Model Anok Yai Shares Congenital Defect Is “Destroying” Her Lungs

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Anok Yai is no longer suffering in silence.

The supermodel recently revealed she’s been struggling with a significant health issue. Doctors discovered a birth defect while trying to understand the cause of her problems.

On December 19th, Anok shared on Instagram that she’d been privately struggling with a health issue for the past year. She unexpectedly learned she has a birth defect that’s been putting a strain on her heart and gradually damaging her lungs.

For most of my life, I didn’t have any symptoms, but eventually it started with a cough that wouldn’t go away. That turned into chest pain, and then I started coughing up blood. Sometimes, I even had trouble breathing. I kept trying to work while I searched for a doctor and a good time to get help, but I soon realized there would never be a perfect time – my condition would just keep getting worse.

The 28-year-old model, recently named Model of the Year at the 2025 Fashion Awards on December 1st, shared that she is recovering well after lung surgery.

I used to believe I could overcome any challenge with hard work, but life has a way of making you realize your limits. Recently, I had successful robotic lung surgery thanks to Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his wonderful team. I’m incredibly grateful to them for giving me more time, and I’ll always be indebted to them.

Anok shared photos and videos from her hospital bed, showing her with family, and expressed her gratitude to the doctors and nurses who are caring for her.

I’m so thankful to Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and the team at Beverly Hills Concierge Health for figuring out what was wrong with me,” she shared. “I also want to thank all the doctors and wonderful nurses at NYU Langone.

Anok, born in Egypt to parents who fled conflict in Sudan and later settled in the United States, also wanted to thank her family and friends for their support during her health struggles.

I’m incredibly thankful to Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and the entire team at Beverly Hills Concierge Health for figuring out what was wrong with me,” she shared. “I also want to thank all the doctors and wonderful nurses at NYU Langone.

Anok, who was born in Egypt after her parents fled conflict in Sudan, grew up in the United States. She also wanted to thank her family and friends for their support during her health struggles.

Keep reading for more celebs who have suffered health scares…

She expressed gratitude to her friends and family for being there for her, saying they were the first people she saw each morning. She shared that she’s currently recovering, but plans to return soon, signing off with a cheerful ‘See ya!’

WNBA player Angel Reese sent a message of support, writing, “Sending my prayers to you, sweetheart. You’re strong and you’ll get through this. I love you, sister.”

Keep reading for more celebs who have suffered health scares…

Nikki Bella, known from Total Bellas, shared that one of her breast implants moved after being hit in the chest during a wrestling match with Piper Niven in July 2025.

She reassured her sister, Bella Garcia, saying they would get the issue resolved eventually. She explained to the doctor that as soon as she retired from her current job, she’d return to address the problem and make sure everything looked its best, because she anticipated future activity and didn’t want it to appear neglected.

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

She didn’t share her diagnosis until 2025, when she revealed on Instagram that she had been privately struggling with it for over ten years.

She explained that many girls are taught to accept period pain as a normal part of being a woman, leading to a sense of isolation when they struggle with it. It’s something that impacts so many of us, yet we often deal with it on our own.

 

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

Okay, so I saw this hilarious message from a friend online – she basically called me out for being quiet on social media! And the reason? It’s a little… unexpected. Apparently, she jokingly wonders if I’ve gone silent because I wore pants that were so snug six months ago, they actually gave me a hernia! I’ve been a little embarrassed to admit I’m still dealing with it, but honestly, it’s a funny story now. It just goes to show, you never know what’s going on behind the scenes, even with your closest friends!

The former star of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared in April 2025 that he was recovering from surgery to fix a nearly ruptured appendix.

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

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

As a lifestyle expert who follows sports, I was really concerned to hear about the Racing Louisville midfielder who collapsed during their game against Seattle Reign on September 14th. It happened so early in the match at Lumen Field in Seattle, and it’s always worrying when an athlete experiences something like that.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Women’s National Team player was seen slowly sitting down on the field with a teammate supporting her, just before she collapsed. Trainers were immediately called to assess her condition.

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

Oh my gosh, you will NOT believe this! I just found out that Adam Devine – my absolute favorite! – is still dealing with injuries from when he was eleven! Apparently, he got hit by a cement truck – a CEMENT TRUCK! – and it’s been affecting him ever since. I mean, can you imagine? He’s so funny and energetic, you’d never know he was carrying around pain from something that happened so long ago. It just makes me love him even more, honestly. He’s such a trooper!

“It’s been incredibly difficult,” Devine shared on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast in 2025. “I experience spasms throughout my body, and doctors recently told me I was facing a life-threatening situation—within the last year, actually.”

He explained that his pain is intermittent, saying his body has some minor imperfections and doesn’t always function as expected.

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital because of severe back pain. He described being in so much pain that he could only crawl on his hands and knees, and the pain had gotten worse 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. He explained that just a few weeks prior, he was able to squat 295 pounds, but now he can’t even do a single squat or stand on one foot without falling. He compared the feeling to having had 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 an update online, explaining he had food poisoning but was starting to feel better.

In February 2025, the former Even Stevens star revealed she was shot in the face during a birthday outing with her husband, Brendan Rooney. They were on a trip to go clay pigeon shooting when the incident occurred.

In an Instagram post, she explained that she was accidentally shot in the face by someone at a party. They fired a weapon unsafely, and she was hit five times. One of the shots narrowly missed her right eye, coming within an inch of a direct hit. Brendan Rooney quickly helped her, providing immediate assessment and rushing her to the hospital.

The Kim Possible actor explained that a small piece of something got stuck behind their eye. Doctors have advised against surgery to remove it right now, but they’re keeping a close watch on the situation. Thankfully, their vision is currently normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving and shared a heartfelt message about cherishing loved ones. She spoke about how much she loves her daughters, husband, family, and friends, and described experiencing a life-changing moment that made her realize how quickly things can change. She urged everyone to hug their loved ones often, emphasizing the preciousness of life.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, even though it can be harsh, 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 linked to high cortisol levels or steroid injections. This prompted Schumer 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, which she called “the greatest news imaginable.” Schumer shared that she wouldn’t have known about the condition if not for the online attention.

In December 2024, an AHL player suffered a skate cut during a game and needed 25 stitches to close the wound. After his son fully recovered, New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald shared with ESPN how grateful they were, saying, “We feel very lucky, and no parent should have to go through that.”

In March 2022, Hailey Bieber experienced a frightening health scare while having breakfast with her husband, Justin Bieber. She suddenly developed stroke-like symptoms, initially unable to respond when Justin asked if she was okay. She then realized she couldn’t speak and the right side of her face began to droop.

Although her speech and facial movement eventually returned, Hailey went to the hospital where doctors discovered she’d had a small blood clot travel to her brain, which they identified as a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack).

Further testing at UCLA revealed Hailey had a hole in her heart, called a patent foramen ovale (PFO). Doctors determined the blood clot had passed through this hole and traveled to her brain, causing the TIA.

Hailey underwent a successful procedure to close the PFO and is now recovering well.

Oh my gosh, it was such a scary year! Not only was Hailey dealing with her health issues, but then Justin got sick too! In June 2022, he revealed he had Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and I was absolutely devastated. It caused paralysis on his face – he showed it in a video on Instagram, and it was heartbreaking to see him unable to blink or smile on one side. He even said it was getting harder for him to eat! I was so worried about him. Thankfully, Hailey kept us updated, and she said he was doing really well and feeling much better. It was such a random and frightening thing to happen, but she assured everyone he’d be totally okay, and honestly, hearing that was such a relief. I’m just so grateful he’s doing better now!

Jamie Foxx recently shared details about the serious 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 was suffering from a severe headache when he suddenly lost consciousness. 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, was worried and took him to the hospital. There, doctors discovered he had a brain bleed that led to a stroke.

After surgery, twenty days later, on May 4th, Jamie woke up in a wheelchair unable to walk. He then traveled to Chicago for rehabilitation and therapy.

Jamie expressed his gratitude for the prayers he received, saying, “I needed every prayer.”

The reality TV star said she briefly stopped breathing while running in the first challenge of the NBC competition show, describing the experience as feeling like ‘dying’.

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 remembers only darkness, followed by light, which 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 your 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 severe headache during a gym workout, which quickly escalated. She described collapsing and being violently ill, realizing something was seriously wrong with her brain.

A hospital scan revealed she had suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a life-threatening stroke caused by a ruptured aneurysm. She immediately underwent surgery to repair it, but the pain was excruciating. During her recovery, she experienced aphasia, leaving her unable to speak coherently.

Though the aphasia eventually passed and she was discharged after a month, a 2013 scan revealed the aneurysm had grown and required a second surgery. This procedure failed, causing a major bleed and putting her life at risk. Doctors had to perform a more invasive surgery, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Fortunately, Emilia Clarke is now fully recovered and says she is “at a hundred per cent.”

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 a text and a picture to let them know what happened. She told TopMob News that everyone quickly came to her aid.

Cori ended up staying in the hospital longer than expected due to other health issues. While she could have gone home after the stroke, she was also dealing with lupus and kidney problems.

Fortunately, Cori is now recovering well. She says she’s feeling great and has been working to regain some motor skills, but overall is doing fine.

Shailene Woodley struggled with significant health issues throughout her 20s. In a September 2024 podcast interview, she explained that she experienced hearing loss, extreme fatigue, and digestive problems. She saw many doctors but received conflicting diagnoses.

Drawing on her background in holistic medicine and herbalism, Shailene sought answers from both traditional doctors and alternative healers, hoping to find relief and understand what was happening.

This search for wellness lasted for ten years. The physical discomfort led to anxiety around food and eventually to struggles with body image, identity, and feeling comfortable in her own body.

Ultimately, Shailene’s health improved, and she is now very healthy and happy. She shared that her issues resolved themselves over time, and she’s grateful to be feeling well.

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2025-12-22 16:21