Former politician Nick Xenophon's mission to smile again
Updated . First published at
Nick Xenophon loves making people laugh, so it feels especially cruel that his smile has been taken from him.
The former politician - best known for his whacky stunts - has been hiding away from the public eye, after complications during brain surgery left him with a face he doesn't recognise.
Xenophon sat down with A Current Affair to share his story, and invited us along to witness the incredible operation that could give him the chance to smile once again.
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The former politician - best known for his whacky stunts - has been hiding away from the public eye, after complications during brain surgery left him with a face he doesn't recognise. Nine
From the spotlight to the shadows
During his time in politics, Xenophon was a master at pulling stunts.
Whether he was posing with goats, wearing pyjamas in parliament or singing along with an Elvis impersonator - the more eyeballs on his antics, the better.
But these days, Xenophon would prefer to stay out of the spotlight.
"I don't like looking at myself in the mirror," Xenophon told A Current Affair. "You feel a bit of a freak."
In 2023, Xenophon was diagnosed with a brain tumour. While it wasn't cancerous, its position near his brain stem meant it had to be removed.
He underwent surgery in August 2025, but complications during the operation left him partially blind, deaf and with facial palsy on his right side.
Since then, Xenophon has been unable to smile.
"Something you take for granted - being able to smile with your kids, your family, your friends - that's all gone," he said.
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It was a difficult operation, and Xenophon holds no grudges against his neurosurgeon, but admits that day his whole world changed - and that he's been a "bit of a recluse" ever since.
In 2023, Xenophon was diagnosed with a brain tumour. While it wasn't cancerous, its position near his brain stem meant it had to be removed. Nine
"It just feels awkward. It's almost like I don't want to subject people looking at me. I just keep to myself as much as I can," he said.
While his confidence has taken a hit, Xenophon hasn't lost his sense of humour.
When asked about the mental challenges that come with his facial palsy: "Arguably, I was mentally challenged to be involved in politics in the first place!"
And, on losing his ability to smile: "Maybe I should just be a miserable bastard from now on and just scowl all the time. Might make things easier!"
Xenophon says he uses humour as a coping mechanism, as he finds it hard to express his emotions.
"I try not to show [my vulnerability]. I'm worried if I start weeping, I won't stop," he said.
"I figure if I can't smile, if I make people smile or even chuckle then that's a bit of a win."
Taking a chance on hope
Xenophon isn't a betting man - no one railed harder against the gambling industry than him during his time in politics - but he's taken a chance on another surgery that could bring his smile back.
Associate Professor Catherine Meller is an ear, nose and throat surgeon, with expertise in facial nerve disorders and facial reconstruction.
"[Nick has] been through such a huge amount and I'm so looking forward to being part of his journey to regaining his smile."
Meller performed Xenophon's facial reconstruction and reanimation at Sydney's North Shore Private Hospital in March.
Meller performed Xenophon's facial reconstruction and reanimation at Sydney's North Shore Private Hospital in March. Nine
The complex procedure involved taking tissue from his thigh to act as a "sling", lifting his mouth and cheek.
A nerve from his jaw was then connected to his facial nerve - essentially "rewiring" the nerves to reanimate his facial muscles.
The goal of the surgery is to improve facial symmetry and, over time, the patient's ability to smile.
Meller says seeing her patients with facial palsy smile again after surgery is the best part of her job.
"Their life is immediately changed and it's devastating," Meller said.
The reveal
Two weeks after the seven-hour operation, Xenophon met with Meller and A Current Affair to reveal the early results.
While still swollen, Xenophon's face was already more symmetrical, and he could already speak and breathe more easily.
"It's dramatically different," Xenophon said while looking at his new face in the mirror. "I do feel there's hope."
While it can take six to twelve months for the donor nerve to fully "kick in" and restore his smile, Xenophon says the surgery has already given him a sense of dignity back.
"I don't feel so uncomfortable going out and about as I did before. It's a big thing … I'm smiling on the inside already!"
"We're going to get you smiling on the outside too," Meller promised.
"We'll get there."
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