Weight loss is a personal journey, often filled with challenges and triumphs. Many public figures have bravely shared their experiences, offering inspiration and relatable stories to those navigating their own paths to better health. This article explores the weight loss journeys of several celebrities, drawing from their own words and experiences.
Sasha Pieterse's PCOS and Epilepsy Diagnosis
Sasha Pieterse, known for her role in "Pretty Little Liars," faced significant health challenges that impacted her weight. She revealed that she was diagnosed with epilepsy at 17, a fact she kept private for a long time. Pieterse also struggled with irregular periods since the age of 10, leading her to consult numerous gynecologists. The actress shared that she went to 17 different gynecologists, who all suggested that she was simply overeating or not exercising enough, despite her efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
"I really started struggling with something, I didn’t know what it was," Sasha said on the SHE MD podcast. The diagnosis of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) was validating for her. “Once I got the diagnosis, not only was that so validating-I’m not crazy, there is actually something that’s going on with me-now I have a label,” she shared.
Pieterse struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating habits, attempting extreme measures like not eating. "I tried not eating," she admits. "I would go through waves of depression. I had body dysmorphia and disordered eating, but it wasn’t changing what I looked like." She realized she wasn't alone in her struggles with PCOS, describing it as a "silent epidemic" and emphasizing the importance of building a community by talking about it.
Acey Romero's Impressive Weight Loss
Acey Romero, an Impact Wrestling star, embarked on a remarkable weight loss journey. Starting at 475 pounds, Romero successfully shed 99 pounds in just 118 days, bringing his weight down to 376 pounds. He shared his achievement, encouraging others by saying, "If you want it bad enough, it can be done." This significant weight loss is expected to improve his agility and overall health.
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Other Celebrities and Their Health Battles
Many other celebrities have faced various health issues that have impacted their lives and careers. Here are a few notable examples:
Brian: Brian faced a medical emergency when he experienced severe stomach pain. “Last week, I started feeling some pain in my stomach,” Brian said in an Instagram video at the time. “I ended up going to the emergency room, and I had a perforated appendix." He added, “I'm on the road to recovery. It's not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”
Savannah DeMelo: The Racing Louisville midfielder collapsed during a soccer game due to a "medical emergency." Savannah received immediate on-field care from medical personnel and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Jason Tartick: The Bachelor Nation alum shared that he went to the hospital “crawling on all fours” due to overwhelming back pain that was aggravated during an RV trip with a friend. “Right now, knees to my toes, it’s, like, still tingly, which is crazy,” he said on his Trading Secrets podcast.
Jennette McCurdy: The Kim Possible alum was shot in the face in an accident. "There was another party with us and they unsafely fired in the wrong direction and shot me in the face," she wrote on Instagram. The actress said she was grateful to be alive. "I love my daughters, husband, family, and friends so much," she said. "I saw my life flash before my eyes and I’m telling you, hug the people around you every chance you can. Life can change in an instant."
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Amy Schumer: Amy Schumer was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome after the internet noticed changes in her appearance. "The internet really came for me after doing a bunch of press, and I was like, 'OK everybody, relax,'" Amy recalled on a January 2025 episode of Call Her Daddy. Doctors suggested her "puffier" face might be due to Cushing syndrome, potentially caused by steroid injections she had been receiving in her scars after a breast reduction and C-section.
Casey Fitzgerald: The AHL player suffered a neck injury from a hockey skate blade during a game in December 2024 and received 25 stitches.
Hailey Bieber: Hailey Bieber experienced stroke-like symptoms due to a small blood clot in her brain. She was later diagnosed with a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a hole in her heart that contributed to the clot. Hailey said she had a successful PFO closure procedure and was now feeling great.
Justin Bieber: Justin Bieber was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused temporary facial paralysis. "It is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis," Justin explained in an Instagram video at the time. "As you can see, this eye is not blinking. I can't smile on this side of my face. This nostril will not move. So, there's full paralysis on this side of my face."
Jamie Foxx: Jamie Foxx experienced a brain bleed that led to a stroke. One day in Atlanta, "I was having such a bad headache, so I asked my boy, I said, ‘Listen, I need an aspirin,’” the Oscar winner said in his 2024 Netflix special What Had Happened Was… “Before I could get the Aspirin, I went out. I don’t remember 20 days.”
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Emilia Clarke: Emilia Clarke suffered a life-threatening type of stroke, caused by bleeding into the space surrounding the brain. "I’d had an aneurysm, an arterial rupture."Emilia had immediate surgery to seal the aneurysm, calling the pain "unbearable." While she was recovering, she continued, she experienced aphasia and was "muttering nonsense."
Cori Broadus: Snoop Dogg's daughter, Cori Broadus, suffered a severe stroke in January 2024. "I texted them that I just had a stroke and sent them a picture," she told E! News. "Everybody just came to my rescue."
Shailene Woodley: Shailene Woodley faced a long health battle that affected her hearing, mobility, and eating habits. “It got to the point where I was losing my hearing. I couldn’t walk for longer than five minutes at a time without having to lay down for hours, and hours and sleep. Everything I ate hurt my stomach,” the actress said on a September 2024 episode of the SHE MD Podcast.
Raquel Rodriguez's Wrestling Journey
Victoria González, known as Raquel Rodriguez in WWE, has had a successful career in professional wrestling. She trained at Americas Academy of Pro Wrestling and signed with WWE in 2016.
Rodriguez is a second generation professional wrestler, following her father Rick González. After training at Americas Academy of Pro Wrestling under George de la Isla in 2013, she competed on the independent circuit. In October 2016, she signed with WWE, performing under her real name, and debuted for the company's developmental brand, NXT, in early 2017. Her ring name was changed to Reina González later that year, before it again changed to Raquel González in early 2020.
She and Dakota Kai won the inaugural Women's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, becoming the inaugural NXT Women's Tag Team Champions. As part of the 2023 WWE Draft, Rodriguez was drafted to the Raw brand. She has also held the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship multiple times with different partners.