Daisy Ridley, best known for her role as Rey in the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy, has revealed her battle with Graves’ disease. The British actor shared her experience in a recent interview with Women’s Health, discussing the symptoms she initially dismissed as side effects of a demanding film role.
After completing work on the film “Magpie,” which premiered at South by Southwest in March, Ridley began experiencing hot flashes, weight loss, and fatigue. Initially, she attributed these symptoms to the stress of her role. However, after seeking medical attention, she was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in September of last year.
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. According to the National Institutes of Health, it can lead to serious complications such as blood clots, thinning bones, infertility, and heart failure. The condition primarily affects young to middle-aged women and often runs in families.
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Reflecting on her diagnosis, Ridley shared her mixed emotions of grief and irritation. “I thought, ‘Well, I’ve just played a really stressful role; presumably that’s why I feel poorly,’” she said. “It was funny, I was like, ‘Oh, I just thought I was annoyed at the world,’ but turns out everything is functioning so quickly, you can’t chill out. I didn’t realize how bad I felt before. Then I looked back and thought, ‘How did I do that?’”
Since her diagnosis, Ridley has made significant lifestyle changes to manage her condition. Along with daily medication, she has incorporated wellness practices like cryotherapy and acupuncture. Additionally, she has adopted a gluten-free diet to reduce inflammation, noting, “I am not super strict about it, but generally cutting down on gluten makes me feel better.”
Ridley, who was most recently seen in “Young Woman and the Sea,” joins a list of other celebrities who have publicly shared their experiences with Graves’ disease, including rapper Missy Elliott, talk show host Wendy Williams, and former President George H.W. Bush.
By sharing her story, Ridley hopes to raise awareness about Graves’ disease and encourage others to seek medical attention if they experience similar symptoms. Her candidness about her journey highlights the importance of listening to one’s body and advocating for one’s health.
