5. Dascha Polanco (Dayanara)
Polanco’s character on the show, Dayanara Diaz, is definitely gorgeous - her looks even catch a COs attention in the earlier seasons. However, she’s just a regular girl who doesn’t try to concoct any crazy prison make-up, and usually just has her hair up in a ponytail or hanging loose with no styling. So, while her natural beauty comes through, it’s not really taken to the next level - enter her red carpet look. In real life, Polanco is totally unafraid to take a style risk, as we can see at this event - rather than wearing no makeup and a saggy prison uniform, she’s rocking long, curled silver locks, a bold lip, and an outfit that incorporates both a bodycon dress and an over the top fringe-y jacket. We love getting to see Polanco’s sense of style, and seeing a whole new side of her on the red carpet.
4. Francesca Curran (Helen)
Okay, this might be one of the craziest transformations. On the show, Francesca Curran plays Helen, one of the women in the white supremacist group, who rocks a shaved head, star tattoos near her eyes, and absolutely no make-up. As a result, coupled with her attitude on the show, she definitely has a more masculine vibe. However, in real life, Curran is an entirely different woman - one who loves playing with make-up and rocking a girly look. I mean, just take a look at this - you would think this is Helen’s fashion blogger sister, not Helen herself in real life. It’s just such a crazy transformation - and it kind of makes us want to check out some of Curran’s other performances just to see what on earth she looks like when she’s not rocking Helen’s distinctive look.
3. Yael Stone (Lorna)
While Lorna looks absolutely stunning on the show, she also has a trademark look - you hardly ever see her without a bold red lip and her slightly retro curled, long bob hairstyle. That’s just Lorna. Off set, though, Yael Stone prefers to rock a bit of a more natural, fashion forward vibe - just take this look, for example. She’s switched up Lorna’s red lip for a nude lip and a natural smoky eye, and her hairstyle with small curls pinned to the side gives an entirely different feel. Off set, Yael Stone is even more of a babe than Lorna - and that’s before she starts talking and charms the world with her Aussie accent! It’s fun to see this different, more modern side of Yael Stone that you can’t imagine when you’re watching Lorna.
2. Julie Lake (Angie)
On the show, Angie is Leanne’s partner in crime - the two drug addicts are almost always together, and they play a huge role in season five with their antics. And, just like Leanne, Angie’s appearance has definitely suffered as a result of her addiction. She has the same dental issues that Leanne does - which, if you ever see any behind the scenes images from the set, you know is the result of a skilled make-up team. In real life, Julie Lake is a total stunner - just check out this picture of her at the SAG awards. In contrast to Angie’s limp locks and drug-addled appearance, Lake is channeling old Hollywood glam with a bold lip, diamonds galore, a killer retro hairstyle, and a red gown that looks absolutely stunning with her pale skin. I mean, who knew that she looked this amazing when she wasn’t playing the character of Angie?
1. Selenis Leyva (Gloria)
Gloria doesn’t have drug addict teeth or a white supremacist hairstyle on the show, like some of the other characters, to transform her appearance. She’s really just a little bit, well, plain. As opposed to some of the more over the top characters, Gloria is kind of the calming presence, the mother hen - with a healthy dose of authority when the situation calls for it! That’s why it’s such a huge transformation to see her all dolled up on the red carpet. Selenis Leyva still rocks a short hairstyle here, like Gloria does, but it definitely has an edgier vibe when it’s styled. Pair that with her bold dress and gorgeous metallic strappy samples, and we’re left marvelling at her insane transformation - that’s one hot mama! Who knew she was hiding curves like that under that baggy standard issue prison uniform?