'Scrubs' Star Fires Back After Unrecognizable Look Sparks Concern

Eliza Coupe, best known to many as the sarcastic, tough-as-nails Dr. Jo Mahoney from "Scrubs," is reclaiming her narrative, and clapping back at critics in the process.

The 43-year-old actress stunned onlookers at the Hollywood premiere of Netflix’s new mystery drama "The Residence," where she stars as Margery Bay Bix, a member of the White House residence staff.

But it wasn’t just Eliza Coupe's new role that got people talking.

Sporting bold eye makeup and a shimmering, plunging gold sequin dress, Coupe debuted a dramatic disheveled-chic look that left fans divided. Some praised her edgy glamour, while others flooded social media with concern, calling her “unrecognizable” and even questioning her well-being.

Now, Coupe is setting the record straight.

Days after the event, she took to Instagram with a montage of raw selfies and behind-the-scenes videos showing herself makeup-free and smiling.

“This is what I really look like!” she declared in the caption. “Pictures from my camera roll from the past three weeks. #thisiswhatireallylooklike #truth #haterscanhate #ichooselove #rememberwhoyouare #transmute #elevate #rise #and #shine #love.”

Coupe claimed the red carpet photos had been “wildly altered” and used the post to reclaim her image, playfully grimacing and grinning in videos that gave fans a glimpse of her authentic self.

While some followers called her a “smokeshow” and “gorgeous,” others continued to express worry.

“Girl, you are a very beautiful woman, but you are not looking good right now,” one commenter wrote.

Another said, "Beautiful inside and out."

A third said, "Absolute smoke show!!" while a fourth chimed in, "From the second I met you a couple of months ago I had an instant girl crush on you."

They added, "From your insane beauty, charisma, and energy! You're such a special soul and it's reflected in all sides of you... You're radiant."

Another added, “I hope you’re okay. I hope you get the help you need.”

But Coupe isn’t just here for the headlines, she’s in the middle of a powerful personal and spiritual transformation, one that she’s been open about in recent years.

On "The Funny Thing Is" podcast last month, the actress revealed she turned to ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic brew, following her 2018 divorce from Darin Olien, as a means to cleanse herself of toxic emotional residue.

“I started sobbing, and it was nuts,” she said of the second ceremony. “And then I got to see all the inner workings of myself.” While she described the experience as life-changing, Coupe noted, “It doesn’t call for me to do it again.”

Coupe has embraced a holistic lifestyle that includes yoga, spiritual medicine, and journaling. She’s currently working on two self-help books, "Coyote Woman and the Odyssey of Soul Contracts" and the guided journaling book, "Journal It the F-ck Out," designed to help readers process trauma and personal growth.

Coupe has also spoken candidly about her struggles with food, body image, and addiction.

“Some may call it an eating disorder, I just call it my life,” she said on the podcast. “My drug of choice was always food. The reason I stopped drinking was because I got into a 12-step food program.”

For seven years, Coupe said she meticulously weighed every meal as part of that recovery journey and battled habits like over-exercising and bulimia.

But perhaps the most profound shift in Coupe’s life has been in love. In 2023, she publicly honored her new partner, professional skateboarder Billy Marks, with a touching Instagram post:

“Husband love post… This majestic wizard is my best friend and the love of all my lives. Everything he is has reminded me who I truly am.”

After "Scrubs," Coupe is venturing into mystery drama with her latest role in "The Residence," created by Paul William Davies.

In the series, she takes on the role of Margery Bay Bix, a woman entangled in the complex inner workings of the White House staff residence and their intricate ties to the First Family.

Inspired by Kate Andersen Brower’s book, "The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House," and created by Paul William Davies, the eight-episode series weaves together political intrigue and dark comedy in the form of a gripping murder mystery.

"The Residence" is now streaming on Netflix.