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“It’s not all glitter and rainbows and unicorns all the time, despite perceptions about me."

Kristin Chenoweth made a name for herself on Broadway with her powerful vocals and seemingly boundless energy, so it may come as a surprise to hear that the 53-year-old has dealt with an invisible illness for nearly three decades.

Kristin experienced her first bout of migraine and vertigo when she was just 24 years old, but it took another six years and countless tests for her to receive a diagnosis: Ménière’s disease, an inner-ear disorder that can cause dizziness and hearing loss.

Now, Kristin manages her condition with medication, a low-sodium eating regimen, and lifestyle mods (like sleeping on an incline). Also key: Over the years, she’s gotten better about telling others what she needs in order to thrive.

6: The number of years she’s been running Kristin Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp, which helps prepare the next generation for the stage.

“I don’t want to appear weak,” she admits. “But the older I get, the more I go, ‘I have this, and today might not be the best day,’ and that is very freeing.” Because even a Tony winner has to take five sometimes.

“The best advice I’ve ever received was from my dad. I’m a perfectionist to the nth degree, and he said, ‘Stop sweating the small stuff.’ It’s very simple—but it’s hard for me to do. I tell myself all the time, ‘Listen, Kristin, it’s okay. Have fun.’”

Here's what Kristin is making time to focus on these days:

That’s the title of Kristin’s upcoming children’s book about the bond between her and her pup, Thunder. “We’ve rescued each other,” says Kristin.

“It’s not all glitter and rainbows and unicorns all the time, despite perceptions about me. So one thing that combats crankiness—because I do have that sometimes—is giving back. I find that when I see someone struggling and I help them, it makes me feel better too.”

“During the pandemic, I slowed down. And one of the habits I’d like to keep—I’m not doing great with this so far—is just noticing everything a little more and taking the time to recover. Like, ‘Oh my gosh, look at that hummingbird!’ Or ‘Look at that squirrel!’ I just go, go, go. It’s something I’m working on.”

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