From Red Carpet to Waves: AnnaSophia Robb’s Soul Surfer Style & Bethany Hamilton’s Real-Life Bravery

Known for her polished red carpet presence and youthful, trend-forward fashion choices—most recently turning heads in a draped silk midi dress by Victoria Beckham and Roger Vivier Marlene sandals at the 2025 Fashion Trust U.S. Awards—AnnaSophia Robb continues to impress as a modern style icon.

Yet it’s hard to believe that 14 years have passed since she took on a very different role in the 2011 biographical drama Soul Surfer, where she portrayed real-life surfer and shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton with both physical grit and emotional authenticity.

Premiere Style Contrast: AnnaSophia Robb vs. Bethany Hamilton

Despite their close bond on and off screen, the striking physical contrast between AnnaSophia Robb and Bethany Hamilton was unmistakable at the premiere. The two made a visually dramatic duo, standing nearly a foot apart in height—Bethany at 5’11” and AnnaSophia at just 5’0″.

AnnaSophia Robb dazzled in a black-and-berry lace D&G dress paired with black Vince Camuto peep-toe heels, while Bethany Hamilton shone in a gold sequin La Femme mini dress and metallic wedge sandals at the Soul Surfer premiere in Hollywood (Credit: TinaKaawaloa / INFevents)

Bethany’s statuesque frame and surfer-toned silhouette complemented her bold gold dress. At the same time, AnnaSophia’s petite figure and delicate styling echoed her youthful elegance, underscoring the transformative work done to portray Bethany’s story authentically on screen.

While Robb trained extensively and performed many of her surfing scenes, Bethany performed the most challenging sequences, especially those portraying Hamilton’s resilience after a shark attack, to ensure authenticity and honor her extraordinary athleticism.

AnnaSophia Robb stars as Bethany Hamilton in “Soul Surfer,” but Hamilton herself performed the complex surfing scenes after the shark attack (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Real-Life Inspiration: Bethany Hamilton’s Journey

The biographical drama film directed by Sean McNamara is based on Bethany Hamilton’s 2004 autobiography Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board. The book describes her life as a surfer after she lost her left arm in a shark attack at age 13.

The book tells the story of her life, from her early days as a surfer to her recovery from the attack and her return to the sport, and is available on Amazon.

In a powerful display of resilience, Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm to a shark attack, inspired surfers as she fearlessly tackled large waves at the 2019 Nissan Super Girl Pro, an all-women surfing event held in Oceanside, California, on July 27, 2019 (Credit: Chris Rubino / Shutterstock)

On-Set Secrets and Surfing Double Details

When filming for Soul Surfer started in Hawaii in early 2010, AnnaSophia Robb was 16 years old. She celebrated her 17th birthday on December 8, 2010.

The movie portrays the inspiring story of Bethany Hamilton and features the real Bethany herself, who played a significant role in the production.

She contributed to the film as a surf double, performing most scenes for her character. Remarkably, the attack scene was filmed on the beach where the incident occurred.

Despite losing her left limb in a shark attack in 2003, Bethany Hamilton has achieved remarkable milestones, including becoming a mother of three, conquering massive waves, winning competitions, producing two films chronicling her inspiring journey, and establishing her non-profit organization, the Beautifully Flawed Foundation (Credit: Brian A. Witkin / Shutterstock)

Height Difference and Fashion Dynamics

Bethany Hamilton’s involvement extended beyond her on-screen contributions. She actively participated in the film’s editing process and shared her insights.

There is a significant difference in height between Bethany Hamilton and AnnaSophia Robb. Bethany Hamilton stands at a height of 5 ft 11 in (180 cm), while AnnaSophia Robb is comparatively shorter, measuring 5 ft 0 in (152.4 cm) in height.

Surfer Bethany Hamilton, who stands tall at 5 ft 11 in (180 cm), and the notably shorter AnnaSophia Robb, measuring 5 ft 0 in (152.4 cm), attended the “Soul Surfer” Los Angeles Premiere at ArcLight Cinemas on March 30, 2011, in Hollywood, California (Credit: TinaKaawaloa / INFevents)

Recognizing that the shark attack scene might be too intense, she suggested toning it down to ensure a more accurate representation of the event.

Bethany emphasized that a sense of calm prevailed during the actual incident—an incredible testament to her strength and resilience.

“I love how in the movie that moment is portrayed very spot on with the way it happened. That was one thing I was nervous about because I didn’t want them to make the shark attack into this vicious experience and overly dramatize it. People are really scared of sharks because they’re intimidating, but at the same time I just hope this film doesn’t cause shark phobia that so many people have and that they will just enjoy the ocean. Shark attacks are uncommon and it’s actually more dangerous to drive to the beach than to get in the ocean,” Hamilton told Santa Monica Mirror.

Bethany Hamilton went barefoot in a red floral-embroidered gown, while husband Adam Dirks wore brown dress shoes with a navy suit, and their sons matched in floral shirts and brown high-top sneakers at the Unstoppable premiere (Credit: Media Punch / INSTARimages)

“Bethany taught me a ton of things and we had some fantastic water guys,” Robb added.

“Her surf coach Russell Lewis and my surf coach Noah Johnson really helped me figure out where the channel is and how to look for waves and what to do. They gave me a general knowledge of the sea and being comfortable in it.”

Surfing Authenticity and Filming Techniques

For scenes depicting the aftermath of the attack, AnnaSophia Robb, who portrayed Bethany in the movie, wore a green sleeve on her left arm during filming. The sleeve was digitally removed in post-production to reflect Bethany’s physical journey accurately.

The formidable 14-foot (4.3-meter) tiger shark that attacked Bethany Hamilton underscored the magnitude of the challenge she faced and overcame.

AnnaSophia Robb skillfully portrayed the surfing scenes of Bethany Hamilton with great authenticity and grace in the 2011 American biographical drama film Soul Surfer (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

For the scenes after the shark attack, Hamilton herself swam. Before filming began, Robb trained for several months to learn how to surf. She also worked with a stunt double for some difficult surfing scenes.

From Actress to Surfer: AnnaSophia Robb Transforms

The film’s director, Sean McNamara, wanted to ensure the surfing scenes were as realistic as possible. He was impressed with Robb’s commitment to learning to surf and suggested that she could do many of the scenes herself.

“I didn’t really understand it before, at all. Surfing is something I just crave. I wish I was out there right now, even if I’m just sitting on a board. It’s one thing where you just forget about everything else that’s going on, on land. You’re unreachable. You’re untouched. You’re out in this place made by God,” Robb told Collider about surfing in an interview.

AnnaSophia Robb expressed her enthusiasm for surfing despite having only taken one brief lesson previously and embraced the new experience wholeheartedly (Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

“You have to be really in the moment because you have to be aware of the waves that are behind you and in front of you. You have to be aware of where your position is. Your main goal is to catch a wave. You have to look for the perfect wave and, once you catch that, it’s just this exhilarating feeling of freedom. Something bigger than yourself is surging and you’re just pushing through. It’s just a beautiful thing.”

While Soul Surfer showcased AnnaSophia Robb’s dedication to capturing Bethany Hamilton’s inspiring story, off the screen, Robb has a style that’s all her own. At the John Frieda Hair Care Beach Blonde Collection Party, she turned heads with a chic little black dress that highlighted her effortless elegance.

Little Black Dress Party Moment

AnnaSophia Robb flaunts her legs in a strapless black “I Am A Walrus” playsuit by Alice McCall, paired with aqua blue pointy-toe pumps that added a bold pop of color to her sleek ensemble (Credit: WENN)

In February 2015, AnnaSophia Robb sizzled in a little black dress while attending the John Frieda Hair Care Beach Blonde Collection Party at the Garage in New York City.

The then-21-year-old American actress and model sported a black strapless “I Am A Walrus” playsuit from Alice McCall and accessorized with a bracelet from Eddie Borgo.

She carried a purple leather “Tatiana” shoulder bag from Paula Cademartori and completed the ensemble with a pair of aqua suede “Portia” pumps from Dee Keller.

AnnaSophia Robb accessorized with a bracelet from Eddie Borgo at the John Frieda Hair Care Beach Blonde Collection Party at the Garage in New York City on February 5, 2015

How do you like AnnaSophia’s black playsuit and aqua blue pointy-toe pumps? The shoes are available in three different color variations:

Dee Keller ‘Portia’ Pointy-Toe Pumps, $298

AnnaSophia Robb’s dynamic career and evolving style have been a focal point in numerous features on Your Next Shoes. From her portrayal of Bethany Hamilton in Soul Surfer to her chic appearances at various events, we’ve chronicled her journey both on and off the screen.

Style Spotlight: AnnaSophia Robb’s Top Fashion Moments

AnnaSophia Robb has consistently impressed with her fashion choices, both on-screen and off. Here are some standout moments that highlight her evolving style:

Channeling Clueless: AnnaSophia Robb at the Chanel Tribeca Luncheon

• Event: Chanel and Tribeca’s Women’s Luncheon during the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival
• Outfit: Robb donned a yellow tartan Chanel mini-skirt paired with a black rib-knit top, evoking a modern-day Cher Horowitz vibe.
• Footwear: She completed the look with black socks and black-and-white checkered Chanel slingback pumps.
• Read more: AnnaSophia Robb’s Clueless-Inspired Look at Chanel Tribeca Luncheon

Elevating Style: AnnaSophia Robb’s Height-Boosting Heels

• Insight: Standing at 5ft 0in, Robb often opts for designer heels to add height and style to her ensembles.
• Brands: She has been spotted in heels from Chanel, Saint Laurent, and Stuart Weitzman, among others.
• Read more: How AnnaSophia Robb Boosts Her Height With Stylish High Heels

Bold Prints: AnnaSophia Robb’s ‘Carrie Diaries’ Street Style

• Scene: Filming ‘The Carrie Diaries’ in New York City
• Outfit: Robb embraced vibrant 80s fashion with a multicolored striped dress, accessorized with yellow earrings and a blue purse.
• Footwear: She paired the look with colorful pumps, capturing the essence of young Carrie Bradshaw.
• Read more: AnnaSophia Robb’s Bold 80s Looks in ‘The Carrie Diaries’ Season 2

Effortless Elegance: AnnaSophia Robb at ‘The Way, Way Back’ Event

• Event: Meet-and-Greet at the Apple Store in SoHo, New York
• Outfit: Robb chose a striped top and black leather skirt, complemented by a statement necklace.
• Footwear: She stood out in snakeskin-textured wedges, adding a bold touch to her ensemble.
• Read more: AnnaSophia Robb Stuns in Statement Wedges at ‘The Way, Way Back’ Meet-and-Greet

Floral Flair: AnnaSophia Robb at ‘Irrational Man’ Screening

• Event: Screening of ‘Irrational Man’ at the Museum of Modern Art, New York City
• Outfit: Robb wore a floral-printed Giamba Resort 2016 dress, exuding a sweet and playful vibe.
• Footwear: She paired the dress with black satin Stuart Weitzman “Bebare” sandals, showcasing her chic style.
• Read more: AnnaSophia Robb’s Big Green Eyes and Beach Waves Hair

These moments capture AnnaSophia Robb’s versatility and flair in fashion, reflecting her journey from child star to style icon.