Olivia Colman Is Refreshingly Honest About Botox Use: 'Oh, I've Had Loads!'

By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | March 1, 2024 |

By Emily Richardson | Celebrity | March 1, 2024 |

Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley recently went on BBC’s Radio 2 to promote their new movie, Wicked Little Letters. During their chat, Olivia and host DJ Vernon Kay realized they were born the same year: 1974. Olivia was shocked: “Are we? I look like your mum. You look so young. That’s really annoying.” Then she asked, “How much Botox have you had?” Vernon replied, “Ay, none! No, I refuse.” Olivia countered with, “Oh, I’ve had loads!” before bursting into laughter with Jessie. When asked if the procedure hurts, 50-year-old Olivia replied in the affirmative: “It’s needles in your face!”

BBC Radio 2 uploaded the clip to social media (hey, stars and cosmetic surgery headlines get clicks), and the comments were largely positive: “So bloody refreshing!”, “Olivia’s inability to filter her thoughts is what I live for,” and “God I love her.” She is very charming. Here’s the clip:

@bbcradio2 Vernon Kay and Olivia Colman found out they were the same age when recording #TenToTheTop 😂 Listen to the podcast on BBC Sounds 🎧 #vernonkay #oliviacolman #jessiebuckley ♬ original sound - bbcradio2

A lot of celebrities get work done, but very few of them are open about it. And, sure, that’s their business. But I still appreciate when one of them fesses up, mostly because it makes me feel less insecure about my own looks. Oh, you mean celebrities and influencers aren’t just naturally blessed with tight foreheads, pumped-up lips, and perfectly defined jawlines? Then maybe there’s nothing wrong with my face either. It especially irks me when a star’s surgery is obvious and they straight-up deny getting anything done (versus simply keeping mum). Do they take us for fools?

That said, I don’t think Botox is a huge deal (when done in moderation). It’s not permanent, it doesn’t warp your features, and you still look like you. I should know, I got some in my forehead for my wedding. I didn’t want the wrinkle between my brows to make me look angry in photos. I was worried the results would be too dramatic, but, actually, an Olivia Colman interview from 2021 helped dissuade my fears (via The Times):

“I have done Botox and I LOVED it,” she reveals, although she admits she’s always been too nervous to “do it for a job. I’ve done it when I know there is a big gap [between roles].”

Does it work? “Yeah! I didn’t tell my husband and then for about six months he kept saying, ‘Hello, Pretty!’ and then I told him and he found it hilarious. And then it wore off. It’s temporary. But I’ve always loved faces that aren’t symmetrical and teeth that aren’t flawless.”

Olivia is smart to take a break from injectables for roles. The Botox may have looked great in pictures, but, when I tried to raise an eyebrow or roll my eyes, I was only operating at 30% of my powers. A nightmare for any actress/anyone who loves to give a big, bitchy reaction.