Florence Pugh says her body ‘went into a bit of trauma’ after shaving her head for movie role

British actress Florence Pugh recently opened up about the intense experience of shaving her head for her role in the upcoming film “We Live in Time.” The 28-year-old star described the process as “really bizarre,” noting that it sent her body “into a bit of trauma.”

In “We Live in Time,” Pugh stars alongside Andrew Garfield in a poignant love story that spans a decade. The plot takes a dramatic turn following a medical diagnosis that alters the course of their relationship.

In a candid interview with British Vogue, Pugh reflected on the profound effects of the haircut, both physically and emotionally. “In many religions, hair is the most precious thing on the body – it’s where you store your memories and your dreams and your history. Shaving it was really bizarre,” she explained. Pugh, known for her roles in “Oppenheimer,” “Dune: Part Two,” and “Little Women,” felt an unexpected sensitivity in her scalp after the shave. “My head was so sensitive, and so many people were trying to touch it. My body went into a bit of trauma from it. I was cold all the time,” she shared. In the film, her character, Almut, transitions from a figure skater to a chef, adding depth to her performance.

Garfield, who had the honor of shaving Pugh’s head, described it as a privilege, albeit one that made him nervous. “What if I somehow destroyed the head of one of the best actors of her generation? It was terrifying,” he admitted. Despite his fears, he found the scene to be an intimate and beautiful moment, relieved by Pugh’s “nicely shaped melon.”

Pugh also mentioned that this role came at a pivotal time in her life and career. “I was going through so many aesthetic iterations when I was also going through life decisions,” she said. “I was like, ‘Cool, well I don’t look like me. I’m changed. I’m changing.’ Looking back on that summer, I was growing into a new thing.”

The actress is now in a new relationship but chose to keep the identity of her partner private. By the time she attended red carpet events for “Oppenheimer” in July 2023, Pugh’s hair had begun to grow back. “We are figuring out what we actually are. For the first time, I’m not allowing myself to go on a roller-coaster. I’m allowing myself to take time to let something evolve and let it be completely real to its core, as opposed to racing into that,” she explained.

Previously, Pugh dated actor Zach Braff, a relationship that drew media attention due to their 21-year age gap. In a 2021 interview with the Sunday Times, she defended her relationship, stating, “It’s my life, and I’m not doing anything to please people or to make it a better headline or story.”

When asked about her past relationship with Braff, she emphasized the importance of privacy. “Mine and Zach’s relationship was actually quite private until it was nasty, and I could see the toll that it was taking on him and us and our families. That’s when I spoke out. I think for anyone I’m with, I want to protect them,” she said.

Pugh reflected on the harsh realities of public scrutiny, admitting, “It’s not nice knowing that people are saying the worst things I’ve ever read about someone that I love. So that was necessary. I needed to talk about it. I think any relationship in this limelight is going to be stressed.”

Her insights shed light on the personal challenges actors face in the public eye and the emotional resilience required to navigate both their craft and their private lives.