5 Celebrities Who Are Open About Their Breast Reduction Surgeries

While some people yearn for bigger breasts and go so far as to get breast augmentations, others decide to ditch them. In fact, breast reductions are on the rise, with a 7% increase in the procedure in 2023, according to the 2023 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Although there are many reasons why someone might want to reduce their breast size, including negative body image and the struggle to find clothes that fit properly, the most common complaint of those who are big-busted is the pain involved. From back and neck pain to shoulder irritation from bra straps to skin conditions under the breasts, big boobs are a lot to handle. After all, some breasts can weigh a few pounds each, meaning the benefits of going braless just aren't possible for some of us.

"Patients today seek not only functional relief from physical discomfort but also an aesthetically pleasing outcome," plastic surgeon Ashley Howarth, MD told the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "The popularity has surged across all age groups, with more awareness and acceptance. Breast reduction is now one of the most common surgical procedures in my practice, and the results are among the most satisfying for patients."

Because of the frequency at which breast reductions are being performed, more people are talking about their experience with them — including celebrities — and that's a good thing. Considering the physical and mental anguish that large breasts can cause, we should all be making an effort to normalize the conversation around breast reductions.

If you're an elder millennial or have been fortunate enough to see the reruns of the 1980s sitcom, "Punky Brewster," then Soleil Moon Frye might look familiar. Unlike some shows that go on for many years, the adventures of orphan Punky Brewster and her dog Brandon lasted only four seasons, so when the series ended, Frye returned to being a regular teen just in time for puberty to hit.

"I was in this position where I was going through puberty, and I developed very quickly," Frye told People in 2021. "Everywhere I went I was called Punky Boobster, and people would stare directly at my boobs." As Frye told the magazine, because of her breast size she was only offered acting roles based on her figure and not her talent, which resulted in her feeling ashamed. So, at 16 she got a breast reduction.

"My shoulders had indentations, I had back problems, there were so many different issues," Frye told People, adding that she went public with her decision after the surgery, but the media missed the point. (The 1990s and early 2000s were unbearably cruel to women, especially regarding their bodies.) It took a long time for Frye to accept her body, even after the breast reduction, but these days she's happy she did what was right for her.

Ariel Winter had 32F breasts when she was just 15 — and being only 5'1", that's a lot to carry. As Winter told Glamour in 2015, not only was trying to find comfortable clothing emotionally taxing, but so was the physical pain associated with her breast size. "I had a lot of back problems," Winter told the magazine. "I really couldn't stand up straight for a long period of time. It started to hurt so bad that I couldn't take the pain. My neck was hurting so bad and I actually had some problems with my spine." So, at 17, Winter pursued a breast reduction for her physical and mental health.

She knew her breast reduction would be obvious, so Winter got ahead of the media by sharing her experience. "I didn't want to not tell anybody and then have another million stories ... I also think there's some good that can come from [telling] my story ... It's something I did to better my life and better my health," Winter told Glamour, adding that she thought honesty would benefit young fans. "I have felt more happy with myself than I ever have ... I'm really grateful that I'm able to do that and have a voice that I'm able to speak to teenagers." Winter has even proudly bared her physical scars from the procedure, posting on X that they're part of her and she's not ashamed.

Similar to Ariel Winter and Soleil Moon Frye, Queen Latifah hit puberty before she was mentally prepared. So, like anyone who has big breasts at an early age, Latifa struggled. "I was an athlete, playing basketball, and I didn't have the right bra. I was bouncing all over the place. I had to run down the court like this," she told People in 2007, while holding her arms against her sides as an example. "It was tough," Latifah admitted, but in time, she embraced her "McCongas," which is what her friends called her breasts.

After losing 25 pounds, from which her breast size didn't change, Latifah decided to get a breast reduction admitting that she initially didn't want to do it. "[I was] an E or F cup. I was pretty big. Now I'm like a DD," Latifah told People, adding that she had wanted to be a DDD cup instead, so she wasn't happy with the results, or the pain and scarring the surgery entailed. "I missed my old look," Latifah told the magazine. "I went through a little depression after surgery. I even got a weak prescription for antidepressants, but I didn't take it." Although the look of the decreased size took time for Latifah to adjust to, it did end up eliminating her back and shoulder pain.

Former '90s indie sleaze queen, addiction survivor, and one of the most candid celebrities on the planet, Drew Barrymore has always been as real as they come. With the icon turning 50 this year, Barrymore has remained an open book about everything from avoiding plastic surgery, to when she experienced her first perimenopause hot flash on air, to documenting her annual mammogram on "The Drew Barrymore Show," and, of course, the breast reduction she had in 1992.

In 1998, six years after the procedure, Barrymore told the New York Daily News, via E! News, "I really love my body and the way it is right now. There's something very awkward about women and their breasts because men look at them so much," Barrymore told the outlet. "When they're huge, you become very self-conscious. Your back hurts. You find that whatever you wear, you look heavy in. It's uncomfortable." Barrymore went from a D-cup to a 34C.

While most people attend the Met Gala with only looking glamorous on their minds, this was not the case for Nicki Minaj at the 2022 event. For her, it was the realization that maybe it was time for a breast reduction. "I did my fittings, I told them I loved this hat and I loved what the outfit was giving, but I said, 'You guys, look, these boobs are going to be spilling out,'" Minaj said in Vogue's "Life in Looks" YouTube series in December 2023.

Just one month before this video aired, Minaj told Vogue in November 2023 about her breast reduction. "Today I can say that I'm at peace with who I am and how I look," Minaj told the magazine. "Recently I had to get a breast reduction, and actually I love it. I used to want a bigger butt, and now I look back and realize how silly that was. So, love your curves, and love your non-curves. There's nothing wrong with any of it." Minaj has also been very outspoken and honest about the orgasm gap — another taboo topic that needs to be given attention. In other words, when Minaj doles out advice, listen up.