If you’ve been diagnosed with the skin disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), you may sometimes feel like you’re the only person in the world dealing with it. But HS may be more common than you think. Finding a good therapist and support group can help you feel less alone. It can also help to know that other people, including some well-known figures, live with chronic skin conditions like HS.

Some celebrities have shared their experiences with HS. If you’ve ever wondered, “What celebrity has hidradenitis suppurativa?”, keep reading. Here are some well-known people who have spoken openly about their HS diagnosis and what it’s like to live with the condition.

Jhonni Blaze

Jhonni Blaze, a singer from Atlanta, learned she was living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) after seeking care for recurring, painful boils under her arm. When one flare caused a high fever, she returned to the doctor and was diagnosed with HS. Now, Blaze uses her platform to raise awareness, share remedies that have helped her, and offer support to others living with the condition.

Ever since, Blaze has been open about living with HS (also called acne inversa), people from around the world have reached out to her on social media to share their experiences.

Part of her mission involves raising awareness about hidradenitis suppurativa. She makes it clear that HS isn’t caused by poor hygiene and is not contagious. She’s also working to help people cover the costs of treatment, knowing that financial challenges often keep people from getting the treatment options they need.

Jackson Gillies

Jackson Gillies is an American musician best known for his time on “American Idol.” He used his rise to fame not only to share his music, but also to speak openly about hidradenitis suppurativa.

Gillies struggled for years before getting an accurate diagnosis for HS. The first time he got an abscess, in 2013, he saw five doctors from different specialties, but none knew the cause. They removed the abscess and prescribed long courses of medication, hoping to prevent it from coming back.

About a year later, Gillies had flares that were so bad he could barely get out of bed for six weeks. More doctors eventually gave him the correct diagnosis: HS. Since then, Gillies has had five surgeries for HS and has shared his story in detail, inspiring many others living with HS.

In addition to HS, Gillies also lives with type 1 diabetes. He has spoken about what it’s like to live with both conditions at once.

Mary Cosby

Mary Cosby is known from “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.” In an interview about the show, she explained that she once had her sweat glands removed. This is an older treatment for HS that is rarely used today.

When asked more about the surgery during the show, Cosby revealed she had HS. She described flare-ups with cysts and lesions as large as an egg, affecting up to 70 percent of her body. Many fans realized that this may be one reason Cosby often wears clothes that cover most of her skin, unlike some of her costars.

The interviewers seemed skeptical, likely because they had never heard of HS before. This is one example of why advocacy around hidradenitis suppurativa is so important.

Jonathan Kumuteo

Jonathan Kumuteo is a British boxer who lives with HS. Kumuteo has a deep understanding of what causes HS and he’s open about his journey. He has spoken openly about having multiple surgeries to drain abscesses and about the excruciating pain he endured before treatment.

Despite these surgeries, his HS kept coming back, even as he trained and fought across the U.K. This cycle of return boils and abscesses is something many people with HS experience.

Kumuteo has also been honest about the mental health challenges of living with HS, which are shared by many people living with the condition. Constant pain, setbacks, and stigma took a toll, but Kumuteo kept moving forward. His story gives hope to others who have pushed through despite chronic pain from HS, who may see their own struggles reflected in his journey.

Jasmine Ivanna Espy

Jasmine Ivanna Espy is a journalist and a filmmaker who lives with HS. She spent her teenage years dealing with painful boils and pus-filled lesions. Like many people with HS, especially people of color, she went years without the right diagnosis.

Because of her own challenges, Espy is now raising awareness about HS. She produced a documentary called “The Beacons: Illuminating HS Stories” to highlight people who are living well and thriving with the condition. She’s also working to improve her own body image and mental health, both of which have been deeply affected by HS. Overall, Espy wants people to know, “There is life on the other side of having a diagnosis like this.”

Lonnie White

Lonnie White was a beloved football player and sports writer who died in 2014.

In 2010, the Discovery Channel aired a TV show about his lifelong battle with HS. Before he died, his HS became more aggressive. He also lived with Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, and diabetes. At least two of these conditions are more common in people with HS. White’s story can be an inspiration for people who are managing HS along with other serious health conditions.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you’re feeling alone because of hidradenitis suppurativa, talk to your dermatologist. Someone on your dermatology care team can help you deal with pain, cope with stigma, and feel less isolated.

They can also connect you with a support group or a mental health specialist who understands HS. Remember, you don’t have to face this condition alone — your healthcare team is there to support you.

Talk With Others Who Understand

On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you heard of any other celebrities living with hidradenitis suppurativa? Let others know in the comments below.