File Misty Copeland’s Oscar hairstyles under “things we really care about.” The trailblazing ballerina attended the 98th Academy Awards to perform in a special live rendition of “I Lied to You,” the Best Original Song nominee from Sinners. In her first return to the stage after retiring from American Ballet Theatre, she danced alongside songwriters Miles Caton and Raphael Saadiq, as well as guest artists such as Shaboozey and Alice Smith, and numerous other dancers.
To mark the Oscars occasion, Copeland wore not one, not two, but three impressive, ballet-inspired hairstyles: An effortless bun, followed by an intricate feather-adorned chignon for her performance, and finally an XXL ponytail for the Vanity Fair afterparty.
For the red carpet, hairstylist Miles Jeffries created a slicked-back ballet bun placed right at the center of the back of Copeland’s head. “The mood was a sleek slick bun that appears to be effortlessly wrapped with no pins,” he wrote in an Instagram post. Jeffries relied heavily on two brands: Olaplex, for styling, and Bellami extensions, which made it easier to give the chignon a gift-wrap-like effect
When it came to prep, Jeffries started with Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist, to protect and add extra hold, followed by Olaplex No.5 Leave-In Moisturize & Bend Leave-In Conditions to fortify hair when heavily styling. After blow drying and before flat-ironing, he smoothed Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil throughout her hair, adding more as he installed the XXL Bellami tape-in hair extensions. Jeffries then masterfully wrapped Copeland’s hair into what was meant to appear like an infinite knot.
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 15: In this handout photo provided by The Academy, Misty Copeland poses backstage during the 98th Oscars at Dolby Theatre on March 15, 2026 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh / The Academy via Getty Images)Getty Images
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For her performance alongside Caton and Shaboozey, Copeland’s bun got higher and more intricate, with wrap-around braids and a red feather accessory to match her costume, which was from the Dance Theater of Harlem’s rendition of the ballet, Firebird. The inspiration for her Oscar hairstyle may have come from the tall headdress the lead ballerina typically wears during the ballet.
The grand finale was Copeland letting her hair down at the end of the night for the Vanity Fair Afterparty. Giving her XXL extensions the spotlight, Copeland wore a sleek high ponytail with a black backless sequin-embellished dress.
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