News | Entertainment
24 Jan 2026 12:13
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
    Lewis Hamilton is bracing for what he's calling the biggest regulation change of his career ahead of a make-or-break Formula One season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    US copied Iran's Shahed drones — now they are deployed in the Middle East More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    Aucklanders appear to be taking more care out on the water - ahead of this Anniversary weekend 11:56

    Cricket:
    Optimism within the Black Caps that another convincing defeat doesn't mean their T20 cricket series against India is a lost cause 11:46

    Education:
    Gen Z led the revolution in Bangladesh — can they win the election? 11:16

    Basketball:
    Coach Petteri Koponen is putting his hand up for the crucial turnover in the Breakers overtime defeat to Adelaide in basketball's NBL 11:06

    Rugby:
    Lewis Hamilton is bracing for what he's calling the biggest regulation change of his career ahead of a make-or-break Formula One season 11:06

    Politics:
    A higher threshold for claims at the Disputes Tribunal could improve access to civil justice 10:46

    Cricket:
    A stark reminder for the Black Caps of the potential peril for bowlers in cricket's shortest format 10:26

    Law and Order:
    Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui are now entering their third day 10:16

    Motoring:
    A strong Police presence is expected in North Canterbury this weekend, as car enthusiasts converge on Rangiora for the Muscle Car Madness Car Show 10:16

    International:
    Anxious wait continues for families as New Zealand landslide search enters third day 10:06


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd