These Famous Redheads Are Scorchin’
Natural-born redheads are a rarity in the world. According to World Population Review, black and brown-haired people are the most prevalent by a wide margin (particularly in Africa and Eastern…
Jessica Chastain attends the “Memory” premiere during the 71st San Sebastian International Film Festival at the Victoria Eugenia Theater on September 27, 2023 in San Sebastian, Spain. Sophie Turner attends the Louis Vuitton Womenswear Fall Winter 2023-2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 06, 2023 in Paris, France. Nicole Kidman attends The 22nd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California.
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton/Jason Merritt/Getty Images for TurnerNatural-born redheads are a rarity in the world. According to World Population Review, black and brown-haired people are the most prevalent by a wide margin (particularly in Africa and Eastern Asia). Blonde is less common but still widespread. Red-haired people make up roughly two percent of the world's population. Ireland and Scotland have the highest percentage of people with naturally red hair (13% in Scotland and 10% in Ireland).
Redheads have thicker hair than other hair colors, though they have less hair. On average, Redheads have 90,000 strands while blondes have 110,000, and brunettes have 140,000. Culturally, redheads are treated differently. In Polynesia, red hair is considered a sign that one's ancestors were of noble status. At different times in history, Europeans have considered red hair a sign of immorality, lycanthropy (werewolves) or vampirism. Redheads are occasionally referred to as "gingers," but this term is often considered disrespectful when used by non-redheads.
Genetically, red hair is the result of two recessive genes located on chromosome-16. When both of these recessive genes are present, they result in red hair, very light/fair skin, freckles, heightened sensitivity to temperature and UV/sunlight, and increased pain tolerance. Because of their commonly fair skin and sensitivity to UV light, redheads are more likely to develop skin cancer. The International Journal of Cancer reported in 2010 that natural redheads are approximately two and a half times as likely to develop the dangerous cancer as people with other hair hues.
Scientists have also suggested that one can be a natural redhead due to environmental factors. In fact, the United Kingdom's high redhead population is believed to be caused in part by the weather. Because of a redhead's heightened sensitivity to sunlight, their bodies are able to generate vitamin D more efficiently. This makes redheads slightly better-suited to the UK's frequently cloudy and rainy weather.
Keep scrolling to see the hottest famous redheads:
Lisa Ann Walter
Phillip Faraone/Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Lisa Ann Walter attends Elton John AIDS Foundation's 31st annual academy awards viewing party on March 12, 2023 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images)
Lily Cole
Antony Jones/Getty Images for CartierEGHAM, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Lily Cole attends the Cartier Queen's Cup Polo at Guards Polo Club on June 18, 2017 in Egham, England. 2: (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Cartier )
Madelaine Petsch
Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Madelaine Petsch attends The 2022 Met Gala Celebrating "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Karen Gillan
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for DisneyHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 27: Karen Gillan attends the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 World Premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on April 27, 2023. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Marcia Cross
Jerod Harris/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Marcia Cross arrives at The Farrah Fawcett Foundation's Tex-Mex Fiesta at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on September 06, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Debra Messing
Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca FestivalNEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 07: Debra Messing attends the Tribeca Festival opening night reception at Tribeca Grill on June 07, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Sophie Turner
Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: Sophie Turner attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Nicole Kidman
John Phillips/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 11: Nicole Kidman attends the screening to launch the new Paramount+ series "Special Ops: Lioness" at Tate Britain on July 11, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images)
Christina Hendricks
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS FoundationWEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: Christina Hendricks attends the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 30th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party on March 27, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Elton John AIDS Foundation)
Jessica Chastain
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesTORONTO, ONTARIO - SEPTEMBER 12: Jessica Chastain attends the "Memory" premiere during the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Julianne Moore
Cindy Ord/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Julianne Moore attends the Clooney Foundation For Justice's "The Albies" on September 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
