The Sassy Redhead: Sarah Rafferty

With the season 3 of Suits premier this week it is only fitting to honour the vivacious character of Donna Paulsen played by Sarah Rafferty.

Sarah Rafferty

Sarah Rafferty is an American television and film actress, but is most popularly known from her character Donna on the USA Network drama Suits. Rafferty the youngest of 4 girls grew up in Greenwich Connecticut.  She has been married to her husband since 2001. The couple have 2 daughters together Oona and Iris.

Fun Fact: Rafferty studied theater abroad at the University of Oxford. She also studied at the Yale School of Drama, where she received a Master of Fine Arts, and met her future Husband. 

Rafferty, loves the character of Donna and describes her as being apologetically awesome. Although she loves the character she says the two could not be more different in real life. Rafferty sees herself as a mom first and an actress second. Whereas the character of Donna always puts her work before her personal life. Rafferty loves how quick witted and confident Donna is and feels she possesses those same qualities within herself.

Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht

Fun Fact: Sarah Rafferty and Gabriel Macht (Who plays Donna's boss Harvey Specter on Suits) Have been best friends for over 20 years. The pair met in 1993 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. In fact they are so close that when they are in Toronto filming Suits they are actually roommates. 

Sarah Rafferty may not be the most popular ginger to grace the screen, but she is certainly one that demonstrates the confidence and sass needed to hold the title of Redhead.





For your viewing pleasure a typical "Donna" scene from Suits:

The Pop Star Redhead: Geri Halliwell

If you are a fan of redheads in the slightest then you know there is a specific one that dominated the 90s, Ginger Spice.

Geri Halliwell, of the Spice Girls

Geri Halliwell, more commonly known as Ginger spice, is a redhead who rose to fame with one of the most popular girl groups of our generation, the Spice Girls. Now unless you lived under a rock throughout the 90s, you definitely know who the Spice Girls are. They are credited as being the biggest cultural icons of the 1990s due to their overwhelming success, extreme popularity and lasting impression within the world of popular culture.

The Iconic Union Jack Dress

Although she stood out from her fellow band mates because of her flaming hair, Geri Halliwell was also remembered for her infamous Union Jack dress, which she wore at he 1997 BRIT awards. This dress would become synonymous with the Spice Girls and the Girl Power movement. Interestingly enough the dress was actually a plain black Gucci mini, but Geri found it too boring and asked her sister to sew a patriotic tea towel on the front to celebrate her British Roots!

In 1998 the dress sold at a charity auction to the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas for a record £41,320 (Approximately $67,800 US). Because of this price tag Halliwell now holds the Guinness World Record for the most expensive piece of pop star clothing ever sold. This garment is the most famous dress in Brit Pop history and even tops the list of Vogue Magazine's Most Famous Dresses, beating out Princess Diana's wedding dress.

This gorgeous redhead is also the most musically successful of all the Spice Girl members. She has released three popular solo albums and participated in the Spice Girls Reunion Tour in 2007.
Although I may seem to be bias, Ginger Spice is without a doubt my favourite Spice Girl. Her sassy stage presence and talented voice, command the stage. Personally I believe her confidence comes from her unique red locks, and the fact her personal image always stood out from the group.
Now for your listening pleasure, a throwback to 1996.

Wannabe, Spice Girls

The Classic Redhead: Lucille Ball

"Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead." 

Truer words have never been spoken, and they come from the mouth of the infamous redhead Lucille Ball. 

Lucille Ball

Most of you may be familiar with this ginger from the classic television show "I Love Lucy" and if you are not familiar then shame on you! Not only is she an amazing talented woman, but that show is a timeless TV classic. 

Lucille Ball was notorious for her slapstick situation comedy gags and of course her blazing red hair. She is best known for her role as Lucy Ricardo on the “I Love Lucy” show which ran for 6 seasons. She also starred in 4 other TV series.

Although famous for her red locks, she is a natural brunette, but after dying her hair for a role in “DuBaryy was a Lady” she decided to keep her flaming red flow, which would become her screen trademark.

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, in Desilu Production chairs

Ball is recognized for being the first woman to run a major television studio, Desilu. Desilu was formed by Ball and her at the time husband Desi Arnaz and is most well known for “Star Trek”, “The Untouchables”, “Mission Impossible” and of course “I Love Lucy”.

Lucille Ball is considered to be one of the most influential and admired stars in Hollywood, having one of the longest television careers. It is my belief that her popularity was truly recognized due to her signature red hair, as she was one of the original Ginger’s of Hollywood.

For your viewing pleasure, a classic scene from "I Love Lucy":