The list of celebrities with scoliosis is growing and the fact that many famous and accomplished people revealed their condition is encouraging to patients. They include Martha Hunt, Lindsay Ellingson, and Naomie Harris. What do they have in common? They all underwent spinal fusion surgeries as teenagers to correct their scoliosis (a lateral curvature of the spine).
Who are these celebrities?
Hunt was already a budding fashion model from the United States when she found out that she had scoliosis. Ellingson, also from the U.S., was scouted several years post-surgery, and like Hunt, she became a model/”angel” for Victoria’s Secret. For Harris, a British actress, her illness and surgery were only mild interruptions to her studies and career and did not prevent her from getting into Cambridge University, enrolling in an acting school, and becoming an acclaimed actress. Another fashion model is Canadian model Emm Arruda. In fact, spinal fusion surgery isn’t exactly a new treatment. Italian actress Isabella Rossellini underwent the surgery back in the late 1960s (whereas her daughter who also has scoliosis only wore braces as her condition was not as severe). According to reports, Vanessa Williams also had the surgery in the 1970s to correct her condition, although her story may not be as well known as the others’. The technologies involved in this surgery have nonetheless evolved throughout the years: now, patients are not required to wear a cast or even a brace post-surgery like they were in the old days.
Besides the aforementioned glamorous models and actresses, other celebrities who underwent the same surgery include Princess Eugenie (from the royal family in the U.K.) and professional golfers Stacy Lewis and Ken Duke. The condition is found more frequently in women than in men. Besides Duke, an example of a male celebrity is Yoyo Ma, the world-renowned cellist who also underwent the same surgery. (Shailene Woodley, another American actress and model, only had braces as her condition was not severe enough).
Hunt and Ellingson have become spokespersons for international scoliosis organizations and raising awareness about the health issue has become part of their everyday job. They regularly share their experiences, attend national conferences, and meet with patients and former patients. Arruda, by sharing her uplifting story to fellow patients, has also become a “role model” for them. Harris informed the public how her condition and experiences had propelled her to be far more health conscious than she otherwise would have been. Princess Eugenie wore a gown that partially exposed her scar on her wedding day to show that there is nothing to feel ashamed of and everything to embrace and celebrate about her condition and the fact that she survived it with resilience and positivity.
The significance of their modeling/acting careers
As the examples show, patients who have fared well after the surgeries have no doubt succeeded in various professions. However, because this is a disease that, if allowed to progress, affects patients’ physical appearances, the fact that numerous former patients have become top models an actresses who are lauded for their physical beauty and resilience is very inspiring and motivating for those who feel deeply insecure about their conditions.
It needs to be noted that the above fashion models were not chosen deliberately to subvert traditional beauty standards in a mainstream media that has become increasingly “woke” in recent years. In today’s cultural climate, it has been observed that some companies are so driven by political correctness that they have gone overboard in their embrace of cultural/racial/ethic diversity and body positivity (think, for example, the featuring of overweight and, in some cases, unhealthy-looking models on fashion magazines). This has quite understandably led to backlash (an attempt to promote clinically overweight people as fit would not make truly healthy, let alone feel positive). On the contrary, the aforementioned models are conform in every single way to traditional beauty standards, except for the slight imperfections in their physical bodies (as in their scars and less than 100% symmetrical physiques… etc.). It shows that we can be imperfect but still stunning-looking and should strive to be our best, healthiest selves.
These famous models revealed their feelings of insecurity. In the past, they had hid their scars as per request by some clients. Other clients, however, finding that the scars made them look unique and did not detract from their attractiveness, asked them to showcase them. After the surgeries, a patient’s body becomes more rigid than it otherwise would have been due to the screws and/or rods implanted to fix the curve. Arruda, in particular, revealed that her somewhat rigid posture had become her strength rather than her weakness: an excellent posture is a must in this profession. She even jokingly called herself “bionic woman.” This shows that she totally rose above her hardship: indeed, it was her hardship that turned her into the person she is today.
A topic long overdue …
Why did I start this topic? It currently affects a large number of people–more than you might expect, but has not received the attention that it needs and deserves. Besides, this topic concerns someone dear to me. I will let you know in my next post.