When Zuri, 29, wanted a nose job, she skipped the sky-high U.S. prices and jetted off to Mexico for a Spring Break deal on her rhinoplasty.
But when she shared her results on TikTok, the internet had strong opinions.
The New York-based content creator paid $4,900 (a $200 discount) for her procedure, far less than the U.S. average of $7,637.
She scheduled the surgery during a pre-planned trip after researching a Mexican cosmetic clinic.
“I always wanted to tweak my nose,” Zuri told PEOPLE. “I finally had the means and the bravery to do it.”
The ‘Barbie Nose’ Backlash
Zuri, a Black woman, wanted a natural-looking “Barbie nose” that fit her facial structure. Her surgeon used rib cartilage to reshape her bridge and tip—but when she first saw her upturned nose, she thought, “It’s giving pig.”
Then came TikTok.
After posting her 5-week post-op results, comments flooded in comparing her to Michael Jackson, with critics calling her nose “too pointy.”
Handling the Hate
Instead of crumbling, Zuri leaned into the jokes, even changing her profile pic to MJ at one point.
“Michael Jackson is a legend. To be compared to an icon? I’ll take it,” she said.
Still, the backlash made her second-guess her decision—until her nose settled.
“At 7 weeks, the tip dropped more, and I love it now,” she said. “The internet isn’t real. You have to do what makes YOU happy.”
Advice for Future Patients
Zuri’s message to anyone considering plastic surgery?
