Fans expressed shock and unanimously condemned Jenna Ortega’s cheek fat removal in a recently viral photo
The buzz surrounding Jenna Ortega has taken a sharp turn from admiration to concern. The 22-year-old star, who rose to global fame through her portrayal of Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s Wednesday, is now at the center of a heated cultural debate. While she continues to make waves with her gothic fashion and bleached eyebrows, it’s her increasingly altered facial appearance that has ignited online outrage and speculation.
From viral tweets to side-by-side comparisons, fans and critics alike are questioning whether Ortega has undergone buccal fat removal, a trending cosmetic procedure that many argue is eroding the natural beauty of Hollywood’s brightest stars.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
Before diving into the controversy, it’s important to understand the procedure at the heart of this debate. Buccal fat removal is a surgical technique that involves removing the fat pads located in the lower part of the cheeks. This results in a more contoured, hollowed-out look—often equated with high-fashion aesthetics or runway models.
In recent years, this procedure has gained massive popularity among young celebrities, social media influencers, and even everyday individuals chasing the elusive “snatched” face. However, critics argue that the procedure leads to premature aging and often strips away the softness that defines youth.
Viral Accusations: “Stop the Buccal Fat Removal!”
Speculation about Ortega’s appearance erupted after her red carpet appearance in Paris for Wednesday season 2. A viral tweet comparing older photos of the actress with her new look set the internet ablaze. The post, viewed more than 51 million times, included a stark call to action: “Stop the buccal fat removal!”
In the image, Ortega’s face appeared more hollowed than usual, with a visible indent along her cheek—a telltale sign of buccal fat pad removal, according to online observers.
Commenters did not hold back. One user wrote, “Whoever created buccal fat removal should be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity.” Another lamented, “It ruins every woman’s natural face and makes them look ghoulish.”
“She Was So Naturally Gorgeous”: A Fan Backlash
This growing criticism isn’t rooted solely in cosmetic skepticism—it’s grounded in a deep cultural discomfort. Many fans are mourning what they perceive as the loss of Ortega’s natural charm and youthful softness.
“She was so naturally gorgeous,” one commenter wrote. “Why do they all look like they belong in a Marilyn Manson music video?”
Other users took a more humorous approach, comparing Ortega’s new look to Jim Carrey’s character in The Mask or Johnny Depp’s Edward Scissorhands. While satirical, these comments point to a broader sentiment: disillusionment with how Hollywood’s beauty trends are distorting the once-unique appearances of its stars.
Not Just Jenna: A Pattern Across Hollywood
What makes this conversation particularly significant is that it doesn’t exist in isolation. Ortega is just one of many celebrities being scrutinized for changes in their facial structure, especially those linked to buccal fat removal.
Photos of actress Erin Moriarty—best known for her role as Starlight in The Boys—were widely circulated as another cautionary tale. Fans expressed frustration that her new look diminished the innocence and relatability of her character, who originally symbolized youth and optimism.
Other celebrities caught in the crossfire of public opinion include Miley Cyrus, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Lauren Sánchez. All have been accused of succumbing to the same trends, appearing gaunter and more angular in recent appearances.
“Fat pads in the face are a sign of youth,” one user pointed out. “Removing them instantly ages someone.”
The Hollywood Aesthetic: Skeletal, Androgynous, and Controversial
Many critics argue that buccal fat removal is just the latest manifestation of an ongoing shift in Hollywood beauty ideals. Where once full cheeks and youthful softness were celebrated, the current trend leans toward a sharper, more androgynous look—often at the expense of individuality and health.
Ortega’s recent fashion choices have only intensified this debate. At the Wednesday Paris premiere, she wore a dramatic Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood gown, complete with an exposed corset and bleached eyebrows. Her makeup emphasized pale lips and contour-heavy cheeks, which made her face appear even more hollow.
While some fans defended her appearance, attributing the changes to makeup, lighting, or even weight loss, others felt that such arguments failed to address the root of the issue.
“This isn’t just about Jenna,” one user wrote. “It’s about the pressure to look like something you’re not. A skeleton, basically.”
Psychological Impact and Public Responsibility
The concern goes beyond celebrity culture. When famous figures like Ortega, Ariana Grande, or Cynthia Erivo appear to adopt these extreme aesthetics, the implications extend to millions of fans—particularly young women and girls who look up to them.
In recent years, social media platforms have exacerbated body image issues, with filters, angles, and surgical enhancements creating a nearly unattainable standard of beauty. The normalization of buccal fat removal is viewed by many as a dangerous escalation, one that may lead young people to pursue irreversible changes based on fleeting trends.
Fans are sounding the alarm not just for Ortega, but for an entire generation of women.
“We want buccal fat removal banned forever,” one viral post stated. “We’re tired of women suddenly aging 30 years and looking malnourished.”
Has Jenna Ortega Responded?
As of now, Jenna Ortega has not confirmed undergoing any cosmetic procedures. Publicists and official representatives have remained silent on the matter. And while it’s possible that her appearance could be attributed to makeup, lighting, or temporary weight fluctuations, the timing of her dramatic transformation amid a broader Hollywood trend has left many unconvinced.
Regardless of whether the actress has gone under the knife, the intense reaction to her changing look reflects a much larger conversation—one about self-image, societal expectations, and the costs of fame.
The Bigger Picture: Rethinking Beauty Standards
In the past, Hollywood’s beauty ideals have shifted from the ultra-thin heroines of the 1990s to the curvier figures popularized in the 2010s. Now, the pendulum seems to be swinging yet again—this time toward a more severe, angular aesthetic that many argue is both unhealthy and unsustainable.
As buccal fat removal surges in popularity, so too does resistance to it. More and more people are pushing back against the normalization of surgical enhancements, demanding a return to authentic, diverse standards of beauty.
Whether or not Jenna Ortega has altered her face, the firestorm surrounding her transformation offers a sobering reflection of where beauty culture currently stands—and where it may be headed.
A Wake-Up Call for Hollywood and Its Audience
Jenna Ortega’s new look may have sparked the conversation, but the outrage goes far beyond one actress. It’s about an industry that too often prioritizes trend-driven aesthetics over authenticity, and the lasting psychological toll those standards can take on both celebrities and their fans.
As the debate around buccal fat removal continues to heat up, one thing is clear: audiences are no longer content to passively accept Hollywood’s version of beauty. They’re asking questions, demanding transparency, and advocating for a culture that celebrates natural, unfiltered appearances.
In the end, perhaps the controversy surrounding Jenna Ortega will serve as more than just internet drama. It may become a turning point—a moment that inspires young women to embrace their natural features, and challenges an industry to rethink what it considers beautiful.
