After nearly two decades of wearing her signature long hair, Kim Chiu is debuting a bold new look — and an equally bold role — in the upcoming ABS-CBN drama series The Alibi. The Kapamilya star recently revealed her hair transformation, sporting short, curly locks for the first time since her 2006 debut.

In a video shared by Dreamscape Entertainment, Chiu is seen just moments before the dramatic haircut, playfully second-guessing the change. “Are you ready for the total makeover? Parang I don’t like it anymore. I’ll go home na lang,” she joked, drawing laughter from fans.

Despite the lighthearted hesitation, Chiu followed through with the makeover and became emotional as it began.

“Goodbye long hair, see you again! Naiiyak na ako, nagtatanggal pa lang tayo ng hikaw niyan ah,” she said.

After the cut, she expressed her excitement over the fresh look. “After 19 years… Welcome to the young and beautiful you. Oh my gosh.” The makeover marks her first official short-haired appearance for a TV series, reflecting a shift in both her personal style and her on-screen image.

The Alibi will be Chiu’s fourth on-screen team-up with Paulo Avelino, following their successful pairing in Linlang, where she wore long curls in a dramatic role. While she has tried shorter hairstyles off-camera — including a chic bob with bangs in 2023 — this is the shortest she has gone for a major acting project.

Long, straight hair has long been central to Chiu’s on-screen persona, from her early teleseryes to films like Bakit Hindi Ka Crush ng Crush Mo (2013), where she brought quirky character Sandy Veloso to life with voluminous curls.

Fans took to social media to praise the transformation, calling her “fearless,” “fresh,” and applauding her commitment to the role. Many highlighted the change as a bold step and a sign of her evolving career.

Directed by FM Reyes and Jojo Saguin — the team behind Linlang — The Alibi is written by Danica Mae Domingo and is among Dreamscape Entertainment’s most anticipated dramas this year.

With a striking new look, a strong creative team, and a challenging role ahead, Kim Chiu continues to evolve as an actress — on screen and off.