You’ve seen the photos. One minute she’s staring into a camera lens with those wide, ethereal eyes that look like they’ve seen the birth of a galaxy, and the next, she’s cracking a grin that changes her entire vibe. Anya Taylor-Joy smiling isn’t just a rare red carpet occurrence; it’s a whole internet subculture at this point. People obsess over it. They analyze the way her cheekbones pop, the alignment of her teeth, and whether or not she can actually move her face after the endless buccal fat removal rumors.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how much we scrutinize a person’s joy.
But there’s a real reason why her smile looks so different today than it did when she first broke out in The Witch back in 2015. It isn't just "Hollywood magic" or getting older. It's a mix of high-end cosmetic dentistry, a massive shift in self-confidence, and yes, likely a few subtle interventions that she’s never going to confirm over a latte.
The Dental Evolution: From Natural to "Dior-Ready"
When Anya first hit the scene, she had what most people would call "character teeth." They weren't perfectly symmetrical, and they had a natural, slightly uneven charm that fit her indie-horror-queen aesthetic perfectly. Fast forward to her global takeover with The Queen’s Gambit, and suddenly, that smile is blinding.
We’re talking textbook veneers or high-level bonding.
If you look at side-by-side photos from 2015 versus the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, the change is pretty undeniable. Her teeth are whiter, the edges are more uniform, and the "buccal corridors"—that dark space at the corners of your mouth when you smile—seem filled out. This is a classic move for stars who want a "wider" smile. It makes the face look more balanced, especially when you have eyes as large and striking as hers.
Why the "Anya Taylor-Joy Smiling" Search Is Everywhere
It’s about the contrast. Anya has cultivated this "High Fashion Alien" persona. She wears Dior couture that looks like it belongs in a museum and often keeps a neutral, almost detached expression. So, when she actually breaks character and laughs? It’s a moment.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened With Bella Thorne Twitter Nudes
- The "Glambot" Effect: At the 2024 Oscars, her Glambot video went viral because she went from a statuesque pose to a huge, scrunchy-faced laugh in seconds.
- Method Press Tours: During the Furiosa press tour, she leaned into a more aggressive, sharp look, but her off-camera interviews showed her constantly giggling.
- The "Eyes vs. Mouth" Paradox: Because her eyes are her most famous feature, a full smile creates a facial tension that fans find fascinating. It’s a total shift in geometry.
Let’s Talk About the Buccal Fat Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about her smile without talking about her cheeks. The internet has been convinced for years that she had buccal fat removal—a procedure where the fat pads in the lower cheeks are surgically snipped out to create a permanent "sucked-in" look.
Does she look different? Yes. Does she look more "snatched"? Absolutely.
But here’s the thing: when she smiles, you can see the muscles and remaining tissue working. If she’d gone too far with the surgery, a full-blown grin would look hollow or "joker-like." Instead, her smile still has warmth, even if her face is significantly more angular than it was when she was 19. It’s worth noting that aging naturally thins out facial fat, and Anya has always been naturally thin. However, the sheer sharpness of her jawline during her most recent red carpets has kept the plastic surgery forums in a permanent state of debate.
The Confidence Factor (Because It Matters)
In a 2016 interview with W Magazine, Anya admitted she "didn't enjoy" her face and even stopped looking in mirrors for a long time. Imagine being one of the most photographed women on earth and hating your reflection.
That history makes her current "power smiling" feel more earned.
She was bullied as a kid for the distance between her eyes. People were mean. They compared her to a fish. So, when you see her now, grinning while wearing archival Thierry Mugler or custom Dior, you aren't just seeing a celebrity posing. You’re seeing someone who has finally decided that her "weird" features are actually her greatest assets. Confidence changes the way a smile sits on your face. It makes it look less forced and more like a flex.
How to Get the Look (Without the Hollywood Budget)
If you’re looking at Anya’s transformation and wondering how to upgrade your own "smile game," you don't necessarily need a surgeon on speed dial.
Focus on the "Wide" Smile
Anya’s smile works because it occupies space. If you’re self-conscious, you might tend to "tighten" your lips. Practicing a relaxed, full-expression smile actually creates better facial symmetry over time.
The "Eye-Contact" Trick
Notice that Anya almost always keeps her eyes "active" when she smiles. This prevents that "dead behind the eyes" look that ruins many photos. She tilts her head slightly down and looks up, which is her signature move for a reason—it creates a sense of intimacy and drama.
✨ Don't miss: Robin Wright and Sean Penn: What Most People Get Wrong
Cosmetic Tweaks
You don't need $50k veneers. Professional whitening or even simple composite bonding can fix the "unevenness" that often makes people hide their teeth.
The Reality of Celebrity Perfection
Anya Taylor-Joy is a professional. Her face is her instrument. While we can speculate about the "how" and "why" of her changing look, the reality is that she’s mastered the art of the public persona. Whether it's through a lucky genetic lottery, a very talented dental team, or just the natural refinement of her late 20s, her smile has become as much of a trademark as her blonde hair.
She isn't just "the girl from that chess show" anymore. She’s a fashion icon who knows exactly what she’s doing when she flashes those pearly whites for the cameras.
If you want to track her style evolution yourself, start by looking at her early press for The Witch and compare it to her 2025 appearances. The difference isn't just in the makeup—it's in the way she carries her own joy.
💡 You might also like: Dudley Moore Last Photo: What Really Happened in the Star’s Final Days
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to improve your own smile for photos, try the "tongue behind the teeth" trick that many stars use to avoid an overly wide or gummy look. It keeps the lips in a natural position and prevents the face from looking strained. More importantly, take a page out of Anya’s book: the features that make you "different" are usually the ones people find most captivating once you stop trying to hide them.