5 Times Ice Spice Ditched Her Signature Afro For Pin-Straight Hair (And How Fans Reacted In 2025)
The Profile: Who is Ice Spice? (Isis Gaston Biography)
Ice Spice, whose real name is Isis Gaston, has rapidly become one of the most influential figures in modern music and fashion. Her rise from the New York music scene to global stardom is a testament to her unique sound and unapologetic persona. The following is a quick profile of the artist:
- Full Name: Isis Gaston
- Stage Name: Ice Spice
- Date of Birth: January 1, 2000
- Hometown: The Bronx, New York City
- Genre: Bronx Drill, Hip Hop, Pop Rap
- Breakout Hit: "MUNCH (Feelin' U)" (2022)
- Notable Collaborations: Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, PinkPantheress, Rema
- Signature Look: Bright ginger/orange curly afro or 'Betty Boop' bob.
- Natural Hair Color: Dark brown or black.
- Current Status: Multi-platinum selling artist, fashion icon, and social media sensation.
Her bold approach to style, particularly her hair, is a core component of her brand, making every hairstyle change a major news event. She has openly discussed that she initially wore wigs when releasing music, which allows her the freedom to switch between her iconic curls and the dramatic, straight styles.
The Shock Factor: Why Ice Spice’s Straight Hair is a Major Statement
For a celebrity whose entire brand identity is tied to a specific, highly recognizable hairstyle—the Ginger Afro—any deviation is instantly polarizing. When Ice Spice opts for a sleek, straight look, it's not just a hairstyle change; it’s a deliberate fashion evolution that challenges fan expectations and showcases her versatility as a style icon. This straight hair often appears as a dramatic, stick-straight look, sometimes reaching well past her waist, a stark physical contrast to her voluminous, curly bob.
The Reality of Her Natural Hair
It is important to note the distinction between her iconic wig and her natural hair. Despite being famous as a redhead, Ice Spice’s natural hair color is dark brown or jet-black, and naturally curly. She has occasionally showcased her natural color and curl pattern, further proving that her public appearances are a masterful display of protective styling and high-quality hairpieces. When she appears with straight hair, it is typically a meticulously installed wig or extension set, often in her signature copper or a return to a deep black shade.
The 5 Most Talked-About Straight Hair Moments (2023–2025)
The straight hair look has been a recurring theme in Ice Spice's high-profile appearances, each time generating a massive wave of social media reactions. These are the five most significant instances where she traded her curls for a sleek style, demonstrating her fashion evolution:
1. The 2025 Super Bowl 'Mermaid Waves'
One of the most recent and memorable straight hair looks occurred during her attendance at the 2025 Super Bowl, where she was seen with fellow pop culture powerhouse, Taylor Swift. For this major event, Ice Spice debuted Velveeta Orange mermaid waves—a look that was straight but heavily crimped or styled into deep, flowing waves that reached knee-length. This style kept her signature color but dramatically altered the texture and length, offering a sophisticated, almost ethereal take on her usual edgy style. The bold length alone became a viral topic, proving that a straight base allows for maximum dramatic effect.
2. The 2025 MTV VMAs 'Early Aughts' Look
At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), Ice Spice arrived wearing a vintage Ralph Lauren corset set, complemented by a hairstyle that was a direct nod to the 'early aughts' aesthetic. This look featured long, straight hair, likely a sleek bone-straight style or a very subtle wave, complete with face-framing layers or bangs that defined the Y2K era. This fashion choice demonstrated her ability to blend high-fashion vintage pieces with a contemporary, sleek hairstyle, moving away from the playful, cartoonish feel of her afro.
3. The 2023 BET Awards Sleek Orange Bob
Stepping out of her comfort zone for the 2023 BET Awards, Ice Spice showcased a sleek and straight orange bob, often styled with sharp, defined baby hairs. This style, while still retaining her iconic copper color, was a significant departure in texture. The straight bob offered a more mature and commanding appearance than her curly bob, highlighting her sharp facial features and establishing her presence on a major awards red carpet.
4. The Jet-Black 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Curls
Though not completely straight, this look is crucial to understanding her hair evolution. At the 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, Ice Spice swapped her signature ginger locks for jet-black curls. While curly, the color change to black—her natural shade—on a long hairpiece was a major visual shift. This appearance confirmed her willingness to experiment with her natural palette, and the length provided a foundation for the straight styles she would later adopt, demonstrating that her hair evolution is about both color and texture.
5. The Vanity Fair Oscars Party Response
Following her appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party, Ice Spice faced critiques from fans regarding both her dress and her hair. While details of the specific hairstyle vary, her decision to use social media to defend her look solidified the cultural weight of her style choices. This moment emphasized that any straight hair appearance, which moves away from the 'safe' afro, is a bold move that is intentionally designed to spark conversation and reinforce her status as a boundary-pushing artist.
Fan Reactions and Topical Authority: Straight Hair vs. The Ginger Afro
The debate between the Ginger Afro and the Straight Hair looks is a constant in the Ice Spice fandom. Her hair is a major component of her topical authority in the beauty and style niches, generating millions of views and comments across social media platforms.
When she wears the afro, the reaction is generally one of familiarity and celebration of her unique, playful aesthetic. However, when she debuts a straight look, the reactions are often mixed, but intensely focused. Some fans celebrate the sleek style as a sign of her growth and sophistication, praising her ability to look "unrecognizable" and "versatile." Others demand the return of the afro, viewing the straight hair as a loss of her unique charm and a move toward a more generic celebrity appearance.
Ultimately, Ice Spice’s choice to wear straight hair—whether it's long, sleek, or styled into mermaid waves—is a powerful tool in her style evolution. It’s a clear message that the artist, who rose to fame with the viral hit MUNCH, is not confined by a single look. By continuously experimenting with high-fashion styles and textures, she maintains her relevance, keeps the conversation focused on her image, and solidifies her position as a major pop culture icon who dictates her own narrative, one hair change at a time.
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