Orange County Register

Photos: Nicole Kidman, left, and Madonna, right. (AP Photos)
Survey: Who is the most medically enhanced star on the Forbes Celebrity 100?

Cosmetic medicine has helped to enhance many prominent figures who made Forbes magazine’s annual Celebrity 100 listing of the world’s richest and most famous entertainers and athletes.

Botox fans on the list include Madonna, No. 21; Simon Cowell, No. 22; Nicole Kidman, No. 57; and Vanessa Williams, No. 98. Other stars have changed their looks through plastic surgery or other cosmetic procedures.

Celebrity watchers say that each of the top 4 has turned to modern medicine for an upgrade of some sort, if you include the vision-enhancing eye surgery for golfer Tiger Woods, No. 2. The other three at the top — Oprah Winfrey, Angelina Jolie and Beyonce Knowles – have either denied having plastic surgery or have kept mum on the subject.

Below is a partial list of those who have or may have used surgical or injectible enhancements to help them on their way. Attentive readers are encouraged to point out others. The following celebrities, who are discussed below, include some who oppose cosmetic procedures and many who rely on them:

• Oprah Winfrey
• Tiger Woods
• Angelina Jolie
• Beyonce Knowles
• Madonna
• Simon Cowell
• Kanye West
• Nicole Kidman
• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Cate Blanchett
• Vanessa Williams

At the end of this is post is a survey that lets readers have their say on the question “Who is the most medically enhanced star on the Forbes 100 list?”

Photos: Beyonce Knowles, left, and Oprah Winfrey, right. (AP Photos)

As in the past, talk-show host Oprah Winfrey tops the Forbes list, which ranks entertainers and prominent athletes on a combination of income and fame. In the past 12 months, Forbes estimates, Oprah has earned an estimated $275 million. She has often been suspected of using plastic surgery, especially a nose job early in her career, but she has repeatedly denied it. “I will be the first to tell you if I have plastic surgery,” she says.

Golfer Tiger Woods, at No. 2 with $115 million, has had Lasik eye surgery.

At No. 3 is actress Angelina Jolie, with an estimated $14 million in earnings and “unrivaled levels of fame.” Like Oprah, she is often the subject of speculation about an early nose job, and celebrity watcher also suggest that she had cheek implants and lip injections. The celebrity blog Make Me Heal, for example, concluded that “her full lips are the product of good genes, although her nose and cheeks may have had a little help from the surgeon over the years.

Speculation about No. 4, singer Beyonce Knowles, involves breast implants, liposuction and an early nose job. Plastic surgeon Tony Youn has spotted what he thinks may be evidence of breast-implant surgery, with the work done through the armpit – a common implant surgery entry point.

Singer/actress Madonna, No. 21, with earnings of $40 million, says, “I’m not against plastic surgery, I’m just against discussing it.” Plastic surgeons who keep an eye on celebrities suggest that her smooth forehead is a clear sign of Botox injections. She may also have benefitted from fat grafting, injections of dermal filler, and a facelift, they say. A couple of years ago, when the news was “Madonna is considering plastic surgery,” plastic surgeon John Di Saia of San Clemente commented, “She has probably already had some.”

TV personality Simon Cowell, No. 22, who made $72 million last year from “American Idol” and other enterprises, says he smoothes out wrinkles with Botox, but hasn’t had plastic surgery and doesn’t even color his hair. “Vain? Yeah, I am. But to be honest with you, I can’t think of one person who is on TV who isn’t vain,” he says.

No. 27, singer Kanye West, with income of $30 million, had a fatal run-in with plastic surgery last year, when his mother died of complications after a breast-reduction operation.

Actress Nicole Kidman, No. 57, with income of $13 million, is renowned among dermatologists for the Botox-induced arch of her eyebrows. During her current pregnancy, she has apparently refrained from Botox injections and the arch of her eyebrows is less prominent.

Actress Sarah Jessica Parker, No. 72, with $18 million, is a prominent opponent of Botox injections.

Similarly, actress Cate Blanchett, No. 77, with $12 million, makes a point of rejecting plastic surgery. “I see someone’s face, someone’s body who has had children, and I think they’re the song lines of your experience, and why would you want to eradicate that?” she says.

Actress Vanessa Williams, No. 98, with income of $4.5 million, is an exuberant fan of Botox. “I certainly do Botox, which I definitely think that almost every woman that I know has,” she says. “It’s a miracle drug, no cutting, nothing …”

Related links:

• Did Madonna make herself more attractive?
• Views of Sarah Jessica Parker split along gender fault line
• Selma Blair isn’t wrinkled enough for Botox or plastic surgery, she says
• Stallone’s ex-wife plans plastic surgery on TV
• Susan Sarandon might get a neck lift, but not Botox
• Priscilla’s face divides cosmetic docs; what about you?
• ‘Indiana Jones’ star Blanchett shuns plastic surgery
• Victoria Principal said she wouldn’t reveal plastic surgery, but those photos …
• Men say women look best with no breast implants, no Botox
• Nicole Kidman’s new look, pregnant and Botox-free
• Simon Cowell relies on Botox, shuns plastic surgery and hair color
• Vanessa Williams, Botox fan

For more on celebrities and cosmetic medicine, see the list of links on the right side of this blog.

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