Star Wars Child Actor Jake Lloyd Makes Rare Public Appearance

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The force is always with Jake Lloyd.

Nearly two years after beginning treatment for mental health, actor Jake Lloyd, known for playing young Anakin Skywalker in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, recently met up with Daniel Logan, another actor who appeared as a child in the Star Wars films.

Daniel, known for playing young Boba Fett in Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones, recently posted a photo on Instagram with Jake, sharing that they had spent the day together and calling him “my brother.”

In the photo, Daniel is smiling and giving a peace sign. Jake, age 36, is sitting opposite him at the table.

After The Phantom Menace received mostly negative reviews, Jake deliberately stepped back from public life and reduced his public appearances.

In 2024, Jake’s mother, Lisa Lloyd, revealed that he had entered an 18-month mental health rehabilitation program after experiencing a psychotic break. She also shared that he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2008.

She explained to Scripps News in March that being a mother in that situation is incredibly stressful. “You’re just desperately worried because you know your child is ill,” she said.

Although The Phantom Menace received a lot of criticism, Lisa doesn’t believe it affected her son’s well-being.

She insisted it was inevitable. She thought it was due to his genes, and Jake’s doctor concurred that he was predisposed to schizophrenia.

Lisa mentioned that Jake first showed signs of schizophrenia in high school, and he frequently had trouble distinguishing between reality and what wasn’t real.

She said he began discussing ‘realities,’ and seemed unsure if he was actually in the present moment or somewhere else entirely. She admitted she didn’t know how to respond to such a strange statement.

After years of ensuring her son received the care he needed, she had seen consistent progress.

Lisa said he’s improved a lot. He’s connecting with people more easily and is becoming more outgoing, which is wonderful to see. It’s like the old Jake is returning – he used to be very social before his schizophrenia.

For more stars who have been candid about their mental health journeys, read on. 

Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.

He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for himself. He wants to avoid future health crises and is committed to seeking therapy, even if that means taking medication.

Honestly, seeing Gucci Mane open up about his struggles really touched me. He said that beyond wanting to help others going through similar things, his kids – Ice Davis and Iceland Ka’oir Davis, who he shares with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir – were a huge reason he decided to get help when he was going through a tough time. They really motivated him to make positive changes, and it’s amazing to see.

He explained that his wife was expecting their son. He worried about the impact of parenthood on his mental health, fearing a severe episode he might not recover from. Because of this, he proactively began therapy and sought support.

The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.

In an interview with The Guardian in April 2025, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.

He explained that after his parents’ divorce, and following a period of depression and withdrawal, he began to focus on his appearance. He felt that being seen as more attractive could lead to greater success and make him feel more valuable.

Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.

He said that overcoming his disappointments and personal struggles enabled him to return to his work with a renewed sense of self.

The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.

She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I’ve lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted that food was her main coping mechanism and that she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.

She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”

Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to her diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards a healthier lifestyle.

In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar, stopping alcohol, and taking up yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described these changes as being more effective than the drug Ritalin.

She shared that she struggles with food and body image, which is something she’s actively working to overcome. She’s also focused on improving her physical health through a natural approach, prioritizing healthy eating.

The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.

She admitted on her podcast, Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, that it’s incredibly hard to talk about, even with those closest to you. She explained that she personally feels she should be able to handle it on her own, and admitting she needs to talk about it makes her feel vulnerable.

The Grammy-winning artist often talks about how she safeguards her well-being, like blocking negativity online, and frequently offers guidance to others who are struggling.

When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that patience is key. She emphasized being kind to yourself and not rushing any decisions. She explained that giving things time often allows difficult feelings to pass.

As people adjusted to social distancing to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the singer of “Firework” opened up about how challenging and stressful times like these can be.

She tweeted that it’s hard to decide what’s more difficult – avoiding the virus or dealing with the sadness that comes with this new way of life. Katy explained that she often finds peace in her car, saying it’s become her safe place since there aren’t many other options for getting away.

The model partnered with designer Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition and shared her personal struggles with anxiety during an appearance on Good Morning America.

She remembered that after her panic attacks began happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.

Kendall explained that she experiences both good and very anxious days, making her journey inconsistent. That’s why she was drawn to this cause – she wants people to know they’re not alone in their struggles.

The actor who plays Black Adam has publicly discussed his experiences with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to talk about their mental wellbeing.

Everyone experiences difficult times and feelings of sadness – it doesn’t matter who you are. It took me a while to understand this, but it’s important to not be afraid to talk about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings to themselves, but remember, you’re not alone.

Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”

The star of Empire is a strong advocate for seeking professional help, having openly discussed her own experiences with depression. She’s shared that therapy is essential for her well-being, telling Variety, “I have a therapist that I speak to. That’s the only way I can get through it.”

As someone passionate about well-being, I’m so inspired by Taraji P. Henson! She didn’t just talk about the need for mental health support in the Black community – she did something about it. She founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and, crucially, to increase the number of qualified Black therapists available to provide culturally competent care. It’s about making sure everyone has access to the help they deserve.

The Grammy-winning artist revealed she began a treatment using MDMA and psilocybin therapy to cope with the effects of past trauma, stemming from experiences with both an eating disorder and performance anxiety.

She told Rolling Stone in May 2025 that she experienced touring without any nervousness for the first time. She described a strange, shared physical sensation with the audience – almost like a change in air pressure – that made her realize how much she thrives on a strong, emotional connection with people through her music. It was a deeply felt, physical response that she realized she needed to feel connected to her work.

She explained that prioritizing her mental well-being and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.

She explained she felt a need to stop taking birth control, as if it had severed a connection to traditional expectations of womanhood. She admitted it might sound strange, but she felt liberated from those expectations, like it created new possibilities for her.

In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying it’s the first step, and that everyone has immense value.

The singer of “What He Didn’t Do” has been open about her experiences living with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) over the past several years.

Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the Covid pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.

Over the past decade, I got used to keeping things to myself and handling problems on my own. But a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to go back to therapy and start understanding what was going on. I discovered I’ve actually been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, not just since 2020.

The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health strategies for years, sharing them at public speaking events and on social media like Instagram.

She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she told Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, practicing gratitude by listing ten positive thoughts for every negative one, and staying active with regular exercise.

The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experience with postpartum depression, a condition many new mothers face but often feel unable to talk about.

She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time she did. Her hope was to show others that this could happen to anyone and to help those going through it feel less ashamed and isolated.

While promoting her book, Mirror, Mirror, the model shared with The Edit magazine that she struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a feeling of “something dark” within her during that period.

Cara shared with the publication, through W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn to find joy within herself, and after a long journey, she’s now able to be happy on her own.

Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on numerous occasions, saying, “This is funny as fk but in all honesty therapy has saved my life so many times.”

She encouraged me not to be afraid to reach out for help. She reminded me that I didn’t have to live with constant pain and that healing from trauma is possible. While she acknowledged she had a long journey ahead, she felt that simply recognizing this possibility was a good first step.

The singer has openly shared her experiences with addiction, recovery, and mental health, and often incorporates these personal struggles into her songs.

She often encourages her followers to prioritize their mental well-being, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with both good and bad days. She previously shared on Instagram, “Remember, if you’re going through a tough time, life has its challenges, but it’s important to keep going.”

The actress has bravely tackled mental health both on screen, like with her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria, and in her personal life.

Zendaya revealed in 2013, through a now-closed app, that she experienced anxiety following a memorable appearance on Ellen where her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with these feelings, explaining that it’s sometimes necessary to take a break to reduce stress.

In a recent interview with WSJ. Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of intense happiness followed by weeks of debilitating lows.

She revealed she’s been dealing with mental health challenges, but finding the right medication has made a huge difference in her life.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.

She shared that she’d kept her struggles with mental health private for a long time, and also talked about times when she’d been open about it. Speaking at the Global Changemakers Award in 2018, she explained that she firmly believes holding onto secrets can worsen your health.

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2026-01-22 17:20