News | Entertainment
7 Jan 2026 6:44
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
     07 Jan: Macaulay Culkin sets "certain ground rules" for his fan interactions
     06 Jan: George Clooney has "rediscovered" his love of acting
     06 Jan: Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, have been evicted from their Los Angeles home
     06 Jan: Aled Jones "didn't know" all of Walking in the Air when he went to record it
     06 Jan: Fatboy Slim "doggedly" sticks to Hawaiian shirts
     06 Jan: Pat McGrath believes make-up is a "language of feeling"
     06 Jan: Ian Ziering has been accused of battery and assault
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    It's au revoir for AJ Lam after the upcoming Super Rugby season More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Australian video game retailer EB Games is proposing to shut all its New Zealand branches More...



     Today's News

    Cricket:
    Australia have taken control of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test after a dominant third day with the bat at the SCG 6:36

    Entertainment:
    Macaulay Culkin sets "certain ground rules" for his fan interactions 6:23

    Law and Order:
    Search teams are bringing out a specialised radio device - in the hunt for tramper Connor Purvis, who's been missing for six days in the Southern Alps 6:17

    Business:
    Australian video game retailer EB Games is proposing to shut all its New Zealand branches 5:47

    Law and Order:
    What are Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores alleged to have done? 22:17

    Cricket:
    The Auckland Hearts are struggling to mount a sizeable total in their women's Super Smash T20 against the Sparks on Eden Park's outer oval 21:57

    Entertainment:
    George Clooney has "rediscovered" his love of acting 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Denise Richards and her estranged husband, Aaron Phypers, have been evicted from their Los Angeles home 21:23

    Environment:
    Construction's underway on new flood resilience for a road in Hawke's Bay's Omahu 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Aled Jones "didn't know" all of Walking in the Air when he went to record it 20:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd