Amy Adams owes career to red hair

CEBU, Philippines - Amy Adams is convinced that she owes her success in Hollywood to red hair dye.

The “American Hustle” star has naturally strawberry blonde-colored hair, and first went dark red at the age of 27 for her role in the 2004 TV show “Dr. Vegas,” which also starred Rob Lowe.

Adams shared that the decision to switch-up her hair color dramatically influenced her chances of getting cast in films as it changed perceptions about her persona.

“Based on roles that I was getting, called in for, people were responding to certain types of characters with me as a blonde and the minute I went red, it was quirky and fun instead of flirtatious and dumb,” said Adams at the New York Times-hosted TimesTalk event, according to People.com.

Not only did the decision to go red boost her career and nab her roles in films such as 2005’s “Junebug” and Disney’s “Enchanted,” but it also taught the 42-year-old an important lesson, making her see how dying her hair was a “powerful tool” she could utilize to change perceptions of herself.

“If you can change one very small thing and create an entirely different perception to the outside world based on one thing, and that was actually an important lesson for me to learn, I didn’t quite get that before then,” smiled the actress.

The five-time Academy Award-nominated star also joked that with her striking tresses, she also often gets mistaken for another famous redhead, Isla Fisher.

Adams said that people often stop her on the street thinking she’s the Australian actress, who she first met while auditioning for the same role of Brenda Strong in the 2003 film, “Catch Me If You Can.”

“Redheads, under 5' 5?, not tan, you look identical,” she quipped. (FREEMAN)