Jake Thomas Unveils the Truth Behind His “Lizzie McGuire” Character’s Signature Spiky Hair (Exclusive)

Jake Thomas Provides Insight on the Origins of His ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Character’s Famous Spiky Hair

Renowned actor Jake Thomas delves into the backstory of his iconic spiky hairstyle featured on the beloved series ‘Lizzie McGuire’ in an exclusive interview. Thomas, best known for his role as Matt McGuire on the Disney Channel show, sheds light on the inspiration behind his character’s distinctive look.

The actor, who played alongside Hilary Duff in the hit series, shared exclusive details with PEOPLE Magazine about his signature hairstyle. Thomas revealed that he personally chose the spiky hairdo for his character, drawing inspiration from the late ’90s pop culture icons who also sported a similar style during that era.

Reflecting on his time on ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ Thomas reminisced about the pilot episode filmed in 1999, where he was given the option to style his hair in a unique way. He expressed, “I think I did hold responsibility in it becoming the iconic spiky-haired look. When we filmed the pilot way back when, this was 1999, I don’t think I had ever done a spiky-hair kind of look.”

Thomas acknowledged that the entertainment industry figures flaunting spiky hair towards the end of the ’90s, including stars like Travis Barker, Jake Gyllenhaal, and *NSYNC’s Joey Fatone, influenced his decision. He noted that the edgy hairstyle was a hallmark of that era, prompting him to opt for the distinct spiky look for his character.

As the show progressed, Thomas found himself immersed in daily hair styling sessions to maintain the gravity-defying spikes. He revealed that by the second season of ‘Lizzie McGuire,’ a substantial portion of the hair and makeup budget was dedicated to copious amounts of hair gel required to achieve his character’s signature spiky hair.

However, as the series came to an end, Thomas decided to bid farewell to the spiky hair persona and transitioned to a different hairstyle. Now in his mid-thirties, he shared, “As soon as the show ended, I rejected that identity and I was like, ‘No, no, no, we’re going back to the swoop…And then now in my later years, I’ve embraced the hair updo now.”

The actor emphasised that maintaining the spiky hair look was no easy feat, as it entailed a rigorous routine involving copious amounts of hair gel. He disclosed that washing out the styling products each night became a regular ritual to keep his hair in pristine condition.

Jake Thomas’ portrayal of Matt McGuire on ‘Lizzie McGuire’ spanned across four seasons, earning him a place in the hearts of viewers worldwide. The series, which garnered a dedicated fan base, concluded in 2004 after airing a total of 65 episodes on Disney Channel.

In conclusion, Jake Thomas’ revelation about the origins of his character’s spiky hair adds a nostalgic touch to the cherished memories fans hold of the classic ‘Lizzie McGuire’ series. His journey with the iconic hairstyle serves as a testament to the enduring impact of the show on audiences of all ages.