News | Entertainment
23 Jan 2026 11:00
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Kathy Bates "didn't wanna go through" reconstructive surgery after a double mastectomy because she "enjoyed not having breasts"

    The 76-year-old actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 aged 64 and decided for a number of reasons that having a procedure to restore her bosom wouldn't have been right for her


    Appearing on the 'MeSsy' podcast, she told hosts Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler: "This is really weird, maybe - but I had really heavy breasts.

    "They were, like, 10 pounds when they removed them, and I kind of enjoy not having breasts."

    The 'American Horror Story' star's main reason for not wanted the surgery was because of her age and not being "in a relationship" at the time.

    She explained: "At the age I was, I thought, 'You know, I really don't wanna go through that'.

    "I just didn't wanna go through it. I wasn't in a relationship, I was older, and I didn't think that I would be in a relationship.

    "So I was kind of like, 'Why do I have to?' "

    Kathy - who was also diagnosed with ovarian cancer nine years before her breast cancer battle - pointed out that she can still change her figure when necessary for a role, such as in her 'Matlock' reboot where she sports a camisole-esque garment.

    She said: "They put little false-y cups in it, and they're so comfortable, and they give me a nice shape. And that's it."

    Back in 2018, Kathy opened up on her decision to avoid reconstructive surgery, insisting it would've involved her taking too much time away from her acting career, which she described as her "life force".

    She added to People at the time: "I'm having too much fun."

    However, she still wanted to use her experience and position to urge women to stay healthy and keep on top of things with regular check-ups.

    She advised: "Quit taking the damn selfies and worrying about what you look like. Instead, keep everything working and in good order."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     23 Jan: Oscars 2026: Sinners break record with nominations, Jacob Elordi and Rose Byrne receive nods
     23 Jan: Amanda Seyfried thinks winning an Oscar "isn't necessary" for career success
     23 Jan: Karol G and Feid have reportedly split
     23 Jan: Summer House stars Kyle Cooke and Amanda Batula have split
     23 Jan: Emeli Sande and her fiancee Yoana Karemova have split
     23 Jan: Colleen Hoover is cancer-free
     23 Jan: Nicole Kidman reportedly feels "refreshed and optimistic" as her divorce from Keith Urban is behind her
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    New Zealand's elite rugby talent must focus on the task at hand, as they await a new All Blacks coach More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Digital ‘tokenisation’ is reshaping the global financial industry. Is NZ ready? More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Oscars 2026: Sinners break record with nominations, Jacob Elordi and Rose Byrne receive nods 10:57

    Auckland:
    A motorcyclist has died after colliding into the back of a traffic attenuator truck, moments after Police spotted them speeding on Auckland's Southern Motorway last night 10:47

    National:
    Trump sows ‘chaotic cruelty’ while Canadian PM Carney reminds the world it doesn’t have to play along 10:37

    Motoring:
    Hayden Paddon's first day back in the World Rally Championship's top tier has been cut short due to dangerous conditions 10:27

    National:
    Why are human penises so large? New evolutionary study finds two main reasons 10:27

    Business:
    Digital ‘tokenisation’ is reshaping the global financial industry. Is NZ ready? 10:17

    National:
    Friday essay: weirdly old-fashioned and wildly uneven – David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest at 30 10:07

    Politics:
    Inside the Syrian city of Raqqa, once known as Islamic State's 'Roundabout of Hell' 10:07

    Business:
    New Zealand's tourism rebound continues to gain pace 10:07

    Politics:
    ACC is urging Kiwis to act ethically when it comes to injury claims, as it works to claw itself out of a fiscal hole 9:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd