close
close

Beyoncé and ‘Real Housewives’ Star Adrienne Maloof Inspired Ani’s Tinsel Hair Look

Beyoncé and ‘Real Housewives’ Star Adrienne Maloof Inspired Ani’s Tinsel Hair Look

Former “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” cast members Adrienne Maloof and Beyoncé were unexpected inspirations for “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”Anora‘s hair and makeup team.

inside Sean Baker film, Anora (aka Ani, played by) Mikey Madison) is a young woman who makes a living by stripping and escorting in Brighton Beach, New York. After meeting and quickly marrying Ivan (Mark Eidelshtein), the son of a Russian billionaire, Ani finds herself living in a fantasy filled with sex, drugs and luxury. However, when news of their marriage reaches Russia, Ivan’s family does their best to end their relationship.

Hair department head Justine Sierakowski explains that Baker wanted Ani to look natural and shiny. “I’m a huge fan of ‘Real Housewives,’ and I remember Adrienne having strands of glitter in her hair. I remember seeing a photo of Beyoncé on the red carpet and looking at it.” Sierakowski sent the photo to makeup department head Annie Johnson, who wondered if it was too odd, but Johnson thought it was a great addition to the character. “We did a test shoot and “I did one side of her hair with different colors, but she didn’t like it at first,” she says. Sierakowski thought there were too many colors and told Madison to pick the colors she wanted, which were used throughout the film.

Sierakowski and Johnson kept Ani’s look simple; She settled on five subtle looks. False eyelashes were equally important to the character. At one point, Ani being in the bathroom becomes an enlightening moment for the character. “She removes her makeup, takes off her lashes, and it reveals her vulnerability,” Johnson says.

This scene, when her life begins to spiral out of control and her husband’s family tries to end their marriage, becomes a turning point for the character. To reflect the change, Johnson kept Ani’s makeup to a minimum, relying on Madison’s natural beauty.