Simon Cowell has spoken candidly about overdoing Botox and fillers, admitting he struggled to recognise himself in an old photograph as he addressed speculation about his changing appearance.
The TV mogul has been frank about the cosmetic treatments behind his changing look over the years – and why he eventually decided enough was enough. The Britain's Got Talent judge, who celebrates his 67th birthday today (October 7), openly acknowledges his previous overuse of Botox and dermal fillers, once quipping that he'd had "thousands" of units of Botox.
Repeated filler treatments
Over time, repeated filler treatments left his face looking fuller, particularly around his cheeks and eyes. By the early 2020s, Cowell admitted he had pushed things too far with injectables. He said at the time that he looked "like a weirdo" and "something out of a horror film". Cowell also revealed he couldn't recognise himself in an old photograph.
The star said he decided to abandon fillers after his young son, Eric, became frightened and broke down in tears over his altered appearance. He had the filler removed and has since insisted he has "zero" filler remaining in his face.
Thread lift and veneers
In 2018, Cowell disclosed that he had undergone a Silhouette Soft Lift, commonly known as a "thread lift", rather than a conventional surgical facelift. The procedure involves inserting threads beneath the skin to lift areas around the jawline and cheekbones. He also changed his smile with a set of bright white dental veneers.
Beyond cosmetic treatments, Cowell lost more than 20 pounds around 2019 after switching to a health-conscious, largely plant-based diet, which slimmed down his cheeks and jawline.
Recovery and denial of facelift
Following a serious e-bike accident in 2020 that left him with a broken back, he focused on physical rehabilitation, hydration and skincare rather than relying on injectables.
Despite online speculation, Cowell has denied having a traditional surgical facelift. Speaking to the Daily Mail previously, he said: "I have heard certain things about how I've had a facelift. I haven't. I've had Botox. I've had lasers and this and that."
Despite this, he acknowledges that a combination of heavy injectables, thread lifts, ultra-white veneers, weight loss, and eventual removal of facial fillers led to his dramatically shifting appearance over the years.
