Florence Pugh Says Shaving Her Head for We Live in Time Caused 'Trauma' on Her Body: 'It Was Really Bizarre'

Florence Pugh reveals the “trauma” she experienced after shaving her head for a role.

In an interview with British Vogue published on Wednesday, September 18, the 28-year-old British actress opened up about her decision to cut her hair for her upcoming film, We live in time. In the romantic drama, which also stars Andrew Garfield, Pugh plays Almut, a chef diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer.

“[Shaving] it was really bizarre,” the actress told the outlet. “My head was so sensitive and so many people were trying to touch it, and it was so alive.”

Pugh also shared that her “body was a little traumatized by it,” adding, “I was cold the whole time.”

The Oppenheimer the actress explained why her decision to shave her head was so important.

“For any actor taking on a role like this, it’s absolutely essential that you see her head, and we see her shaving it – it’s always been easy,” she said. “You have the honor of doing something to yourself that is entirely in character.”

Florence Pugh dismisses ‘weird’ rumors about why she shaved her head We live in time Role

On the eve of the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival We live in time On Friday, Sept. 6, director John Crowley told PEOPLE exclusively that he was “astounded” Pugh shaved her head for the role.

The director, 55, said that before Pugh committed to cutting, he thought about how to give her a shaved head look with the hair and makeup department.

The PEOPLE Puzzler has arrived! How fast can you solve it? Play now!

Florence Pugh at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6, 2024.

Robin Marchant/Getty

“Before I went to meet [Pugh]Me, being conscientious, went to my wonderful hair and makeup lady and said, ‘Look, how are we going to do this? Because if you can’t shave it, what are you going to do?’ ” Crowley recalled. “So I had all kinds of less good ways in mind to do it, but before I could even say anything about any of that, she said, ‘I’m shaving my head by the way.’ ”

“I wasn’t making an argument for her not to do it. I was stunned because I knew she was going to go and do a Marvel movie, and we pushed ourselves right into the window because her Marvel movie just kind of backfired,” he continued, referring to Pugh’s roles of Jelena Belova in the MCU.

Crowley added, “So she’s fearless, Florence, and really dedicated.”

Florence Pugh at the Met Gala 2023. Jamie McCarthy/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Pugh debuted her shaved look at the 2023 Met Gala, where she also wore a tall headpiece.

In an interview withVanity Fair published on Thursday, September 5, the actress opened up about the scrutiny she faced over her appearance.

“I think there was some weird rumor going around on the Internet that I did it to reclaim my identity,” Pugh recalled of the reading, though she had never made such a statement “in her entire life.”

We live in time premiere in theaters on October 11.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education