Young Actresses Who Had Serious Health Problems

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood often mask the personal struggles that many stars face behind closed doors. Several young actresses have navigated severe medical diagnoses and chronic conditions while building their careers in the spotlight. These women have dealt with everything from autoimmune diseases to life-threatening surgeries at a time when they were supposed to be enjoying their youth. By sharing their private battles they have raised awareness for conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. This list highlights the resilience of these performers who refused to let their health issues define their futures.

Selena Gomez

This former Disney Channel star has been very open about her battle with lupus and the complications it has caused for her health. The condition led to her receiving a kidney transplant from her friend Francia Raisa to save her life. She has also discussed how the autoimmune disease affects her mental health and daily energy levels while filming projects like ‘Only Murders in the Building’. Her transparency has helped countless young people understand the severity of chronic autoimmune disorders.

Sarah Hyland

The ‘Modern Family’ actress was born with kidney dysplasia which resulted in her kidneys failing to develop properly. She has undergone over a dozen surgeries throughout her life including two separate kidney transplants. Her health struggles often occurred while she was filming the hit sitcom but she continued to work despite being in significant pain. She now uses her platform to advocate for organ donation and body positivity regarding surgical scars.

Emilia Clarke

Just as her career was taking off with ‘Game of Thrones’ this British actress suffered two life-threatening brain aneurysms. She underwent multiple surgeries to repair the damage and spent weeks in intensive care while fearing she would lose her ability to speak. The ordeal happened during the early seasons of the show and she kept it a secret from the public for years. She later founded a charity to support others recovering from brain injuries and strokes.

Florence Pugh

The ‘Midsommar’ star suffered from a condition called tracheomalacia as a child which caused her windpipe to collapse. This severe respiratory issue led to frequent hospitalizations and required a tube in her trachea to help her breathe. Her family moved from England to Spain in hopes that the warmer climate would improve her health during her younger years. Although she has largely recovered she still has a distinctive raspy voice that has become her trademark.

Daisy Ridley

After rising to fame in ‘Star Wars’ this actress revealed she had been diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. She struggled with severe skin issues and exhaustion before finally receiving a proper diagnosis from her doctors. The condition required her to undergo laparoscopic surgery and make significant lifestyle changes to manage the symptoms. She spoke out to encourage other women to trust their bodies when they feel something is wrong.

Keke Palmer

This multi-talented performer revealed she battles polycystic ovary syndrome which has caused her to struggle with adult acne and facial hair. The ‘Nope’ star shared her diagnosis to show her fans that skin issues are often a symptom of deeper internal health struggles. She had to visit several doctors before finding one who investigated her family history and identified the hormonal disorder. Her openness has helped normalize the visible symptoms of this common condition.

Victoria Justice

The ‘Victorious’ lead was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease which is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. She experienced extreme fluctuations in her weight and energy levels which affected her confidence while working in the public eye. She eventually turned to a strict pescatarian diet and holistic treatments to manage the condition and regain her health. She continues to speak about the importance of listening to your body and finding balance.

Gina Rodriguez

The star of ‘Jane the Virgin’ also suffers from Hashimoto’s disease and has been vocal about the challenges of managing a thyroid condition in Hollywood. She dealt with fatigue and weight gain that made it difficult to maintain the industry’s beauty standards. She has since focused on strength training and boxing to manage her symptoms and feel empowered in her body. Her journey emphasizes the importance of self-care over superficial appearance.

Sasha Pieterse

While filming ‘Pretty Little Liars’ this actress gained seventy pounds over two years due to a then-undiagnosed hormone imbalance. She was eventually diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome which explained her rapid weight changes and irregular periods. She faced cruel criticism from the public and media before she knew what was causing her body to change. She has since become an advocate for PCOS awareness and healthy body image.

Halsey

Although primarily known as a singer this artist has acted in projects like ‘MaXXXine’ and suffers from multiple chronic illnesses including lupus and endometriosis. They have undergone multiple surgeries to treat endometriosis and have been hospitalized frequently for anaphylaxis and other autoimmune reactions. The star often documents their medical treatments on social media to show the reality of living with invisible illnesses. Their resilience allows them to perform and act despite constant physical pain.

Billie Eilish

This young talent made her acting debut in ‘Swarm’ and has been open about living with Tourette syndrome since she was a child. She experiences physical tics that she has learned to suppress or manage during interviews and performances. The condition is neurological and causes involuntary movements that can be exhausting to control for long periods. She spoke about it to help fans understand that the condition is more common than people realize.

Chloë Grace Moretz

The ‘Kick-Ass’ actress was diagnosed with severe scoliosis during her adolescence and had to wear a back brace for years. The curvature of her spine was significant enough that it could have affected her ability to perform physical roles if left untreated. She managed to avoid major surgery through rigorous physical therapy and dedication to her treatment plan. She continues to train hard to maintain her core strength and support her spine.

Shailene Woodley

The star of ‘The Divergent Series’ battled a serious physical condition in her early twenties that she has chosen to keep mostly private. She described the illness as debilitating and stated that it forced her to turn down roles because she could physically not handle the work. The situation caused her great distress as she worried her career might end before she recovered. She has since regained her health and returned to full-time acting work.

Jameela Jamil

This actress from ‘The Good Place’ was born with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which is a connective tissue disorder that affects collagen production. The condition causes her joints to be hypermobile and her skin to be incredibly stretchy and fragile. She also survived a severe car accident in her youth that damaged her spine and nearly left her paralyzed. She uses her platform to advocate for disability rights and acceptance of chronic pain conditions.

Marsai Martin

The young ‘Black-ish’ star and producer underwent surgery to remove a large ovarian cyst that had been causing her severe pain. She shared her experience to alert other young women that ovarian cysts can affect people of any age. The pain was debilitating enough to interrupt her work but she sought treatment promptly. Her story serves as a reminder that gynecological health is important even for teenagers.

Emma Roberts

The ‘American Horror Story’ actress revealed she has struggled with endometriosis since her teenage years. The condition caused her debilitating cramps that were often dismissed by doctors as normal period pain. She eventually learned that the condition could affect her fertility and chose to freeze her eggs to preserve her options for the future. She spoke out to validate the pain that many women feel is ignored by medical professionals.

Julianne Hough

This dancer and actress has battled endometriosis for years and underwent surgery to treat the condition. She experienced sharp pains while performing on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ that led to her diagnosis. She has since become a vocal advocate for women discussing their pelvic pain and menstrual health openly. She emphasizes that painful periods are not something women simply have to endure in silence.

Lena Dunham

The creator and star of ‘Girls’ suffered from such severe endometriosis that she eventually underwent a total hysterectomy at a young age. She dealt with chronic pain for a decade and underwent multiple surgeries before making the difficult decision to remove her uterus. She has been incredibly raw about the grief and physical relief that came with the procedure. Her story highlighted the extreme measures some women must take to find relief from the disease.

Bindi Irwin

The conservationist and actress struggled with fatigue and pain for ten years before being diagnosed with endometriosis. She underwent surgery where doctors found dozens of lesions and a chocolate cyst that had been causing her agony. She expressed relief at finally having an answer after years of being told her pain was psychological or normal. Her public post after surgery inspired thousands of women to seek second opinions.

Ashley Park

The ‘Emily in Paris’ star is a survivor of acute myeloid leukemia which she was diagnosed with at age fifteen. She spent her high school years undergoing chemotherapy and staying in the hospital while her peers were in class. More recently she suffered a critical health scare when a bout of tonsillitis spiraled into septic shock. She had to spend weeks in the ICU recovering from the infection that nearly claimed her life.

Demi Lovato

This former Disney star suffered three strokes and a heart attack following a near-fatal drug overdose in 2018. The incident left them with brain damage that resulted in blind spots in their vision and an inability to drive. They have worked hard to recover their physical health and return to performing after the traumatic event. Their documentary ‘Dancing with the Devil’ detailed the severe physical consequences of their addiction battle.

Ruby Rose

The ‘Batwoman’ actress underwent emergency surgery after herniating two discs in her spine while performing stunts. The injury was close to severing her spinal cord and she risked becoming paralyzed if she did not operate immediately. She documented the surgery and her recovery to show the physical risks that action stars take for their roles. She has also dealt with depression and other mental health struggles throughout her career.

Cobie Smulders

While starring in ‘How I Met Your Mother’ this actress was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of twenty-five. She underwent multiple surgeries over the course of two years to remove the cancer while continuing to film the show. She kept the diagnosis a secret from the public until she was in remission and felt ready to share her story. She was told she might never conceive naturally but eventually defied the odds.

Bella Hadid

Though primarily a model she has acted in the series ‘Ramy’ and battles Lyme disease alongside her mother and brother. The bacterial infection causes her to suffer from joint pain and exhaustion and brain fog. She has posted photos of herself hooked up to IV drips to manage the chronic symptoms that flare up due to stress. Her visibility has brought attention to the long-term effects of tick-borne illnesses.

Miley Cyrus

The ‘Hannah Montana’ icon was diagnosed with tachycardia which is a condition that causes the heart to beat faster than normal. Although the condition is not usually life-threatening she has to be careful about her lifestyle and stress levels. She also underwent vocal cord surgery after discovering she had been unknowingly living with damage to her voice. She had to remain completely silent for weeks to allow her instrument to heal properly.

Bebe Rexha

This singer and actress in the film ‘Queenpins’ has been vocal about her diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. She shared that the condition caused her to gain thirty pounds rapidly and led to intense scrutiny from online trolls. She posted a screenshot of her search results to highlight how the media focuses on her weight rather than her health. She advocates for normalizing normal bodies and understanding hormonal fluctuations.

Park So-dam

The star of the Oscar-winning film ‘Parasite’ was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer during a routine health check. She underwent surgery to treat the illness and had to take a break from promoting her film ‘Special Delivery’. The diagnosis came as a shock to her fans as she was only thirty years old at the time. She has since recovered and returned to the screen with a new appreciation for her health.

Olivia Culpo

The model and actress has documented her painful journey with endometriosis on her reality show. She underwent surgery to remove lesions that were growing on her ovaries and causing excruciating cramps. She expressed concern about her fertility and wanted to address the issue before it caused permanent damage. Her willingness to film her surgery prep helped demystify the process for her viewers.

FKA Twigs

The artist and actress in ‘The Crow’ remake underwent laparoscopic surgery to remove six fibroid tumors from her uterus. She described the tumors as being the size of two cooking apples and three kiwis which caused her distinctive belly distortion. The pain was severe enough that she felt her confidence as a performer was being eroded. She shared her recovery dance videos to show her return to strength.

Millie Bobby Brown

The ‘Stranger Things’ phenomenon was born with partial hearing in one ear which eventually faded away completely. She is deaf in that ear and cannot hear herself fully when she is performing or acting. She does not let the disability stop her and simply adapts to her environment on set. She speaks about it to encourage others that physical limitations do not have to limit their dreams.

Tallulah Willis

The daughter of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis has acted in small roles and battles Lyme disease. She recently revealed that her treatment for the chronic illness has been a long and difficult road. In addition to the physical ailment she has been open about her diagnosis of autism in adulthood. She uses her social media to share the realities of living with both neurodivergence and chronic pain.

Ireland Baldwin

This model and actress suffers from a condition called POTS which causes her heart rate to skyrocket when she stands up. She also deals with cardiophobia which is an intense anxiety surrounding her heart health. She has shared photos of herself using blood pressure monitors to track her vitals during flare-ups. She advocates for people who deal with invisible disabilities that make daily tasks difficult.

Lily Collins

The star of ‘Emily in Paris’ struggled with a severe eating disorder throughout her teenage years and early twenties. She wrote a book detailing the health crisis that caused her to lose hair and suffer from nail brittleness. She later played a character with anorexia in ‘To the Bone’ which she claimed was a way to confront her past. She is now in recovery and speaks frequently about the dangers of extreme dieting.

Ariel Winter

The ‘Modern Family’ star underwent breast reduction surgery at the age of seventeen due to severe back and neck pain. The physical weight of her chest caused her spine to curve and made standing for long periods on set unbearable. She also faced unwanted sexualization from the media while she was still a minor. The surgery relieved her physical pain and allowed her to feel more comfortable in her own body.

Do you know of any other young stars who have overcome major health hurdles? Share your thoughts in the comments.