The former Secretary of State, 77, attended the opening night of the Ragtime revival, but the public conversation quickly shifted from the musical to her “refreshed” and “unnatural” look.
Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady and Secretary of State, made a notable appearance at the opening night of the Broadway revival of Ragtime in New York City on Thursday, October 16. While a public outing by the prominent political figure typically makes news, this one has been completely overshadowed by a fierce online debate about her facial appearance, with the public sharply divided on whether she has undergone recent cosmetic procedures.
The 77-year-old was photographed on the red carpet, appearing “refreshed” and “rested” to some fans, who gushed over her seemingly smooth, glowing look. But the positive comments were quickly drowned out by anonymous critics who were far less kind, leading to a viral social media storm.
Did Hillary Clinton get a major facelift? pic.twitter.com/UETuN2YBMO
— 🍎 Applebutt Investigations 🍎 (@8102ops) August 20, 2024
The Great Public Divide
The reactions to Clinton’s appearance fell almost entirely into two camps: those who praised her seemingly youthful look and those who suggested she had gone “too far” with cosmetic enhancement.
The Supporters:
- “Good for her!”
- She looks great with her refreshed and rested face.”
- “I love that she is just putting her best face forward.”
The Critics: The backlash was often brutal, with many commenters suggesting she had undergone an unsuccessful facelift or other procedures.
- “If she had a facelift she was overcharged.”
- “She didn’t need to go that far with cosmetic surgery.”
- “A shame when people fall into this fake face stuff. They look so unnatural and it’s repelling. Embrace your life and age. You’re not fooling anyone.”
The commentary then spiraled into bizarre and cruel comparisons, likening the politician’s look to cartoon characters and horror movie villains:
“With those cheeks, she’s got enough food stored to get through winter,” quipped one critic, comparing her to a chipmunk. Others compared her “bizarre” appearance to a Muppet and Jigsaw, the villain from the Saw horror film franchise.
Is this really Hillary Clinton at #DNC2024 ???
If so, it must be the facelift of the century. And what has happened to her voice?
Strange times…#Killary #Trump2024 pic.twitter.com/OPOjPKJmUe
— Lawyers For Justice Ireland (@LFJIreland) August 21, 2024
A Long History of Public Scrutiny
This is not the first time Hillary Clinton’s appearance has drawn speculation about cosmetic procedures. As a woman who has spent decades in the high-stakes political spotlight—from First Lady to U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, and Presidential Nominee—her look has been a constant topic of conversation, often unfairly so compared to her male counterparts.
The persistent rumors highlight a larger cultural pressure on powerful women to maintain a youthful image. While neither Clinton nor her team has ever confirmed any plastic surgery, speculation has been rife for years, with anonymous sources and tabloids frequently discussing alleged procedures like facelifts, cheek fillers, and Botox injections.
Whether her look is the result of excellent makeup, sophisticated non-surgical treatments, or a great night’s sleep remains unconfirmed. What is certain is that the former First Lady continues to draw attention, and her appearance at a Broadway opening has once again become a flashpoint for a public conversation about age, beauty, and the intense scrutiny of women in power.