Why a nose job isn’t guaranteed to fix your face: From Wayne Rooney to Bella Hadid, a plastic surgeon reveals the celebrities who look better after the procedure – and who shouldn’t have gone under the knife 

Whether for cosmetic or medical reasons, rhinoplasty is big business – and when it comes to the rich and famous, some stars have openly discussed their procedures, while others have faced speculation over their changing profiles.

One of the world’s most popular cosmetic procedures, nose surgery has long been a feature of Hollywood, with studies suggesting as many as 30 to 40 per cent of actresses may have undergone some form of rhinoplasty.

And it’s not just actors – sports stars including Wayne Rooney and Mike Tindall, along with TV personalities such as Simon Cowell, have spoken about their noses or faced public speculation over whether they may have had work done.

Since the 1950s, when rhinoplasty techniques became more refined, the small nose with a narrow, straight bridge and slightly upturned tip has been held up as a beauty ideal, with stars such as Grace Kelly and Marilyn Monroe often cited as the perfect examples – although whether either underwent surgery has never been confirmed.

Today, celebrities are increasingly open about cosmetic procedures, whether to smooth out bumps, improve breathing or simply bring their features into better balance.

While stars like Jennifer Aniston and Megan Fox have discussed procedures they have undergone, supermodel Bella Hadid has spoken about regretting changes that altered some of her natural ethnic features.

But experts warn that a nose job isn’t a guaranteed fix for insecurity – and removing too much bone or cartilage can actually leave someone with a less balanced appearance.

So, which stars have openly discussed changing their noses, which have faced speculation, and what can we learn from the results? Dr Ross Perry, Medical Director of Cosmedics, weighs in.

Wayne Rooney

Earlier this week, Wayne Rooney shared the results of his nose job after revealing he’d had an operation to fix it after breaking it twice during his football career.

The former England captain, 40, revealed he’d had the operation on his new podcast Stick to United, which he presents with football influencer Mark Goldbridge, a week after having surgery.

While recording the first episode of his new podcast, which will focus on Manchester United, Rooney revealed that he was feeling ‘a little bit uncomfortable’ following the surgery.

He said: ‘It’s actually really lucky I’ve got no black eyes, but I’ve still got two plastic tubes up my nose, which are coming out very soon. I can’t wait for them to come out.’

Dr Ross commented: ‘The operation would have been repairing the damage from the two fractures, working around the nasal structure rather than simply making his nose smaller. 

‘Therefore, the nose after is more balanced with his face and looks less prominent. 

‘However, it’s not a dramatic change, but it’s a positive one. The important thing is that it still looks like Wayne Rooney, it doesn’t look over-operated.’

Blake Lively

Blake Lively has never publically confirmed having a nose job, but the Gossip Girl star has faced years of speculation that she underwent rhinoplasty early in her career.

Before-and-after photographs have fuelled claims that the shape of the actress’ nose changed, notably around the bridge and tip. 

Dr Ross said: ‘I don’t believe Blake has ever confirmed if she has had rhinoplasty, but going by pictures I actually prefer the before if this is the case. The after is more refined, yes, but I think it’s perhaps been refined a little too much. 

‘The bridge is narrower and the tip is more defined, but she’s actually lost some of the character of the original nose. 

‘It’s not a bad result by any means, it’s technically quite neat but for me, the before suited her face better. Sometimes you don’t need to make a perfectly good nose smaller and more delicate.’

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande has also faced speculation over whether she has had rhinoplasty, with fans comparing photographs from her early Nickelodeon days with her appearance today.

However, the singer has never publically confirmed having a nose job – in fact, denying it altogether during a lie detector test for Vanity Fair in 2024 – despite repeatedly facing questions about the changes to her face.

Dr Ross said: ‘Ariana is a bit different because she has explicitly denied having a nose job. 

‘In a 2024 Vanity Fair lie-detector interview, she said she had used fillers and Botox in the past, but denied rhinoplasty, the test operator indicated she was telling the truth.

‘That said, if we’re just judging the apparent nose change in photographs, the later nose is certainly more refined. The bridge appears narrower, the tip is more defined and the overall nose is smaller. 

‘Makeup, weight loss, ageing and photography can make a considerable difference. If I had to say which I prefer, I’d probably say the earlier nose which had more character and actually balanced her face very nicely.’

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid has been unusually candid about her decision to have a nose job, revealing she underwent rhinoplasty at just 14 years old.

The supermodel has since admitted that she regrets the decision, particularly because she feels the surgery changed an important part of her identity.

Bella has spoken about wishing she had kept the nose she inherited from her Palestinian heritage on her father Mohamed’s side, and said she would have liked to retain some of her natural ethnic features.

While the procedure helped shape the look that would later become her modelling trademark, Bella told Vogue: ‘I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors. I think I would have grown into it’. 

Dr Ross said: ‘Bella confirmed she had a nose job at 14 and technically, it’s a very good rhinoplasty. The nose is narrower, the bridge is straighter and the tip is more refined. 

‘But do I think it’s better? I’m not convinced. I actually think the original nose had more character and suited her face. 

‘The problem for me is that had it done at 14, which is very young, and she herself has said she wishes she’d kept her natural nose because she thinks she would have grown into it. And I agree with her. The after is more conventionally refined, but the before had individuality.’

Khloe Kardashian

Khloe Kardashian has openly admitted to having a nose job, revealing in 2021 that she underwent rhinoplasty during an episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians.

She previously faced years of speculation over whether her nose had changed, before finally confirming that she had surgery, and explaining that she had always been insecure about her nose and was happy with the change.

Posting to X in 2022, she shared of her recovery: ‘Stop!!! Mine was a breeze. That’s crazy. It honestly was so easy for me. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.’

Dr Ross commented: ‘Khloe’s nose job is a good result. It is straighter, narrower and more refined, particularly through the bridge and tip.

‘I’d say Khloe looks better after; however, the old nose wasn’t bad, it was a little wider and less defined. The new one is more proportionate and photographs very well. 

‘The only criticism I’d make is that it’s perhaps a touch too polished, but I guess that was the look she was after.’ 

Rebecca Adlington

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington has spoken openly about undergoing rhinoplasty after years of cruel comments about the size and shape of her nose.

The former Olympic champion became the target of online trolls during her career, with her appearance frequently discussed alongside her sporting achievements.

She eventually decided to have surgery in 2014, explaining that the procedure was something she wanted to do for herself.

Dr Ross said: ‘I think here Rebecca’s nose is better after. It’s noticeably smaller, the bump has gone and the overall shape is more balanced with her face. 

‘But, and this is important, it hasn’t completely changed her appearance, which is exactly what you want with a good rhinoplasty. The old nose had character, but it was quite dominant, whereas the new one is more proportionate.’

Charlotte Crosby

Charlotte Crosby has never been shy about discussing cosmetic procedures and has openly revealed that she had rhinoplasty in 2016 after becoming unhappy with the shape of her nose.

The Geordie Shore star previously admitted that she had become increasingly conscious of her profile and wanted to make a change, and has since spoken positively about the results and said the procedure gave her more confidence.

Dr Ross noted: ‘I think the after is better, The bump has gone, the nose is straighter and the tip is more refined. It’s a clear improvement in terms of proportion. But I do think there’s a point where you can refine a nose too much. 

‘The original nose had more character, whereas the operated nose is very small and quite heavily sculpted. And when you start changing the rest of the face as well, particularly with fillers, the overall result can become a little overdone.’

Jennifer Aniston 

Jennifer Aniston has openly confirmed having rhinoplasty, although she has always stressed that the procedure was not simply about changing her appearance.

The Friends star revealed she had surgery to correct a deviated septum in 2007, later saying the operation helped her breathe better.

However, Aniston has also faced speculation that the procedure altered the appearance of her nose, particularly given how subtle the change was.

Dr Ross said: ‘Jennifer is a very good example of where subtle surgery can work. The before nose wasn’t bad at all, it had a little more width and character, but the after is more refined, the bridge is cleaner and the tip is better balanced with the rest of her face, so definitely looks better after.’ 

LaToya Jackson

LaToya Jackson has been open about having cosmetic surgery, including procedures involving her nose, following in the footsteps of several members of the famous Jackson family.

The singer and television personality has discussed undergoing rhinoplasty as part of her changing appearance over the years, with her nose being a major talking point among fans. 

Dr Ross said: ‘If I’m honest I much prefer the before. The original nose was wider, yes, but it was completely in proportion with her face and actually gave her a very attractive, distinctive appearance. 

‘The first refinement wasn’t necessarily a problem. It’s what appears to have happened subsequently that’s the issue. The nose has become progressively narrower, the tip more pointed, and you’ve started to get that pinched appearance. That’s when I think you’ve gone too far.’

Megan Fox  

Megan Fox has faced plenty of speculation about her nose over the years, although she later confirmed in 2024 that she underwent a nose job in her earlier twenties. 

While appearing on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she told host Alex Cooper: ‘That’s something I’ve literally been accused of having like six, seven, eight rhinoplasty surgeries, which is impossible, your nose would get necrosis and fall off.

‘I haven’t had a rhinoplasty since I was, I’m gonna say 23. It’s been well over a decade, I haven’t touched my nose since then.’

Dr Ross said: ‘I think Megan is a very good example of a rhinoplasty that worked. The original nose had a more prominent bridge and was a little wider. The after is straighter, narrower and the tip is more refined.

‘I wouldn’t say it’s perfect as I think she’s probably taken the contouring further than necessary in some photographs, and that can make the nose look almost unnaturally tiny. But that’s makeup rather than surgery.’ 

Donatella Versace

Donatella Versace has undergone a dramatic transformation over the years, with her changing appearance prompting widespread speculation about cosmetic surgery.

The fashion designer has never been shy about discussing cosmetic procedures and has acknowledged having work done, though she’s never publically confirmed a specific nose job.

Fans continue to point out, however, that her nose has changed noticeably throughout her career, leading to speculation that rhinoplasty may have played a role.

Dr Ross noted: ‘Donatella has never confirmed she’s had surgery on her nose, but in terms of the differing photographs, I prefer the original nose. The earlier nose was broader and had a much softer, more natural shape, and I think it suited her face. 

‘The later nose looks more refined and lifted, but I think it’s become a little overworked. The issue with rhinoplasty is that smaller doesn’t automatically mean better. You want the nose to balance the face, and here I think some of that natural character has been lost.’ 

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling has faced speculation that he had rhinoplasty early in his career, with fans comparing photographs from his younger years with his appearance today.

However, the actor has never publically confirmed undergoing nose surgery.

Claims have largely centred around subtle changes to the shape of his nose, particularly when comparing his appearances as a teenager and adult. 

Dr Ross said: ‘Ryan has never confirmed he’s had a nose job, if you ask me whether I think he’s had something done, I’d say it’s possible, but I wouldn’t put my money on it. 

‘There is a subtle difference in the bridge and tip when you compare very early photographs with more recent ones, but we’re talking about tiny changes. 

‘And aesthetically, I actually prefer the later nose. It’s straighter, a little more refined and it sits very nicely with the rest of his face. 

‘But this is exactly the sort of case where people look at two photographs taken twenty years apart and immediately shout ‘rhinoplasty’. Lighting, weight, age and expression can make an enormous difference.’ 

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell has openly admitted to having cosmetic procedures like Botox and facial fillers over the years, but claims about exactly what he has done to his nose are less clear.

The Britain’s Got Talent judge’s appearance has changed significantly since he first became a household name, prompting years of speculation over everything from fillers to facelifts and rhinoplasty.

Dr Ross said: ‘I’m not convinced he’s actually had his nose done. There are differences between the younger and older photographs, particularly around the bridge and tip, but he’s also aged considerably and has had quite a lot of non-surgical treatments.

‘If I had to judge the nose aesthetically, I’d actually take the older one. It had a stronger, more masculine shape and suited his face. 

‘The later nose appears a little more refined, but I don’t think it’s an obvious improvement. And if anything, the bigger issue with Simon’s appearance over the years has been the excessive use of filler.’

Mike Tindall  

In April 2018, former England rugby captain Mike Tindall had corrective surgery on his nose after breaking it at least eight times during his rugby career.

The injuries had left him with severe breathing problems, with his wife Zara Tindall even secretly filming him gasping and stopping breathing in his sleep to convince him to finally have the operation.

His mother-in-law, Princess Anne, had even asked whether he would consider a rhinoplasty before his wedding to Zara in 2011 – a procedure she would have happily paid for, though he politely declined at the time. 

Before his corrective procedure, however, Mike’s nose sat at a 45 degree angle and both of his nostrils were collapsed, meaning he could only breathe out of his mouth.

‘I loved my nose,’ he told The Telegraph, ‘I didn’t really want to change it but it got to the point where I couldn’t breathe properly.

‘I couldn’t smell properly, my sinuses were blocked, I was getting so many headaches and it was affecting my sleep.’

Dr Ross commented: ‘Mike Tindall is an interesting one because his nose was fairly crooked from repeated rugby injuries.

‘His after pictures you can see it’s considerably straighter and more symmetrical, but importantly it still suits Mike’s face. I actually think it’s a very a good result. 

‘It hasn’t turned him into someone else, they’ve basically tidied up a rugby-injured nose and improved the function. So for me, the after is better.’