Grammy winning singer-songwriter and actor Harry Styles sent shockwaves across the internet last night–and not because of any new music. A grainy image taken by a fan from a distance appears to potentially depict Styles donning a new buzzed haircut on a recent trip to Canada with rumored girlfriend actress Taylor Russell. Naturally, the image went viral.
Outside of his role in world famous boy band One Direction and his massively successful solo music career, Styles is also known for his iconic curly hair to a number of his Gen Z fans. Across TikTok, fans jokingly continue to mourn the alleged loss of Styles’ iconic locks.
Social Media Reactions To Hairgate
Some fans are pouring drinks to honor Styles’ iconic hair, (possibly) gone but never forgotten.
@addiekingg Im in denial and need to drown my sorrows #harrystyles #harrystylesvids
The image initially circulated on X, and features a fuzzy side profile of a man who is not immediately identifiable as Styles. While some insist the image is real, others feel it is too blurry to be able to tell if it is truly the singer.
An Instagram user additionally alleged that they sent the purposely blurred image into popular gossip account deuxmoii, who shared the anonymous admission that it was faked. The whole debacle is still leaving room for questioning from Styles’ global fanbase.
GUYS I THINK ITS FAKE DONT PANIC , hoping this is real and harry didn't get a buzz cut 🤣😭#harrystyles pic.twitter.com/sRUGQZStvE
— elle.sucks (@hslot_lily) November 7, 2023
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Others continue to find the humor in hairgate. Styles is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of his generation, and some continue to share memes of how they would react to their future children discovering images of a young Styles (hair and all) years from now.
“Mom what was it like when harry styles had hair?” pic.twitter.com/cbhQPNWbNr
— eden 🐇🏠 (@dipyouin) November 6, 2023
Some share images of Styles’ most memorable performances and photoshoots over the year, featuring his iconic curly hair.
harry styles’ curls
– an appreciation thread
in loving memory 💔 pic.twitter.com/RENLoE2DpG
— soph🦋 (@halo_comfort) November 7, 2023
The “Now That We Don’t Talk” Theory
Taylor Swift recently released the re-recorded “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” Throughout the creative process for the album nearly a decade ago, Styles and Swift were in a relationship. Listeners have long alleged that the pair has each inspired several of each others’ songs. Among them is the newly released vault track “Now That We Don’t Talk.” The track opens with Swift singing “you grew your hair long/you got new icons/and from the outside it looks like you’re trying lives on.” The physical description is leading many listeners to point to Styles as the track’s subject.
Now, fans of both singers, who appear to be on friendly terms as of late, joke that Swift got him so good with this line that it inspired Styles to shave his hair and go into hiding.
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harry styles after hearing “you grew your hair long” pic.twitter.com/8Oh6uvQUGB
— elena cavender (@ecaviar_) November 6, 2023
harry styles but no hair to style pic.twitter.com/ZKQsQaXJqY
— lara (@ghostinkissys) November 6, 2023
Styles’ track “Two Ghosts” from his debut eponymous solo album references “same lips red, same eyes blue,” which has long been thought to be a Swift reference. On the other hand, the aptly named “Style” on Swift’s “1989” is rumored to be about the singer’s relationship with Styles, not only because of its name, but because of the descriptions. The lyrics describe a man with “long hair, slicked back, white t shirt/and I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt.” Styles’ long hair and Swift’s miniskirts were style staples for each of them during their early 2010s relationship.
The pair more recently reunited at the Grammys for the past two years, with Swift congratulating Styles on winning Album of The Year in 2023. Fans of both artists applauded their friendly interaction.
It remains unclear if Styles has actually buzzed his hair, but regardless of the haircut, the fans strong reactions prove that the singer truly never goes out of style.
