London Cosmetic Surgeon Apologizes to Troye Sivan After Viral TikTok Video
In a recent turn of events, Troye Sivan, the acclaimed Australian singer and actor, has publicly responded to a cosmetic surgeon who dissected his appearance in a now-deleted TikTok video. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about body image, online criticism, and the pressures faced by public figures.
The Controversial TikTok Video
Dr. Zayn Khalid Majeed, a London-based cosmetic surgeon with a substantial following across social media platforms, posted a two-minute clip that drew attention to what he termed as “problem areas” on Sivan’s face following the singer’s appearance at a recent event in Australia. In the video, Majeed compared studio images of Sivan with recent footage from a red carpet interview, pointing out shadows and “volume loss” in the singer’s face.
Majeed went on to imagine a scenario where Sivan was his patient and listed various cosmetic “improvements” he could opt for, including skin boosters and dermal filler. The term “twink death,” often used to describe the transition from a youthful, slim appearance to one with more mature features, was also mentioned in the video.
Sivan’s Response and Public Backlash
Fans and followers of Sivan quickly criticized Majeed’s “unsolicited” advice, with many taking to social media to express their disapproval. The singer himself then addressed the issue, posting an essay on the blogging platform Substack about how the video had heightened his insecurities and pushed him towards considering cosmetic surgery.
“I’ve struggled with my body image for a lot of my life, as I’m sure most people have,” Sivan wrote. “What good is money and modern medicine if not to fix all of these flaws that this random… plastic surgeon told me I have?”
An Apology and Reflection
Upon learning of the backlash, Majeed deleted the videos from his TikTok and Instagram accounts and reached out to Sivan to apologize. “I felt terrible and it was never my intention to make him feel like that,” Majeed told BBC Newsbeat. “Which is why I reached out to him directly to apologize.”
Sivan later updated his blog to say there were “no hard feelings from [his] side.” Majeed admitted that he could “see how it came across” and reflected on the situation, stating that he doesn’t want to contribute to the “negative beauty standards” that people face.
The Surgeon’s Intentions and Future Plans
Majeed initially started creating content to “educate and inform” people about cosmetic procedures. However, he began to focus on celebrities after noticing that viewers seemed to enjoy such content. “For every one celebrity video I make, I make five chatty educational videos,” he explained.
Despite the controversy, Majeed intends to continue making videos that analyze celebrity faces, believing there is an appetite for such content. “It is important to demystify surgeries that celebrities have and educate patients,” he said. However, he also expressed a desire to make a more positive impact with his content moving forward.
Broader Implications and Social Media Impact
The incident involving Sivan and Majeed highlights the broader implications of social media and the pressures faced by public figures. Content creator Samantha Rizzo, a “skin-positivity” advocate based in New York, weighed in on the matter, expressing her mixed feelings about posts that dissect celebrity appearances.
“I appreciate if you’re using your clients and they consent to their before, during, after photos,” Rizzo told Newsbeat. “I feel a little icky when they’re just taking the celebrity’s picture. Just because they’re famous doesn’t mean you have the right to just pick them apart.”
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Troye Sivan and Dr. Zayn Khalid Majeed serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between education, entertainment, and respect in the digital age. As the conversation around body image and online criticism continues to evolve, it remains crucial for creators and consumers alike to approach such topics with sensitivity and awareness.
