Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood and something that can have lasting impacts on attention, focus, impulsivity, and the ability to get and stay organized into adulthood. While ADHD is very common, with some estimates suggesting as many as 10% of children under the age of 17 have been diagnosed, it's still something that many people don't fully understand.
Thankfully, this is an area where we can actually turn to celebrities for some genuine help. From sports heroes and actors to celebrity chefs and musicians, there is a growing number of well-known people who are speaking openly about their experiences with ADHD. These candid confessions represent the diversity of those with the disorder, with some celebs feeling like ADHD is an ongoing struggle, and others considering ADHD more like a gift that helps drive their creativity.
While nobody should ever turn to a celebrity for medical advice (as always, please connect with a medical provider if there are concerns about a loved one having ADHD), it can still be helpful to hear how these accomplished folks have managed their lives since diagnosis. Read on for some real talk and ADHD inspiration.
Michael Phelps
Simone Biles
After confidential medical records were released in 2016 that revealed the use of a stimulant medication, Simone Biles bravely shared that she had been diagnosed with ADHD as a child and takes medication to help her manage the condition. Given her status as the greatest gymnast of all time, she's clearly a role model for kids with ADHD.
Justin Timberlake
The boy band lead singer turned actor and solo star Justin Timberlake might be best known for his voice, but in a 2008 interview with Collider, he revealed that he had "OCD mixed with ADD," explaining that it was a challenge. "You try living with that," he said.
Channing Tatum
One thing that can be a struggle for kids with ADHD is feeling confident — something that actor Channing Tatum recalls from the days before he made it big. He's talked openly about his diagnosis, including in an interview with The New York Times Style Magazine, where he noted that "not having early success on that one path messes with you." Luckily, he found his groove as a dancer and an actor, and now he embraces the confidence that comes from his creative side.
Howie Mandel
One celebrity who has been vocal for years about some of the challenges ADHD presents is actor, comedian, and TV host Howie Mandel. Howie shared that he would "never say that ADHD is a gift or a blessing" in an interview with ADDitude that focused on his dual diagnosis of ADHD and OCD.
Will Smith
Although he hasn't shared if he was ever officially diagnosed with ADHD, actor and rapper Will Smith told Rolling Stone that he was "the fun one who had trouble paying attention. Today they'd diagnose me as a child with ADHD." Thankfully, he was able to channel that sense of fun into his music career by the time he was a teenager.
Jamie Oliver
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who's also become a leading advocate for healthy nutrition for kids, was diagnosed with both ADHD and dyslexia as a child. He has both supported charities devoted to helping kids with learning differences and advocated for the role of a nutritious diet in helping to manage ADHD symptoms.
