Pussycat Dolls’ Ashley Roberts Thought She Had an Aneurysm Amid Fame

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Ashley Roberts is looking back at a scary health situation. 

A former member of The Pussycat Dolls disclosed that during their tours in the middle of the 2000s, when Nicole Scherzinger led the group, she ended up being hospitalized due to symptoms similar to those of a brain aneurysm.

Ashley, who is 43 years old, recounted to The Times during an interview on July 8 that she had stated in the hospital, “I must board a plane for Germany.” She explained, “I have a performance scheduled. I need to be given some leeway.” At the time, she was experiencing severe headaches and feeling unwell. Medical professionals discovered viral arthritis in her knee, leaving her largely incapacitated.

 

She went on to say, “On one occasion, we visited three countries in a single day. Eventually, my physical condition hit a breaking point; I became incredibly ill. At that time, there weren’t any conversations about mental well-being. It was a different period.

 

Following a sequence of examinations and an MRI scan, it was determined that the “Don’t Cha” singer was suffering from exhaustion and burnout.

After the Pussycat Dolls, which consisted of Ashley, Melody Thornton, Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta, and Kimberly Wyatt, disbanded, Ashley’s health problems persisted.

After leaving the Dolls in 2010, she revealed that she had eczema on her legs, shingles on her face, and a stomach ulcer. An acupuncturist told her back then, ‘If you don’t express your feelings, your body will do it for you.’ This was a physical manifestation of the constant pressure to keep going, or as she put it, ‘work, work, work’, which had been building up during those years when not many people spoke out about their struggles.

She also chalked it up to the competitive nature of the group.

In my personal journey, I found myself grappling with a sense of potential replacement, but simultaneously fueled by the competitive spirit cultivated during my years as a dancer. Essentially, these two factors combined to shape my path.

Approximately twenty years following the separation of PCD, Ashley reflected on her choice to reunite with Nicole and other band members for a 36-date tour in 2020. However, this tour was eventually called off due to the pandemic and a legal disagreement between Nicole and PCD’s founder, Robin Antin. (The lawsuit between Nicole and Robin was settled in 2024.)

She shared with The Times, “Now I identify as a woman. I’ve grown closer to my physical self. It felt empowering when I thought, ‘I get to experience this.’ And performing on stage with an audience has always been something I cherished.

In my own experience, much like Ashley, I too can attest to the profound impact the group had on my physical and emotional wellbeing. Being a part of it wasn’t an easy ride for me either.

 

In an interview with The Times in June 2024, Nicole shared, “It was an incredibly challenging period, constantly fighting my own inner turmoil and problems, never having time to rest as I was always on the move. Frankly, it was a setup for trouble.

 

However, like Ashley, the “Buttons” singer celebrated her experience.

 

The 47-year-old remarked, “Every part of it was necessary.” It was astonishing, masterful, draining, difficult, rough. In short, it encompassed all aspects.

Keep reading for more stars who have been candid about their mental health…

The former star of “Gossip Girl” shared insights into his childhood acting career, referring to it as an instance of what he termed “body image distortion.

In an interview with The Guardian in April 2025, Penn expressed, “I was aware of the fact that I detested my physical self, and yearned for a new one.

In reaction to the weight gain after his parents’ divorce, he expressed, “There was a phase in my life when, emerging from depression and seclusion, I found myself voluntarily entering and even being pushed into a world where the more traditionally attractive I appeared, the greater my potential for success, the higher my worth seemed.

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

He clarified that it was those experiences that helped him keep going despite the disappointment, and ultimately led him to revisit everything again, this time perhaps with some internal change or growth.

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

She remarked during an episode of ‘The Funny Thing Is’ podcast, ‘Others might label it as an eating disorder, but to me, it’s simply a part of my life.’ She admitted, ‘I’ve always had a strange relationship with food. I would do some pretty outrageous things with it.’

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

Even though she’s admitted to having difficulties with her diet, she’s likewise been open about the advancements she’s made towards her health and fitness targets.

At age 23, she eliminated sugar from her diet, stopped consuming alcohol, and took up yoga, deep breathing exercises, and stretching. In an interview with Bon Appétit in 2017, she stated that this lifestyle change was the most effective form of Ritalin anyone could receive.

She went on to say, “I struggle with both eating disorders and self-image concerns about my body – it’s a truthful statement. I’m working diligently to mend those aspects of myself and maintain my health in a natural way by nourishing my body with wholesome foods.

The former star of “Full House” shared insights about her personal struggle with depression and her mental health voyage.

She confided on the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast that it’s hard for her to discuss the issue, not even with those she trusts most. For herself, she feels as though she should be able to conquer it, but admitting weakness in the process feels particularly challenging.

The Grammy-winning artist is quite transparent about her methods for preserving her vitality, which range from disregarding online critics to offering guidance for those seeking assistance.

In response to Vogue’s question about what advice she would give to someone seeking guidance on mental health, she simply replied, “All I can offer is the importance of patience.” She was patient with herself during her own struggles, choosing not to rush things. Instead, she allowed time for her difficulties to dissipate.

During the time when people were striving to adapt positively to social distancing in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the artist behind “Firework” candidly acknowledged that such circumstances can also bring about significant levels of stress.

She expressed on Twitter that it’s hard for her to decide which is more challenging: dodging the virus or battling the surges of depression brought about by this new way of life, and she added that her car has become her sanctuary where she often escapes.

The fashion model collaborated with Kenneth Cole to promote The Mental Health Coalition. On the morning talk show “Good Morning America,” she shared her personal struggles with anxiety.

In my fervor, I could no longer ignore the recurring panic attacks. At last, I managed to gather the crucial insights I’d been yearning for.

Kendall shared that her mood fluctuates between good periods and quite anxious ones, making her feelings unpredictable. This is why she’s eager to contribute to this cause. Her ultimate goal is to make others realize they are not isolated in their experiences.

The actor portraying Black Adam has been candid about his struggles with depression, acknowledging that it’s often challenging for men to discuss mental health issues openly.

Everyone experiences tough times and depression, which doesn’t show favoritism. It took me some time to understand this, but the crucial thing is to not let fear stop you from sharing your feelings. Men, in particular, tend to hold things inside, but remember, you’re not alone.

As a committed supporter, I shared in the Duke of Sussex’s brave act of shattering mental health taboos. In an intimate conversation with the Telegraph, he candidly discussed his personal journey with therapy. He explained, “My experience has been that once you begin to speak about it, you discover that you’re, in fact, a member of a rather large group.

As a lifestyle advocate, I firmly believe in seeking professional help when dealing with emotional challenges. Just like the Empire star, I too have found solace in therapy sessions. In my own words, I’ve discovered that speaking openly about my feelings and struggles with a trained professional has been an essential tool for me to navigate through difficult times.

Taraji herself established The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, an organization dedicated to minimizing the social taboo surrounding mental health within the African-American community, while simultaneously aiming to boost the number of Black mental health professionals.

The Grammy-winning artist shared that her struggles with eating disorders and stage fright prompted her to embark on a type of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) treatment, known as MDMA and psilocybin therapy.

In an interview with Rolling Stone in May 2025, she shared that for the first time, she performed without stage fright. She described it as if there was a rope tied around her stomach, and everyone in the room seemed to share the same intense sensation. It felt like a sudden change in pressure, and this experience made her understand how much she cherishes and depends on that profound, physical reaction to truly feel her music.

Instead, she mentioned that her increased emphasis on her mental well-being, along with her choice to discontinue using birth control, led to a broader comprehension of her personal identity regarding gender.

As a lifestyle expert, I share my personal journey: “I found myself contemplating the decision to discontinue using my birth control pills. It was as if I had severed a connection with this predetermined femininity I’d long been associated with. This may sound unusual, but it felt like I had stepped off the map of conventional femininity. And in that liberation, I wholeheartedly believed that new opportunities would unfold.

In her Instagram post from 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared that during middle school, she was battling severe anxiety and depression. She credited the assistance and encouragement she received from her family and a therapist for saving her life. She also emphasized that reaching out for help is crucial, and people should remember they are infinitely valuable to this world.

For quite some time, the actress known for “Frozen” has openly discussed her methods of handling her mental health during public speeches and also on her Instagram posts.

Instead, she promotes discovering strategies tailored to your needs, with her own approach encompassing the use of medication, balancing positive thoughts by acknowledging ten good aspects in her life for each negative one, and ensuring regular physical activity.

The cookbook author is a proud mother of four children, and she has openly discussed the postpartum depression that many new mothers encounter yet often find difficult to discuss.

In a letter to Glamour magazine in 2017, she expressed that the more she spoke up, the easier it became. She wished for others to understand that it could happen to anyone, and she didn’t want those experiencing the same thing to feel ashamed or isolated.

During an interview with The Edit magazine while publicizing her book “Mirror, Miror”, the model candidly discussed battling depression and contemplating suicide as a teenager, describing a sense of darkness she experienced within herself during that period.

Cara shared with the publication through W that she had overly depended on others’ love for her happiness, and she needed to learn to find joy within herself. Now, she has learned this skill and can be content alone. This self-discovery took some time.

The artist known for “Thank U, Next” encourages fans to seek help if needed, responding to a Twitter joke about who Ariana’s therapist might be by saying, “This joke is hilarious, but seriously, I can’t stress enough the importance of therapy. It has saved my life on numerous occasions.

She went on to say, ‘Don’t hesitate to seek help if you feel apprehensive about it.’ Remember, you don’t need to endure continuous suffering and can work through trauma. I have a lot of personal growth ahead, but acknowledging the possibility is already progress.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always admired this renowned artist for her courage to share her personal struggles and triumphs through her music. From tackling addiction and maintaining sobriety, to addressing mental health issues, she fearlessly weaves these aspects of her life into her art.

Additionally, she frequently encourages her followers by emphasizing that nurturing one’s mental health is an ongoing, continuous process which may involve tough days. Previously on Instagram, she penned, “A gentle reminder to all those fighting: this life is a voyage filled with many highs and lows, but remember not to surrender.

Apart from portraying characters dealing with mental health, like her character Rue in the teen drama “Euphoria”, she has also been open about facing similar challenges in her personal life.

In 2013, Zendaya shared on her now-dissolved app that she experienced anxiety following an episode on Ellen where her microphone malfunctioned. Since then, she has discovered methods to control those emotions, expressing, “Sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back to alleviate the stress.

The artist openly shared her mental health odyssey with WSJ Magazine, expressing, “At times, I reached extraordinary heights, but my lows could keep me sidelined for extended periods.

In a heartfelt confession, I admitted that I’ve been grappling with mental health struggles. But then, I found the right medication, and it feels like a whole new world opened up for me.

The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health issues, even sharing her personal experiences.

As a lifestyle expert sharing my personal journey, I’ve wrestled for quite some time with mental health challenges – issues I’ve had to navigate both in the public eye and privately. However, at an event like the Global Changemakers Award during Children Mending Hearts’ Empathy Rocks fundraiser in 2018, I expressed that keeping secrets only perpetuates sickness.

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2025-07-09 20:17