More than 125 million people worldwide live with psoriasis, so it’s no surprise that some well-known celebrities have it, too.

When famous people reveal their diagnoses, it makes the psoriasis room bigger and helps others with the condition feel less alone.

Members of MyPsoriasisTeam often discuss the stigma associated with the condition and how celebrity representation helps. “I appreciate the growing awareness people have of psoriasis,” one member wrote. “Part of that growing awareness definitely comes from celebrities talking about it.”

These are just some of the celebrities who contribute to awareness and discussion of psoriasis around the world.

1. Kim Kardashian

Reality TV star Kim Kardashian shared that her first psoriasis flare happened at age 25. But even as a celebrity who ran in elite social circles, she didn’t receive a proper diagnosis for five more years.

Psoriasis runs in Kardashian’s family. Her mother, Kris Jenner, also struggles with scalp psoriasis. Kardashian has talked publicly about dealing with unpredictable skin spots and the challenges of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Her story is a reminder of how misunderstood the condition is and how having more conversations about psoriasis can shed light on the challenges that come with it.

2. Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel is a famous singer who struggled for years with plaque psoriasis. He’s found strength in sharing his story.

“There’s a real power in speaking our truths,” Garfunkel shared in an awareness campaign for plaque psoriasis. “Vulnerability, as it turns out, is not weakness; it’s connection. And connection is healing.”

The support of his wife and sons has made him feel more confident about sharing his story. Garfunkel is now a public spokesperson for a systemic psoriasis treatment that has improved his quality of life.

3. LeAnn Rimes

Famous singer LeAnn Rimes has faced a difficult lifelong journey with psoriasis. She was first diagnosed at the age of 2. During particularly challenging times, 80 percent of her body was covered with lesions.

“For so much of my life, I felt like I had to hide.”
— LeAnn Rimes

Rimes has said she’s looked into every possible solution to treat her psoriasis. “I tried everything I could to treat it: steroid creams, major medications — I even tried being wrapped in coal tar with Saran Wrap,” she said in an interview with Glamour.

Like Rimes, many MyPsoriasisTeam members have discussed complementary and at-home therapies for psoriasis.

One member shared, “Has anyone tried seaweed creams?” Another said, “I use aloe vera gel, neem oil, castor, rosemary, and lavender, plus tea tree oil shampoo. There are so many awesome ingredients out there, and everybody is different. It really is trial and error.”

Another theme among celebrities with psoriasis involves how much time they’ve spent trying to cover up their plaques.

“For so much of my life, I felt like I had to hide,” Rimes told Glamour. “When you’re hiding your physical body, there’s so much that rolls over into your emotional and spiritual mental health. You feel like you’re holding yourself back — like you’ve been caged in.”

4. Stacy London

Stacy London, co-host of the iconic fashion show “What Not to Wear,” was diagnosed with psoriasis at 4 years old. She’s said that at times, the condition was debilitating.

However, London sees the bright side of her diagnosis. She says it’s made her more empathetic to the fashion concerns of guests on her show.

“I know what it’s like to feel ‘less than’ about yourself, and I can spot it now very quickly in other women,” London said in an interview with “Entertainment Tonight.” “The more I can be compassionate with them, [the more] it’s allowed me to be more compassionate with myself.”

5. La La Anthony

Actor and TV personality La La Anthony has been in the entertainment world for decades. All the while, she’s been managing plaque psoriasis.

“It was showing up on my skin like these itchy patches, primarily on my scalp, behind my ears, and my eyebrows,” Anthony explained in an interview with Essence. “It was prominent. I would wash my hair, and it would still be itchy and flaky right afterward.”

She struggled for years with messy shampoos and medicated hair products that didn’t fit her lifestyle. Now Anthony serves as a spokesperson for a systemic psoriasis treatment that helps keep her symptoms under control.

6. Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper is a music icon with top hits like “Girls Just Want To Have Fun.” Some people don’t realize that the fun-promoting singer also has psoriasis.

In addition to being a pop star, Lauper is a mother and wife. She said in an interview with the American Academy of Dermatology that finding time for her mental and physical health hasn’t always been easy, but “taking a walk in the fresh air” keeps her grounded “when everything seems to go haywire.”

Part of managing her psoriasis has included learning her triggers. Lauper avoids alcohol and spicy foods to keep her skin under control.

7. Cara Delevingne

Famous British model and actor Cara Delevingne knows what it’s like to deal with psoriasis in the public eye.

“I’m proud of it in the sense that it’s something that belongs to me. I used to hate my psoriasis, but that only made it worse.“
— Cara Delevingne

In an interview with Britain’s The Times, Delevingne discussed how she would spend long periods of time in a makeup chair during photo shoots, while makeup artists covered her plaques with foundation.

“People would put on gloves and not want to touch me because they thought it was leprosy or something,” she told The Times. She’s come a long way since then and even chose to fully embrace her plaques at the 2022 Met Gala.

“It's not a beautiful thing to have — but you also have to be proud of it,” she said in an interview with Glamour Germany. “I'm proud of it in the sense that it’s something that belongs to me. I used to hate my psoriasis, but that only made it worse.”

8. Jonathan Van Ness

Jonathan Van Ness (JVN) is the famous hairdresser on the latest reboot of the hit show “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” An unretouched Instagram post in March 2018 was JVN’s official debut as a celebrity with psoriasis. But early on, JVN’s doctor mistook his flare-ups for allergies or an infection.

JVN has emphasized the importance of self-care with psoriasis, opting for yoga, writing, gymnastics, and figure skating to reduce stress.

Finding the right treatment is also key. “Since there are so many different ways to go about treating psoriasis, it can be frustrating,” JVN said in an interview with Parade.com.

Everyday People Make the Community Stronger

Just as public announcements from celebs amplify the voices of people with psoriasis, each new member on MyPsoriasisTeam strengthens the community.

“We should welcome as much attention as possible to help find ways to live with this autoimmune issue,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member said. “I am not ashamed, and I’m very willing to deal with my psoriasis and learn as much as I can to help myself and others.”

Without a psoriasis community, it can be easy to feel isolated, as if you’re the only one struggling with psoriasis symptoms like plaques, itching, and soreness. But the truth is, you definitely aren’t alone.

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How do celebrity stories impact your psoriasis journey? Let others know in the comments below.