Actress Lili Reinhart, known for her candid discussions on mental health, has recently shared a personal revelation with her followers. In a heartfelt TikTok video posted on Tuesday, the “Riverdale” alum disclosed that she has been diagnosed with alopecia during a challenging period of deep emotional struggle.
Seated beneath a soothing red light therapy lamp, Reinhart addressed her followers with overlapping text on the video stating, “Was just diagnosed with alopecia in the midst of a major depressive episode.” Alopecia, a condition characterized by hair loss, can significantly impact an individual’s self-esteem and well-being.
In the TikTok clip, the “Hustlers” actor lip-synced to a poignant audio clip featuring actor Jeremy Strong expressing the emotional toll of enduring hardships. The choice of the audio clip added a poignant touch to Reinhart’s message, emphasizing the profound impact of her recent diagnosis on her mental health.
Notably, red light therapy has been recognized for its potential to stimulate hair growth, and Reinhart referred to it as her “new best friend” in the caption accompanying the video. The actress, however, did not specify the specific type of alopecia she is experiencing. Alopecia manifests in various forms, including alopecia totalis, alopecia universalis, and alopecia areata, each presenting different degrees of hair loss on the scalp or body.
Reinhart’s openness about her struggles adds to a growing conversation around mental health within the entertainment industry. She joins other notable figures, like Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease causing patches of baldness. Pinkett Smith has been vocal about her own journey with hair loss, sharing her experience on her Facebook Live show “Red Table Talk” in 2018, describing it as a “terrifying” and emotionally challenging time.
In sharing her alopecia diagnosis amid a depressive episode, Lili Reinhart continues to break down stigmas surrounding both mental health and physical conditions, fostering a supportive dialogue around these often-overlooked aspects of personal well-being. Her openness serves as a reminder that celebrities, too, face significant challenges and can play a vital role in normalizing discussions about health and self-acceptance.