During a recent interview with 60 Minutes, Jamie Lee Curtis reflected on her decision to undergo plastic surgery at the age of 25, revealing that she immediately regretted the choice after being criticized for her appearance. The actress, who is known for her iconic roles in films like “Halloween” and “Last Tango in Paris,” explained that the negative comment from a cinematographer during the filming of the 1985 movie “Perfect” was a catalyst for her decision. Curtis described the moment as a deeply embarrassing experience, which led her to pursue the procedure shortly after the movie wrapped.
“That’s just not what you want to do when you’re 25 or 26,” Curtis said, reflecting on the regret she felt at the time. She expressed that the decision to undergo surgery has been a source of ongoing regret, stating that she has ‘kind of sort of regretted it since.’ This experience has shaped her advocacy for self-acceptance, as she now encourages women to embrace their natural beauty without the need for cosmetic procedures. Curtis warned that the current obsession with beauty trends, including fillers and procedures, is ‘wiping out generations of beauty,’ a concern she has voiced in multiple interviews.
As she continues to navigate her public life, Curtis has also shared insights into her personal struggles with addiction. She admitted to a past dependency on drugs, particularly opioids, which she linked to the decision to undergo plastic surgery. “I became very enamored with the warm bath of an opiate,” she said, describing how the experience of using painkillers became a dependency. Curtis emphasized that she never used drugs while working, but her addiction developed in her personal time, leading to a significant turning point in her life.
Curtis’s journey toward sobriety has been a significant part of her life. She attended her first recovery meeting in 1999 after reading Tom Chiarella’s essay on addiction in Esquire magazine. She confessed to being terrified of being recognized in the recovery community, but ultimately found the experience to be supportive. In 2021, she opened up about the connection between her initial plastic surgery and her addiction to Vicodin, stating that the procedure didn’t work as intended and instead led to a dependency on medication. With a sobriety milestone of 22 years, Curtis has become an inspiration for others on their recovery journeys, sharing her story with openness and honesty.
Her advocacy for self-acceptance and sobriety has resonated with many, highlighting the importance of both inner and outer beauty. Curtis’s reflections on her life choices and the impact of societal expectations have sparked discussions about the pressures faced by women in entertainment and the broader implications of cosmetic procedures. As she continues to speak out, Curtis’s message remains a powerful reminder of the value of authenticity, both in appearance and personal transformation.