It’d be difficult for Mikey Madison to top her last night with the Academy, where she won her first Oscar for her breakthrough role in Anora. In the time since, she’s become Jonathan Anderson’s first Dior ambassador, and lined up roles in The Social Reckoning—a follow-up to The Social Network that also stars Jeremy Allen White and Jeremy Strong—where she plays a whistleblower exposed Facebook’s malpractice, and thriller Reptilia, telling the story of a dental hygienist who is seduced by a mysterious mermaid into Florida’s exotic animal trade alongside Kirsten Dunst.
But back to yesterday evening’s starry affair at the 2025 Academy Museum Gala, where Madison stepped out with a brand new haircut courtesy of her longtime hairstylist Rena Calhoun. From Anora and her previous screen role in Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Madison was recognizable for her raven-dark, chest-length hair. Working often with Calhoun, Madison has kept to classic, sophisticated hairstyles for her red carpets, premieres, and awards season run; a chic, middle-parted chignon for her Oscar win, hair long and gelled back for the Golden Globes, and every so often, a deep and sensual middle part with an undulating blowout.
Her color for the night was also a bit of a switch up; a caramel shade of brown, much light than what we’ve previously seen on Mikey Madison, with oaky ends done by colorist Adriana Pinto.
“For this look, I wanted something that felt softly sculpted, natural, timeless, and romantic,” Calhoun shares of the cut and styling with Vogue. “We were going for effortless yet refined, something classic, but with a modern touch. We started the day with a big haircut and transformation for an upcoming role, which really set the tone for the rest of the styling. I wanted the hair to move beautifully and feel touchable.”
Schwarzkopf Professional products were Calhoun’s go-to for the entire process. After the cut, Calhoun prepped Madison’s hair with the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Upload Bodyfying Cream, applying it from roots to ends on damp hair to add body, bounce, and control. Using a round brush, she blow-dried the hair smooth, all while keeping lift at the roots to maintain natural volume and movement. Once it was dry, Calhoun used a 1¼-inch curling iron to curl the hair in the same direction throughout, creating a uniform wave pattern. After curling, she pinned each section to cool and set the shape, which Calhoun says helps keep the waves in their hold, and a smooth finish. When the curls had fully cooled, she brushed through the hair to soften the texture and blend the pattern. Using setting clips, Calhoun shaped the waves together, refining the “S” shape, and allowing them to set for a few minutes.
Once the waves were defined, she misted the Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Texture Craft Spray through the mid-lengths and ends to build a bit of texture and movement. To finish, she applied Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Freeze for long-lasting, locked-in hold, and using her fingers, brushed a small amount of Schwarzkopf Professional OSiS+ Glow gently at the roots to tame flyaways. “The products really make the difference,” stresses Calhoun.
The rest of Madison’s glam was kept similarly classic; Melissa Hernandez was on-hand for a poreless base and ever-so-delicate, grapefruit-toned blush on the apples of her cheeks, a sweep of liquid eyeliner, and a flutter of ’60s-style lashes, with a rosy pink lip to finish.
Hair and makeup matched the romantic custom Dior gown, inspired by Look 71 from Jonathan Anderson’s spring 2026 collection and womenswear debut for the French house. The dress featured billowing sleeves cuffed just above the wrists to create a retro silhouette, with a deep scoopneck, bow-tied waist, and flowing skirt, all in a sheer, embroidered silver fabric. With its bouncing, three-dimensional hemline, the dress reflected the movement of her sleek, free-flowing hair. As Mikey Madison and Rena Calhoun show, the story starts with seriously good glam.
