By Mark Gray
9:00am PST, Dec 26, 2023
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After learning in 2022 that she's at an increased risk for breast cancer, Morgan Wade decided to undergo a preventative double mastectomy. The singer — who made headlines this year due to her fiercely close relationship with recently separated Bravo star Kyle Richards — made the decision because cancer and the RAD51D gene (a mutation in one of the breast cancer genes) runs in her family.
While on tour in Stockholm, Sweden, she got a call informing her that she'd tested positive for the RAD51D gene. It was then that Morgan decided to go forward with a mastectomy. "I was like, 'OK, well, I know what I have to do,'" the critically acclaimed musician told People magazine.
In November 2023 — a few weeks before her 29th birthday — Morgan went under the knife.
Surprisingly, her incredibly personal decision has been met with some criticism…
Keep reading to learn more about Morgan's mindset, her fears and why people think she could be acting rashly…
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On Nov. 18, 2023, Morgan Wade underwent four hours of surgery during which she had a double mastectomy as well as reconstructive surgery.
"Life is short, life is precious, and I'm grateful for the advances with science that we have the knowledge to be able to go and take care of these things," she told People magazine of her decision in a December 2023 interview as she continued to recover.
"For a while, it seemed like the word mastectomy was creepy or weird. It's not something you want to talk about like, 'I have to go have my breasts removed,'" she added. "We have to talk about that stuff more. The pain really is temporary. It's so worth it, taking control of your health."
When it came to booking her surgery and finding a way to pay for it, Morgan got some help from a very close friend, "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Kyle Richards…
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Close friend and "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Kyle Richards helped make country music star Morgan Wade's surgery a reality.
People magazine reported in December 2023 that Kyle connected Morgan with Mission Plasticos, a nonprofit that works to provide no-cost reconstructive surgical care to uninsured or underinsured patients. Kyle got involved with the organization after losing her mother to breast cancer in 2002.
Through Mission Plasticos, Morgan found her preventative mastectomy surgeon, Dr. Heather MacDonald, and her reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Karen Leong. Susan Williamson, the nonprofit's executive director, told People that surgeries such as Morgan's could, on average, cost about $100,000 without financial help.
"I've been involved with Mission Plasticos for years and greatly admire the work they do for women across the country," Kyle told People. "Breast cancer has impacted my family, and I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate the healthcare system, the procedures it can entail, the emotional and physical ramifications it can have. When Morgan told me what she was dealing with in terms of her health, I knew Mission Plasticos would be an incredible resource."
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Morgan Wade — whose debut album, "Reckless," was dubbed the "best country album of the year" by Rolling Stone in 2021 — believed she would feel better after the surgery. "I was given this knowledge and this information, so I'm not going to just sit there. I would rather have that peace of mind," she told People magazine in August 2023.
The "Wilder Days" singer, who "hates" blood work, told the mag that she lost both her grandmother and her great-aunt to pancreatic cancer. A cousin also tested positive for the RAD51D gene, and an aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30. Morgan's mom — after some pestering — finally convinced her to get tested for the mutated gene. "I was like, 'I really don't want to.' I complained. I was like, 'I don't have time,'" Morgan said.
In the end, no blood work was required. All the songstress had to do was spit in a tube.
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Morgan Wade hopes her decision raises awareness about taking health matters into your own hands.
"People don't know. They don't. I've met so many people and they're like, 'My mom had breast cancer,' and now they're going to get tested and [are] finding out, 'Oh my gosh, I do have it.' They just don't know how accessible this stuff is," she told People magazine in August 2023. "I've had so many amazing people reach out that have been through this process or have gotten tested to find out they do have the gene and they're grateful for that knowledge."
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While many fans are applauding Morgan Wade's tough decision to go forward with a mastectomy, some are being more critical.
"People are like, 'Well, what if you never got cancer?'" she told People magazine. "I was like, 'Well, I won't know because I'm going to do the procedure and then not worry about it.' If you have the opportunity to prevent something, prevent it. That's the choice that I want to make."
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Morgan Wade's health decision came just days after she released her second album, "Psychopath." It also came amid rumors that she's in a secret relationship with "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Kyle Richards. The reality star, who in 2023 confirmed she'd separated from her husband of 27 years, has grown very close with Morgan. Kyle even starred alongside Morgan in her very steam music video for her song "Fall in Love With Me."
In the highly suggestive video, Morgan and Kyle share a bath, feed each other fruit, work out together and come close to kissing. While teasing the music video's release, Morgan wrote of Kyle on social media, "You see people being obsessed with us being friends and why we're friends. Internet's going to be popping off about this, I'm sure."
Said Kyle, "If they're gonna talk, you might as well give them something to talk about."
