Jessie J Shares She Had a Stroke at Age 17

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Jessie J is sharing more about her difficult health journey.

Jessie J, 37, has faced a series of serious health issues. As a child, she was diagnosed with a heart condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, and earlier this year she revealed she has breast cancer. Recently, she shared that her health struggles began even earlier – she had a stroke at just 17 years old, two decades ago.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, she revealed she suffered a stroke shortly after signing her first record deal. She described being on the train when one side of her face suddenly drooped.

Jessie went to the doctor when she felt unwell, and the doctor suspected a minor stroke, so they immediately called for an ambulance. Jessie explained that she ended up staying in the hospital for four to five weeks.

To make matters worse, three years later she suffered an injury in an accident that ended her singing career.

She explained that right before she was planning to release music in 2020, she was in a car accident. This caused an injury to her voice box, and she lost her ability to sing for a whole year.

Jessie, who announced her breast cancer diagnosis in June, says facing health issues in the past has made her stronger and better prepared for this fight.

Okay, so I know it sounds crazy, but I have this weird thing where I almost want to be diagnosed with something, you know? It’s like, a twisted habit. And honestly? I even joked about whether this whole cancer thing is just… part of that. I know, it’s awful to say, but it just popped into my head!

Honestly, even as a kid, she was just amazing. She always says her parents were the ones who really built her up, always making her believe she could achieve anything, even with her heart issues. It’s so inspiring to hear how they fostered that incredible strength in her from the very beginning!

She shared that her parents were wonderful at preventing difficult times from becoming the defining moments of her life, and from letting those moments dictate who she was as a person. She feels this has had a lasting, positive impact on her even today.

Jessie, who shares a two-year-old son named Sky with basketball player Chanan Safir Colman, has often spoken about wanting to be open with her challenges. She hopes sharing her experiences will not only help her feel better, but also offer support to others going through similar difficulties.

In a recent Instagram video, Jessie explained that sharing her own experiences has been helpful, thanks to the love, support, and relatable stories she’s received from others. She also expressed sadness knowing that many people are facing even more difficult challenges.

As she put it, “I’m an open book.”

For more stars who have opened up about their health, read on.

Nikki Bella, known from Total Bellas, shared that one of her breast implants moved after being hit during the elbow of fellow wrestler Piper Niven in a match that took place in July 2025.

She reassured her sister, Bella Garcia, that they would get the issue resolved eventually. She explained to the doctor that as soon as she finished her current commitment, she’d return to address the problem and ensure everything looked its best, anticipating future use and wanting it to be presentable.

Lupita Nyong’o, known for her role in 12 Years a Slave, received a diagnosis of uterine fibroids—benign growths in or around the uterus—in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award for her performance in the film.

I was so moved when she finally shared her story in 2025. She wrote on Instagram that she’d been quietly battling this for over ten years, and it really resonated with me to hear her talk about suffering in silence for so long.

Growing up, I was always told that periods were supposed to hurt – that pain was just something women had to deal with. It felt like I was going through this experience all by myself, and it’s something that impacts so many of us.

 

In July 2025, the actress from Daisy Jones & The Six revealed she’d been hospitalized for a hernia. This happened because she’d been wearing pants that were too tight, which caused a gap in her abdominal muscles.

Someone wrote on X (formerly Twitter), ‘Suki, you haven’t tweeted in ages!’ They then jokingly added, ‘Have you thought maybe those super-tight pants I wore six months ago gave me a hernia, and I’ve just been too embarrassed to say anything?’

In April 2025, the former star of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared that he was recovering from surgery to repair a nearly burst appendix.

Brian shared in an Instagram video that he recently experienced stomach pain which led him to the emergency room. He explained that his appendix had a perforation – it hadn’t fully burst, but was very close to doing so.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

During a soccer game against Seattle Reign on September 14th at Lumen Field in Seattle, a midfielder from Racing Louisville collapsed after only a few minutes of play.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Women’s National Team player sat down on the field with a teammate supporting her, and then collapsed shortly after, prompting trainers to come and assess her condition.

After receiving initial medical attention on the field, Savannah was taken to a nearby hospital for more tests, according to a statement from the National Women’s Soccer League. They reported that she is currently in stable condition and fully conscious.

Adam Devine revealed that injuries from being hit by a cement truck at age 11 continue to cause him problems even now.

In a 2025 interview on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast, Devine described the past year as a “nightmare.” He explained that he’s been experiencing spasms throughout his body and that doctors once told him he was facing a life-threatening situation.

I’ve been thinking a lot about pain lately, and it’s just… it comes and goes, you know? It’s like, my body has its quirks – a few things aren’t quite right, a little off here and there. It’s just part of dealing with things, I guess.

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital in extreme pain, literally crawling because of a terrible backache that flared up during a road trip with a friend.

He described a lingering tingling sensation in his knees and toes during a March 2025 episode of his podcast, Trading Secrets. To illustrate the extent of the issue, he explained that just a few weeks or a month prior, he was able to squat 295 pounds. Now, he can’t even do a squat, struggles with single-leg balance, and feels like he’s lost control of his body, comparing it to having a stroke.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

Gina Kirschenheiter from The Real Housewives of Orange County revealed that her ex-husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, had a heart attack in March 2025, but he is recovering well.

In March 2025, the actor from 30 Rock experienced a medical issue at a New York Knicks game and had to be taken out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

The comedian later posted on social media to explain he had food poisoning and was starting to feel better.

I was so shocked to learn earlier this year that I was accidentally shot in the face while on a fun birthday outing with my husband, Brendan Rooney. We were celebrating his birthday with some clay pigeon shooting, and unfortunately, an accident happened. It was a scary experience, but thankfully, I’m doing okay.

Oh my god, you will NOT believe what happened! We were at this party, and some people started shooting, but they were being SO reckless and ended up shooting me in the face! It was terrifying. But then, Brendan Rooney – seriously, he’s an angel – instantly jumped into action. He checked me over, figured out how bad it was, and raced me to the hospital. I ended up getting hit five times! FIVE! And one of the shots was, like, less than an inch from my eye! My eye! Brendan totally saved me, I swear. I’m obsessed with him, honestly. He’s a hero!

The Kim Possible actor explained that a small piece of something is stuck behind their eye. Doctors have advised against removing it with surgery right now, and they’ll be keeping a close watch on the situation, but thankfully their vision is currently normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving a frightening experience. She shared how much she cherishes her daughters, husband, family, and friends, saying she realized how quickly life can change. She urged everyone to hug their loved ones often, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, despite its often harsh nature, because it ultimately helped her discover a health issue. After noticing she looked “puffier” and receiving critical comments online, doctors began commenting on interviews, suggesting she might have Cushing syndrome – a condition often caused by high cortisol levels or steroid injections. This prompted Amy to realize she’d been receiving steroid injections after a breast reduction and C-section. She later learned she had a form of Cushing syndrome that would resolve on its own, and she’s relieved to be healthy. As she shared, receiving this diagnosis and knowing she would recover was the best news she could have hoped for.

During a December 2024 game, an AHL player was accidentally cut in the face by another player’s skate and needed 25 stitches to close the wound. After his son made a full recovery, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald shared with ESPN how relieved they were, saying, “We feel very lucky, and I wouldn’t want any parent to go through that.”

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced a frightening health scare while having breakfast with her husband, Justin Bieber. She suddenly started having stroke-like symptoms, struggling to speak and noticing her face drooping. Though her symptoms briefly subsided, she went to the hospital for evaluation. Doctors discovered she’d had a small blood clot travel to her brain, which they identified as a TIA, or transient ischemic attack. Further testing at UCLA revealed Hailey had a hole in her heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). This hole allowed the blood clot to reach her brain, causing the TIA. Hailey underwent a successful procedure to close the hole in her heart and is now recovering well.

The same year Hailey faced a health issue, Justin also experienced one. In June 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. This forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice World Tour.

In a video posted to Instagram, Justin explained the condition affected the nerves in his ear and face, preventing him from blinking, smiling, or moving his nostril on the affected side. He also shared that it had become increasingly difficult to eat.

Fortunately, the paralysis eventually went away. Hailey shared on Good Morning America that Justin was recovering well, calling the situation scary and unexpected, but expressing gratitude that he was going to be okay.

Jamie Foxx recently shared details about the health scare he experienced in April 2023, which he had initially kept private. In his 2024 Netflix special, What Had Happened Was…, he explained that he suffered a severe headache one day and lost consciousness before he could take an aspirin. He doesn’t remember the next twenty days.

Initially, a doctor gave him a cortisone shot and sent him home, but his sister, Deidra Dixon, became concerned and took him to the hospital. There, doctors discovered he’d had a brain bleed that caused a stroke.

After surgery, twenty days later, on May 4th, Jamie woke up in a wheelchair unable to walk. He then went to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy. He expressed deep gratitude for the prayers he received, saying, “I needed every prayer.”

The reality TV star said she briefly stopped breathing while running a mile during the first challenge on the NBC show.

She shared on the show Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser that her memory of the event was fragmented. She recalled hearing a helicopter, feeling like she was floating, and then seeing her grandfather. After that, she remembered only darkness, followed by light. She stated that this sequence of events led her to realize she had died that day.

She explained that her organs were failing. She hadn’t known she had rhabdomyolysis, a condition where the body essentially starts to shut down.

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones, revealed a harrowing health battle in a 2019 essay for The New Yorker. While filming the show, she experienced a sudden, severe headache while at the gym, followed by intense pain and vomiting. She quickly realized something was seriously wrong with her brain.

A hospital scan revealed she had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage – a life-threatening stroke caused by bleeding around the brain – due to a ruptured aneurysm. She underwent immediate surgery to repair it, but the pain was excruciating. During her recovery, she temporarily lost her ability to speak, often muttering nonsensically.

Though she was discharged after a month, a 2013 scan revealed the aneurysm had doubled in size, requiring a second surgery. This operation was unsuccessful, leading to a massive bleed and putting her life at risk. Doctors had to perform a more invasive procedure, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia reports she has now made a full recovery and is doing well.

Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s daughter, recently shared how much she appreciates her family’s support after a health scare. In January 2024, Cori suffered a stroke and immediately reached out to her loved ones, sending them a text and a picture. She told TopMob News that everyone quickly came to her aid. While she could have gone home after the stroke, other health issues – including problems with her lupus and kidneys – required a longer hospital stay. Thankfully, Cori is now recovering well. She says she’s feeling great and has been working to regain some motor skills, but is otherwise doing fine.

Shailene Woodley struggled with her health throughout her early twenties. In a September 2024 podcast interview, she explained that she experienced hearing loss, extreme fatigue, and digestive issues. She saw many doctors, but received conflicting diagnoses.

Because she grew up with a holistic approach to wellness and studied herbalism, Shailene sought answers from both traditional doctors and alternative healers. This search for comfort and understanding took ten years.

She explained that the physical discomfort led to emotional struggles, including fear of food and issues with body image and self-identity. However, after focusing on both her physical and mental well-being, Shailene is now happy to report that she is fully healthy and feeling much better.

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2025-12-01 22:48