She’s back to brunette. Honestly, if you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you’ve probably noticed that the "bubblegum pink" filter has finally been lifted. The Ariana Grande recent photos coming out of this month’s award season tell a very specific story: Glinda is officially in the rearview mirror.
For nearly three years, we basically only saw Ariana through a lens of pastels, blonde ponytails, and ethereal "method dressing" for Wicked. But the 2026 Golden Globes changed that. She walked onto that red carpet at the Beverly Hilton on January 11 and it felt like a funeral for the Good Witch.
The "Anti-Glinda" Look at the 2026 Golden Globes
The transition was jarring in the best way. Gone were the sugary pinks we saw during the Wicked: For Good press tour last November. Instead, Ariana opted for a custom, off-the-shoulder black gown by Vivienne Westwood.
It was massive. Voluminous. Crinkled chiffon over a structured corset.
Wait, the hair was the real kicker. She ditched the honey-blonde Glinda locks for her signature deep brunette. She even brought back the iconic high ponytail, though styled with a softer, face-framing tendril. Stylist Law Roach definitely knew what he was doing here. By pairing this "witchy" silhouette with a classic Swarovski diamond choker, she wasn't just attending an awards show; she was reclaiming her own identity.
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A Quick Timeline of This Month's Sightings
- January 4: The Critics Choice Awards. This was sort of the middle ground. She wore a bejeweled pink Alberta Ferretti cape gown but had already debuted the darker hair color.
- January 7: Set photos from Wicked: For Good hit Instagram. These sparked some intense fan debate—some people were worried she looked a bit too thin in her side profile, while others just loved the behind-the-scenes chaos of her wearing a tiara and sunglasses.
- January 11: The Golden Globes "Funeral for Glinda" look.
- January 14: The Art Institute of Chicago reveal with Jonathan Bailey.
That Viral Museum Photo with Jonathan Bailey
If you missed the joint Instagram post on January 14, you missed a "theater kid" cultural reset. Ariana and her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey posted a photo of themselves sitting in front of Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
It wasn't just a cute tourist snap. It was a confirmation.
They’re officially heading to the West End in 2027 for a revival of Sunday in the Park with George. Seeing them in "normal" clothes—Ariana in a simple, chic ensemble—sitting in that museum felt so grounded compared to the flying-on-brooms spectacle of the last two years.
The $600,000 Fashion "Mishap"
There’s a bit of drama floating around about the Golden Globes red carpet too. Apparently, during a photo op, BLACKPINK’s Lisa had a bit of a jewelry snag. Her accessories reportedly got caught on the delicate fabric of Ariana’s $600,000 Westwood gown.
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The internet went wild, of course. People were analyzing every frame of the video to see if there was tension. Honestly? Ariana seemed to handle it like a pro. She reportedly told Lisa it was "fine," which is the kind of grace you’d expect from someone who has been in the spotlight since they were a teenager.
Why the Makeup Shift Matters
Look closely at the Ariana Grande recent photos from her r.e.m. beauty tutorials this month. She’s moving away from the "no-makeup" Glinda look. In a bare-faced video she posted on January 13, she showed off her pre-Globe routine using an unreleased r.e.m. beauty palette.
The new vibe is more structured.
Angled highlighter.
Sharper contour.
Neutral, smoky tones.
It's a far cry from the shimmering pink lids and "floating" aesthetic she maintained throughout 2025. It’s like she’s sharpening her edges again.
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What Most People Are Missing
While the headlines focus on the gowns, the real shift is internal. During a Q&A this month, Ariana admitted she’s finally "at peace" with letting the character go. She mentioned that she wouldn't be able to go on her upcoming tour (kicking off in June 2026!) without the lessons she learned from Glinda.
But make no mistake: the "Eternal Sunshine" era is evolving.
How to Track the New Era
If you're trying to keep up with her style evolution or looking for inspo from the Ariana Grande recent photos, keep an eye on these specific markers:
- Archival Pulls: She's obsessed with vintage right now—like that 1952 Gilbert Adrian gown she wore in London. Expect more museum-quality pieces on her tour.
- The Brunette Palette: Expect a lot of black, cream, and deep earth tones. The "Pink Era" is effectively over for now.
- The Tour Prep: With her tour starting in Oakland this June, her street style is likely to get more functional and "pop star" again.
You should definitely follow the official r.e.m. beauty Instagram for the most frequent "unfiltered" shots. That's where she tends to drop the makeup-free clips that show the real Ariana behind the red-carpet couture. If you’re planning on catching her on the 2026 tour, start looking at those Golden Globe silhouettes—they’re a huge hint at the darker, more mature aesthetic she's bringing to the stage.