Music legend Barry Manilow has candidly admitted to undergoing cosmetic surgery, addressing decades of speculation about his youthful appearance. The 82-year-old Copacabana singer confessed to having a facelift during his time living in Los Angeles, though he denied using Botox.
Confession in New Interview
In an interview with the LA Times, Manilow initially deflected questions about his smooth complexion, saying, 'I look fantastic, but I'm a hundred years old, right? I don't get Botox or anything.' However, when pressed further, he admitted, 'No! I must say: There was one time when we lived in L.A. that I did do a facelift. But after that it's just been a little here, a little there.'
The star elaborated on his cosmetic procedures: 'Work is like a facelift, and I only had one of those. The rest of it - I see something falling down, sure, I'll do that. I'm as vain as anybody else.'
Health Challenges
The revelation comes during a difficult period for Manilow, who underwent surgery in December 2025 to remove a cancerous spot on his left lung after being diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. Nearly six months later, he remains off the road, struggling to regain his voice. 'Agony,' he described his time offstage. 'Make an album, go on the road, come back, make an album, go on the road — that's what my life's been for years. And I like it.'
He added: 'I get winded just walking down the hallway. I turn on my old records and sing along, and three songs in I'm like [pants].'
Looking Ahead
Despite his health scare, Manilow remains optimistic. He recalled a compliment from a friend's mother: 'I always knew he was talented, but when did he get so handsome?' The singer, who married his manager Garry Kief in 2014 and came out as gay in 2017, has a new album, 'What a Time,' due on June 5. He hopes to return to the stage in Las Vegas in July, though he admits uncertainty. 'I'm not ready to croak,' he said.
