Film star left disfigured by jealous friend who injected face with cooking oil

Daily Mirror

19-05-2025

Lyn May, real name Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola, was once known to movie lovers for her staggering beauty - but then a jealous trickster decided to try and tear her down
Once celebrated for her stunning beauty and commanding stage presence, Mexican actress and performer Lyn May issued a stark warning about the dangers of cosmetic enhancements after a series of botched procedures dramatically altered her appearance.
Known in her prime as the "goddess of love," Lyn May - born Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola - rose to fame in the 1970s and '80s, captivating audiences with her exotic looks, flowing dark hair and magnetic screen presence. During her heyday, she was considered a sex symbol in Mexican pop culture, with admirers drawn to her striking features and confident allure.
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Lyn began her career as a cabaret dancer, but her talent and charisma quickly propelled her into Mexican cinema. She starred in several hit films, including Tívoli (1974), Carnival Nights (1978), and The Loving Ones (1979), solidifying her status as one of the era's most iconic "vedettes" - a term used in Latin America for leading female entertainers known for glamour and theatrical flair.
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However, Lyn's path took a tragic turn when she underwent unregulated cosmetic procedures that left her almost unrecognisable. Now 75, she claims that a "jealous" friend encouraged her to get unsafe facial fillers - an act she believes was intended to sabotage her appearance.
Once adored for her beauty and success, Lyn now shares her story as a cautionary tale, hoping to prevent others from making similar decisions driven by pressure or misguided advice.
In the 1990s, Lyn began considering how she could enhance her already gorgeous facial features, including her cheekbones and jawline. It was then that, as per OkChicas, she was persuaded by a con artist to undergo collagen injections, with the promise that this procedure would give her a fresher, more youthful appearance.
Sadly, after putting her trust in the trickster, Lyn was injected with a grim cocktail of cooking oil, baby oil, and water, resulting in lumps and permanent, life-altering disfigurement.
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Although Lyn did attempt to undergo corrective plastic surgery, the surgeon was only able to remove a small amount of the oil, and the star still lives with the effects of the treatment to this day.
As previously reported by The Sun, Lyn is believed to have also undergone additional surgeries, including Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs) and other procedures to shape her form.
Recent reports suggest Lyn has begun working with a "legitimate doctor who is helping her reverse some of the effects of what happened to her".
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This comes as before and after pics of Lyn went viral, with many social media users expressing dismay on behalf of the film star while hitting out at the so-called 'friend' who deceived her into altering her face forever.
One horrified person wrote: "Omg, it's awful that her 'friend' did this to her. What a horrible thing to do to someone. Another commented: "I hope her 'friend' is in jail. Who needs haters when you have friends?"
A third person remarked: "Scariest thing about being pretty is the sickos out there who are jealous."