It was April 1999. The Empire Leicester Square in London was packed. Fans were screaming, flashbulbs were popping, and Julia Roberts, the biggest movie star on the planet, was walking the red carpet for the world premiere of Notting Hill. She looked radiant in a red, sequined Vivienne Tam sheath dress. But when she raised her arm to wave to the crowd, the world didn't see a polished Hollywood doll. They saw hair.
Julia Roberts hairy armpits became the shot heard 'round the world before social media even existed.
Honestly, the reaction was wild. Tabloids went into a frenzy. Was it a political protest? A feminist manifesto? A sign that she’d joined a cult? For twenty years, that single image of her unshaven underarms stood as the ultimate symbol of celebrity rebellion against "perfect" beauty standards.
But here’s the thing: everyone was wrong.
The Boring Truth Behind the 1999 Red Carpet
We love a good "statement" story. We want our icons to be meticulously planning every ounce of their public existence to send us a message. In the late 90s, the media assumed Julia was making a point about the male gaze or European beauty standards.
She wasn't.
Fast forward to 2018. Julia sits down with Busy Philipps on the talk show Busy Tonight. Busy, being the relatable fan she is, finally asks the question: "Was it a statement?"
Julia’s answer was basically a shrug.
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"I think I just hadn’t really calculated my sleeve length and the waving, and how those two things would go together and reveal personal things about me," she admitted.
She just forgot. Or rather, she didn't think it mattered. It’s kinda refreshing, right? She wasn't trying to be the face of a movement; she was just a person who hadn't shaved that week and didn't realize her cap sleeves were going to betray her the second she lifted her arm.
Why a "Mistake" Still Changed Everything
Even if it wasn't intentional, the impact was real. You’ve gotta remember the context of 1999. This was the era of the "heroin chic" look, the dawn of the Victoria’s Secret Angel peak, and a time when body hair on a woman—especially a "America’s Sweetheart" type—was treated like a biohazard.
By just existing with hair on her body, Julia humanized herself. She showed that even the woman being paid $20 million a movie (a record-shattering fee at the time) has hair follicles.
It broke the illusion.
It’s funny because we see this all the time now. Miley Cyrus, Janelle Monáe, and Lourdes Leon (Madonna’s daughter) have all rocked the look on purpose. But Julia was the pioneer of the accidental revolution. She proved that you can be the most beautiful woman in the world and still have "gross" human traits.
The Evolution of the "Hairy" Trend
Back then, people were legitimately disgusted. If you look at the old forum posts or archival magazines, the language used was pretty harsh. Today? It’s a TikTok aesthetic.
We’ve moved into a "body neutrality" space where shaving is a choice rather than a mandatory tax for existing in public. It’s weird to think that a simple wave in London helped kickstart that, but it did.
- 1999: Julia Roberts waves, tabloids freak out.
- 2014: Madonna posts a "Long hair... Don't care" selfie.
- 2020s: Gen Z treats body hair as a non-event or a style choice.
What This Tells Us About Celebrity Culture
We project a lot onto famous people. We saw a feminist hero; she saw a wardrobe malfunction involving a sleeve.
It reminds me of that time Jennifer Lawrence fell at the Oscars. We want it to be a "relatable queen" moment, and it is, but it’s also just a woman tripping on a heavy dress. Julia’s armpits were the 90s version of a "Stars: They're Just Like Us" column, except it actually challenged a deep-seated social taboo.
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She once said that the image is "vivid" in her mind because of how much people talked about it. Can you imagine? Being defined for two decades by a Monday morning when you didn't feel like picking up a razor?
How to Approach Body Hair in 2026
If you’re looking at those old photos and feeling inspired—or even just feeling lazy—here’s the reality of the "Julia Look" today.
1. It's actually better for your skin.
Shaving causes micro-tears and ingrown hairs. If you have sensitive skin, skipping the razor for a few weeks (or forever) can actually clear up irritation and darkening in the underarm area.
2. Hydration is key.
If you're growing it out, treat it like the hair on your head. A little bit of body oil or even a dab of conditioner in the shower keeps the hair soft and prevents that "itchy" stage that happens about three days in.
3. Confidence is the only accessory that matters.
The reason Julia Roberts looked so good in those photos wasn't just the sequins. It was the fact that she was beaming. She was happy. She was at the height of her career, and a little bit of fuzz didn't change the fact that she was the star of the show.
Next Step for You:
Take a look at your own beauty routine this week. Are you doing things because you actually like the result, or because you're afraid of what someone might think if you "raised your arm to wave" at a premiere? Try skipping one "mandatory" grooming step for three days and see if the world actually ends. Spoiler: It won't. You might just find yourself a little bit closer to that 1999 Julia Roberts energy.