Aneurysm, Lupus, Lyme Disease: What Ailed Emilia Clarke, Ariana Grande, and Other Celebrities

As we know, everything can be bought except health. Sometimes, even vast wealth can’t shield celebrities from ailments. Here are some examples of diseases that landed stars in the hospital, forcing them to recover.

Selena Gomez

In 2017, Selena had a kidney transplant. “Many asked why I was laying low instead of putting out new music. But I needed a kidney transplant due to lupus, and I have now recovered,” Gomez shared. Her best friend, Francia Raisa, became the donor.

Due to medications for lupus Selena Gomez gained weight. These drugs cause water retention in the body. “A minor side effect is nothing compared to my health,” says Selena, urging critics to stop shaming people for their appearance, especially when changes are due to an illness. However, there are still those who are shaming the actress.

Justin Bieber

In early 2020, the musician said he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. According to Justin, this disease contributed to the deterioration of his appearance. Severe chronic mononucleosis affected his skin, brain function, energy, and overall health. He mentioned enduring a tough two years but noted that timely and proper treatment for the deadly illness will allow him to return to form and continue his music career.

Emilia Clarke

The British actress suffered a brain hemorrhage after the first season of “Game of Thrones,” requiring surgery. She shared that she pleaded with doctors to let her die, fearing she wouldn’t fully recover.

Two years later, another aneurysm was diagnosed — and this time, surgical intervention occurred before the stroke, not after: “The recovery was even tougher than the first time. I went through more challenging events than Daenerys in the show.” As told by zoomboola.com, the actress considers it a miracle that she can speak, walk, and act, and that the illness didn’t impact her memory, an actor’s primary tool.

Ariana Grande

The singer canceled two concerts in May 2019 after a sudden tomato allergy: “My throat almost closed up. It felt like I was trying to swallow a cactus.” Ariana had to take a three-day break in her busy tour schedule. Due to her health condition, she canceled concerts in Tampa and Orlando. She woke up with severe nausea and a headache, after which her doctor advised against performing in the coming days. Grande’s massive fanbase anxiously awaited news about her well-being.

Whoopi Goldberg

In February 2019, she was hospitalized with pneumonia and sepsis: “Bilateral pneumonia, with fluid and other complications. I came very close to leaving this world. Fortunately, that didn’t happen.”

Demi Lovato

In September 2022, Demi Lovato announced that the upcoming tour supporting her eighth album would likely be her last due to severe health issues. She has bipolar disorder, bulimia, and a past drug addiction.

In July 2018, just two days before a concert in New Jersey, Demi, by her own admission, “crossed the line” and took opioids. She overdosed. The consequences of that night still haunt the singer, as it could have been her last day alive. “I had three strokes and a heart attack. The doctors said I had 5–10 minutes to live,” the singer confessed. The aftermath lingers, and because of vision problems, Demi no longer drives.

Amy Schumer

In April 2018, the actress revealed she was hospitalized with a kidney infection: “Thanks to the doctors, nurses, and my husband…what’s his name? Chris? — and my sister Kimby for always being there.”

Furthermore, at an early age, the actress faced trichotillomania. This condition is considered a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder with varying severity levels. Amy first encountered this disease in her childhood during challenging times in her family. Her father declared bankruptcy, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and her mother left for the father of Amy’s best friend. As a result, Amy pulled out chunks of her hair, and she had to wear a wig to school to conceal it.

Steven Tyler

The leader of Aerosmith had to cancel a tour in September 2022 after falling ill and had to urgently fly back home from South Africa for treatment. In the past, Steven Tyler underwent almost a year of chemotherapy treatment for hepatitis.

He was diagnosed in 2003 but only spoke about it three years later. “I didn’t talk about it much,” he said on Access Hollywood, “I’ve had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic.” For his treatment, he was given a drug called interferon – a type of chemotherapy, which is no longer used for treating hepatitis C due to its side effects. “I spoke to my doctor… and he said now’s the time, and it’s 11 months of chemotherapy,” Tyler said, “So, I went on that, and it almost killed me.”