{"id":222544,"date":"2026-03-16T20:03:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T20:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/222544\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T20:03:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T20:03:12","slug":"why-wendi-mclendon-covey-missed-oscars-bridesmaids-reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/222544\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Wendi McLendon-Covey missed Oscars ‘Bridesmaids’ reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wendi McLendon-Covey<\/a> shared a message to everybody wondering why she missed the \u201cBridesmaids<\/a>\u201d reunion at the 2026 Oscars<\/a>: Don\u2019t worry, she\u2019s fine. <\/p>\n

\u201cI had a neck lift last week because I\u2019m tired of looking like a melting candle,\u201d McLendon-Covey wrote in an Instagram<\/a> post Sunday. \u201cSo I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The caption \u2014 complete with a winking emoji blowing a kiss \u2014 accompanied a photo of the \u201cSt. Denis Medical<\/a>\u201d star wearing a bandage around her face and neck. <\/p>\n

McLendon-Covey indicated she had received some messaging asking why she did not take part in the reunion, which saw her \u201cBridesmaids\u201d co-stars Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper share the Oscars stage to present the Academy Awards for original score and sound. <\/p>\n

Directed by Paul Feig, the 2011 comedy<\/a> followed the misadventures of a group of bridesmaids led by the maid of honor, Annie, played by Wiig (who also co-wrote the film)<\/a>. McLendon-Covey portrayed the bride\u2019s (Rudolph) cousin, Rita. <\/p>\n

\"Melissa <\/p>\n

\u201cBridesmaids\u201d stars Melissa McCarthy, left, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper reunited on stage at the 98th Academy Awards. <\/p>\n

(Robert Gauthier \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\u201cI cannot believe it\u2019s been 15 years,\u201d Wiig said when the cast took the stage<\/a> Sunday. \u201cNow, we are not good with numbers, but we figured out backstage that means we shot this movie in 1883.\u201d <\/p>\n

The cast then proceeded with a bit that involved each of them reading notes supposedly written by their fellow actors in the audience, with the name-dropped A-listers playing along. <\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, you ladies look extremely beautiful tonight,\u201d said Rudolph, reading the first note. \u201cYou\u2019re all aging well.\u201d <\/p>\n

The note was supposedly signed by \u201cSentimental Value<\/a>\u201d actor and nominee Stellan Skarsg\u00e5rd<\/a>. <\/p>\n

McCarthy later followed up with another letter commenting on the \u201cBridesmaid\u201d cast\u2019s looks. <\/p>\n

\u201cI also agree you ladies look radiant,\u201d McCarthy read. \u201cAll the things you\u2019ve done to your faces are very tasteful. Yours truly, Elle Fanning<\/a>. … Just kidding, it\u2019s me again, Stellan Skarsg\u00e5rd.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wiig and Kemper rounded things out by reading notes addressing the length of their bit and the length of the show, respectively. <\/p>\n