James Bay doesn't get "jumped on" by fans since he chopped off his trademark tresses and ditched his signature hat.
James Bay
The 'Wild Love' singer changed his entire look to start a fresh, and says it's paying off because he has more anonymity on the streets as people don't notice him with his new shorter hairdo.
Asked if it was a risk to lose his famous hairstyle, James told the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar magazine: "I started growing my hair at 11 or 12, so once I was 14 or 15, it was how it looked last year. So, I was all about getting my hair cut.
"Now I can walk the streets and people aren't jumping on me, especially when I'm not touring the music, so it's not a huge problem. But when your identity becomes so public, you want to change. You want to change when it's the right time.
"Because it'd become something of a trademark for me, there's always something scary about taking the leap, and going, 'Okay, you had a thing that you were known for, along with the music. Now, you're gonna throw that away.' I would always have chosen to do this."
The 27-year-old singer/songwriter - who is gearing up to release his second studio album - hasn't placed a fedora on his head since he got rid of his long hair, and has no plans to wear one anytime soon.
He said: "Since I got a haircut, I've not actually put a hat on my head. I haven't covered this hair. Strange, but no desire. I wore it for long enough. I don't really know whether it'll come back, or anything. I just haven't got any interest in it right now."
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