In a candid moment shared on TikTok in June, Rachel Leary, a fan of Kylie Jenner, sought insight into the beauty mogul’s transformation, stating, “You’ve got what I’m looking for. You’ve got the most perfect natural-looking boob job ever! What was it you asked for?” To Leary’s surprise, Jenner responded with the details of her breast augmentation, including her surgeon’s name, Garth Fisher. This revelation followed a similar disclosure from Jenner’s mother, Kris, who credited surgeon Steven Levine for her rejuvenated appearance, leading to Levine’s newfound prominence.
Kristin Cavallari also joined the trend, specifying the exact amount of ccs she received for her breast augmentation and reassuring fans that she hadn’t gone significantly larger, just had “pushed them up a couple times.” Additionally, Ricki Lake publicly revealed her neck and lower facelift on Andy Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live, even giving a “shout-out” to L.A. surgeon Allen Foulad.
Meanwhile, Barbara Corcoran of Shark Tank took to Threads to share her own surgical journey, listing multiple procedures including three facelifts, a brow lift, neck lift, eye lift, and even “ear filler,” which, though sounding alarming, is simply a technique to enhance sagging earlobes.
This surge in celebrity transparency comes in the wake of numerous other public admissions from stars like Anna Faris, Chrissy Teigen, and Kaley Cuoco, indicating a shift in the culture surrounding cosmetic procedures. Traditionally, these surgeries were the subject of hushed conversations, often cloaked in secrecy. Celebrities would often time their recovery around vacations, perpetuating the myth of a magical getaway that erased signs of aging.
So, why are so many celebrities now openly discussing their cosmetic enhancements and elevating their surgeons to stardom? Experts offer multiple theories. Some suggest a generational shift, with millennials and Gen Z maturing in a culture comfortable with Botox and fillers. Social media has certainly played a role, encouraging candid conversations. Others posit that there might be a quid pro quo, where exposure leads to promotional opportunities for surgeons.
The Kardashian family serves as a noteworthy example. While they undoubtedly can afford surgeries at full price, their high-profile lives have developed a more open dialogue about cosmetic procedures.
“These celebs are making it a non-story by taking back the narrative,” stated Julie Obst, co-founder of LA Beauty Connect, a plastic surgery consultancy. “At the same time, there’s something to be said about the mystery when it comes to plastic surgery. Not that there should ever be any shame in having plastic surgery, but there is something funny about sharing you got your boobs at Saks and your facelift at Neiman’s.”
This trend of transparency is less prevalent among men. Few male celebrities, such as Marc Jacobs and Joey Fatone, have admitted to undergoing plastic surgery. Although many male stars may opt for hair transplants, very few openly discuss these procedures, with exceptions like Joel McHale and John Cena. Cena has openly addressed the matter, stating, “You guys ripped me to shreds for a genetic problem that I can’t control. I got a problem. I try to fix it. That’s what I’m doing.”
Despite the historical reluctance from men to acknowledge cosmetic enhancements, there is a growing acceptance bolstered by the current climate of openness. Dr. Bernard Markowitz, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, remarked, “Reality TV and social media have greatly enhanced the specialty’s exposure… male aesthetic surgery comprised 10 percent of my practice. Today, it has more than doubled. Aesthetic operations and procedures are no longer secretive.”
The move toward transparency is viewed as a positive shift that challenges unattainable beauty standards. However, some caution against it potentially leading younger individuals to seek surgery before they are ready. Celebrities like Courteney Cox have expressed regret over past decisions related to surgical enhancements, with Cox stating, “I have done things that I regret.” Sharon Osbourne referred to one of her surgeries as “a horror show,” and Bella Hadid expressed, “I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors.” Even Kylie Jenner has commented, “I wish I never got them done to begin with.”
As the landscape of celebrity culture evolves, the conversation around plastic surgery is becoming increasingly open — yet remains complex and fraught with both positives and potential pitfalls.
