Why Anya Taylor Joy's Face Became The Center Of Controversy When She Was 20 Years Old

Highlights

  • Anya Taylor-Joy was bullied for her wide-set eyes.
  • Despite rumors of plastic surgery, Taylor-Joy has not publicly addressed the allegations.
  • Taylor-Joy received the Face of the Year Award and has grown to love her eyes.

Anya Taylor-Joy gained widespread recognition for her impressive performance in various well-received and profitable movies and television series. While her acting prowess opened doors for many Hollywood projects and brand collaborations, Taylor-Joy's appearance became the subject of online discussions.

When fans noticed her changing appearance, speculations arose about Taylor-Joy's alleged buccal fat removal and cosmetic procedures. While the actress has not publicly commented on the rumors, a resurfaced interview with Taylor-Joy discusses how she was bullied at school and online due to her facial features.

Anya Taylor-Joy Was Unaware Of Her Wide-Set Eyes Until The Media Pointed It Out

Back in 2016, when Anya Taylor-Joy was just 20 years old, she was interviewed by W Magazine about her burgeoning career and the newfound intensity of her fame. During the interview, the discussion took an immediate turn toward whether Taylor-Joy had ever felt self-conscious about her facial features.

The very first question posed to the actress was about her distinctive eyes and whether they made her self-conscious. Taylor-Joy responded and shared her heartbreaking experience when she was made aware of her eye placement after being tagged in a Facebook photo where her eyes were humorously compared to a fish.

The cruel comparison deeply affected her, leaving her upset and reluctant to look at herself in mirrors for a long time.

"I was really upset about it, and I didn't enjoy it. I kind of stopped looking in mirrors for a very long time. I still don't really spend a lot of time in front of mirrors because I don't really have to deal with my face. Unfortunately, y'all do."

Taylor-Joy went on to mention that she was still in the process of growing into herself but felt a lot less awkward as time went on.

Anya Taylor-Joy Full Name

Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy

Birthdate

April 16, 1996

Birthplace

Miami, Florida

Parents

Dennis Alan Taylor

Jennifer Marina Joy

Husband

Malcolm McRae (married - October 2023)

Net Worth

$7 Million

When these past comments from Taylor-Joy resurfaced on social media, her fans quickly rallied to defend and support the actress. Fans posted tweets praising her beauty while others took the opportunity to discuss society's unrealistic beauty standards, highlighting the pressure individuals face to conform to a narrow definition of beauty perpetuated by the entertainment industry.

Another interesting fact about Taylor-Joy's eyes is that she doesn't boast a 20/20 vision. In an interview with Marie Claire, the actress revealed, "I've got really bad eyesight, so I can't see my reflection in car windows or anything." ​​​​However, this visual limitation has led to a heightened sense of smell and a unique method for getting into character.

Anya Taylor-Joy told Vanity Fair that her heightened sense of smell was influenced by her poor eyesight:

"I've always been obsessed with scent because I have really terrible eyesight. ...As I started getting a bit older, I became obsessed with apothecaries, and I mixed my own scents with notes like damask rose and black pepper, or things that are a bit spicy and out of this world..."

Taylor-Joy also emphasized the significance of these scents in grounding herself and mentioned her strong attachment to them while traveling. Additionally, for certain film characters, Taylor-Joy curates her scent to instantly immerse herself in a specific mindset.

Did Anya Taylor-Joy's Insecurities Influence Her To Undergo Plastic Surgery?

As Anya Taylor-Joy grew in the spotlight, rumors about her alleged plastic surgery began circulating. In January 2021, an Instagram fan account, @celebplastic, shared comparative images of the actress with the caption "Then and now." Twitter users also joined the speculation, with one tweet in January 2023 saying that Taylor-Joy now resembles a rich celebrity with expensive plastic surgery.

A discussion on Reddit also speculated about the reasons behind Taylor-Joy's perceived physical changes and the procedures she may have undergone. However, these are all unconfirmed speculations.

Anya Taylor-Joy's Alleged Cosmetic Procedures:

  • Buccal fat removal
  • Cheek fillers
  • Botox
  • Nose job / Rhinoplasty
  • Brow lift

Despite these rumors, Taylor-Joy has not publicly addressed the allegations. Instead, she has been candid about her experiences with bullying, particularly related to her wide-set eyes. In an interview with Elle in April 2021, Taylor-Joy revealed how the bullying inspired her to pursue acting as a refuge. She emphasized the need for a place where she could be valued and appreciated for her contributions.

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In another interview on The Drew Barrymore Show in November 2022, Taylor-Joy shared her mother's valuable advice about looking at a person's heart rather than external factors like appearance or social class. This guidance played a crucial role in helping her navigate the cruelty she faced during her younger years.

Anya Taylor-Joy Received The Face Of The Year Award Despite Her Physical Insecurities

Anya Taylor-Joy received the Face of the Year Award at the 2021 CFDA Fashion Awards. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actress discussed the significance of the award and opened up about embracing her greatest insecurity.

"I would say that I've grown to love my eyes. I was really bullied for them when I was little. Now, it seems they're the thing people want from me. So yeah, it's a funny story."

For the CFDA Fashion Awards red carpet, Taylor-Joy donned a striking purple mini dress by Oscar de la Renta, complemented by Tiffany & Co. jewelry, matching purple pumps from Stuart Weitzman, and a Gigi Burris hat adorned with leopard print, accompanied by matching gloves.

Anya Taylor Joy's Accolades:

  • Best Actress (The Queen's Gambit) - Golden Globes Awards 2021
  • Best Actress (The Queen's Gambit) - Critics Choice Awards 2021
  • Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor (The Queen's Gambit) - Screen Actors Guild Awards 2021
  • Best Actress (The Queen's Gambit - Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards 2021
  • Breakthrough Actor -Gotham Awards 2016
  • Breakthrough Performance - Phoenix Film Critics Society 2016
  • Best Actress in a Leading Role - Fright Meter Awards 2016
  • Best Young Actress - New Mexico Film Critics 2016
  • Best Actress - Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2017
  • Trophée Chopard - Cannes Film Festival 2017
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"So, the inspiration for this was actually the opening sequence of 101 Dalmatians. I love the idea of very classy ladies walking their dogs. I just tried to think about the quintessential New York woman, and somehow, we ended up here."

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