Kristin Davis Opens Up About Plastic Surgery, Beauty Pressures, and Red Carpet Style Evolution

Kristin Davis has enjoyed a long and successful career, staying active and relevant in Hollywood for decades.

After early roles on Melrose Place and General Hospital, she rose to international fame in 1998 as Charlotte York on Sex and the City. Over the years, some have speculated about possible cosmetic procedures as her appearance has evolved.

Kristin Davis portrays Charlotte York, exuding classic elegance, in the iconic romantic comedy-drama series Sex and the City (Credit: HBO)

The role catapulted her to fame and established her position in entertainment lore. She received nods for the Golden Globe Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards.

She and her co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kim Cattrall also won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series.

Did Kristin Davis Get Plastic Surgery? What The Doctors Say

Despite her immense success, many people have accused her of having plastic surgery done on her face over the years.

In July 2021, OK Magazine published an exclusive interview with doctors discussing the Sex and the City star’s almost eternal youth.

Kristin Davis pictured in 2005 (L) and 2022 (R), showing visible changes to her facial appearance amid ongoing plastic surgery speculation (Credit: Tinseltown / Lev Radin / Shutterstock)

“Her face has certainly changed over the past couple of years,” said Dr. Michael Somenek, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in Washington, DC.

While he noted no obvious surgical work around her eyes, he suggested she may have undergone a necklift and received facial fillers to add volume.

According to Dr. Somenek, the added volume in her cheeks may have contributed to a fuller, wider appearance compared to her previously slimmer facial structure.

Kristin Davis wears a green-and-white floral shirt dress while filming And Just Like That on location in New York City on November 3, 2022 (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Dr. Somenek also suggested that lip injections or a possible lip lift may have contributed to a slightly stiff appearance when she smiles.

Similarly, Michigan-based plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn observed changes that may be the result of fillers in her cheeks and smile lines, as well as Botox to smooth her forehead, all of which can create a firmer look to the face.

Kristin’s Take On Her Controversial Plastic Surgery Speculations

Let’s look at what Kristin Davis has said about the speculation. In a 2021 interview with The Sunday Times Style Magazine, she addressed the criticism and expressed her “shock” at the negativity.

“Everyone wants to comment, pro or nay or whatever, on our hair and our faces and our this and our that,” she said. “The level of intensity of it was a shock. I feel angry, and I don’t want to feel angry all the time, so I don’t look at it. I just know it’s there.”

Kristin Davis sports a dramatic hot pink blazer, black bustier, and veiled top hat while filming And Just Like That in New York City on October 10, 2022 (Credit: Janet Mayer / Startraksphoto / Cover Images)

While filming Sex and the City, Holiday in the Wild star Kristin Davis often faced criticism about her body. “Every week, they would publish pieces about how I was pear-shaped,” she shared, admitting it caused her anxiety.

Reflecting on continued scrutiny, she added, “I kind of feel like that’s how it is now too, but I also feel—I’m going to be blunt—I feel like, ‘Fck you. Fck you people, like, come over here and do it better. You know what I mean? Like, what are you doing?'”

Kristin also pointed to social media as adding new pressures. “That’s the problem with social media, right, is that you don’t know what those people are doing. You don’t know anything about them. They’re just hurling bombs at you. It makes me angry,” she said.

Though she hasn’t directly confirmed plastic surgery, in a 2018 interview with New Beauty, Kristin admitted she was hesitant about procedures like Botox due to her fear of needles, complications, and irreversible results. She also expressed her appreciation for CoolSculpting, a non-invasive fat-freezing treatment.

Throughout her career, Kristin has been open about struggling with body image and the pressures of Hollywood’s beauty standards.

Kristin Davis sparkles in a floor-length metallic cape gown at the NYC Ballet Fashion Fall Gala, held at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater in New York City on September 28, 2022 (Credit: John Eddy / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

“I used to go to the gym six days a week, two hours a day. I worked hard to try to fit into the Hollywood standard or what I perceived that to be,” she told AOL in a 2018 interview. “It was a struggle because that was not really my body, and I was killing myself trying to change it.”

While Kristin says she feels “more sure and confident” today, appearance still remains on her mind. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to say that that doesn’t concern me or that I don’t think about [beauty standards], but on the other hand, I feel stronger in who I am and that my body is my body and a lot of people love my body,” she shared. “You’re never going to please everyone.”

A Bigger Cultural Conversation

Speaking to New Beauty in January 2022, Kristin admitted that she finds it “challenging” to compare how she looked on Sex and the City over two decades ago to how she looks in And Just Like That.

Kristin Davis reprises her role as Charlotte York Goldenblatt, seen filming And Just Like That…, the sequel to Sex and the City, while holding her on-screen dog (Credit: HBO Max)

“It can also be extremely stressful to be aging and to be compared to your much, much, much younger self. If I was from a regular life, I would feel fine; I would feel great! But, no, I’m on television, where every bit of my physical being is analyzed,” Kristin admitted. “As much as I can look back on my life and think, ‘Oh, I looked great then,’ you never think that at the time.”

She added, “I like to think there’s more to life than how we look, but it’s unavoidable in our culture that, as you age — especially as a woman — that how you look is a lot. It’s a whole, bigger cultural conversation we need to have, but, right now, it’s hard.”

Kristin Davis Addresses Skepticism Surrounding Fillers

In a candid interview with The Daily Telegraph, Kristin spoke about the mixed experiences she’s had with cosmetic procedures, particularly fillers.

She shared that she was initially excited by the results. “I was super excited I didn’t have to have my lateral lines,” she said, explaining that she first tried Botox on her forehead but avoided other treatments for a long time.

Standing at 5ft 4 (162.6 cm) and wearing a US shoe size 7, Kristin often turns to high heels to add height, regularly showcasing her love for classic stilettos on and off the red carpet.

Kristin Davis steps out in New York on June 20, 2023, wearing a light green puff-sleeve dress cinched with a wide belt, paired with classic white pointed-toe stiletto pumps while promoting season 2 of And Just Like That (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

However, she encountered complications regarding lip fillers, saying, “No one told me it didn’t look good for the longest time. But luckily I do have good friends who did say eventually. The thing is you don’t smile at yourself in the mirror. Who smiles at themselves in the mirror? Crazy people.”

Unfortunately, the repercussions of her lip filler experience left Kristin with the need to dissolve them, adding, “I’ve had to get them dissolved and I’ve been ridiculed relentlessly. And I have shed tears about it. It’s very stressful.”

Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis in nude pointed-toe pumps, and Sarah Jessica Parker in polka-dot sandals step out for the private Sex and the City 25th Anniversary celebration in Downtown Manhattan on June 8, 2023 (Credit: Jose Perez / INSTARimages)

As a result of these challenging experiences, she has decided to forgo fillers altogether, stating, “It’s whatever. I can’t keep it up. I don’t have time. You’re trusting doctors (but) people personally blame us when it goes wrong – (as if) I jabbed a needle in my face.”

Kristin also discussed the pressure she faces due to the constant comparisons to her younger self.

She remarked, “It’s hard to be confronted with your younger self at all times. And it’s a challenge to remember that you don’t have to look like that.”

Kristin Davis Stuns in Metallic Pumps at CNN Heroes Gala

If you’ve been wondering how she currently looks, the actress was seen in New York City during the 16th annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, looking lovely in a silky cobalt blue dress with long sleeves and a draped design.

Glistening accessories, including crystal-stone earrings and a gold bar clutch, completed her outfit.

Kristin Davis stuns in a silky cobalt blue wrap dress paired with metallic pointed-toe pumps at the 16th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City on December 11, 2022 (Credit: Charles Guerin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

The And Just Like That actress and producer wore minimal makeup to highlight her flawless skin and swept her long, wavy hair to the side, letting it cascade over her shoulder.

She completed her look with sleek, pointed-toe pumps crafted from bright metallic gold leather — a signature element of her sophisticated style. The high, closed counters provided structure, while slim stiletto heels, measuring at least 4 inches, added dramatic height and elegance.

Kristin Davis, pictured at the 16th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute in New York City, continues to navigate public scrutiny while embracing her evolving appearance (Credit: Charles Guerin / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

👠 Kristin Davis Reflects on Wearing High Heels for Sex and the City

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Kristin Davis spoke about the lasting impact of wearing high heels while playing Charlotte York on Sex and the City. While the show’s iconic designer footwear from brands like Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Louboutin became a signature part of its fashion legacy, Davis admitted she now feels some guilt about the message it may have sent to viewers.

“I do feel guilt about the heels. It did seem we were trying to say to women, ‘You should be wearing heels like these,’” she said. “But we definitely weren’t. Were they beautiful shoes? Yes. Were they appropriate for the characters? Yes — that’s what women like that wear.”

Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarita Choudhury, and Nicole Ari Parker showcase their distinct red carpet styles — from tailored pleats and vibrant prints to romantic florals and statement silhouettes — at the And Just Like That… Season Three premiere in Paris on May 28, 2025 (Credit: Starface Photo / Cover Images)

Today, Davis tries to avoid wearing heels whenever possible, acknowledging the physical toll they take. “I wear heels so rarely now. It hurts when I do — you have to get in training for them, and it takes a lot of practice,” she shared.

Kristin Davis is a beautiful woman, but she’s not immune to Hollywood’s pressures. She’s been in the spotlight for decades and has dealt with harsh criticism over her looks as her star has risen and fallen throughout her career.

But she has many fans who love her for exactly who she is and what she stands for—and we think that makes her even more beautiful than ever!