Miriam McDonald is taking control of the narrative after stepping back into the spotlight for the upcoming documentary Degrassi: Whatever It Takes, revealing the harsh comments about her appearance stung deeply, especially as she reflects on some of the changes she regrets.
“I’ve been sitting with how to put this into words, so I’m just going to be honest,” the actress, best known for her portrayal of Emma Nelson on the hit series for nine seasons between 2001 and 2010, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, August 28, alongside a series of photos.
McDonald, 38, was seen in a newly released trailer speaking out about her experience on the show shortly after Drake’s commentary, sparking hateful reactions from online trolls claiming she looked “unrecognizable.”
“When I watched the documentary back, I didn’t feel good about how I looked,” the star wrote in her caption while addressing the criticism. “About a month or two before filming (which was almost two years ago now), I had Botox and filler done. Looking back, I regret that choice.”
McDonald admitted to trying cosmetic treatments to fix “little things” that she wanted enhanced — including frown lines, “under-eye hollowness” and her lips because “everyone else was doing it.”
“When I first saw the footage, I told myself, ‘no one will even notice, Miriam, they’ll be focused on the story.’ I was wrong. I want to be clear: I wasn’t experiencing a medical issue or complication — just a lapse in judgment,” she added. “Thankfully, Botox wears off and fillers dissolve over time. But interviews live forever online, and that version of me is now out there to stay.”
McDonald addressed the online backlash about her appearance, highlighting that she has stepped out of the public eye and is doing her best to brush off the cruel remarks after growing up on camera.
“I may have once been an actress, but I don’t live in that world anymore. I don’t have a thick Hollywood skin — I’m just a person. And the truth is, hearing critiques about how I look hurts just as much as it would hurt your sister, your daughter, or your friend,” she continued.
McDonald concluded her post by sharing a message about embracing her “imperfections” while urging viewers to respond with kindness and compassion.
“If my experience serves as a cautionary tale, then I’m glad to share it. Or, if it simply reminds someone that perfection isn’t found in changing ourselves but in owning who we are — then it was worth writing this,” she bravely wrote. “Thank you for hearing me, for the kindness so many of you have shown, and for reminding me what actually matters.”
