'Diplomat' Keri Russell Laments Hollywood Beauty Standards

Keri Russell is all about staying natural in a world of cosmetic enhancements.

The celebrated actress recently reflected on the growing plastic surgery trend in Hollywood, implying that she would never go under the knife to change her appearance. Instead, she embraced aging naturally.

Keri Russell's unique mindset helped create a deeper connection with her character on Netflix's hit drama series, “The Diplomat.”

During a recent interview, Russell confirmed that she would not join the growing plastic surgery trend in Hollywood. “It’s something my girlfriends and I talk about all the time. Plastic surgery is having such a moment right now — men, women, 20-year-olds,” she began.

Russell noted that people were being “inundated with these movie stars” who were in their fifties or sixties without the tell-tale signs of aging. Although she did not condemn the entertainers who chose cosmetic enhancements, the actress stressed that their choices weren't for her.

“I watch this show and I’m like, I do not look like that, you know. I like the way I look on the show, and it’s amazing that I feel like that’s strange, like that’s a unique thing to look like that, but it is,” Russell told PEOPLE, referencing her character on Netflix's “The Diplomat” series.

Russell portrays U.S. Ambassador Kate Wyler on the series, a powerful character whose appearance is often scrutinized by other characters. Based on the criticisms her character got because of her looks, the actress felt a sense of comradeship with Wyler.

“I’m totally empathetic. It’s such a weird thing being a woman. Everyone has an opinion about the way you look, the way you dress, the way your hair is,” Russell said. She noted that she enjoyed playing Wyler, especially how rude and cranky her character got whenever someone scrutinized her appearance.

The comments about Russell's appearance, especially her hair, generated such a buzz that it was addressed in the show. The fourth episode of season 3 saw Russell's character slamming her Secret Service agent double for attempting to portray her with very disheveled hair.

Russell opened up the “really fun little moment” for her character's hair in the show's Season 3 while speaking to Entertainment Tonight. She defended Wyler's style, noting that in her eyes, her character “looks amazing” and not a hot mess like critics claimed.

“I love the way she dresses, I think she’s kinda no-nonsense, she just wants to do her job. And I love her hair, it’s supposed to be just natural and not overly thought about, not overly done,” Russell explained.

She added that the show had a fun moment with her character's hair in the new season because of the widespread comments.

Since the series premiered, Russell's unkempt hair has been used to represent her character's struggles as a veteran U.S. diplomat who unexpectedly becomes the ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Season three of "The Diplomat" saw Russell's character reuniting with her husband, Hal (played by Rufus Sewell). The couple had quietly separated, with Russell's character having an affair with a spy named Callum (played by Aidan Turner).

The twists continued with Hal, the vice president, getting involved in cheating speculations. The president, Grace Penn, played by Allison Janney, is married to Bradley Whitford’s character, Todd Penn, who suspects she is having an affair with Hal.

Without giving too much away, season 3 ends on a cliffhanger involving the US, the UK, Russia, and a missing submarine carrying a nuclear weapon. The Hollywood Reporter covered the drama, reporting that some of the main characters teased more tense moments to come.

Russell's hairstyle first caused a stir when she was starring as the lead in the drama series “Felicity.” The Blast shared that she addressed the backlash her haircut caused in a 2023 interview, noting she never expected the scrutiny.

“I thought it was perfect. But it was wild. People were agitated by that haircut,” Russell said about the big chop. She explained that when showrunners asked her to cut her hair, she thought it was the perfect way to embody what her character was going through at the time.

Russell confessed that she did not think people would care because she never realized how popular her show was until award season. The show earned the entertainer a Golden Globe Award in 1999.

Will Keri Russell keep her promise to stay natural?