Why did Wendi McLendon-Covey miss the Bridesmaids reunion at the 2026 Oscars?
"I had to skip the Academy Awards," said McLendon-Covey
By Aaron Sugg
The cast of the hit comedy Bridesmaids reunited at the 2026 Oscars on 15 March to mark 15 years since the film’s release.
Five of the beloved cast members appeared on stage to present two awards, including Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Ellie Kemper and Maya Rudolph, though fans were left wondering: where was Wendi McLendon-Covey?
McLendon-Covey, who plays Rita in the 2011 film, posted to Instagram following a flood of DMs speculating that she had fallen out with the cast.
“No drama. Everything is fine” – Wendi McLendon-Covey responds to her absence at the 2026 Oscars Bridesmaids reunion
She penned: “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.”
Those of the cast who were in attendance presented both the Oscar for Best Score, which went to Ludwig Göranssonfor Sinners, and the award for Achievement in Sound, which went to #F1.
Though, in true Bridesmaids fashion, the awards came after a hilarious comedic bit from the remaining cast, engaging in playful conversation with the star-studded crowd.
“We are so happy to all be here together tonight” – Kristen Wiig marks the 15th anniversary of the 2011 film Bridesmaids
Wiig, 52, kicked things off by saying: “We are so happy to all be here together tonight,” standing side by side with her Bridesmaids co-stars.
Marking the anniversary of the film, she said: “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 actors in the crowd – though one actor in particular was the butt of their joke.
Stellan Skarsgård was the butt of several jokes by the cast
Rudolph, 53, opened hers first. “Oh, this is strange. Well, mine says, ‘First of all, you ladies look extremely beautiful tonight.’ Thank you. ‘You’re ageing well.’ Signed, Stellan Skarsgård,” she quipped.
McCarthy was up next, reading her note: “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.’”
Up for Best Live Action Short at this year’s Oscars was Attitude 101 honouree Lee Knight’s film A Friend of Dorothy.
Though Knight did not take home the Oscar this time around, he is set to turn his short film, featuring Attitude Uncut cover star Miriam Margolyes, into a feature-length movie.
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