“The internet came for me”: Schumer says while sharing her health journey. Amy Schumer, the 43-year-old comedian and star of Kinda Pregnant, opened up about a surprising twist in her health journey during a candid interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast. What started as harsh online criticism over her suddenly swollen face led to a life-changing medical diagnosis: Cushing syndrome. “A year ago, the Internet really came for me,” Schumer told host Alex Cooper on the January 22 episode. “Commenters were saying all kinds of things about my face. I was like, ‘Okay, everybody, relax.’” But what seemed like baseless trolling took a serious turn when doctors began chiming in with potential diagnoses.
Doctors in the Comments: “Something’s Really Up”
According to Schumer, medical professionals started leaving comments that she couldn’t ignore.
“Doctors were saying, ‘No, no … something’s really up. Your face looks so crazy,’”
Schumer recounted. These comments pointed to Cushing syndrome, a condition linked to prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels, often caused by steroid use. The Mayo Clinic notes that Cushing syndrome can lead to weight gain, acne, and a distinctive facial swelling known as “moon face.”
Initially dismissive, Schumer admitted,
“At first, I was like, ‘F—k off.’” But the feedback made her reflect on her medical history. “I realized, wait, I have been getting steroid injections for scars from my breast reduction and C-section,” she explained.
Uncovering the Diagnosis
Schumer, who welcomed her son Gene in 2019 with husband Chris Fischer, began connecting the dots. The steroid treatments, which were meant to help with post-surgical scars, had triggered Cushing syndrome.
“If it weren’t for the internet trolls and doctors calling me out, I wouldn’t have known,” she said.
Schumer shared her diagnosis with the public for the first time in February 2024, not long before she started filming Kinda Pregnant, which premieres on Netflix on February 5.
“Moon Face” on Camera: Battling Insecurities
The timing of her diagnosis couldn’t have been worse for Schumer, who was set to star in a comedy that required her to be front and center.
“I learned I had this condition, and that I had something called moon face, and I’m starring in a movie — there’s a camera right in my face,” she shared.
Although many people told her she looked great, one friend was brutally honest. “They said, ‘Your face is looking, like, a little bit insane,’” Schumer admitted.
This comment, combined with her own self-doubt, left her questioning how she would tackle her role.
“I was feeling really down on myself before filming. I thought, how am I going to star in a movie while I have this going on?”
Finding Confidence with Support
Schumer credits her close friend and director Lorraine Caffery for helping her regain her confidence.“Lorraine told me, ‘You know, I think you look f—ing great,’” she recalled. That encouragement gave her the boost she needed. “I just needed one person to amp me up,” Schumer said. Despite her initial insecurities, Schumer managed to push through, letting the condition resolve itself. “I got rid of Cushing,” she explained, noting that it “just has to work itself out.”
Turning Criticism into Awareness
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Schumer’s experience highlights the unexpected ways online commentary can intersect with health awareness. While trolling is often hurtful, in her case, it helped uncover a medical issue she might not have otherwise known about.
Looking back, Schumer sees the humor and irony in the situation.
“The internet came for me hard, but it also saved me,” she said.
Amy Schumer’s Next?
With her health back on track, Schumer is excited about the release of Kinda Pregnant. The comedy star has always been known for her candor and wit, and her journey with Cushing syndrome is another testament to her resilience and openness.
As she moves forward, Schumer hopes her story will resonate with others who might be dealing with health challenges.
“It’s okay to be vulnerable,” she said. “Sometimes you just need someone to tell you, ‘You’re going to be okay.’”
You can catch Kinda Pregnant on Netflix starting February 5 and see how Schumer turned personal struggles into strength on and off the screen.
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