McLendon-Covey didn't join Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper and Maya Rudolph on stage at the Oscars on Sunday, March 15
Credit: Suzanne Hanover/Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock; Kevin Winter/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Wendi McLendon-Covey was noticeably absent from the Bridesmaids’ reunion on-stage at the 2026 Oscars on Sunday, March 15
- While on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Director Paul Feig was asked why the actress didn’t attend the event
- McLendon-Covey reacted to concern about her absence in a post on her Instagram
Wendi McLendon-Covey is explaining her absence from the hilarious 2026 Oscars Bridesmaids reunion.
The film's main stars — Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper and Maya Rudolph — gathered onstage at the event on Sunday, March 15, to present the award for Best Score, 15 years after the beloved comedy opened in theaters, breaking box office records.
However, McLendon-Covey was noticeably missing from the get-together.
She explained why in an Instagram post, writing, “In response to some of the dms I'm getting: I had a neck lift last week because I'm tired of looking like a melting candle. So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine. 😘”
View this post on Instagram
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
McLendon-Covey, who played Rita in the much-loved film, posted the message alongside a photo showing her wearing a bandage around her head.
The actress’ post came after Bridesmaids director, Paul Feig, discussed McLendon-Covey’s absence from the reunion, telling Entertainment Tonight, “I just heard that she was not available.”
“She might even be traveling, I'm not sure. But we will miss her terribly, because I love Wendy,” he added to the outlet while speaking on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, pointing out that McLendon-Covey is “working constantly.”
During the cast’s reunion at Sunday’s ceremony, Wiig, 52, kicked things off by saying, "We are so happy to all be here together tonight.”
Credit: Universal Pictures/Entertainment Pictures/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock
She went on to joke of the film’s milestone, "I cannot believe that it’s been 15 years. Now we are not good with numbers, but we figured out backstage that means we shot this movie in 1883."
The cast then shared “letters” from some of their fellow actors, with Rudolph, 53, opening hers and saying, "Oh, this is strange. Well, mine says, 'First of all, you ladies look extremely beautiful tonight.' Thank you. 'You’re aging well.' Signed, Stellan Skarsgård."
Credit: John Shearer/98th Oscars/Getty
McCarthy, 55, then discussed another “note" from Skarsgård, joking about his handwriting, “That happens to him a lot. I have to say, mine is almost impossible to read. The handwriting is really pretty terrible.”
She added, “Says, ‘Hi, I’m with Stellan Skarsgård, writing my own separate note. I also agree you ladies look radiant. All the things you’ve done to your faces are very tasteful. Yours truly, Elle Fanning.’ Wait, wait, there’s more. It says, ‘Just kidding. It’s me again, Stellan Skarsgård.’ "
Wiig then said, mentioning a faux note from Benicio Del Toro: "You guys have been talking for a long time. This bit could have been a lot shorter. This is really going on and on. You aren’t even talking about score. That’s all. Love ya lots, Benicio Del Toro. Or for those of you who refuse to learn Spanish, it’s Benedict of the Bull."
Bridesmaids, which was released back in 2011, was written by Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who were previously nominated for Best Original Screenplay. McCarthy also earned her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the time.
See PEOPLE's coverage of the 98th Academy Awards, which aired live on ABC and Hulu on March 15.
Read the full article here
