Wendi McLendon-Covey Missed the Oscars Due to Recent Surgery

The “Bridesmaids” reunion at the 96th Academy Awards was missing one cast member: Wendi McLendon-Covey. While Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, and Ellie Kemper presented the award for Best Score and Best Sound, McLendon-Covey revealed on Instagram that she was recovering from a neck lift she underwent the previous week.

“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 posted on Instagram @fscottschafer. “So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine. 😘”

During their appearance, the actresses joked about the film being shot in 1883 and playfully interacted with audience members like Stellan Skarsgård and Benicio del Toro.

Rose Byrne was a nominee this year for Best Actress for her role in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” but Jessie Buckley ultimately won the award for her performance in “Hamnet.”