Diagnosed with psoriasis at the age of 2, I have struggled with this disease my whole life. Growing up with psoriasis was anything but easy. At one point, about 80% of my body was covered with psoriasis patches. I had to be taken out of school to endure long and difficult treatments, and I dealt with embarrassing reactions from my peers, who thought I was contagious. It was so stressful, I used to get panic attacks over it.

Being a performer with psoriasis has been very difficult. The pressure and stresses that come along with a career as a performer can lead to bad flare-ups. Because of my embarrassment of having psoriasis, I have gone to great lengths to hide my skin during performances and would wear long dresses to every award show or jeans for my appearances, even in the dead heat of summer.