James Lafferty Recalls Hair Transformation for 'One Tree Hill' Season 5
James Lafferty, known for his role as Nathan Scott on One Tree Hill, revealed the challenges behind his iconic hairstyle in season 5. The actor had to wear long hair extensions glued to his head and face, a process that took several hours each day.
The Creation of Nathan Scott's Season 5 Look
Lafferty explained that to achieve Nathan’s signature shaggy hair, his real hair was cut short for flashback scenes, and extensions were added to maintain the long look.
“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,”
“I had this big, long lion's mane, and then they took the hair that they had cut from my head and they cut it into little tiny pieces and they pasted it with glue onto my face every day for several episodes.”
Physical Discomfort and Fan Reaction
The actor, who typically wore a short haircut for the basketball player role, described the experience as uncomfortable, especially during the summer months.
“The entire process took hours,” Lafferty said, adding it was “so itchy.”
Despite some criticism and teasing from fans, the look fit the emotional turmoil of Nathan’s storyline during that season.
Reflection with Co-Star Chad Michael Murray
During a reunion with Chad Michael Murray, who played Lucas Scott, they reminisced about their wildest hair moments on the show for PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive issue.
Author's Summary
James Lafferty endured a lengthy, itchy hair extension process for Nathan Scott's season 5 look, which, despite mixed fan reactions, perfectly captured the character’s dramatic chapter.