2. Charlie Sheen
Fan or not of bad boy, Charlie Sheen, his HIV diagnosis was tragic. In November, he revealed he was infected with the virus that causes AIDs in an interview with Matt Lauer.
Social media blew up with folks both condemning and thanking the actor for his public admission. Either way, Charlie is giving light to the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDs, saying, “[I hope] what I’m doing today will better myself and help a lot of other people come forward.”
3. Selena Gomez
In October 2015, Selena Gomez raised awareness of lupus a chronic autoimmune disease, giving new voice and face to a disease that’s often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
In the interview with Billboard magazine, Gomez confessed taking time off for lupus treatment even though it was rumored she was being treated for addiction. Gomez taught us that looks can be deceiving when it comes to chronic diseases, “I wanted to badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea’…I was diagnosed with lupus…I’ve been through chemotherapy…but I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable.”
4. Hayden Panettiere
In a Live! with Kelly and Michael interview in September, actress, Hayden Panettiere didn’t mince her words when she expressed her personal struggle with postpartum depression following the birth of her daughter, Kaya with boxer, Wladimir Klitschko. Rather than sweeping it under the rug, Panettiere said, “Women need to know they’re not alone…it’s something that needs to be talked about.”
Panettiere even sought treatment for the disorder in October 2015, when a spokesperson revealed the Nashville actress was, “Voluntarily seeking professional help at a treatment center as she battles postpartum depression…and asks that the media respect her privacy during this time.”
