You’ve probably seen the red carpet photos. The shimmering gowns, the perfect posture, the effortless grace. But if you look closer—or if you’ve ever dealt with the sharp, nagging ache of a curved spine yourself—you might notice something else. A slightly uneven shoulder. A hip that sits just a hair higher than the other. It turns out that celebrities with scoliosis are way more common than most people realize, and honestly, their stories are a lot messier and more relatable than the glossy magazine covers suggest.
Scoliosis isn't just a "middle school awkward phase" thing. It’s a lifelong structural reality. For some of the biggest names in Hollywood and professional sports, it’s been a secret battle involving heavy braces, invasive surgeries, and a whole lot of physical therapy.
Princess Eugenie and the wedding dress that changed everything
When Princess Eugenie got married in 2018, she did something pretty bold. She specifically requested a wedding dress with a low back. No veil to hide the skin. She wanted the world to see the long, vertical scar running down her spine.
That scar is from a surgery she had when she was 12 years old.
Surgeons at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital inserted 12-inch titanium rods into her back to straighten a severe curvature. It’s a brutal procedure. We’re talking about a massive recovery time and a permanent change in how your body moves. Eugenie has been incredibly vocal about the fact that her "scars are a story" and she wants to destigmatize the way people look at spinal deformities. It wasn't just about fashion; it was about showing kids who are currently wearing those clunky plastic Boston braces that they don't have to hide.
Usain Bolt: The fastest man alive has a crooked back?
This is the one that usually trips people up. Usain Bolt is the literal definition of human physical peak performance. He’s the fastest man in history. And yet, he has significant scoliosis.
His spine curves to the right. This makes his right leg about half an inch shorter than his left.
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Basically, every time Bolt hit the track, his body had to compensate for an inherent lack of symmetry. Most track coaches would look at a kid with that kind of spinal tilt and tell them to find a different sport. Instead, Bolt worked with Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt to develop a core strength routine so intense it basically "held" his spine in place during those high-velocity sprints. He’s proof that a curved spine doesn't necessarily mean you're fragile. It just means you have to work twice as hard on your posterior chain and core stability.
Shailene Woodley’s teenage struggle
Before she was a massive star in Divergent or Big Little Lies, Shailene Woodley was a teenager in a plastic brace. She was diagnosed at 15. For those who haven't experienced it, wearing a scoliosis brace is kind of like being encased in a hard shell for 18 to 22 hours a day.
It sucks.
Woodley has talked about how she had to wear it under her clothes, trying to navigate the social minefield of high school while feeling like a "human turtle." She eventually avoided surgery through bracing and physical therapy, but she’s been candid about how it shaped her perspective on body image. It’s a reminder that even the people we think are "genetically blessed" often have histories of physical struggle that they’ve had to overcome.
Sarah Michelle Gellar and the "Buffy" workouts
You might not notice it watching old episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Sarah Michelle Gellar has lived with scoliosis for years. She’s mentioned in various interviews that Pilates was basically her savior. When you’re doing your own stunts and carrying the weight of a hit TV show, a curved spine can lead to debilitating back pain if the surrounding muscles aren't firing correctly. She didn't opt for surgery, instead focusing on long-term "prehab" to keep her spine functional.
What we get wrong about the "S" curve
There is a huge misconception that scoliosis is caused by carrying heavy backpacks or slouching. That is total nonsense.
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Most cases are "idiopathic," which is just a fancy doctor word for "we have no idea why this happened." It’s usually genetic. If you look at the list of celebrities with scoliosis, you see people from all walks of life—models like Martha Hunt, who also had surgery and now works with the Scoliosis Research Society, and even legendary actors like Elizabeth Taylor, who suffered from spinal issues her whole life.
The surgery vs. lifestyle debate
Not everyone goes under the knife. Surgery is usually reserved for curves that exceed 40 or 50 degrees because at that point, the spine can start to crowd the heart and lungs.
- Observation: The "wait and see" approach for minor curves.
- Bracing: Usually for growing kids to stop the curve from getting worse.
- Schroth Method: A specific type of physical therapy that uses breathing and postural exercises.
- Spinal Fusion: The big one. Rods, screws, and bone grafts.
Liza Minnelli is another name often brought up. Her scoliosis was so severe it contributed to her famous "slumped" posture and led to multiple surgeries later in life. It’s a spectrum. Some people live their whole lives without knowing they have it, while others are in constant chronic pain.
The psychological toll of the diagnosis
It’s not just about the bones. It’s the mental game.
Imagine being 13 and being told your body is growing "wrong." Martha Hunt has been really open about this. She’s a Victoria's Secret model, but she has a massive scar and a fused spine. She’s talked about the "body dysmorphia" that can come with seeing yourself in a mirror and noticing your waist is indented on one side but flat on the other.
The reason it matters when celebrities talk about this is because it normalizes the "imperfection." When a supermodel shows off her surgery scars or an Olympic athlete talks about his uneven hips, it takes the shame out of the equation.
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Why early detection is still the best tool we have
A lot of the stars we've mentioned—like Laura Dern, who also has the condition—emphasize that catching it early is key. In many schools, they still do the "Adam’s Forward Bend Test" where you lean over and a nurse looks for a rib hump.
It feels dated, but it works.
If you catch a curve at 15 degrees, you can often manage it with specific exercises or bracing. If you wait until it’s 45 degrees, you’re looking at a major operation. This is why many of these famous figures partner with organizations like Setting Scoliosis Straight or the National Scoliosis Foundation. They want to make sure the next generation doesn't have to go through the trauma of a late-stage diagnosis.
Living with the curve: Actionable steps
If you or someone you know has recently joined the "bent but not broken" club, there are a few things that actually help based on the experiences of these high-profile patients:
- Find a specialist who actually listens. Don't just go to a general practitioner. Find an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spinal deformities.
- Core, core, core. As Usain Bolt proved, your muscles are the "scaffolding" for your spine. Strong lats, abs, and obliques can take the pressure off the vertebrae.
- Low-impact is your friend. Swimming and Pilates are the gold standards here. They elongate the spine without the jarring impact of running on pavement.
- Mental health support. Dealing with chronic pain or body changes is hard. Talking to a therapist who understands chronic illness or physical limitations can be a lifesaver.
- Stay informed about VBT. Vertebral Body Tethering is a newer, less invasive surgery compared to traditional fusion. It’s not right for everyone, but it’s a game-changer for some.
The reality is that celebrities with scoliosis aren't just "brave" for existing; they are navigating a complex medical reality just like anyone else. Their visibility helps, but the real work happens in the physical therapy offices and the quiet moments of managing pain. Whether it's a princess in a wedding dress or a sprinter on the world stage, they remind us that a crooked spine doesn't have to define a crooked life.
The path forward is usually a mix of aggressive physical management and a whole lot of self-patience. If you're feeling the "burn" of a curve today, just remember that some of the most powerful and successful people in the world are right there with you, probably doing their planks and stretches at this very second.