The 76-year-old actress stepped out in style at the star-studded ceremony on Sunday, February 23, looking radiant and confident.
Kathy Bates’ appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards had fans doing double takes, with many stunned by her transformation and showering her with compliments.
A fan comments on Kathy Bates’ appearance at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, from a post dated, February 23, 2025 | Source: Instagram/enews
Bates opted for a timeless, tailored ensemble made up of a sleek, cinched black blazer with matching pants. Instead of traditional heels, she chose Sneex’s The Icon high-heeled sneakers in a striking black and white colorway. Meanwhile, her silver hair was styled in soft waves, resting just above her shoulders, adding an elegant touch to her look.
Kathy Bates attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California, on February 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
One admirer was caught off guard by her fresh look, exclaiming, “Wow! Didn’t recognize her at first! She’s lovely! ❤️” Another kept it simple but enthusiastic, writing, “She looks fantastic.”
A fan particularly impressed by her weight loss, wrote, “I’m so proud of her. She lost so weight [sic]. Looking great.” Another echoed similar sentiments, noting, “Lost wt [sic] and looks so much younger.” One more supporter cheered her on, “She looks phenomenal 👏👏.”
Kathy Bates attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, on February 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Another fan chimed in, “She looks great, looks younger.. Ozempic or not.” An admirer impressed by the changes they saw, commented, “She lost so much weight and nice facelift, she looks wonderful.” However, another fan was taken aback by her transformation, stating, “Looks like a different person, nice job.”
Kathy Bates attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, on February 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Speculation about how she achieved her new look also surfaced as one user noted, “She denies it but she looks like she is using the weight loss drugs. Dramatic change hard to accomplish just with diet at her age.” Additionally, not everyone was thrilled with the shift, as one person wrote, “TO [sic] THIN NOW.”
Kathy Bates in Los Angeles, California, on February 23, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Bates earned two nominations at this year’s SAG Awards. She was in the running for outstanding performance by a female actor in a TV movie or limited series for her role in “The Great Lillian Hall.” Jessica Gunning took home the award for this category for her role in “Baby Reindeer.”
Kathy Bates attends the 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Additionally, Kathy Bates was nominated for outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for portraying the lead character in “Matlock.” Anna Sawai won the category for her role in “Shogun.”
Kathy Bates | Source: Getty Images
The “Misery” star was also nominated for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards for her role in “Matlock,” a TV series that blends aspects of legal drama with personal intrigue. During the awards ceremony on January 5, 2025, her dramatic reaction to losing the Golden Globe Awards, caught fans’ attention, with most expressing disapproval of the moment.
A fan reacts to how Kathy Bates responded to her Golden Globe Awards loss, from a post dated January 6, 2025 | Source: X/GreggNnielss
Bates has featured in a number of TV series, including, “American Horror Story,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “Harry’s Law.” Her portrayal of Madeline “Matty” Matlock in the TV series “Matlock,” earned her a 2025 Golden Globe Awards nomination.
Bates was nominated for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Drama. In her role as Matty, the actress stars as a retired lawyer who goes back to practicing law at a prestigious New York law firm. Unfortunately, Bates didn’t bag the Golden Globe Award as it went to Anna Sawai for her incredible performance in the 2024 season of “Shogun.”
Before presenters Colman Domingo and Salma Hayek announced Sawai as the winner, the camera focused on all nominees, including Bates, to capture their win or loss reactions. After the winner was announced Bates was captured on camera ripping up her acceptance speech, now rendered unnecessary, her eyes wide with playful mischief.
Kathy Bates attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on January 5, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
Despite Bates also clapping for Sawai, her tearing up her acceptance speech sparked a wide range of opinions online. One viewer seemed baffled, asking, “Why’d she do that?” Another admitted they couldn’t believe what they saw, confessing, “I had to watch it twice 🤣🤣.”
Kathy Bates attends the 2025 Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
Some took a more critical stance, with comments like, “This is bitter,” and another user writing “Weirdo.” Another viewer dismissed the significance of the act altogether, “Not a good look but also who cares?”
Kathy Bates in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
On the other hand, many fans found humor and charm in Bates’ unexpected move. One enthusiastically declared, “Kathy Bates is a legend her reaction to losing the Golden Globe was hilarious and totally iconic 😂.” Another fan celebrated her boldness, “Kathy Bates ripping up her speech was peak legend energy.”
Kathy Bates | Source: Getty Images
Amid the debate, a few fans voiced their love and admiration for the actress, with one writing, “Love her!! She desserved [sic] better 🥺🧡.”
Kathy Bates | Source: Getty Images
As much as Bates didn’t win, this recognition marked her eighth nomination at the Golden Globe Awards, a testament to an impressive milestone in her celebrated career. Over the years, she has claimed two Golden Globe victories.
Kathy Bates in the press room of the 63rd Academy Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on March 25, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
Her first win was in 1991 for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for “Misery.” In 1997 she also took home the Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries, or Motion Picture Made for Television for “The Late Shift.”
Kathy Bates at the 54th Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton, on January 19, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
Outside the Golden Globe, Bates has earned other numerous accolades throughout her career. She secured an Academy Award for her chilling role in “Misery” and claimed Emmy wins for her memorable work in “American Horror Story” and “Two and a Half Men.”
Kathy Bates poses in the photo room with her award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for “American Horror Story” at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on August 25, 2014 | Source: Getty Images
Before she was cast in “Matlock,” Bates was ready for retirement after things went sour when she was shooting a movie she refused to name. As much as she told her agents she was ready to let go, they reached out in January 2024 with a script with the reboot of “Matlock.”
Initially, the idea of taking on a procedural drama didn’t seem appealing to the actress. The actress was not captivated by the series the first time it aired as she remembered it more as a cultural reference for shows aimed at older audiences than for its storytelling.
Kathy Bates as Matty on “Matlock” on December 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Yet, as Bates delved into the script, the narrative began to resonate. The protagonist, a brilliant, justice-driven woman confronting the invisibility that often comes with age, struck a chord with Bates. With her deeply ingrained sense of fairness and a career shaped by overcoming challenges, the role aligned perfectly with her drive to portray characters seeking to right wrongs.
So, the movie star chose to pause her retirement and has since poured her talent and strength into her character, Matty. However, she noted that the role has also demanded her pain. “Everything I’ve prayed for, worked for, clawed my way up for, I am suddenly able to be asked to use all of it. And it’s exhausting,” she divulged.
For Bates, acting is more than a career, it is an all-encompassing passion that shapes her existence. Every role she takes becomes a part of her, consuming her time, energy, and emotions.
Hence, the actress has said that the series is going to be her “last dance.” Even so, Bates is showing no signs of slowing down. With CBS renewing “Matlock” for a second season following its successful debut, the veteran actress will continue to captivate audiences in the entertainment industry.
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