Celebrities With Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is the most prolific tick-borne disease in the world, with estimates of 600,000 infections annually. For those battling the condition, the struggle can often feel like a lonely fight, and it should not. Dozens of National and local Lyme disease organizations offer quality support, and a wide variety of celebrities fighting the same disease are on your side.
Many prominent entertainers and A-lister's have been vocal about their battle with Lyme. Some even encourage their social media followers to speak about Lyme on their accounts.
Celebrities afflicted with Lyme disease include:
Shania Twain
Shania Twain is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has achieved global success in the country and pop music genres. She was born on August 28, 1965, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and grew up in Timmins, Ontario. Twain's music career began in the early 1990s when she released her self-titled debut album, followed by her breakthrough album "The Woman in Me" in 1995.
Her 1997 album "Come On Over" became the best-selling studio album of all time by a female artist and one of the best-selling albums of all time, with over 40 million copies sold worldwide. It featured hit singles like "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" and "That Don't Impress Me Much." Twain has won numerous awards throughout her career, including five Grammy Awards, 27 BMI Songwriter Awards, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
Shania Twain was bitten by a tick while horseback riding and opened up about her battle with Lyme in the Netflix documentary Not Just a Girl.
Bella Hadid
Bella Hadid is an American model and social media personality. She was born on October 9, 1996, in Washington, D.C., United States. She is the younger sister of model Gigi Hadid and the daughter of real estate developer Mohamed Hadid and former model Yolanda Hadid.
Bella Hadid began her modelling career in 2014 and quickly gained popularity for her striking looks and unique style. She has since become one of the most sought-after models in the industry, working with top designers and brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Victoria's Secret.
In addition to her modelling work, Bella Hadid is also known for her active presence on social media, where she has a large following. She has used her platform to advocate for causes such as racial justice and mental health awareness.
Bella Hadid has spoken openly about her battle with Lyme, which she shares with her brother and mother, both afflicted with the disease.
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer is an American stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer. She was born on June 1, 1981, in Manhattan, New York City, United States. Schumer started her career as a stand-up comedian in the mid-2000s. She gained widespread recognition for appearing on comedy shows such as Comedy Central Presents, Last Comic Standing, and The Roast of Charlie Sheen.
Schumer is also known for her work as a writer and actress. She created and starred in the Comedy Central series "Inside Amy Schumer" from 2013 to 2016, which earned her a Peabody Award and five Primetime Emmy Awards. She has also acted in various films, including "Trainwreck" (2015), "Snatched" (2017), and "I Feel Pretty" (2018).
Schumer also advocates for several social and political causes, including gun control, women's rights, and mental health awareness.
Amy Schumer announced she had Lyme on her Instagram account in September 2020 and has encouraged her followers to post about their experiences with Lyme.
Debbie Gibson
Debbie Gibson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. She was born on August 31, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. Gibson began her music career in the 1980s, as a teenager, with her debut album "Out of the Blue" in 1987, which featured hit singles like "Only in My Dreams" and "Shake Your Love".
She continued to release several successful albums and singles throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including "Electric Youth" and "Lost In Your Eyes". Gibson is also known for writing and producing her own music and working with other artists.
In addition to her music career, Gibson has also acted in various film and television projects, including "Mega Python vs Gatoroid" (2011) and "Summer of Dreams" (2016). She has also appeared on various reality television shows, including "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "Dancing with the Stars".
Debbie Gibson has admitted Lyme Disease made her appearance on the popular television show Dancing With The Stars difficult. She has also spoken with People Magazine about her fight with Lyme.
David Letterman
David Letterman is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He was born on April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. Letterman began his career as a radio talk show host in the 1970s and later became a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
In 1982, Letterman began hosting his late-night talk show, "Late Night with David Letterman", aired on NBC. The show was known for its irreverent humour, offbeat sketches, and music performances. It featured several memorable segments, such as "Stupid Pet Tricks" and "Top Ten Lists".
In 1993, Letterman left NBC to host a new late-night talk show, "The Late Show with David Letterman, " which aired on CBS. He hosted the show for over 20 years until his retirement in 2015. Throughout his career, Letterman won multiple Emmy Awards and was widely regarded as one of late-night television's most influential and innovative figures.
David Letterman has been vocal about Lyme disease, even recently bringing a tick to the Seth Myers show to raise awareness. Letterman has described Lyme as "hell on Earth."
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin is an American actor, writer, comedian, and producer. He was born on April 3, 1958, in Amityville, New York, United States. Baldwin began his career in the 1980s with appearances in television shows like "Knots Landing" and "The Doctors".
He gained widespread recognition for his role on the NBC sitcom "30 Rock", which aired from 2006 to 2013. Baldwin played Jack Donaghy, a high-powered television executive, and won two Emmy Awards for his performance.
Baldwin is also known for his work in films, including "The Hunt for Red October" (1990), "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1992), "The Departed" (2006), and "Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation" (2015).
In addition to his acting work, Baldwin is also known for his activism and political commentary. He has also appeared as Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live".
Alec Baldwin was bitten over twenty years ago and has stated his battle with Lyme was so severe at one point he felt sure he would die from the disease. He spoke about Lyme at a fundraiser for the Bay Area Lyme Foundation in 2017.
Justin Beiber
Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor. He was born on March 1, 1994, in London, Ontario, Canada. Bieber gained fame in the late 2000s after being discovered on YouTube by talent manager Scooter Braun.
Bieber's debut album, "My World 2.0", was released in 2010 and featured hit singles such as "Baby" and "Somebody to Love". He has since released several successful albums and singles, including "Purpose" (2015), "Sorry", and "Love Yourself".
In addition to his music career, Bieber has also acted in various films and television shows, including "Zoolander 2" (2016) and "Saturday Night Live". He has also been involved in multiple philanthropic endeavours. He has used his platform to raise awareness for causes such as mental health and environmental issues.
Justin Beiber went public about his fight with Lyme disease in 2020 as a response to rude fans mocking him for looking weak and sickly. In this regard, he has also been critical of the media, feeling as though they ran photographs of him looking unwell, trying to make a buck, not mentioning Lyme.
Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress. She was born on September 27, 1984, in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Lavigne began her music career in the early 2000s, with her debut album "Let Go" in 2002, which featured hit singles like "Complicated" and "Sk8er Boi".
She continued to release several successful albums and singles throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including "Under My Skin", "The Best Damn Thing", and "Head Above Water". Lavigne is known for her pop punk and alternative rock style and her distinctive voice and persona.
In addition to her music career, Lavigne has also acted in various films and television shows, including "Fast Food Nation" (2006) and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch".
Avril has been very public about her fight with Lyme and actively engaged in efforts to educate the public and combat the condition. Her 2018 album Head Above Water was inspired by her battle with Lyme. She constantly works with Lyme disease organizations to help others suffering.
Ben Stiller
Ben Stiller is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and director. He was born on November 30, 1965, in New York City, United States. Stiller began his career as a writer and performer on the sketch comedy show "The Ben Stiller Show" in the early 1990s.
He gained wider recognition for his roles in films such as "There's Something About Mary" (1998), "Meet the Parents" (2000), and "Zoolander" (2001), which he also directed. Stiller has since appeared in numerous other films, including the "Night at the Museum" franchise, "Tropic Thunder", and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty".
In addition to his acting work, Stiller is a prolific director and producer. He has directed and produced many successful films, including "The Cable Guy" (1996), "Reality Bites" (1994), and "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (2013).
Stiller has been nominated for multiple awards, including Emmy, Golden Globe, and Academy Awards. He is known for his comedic style, as well as his versatility as an actor and filmmaker.
Ben Stiller was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2010 and benefitted greatly from early detection. He was successfully treated and is now symptom-free.
Kelly Osbourne
Kelly Osbourne is a British-American actress, singer, and television personality. She was born to parents Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne on October 27, 1984, in London, England. Osbourne gained fame in the early 2000s as a cast member of the reality television series "The Osbournes", which followed her family's daily life.
She has since appeared on numerous other television shows, including "Dancing with the Stars", "The Masked Singer", and "Project Runway Junior". Osbourne is also known for her music career, with albums such as "Shut Up" and "Sleeping in the Nothing".
Kelly Osbourne was bitten by a tick at a surprise (outdoor) birthday party for her father, Ozzy, in 2004. She has been very outspoken about her ordeal, stating that doctors had her on such a confusing mix of medications she was effectively turned into a "zombie".
Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and musician. He was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas, United States. Kristofferson started his career as a songwriter in the 1960s, writing songs for artists such as Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin, and Bob Dylan.
He released his debut album "Kristofferson" in 1970, which included hit songs like "Me and Bobby McGee" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night". Kristofferson has since released several successful albums and singles. He is known for his unique blend of country, folk, and rock music.
In addition to his music career, Kristofferson has also had a successful acting career, appearing in numerous films such as "A Star is Born", "Blade", and "Lone Star". He has been nominated for multiple awards, including Grammy, Golden Globe, and Academy Awards.
Kris Kristofferson has talked to the media about his unique situation. All his medical providers believed he had Alzheimer's disease. Despite the best medications on the market, his condition was not improving. His memory loss was worsening year after year. He was finally correctly diagnosed with Lyme, and when his medicines were switched, he experienced a miraculous recovery.
Ally Hilfiger
Ally Hilfiger is an American fashion designer, author, and television personality. She was born on February 26, 1985, in New York City, United States. Hilfiger is the daughter of fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and has worked in the fashion industry since a young age.
She gained wider recognition as a cast member of the reality television series "Rich Girls" in the early 2000s, which followed the lives of Hilfiger and her best friend, Jaime Gleicher. Hilfiger has since appeared on various other television shows, including "Project Runway All Stars" and "The Apprentice".
Hilfiger has also pursued a career in fashion design, launching her own line called NAHM with partner Nary Manivong in 2010.
Ally was first diagnosed with Lyme at the age of seven, after being bitten by an infected tick in 1992. She has written a memoir, "Bite Me: How Lyme Disease Stole My Childhood, Made Me Crazy, and Almost Killed Me", which chronicles her struggles with Lyme disease and her journey to recovery. Ally has stated spirituality and meditation were vital parts of her healing process. Ally works with Project Lyme.
Ryan Sutter
Ryan Sutter is a former American professional football player and television personality. He was born on September 14, 1974, in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States. Sutter played in the NFL as a safety for the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos.
He gained wider recognition as the winner of the first season of the reality television series "The Bachelorette" in 2003, where he won the heart of Trista Rehn (now Trista Sutter), whom he married later that year in a televised wedding special. The couple has since appeared on various other reality television shows, including "Dancing with the Stars" and "Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars".
Ryan had the misfortune of battling with (yet undisclosed) Lyme during the initial stages of the Covid pandemic. After extensive testing, the Lyme was detected and believed to have been worsened by exposure to mold.