In the 1990s, these famous women were the queens of the box office and the tabloid. They were viewed as gorgeous symbols of youth that were also incredibly successful, transforming them into icons. But as the years went on, these celebrities were thrust under the microscope of public scrutiny for a natural process that happens to all of us: getting old. From toxic “before and after” comparisons to online cruelty, these actresses have been shamed for either aging naturally or getting plastic surgery to combat aging — you can’t win in Hollywood!
1. Tara Reid
This bubbly blond was known for roles like “American Pie” and “Josie and the Pussycats.” In the 2000s, she was all over the tabloids for her party-girl antics, which the media always judged. But these days, the critics have shifted to talking about her looks, mocking her weight loss and facial changes, even though she has always struggled with her body image.
2. Tori Spelling
This star from “Beverly Hills, 90210” first came on the scene for her famous last name, but she stayed after years of successful acting roles. However, she is often plagued by cosmetic surgery rumors and jokes about her appearance. On her podcast, she said, “I’m human. It hurts when people pick apart your looks.”
3. Lara Flynn Boyle
This ethereal beauty starred in works like “Twin Peaks,” “Wayne’s World,” and “The Practice,” but she has been repeatedly shamed by Hollywood and the tabloids after photos were released of her face looking significantly different after procedures, with headlines labeling her as a “cautionary tale” against plastic surgery to prevent aging.
4. Melanie Griffith
This “Working Girl” Golden Globe winner was an “it girl” of the ’80s, and she has been transparent about her cosmetic surgery regrets as she gets older, as well as the cruel comments that have been said about her. However, her openness about the topic makes her a voice for body autonomy, even as the public and paparazzi continue to dissect her looks.
5. Katie Price
Katie Price is known more in UK tabloids than she is in Hollywood, but her journey is similar to that of many of the American stars on this list. In the late 1990s, she gained fame as a glamour model, but nowadays, she’s mocked for her changing looks and plastic surgery choices. She’s been the subject of online trolling and tabloid bullying, but she isn’t afraid to own her decisions and call out double standards.
6. Meg Ryan
Once widely known as America’s sweetheart with roles in “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail,” Ryan took some time away from acting. When she came back into the spotlight, she was the subject of ageist criticism, with tabloids fixating on her looks rather than her films. She’s an example of the ultimate Hollywood paradox: they want their actresses to stay timeless but ridicule them when they try.
7. Bridget Fonda
Bridget Fonda, who is related to Jane Fonda, decided to step back from Hollywood after “Jackie Brown” and opted to live a quiet life away from all the noise of fame. She was photographed for the first time in years in 2023, and tabloids called her “unrecognizable” due to weight gain. No wonder famous women feel the need to detach from celebrity culture when they get older!
8. Demi Moore
This “Ghost” and “G.I. Jane” A-lister still looks incredible, but every red-carpet appearance she makes launches a commentary about what she’s done to her face and body. The movie “The Substance” explores the relentless search for youth that women in Hollywood are pushed into as soon as they start to get older.
9. Courteney Cox
This brunette beauty from “Friends” got cosmetic fillers because of industry pressures, but she opened up about going “too far” with them and decided to dissolve them. While she has some natural signs of aging now (that tabloids love to call out), she has no shame about her decisions, telling The Sunday Times, “There was a moment when I thought, ‘Oh, I’m changing. I look older.’ And I tried to chase that youthfulness for years.”
