Catherine Reitman, the star and creator of Netflix sitcom Working Moms, has become the subject of nasty tweets online – and not due to her performance as Kate in the hit show, but seemingly because of her upper lip.
The California-native, 38, has a distinctively thin top lip underneath her cupid’s bow, although the sides of her upper lips seem perfectly plump.
While the actress has never commented on whether her lips are a result of a ‘botched’ procedure, some reports claim the mom-of-two was the victim of a rogue plastic surgeon who injected them with silicone.
Cruel: The Los Angeles-born star has been subjected to mean tweets and comments online over her pout, with many users saying it’s stopping them ‘focusing’ on the show
In said reports, the star is rumored to have developed granulomas after the mismanaged procedure – a mass of tissue as a result of infection, inflammation, or the presence of a foreign substance – and was unable to close her mouth.
Although, gossip websites and Discover Magazine appear to use a ‘before’ photo from the TV show Botched – which admittedly bares more than a passing resemblance to Catherine – in a bid to compare her lips now and then.
Catherine, who is married to the actor Philip Sternberg who stars as her husband in the show, has never publicly commented on whether or not she had surgery.
The Toronto-based star once revealed that she was bullied for being a ‘really awkward-looking kid’ and that classmates would tease her with names like ‘horse mouth’.
In one notable scene in season one’s opening episode, she wrote in a line where her boss made fun of her for her mouth.
Acting as Kate, a harried advertising executive, and new mom, the Los Angeles-born star has received glowing reviews from viewers on social media.
Joker: The comedienne, pictured, even wrote a joke into the show about her lips in the opening episode
Rumors: While rumors abound that the California-born actress had a bad lip filler procedure (avoid it altogether by going with an experienced lip filler injector), Catherine has never commented on the matter.
However, one thing remains apparent: the show’s audience is definitely hung up on Catherine’s lips.
‘Working moms is a decent show to watch… but I cannot deal with Kate’s lips overlapping her teeth. I can’t even watch her talk,’ a recent tweet read.
‘I just finished watching Working Moms and I still can’t get Kate’s lip out of my head. Like why does it look like that? Lip on the sides but no lip in the middle’ said another viewer.
Another recent post stated, ‘I started working moms but the lead character’s lips are driving me insane. Idk if I can watch her for long lol’.
Many took to the platform to question whether the ‘super distracting’ physical feature was ‘natural’.
‘What’s wrong with Kate’s lips on working moms? Is it natural or botched surgery,’ a user pondered.
In a no-holds-barred Reddit thread, users once again speculated about the former Always Sunny In Philadelphia star’s pout.
‘Personally I’ve always thought they’re a kind of cute quirk to her face,’ a commentator defended.
Others likened her appearance to that of her Slovak-Canadian father Ivan Reitman, who is the director of 1984 classic Ghostbusters – as well as Twins, Kindergarten Cop.
Ivan, 72, appears to have the same feature.
‘It’s weird because her dad kinda has the same lips (Ivan) I wonder if it’s a combo of odd lips genetically and bad fillers,’ another Reddit user wrote.
The cruel comments have been noticed by Catherine, who earlier this week retweeted a mention directed at her that read ‘honestly, weird mouth but I still love u’.
Praise: Her show, Working Moms, has been well received online – but many users are hung up on her physical appearance
Likeness: Some social media commentors referred to Ivan Reitman, pictured, Catherine’s director father who appears to have the same thin upper lip
The comedienne simply captioned the blunt tweet, ‘I mean, I’ll take it.’
Fans rushed to her defense.
‘Honestly? I think your mouth is sexy as f**k,’ a female social media user responded.
‘I love your mouth. (In a normal way, of course). And thanks for the bada** show for moms like us,’ said another.
‘You do not have a weird [mouth]. You have a unique mouth. No one is made the same! What’s wrong with people! I love you and your show,’ praised a fan.
An impassioned user also jokingly stated, ‘ Also Kate’s lips are gorgeous and i’ll fight the next person to say something bad [about] them.’
Loyal: Other fans jumped to her defense, telling the actress that her mouth is ‘beautiful’ and ‘gorgeous’