Full Breakdown
Troye Sivan Responds to Cosmetic Surgeon’s Critique of His Appearance
1/25/2026, 4:15:56 AM
Incident Overview
Troye Sivan, a 30-year-old pop star, recently addressed a controversial video posted by London-based cosmetic surgeon Dr. Zayn Khalid Majeed. In the video, Majeed critiqued Sivan's appearance, suggesting he was experiencing "twink death" and recommending various cosmetic procedures. The backlash from fans and Sivan himself highlighted the impact of unsolicited medical advice on body image.
Reactions and Apologies
Following the public outcry, Dr. Majeed deleted the video and reached out to Sivan to apologize. Majeed expressed regret for upsetting the singer, stating, “I felt terrible and it was never my intention to make him feel like that.” He acknowledged the potential negative impact of his content and emphasized a desire to promote body positivity and acceptance of aging. Despite the backlash, Majeed indicated he would continue to create videos analyzing celebrity appearances, believing there is a demand for such content.
Sivan’s Personal Reflection
In response to the video, Sivan published an essay on Substack detailing his struggles with body image. He described oscillating between feeling confident and grappling with insecurities, stating, “I’ve struggled with my body image for a lot of my life.” He reflected on the pressures of societal beauty standards and the influence of social media algorithms that intensified his insecurities after viewing Majeed's video. Sivan noted that the unsolicited advice pushed him toward considering cosmetic procedures, which he had previously been hesitant about.
Broader Implications on Body Image
The incident has sparked discussions about the influence of social media and cosmetic surgery culture. Content creator Samantha Rizzo shared her experience of feeling pressured to undergo cosmetic procedures after consuming similar content, stating, “The things you can see can skew your perception of yourself so much.” Meanwhile, Keelin Moncrieff expressed concern over the normalization of cosmetic enhancements, arguing that such discussions can inadvertently endorse these treatments.
Official Statements & Responses
Dr. Majeed stated his initial intent was to educate and inform, but he recognized the need to be more mindful of the content he shares. He remarked, “I have a voice and I need to use it to shape conversations for the better.” Sivan, after receiving Majeed's apology, updated his blog to indicate there were “no hard feelings from [his] side,” demonstrating a willingness to move past the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Majeed has committed to making a more positive impact, he also plans to continue producing content that analyzes celebrity appearances, which raises questions about the balance between education and potential harm in promoting beauty standards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I felt terrible and it was never my intention to make him feel like that, which is why I reached out to him directly to apologise.” — Dr. Zayn Khalid Majeed
- “I’ve struggled with my body image for a lot of my life” — Troye Sivan
- “The things you can see can skew your perception of yourself so much that it forces your hand for a decision like that," she says.” — Samantha Rizzo
- “I have a voice and I need to use it to shape conversations for the better, where we're more body positive and we accept ageing as a natural process,” — Dr. Zayn Khalid Majeed
This incident underscores the complexities of body image in the age of social media and the responsibilities of influencers and medical professionals in shaping public perceptions.
