Tom Cruise | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise interacting with spectators during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games on August 11 in Paris, France. | Source: YouTube/Olympics
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 interacting with spectators during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games on August 11 in Paris, France. | Source: YouTube/Olympics
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.
Tom Cruise on day one of the Olympic Games in Paris on July 27, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise watching day one of the Olympic Games in Paris on July 27, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise applauding on day one of the Olympic Games on July 27, 2024 in Paris, France | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise posing for photographs with spectators during the Artistic Gymnastics women's qualification event during the Paris Summer Olympic Games on July 28, 2024 in France. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise during the Artistic Gymnastics women's qualification event during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on July 28 in France. | Source: Getty Images
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.”
Tom Cruise during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on July 28 in France. | Source: Getty Images
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.”
Tom Cruise during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games on August 11 in Paris, France | Source: YouTube/Olympics
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.
Mayor Karen Bass and Simone Biles looking on as Tom Cruise holds the Olympic flag during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
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 during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games on August 11 in Paris, France | Source: YouTube/Olympics
“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.
Tom Cruise skydiving during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games on August 11, 2024 in Paris, France. | Source: YouTube/Olympics
“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.
Tom Cruise during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Olympics
“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.
Tom Cruise interacting with athletes during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games on August 11 in Paris, France. | Source: YouTube/Olympics
“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.
Tom Cruise interacting with spectators during the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games on August 11 in Paris, France. | Source: YouTube/Olympics
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.”
Tom Cruise on a motorbike during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris on August 11, 2024 | Source: YouTube/Olympics
“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.
Tom Cruise during the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on August 11 in France. | Source: YouTube/Olympics
“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.
Tom Cruise speaking at the 10th Annual Lumiere Awards on January 30, 2019, in Burbank. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise waving to fans during a break in the shooting of a film on October 12, 2020. | Source: Getty Images
“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.
Tom Cruise at the Wimbledon Championships Tennis Tournament Men's Final on July 11, 2021, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise at the Wimbledon Championships Tennis Tournament Men's Final on July 11, 2021, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise during the 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2022, in France. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise at the screening of "Top Gun: Maverick" during the 75th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2022, in Cannes, France. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise at the premiere of "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" on June 19, 2023, in Rome, Italy. | Source: Getty Images
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.
Tom Cruise at the "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" premiere on July 10, 2023, in New York. | Source: Getty Images
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.