Joey King has addressed the facelift rumours that followed her appearance at the 2026 Met Gala.
The Practical Magic 2 star discussed the speculation during an appearance on Owen Thiele’s In Your Dreams podcast. The episode was released on September 11, 2026.
King made it clear that she did not undergo a facelift before fashion’s biggest night. Instead, she explained that several beauty and wellness treatments contributed to her appearance on the red carpet.
Joey King Says She Did Not Have a Facelift
King’s appearance at the 2026 Met Gala quickly attracted attention online.
After seeing her look at the May 4 event, some social media users speculated that the actress had undergone cosmetic surgery.
However, King rejected those claims during her podcast conversation with Thiele.
She said she had not had a facelift and did not have work done before the event. Reports on her podcast appearance also confirm that she directly addressed the speculation.
Her comments offered a different explanation for the noticeable change in her appearance.
What Did Joey King Do Before the Met Gala?
Rather than cosmetic surgery, King said she prepared for the Met Gala with several beauty treatments.
She revealed that she had a spray tan and also ended up fasting for around 36 hours. King specifically said she does not promote that type of prolonged fast.
According to her account, the longer fast happened somewhat unintentionally. She had initially planned a shorter reset after a bachelorette weekend that involved drinking and left her feeling swollen.
Her preparation did not stop there.
King said she also had a lymphatic massage and a facial the day before the Met Gala. On the day of the event, she had another facial lymphatic massage.
She later joked that all the preparation worked particularly well because people assumed she had undergone plastic surgery.
King Does Not Recommend Her 36-Hour Fast
One important detail from King’s comments is that she did not present the 36-hour fast as a beauty recommendation.
She explained that she does not promote doing it.
That distinction matters because celebrity beauty routines can easily become perceived as advice online. A personal experience should not automatically be treated as a medically recommended approach.
Joey King’s 2026 Met Gala Appearance
King attended the Met Gala on May 4, 2026, at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
She wore a Miu Miu look for the event, with the fashion house’s styling playing a major role in her red-carpet appearance. Contemporary coverage described her outfit as a sheer dress featuring a sparkling, wavy crystal pattern.
The actress was also returning to the Met Gala after making her debut at the event the previous year.
Her 2026 appearance generated additional attention because of her upcoming role in Practical Magic 2.
Joey King Is Having a Big Year With Practical Magic 2
The Met Gala speculation comes during an important period in King’s career.
She stars as Kylie Owens in Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to the 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The new movie also features Maisie Williams, with King taking on one of the story’s younger-generation characters.
The sequel arrived in September 2026, bringing the Owens family back to the screen nearly three decades after the original movie.
King has therefore been appearing at major promotional events while audiences become more familiar with her role in the new film.
Her London premiere appearance also attracted fashion attention, further putting her red-carpet looks in the spotlight.
Why Celebrity Plastic Surgery Rumours Spread So Quickly
King’s experience highlights a broader issue surrounding celebrity appearances.
Red-carpet makeup, professional lighting, hairstyling, skincare treatments, tanning, fashion and photography can all change how a person looks in photographs.
Those differences can lead to speculation about cosmetic procedures even when there is no confirmation that surgery took place.
In King’s case, she chose to address the speculation herself rather than leave the rumours unanswered.
That makes her own account the clearest source for what she says happened before the Met Gala.
The Bottom Line on Joey King’s Facelift Rumours
Joey King has denied having a facelift or undergoing cosmetic work before the 2026 Met Gala.
She attributed her appearance to a combination of preparation that included a spray tan, fasting, lymphatic massages and a facial. She also emphasised that she does not promote the 36-hour fast she described.
For now, the actress’s own comments are the basis for understanding what happened before her Met Gala appearance.
With Practical Magic 2 now bringing her back into the spotlight, King is likely to remain a major subject of entertainment and fashion coverage.