Jenna Ortega's buccal fat removal claims: Has she really had surgery or not?
When Jenna Ortega graced the Wednesday Season 2 premiere in July 2025, online fans noticed her "changed looks". Trending side-by-side photos showed her visibly slimmer cheeks and sharper jawline, sparking bichectomy rumours. In 2023, she told Vogue of her take on beauty standards:
Growing up, traditional beauty standards really affected me; they did not always resonate with me.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Jenna Ortega's early rejection in the film industry challenged her self-esteem to the point she considered dyeing her hair blonde to bag more roles.
- The actress once revealed she used to apply heavy makeup to hide her freckles.
- Some fans claim that the change in Ortega's facial appearance at the series' premiere was due to makeup and lighting.
- Jenna has neither confirmed nor denied the buccal fat removal claims.
Jenna Ortega's profile summary
| Full name | Jenna Marie Ortega |
| Date of birth | 27 September 2002 |
| Age | 22 years old (As of 21 September 2025 |
| Birthplace | Palm Desert, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Alma mater | John Glenn Middle School |
| Height | 5'1" (155 cm) |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Marital status | Single |
| Parents | Edward and Natalie Ortega |
| Siblings | 5 |
| Profession | Actress |
| Years active | 2012-present |
| Social media | InstagramFacebook |
A look at Jenna's bichectomy speculations: The changes that sparked the buzz
Jenna stepped out for the Paris premiere of Wednesday Season 2 wearing a snake-skin textured dress and bleached eyebrows.
Although many admired her bold look, attention soon shifted from her fashion to her facial features. Jenna Ortega began trending on X, igniting rumours that she had undergone buccal fat removal surgery. She has previously also been accused of having a nose job.
Source: Original
What is a buccal fat removal surgery?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where excess fat is removed from the cheeks to create a more sculpted, contoured face.
The surgery permanently slims the face, creates a sharper jawline, and defines the cheekbones for a V-shaped facial appearance.
Fans' reaction to Jenna Ortega's facial changes
Ortega's "new look" set off a wave of guesses and opinions online, some criticising her for reportedly going under the knife to alter her facial features. One X user posted a before-and-after photo of the actress and said:
Whoever created buccal fat removal should be arrested and tried for crimes against humanity.
Jenna Ortega looks horrible after her buccal fat removal.
Source: Getty Images
One compared her to the late Rocky Dennis, a teenager who had a deformed face due to craniodiaphyseal dysplasia.
Her surgeon should be jailed. Every girl who gets this procedure done just ends up looking like Dennis.
However, some fans have defended Jenna against the negative comments. An Instagram user commented below a comparison photo of her, saying:
Jenna can look however she wants to; it is her body!
Another commented:
She still looks beautiful.
Is it makeup, surgery, lighting, or a misunderstanding?
Although Jenna has not commented on the bichectomy speculations, not everyone on the internet is convinced she has gone under the knife.
Some industry insiders and fans argue that her recent looks could be due to weight loss, expert contouring, red carpet lighting and camera angles. One Instagram user commented under Jenna's photo on 31 July 2025:
This is the power of makeup, but some of you do not realise it.
Source: Getty Images
Another added:
Relax, guys, it is just the bleached eyebrows and dark eye makeup.
A fan also wrote:
Her facial composition is literally the same. The only illusions are highlight and contour.
Besides Jenna, A-listers Anya Taylor-Joy, Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid are some A-listers who have also been rumoured to have gotten a buccal fat removal procedure.
Jenna Ortega once wanted to look like Cinderella to fit into Hollywood
In a 2023 interview with Harper's Bazaar, per HOLA!, Ortega revealed that she once thought of dyeing her hair blonde to book more roles. She admitted:
I wanted to dye my hair blonde so that I could look like Cinderella.
However, she advised girls not to conform to Hollywood's standards of beauty, stating:
I do not want young girls to look up at the screen and feel like they have to change their appearance to be deemed beautiful or worthy.
The same year, Jenna shared with Vogue how she overcame her freckle insecurities, revealing:
I have learned that beauty is more about enhancing your natural features than trying to cover them up with makeup. I have realised that less is more.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
Jenna Ortega was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2024. Below are some frequently asked questions about her:
Who are Jenna Ortega's parents?
Ortega's father, Edward, is of Mexican descent, while her mother, Natalie, has Mexican and Puerto Rican roots. He works at a California district attorney's office, while she is an emergency room nurse.
How rich is Jenna Ortega?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Jenna has an estimated net worth of &5 million. She has amassed this wealth from her illustrious acting career and lucrative endorsement deals with brands such as Adidas, Dior and Neutrogena.
Is Jenna Ortega in a relationship?
Ortega's relationship status remains a mystery as she does not discuss her love life publicly. She claims that this would distract her audiences from her acting endeavours.
Wrapping up
Jenna Ortega's buccal fat removal claims lack official confirmation as the Wednesday alum remains tight-lipped about her changed looks at the series' Season 2 premiere. While some fans argue that the sharp jawline was due to expert makeup application or lighting, others claim she went under the knife to alter her appearance.
READ MORE: Dolly Parton's plastic surgery: What she's had done and why
Briefly.co.za published details about Dolly Parton's cosmetic procedures. The country music legend is always open about her plastic surgeries.
Dolly has mentioned that she was not naturally pretty and wanted to make the most of what she had. The singer has had procedures like bust augmentation, facelift, rhinoplasty, Botox, and fillers.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
