Emma Stone shaved her head for Bugonia, the new science fiction film from director Yorgos Lanthimos, in a striking commitment to her role as Michelle Fuller. The dramatic transformation was both a creative decision for authenticity and a personal journey, influenced by her relationships with her mother and daughter during the film’s intense production.
Why Emma Stone Went Bald for Bugonia
Bugonia is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and presents a story where suspicion and extraterrestrial conspiracy drive the plot forward. Emma Stone plays Michelle Fuller, a powerful biomedical CEO who becomes the target of Teddy, a conspiracy enthusiast obsessed with the belief that aliens known as the Andromedans live among humans. Teddy, aided by his cousin Don, kidnaps Michelle, suspecting she’s one of these aliens and keeping her captive in his basement.
As paranoia guides their actions, Teddy is convinced that Michelle’s hair enables her to contact her alien mothership. To block her supposed otherworldly powers, Teddy orders Don to shave Michelle’s head, and applies antihistamine cream, attempting to thwart her imagined abilities. This act, centered on their mistaken beliefs, becomes a pivotal narrative moment for both captors and captive, and it leaves Emma Stone’s character bald for the majority of the film. The detail adds gravity to the plot, symbolizing the depth of the cousins’ conviction and their willingness to act on their suspicions.
The Decision to Shave Her Head: Stone’s Process and On-Set Pact
Emma Stone reportedly understood early in Bugonia’s development that the role would require going bald. Upon reading the story’s script, the importance of this physical transformation became evident for bringing Michelle Fuller’s plight to life. Stone embraced the challenge, but she made one heartfelt request: director Yorgos Lanthimos should shave his head too. Agreeing to this display of solidarity, Lanthimos let Stone shave his own head with a buzzer, emphasizing their mutual commitment to the film’s vision.
Despite her readiness, Stone experienced understandable anxiety as the moment of filming approached, when her head would actually be shaved on camera. Lanthimos supported her through the nerves, helping her feel prepared for the scene and its implications. This cooperation not only deepened the on-screen authenticity but also built a sense of camaraderie and trust between actor and director.
Personal Influence: Motherhood and Family Impacted Stone’s Transformation
Emma Stone’s choice to undergo such a significant change was guided, in part, by her family’s experiences. Stone has spoken publicly about her mother, Krista Stone, who survived triple-negative breast cancer after her 2008 diagnosis and lost her hair during chemotherapy. Reflecting on her own head shave, Stone recalled her mother’s reaction:
“She (Krista Stone) did something legitimately hard, and she lost her hair. And the first thing she said was, I am so jealous, I want to shave my head again.”
– Krista Stone
Stone continued to share:
“And I was like, I’m shaving my head because I get to do what I love, and my mom was there with me, and I was like, what a gift! It’s hair. So it was actually one of the greatest experiences of my life, very freeing, and it’s just hair. I thought it would be longer by now, but it’s just hair!”
– Emma Stone
These experiences mattered deeply. The act of shaving her head became less daunting for Stone after seeing her mother’s strength through adversity. The support and perspective drawn from her family empowered her to approach the change with positivity.
How Stone’s Family and On-Set Routine Supported the Change
While she felt emotionally prepared, Stone’s transformation wasn’t a one-time event. To keep Michelle Fuller’s bald look authentic for the length of filming, hair and makeup designer Torsten Witte and his team shaved Stone’s head every three days during production. This practical need required Stone to accept months of sporting a shaved head, well beyond a single scene, and brought the commitment to another level.
Stone also prepared her young daughter, Louise Jean, for her new appearance, carefully explaining the reason and assuring her it was only temporary. Recalling the conversation in an interview with USA Today, Stone said:
“I just said, I’m going to shave my head. I’m going to take my hair off, and it’s going to grow back. Isn’t that so silly and fun? We can do whatever we want with our hair! It can change all the time. She’s (Stone’s daughter) like, OK, and then was totally cool.”
– Emma Stone
The interaction with her daughter added another layer of meaning, as Stone modeled self-confidence and agency over appearance, viewing the change as an adventure rather than a loss. The support from her family and the crew made the process memorable, reinforcing her dedication to the craft and authenticity in Bugonia.
The Ripple Effect: Authenticity and Empowerment Beyond the Screen
Emma Stone’s bold step to shave her head for Bugonia deepened her portrayal of Michelle Fuller and delivered an added sense of realism for the audience. The transformation’s roots in personal experience, from standing with her mother Krista Stone to conversations with her daughter Louise Jean, showcase a profound connection between life and art. The collaborative spirit on set, highlighted by Yorgos Lanthimos joining in the act, illustrates how solidarity and support can lead to lasting, empowering experiences both on and off camera.
Now seen with a bob cut, Stone reflects on the entire journey as liberating and surprisingly uplifting. Her commitment to roles like Michelle Fuller continues to set industry standards, while the significance of her hair transformation in Bugonia fosters discussions about identity, resilience, and the courage to embrace dramatic change for both art and personal growth.
