Courteney Cox Gets Candid About Her Controversial On-Screen Look

Actress Courteney Cox is getting candid about one of her most iconic and controversial on-screen looks.

During an appearance on the February 24 episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Cox was asked about her Scream character, reporter Gale Weathers’ short bangs, in the horror franchise’s third film, released in 2000. She explained that she wanted her character to have bangs for Scream 3. However, she didn’t intend for the bangs to be that short.

“The bangs were my choice. Not the way they came out,” said Cox to hostJimmy Fallon.

When Fallon assured her that she pulled off the look because she has a “beautiful face,” Cox replied, “No I can’t.” Fallon then asked if she “didn’t love the bangs.”

“I mean, would you? Look at that. It’s the worst hairdo,” responded the Friends star.

Fallon then pulled out a wig that replicated Gale’s Scream 3 haircut.

“I think I can pull this off,” quipped Fallon while wearing the wig.

Cox, however, disagreed.

“You’re so cute. It’s the worst you’ve ever looked,” said Cox to Fallon, causing him to laugh.

Courteney Cox Opened up About Playing Gale Weathers

Cox began playing Gale in the first Scream film, which premiered in 1996. She continued to play the character for several Scream sequels, including Scream 3,Scream 4 (2011), Scream (2022), and Scream VI (2024), per IMDb. Cox reprised Gale for the latest Scream film, Scream 7, out February 27.

During a 2022 interview on The Drew Barrymore Show, alongside her Scream co-stars Neve Campbelland David Arquette, her ex-husband, Cox said she wanted Gale to have a different look for every Scream film.

“At each Scream, I would try to come up with a different look for her that was just over the top gross or ugly or too much,” said Cox during the 2022 interview.

Campbell then reminded her of Gale’s Scream 3 bangs.

“That was the worst,” said Cox.

She then said Gale’s Scream 3 bangs “was a big lesson in life because that will forever be on film.”