News | Entertainment
6 Feb 2026 15:10
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
     06 Feb: Eddie Murphy's son and Martin Lawrence's daughter are expecting their first child together
     06 Feb: Kristen Stewart was advised to avoid holding her partner's hand in public if she wanted to better her career
     06 Feb: Emerald Fennell believes she would have gone "off the rails" as a teenager if she hadn't attended boarding school
     06 Feb: Halle Berry still has not accepted her partner's proposal
     06 Feb: Sharon Osbourne felt like Ozzy was "definitely in the building" at the Grammy Awards
     06 Feb: Grammy Awards ex ecutive producer Ben Winston has insisted he wouldn't turn back time to fix Cher's gaffe at this year's ceremony
     06 Feb: Miss Piggy won't be "fighting the charges" after getting 'arrested' for being too hot
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Crusaders are staying coy on who will get first crack in the 10 jumper for the start of their Super Rugby title defence More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A property manager says the numbers of students looking for flats is lower than previous years More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Eddie Murphy's son and Martin Lawrence's daughter are expecting their first child together 15:01

    Soccer:
    Wellington Phoenix manager Bev Priestman is weighing up the potential significance of a first time atop the women's A-League in club history 14:57

    Entertainment:
    Kristen Stewart was advised to avoid holding her partner's hand in public if she wanted to better her career 14:31

    General:
    Winter Olympics 2026: When does it start, how to watch and who is competing in which sports 14:17

    Skiing:
    Valentino Guseli gets snowboard big air wildcard, leaps into final at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics 14:17

    International:
    Ahead of US Iran nuclear talks satellite images reveal build up of US fighter jets and missile defence systems 14:17

    Cricket:
    New Zealand cricketer Sophie Devine has picked up several awards - including the top gong - at the conclusion of the women's Indian Premier League 14:07

    Entertainment:
    Emerald Fennell believes she would have gone "off the rails" as a teenager if she hadn't attended boarding school 14:01

    Rugby:
    The Crusaders are staying coy on who will get first crack in the 10 jumper for the start of their Super Rugby title defence 13:47

    Entertainment:
    Halle Berry still has not accepted her partner's proposal 13:31


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd