Roma Downey, best known to millions of viewers for her beloved role on Touched by an Angel, surprised fans on Instagram this week by unveiling a striking new look.
The Irish actress became a household name in the 1990s hit series, playing the compassionate angel Monica, a character remembered as much for her gentle presence as for Downey’s signature long red hair. The show also starred Valerie Bertinelli, John Dye and gospel icon Della Reese.
For years, Downey kept that recognizable style, often wearing her fiery hair loose over her shoulders at red carpet events, whether appearing as an actress, producer or alongside her husband, The Apprentice creator Mark Burnett.
Now 66, the television star has traded her familiar flowing locks for a much shorter ash-blonde bob, sharing a series of photos that showed off the dramatic summer transformation.
Anticipating double takes from followers, Downey cheerfully wrote, “yep that’s me !” before explaining that she had “made a brave bold move yesterday” and gone for a summer haircut, adding, “oh la la and I love it !! !”
She went on to tell fans that the cut is the shortest she has ever worn, describing the fresh bob as “super cute” for the season and saying she thinks it looks “very chic” and “very French,” before asking followers what they thought.
Roma Downey, known for Touched by an Angel, revealed a dramatic new hairstyle on Instagram this week; she is pictured on the series
The Irish actress rose to fame in the 1990s drama as the angel Monica, a role closely associated with her long red hair
Downey, who was part of a cast including Valerie Bertinelli, John Dye and the legendary gospel singer Della Reese, is pictured as Monica
Downey argued: ‘I believe it’s good to switch things up now and then don’t you think ? Keeps things interesting and keeps us young in spirit.’
She noted in her caption that her new look was the handiwork of hairstylist Riawna Capri, whose celebrity clientele has included Selena Gomez and Julianne Hough.
Downey received such a flood of compliments on her hair revamp that she posted again a few hours later to express her gratitude.
‘I appreciate all the support for my new haircut ! So many of you have left nice messages . I know it’s very different from my Touched By an Angel look,’ she wrote.
‘As many of you may remember I had long red hair for most of the series while playing Monica . And yes a blonde bob is totally different . But life keeps moving , time passing and change is inevitable,’ said the Derry-born screen siren.
‘It’s a hot summer and this cut feels cool and light and fresh and fun . I’ve been reading that healthy intentional hair is replacing high maintenance styles ! I don’t know yet how high maintenance this will be til I wash and style it myself !’ she noted.
‘But I like it ! It makes me feel sassy !! And Mr B likes it,’ added Downey, referring to her husband, who along with creating Donald Trump’s reality show also produced hits like Survivor, The Voice, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? and Shark Tank.
Both Downey and Burnett are on their respective third marriages – his previous wives were True Religion co-founder Kym Gold and talent agent Dianna Minerva, while her prior husbands were ER actor Leland Orser and Hoosiers director David Anspaugh.
This week, however, at the age of 66, Downey posted a suite of photos showing she had lopped off her mane and replaced it with a tiny ash-blonde bob
Assuring her fans: ‘yep that’s me !’ she announced that she ‘made a brave bold move yesterday and got a summer hair cut oh la la and I love it !! !’
She noted in her caption that her new look was the handiwork of hairstylist Riawna Capri (right), whose celebrity clientele has included Selena Gomez and Julianne Hough.
She retained the look down the decades on a string of red carpets she attended with her husband, The Apprentice creator Mark Burnett, whom she is pictured with in 2021
Downey recently shared a warmhearted reflection on aging alongside Burnett, whom she exchanged vows with in 2007 when they were both 46.
‘Mark and I have a plaque with the Robert Browning quote “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be” on it,’ she told AARP magazine in 2023.
‘When we bought it, the word “old” wasn’t in our vocabulary about each other. And now we look at each other in the morning and laugh, because until we’re up and going, we are like a couple of old crankies,’ she quipped.
‘But isn’t it lovely? I’m so grateful I have such a great partner and husband and someone to grow old with,’ said Downey, who was awarded an OBE in 2021.
