‘Tis the season for hair transformations — and Ella Bright is welcoming the change.

Fresh from the “Off Campus” Season Two set, the actress touched down in Los Angeles on Sunday for the 2026 MTV VMAs, where she ushered in a new chapter with a color refresh courtesy of hair artist and WWD Style Awards honoree Adir Abergel.

All signs of the beloved series lead and her soft, youthful aesthetic were wiped clean and replaced by a moodier, more mature hue, one that fit perfectly between Charli XCX, Teyana Taylor and their Goth rock beauty. Where a milk chocolate brown once kissed and colored her long, blended layers, a dark brown — almost black — shade now stood.

In comments sent to WWD, Abergel described the color as “a richer, more saturated brunette,” crediting Bright’s vintage Roberto Cavalli corset gown as the inspiration.

“Everything started with the dress. Molly Dickson pulled this incredible vintage Roberto Cavalli, then paired it with a pearl choker, and I knew right away the hair needed to push against all that polish a little,” he wrote. “I think this is the shade everyone’s going to want this winter. It’s dark and sultry, but not inky. There’s still this glassy shine and a softness to the tone that keeps it from feeling harsh. Against her blue eyes, it creates this gorgeous contrast.”

Taking cues from ’90s grunge, Abergel texturized her long bob, or “lob,” with flexi rods and a diffuser — a technique he recognized as “old school” but effective. “The [flexi rods and diffuser] give you a bend that feels lived-in and undone, the kind of texture you can’t fake with a hot tool,” he added.

When it comes to Bright’s beauty alter ego, the one she boasts as Hannah Wells in the new Prime Video hit series, her approach is borderline Millennial, though she plays a Gen Z college student. Her brows are arched; she wears matte foundation, gold shimmer on her lids, and rose-tinted lips — everything the modern-day algorithm-possessed beauty enthusiast tends to eschew. Think “clean girl” minus the glass skin and overly contoured face.

Meanwhile, Hannah’s hair also resembles an arrangement popularized by the older generation — a ’90s-inspired lob with flipped ends and face-framing layers. It’s a cut celebrity hairstylist Jacob Rozenberg likens to “The Rachel” from “Friends” — timeless with a contemporary edge.

On her character, Bright previously told WWD: “I very quickly learned from our amazing casting director who was like, ‘Hannah, she has this confidence in herself. Yes, she might not be the most popular person in school, but she has her two friends, Dexter and Allie, who she trusts and that’s all that matters to her. She knows who she is in this life and she is completely comfortable in that.’ She’s very comfortable in the quirkiness and I loved that. I thought that that was really fresh and very against the stereotype that I think people are going to assume with the quiet, nerdy music girl.”

Source: Compiled from various sources.