Celebrities You Didn’t Know Are Battling Medical Conditions

Those of us obsessed with Hollywood probably think we know everything about our favorite stars, old and new. Even if you’re not particularly interested in celebrity culture, chances are you hear tidbits here and there on the news or over social media, or even just from tabloid headlines while waiting in line at the store. There are plenty of reasons why so many love watching the stars. We love seeing their takes on fashion and food. We love hearing their opinions on culture and the movies they are in or the shows that they watch.

We also love hearing about how they’re like us. On a superficial level, many love to know where celebrities go on vacation and how they choose to parent their kids. But one important way celebrities connect with the average person is when they open up about their own health. Anyone who has struggled with any kind of medical problem finds comfort in connecting with others who have the same issue. And celebrities can shine a spotlight on medical conditions in a way the average person usually cannot. Read on for a list of some celebrities that you may not know have been dealing with their own issues.

Art Alexakis

Image: Instagram / @artalexakis

Four years ago, musician Art Alexakis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after a car accident (which had nothing to do with the disease). Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder which involves the coating around nerve fibers getting broken down, and is associated with fatigue, vision problems, and issues with walking, among other things. For Alexakis, the diagnosis explained a lot from the past decade or more of his life: increased forgetfulness during live performances, trouble with running and walking, a higher sensitivity to temperatures. The Everclear frontman went public with his diagnosis to reassure his fans that he hadn’t slipped back into addiction. Alexakis is on medication and still touring and writing music.

Fiona Apple

Image: Instagram / @fionaappleig

Singer Fiona Apple has a devoted following, fans who hang around long after her music has faded away from the mainstream. The ”Criminal” songstress has long been quiet and reclusive, but many people missed it when she quietly announced in 2012 that she has obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is characterized by a combination of obsessive thoughts and associated compulsive behaviors, such as too-frequent hand-washing due to a fear of germs or, in Apple’s case, a need to rearrange the trash because something was lying the ”wrong way.” Apple doesn’t drive and tends to stick close to home as a result of her condition.

Kristen Bell

Image: Instagram / @kristenanniebell

Actress Kristen Bell has suffered from depression for most of her adult life. Bell recalls having had a conversation with her mother when she was younger about mental illness, and she often cites that conversation as why she was not afraid to seek help when she recognized the signs of depression in herself in college. The actress, who is well-known for starring in Disney’s Frozen, now talks candidly about her struggles, because she recognizes the social stigma and is, in her own words, ”over it.” Bell encourages anyone who is struggling to see a doctor and discuss their options. Mental health is not something to be taken lightly, and far too many people suffer in silence.

Selma Blair

Image: Instagram / @selmablair

Actress Selma Blair estimates that she struggled with multiple sclerosis for at least fifteen years before actually being diagnosed with it, a problem that many MS sufferers are familiar with. Blair announced her illness publicly in late 2018, but many are still unaware of exactly how much the disease has affected her day-to-day life, not to mention her acting. The actress, whose career has spanned several decades, is starting to speak more openly about the extreme fatigue she struggles with, and how her illness causes her to drop things and lose her balance. MS has even affected her voice by causing her to develop spasmodic dysphonia, which causes it to tremble. Still, Blair remains optimistic about her future as she manages the condition with medications.

Shannon Boxx

Image: Instagram / @boxxy7

Among sports fans, Shannon Boxx is well-known for her expert soccer skills; she played on the US team in the Olympics AND the World Cup, and has been the recipient of other soccer accolades. What many don’t know about Boxx is that she suffers from Lupus, an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks various bodily tissues. Lupus is tricky to diagnose because it can present so with such a wide variety of symptoms, including fatigue, joint pain, rashes, and hair loss. Boxx has been feeling symptoms since 2002, but she was not diagnosed until 2008. Even after diagnosis, Boxx kept her condition on the down-low for years, not publicly talking about it in 2012.

Mariah Carey

Image: Instagram / @mariahcarey

Singer Mariah Carey has sold hundreds of millions of albums around the world and has had 18 top-of-the-chart hits. Chances are you know of at least one of her songs, even if it’s just her cover of ”All I Want For Christmas is You.” But what many people don’t know is that the famous singer struggles with bipolar II disorder, which she was (quietly) diagnosed with in 2001. For Carey, life is defined by periods of depression and hypomania; she long thought she suffered from a sleep disorder, but the reality has been harder to swallow. Still, Carey is doing her best to take care of herself, finding the right medication to maintain balance and surrounding herself with people that will support her in living her best life.

Kim Cattrall

Image: Instagram / @kimcattrall

Kim Cattrall is probably best known for her role on the famous show Sex and the City, although she actually has a long and colorful filmography. Cattrall is actually still acting today, continuing to make a name for herself despite facing the dreaded stigma of being an ”older woman.” What many people don’t know is that Cattrall was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis back in the late 90s. She’s suffered through classic symptoms of the disorder, including fatigue and hair loss, but she does her best to keep her issues in check with regular testing and medication.

Cher

Image: Instagram / @cher

When you think of the fabulous pop icon Cher, you probably think of the clothes, the hair, and the music! What many people don’t ever think about is fatigue. Specifically, chronic fatigue syndrome, which is what Cher was officially diagnosed with in 1991. CFS is a disorder that many like to make fun of, not understanding that it’s a real problem that can’t be cured with a few extra naps. It’s a tricky disorder that is hard to diagnose but can be treated with a combination of lifestyle changes and, sometimes, medication. Ultimately, the diagnosis hasn’t slowed the singer down, although she was forced to take a break for several years while figuring out how to manage her symptoms. Cher is still touring, still singing, and still making her fans happy.

Sheryl Crow

Image: Instagram / @sherylcrow

It’s been a long time since musician Sheryl Crow was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she has not forgotten the ways in which the disease changed her life permanently. She still lives on a farm in Tennessee with her son, she still eats healthy, and she still incorporates other great lifestyle practices into her days, such as meditation. That was far from the case in 2006, when she learned she had cancer. She remains cancer-free today, but the concern of it coming back is never far from her mind, and she’s still working hard toward finding a cure. Crow is a believer in the importance of regular screenings and early diagnosis.

Neil Diamond

Image: Instagram / @neildiamond

Singer Neil Diamond has been writing music and performing it onstange for more than 50 years, but the prolific songwriter announced in 2018 that his live performances would be ending due to his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. The degenerative disease affects the function of the brain and nervous system, ultimately affecting movement and coordination, among other things. The disease is most common in older men, and symptoms can include hand tremors, slurred speech, and mobility issues. Diamond fans can take heart knowing that the singer will continue writing and recording music in the coming years; he just won’t be singing it live.

Missy Elliott

Image: Instagram / @missymisdemeanorelliott

In the 90s and early 2000s, rapper Missy Elliott was a household name. If you’re wondering where she disappeared to, know that she didn’t stop making her own music by choice; Elliott was diagnosed with Grave’s disease in 2008, and had to step back to take care of her own health. Grave’s is a thyroid disorder that’s characterized by extreme weight loss, anxiety, and heart tremors. It’s sometimes treated with medication or surgery, but Missy manages her own symptoms through diet and exercise. And just because she hasn’t been on the charts herself doesn’t mean she hasn’t been working; Elliott also writes and produces for others. But she is slowly easing back into working for herself again, much to the delight of fans.

Sam Faiers

Image: Twitter / @samanthafaiers

Sam Faiers is probably better known in England than in America, where she is a model and television star. But when she started losing weight and suffering from a number of other unexplained health problems, she sought medical attention ”” and answers. Eventually, Faiers was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a chronic condition that involves inflammation in the digestive system. Currently, Faiers manages her condition with diet and nutritional supplements, although she’s careful to caution that what works for her may not work for everyone, and that she’s taken medication to treat it in the past. The star is optimistic about her future, and having the disease under control gives her more time to focus on her young son.

Morgan Freeman

Image: Instagram / @morganfreeman

Actor Morgan Freeman has a voice ”” and a face ”” that is instantly recognizable to many, even those who aren’t huge on celebrity culture. But one thing many people don’t know about the famous actor is that he suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition which causes chronic pain that may either be widespread or more localized. For many people, fibromyalgia has unknown origins, although in Freeman’s case his condition stems from a car accident that caused nerve damage in one arm. Fibromyalgia can also cause mental fog, fatigue, sleep issues, headaches, and stiffness. Freeman hasn’t let his condition stop him, though.

Whoopi Goldberg

Image: Instagram / @whoopigoldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has had a long and starry career as an actress, with movie roles, television roles, short films, and even voice acting all to her credit. Not surprisingly, Goldberg has spent a lot of time flying all around the country, but many people don’t know that simply trying to board an airplane can bring on a panic attack for the actress. She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, a result of having seen two planes collide in mid-air when she was a child. Goldberg receives therapy for her condition, which has been tremendously helpful and allowed her to live with it.

Selena Gomez

Image: Instagram / @selenagomez

Not so long ago, singer Selena Gomez was facing a life-or-death situation: lupus nephritis. Gomez had been diagnosed with lupus just a few years earlier, an autoimmune condition in which her immune system was going after her own bodily organs. Gomez needed a new kidney, and fast. Fortunately, a friend was a match, and the singer is doing well now. Now she speaks openly about having lupus and works with a charity to raise awareness of the condition, although many still don’t know she suffers from the disease. Gomez hopes that in the future, lupus patients won’t be forced to get organ transplants to manage the disease.

Gigi Hadid

Image: Instagram / @gigihadid

Model Gigi Hadid has had her share of fans ”” and detractors ”” ever since she entered the fashion world. For years, critics accused her of being too ”big” to be a runway model. A few years later, she had the opposite problem. In 2018, Hadid revealed that she had Hashimoto’s, a form of thyroid disease in which the organ stops producing enough of the hormones it normally pumps throughout the body. The resulting symptoms can include tiredness, feeling and looking bloated, constipation, hair loss, and more. Hadid has been working hard to manage her condition, and she’s quick to shut down the haters by pointing out that she’s healthier now, and doing her best to care for herself.

LeBron James

Image: Instagram / @kingjames

There was a time when famous basketball player LeBron James was accused by many of what’s known as ”flopping”: falling over intentionally to make it look like he’d been fouled in some way by another player. James, currently a forward for the Los Angeles Lakers, made small news years ago by countering those accusations with a medical diagnosis: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. BPPV is the most common type of vertigo, which is essentially short-term dizziness that is sometimes accompanied by a sudden lack of balance. In LeBron’s case, BPPV can cause him to fall unexpectedly, which lead to the charges of flopping. The disorder can’t be treated with medication and most cases don’t warrant surgery, so the best way to ”treat” it is to know potential head and body positional triggers and try to avoid them.

Dwayne ”The Rock” Johnson

Image: Instagram / @therock

The stigma around mental illness is finally starting to lift, and yet very few men are willing to openly discuss their struggles. Not Dwayne Johnson. The famous actor and former wrestler suffers from depression, and has all his life. And he thinks it’s important that men stop pretending they never struggle. ”Depression never discriminates,” says The Rock, and we can only hope that his openness will help others who are struggling seek help. As for Johnson, his best outlet when he’s sad is exercise, and studies show that being active can indeed be helpful in managing the condition.

Nick Jonas

Image: Instagram / @nickjonas

There’s a good chance you know at least one song by the Jonas Brothers, or perhaps you’re more familiar with singer Nick Jonas’s solo work. But you may not know that Jonas is diabetic. Nick was diagnosed more than 13 years ago, and it’s been a roller coaster for him figuring out how to stay healthy and keep his condition under control. The type of diabetes Nick has, Type 1, is often referred to as juvenile diabetes, since most cases are diagnosed in childhood. Jonas’s body isn’t capable of regulating his blood sugar levels, as his pancreas doesn’t produce insulin. Today, Nick stays healthy with a good diet, regular exercise, and insulin therapy.

Jessica Alba

Image: Instagram / @jessicaalba

Back in 2013, actress and business owner Jessica Alba thought she was having a stroke. Her arm went numb and she had strange sensations in her face and neck. An MRI ultimately revealed that she had carpal tunnel syndrome, a relatively common condition that usually comes with pain and tingling in the hand, wrist, and arm. It’s caused by a nerve being twisted or under too much pressure. For many sufferers, the disorder is associated with too much computer time, which may well have been the case for a busy businesswoman! Carpal tunnel can be treated with medications, braces, stretching, and, in some cases, surgery.

Harnaam Kaur

Image: Instagram / @harnaamkaur

Harnaam Kaur is not your average celebrity, but anyone who spends any amount of time on social media has no doubt seen her face before. Kaur, a young lady in her 20s, has a full beard. And it’s beautiful, and Kaur rocks it as part of her identity. The beard is a symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome, which she was diagnosed with at the age of 12. PCOS is a hormonal disorder which causes irregular periods and an excess of male hormones ”” thus, the beard. Kaur was the victim of relentless bullying as a teenager, and it took her a long time to come to terms with her body (and to stop trying to change it through painful ”beauty” treatments). Nowadays, she’s a motivational speaker and a role model for people everywhere who don’t fit within the standard gender binary.

Kesha

Image: Instagram / @iiswhoiis

Singer and songwriter Kesha has made lots of waves in recent years, although less for her music and more for her sexual assault lawsuit against her former producer. Before, during, and after that, she’s been known for her club-worthy pop music records. With all her time in the spotlight, it may come as no surprise that the ”Tik Tok” singer has battled depression and anxiety for years, as well as eating disorders. Kesha freely acknowledges that being a pop culture icon has contributed to those issues, and social media has also fed into it. Kesha has found solace in taking care of herself, spending more time in nature, and songwriting.

Lady Gaga

Image: Instagram / @ladygaga

Lady Gaga is an icon in more ways than one. She’s known for her musical talent, her amazing voice, her sometimes curious sense of fashion, and the way she embraces ”” and has been embraced by ”” the LGBTQ+ community. Anyone who knows anything about Gaga would not be faulted for believing her the very picture of bodily confidence, so it may come as a bit of a surprise that the ”Born This Way” singer has struggled with eating disorders since she was a teenager. Lady Gaga is in a better place these days, however; she says she’s worked past her eating disorder and firmly believes in her own worth.

Avril Lavigne

Image: Instagram / @avrillavigne

People who live in tick-infested areas are slowly waking up to the dangers of Lyme disease, but the long-term consequences of an infection are still unknown to many. Pop singer Avril Lavigne learned about Lyme the hard way when she was diagnosed in 2014 with a severe case of the disease. The illness left her bedridden for months, severely fatigued and lightheaded. The disease went undiagnosed for so long that the standard medical approaches to treatment did nothing for her. She’s been slowly working her way back to health, and in the meantime she’s starting to speak out about her experience. Lyme advocacy is also now a part of her charitible work as well.

Demi Lovato

Image: Instagram / @ddlovato

Singer Demi Lovato shocked fans everywhere with a stint in rehab back in 2011, where she found herself after years of struggling with drugs, an eating disorder, and self-harm. After years of misdiagnosis, Lovato was eventually told she had bipolar disorder. Strangely, the ”Heart Attack” singer found it a relief to finally have a name for her issues. She already knew she got depressed sometimes, but now she understood her periods of mania as well. And, most importantly, she was able to get treatment for her unique issues. These days, Lovato is sober and living a much more balanced life, although she knows that recovery is something she’ll always have to take day-by-day.

Evanna Lynch

Image: Instagram / @msevylynch

Evanna Lynch is best known for her role as the quirky witch Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series, although her acting career has continued beyond those films. She also appeared on Dancing With the Stars, and has made some waves as an advocate for veganism, a cause which ultimately led her to launch her own beauty-product subscription service. As a young girl, however, Lynch struggled with an eating disorder, and she spent two years in clinics being treated for anorexia. She is in a healthier place today, having gotten beyond that drive for perfection and finding new inspiration in helping others accept themselves as they are.

Zayn Malik

Image: Instagram / @zayn

It’s hard to imagine that anybody could become super famous, performing for giant crowds and mingling in high celebrity circles, while also dealing with crippling anxiety. But British singer Zayn Malik proves that anxiety and panic attacks are not incompatible with stardom. The former One Direction singer has long struggled with anxiety, to the point of sometimes having to cancel shows because he can’t handle the crowds. While his fans have long appreciated his honesty, many people are unaware of his issues. And that’s a shame, since the world needs more people, especially more men, opening up about mental health struggles.

Kristy McPherson

Image: Twitter / @KRISTY2208

Anyone who suffers from arthritis knows the toll it can take on daily life, making it hard to be active in any meaningful way. Professional golfer Kristy McPherson understands that better than most, having been diagnosed with a form of juvenile arthritis as a teenager. McPherson first began feeling symptoms of Still’s disease when she was just 11 years old, and it took years to both find the exact cause and determine which medication could best help her combat the stiffness and pain. McPherson had to give up many of the sports she loved, but she developed a passion for golf instead. Today, she manages her condition with a prescription anti-inflammatory, along with dietary supplements, baths, and regular (gentle) exercise.

Jillian Michaels

Image: Instagram / @jillianmichaels

Spend some time perusing top workout DVDs and you will see Jillian Michaels everywhere. The tough trainer, well-known for no-nonsense approach to helping contestants lose weight on The Biggest Loser, stars in dozens of fitness DVDs and has even written several books on fitness, cooking, and overall health. Jillian keeps herself in expert condition, but it doesn’t always come easy; that’s because she suffers from both endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Endometriosis causes the lining of the uterus to grow in unexpected, often painful places, and can lead to fertility problems. PCOS, meanwhile, is a hormonal condition that can also affect a woman’s fertility. Michaels does not let either condition slow her down, though, and is a happy mother to two children (one birthed by her partner, the other adopted).

Alanis Morissette

Image: Instagram / @alanis

Alanis Morissette no longer lives in the spotlight like she did in the 90s, but she still inspires awe and love in her fans, and her name is still one that many people instantly recognize. Recently, the singer has been more open about some of her health struggles, including multiple miscarriages and two stints of postpartum depression. At the age of 45, Alanis is currently expecting another child, and she’s prepared to experience PPD again. As prepared as anyone can be, that is. She’s got lots of people on board to keep an eye on her, to see how she’s coping and urge her to get help if and when depression strikes again. And in the meantime, she’s surrounded herself with a strong support team and she’s got her family on board. A good plan, indeed.

Olivia Newton-John

Image: Instagram / @therealonj

Olivia Newton-John has a name and a voice that will always be recognizable. The actress and singer is most famous for starring in the musical Grease, but others may remember her from Xanadu, Dancing With the Stars, or any of the many parts she has had in various television shows and movies over the years. The ”Physical” singer is also a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with the disease three separate times in the past three decades. The most recent bout is located in her back, but the star is fighting it, surrounded by her family for support, and trying to stay positive.

Daisy Ridley

Image: Instagram / @daisyridrey

Actress Daisy Ridley is well-known these days for her role as Rey in the popular Star Wars franchise. She’s smart and talented and beautiful, but she also, surprisingly, suffers from a lot of self-doubt related to polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. Specifically, Ridley has stated that her conditions have changed her skin’s appearance, which she has found hard to deal with. Ridley also deals with back pain. She is managing her conditions with the help of specialists, including a dermatologist, and dietary changes. Cutting back on sugar and dairy has made a huge difference for the star, and she’s hoping that being open about herself will encourage others to seek answers for their own health problems.

LeAnn Rimes

Image: Instagram / @leannrimes

Singer LeAnn Rimes has been in the spotlight for half of her life, after her song ”Blue” became a smash hit when she was just 13 years old. She’s sold millions of records, performed on stages all around the world, and had her pictures featured in countless magazines. The astute fan may have noticed that, until very recently, Rimes never, ever showed her legs off; long dresses, pants, and panty hose were the rule. The reason? Psoriasis. The singer was diagnosed with the skin condition when she was a toddler, and it’s been troubling her ever since. For years, she hid much of her body away because she was so uncomfortable with the dry, scaly patches all over her skin. Today, Rimes works hard to manage her condition with the help of a dermatologist, plus a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

Gina Rodriguez

Image: Instagram / @hereisgina

Actress Gina Rodriguez is a fighter. Figuratively and literally, as her boxing coach father taught her the sport as a child, and it’s an activity she still enjoys. Rodriguez is well-known for her portrayal of the title character on televisions Jane the Virgin, and in real life, she oozes self-confidence. But she wasn’t always that way. Diagnosed with hypothyroidism as a teenager and Hashimoto’s a few years later, she’s long struggled with excess weight and an overarching feeling of fatigue. These days, she pays close attention to her body. She manages her thyroid conditions with medication and a much healthier diet, and finds that regular exercise keeps her feeling great.

Gabourey Sidibe

Image: Instagram / @gabby3shabby

When she was in college, actress and author Gabourey Sidibe struggled hard with depression. And along with that depression came panic attacks and disordered eating. Sidibe would go for days without eating, and when she did let food pass her lips, she’d throw it back up again soon. Ultimately diagnosed with bulimia alongside her depression, Sidibe went on antidepressants and began regular therapy. Gabby is best known for her role in the drama Empire, and even today the actress struggles at times with eating and keeping herself in the right place mentally. She’s a staunch advocate for regular therapy, and credits the practice with doing her a world of good.

Ben Stiller

Image: Instagram / @benstiller

Actor Ben Stiller has made many of us laugh, and so many people have fond memories of his movies. But Stiller had a deadly serious experience when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his late 40s. The diagnosis came about because of a somewhat controversial test, which led to more procedures and tests and, ultimately, the discovery of a tumor. After a prostatectomy, he was declared cancer-free. Today, he remains cancer-free, although he no doubt still is screened regularly as a precaution. He now is making a new name for himself as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for the rights of refugees around the world.

Dayanara Torres

Image: Instagram / @dayanarapr

Dayanara Torres is known for her stunning physical beauty, and many still remember her for winning Miss Universe back in 1993, as well as being a judge for the pageant 2016. Torres is also a singer, and the Puerto Rican released one album in the late 90s, and has also played minor roles in various television shows in the Philippines. The actress announced in early 2019 that she has skin cancer, and has since undergone radiation treatment for the disease. Torres is a big believer in positivity and credits the prayers and positive energy of her fans for helping her as she deals with this crisis in her life.

Shania Twain

Image: Instagram / @shaniatwain

In the early 2000s, Shania Twain was an icon. Her song, ”Man! I Feel Like a Woman” is still a great karaoke favorite, and the outfits she wore in her videos are still fondly remembered by fans and critics alike. The artist is still writing and recording and performing today, but the past fifteen years or so have been a struggle. Twain contracted Lyme disease in 2003, while on tour, and while she was diagnosed immediately, the disease has continued to haunt her. Most recently, she revealed that Lyme was the root cause of her dysphonia, a vocal disorder that left Twain wondering if she’d ever sing again. Fortunately, she has figured out a warm up routine that lets her perform, but she’ll always be struggling with the lingering effects of Lyme to some degree.

Serena Williams

Image: Instagram / @serenawilliams

Serena Williams is an excellent tennis player. That’s actually an understatement, because there’s not really a word that accurately describes her athletic prowess. She’s dealt with sprained ankles and knee injuries. She won the Australian Open while pregnant. And she has suffered from migraines for years. Many people looked down on the tennis star for openly endorsing a certain brand of migraine medicine, but Williams stands behind the decision, as the medication made a huge difference in her day-to-day life. Williams has also quietly shined a spotlight on the existence of menstrual migraines ”” headaches that are brought on by the drop in estrogen levels just before the bleeding phase of the menstrual cycle. The athlete wants women to not just accept headaches, but to seek help for them.

Wendy Williams

Image: Instagram / @wendyshow

Wendy Williams is a woman of many talents. She’s probably best known as a talk show host, but she’s also an author, a fashion designer, and a former radio DJ. But she caught the attention of her fans in a whole new way when she fainted on the set of her TV show in late 2017. Since then, she’s had other visible health struggles before finally revealing that she had a thyroid condition, Grave’s disease. Grave’s can be tricky to diagnose because of the many ways it may present; those afflicted may be fatigued, depressed, have concentration issues, or have sleep problems. Williams took several months off from her show in early 2019 for treatment for the illness.

Kim Kardashian

kim kardashian
Image: Instagram / @kimkardashian

Some people don’t care for Kim Kardashian, but she’s been really great for people who also suffer from Psoriasis. Being so open about her struggles with the skin condition and not shying away from sharing what it does to her body, it’s brought more awareness for the condition. She tells Shape, “The disease is something I have learned to live with, but there are still times when I can feel insecure about it””especially on red carpets or at a photo shoot,” she writes. “There isn’t a cure for psoriasis, but there are treatments that can help ease the symptoms.”

Ariana Grande

ariana grande
Image: Instagram / @arianagrande

It has been a really challenging time for Ariana Grande the past few years. From the Manchester bombing to the death of Mac Miller, Ariana has been understandably struggling. The 26-year-old singer shared MRI images of her brain which showed signs that she was dealing with PTSD. “Didn’t mean to startle anyone with my brain thingy,” shthe star later e wrote on Instagram. “I love science and seeing the physical reality of what’s going on in there was incredible to me. Someday, when I’m more healed up, we can talk more about it.”

Gabrielle Union

gabrielle union
Image: Instagram / @gabunion

Being a huge fan of Gabrielle Union for a long while, you would probably already know her journey and struggle to conceive. She suffered through years of miscarriages and fertility issues and it wasn’t until years later that she was finally diagnosed with adenomyosis. According to the Mayo Clinic, adenomyosis ”occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The displaced tissue continues to act normally ”” thickening, breaking down and bleeding ”” during each menstrual cycle.” For Union, this impacted her fertility in a big way. ”The gag is I had it in my early 20s, and instead of someone diagnosing me they were like ”˜Oh you have periods that last 9 or 10 days and you’re bleeding through overnight pads? Not a mere inconvenience perhaps there’s something more there,’” she explained at the BlogHer conference last year..

Jessie J

jessie j
Image: Instagram / @jessiej

At a concert in front of sooo many people, Jesse J opened up to the crowed and told her fans that could never have children. “I was told four years ago that I can’t ever have children,” she said in a video posted by a fan on Instagram. “I don’t tell you guys for sympathy because I’m one of the millions of women and men that have gone through this and will go through this.” I was also told I would need a hysterectomy immediately and to be put on medication. I refused the hysterectomy and I’m off all medication through natural medicine and diet change. I haven’t given up hope. I am doing all I can to make it happen the best way my body will allow.” She later shared that through this, she still hasn’t given up hope. I will be a mother,” she wrote on social media. “As will you. I believe in miracles. But if it doesn’t happen naturally. Then that wasn’t meant to be the journey. But a mother is within all of us. That inspires every day. We are strong! Time will tell.”

FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs
Image: Instagram / @fkatwigs

FKA Twigs is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, director, and dancer according to Wikipedia but so many of us know of her because she dated Robert Pattinson for a while. The 31-year-old is usually a very private person but she chose to open up about a health scare she encountered when she was diagnosed with fibrioids. She took to her social media to write, ” his year I have been recovering from laparoscopic surgery to remove 6 fibroid tumors from my uterus. the tumors were pretty huge, the size of 2 cooking apples, 3 kiwis and a couple of strawberries,
a fruit bowl of pain everyday. The nurse said that the weight and size was like being 6 months pregnant.”

Kanye West

kim kardashian
Image: Instagram / @kimkardashian

Carey isn’t the only celeb diagnosed with bipolar disorder–Kanye West also opened up this year about his diagnosis with bipolar disorder as well. ”Understand that this is actually a condition that people can end up in, be born into, driven into and go in and out. And there’s a lot of people that have been called that ”˜C’ word that have ended up on this cover,” the singer shared with Forbes, referencing the word “crazy.” Forbes writes, “Like some entrepreneurs with conditions like ADHD and Asperger’s, he sees his diagnosis not as a hindrance but as a ‘superpower’ that unlocks his imagination.”

Sarah Hyland

sarah hyland
Image: Instagram / @sarahhyland

The Modern Family star recently opened up about having done through two kidney transplants due to kidney dysplasia, which she was diagnosed with as a child. In an interview with SELF, the star opened up about her first kidney transplant failing and having to face a second one,  ”We did all of these tests and all of these treatments to try and save the kidney,” she says. She shuttled in and out of the hospital for months. ”Christmas break, New Year’s, Thanksgiving, my birthday, all of that spent in the hospital,” she adds.

Pink

pink
Image: Instagram / @pink

Pink is a woman who can’t be stopped and doesn’t put up with anyone trying to take her down. It’s one of the reasons moms love her so much and why she’s still going strong in the music industry. The star opened up to Women’s Health in an interview about her life and casually dropped that although she seems like she can do it all, and never needs to rest, that’s not true. “I have to be able to run up those stairs as many times as I do and be able to sing at the same time. I’m an asthmatic. I have to be on that treadmill singing to get my lungs right.”

Venus Williams

venus williams
Image: Instagram / @venuswilliams

Venus Williams is unstoppable on the tennis court and she does it all while battling the autoimmune disorder Sjögren’s Syndrome. Health writes, “After a rough season of injuries and match withdrawals, she announced that she was suffering from the fairly common autoimmune disease that causes dry eye and dry mouth, as well as crushing joint pain and fatigue.” The sports star says she manages it well with a strict raw vegan diet. “I started for health reasons. I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and I wanted to maintain my performance on the court. Once I started I fell in love with the concept of fueling your body in the best way possible. Not only does it help me on the court, but I feel like I’m doing the right thing for me.”

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