Comedian-actress revealed that her recent dramatic weight loss was not about fitting a beauty ideal it was a matter of life and death. In a heartfelt video posted to social media, where her young son gave a tour of their home, she clarified that she shed 50 pounds. “Not to look hot,” she explained, “which does feel fun and temporary. I did it to survive.” She said this change was triggered by a serious medical condition that caused her face to become dangerously puffy a symptom she described as potentially fatal. She emphasized that her decision to lose weight was grounded in a fight for her health, not vanity. She went on to say she doesn’t use Botox or fillers. And while some people suggested she might have lost only 30 pounds, she insisted that the actual weight lost was about 50. The weight-loss, she stressed, was urgent and medically necessary.
The Underlying Condition: What’s Cushing’s Syndrome
The disease she referred to is known as Cushing’s syndrome — a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels. Normally, cortisol helps regulate many body functions, including blood pressure, metabolism, and immune response. But when it’s consistently too high, the consequences can be serious. Common symptoms include dramatic weight gain, particularly around the abdomen, chest, and face — sometimes resulting in a so-called “moon face.” Excess fat may also accumulate around the neck, shoulders (“buffalo hump”), while limbs remain thin. Other problems: weakened muscles, easy bruising, stretch marks, high blood pressure. In her own words, the actress said that before diagnosis she underwent extensive medical tests — including long MRI scans and heavy bloodwork — fearing she might not live to see her child grow up. Thankfully, her doctors diagnosed a form of Cushing’s that, once identified, could resolve — offering hope and ultimately, recovery. She described finding out she was “healthy” again as the greatest news imaginable.
More Than Just Weight Loss
Her journey hasn’t only involved Cushing’s syndrome. Over the past years she faced other health challenges: surgery due to endometriosis, removal of her appendix and uterus, and liposuction in 2022. She’s also been open about navigating perimenopause — the period before menopause — which, alongside hormonal therapy, has added another layer of complexity to her physical health and well-being. Despite the controversies and speculation, she made it clear that she didn’t set out on a traditional “weight-loss journey.” Her aim was healing — to feel strong and well enough to be present for her child. That remains her primary motivation.
Why It Matters — A Broader Message
Her openness draws attention to how much they misunderstand and misjudge drastic body changes — often assuming it’s all about aesthetics. Yet her story underscores that what’s visible from the outside doesn’t always reflect the reality beneath. Her dramatic transformation wasn’t about fashion or vanity: it was about survival. She’s highlighted how societal pressure on appearance, especially for women, can drown out real health struggles — ones that often remain invisible until it’s nearly too late. By sharing her experience, she advocates for compassion, understanding, and awareness about health issues that go far beyond what we see on the surface. Her message is especially meaningful in an era when rapid weight-loss and physical “glow-ups” are frequently glamorized — frequently without any context about what prompted them. Her voice reminds us all: health journeys aren’t always elective — sometimes, they’re necessary.
