance that got people talking. Kidman’s latest red carpet look sparked a flurry of online buzz, as many pointed out that her wig didn’t blend well with her natural hair, especially around the bangs.
“The hair is a wig topper and does not match her natural bangs left out. It’s so noticeable in every single picture,” commented one viewer.
Another chimed in, “the hair is dragging her down.”
At the Kering Women in Motion Award, Kidman shined as she posed in her stunning dress and understated makeup, proudly stating, “I am thrilled to add this incredible recognition to the many memories I’ve made here.”
The award places her among legendary company, including Susan Sarandon and Salma Hayek, both previous honorees.
A way to maintain a youthful appearance?
But netizens couldn’t help but focus on the hair situation. “The dress is killer but the hair ruins it,” said one commenter, while another joked, “Wow with all the $$$ she makes, you’d think she could buy better than going to a dollar shop…”
Hair stylist Adem Oygur, founder of Adem London, spoke to Daily Mail about why many Hollywood stars opt for wigs and extensions as they get older. According to him, it’s often a way to maintain a more youthful appearance as natural hair tends to thin and lose volume over time.
In Nicole Kidman’s case, the dramatic shifts in her hair color and regular use of heat styling tools may have taken a toll on her natural curls. Hormonal changes that come with perimenopause and menopause can also contribute to hair thinning and loss.
“As a leading stylist, I see many women – especially those in the public eye – choosing wigs for a variety of personal and practical reasons. In Nicole’s case, there could be several factors at play,” Oygur said.
The wig debate
Kidman also appeared at the Kering Women in Motion Talk earlier that day, rocking the same hairstyle, paired with edgy baggy jeans and a Balenciaga corset jacket — a far cry from the elegance of the red carpet look, yet equally talked-about online.
The wig debate follows a recent trend for Kidman, who stunned fans just days earlier at the 2025 Met Gala with a bold two-toned pixie cut, styled by Adir Abergel.
The hairstylist explained the look as “a tailored short cut that brought out the essence of Dandyism on Nicole Kidman,” celebrating individuality and elegance in line with the gala’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme.
Nicole’s hair choices often spark conversation, from her natural red curls early in her career to dramatic transformations for her many roles. She’s admitted in past interviews, “I had that hair. I shouldn’t have abused my hair. I loved that hair. What was I thinking? I’m working on getting that hair again.”
Despite the wig drama, fans have always admired Kidman’s fearless approach to hair. “You already know that Nicole Kidman is about to slay when she’s wearing a wig,” one fan said, while another joked, “Nicole Kidman loves wigs more than Keith Urban loves his hair straighter.”
Speaking about her wig use, Kidman once put an end to the topic during a 2018 interview promoting Destroyer:
“That’s an awful question. I am shutting that question down.”
She also abruptly ended a 2019 radio interview when asked about her favorite wig, finally revealing, “Well, I’m using my own hair now, so I think that’s probably my favourite, my own hair.” She added, “There are many times when I use my own hair as well because it’s so easy, and other times creating different characters.”
Whether it’s wigs or natural locks, Nicole Kidman continues to captivate — and keep fans guessing. What do you think? Is this wig mishap a fashion faux pas or just part of the glam game? Sound off below!
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