Wendi McLendon-Covey Reveals Reason for Absence at ‘Bridesmaids’ Oscars Reunion
The cast of Bridesmaids reunited at the 2026 Academy Awards on Sunday, March 15, to celebrate the film’s 15th anniversary, but Wendi McLendon-Covey was noticeably absent. The actress revealed the reason for her absence: she underwent a neck lift the previous week.
Why McLendon-Covey Missed the Reunion
McLendon-Covey explained her decision on Instagram, posting a selfie with her head bandaged. “In response to some of the DMs I’m getting: I had a neck lift last week because I’m tired of looking like a melting candle,” she wrote. “So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine. 😘”
Bridesmaids: A Decade and a Half Later
Bridesmaids, directed by Paul Feig, was released in 2011 and quickly became a box office success, grossing nearly $300 million worldwide. The film earned Melissa McCarthy a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 2012 Oscars, and Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo were nominated for Best Original Screenplay.
No Sequel in Sight
Despite continued fan interest, a sequel to Bridesmaids appears unlikely. Kristen Wiig stated in a 2021 interview with SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen that she and Mumolo weren’t interested in revisiting the story, emphasizing their love for the original film and desire to pursue other projects. Mumolo added that creating a worthy sequel would be a significant challenge, requiring years of development to gain the story right. McLendon-Covey echoed this sentiment in a 2024 interview with Us Weekly, stating that Wiig had consistently indicated there would be no sequel for the past decade.
Feig’s Comments on McLendon-Covey’s Absence
Paul Feig told Entertainment Now he was disappointed McLendon-Covey couldn’t attend. “I just heard that she was not available,” Feig said. “She might even be traveling, I’m not sure. But we will miss her terribly, because I love Wendi.”
What’s Next for McLendon-Covey
McLendon-Covey, known for her role on The Goldbergs (2013-2023), is currently starring as Joyce on NBC’s St. Denis Medical.