James Lafferty Shares Behind-the-Scenes of Iconic Hair Extensions on One Tree Hill
James Lafferty, known for his role as Nathan Scott on One Tree Hill, revealed the painstaking process behind his wild hair extensions in season 5. The actor described how gluing the crazy extensions to his head and face took hours and was extremely uncomfortable.
The Creation of Nathan Scott’s Season 5 Look
During a reunion with Chad Michael Murray, who played Nathan’s half-brother Lucas Scott, for PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive issue, the actors reminisced about their most memorable hair moments. Lafferty explained:
“I had to cut my hair because they needed my character to have long hair, but they were going to do flashbacks. So, they ended up having to paste extensions in my hair.”
He added how the crew took the cut hair, cut it into tiny pieces, and glued these pieces onto his face daily for several episodes, creating what he called a “big, long lion’s mane.”
Challenges of the Hair Transformation
Lafferty usually wore a short hairstyle as the basketball star and father of one, but this look was a dramatic shift. He lamented:
“The entire process took hours and since it was during the summer, it was so itchy.”
Despite the discomfort and the fan criticism and teasing, the shaggy mane fit the tragic story arc of his character during that season.
Fan Reactions and Legacy
The unique hairstyle, often mocked, remains one of the most unforgettable transformations in the series, symbolic of the hardships Nathan Scott faced in season 5.
Author's summary: James Lafferty recalls the lengthy, uncomfortable process of applying Nathan Scott's iconic hair extensions in One Tree Hill season 5, highlighting the effort behind this memorable look.