Emmy Rossum opens up about ditching years of hair straightening

Emmy Rossum has opened up about the personal reason she has embraced her natural curls, saying the change represents authenticity and self-confidence after years of chemically straightening her hair.

Speaking at the New York premiere of her upcoming Hulu series Furious on July 16, the Shameless actress revealed that wearing her curls is more than just a style choice.

“There is an emotional intent there for me to be able to be more of my private self in public,” Rossum shared. “I think it’s important for me to feel empowered in my authenticity and my uniqueness.”

The 39-year-old actress admitted that positive reactions to her natural look have also encouraged her journey, even though she believes confidence should ultimately come from within.

Rossum has previously spoken about spending years straightening her hair with keratin treatments, flat irons and blow-dries in an effort to fit conventional beauty standards.

However, her perspective shifted after becoming a mother to her daughter in 2021. During a previous appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Rossum explained that she wanted to set a positive example for her child.

“I also had a daughter, and I was like, you know, I should just start wearing my hair the way it is,” she said at the time. “Why should I tell her that she should make her hair look anything other than how it grows out of her head?”

Rossum later echoed similar sentiments in a Vogue beauty video, saying she now sees her curls as a reflection of confidence and individuality after years of trying to change them.

Fans will also see Rossum's natural curls on screen in her upcoming thriller Furious, where she stars as FBI agent Alice Black, a determined investigator tracking a mysterious female serial killer. The series premieres on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ on July 27.