Viewers of ITV's This Morning were left audibly gasping during Monday's episode as a 28-year-old trainee solicitor showcased the results of her extensive cosmetic surgery, sparking a furious debate about the programme's responsibility.
The Controversial Appearance
Jade Mandongwe, a 28-year-old trainee solicitor, appeared on the popular daytime show alongside renowned Harley Street plastic surgeon William Townley. She detailed her decision to travel to Turkey the previous month for a comprehensive cosmetic procedure package that cost her £10,000. This included a mid facelift, brow lift, breast surgery, and dental veneers.
Speaking to hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard, Jade explained her journey began with filler and Botox at age 24. By 26, she felt these non-invasive treatments were no longer sufficient. "It wasn't necessarily achieving a better result. It was about rejuvenation," she stated. "I was beginning to look very tired. Life gets like that as a trainee solicitor."
Jade emphasised her desire for a natural look, stating she wanted to "look more refreshed" and be able to "leave the house and not have to wear loads of make-up." When Ben Shephard suggested social media and filters played a role, Jade conceded her generation has "grown up on filters," which can influence personal aesthetic goals, though she insisted she wasn't aiming for an artificial, filtered appearance.
Expert Medical Opinion Weighs In
The segment took a cautionary turn when Harley Street surgeon William Townley provided his professional perspective. He expressed that performing such surgeries on people in their 20s without an underlying medical condition is not something he would generally recommend in the UK.
"You're not treating aging at that stage, you're changing someone's appearance and how they look," Townley explained. "You have to tread carefully, because some surgeries are permanent." He highlighted that the UK medical community tends to be more conservative, with most experts advising against such early interventions. "Our philosophy is to make significant changes to make people feel more confident and happier, but not to change their appearance and keep who they are," he added.
Mr Townley also outlined the significant cost disparity, noting that Jade's £10,000 package would be impossible to procure in the UK, where a mid facelift alone can cost between £5,000 and £20,000. While the surgical risks are similar for a 25-year-old and a 55-year-old, he pointed out that the stakes are higher for younger patients because "the potential complications last for longer."
Backlash from Viewers
The reaction on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was swift and overwhelmingly critical, with many viewers labelling the segment as "irresponsible".
One viewer tweeted, "#ThisMorning as per usual being totally irresponsible by having someone like this on," while another simply stated, "Sad." Many commented on Jade's age, with one person writing, "28 is way too young for a facelift," and another adding, "She was very pretty before her surgery."
The criticism extended to questioning the motivations behind such procedures, with comments like "Vanity is indeed a killer of souls" and "More money than sense" reflecting a broader concern about the normalization of extensive cosmetic surgery at a young age.
Now six weeks post-operation, Jade confirmed she remains open to further surgery in the future, a statement that is likely to fuel further discussion about the long-term implications of starting such a journey so young.
