Maren Morris Reveals Health Struggle That Made Her 'Unrecognizable' During NYE Show

Maren Morris rang in 2026 in sparkling fashion, but behind the scenes, the country-turned-pop star was quietly fighting through a brutal health scare in the days leading up to her New Year’s Eve performance. The 35-year-old singer took to Instagram after appearing on "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026," revealing she had been dealing with what she described as the “worst sinus infection” of her life just before taking the stage in Times Square.

Maren Morris Reveals Painful Health Battle Before NYE Show

“Sorry, jumpscare, but days leading up to my performance, I had the worst sinus infection of my life,” Morris wrote on her Instagram Stories. According to the singer, the infection caused significant swelling in her face and later developed into what she called an “insane skin reaction.”

To prove she wasn’t exaggerating, Morris shared a candid photo showing her face visibly red, swollen, and patchy.

Antibiotics, Makeup, And Sheer Determination Got Her Through

Despite the setback, Morris pushed through with the help of medication and a little Hollywood magic. “So, I’m relieved I was able to sing last night,” she wrote, thanking “antibiotics, Afrin & Aquaphor. Oh, and concealer.”

She also shared a photo of two boxes of Afrin nasal spray, assuring concerned followers that she planned to stop using the decongestant. “Stopping today [for] all those concerned!” she added.

Botox Speculation Swirled Before Maren Morris Shared The Truth

Morris’ candid health update comes amid a wave of online speculation about her appearance, with some social media users accusing the singer of overdoing cosmetic procedures in the days leading up to her New Year’s Eve performance.

On X, one post read, “Maren Morris really ruined her beautiful face with all that Botox.. very sad,” while others echoed similar sentiments across platforms.

TikTok commenters questioned her look outright, writing, “She looks unrecognizable,” and “I don’t recognize her at all.” Another added, “Why can’t they just leave their faces alone?”

By sharing the new, unfiltered photos of her inflamed face and detailing the medical treatment that helped her recover, the singer appeared to quietly shut down the speculation without directly addressing the criticism.

Morris Shines On Stage In Times Square

@rockineve Starting the New Year strong with "The Bones" 🖤 @marenmorris #RockinEve ♬ original sound - New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

Health scare aside, Morris delivered a confident, high-energy performance on December 31, taking the stage in a sparkly dress with matching gloves and a furry wrap. She performed several fan favorites, including “The Bones,” “The Middle,” and “80’s Mercedes,” along with “Carry Me Through,” a track that reflects her artistic evolution.

The performance marked another milestone for Morris, who publicly spoke about stepping away from what she called the “toxic” aspects of the country music industry. "I don't want to say goodbye, but I really cannot participate in the really toxic arms of this institution anymore," she revealed in 2023.

Despite those remarks about the genre, the singer clarified in a later interview with The Guardian that she “never said she was leaving country music" because "that's not really how [she] feels at all." "You hear country music on this album. You can't just intentionally take the parts away," she said. "There would be nothing left of the sound of me. Because it's just there. It's in my bones and it's in the way I write."

Maren Morris Rings In 2026

 

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The day after the New Year's Eve show, Morris shared a carousel of photos from the night, showing shots of her glittering stage outfit, confetti raining down over Times Square, and a behind-the-scenes moment where she received last-minute wardrobe help.

Morris also revealed she met one of her biggest idols during the evening, none other than Diana Ross. “Performed in Times Square last night for NYE right as it started to snow, met the queen Diana Ross, had Janet help me button my bodysuit (that’s a real manager), and got super emo when confetti fell over thousands of hopeful, happy people in one of my favorite cities,” she wrote. “Happy 2026, world.”

Despite the setbacks, speculation, and a body that nearly betrayed her at the worst possible moment, Maren Morris still rang in 2026 on one of the world’s biggest stages.