“Bridesmaids” star Wendi McLendon-Covey was “terribly” missed as the rest of the beloved cast reunited at the 2026 Academy Awards.
Before the ceremony began, the 2011 film’s director Paul Feig told 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 Wendi,” he added. “Wendi is working constantly.”
Why Wendi McLendon-Covey Missed the Oscars
After rumors of her absence began to circulate, the “Goldbergs” star took to social media to explain why she was forced to miss the reunion.
“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,” she shared via Instagram alongside a photo of herself with her face wrapped in bandages. “So I had to skip the Academy Awards. No drama. Everything is fine. 😘”
Fans flooded the comments section with praise for the beloved actress.
“I was yelling WHERE IS WENDI and this is iconic,” one follower commented.
“We love to see our queen relaxing!” another wrote.
A third fan wrote, “I was wondering and I’m sorry you couldn’t be there!!!!!!! I was yelling ‘where is RITA?!?!'”
Another follower joked that the messed up “by not scheduling Oscars around your schedule, boo boo kitty!”
“Also: neck lift sounds like a magic get out of jail free card that’s awesome. Hope you are healing comfortably,” the fan added.
‘Bridesmaid’ Cast Reunite at 2026 Oscars
McLendon-Covey was noticeably absent as co-stars Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper took to the stage on Sunday, March 15.
“Here to celebrate the 15th anniversary of ‘Bridesmaids,'” host Conan O’Brien said on stage before introducing the women.
The group of actresses presented the awards for Best Original Score and Best Sound.
“We are all so happy to be here together tonight. We cannot believe that it’s been 15 years now,” Wiig began. “We are not good with numbers, but we figured out backstage that means we shot this movie in 1883.”
McLendon-Covey—who, of course, played the iconic role of Rita in the 2011 comedy—missed out as the women read off hilarious notes from Stellan Skarsgard.
“You guys have been talking for a long time. This bit could have been a lot shorter,” Wiig read in a note from “Benicio Del Toro”. “This is really going on and on.”
