Barry Manilow is speaking openly about the cosmetic procedures he has had over the years, including one facelift and what he described as minor touch-ups afterward. In a Los Angeles Times interview published on May 27, the 82-year-old singer joked about his appearance, saying he looks great despite his age and explaining that he does not use Botox. When asked whether he had ever had any work done, Manilow said that he had a facelift while living in Los Angeles, but that since then he has only had “a little here, a little there” when he notices something changing with age. He added that he considers a major procedure to be something like a facelift, and said he has only had one of those.
Manilow’s candid comments arrive months after he revealed he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. In December 2025, he said that after several weeks of bronchitis and a relapse, his doctor ordered an MRI that found a cancerous spot on his left lung. He said the disease was caught early, which was fortunate, and noted that doctors believed it had not spread. Because of the early discovery, Manilow said he did not need chemotherapy or radiation. Instead, he underwent surgery to remove the cancerous tissue.
The singer also shared that his recovery required him to pause or postpone concert dates as he healed. In the months following the surgery, he offered updates on his condition and later said he was cancer-free. In March, he reflected on how quickly serious health problems can change life, saying that one moment you are living normally and the next you are facing lung cancer. He said part of his lung had been removed, and that he now had to adjust to life after surgery.
Manilow has also previously spoken about his long history with smoking, which has been widely discussed in relation to his lung cancer diagnosis. Over the years, he has said he smoked for decades before quitting and later returned to nicotine through vaping. His public comments have helped draw attention to the health risks associated with smoking and the importance of early medical testing when symptoms persist.
Despite the health challenges, Manilow has remained upbeat and continues to be honest with fans about both his appearance and his recovery. His remarks about cosmetic surgery were delivered with humor, but they also reflected the singer’s willingness to speak plainly about aging, vanity, and the physical changes that come with time. At the same time, his cancer recovery has shown a more serious side of his recent public updates, as he continues to move forward after surgery and rehabilitation.
