Did Jenna Ortega Really Remove Her Buccal Fat? The Internet Thinks So

Jenna Ortega’s face has been the subject of public conjecture in recent weeks. Viewers saw a sharply sculpted change in her cheeks after she appeared at the Wednesday Season 2 premiere in Paris. Posts contrasting her younger old photos with her current appearance started making the rounds on social media sites like Instagram, X, and Reddit within hours. One tweet advocating to “stop the buccal fat removal” garnered over 50 million views, putting the 22-year-old actress at the forefront of a debate she never initiated but is unable to avoid.

Fans used closely cropped screenshots and side-by-side comparisons to highlight what they claimed was a noticeable dent under her cheekbones, which is frequently linked to buccal fat removal, a cosmetic procedure used to slim the face. Some responded with almost panic, while others praised the clear definition of her bone structure. They were described as “aged overnight,” “ghoulish,” and “gothic perfection.” The intensity of the emotional and analytical responses showed something very telling about the ongoing evaluation of young women in the spotlight.

Cosmetic procedures gained popularity during the pandemic, and people’s faces became the main focus of incessant video calls. Once a specialty request, buccal fat removal is now one of the most popular aesthetic changes among influencers and actors. The timing of this purported metamorphosis for Ortega, who is already juggling the complicated identity of a young Latina actress breaking through a still restrictive industry, aligns with increased pressure and visibility. Every pixel of her image has meaning because she is the face of well-known franchises and magazine covers.

Makeup artists can create transformations that remarkably resemble surgical outcomes by using carefully considered lighting, makeup, and camera angles. Many contend that this could all be the result of expert artistry rather than an irrevocable choice because of this. Dramatic shadows produced by bold contouring, bleached brows, and low-light photography momentarily alter the face’s shape. In response to the rumors, a well-known MUA sent out a very clear message: “It’s contour.” It’s the lighting. If you don’t understand beauty tools, don’t assume surgery.

For background, Ortega is not the only person having this discussion. The Boys’ Erin Moriarty, Anya Taylor-Joy, and even Lauren Sánchez have all been the subject of similar rumors lately. A “growing checklist” of faces with the distinctive cheek hollowness has been noticed by fans. Many contend that this suggests a subtle but persistent collective pressure to meet a narrower ideal for the face, which frequently favors angularity over softness.

These moments will probably become more common and emotionally charged in the upcoming years as younger audiences become more critical of filtered beauty and cosmetic normalcy. Seeing their icons change can be startling for Gen Z, a generation that was brought up with body positivity but is inundated with face-altering apps. When Ortega’s breakthrough character, Wednesday Addams, was praised for her fierce individuality and refusal to fit in, some fans criticized her new appearance as a betrayal of her authenticity.

However, the response hasn’t been wholly unfavorable. Numerous people have defended Ortega, telling others to keep in mind that women’s looks change over time. One fan commented, “She is 22 years old, not 12.” Her expression changed. That isn’t illegal. “Lighting and makeup can do everything,” another person added. Relax. These comments highlight how divisive discussions about beauty have become, particularly when they center on a person who has up until now exemplified unadulterated charm.

Seen in a larger context, this situation illustrates how an industry struggles to match its ideals with its aesthetics. While casting choices and aesthetic trends continue to adhere to antiquated standards, Hollywood continues to promote diversity, empowerment, and natural beauty. Whether it is actually common or not, the removal of buccal fat has come to represent this disconnect. Its increasing prevalence—especially among women in their twenties—indicates a more profound insecurity that stems from perception rather than reality.

For Ortega, her only tactic has been to remain silent. She has not confirmed or refuted any procedures, nor has she responded to the rumors. Even though it may have been done to protect privacy, that silence has only deepened the mystery. The lack of a denial is interpreted by fans as tacit confirmation. Others argue that she is under no duty to describe any part of her body, particularly in a time when young actors are subjected to ruthless scrutiny.

The public’s perception of cosmetic surgery has evolved dramatically over the last ten years. Previously discussed in whispers, it is now proudly posted—if not by the celebrity, then by someone who is closely examining their face with unnerving accuracy. However, there has been opposition to the change. The pendulum rapidly oscillates between indignation and acceptance. For some, what appears to be empowering is actually self-erasing.

There is a chance for media consumers to change this conversation in a more positive direction. We can prevent fostering an atmosphere where young celebrities feel torn between identity and expectations by talking about these changes with compassion and nuance. Audiences can encourage performers without expecting total transparency or flawlessness by engaging in strategic reflection.

It’s important to remember that buccal fat has uses other than appearance. According to surgeons, removing it could hasten the aging process over time. Some have already begun to reevaluate the process as a result of that realization. Furthermore, even though some results are said to be very effective at creating a model-like appearance, they are also highly irreversible, which is something that is rarely noticed when filtered photos are doing the convincing.

By all standards, Ortega is still among her generation’s most gifted and grounded actresses. The public’s obsession with her cheeks may reveal more about the fears underlying contemporary beauty culture than it does about her, regardless of whether she has undergone surgery, matured into her adult face, or simply switched makeup artists. At the very least, she is a mirror reflecting what society expects of women who rise rapidly under constant scrutiny.