Actress Joey King recently debunked rumors that she underwent a facelift ahead of her appearance at the prestigious Met Gala. Her refined look, which sparked considerable speculation, was the result of a rigorous beauty regimen rather than surgical intervention. This revelation comes as she promotes her latest film project, 'Practical Magic 2', where she takes on a significant role in the awaited sequel.
Joey King Clarifies Met Gala Look and 'Practical Magic 2' Role
In a candid discussion on Owen Thiele's 'In Your Dreams' podcast on Friday, September 14, 2026, actress Joey King, at 27 years old, directly addressed the persistent rumors circulating since her stunning May Met Gala appearance. King unequivocally stated, "I didn't get a facelift." She expressed amusement that her efforts led people to believe she had plastic surgery, emphasizing that her beauty preparation for the event was purely non-surgical. King detailed her pre-Gala routine, which included receiving a spray tan, undertaking a 36-hour water-only fast to reduce swelling after a bachelorette party, and indulging in a lymphatic massage and a facial on the eve of the event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. She proudly noted, "It worked because everybody thought I had plastic surgery."
Beyond her personal beauty disclosures, King also spoke about her involvement in the forthcoming movie, 'Practical Magic 2'. In this much-anticipated sequel, she and Maisie Williams are cast as the daughters of Sandra Bullock's character, Sally Owens. This casting decision marks a change from the original film, where Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip portrayed the roles of Kylie and Antonia Owens. Artrip, one of the original actresses, disclosed in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail that she learned about her recasting through media reports, having left the entertainment industry some time ago. Despite the recasting, Evan Rachel Wood publicly lauded King's talent and expressed gratitude for King's direct outreach to her regarding the role transition. King reciprocated, telling The Hollywood Reporter that their conversation was "lovely" and she appreciated Wood's support and kind words, acknowledging Wood's earlier contribution to the role. Director Susanne Bier justified the recasting by explaining that the new narrative required actresses within a specific age bracket, with King and Williams perfectly fitting the roles of recent college graduates.
Joey King's transparency regarding her Met Gala preparation offers a refreshing perspective on celebrity beauty standards, highlighting the intensive, non-surgical methods often employed to achieve red carpet-ready looks. Her professional conduct in reaching out to Evan Rachel Wood, an actress she replaced, demonstrates a level of grace and respect that is commendable in the competitive world of Hollywood. This incident underscores the importance of direct communication and mutual admiration within the industry, fostering positive relationships despite challenging transitions. It also subtly questions the societal pressure on women in entertainment to maintain a perpetually youthful appearance, and how even natural transformations can be misinterpreted as surgical enhancements.
