News | Entertainment
26 Feb 2026 12:39
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
     26 Feb: Martin Lawrence's daughter has revealed the name of the baby she is expecting with Eddie Murphy's son
     26 Feb: Jack Black has marked 20 years of marriage to Tanya Haden by sharing photographs and memories from their two decades together
     26 Feb: David Bowie's daughter has described being forcibly removed from her family home as a teenager and sent to a treatment centre
     26 Feb: Thierry Mabonga has defended John Davidson after the campaigner's use of the N-word during the BAFTAs
     26 Feb: John Davidson has said he is "deeply mortified" after shouting a racial slur during the Bafta Film Awards
     26 Feb: Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents
     26 Feb: Jamie Foxx has branded John Davidson's outbursts at the BAFTA Awards "unacceptable"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    A new role and an appointment at New Zealand Rugby as part of their high performance overhaul More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Child poverty rates have stayed the same for the year to June 2025 More...



     Today's News

    Business:
    Child poverty rates have stayed the same for the year to June 2025 12:27

    Entertainment:
    Martin Lawrence's daughter has revealed the name of the baby she is expecting with Eddie Murphy's son 12:21

    Motoring:
    IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin is revved up for a new season after a mistake-ridden 2025 12:17

    Entertainment:
    Jack Black has marked 20 years of marriage to Tanya Haden by sharing photographs and memories from their two decades together 11:51

    Entertainment:
    David Bowie's daughter has described being forcibly removed from her family home as a teenager and sent to a treatment centre 11:21

    International:
    Iceland to hold referendum on joining EU a decade after abandoning membership talks 11:17

    Living & Travel:
    TikTokers are ‘becoming Chinese’ in a new trend that’s part parody and part politics 11:17

    Accident and Emergency:
    Eight people have been taken to hospital after a crash in central Hawke's Bay this morning 11:07

    Basketball:
    Tall Blacks coach Judd Flavell is trying to progress Parker Jackson-Cartwright's basketball ambitions 10:57

    Entertainment:
    Thierry Mabonga has defended John Davidson after the campaigner's use of the N-word during the BAFTAs 10:51


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd