Why did Judge Judy change her hair?

Asked by: Yvonne Hintz  |  Last update: February 5, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (11 votes)

Judge Judy changed her signature short hairstyle to a longer, low ponytail for practicality, to save time on styling, and to give her hair a break from constant teasing and products, even revealing the ponytail was a $29.95 clip-on for ease. She found the old look took too long to prepare and wanted a simpler, more modern, and comfortable style, embracing the change despite fan reactions.

Why did Judge Judy split with her husband?

Judge Judy (Judy Sheindlin) and her husband Jerry Sheindlin divorced briefly in 1990 due to immense stress and grief from her father's death, which led to her feeling unsupported by Jerry, who struggled to provide the emotional care she needed. After she gave him an ultimatum, he dared her to file, and she did, but they remarried within a year, realizing they missed each other.
 

What is Judge Judy's illness?

On March 30, 2011, Sheindlin was admitted to the hospital after she fainted on the set of her show while handling a case. She was released the next day, and it was later learned that she had suffered a mini-stroke.

Has Judge Judy had any cosmetic surgery?

It was facelifts and breast implants and nose jobs. It was something for the rich and famous — or at least for the famously vain. And it definitely wasn't for her. “I knew I needed to find a good plastic surgeon,” Judy says, “but I was hesitant to see one because I thought they were only for aesthetic purposes.

How much do people get paid to be on Judge Judy?

For Judge Judy, litigants received an appearance fee (around $100-$500) plus expenses (travel/hotel), with the show paying judgments up to $5,000 from a separate fund, making it a win-win for participants as they got paid regardless of the verdict. As a speaker, Judge Judy's fee is estimated around $30,000 to $50,000 for corporate events, according to speaker bureaus.
 

Why did Judge Judy change her hairstyle?

36 related questions found

Do people on Judge Judy have to pay if they lose?

No, defendants don't typically pay out-of-pocket on Judge Judy; the show's production company pays the judgment to the winner from a fund set aside for the case, with both parties often receiving appearance fees and expenses, making it financially beneficial for both sides to participate, even the loser. The show covers the actual damages awarded, ensuring the defendant isn't out money and the plaintiff gets paid quickly. 

Why did Bailiff Byrd leave Judge Judy?

Petri Hawkins "Byrd" Byrd left Judge Judy because he wasn't asked to join her new show, Judy Justice, with Judge Sheindlin telling him his salary would have been too high for the new, lower-budget production on Amazon Freevee, leaving Byrd feeling confused and disappointed after 25 years together. Byrd stated he wasn't given a chance to negotiate a lower salary or even asked to come along, though he later found a new bailiff role on Sheindlin's Tribunal Justice show.
 

What is the red flag behind Judge Judy?

The red flag behind Judge Judy is a custom design, not an official state flag, featuring scales of justice and referencing the Roman SPQR (Senate and People of Rome) emblem, symbolizing justice and authority, though some viewers humorously suggest it makes her look like an empress. It replaced the New York State flag on her set, nodding to her NYC background but establishing a unique, powerful visual for her show. 

Is Judge Judy's show real or staged?

Yes, Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin) is a real, retired family court judge with a significant legal career, but on her TV show, she acts as an arbitrator, not a judge in an official court. The show is a reality program where parties agree to her binding decisions on real small-claims disputes, made in a simulated courtroom set, with the show covering awards and expenses.
 

How does Judge Judy stay so slim?

Working out every day, for a total of 10 hours a week, has become second nature to her. Rather than relying on a personal trainer, Judge Judy does her own thing, at her own pace and in her home gym space.

Why is Judge Judy wearing a ponytail?

In a new profile in The New York Times, Judge Judy, whose real name is Judy Sheindlin, reveals that the ponytail was all about giving her hair some rest from all the styling and primping it's endured for two decades. But the best part? The ponytail is actually a clip-on that she bought for a whopping $29.95.

What did Judy Murray have done to her face?

Judy Murray's transformation involved Morpheus8, a radiofrequency microneedling treatment. Morpheus8 delivers radiofrequency energy deep into the skin through microneedles, tightening and regenerating collagen. Judy had three rounds of Morpheus8, spaced out due to COVID-19.

Where is Judge Judy living now?

Judge Judy (Judith Sheindlin) owns multiple homes, but her primary residence for tax purposes is a mansion in Naples, Florida, though she also has a significant estate in Greenwich, Connecticut, a condo in Beverly Hills, California, and previously owned properties in Newport, RI, and NYC, shifting her base of operations for Judy Justice.
 

Has Judge Judy had a stroke?

Yes, Judge Judy (Judy Sheindlin) had a health scare in 2011, which she believes was a transient ischemic attack (TIA), often called a "mini-stroke," that occurred during a taping of her show, causing her to faint and slur her speech, but she recovered quickly and later urged people not to ignore stroke symptoms. 

Are Judge Judy and judge Jerry still married?

He is married to Judy Sheindlin, better known as Judge Judy (so named after her court TV series). The two married in 1978, a second marriage for both. They were divorced in 1990, but they remarried in 1991.

What is Judge Judy worth today?

After her original show "Judge Judy" ended in 2021, she began starring in "Judy Justice" on Amazon Freevee and Amazon Prime Video. As of June 2025, Sheindlin's net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $580 million.

Do Judge Judy participants get paid?

Yes, people get paid to be on Judge Judy, receiving an appearance fee (around $100-$500), travel/lodging, and the show pays the judgment, covering case-related costs, making it financially appealing, especially since the losing party doesn't pay out-of-pocket, and even if you lose, you still get money from the show. 

Is Judge Judy's courtroom real?

She helps resolve disputes between parties who don't want to go through a lengthy court case. The courtroom on the show is not a real courtroom, but a well-designed set. It adds to the authenticity of the show, but it's not an actual courthouse.

Was Judge Judy show staged?

The show featured Sheindlin as she adjudicated real-life small-claims disputes within a simulated courtroom set. Prior to the proceedings, all involved parties signed arbitration contracts agreeing to Sheindlin's ruling. The show aired in first-run syndication.

Can you refuse to go on Judge Judy?

One key aspect of court TV shows like Judge Judy is that both parties have to agree to appear on the show. If one party doesn't agree, the case will not be featured on the show.

What does 🚩 mean from a girl?

When a girl sends a 🚩 (red flag emoji), she's signaling a warning sign or potential problem in a relationship or situation, highlighting behaviors, attitudes, or patterns that suggest something unhealthy, toxic, controlling, or even abusive, like extreme jealousy, manipulation, or lack of respect, telling you to be cautious or stop. 

Why did Judge Judy end?

Judge Judy ended after 25 years because Judge Judy Sheindlin wanted to move to streaming and felt tensions with CBS over reruns and disrespect for her creation, Hot Bench, leading her to sell the show's library and launch her new streaming series, Judy Justice, on Amazon's IMDb TV. Sheindlin felt it was time to pivot from traditional broadcast syndication to the growing streaming market, taking her long-running format to a new platform where she could have more control.
 

Do Byrd and Judge Judy get along?

He has added ultimately that he holds no grudges, is grateful to Sheindlin and wished her all the best with Judy Justice.

How much does Officer Byrd get paid on Judge Judy?

While exact figures aren't public, Petri Hawkins-Byrd reportedly earned over $1 million annually for his role as bailiff on Judge Judy, according to a 2016 Variety report, though this varied, and he wasn't asked to join Judy's new show, Judy Justice, due to salary concerns.