News | Entertainment
25 Jan 2026 6:31
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
    Olympian Sam Tanner has records in his sights ahead of this evening's mile race at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui More...


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



     Today's News

    Environment:
    MetService has issued watches for rain and wind 21:56

    Law and Order:
    An 18 year-old has been arrested and charged in relation to a spate of burglaries last night in Cambridge 21:16

    Tennis:
    Despite battling cramp on a sweltering day seven of the Australian tennis Open, reigning back-to-back men's champion Jannik Sinner is in the box seat to progress to the fourth round 18:56

    Politics:
    Two women believed to have been killed in the Mount Maunganui campground landslide were friends 18:36

    International:
    US looks to South Korea to take 'primary responsibility' in monitoring Kim Jong Un and North Korea 18:16

    Law and Order:
    Pakuranga College is paying tribute to two of its students caught in the Mount Maunganui landslide 18:06

    Rugby:
    Olympian Sam Tanner has records in his sights ahead of this evening's mile race at Cooks Gardens in Whanganui 17:46

    Law and Order:
    Police have released the full list pf names of the six people unaccounted for following the landslide at the Mount Maunganui Campground on Thursday 17:26

    Lower South Island:
    Southland rider Josh Burnett has banked his third career win in cycling's Tour of Southland, finishing safely in the peloton to take the overall title by 10 seconds from Cambridge's Matthew Wilson 17:06

    International:
    Human remains found as New Zealand landslide search moves to recovery 16:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd