Botched Nose Job for "Baby" - How Rhinoplasty Ruined an Acting Career

There are times in Hollywood when all it takes is one role to put an actor or actress on the radar of the public. Jennifer Grey experienced the sudden rush of the spotlight when she starred in the movie, Dirty Dancing. Unfortunately, she was not completely prepared for the amount of fame she gained from her role as “Baby.” With the attention of the industry and her next move being examined by the public, both her mother and her plastic surgeon started to pressure Grey to have rhinoplasty AKA a “nose job”. They insisted that the plastic surgery procedure would improve her chances of landing future acting roles.

However, that was not the case and her rhinoplasty ended up having a negative impact on her career and put her future acting prospects “in a corner”.

“Baby” Has a Nose Job that Makes Her “Invisible”

Jennifer Grey actually had two plastic surgery procedures that were performed to “fine-tune” the look of her nose. In her new memoir, Out of the Corner, she describes having a second surgery in order to try and correct an irregularity that was caused by the first rhinoplasty procedure. The changes to her appearance after the nose job were so extensive that actor Michael Douglas did not even recognize her at a premiere event that she attended after her surgery.

Grey said, “That was the first time I had gone out in public. And it became the thing, the idea of being completely invisible, from one day to the next. In the world’s eyes, I was no longer me.”

Her parents were also actors who had undergone rhinoplasty in the past so they could try and increase their opportunities in the world of entertainment. Even though Jennifer planned to also be an actor, she did not have any intention of altering the look of her nose.

“I was so upset with my mother for always telling me I should do my nose. I really thought it was capitulating. I really though it meant surrendering to the enemy camp.” Grey went on to say, “I just thought, ‘I’m good enough. I shouldn’t have to do this.’ That’s really what I felt. ‘I’m beautiful enough.’”

Her negative feelings towards rhinoplasty started when she was a child. “When I was a kid, I was completely anti-rhinoplasty. I mean it was like my religion. I was like, I loved that my parents did it. I understand it was the 50s. I understand they were assimilating…You can’t be Jewish. You know, you can’t look Jewish. You’re just trying to fit into whatever is the group think.”

Following her two procedures, Jennifer’s career had to change according to the reaction of the public. Instead of being a leading actress in movies, she started to do more guest star roles on TV shows along with voice acting. She even played a fictional version of herself in a sitcom that poked fun at her plastic surgery history, and she also won Dancing with the Stars in 2010 at the age of 50.

She recently told a reporter, “I believe in my heart that the second half of a woman’s life is the best half. I can’t speak to a man as I’ve never been one, but I will tell you that my experience is the second half is the best half. I’m sure of it. I’ve never felt what I’m feeling these days.”

Rhinoplasty Explained

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that is performed to alter the look, shape, and size of the nose. The changes to the nose are achieved through alterations to the skin, bone, or cartilage of the nose so the patient can enjoy an improved shape to the nose, the elimination of a bump, hump or bridge on the nose and an improved balance to the facial features. In addition, patients can also make changes to the nose that improve its functionality so the person is able to breathe easier on a daily basis.

In general, rhinoplasty is classified as being an open or closed procedure. The incisions for open rhinoplasty are made on the outside of the nose so any possible scars might be visible to the public during the healing process. The incisions for closed rhinoplasty are placed inside the nose so they will not be obvious to the naked eye.

Anyone interested in having rhinoplasty should schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon who is experienced in both open and closed techniques. The surgeon will examine the nose of the patient to assess its current condition and also determine the extent of the changes that can be achieved through either rhinoplasty technique. The doctor will also discuss the desired changes with the person in order to set realistic expectations and to make sure the extent of the changes that are requested will have a realistic appearance.

- MA