Wendi McLendon-Covey was in 2011’s Bridesmaids but she was not part of the bizarre Bridesmaids reunion that took place at the Oscars on Sunday. I get that Rose Byrne was nominated but the 15th anniversary of Bridesmaids does not need acknowledgement at the Oscars. Onstage to present Original Score and Sound were castmembers Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper. As Wendi posted about on Instagram afterwards she had a good reason not to join her castmates. She is recovering from a neck lift which she had last week.
Wendi McLendon-Covey was quick to clear up why she didn’t join her Bridesmaids co-stars for the onstage reunion at the Oscars Sunday night.
The 15th anniversary of Paul Feig’s hit 2011 comedy was celebrated by Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, and Ellie Kemper as they presented two awards at the Dolby Theatre: original score and sound, which went to Ludwig Goransson for Sinners, and F1, respectively.
Of course, the women had a little fun before the Oscars were announced — each of them was handed a note and claimed it was signed by A-list audience members like Leonardo DiCaprio or Stellan Skarsgard, remarking on their good looks and critiquing the length of the bit.
Fans were quick to notice McLendon-Covey, who played Rita in Bridesmaids, hadn’t joined them. She posted on Instagram after the show in “response to some of the dms [sic] I’m getting.”
“I had a neck lift last week because I’m tired of looking like a melting candle,” wrote the actress, also known for roles in St. Denis Medical and The Goldbergs, about not joining the ensemble. “So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine.” The post showed her lying down with a bandage wrapped around her head and under her chin.
The more I hear from Wendi the more I like her. She loves cats and Christmas, hates Valentine’s Day and admits to the plastic surgery procedures she gets. I don’t necessarily agree with all those takes but I appreciate people who are outspoken in their opinions. I have a friend who had a neck lift and she looks great now, but I never noticed her neck being saggy until she pointed it out. You could barely see it unless you knew what to look for, but I guess it’s different when it’s your own neck and you’re on camera for your job. Imagine seeing yourself in HD from all those angles. Celebrity plastic surgery makes sense to some extent. I still think actors should cut way back on the surgery and injectables. It takes me out of the experience when I’m watching historical shows especially, but I guess I understand.
I wonder if the Oscars Bridesmaids bit was a last minute substitution. It definitely had that vibe. I would post it here so we all could revisit it but the Oscars wisely did not post the video to YouTube. They also did not need yet a sixth person on stage that night.
My neck is dreadful, but I’m in my 60’s. I was thinking about trying Botox or something affordable.
Fun fact: a neck lift is a facelift but my plastic surgeon told me “people feel better about calling it a neck lift instead of a facelift). And yep I had a facelift because my neck and jaw looked like my dad! Delighted with results (age 61) & was out loud about it on my radio show. I did not want to pretend it was pilates or face creams! The bridesmaids bit was too long & still mad they cut off the Kpop ladies and the demon hunter peeps too!! They had time for that long ass bit but not for award season first!?
I would love to do this surgery. I am not sure I could afford it. My neck and jawline are my dad’s as well and it is ALL I see when I look at myself in a mirror. To the point I avoid cameras and mirrors.
I don’t mind the fine lines and other smaller signs of aging, but my floppy/crepey turkey neck truly bothers me. And I would never notice this on others. I think it’s the kind of thing where we are just so much harsher on ourselves.
I agree. That tribute was weird and way to long. Its a nice comedy but why at the Oscars? So many whys.
It must have been last minute. If she had known, she would have scheduled the surgery earlier.
I love her and David Alan Grier in their hospital comedy. Both are in top form and bring it every time. And I’m not happy with my neck either.
Lori, intrusive question: how much did it cost?
I would love to know too.
Google says 11-15k. But that is what comes up when I ask “how much does a neck lift cost?” and maybe what I need is not considered “just” a neck lift.
Cost $20,000 worth every penny!
Turtledove, I think where you live would affect the price too. In California the prices would be highest, I think. I’m in New York and I think that would be quite high too.
Massachusetts here, so probably not on the cheaper side. The silver lining, probably a lot of great docs to choose from.
Aside from Melissa McCarthy and that beautiful beautiful Irishman, I was not impressed.