Photos from Tom Cruise’s viral Olympics appearance had fans buzzing about noticeable changes in his face. Amid the speculation of cosmetic enhancements, experts weighed in on the possible procedures behind his altered appearance.

Tom Cruise was among the many celebrities spotted at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The actor then took center stage with a daring stunt during the closing ceremony. While the moment went viral, much of the buzz centered around his noticeably different appearance.

Social media users said Cruise looked “horrifying” and accused the actor of getting cosmetic work done. See the photos from the viral moment that sparked online speculation, prompting a plastic surgeon to shed light on the possible procedures Cruise may have had.

Tom Cruise’s Changed Appearance at the 2024 Paris Olympics that Sparked Social Media Buzz

In July, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games set the sporting world alight, showcasing elite athleticism from around the world. As one of the most prestigious sporting events, the Olympics drew worldwide attention for the competition and the array of celebrity appearances.

The Games saw the presence of many high-profile personalities, including David Beckham and Zendaya. However, it was Cruise’s attendance that became one of the most talked-about topics — though not entirely for the reasons he might have hoped.

On July 27, the actor was spotted watching the victory ceremony of the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay swimming event. The action star, best known for his daring stunts and ageless energy, sported a casual yet polished look.

Other photographs showed Cruise in the VIP section, donning a dark collared shirt, and clapping with a smile as he watched the action unfold at the Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre, west of Paris.

On July 28, Cruise was seen stopping for selfies with fans at the Artistic Gymnastics women’s qualification event at the Bercy Arena. Cruise’s hair was thick and slightly tousled, adding to his distinguished appearance. However, it was his facial structure that drew the most attention.

Observers quickly noted that his features seemed different compared to earlier public appearances, prompting further chatter about potential cosmetic enhancements. “Something is wrong with Tom Cruise’s cheeks, like there are fillers there,” one person commented.

Another person also pointed out the perceived changes in Cruise’s face, with one person typing, “Tom so old…😭.” Other social media users took notice of Cruise attending day two of the 2024 Paris Olympics solo. “Weird how he always seem to show up at events alone, [sic]” one person shared. Another wrote, “Wow Tom Cruise is alone.”

A Spectacular Stunt Overshadowed by Criticism of Cruise’s Appearance

Following his early appearance at the Paris Olympics, Cruise took center stage during the closing ceremony of the Games, blending his Hollywood flair with the global sporting event.

In a jaw-dropping sequence on August 11, Cruise descended from the roof of the Stade de France, soaring effortlessly through the air as cameras captured his dramatic entry. This breathtaking moment unfolded right after R&B singer H.E.R. delivered a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

However, the spectacle didn’t end with Cruise’s flight. As he landed among the athletes, he made his way through a sea of competitors, eventually meeting gymnastics legend Simone Biles and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.

In a symbolic gesture, Biles and Bass handed Cruise the Olympic flag, marking the transition from Paris to Los Angeles, where the 2028 Games will take place.

The event was made even more cinematic by a pre-recorded video clip that aired during the ceremony. In it, Cruise is seen navigating the streets of Los Angeles before taking to the skies once again, eventually landing atop the iconic Hollywood sign.

Cruise’s participation in this sequence was no surprise, given his reputation for performing his own stunts. The actor also commemorated the occasion on Instagram, capturing the moment with a post and a caption that read, “Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA.”

The closing ceremony then transitioned into a star-studded celebration of Los Angeles culture. The Red Hot Chili Peppers energized the crowd with a performance at a Southern California beach, followed by Billie Eilish’s mesmerizing set on top of a lifeguard tower.

However, despite the spectacle and Cruise’s impressive stunt work, much of the online discussion veered back to his appearance. Social media platforms quickly became flooded with comments about his facial features.

“Tom Cruise’s facial fillers are out of control and horrifying. He should go gaunt like Robert Downey Jr. and start acting again instead of tying his career so tightly to action material he can’t physically perform any longer. Remember back when he was nominated for Academy Awards?” one person opined.

“I do not mind Tom Cruise regardless of his beliefs-however I thought he was aging quite well but he did not get a good plastic surgeon guy to do his face-just doesn’t look good-u would think with all of the people in Hollywood doing plastic surgery they would all come together and know who to stay away from,” another person typed.

“Plastic surgery face in LA makes everyone look vaguely famous,” another person shared. A fourth user commented, “He’s swollen AF.” “Karma making him age badly 💙,” a fifth person typed.

“Has anyone else noticed how Tom Cruise’s face has become puffy over the last year or so? It almost looks like he’s wearing prosthetics to make him look older (obviously not)… but it looks like the type of puffiness that comes from medications,” another person wrote.

Many other social media users shared the same sentiment, with another person asking, “What HAS Tom Cruise done to his face? The real question should be what has he not done to his face.”

“I wish he would stop with the fillers and Botox. His face is not Tom Cruising. He could absolutely be an old man zaddy… ignoring Scientology, of course,” someone else wrote.

“What happened to his face?” another typed. A fellow social media user commented, “The only thing more stretched out than this closing ceremony is Tom Cruise’s new face.”

Experts Weighed In On Tom Cruise’s Scrutinized Appearance

Following Cruise’s viral performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics closing ceremony, consultant plastic surgeon Kshem Yapa shared his thoughts on the actor’s possible cosmetic enhancements.

Yapa speculated that Cruise might have undergone a combination of a facelift and fat grafting. According to the consultant plastic surgeon, this procedure can effectively address the natural aging process, where skin becomes lax and volume diminishes in key areas such as the temples and mid-face.

“A facelift repositions sagging tissue, while fat grafting, usually from areas like the stomach, restores volume,” he explained. However, Yapa warned that fat grafting requires a delicate balance. He noted that the fat retains its original characteristics, so gaining weight could cause the face to appear noticeably fuller.

Overdone fat grafting, Yapa added, can lead to a “mask-like appearance” where the mid-face appears stiff, a look some experts refer to as the “Howdy Doody effect,” named after a puppet character from the 1960s.

This wasn’t the first time Cruise’s changed appearance sparked speculation. In October 2021, he was photographed at a baseball game with unusually bloated cheeks, leading to widespread discussions about possible cosmetic procedures.

“Too much filler. Lay off the Botox, Tom,” one person shared. Another typed, “Tom Cruise plus a few pounds of fillers/ Botox.” A third shared, “Tom Cruise becomes latest Hollywood star to ruin his face with fillers in an attempt to look ‘youthful.'”

“He just had another surgery, that’s all,” a fourth user sarcastically added. Yet, by the Cannes Film Festival in May 2022, the actor appeared strikingly youthful, only for his facial features to shift again in subsequent public appearances. Yapa suggested that this fluctuation could be due to excessive fat grafting.

While fat grafting is an effective treatment, it can be difficult to reverse. Unlike other fillers, which dissolve over time, fat grafts are permanent and may require additional surgery for removal if the results are unsatisfactory.

Other cosmetic experts have proposed that Cruise’s look might also be attributed to non-invasive procedures like Botox or micro-needling, both popular among celebrities for maintaining a smooth, refreshed appearance.

Dr. Fadi Hamadani suggested that Cruise could have used a combination of treatments, including advanced techniques like Morpheus8 or FaceTite, which aim to tighten and contour the skin without the invasiveness of traditional surgery. These treatments offer a subtle enhancement while preserving a natural look.

The ongoing speculation about Tom Cruise’s appearance highlights the immense pressure celebrities face to maintain a youthful image. For Cruise, who has built his career on being a larger-than-life action hero, balancing the expectations of fans and the realities of aging remains a delicate act.