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                                                                                                          ‘DWTS’ Stars With Health Problems — PICS

                                                                                                          By:
                                                                                                          Paige Kindlick
                                                                                                          October 2, 2017 2:44PM EDT
                                                                                                          1 of 15

                                                                                                          Sasha Pieterse

                                                                                                          Sasha Pieterse
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Sasha Pieterse revealed on season 24 that she suffers from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that made her gain 70 lbs in two years.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          2 of 15

                                                                                                          Julianne Hough

                                                                                                          Julianne Hough
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Julianne Hough found out that the terrible menstrual cramps she suffered were part of a larger problem: endometriosis and a ruptured ovarian cyst. In 2000, she was rushed to the hospital in pain, and had a laparoscopic surgery to remove endometrial tissue from her appendix. The surgery helped the pain, but she still has to manage it through exercise (like dance!), hot baths, and eating healthy.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:48PM
                                                                                                          3 of 15

                                                                                                          Witney Carson

                                                                                                          Witney Carson
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Witney Carson was supposed to start her first season of DWTS (18) when she discovered that the mole on her foot was melanoma. She immediately underwent surgery to remove the mole along with the lymph nodes in her hip. After four weeks of recovery, she was back on the dancefloor!

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          4 of 15

                                                                                                          Tamar Braxton

                                                                                                          Tamar Braxton
                                                                                                          David Buchan/Variety/REX/Shutter

                                                                                                          Tamar Braxton left DWTS in 2015 after learning that the condition sidelining her wasn’t pneumonia, but blood clots in her lungs. She was hospitalized and had to cancel her tour, as well.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:48PM
                                                                                                          5 of 15

                                                                                                          Kym Johnson performing with Mr. T

                                                                                                          Kym Johnson performing with Mr. T
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Mr. T revealed on season 24 of DWTS that he was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in 1995 after spotting a small sore on his ear. He said he “went numb” when he heard his diagnosis, and that the experience has changed him forever.

                                                                                                          The actor did four weeks of radiation, but the cancer returned. After chemotherapy and more radiation, he was deemed cancer-free several years later.

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:48PM

                                                                                                          More AboutJulianne Hough

                                                                                                          • Julianne Hough Reflects on Sexuality 5 Years After Coming Out as ‘Not Straight’
                                                                                                          • Bobby Bones Reacts to Julianne Hough’s Comment About His ‘DWTS’ Win: ‘No Slander’
                                                                                                          • Julianne Hough Reveals DWTS Winner Who Was ‘Not The Best Dancer’
                                                                                                          6 of 15

                                                                                                          Karina Smirnoff

                                                                                                          Karina Smirnoff
                                                                                                          BDG/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Karina Smirnoff revealed in 2016 that she was diagnosed as an adult with ADHD, a condition that is usually diagnosed in childhood. She said that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder helps her with ballroom dancing, because “I can just keep going and going. It’s very rewarding.”

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:48PM
                                                                                                          7 of 15

                                                                                                          Carrie Ann Inaba

                                                                                                          Carrie Ann Inaba
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Judge Carrie Ann Inaba opened up shortly after joining DWTS about her struggle with spinal stenosis, a condition that narrows part of the spine. She believes it’s from years of dancing. She had surgery to relieve the pain, and manages the condition with exercise and massage.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:48PM
                                                                                                          8 of 15

                                                                                                          Terra Jole

                                                                                                          Terra Jole
                                                                                                          MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          ‘Little Women: LA’ star Terra Jolé revealed after season 23 of DWTS that she suffered from an unspecified health issue that “may change [her] path in life.” 

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          9 of 15

                                                                                                          Valerie Harper

                                                                                                          Valerie Harper
                                                                                                          Brian To/Variety/REX/Shutterstock

                                                                                                          Valerie Harper was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014, and told she only had months to live. She defied the odds and competed on DWTS. “When life asks you to dance, you just have to dance,” she told People.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          10 of 15

                                                                                                          Kim Zolciak

                                                                                                          Kim Zolciak
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Kim Zolciak had to leave season 21 of DWTS after suffering from a mini-stroke (TIA). After a redeye flight from LA to Atlanta, Kim felt numb on the left side of her body and couldn’t speak. Doctors found that she had a hole in her heart, and she had to undergo heart surgery. She’s ok!

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          11 of 15

                                                                                                          Len Goodman

                                                                                                          Len Goodman
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          In between seasons, head judge Len Goodman underwent surgery for prostate cancer. He found out in the middle of the previous season, but doctors said he could wait. He was back at the judges table by the time the next season started!

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:48PM
                                                                                                          12 of 15

                                                                                                          Debbie Gibson

                                                                                                          Debbie Gibson
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          ’80s teen star Debbie Gibson originally turned down DWTS five years ago because of debilitating Lyme Disease. She said that the symptoms, like pain and fatigue, come in cycles. But she has her symptoms under control at the moment, and is kicking ass on season 25.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          13 of 15

                                                                                                          Nancy Kerrigan

                                                                                                          Nancy Kerrigan
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Nancy Kerrigan revealed her heartbreaking struggle with infertility on season 24. She suffered six miscarriages in eight years after the birth of her son in 1996. A decade later, she concieved a son and a daughter through in vitro fertilization. 

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:55PM
                                                                                                          14 of 15

                                                                                                          Victoria Arlen

                                                                                                          Victoria Arlen
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Paralympian swimmer and ESPN personality Victoria Arlen revealed before season 25 that she suffers from two rare autoimmune conditions. Her parents had her watch DWTS to inspire her.

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                          “The lights when out,” Victoria said about her illness, which was diagnosed when she was 11. “I was trapped inside my body, unable to move, talk and function … I had to prepare for the possibility of dying. [DWTS] was a motivating factor to start my recovery.”

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
                                                                                                          15 of 15

                                                                                                          Mark Ballas

                                                                                                          Mark Ballas
                                                                                                          ABC

                                                                                                          Mark Ballas managed to dodge major health problems by quitting smoking in 2015. The DWTS pro started having trouble breathing, especially when he was dancing. He quit before it got any worse, and he’s much better now.

                                                                                                          October 2, 2017, 1:49PM
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