Erin Moriarty, the actress playing Starlight in The Boys, is at the center of a controversy. Many fans of the show are claiming she ruined her face, sparking debate in the community. So, did Erin Moriarty get plastic surgery? Let’s analyze Starlight’s before and after photos to find out.
The Controversy
Early this year, Erin Moriarty, a.k.a. The Boy’s Starlight, made waves online, with some claiming she’s setting a bad example to young girls. The allegation was she underwent nose, lip, and jaw surgery, as well as breast augmentation and facial fat removal.
Image source: IMDb
Cruel comments from men began popping up online, with the majority saying her recent photos were ugly and that she ruined her face. On January 17, 2024, former Fox Newscaster Megyn Kelly criticized Erin Moriarty. During the podcast, Kelly accused the Starlight actress of having a social illness and an addiction to face augmentations.
The Photos
With these serious allegations popping up, I endeavored to see whether the claims were valid. However, most of the comparative photos I found on the internet put Erin Moriarty’s teenage picture beside one where she’s already 30 years old. As you can see, Moriarty’s younger photo on the left differs from the one where she’s much older.
Image source: Instagram
Still, it’s hard to tell whether she underwent surgery because of the age gap. Of course, the difference between Starlight’s childhood and adult pictures is completely normal. The actress herself says she hasn’t undergone plastic surgery, and all the information online is purely speculative.
What Experts Say?
Despite the prejudice surrounding these images, some surgeons still say Moriarty underwent procedures. Whether they’re simply commenting for attention is unclear.
Image source: Google
In an interview with the Daily Mail, one doctor says Erin’s nose is more refined, and the bump on the arch has disappeared. Others also note signs of lip fillers and botox around the forehead area.
Additionally, these doctors suspect Moriarty received cheek fillers and had her eyebrows lifted. In total, the estimated cost for these procedures is $50,000 to $100,000.
Erin Moriarty’s Response
Meanwhile, Erin Moriarty responded to the backlash by insisting the comments were inaccurate. She denied having plastic surgery, stating that the change in appearance was merely due to makeup and contouring. Moriarty’s co-stars from The Boys were also quick to defend the actress.
Image source: Instagram
The show’s producer, Eric Kripke, says these comments are sexist and are causing harm to real people. Another co-actor, Anthony Starr, reminds Erin that she’s a talented actress who’s beautiful inside and out.
The Verdict
As for me, I believe people are being unfair to Erin Moriarty. Let’s remember that faces change as we grow older. Additionally, make-up and facial angles can result in huge differences in appearances. That said, Erin Moriarty has the right to undergo plastic surgery should she wish to. Cosmetic surgeries certainly don’t warrant the harassment she’s getting.
Where Is Erin Moriarty Now?
Now 30, Erin Moriarty continues to appear in various TV shows. She remains compassionate and understanding towards her haters. In fact, some of her fans claim she’s like a real-life Starlight, an idealistic hero to many. As to how she overcame online bullying, Erin Moriarty has this advice – disempower those who contribute to your lack of empowerment.
On June 13, 2025, Erin Moriarty announced in her latest post on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease a month ago.
Image source: Instagram
We should pay attention to the positive people in our lives. Eventually, the minority can become the majority. And so, because of her optimism, Erin Moriarty has maintained her loyal following. Her Instagram account even has an impressive 2.5 million followers as of 2024!
Final Thoughts
Looking at Starlight’s before and after photos, it’s clear there’s bias, and commenters may have ulterior motives. For one, childhood photos shouldn’t be compared to adult photos. There will be a huge difference, and that’s normal as we age. I hope that, like Erin Moriarty, we can become compassionate and graceful towards others. Let’s continue to lift each other and focus on each individual’s inner beauty!
Featured image source: Pinterest
I still prefer her previous appearance, which looked more natural.
She seems a bit strange now.
It’s not about comparing teenagers pictures.
Just look at how she actually appears in the tv series. She is definitely different and skeletal. Her nose and cheeks are different and it’s crazy that they let her destroy her face mid series.