L.A. Hair colorist Julian Bahch knew it might be a little challenging working on Emma Roberts’ long tresses for Nancy Drew, which opens this weekend. After all, the former Unfabulous actress, who plays a fictional detective, is a teenager. However, he says he had no idea doing Emma’s golden highlights would be … well … so hair splitting!
During the three month shoot, which took place at various locations including Hollywood High, and Culver City’s Sony Studios, Julian was instructed to give the lovely young actress subtle, golden highlights. Problem is, Roberts is a minor, so she can only work four hours a day. Much to Julian’s surprise, hair styling is included in that four hour stretch.
“It was kind of a trip. She’d get off the set and I’d be on standby. I’d have, at most, forty five minutes to do her highlights. All the while, people would be waiting to talk to her and she’d be rehearsing her lines for the next scene. It was in the chair and out of the chair so quickly. Meantime, the tutor was standing by, next in line for Emma’s attention.”
In addition, Emma, like most teens, was glued to her electronic devices. “She’d be intently texting all her girlfriends and I was trying to stay out of the way.”
Julian got the ultimate compliment when after the movie shoot wrapped. Emma came in on her own to get more highlights. “She wanted to go quite light, so we added a lot more highlights.”
So, any sightings of Emma’s famous aunt on location? “I never saw Julia Roberts on any of the sets. Emma’s mom was with her most of the time.”
No surprise there. Roberts has been pretty busy over the past few months. She’s set to give birth to her third child any day.
