Ariana Grande dyed her hair brown for the Wicked: For Good press tour to "play into the darker tones of the movie".
The 32-year-old pop star/actress has reprised her role as Glinda in the second Wicked film - which hits cinemas this month - but she's been sporting a new hair colour on the red carpets while promoting the film and Ariana has now explained why she decided to ditch the light blonde this time around.
She told Entertainment Tonight: "It's fun to play with the storytelling on the press tour. With the first [Wicked] press tour, I wanted to celebrate Glinda in a more on-the-nose way, and be an extension of her and extend the time with her through clothes, through the blonde and through everything.
"Now I can show up as the actress who played her and play into the darker tones of the movie. It's fun to play with hair and make-up and fashion."
During the Wicked: For Good press tour, Ariana walked the red carpet at the film's London premiere on November 10 wearing a special black dress, which was featured in 1952 musical Lovely To look At.
The gown was designed by by the late Gilbert Adrian, who worked on 1938 classic The Wizard of Oz and created pieces including Dorothy's ruby slippers and Glinda's bubble dress.
Ariana admitted wearing the gown was a very emotional moment for her.
She told British Vogue magazine: "To now have it in our personal vintage collection, and to wear something made by him on this carpet, feels so emotional and meaningful. “[Stylist] Law [Roach] and I cried many times during this fitting."
Despite its darker colours not being an obvious reference to her character Glinda, Ariana insisted it's a good match for where the story goes.
She added: "[It's] more mature, more emotional. It still feels like an extension of Glinda’s story arc. We’re just telling a different part of her story.”
Ariana also acknowledged the idea that going for a dark look might be a sign she's leaving Glinda behind and going back to her true self.
However, she said: "I don’t think I’ll ever have to fully say goodbye to Glinda. I think she will always be a part of my heart and a part of my life.
"I also don’t feel like I’m necessarily returning to Ariana Grande. I have been here this whole time, learning and evolving, as we all do and are supposed to.
"If anything, I already found my way back home through doing the work. Glinda helped me feel more connected to myself than I had in a long time.
"I just have light brown hair now, that’s all. Though it’s washing out quite rapidly!”
