Pop princess Taylor Swift, whose songs include lyrics like, “I dream of jumping off of very tall somethings, just to see you come running,” claims she’s never been to therapy. In 2019, Swift told Rolling Stone that it takes a long time to “download somebody on the last 29 years” of her life, so instead, she and her mother “talk endlessly.” Though she deals with stalkers and death threats, the singer says, “I just feel very sane.”
“I've never been to therapy,” she continued in The Rolling Stone interview. “I talk to my mom a lot, because my mom is the one who's seen everything. God... my mom has seen it all. She knows exactly where I'm coming from.”
The legendary musician Prince struggled with health issues that could have been addressed with medical intervention. In 2016, Prince tragically passed away due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl, a powerful opioid painkiller. It's reported that Prince refused medical treatment for his chronic hip pain, which stemmed from years of performing high-energy shows in high heels. Instead of surgery, Prince allegedly chose to rely on natural remedies and painkillers.
Soon after his death, largely unreliable sources such as the National Enquirer reported that Prince was diagnosed with AIDs six months before his death, claiming he weighed under 100 pounds in his last moments. One source said Prince tried "praying away" the disease rather than seeking treatment, believing that "God would heal him."
In early 2024 Kim Kardashian stated that, while she hasn’t been to therapy, she relies on her friends for emotional support. “Honestly, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for my friends, like I have the best friends and they're super supportive," she explained on a 2024 episode of The Kardashians on Hulu. "
"I think that's probably why I've never seen a therapist, [it] is because I have the best friends in the entire world, and they mean everything to me." However, with the encouragement of big sis Kourtney, Kim finally decided to see a therapist in late 2024. She admitted she was excited at the potential to have better relationships with her children and those around her.
Comedian Rob Schneider has been vocal about his skepticism of modern medicine, particularly vaccines. He has made controversial statements about the safety of vaccines, claiming that they have caused harm to children. Schneider's stance has drawn criticism from medical professionals and public health experts.
In 2012, he said the following at a protest: “At a certain point, you have to draw a line in the sand, and people have to put their hands up and be counted for... The efficacy of these shots have not been proven. And the toxicity of these things — we’re having more and more side effects. We’re having more and more autism.”
Kirstie Alley, known for her roles in Cheers and Look Who’s Talking, was a strong advocate of Scientology, which played a significant role in her approach to health and medicine. As a devoted follower of the Church of Scientology, Alley reportedly shunned traditional psychiatric treatments and mental health medications, which are strongly discouraged by the religion. Instead, she turned to Scientology’s alternative therapies, such as "auditing," to address emotional and psychological issues.
In a statement shared by People magazine, Alley's children said the following: "We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered... She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead."
Rapper and fashion designer Kanye West is always in the news for his shocking behavior, but it’s not at all surprising that he has not been to therapy. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, West has refused professional help or medication, instead turning to spirituality with his 2019 album JESUS IS KING. That same year, the rapper announced he was a born-again Christian.
In an interview with Charlamagne, West said the following: “Nah, I use the world as my therapist. Anyone I talk to is my therapist. I will pull them into the conversation of what I'm feeling at that point and get their perspective... I’m not saying that therapists are bad, I’m just saying that I like just talking to acquaintances, friends, family, and you know, I keep them on the phone for 45 minutes at a time talking through things, so it’s kind [of] narcissistic, talking about my problems, using their energy, even like, them being a sounding board, and talking through it.”
Nancy Reagan’s refusal to help Rock Hudson when he was dying of AIDS in the 1980s has been a controversial part of her legacy. Rock Hudson, a beloved Hollywood actor and close friend of the Reagans, was one of the first major celebrities to publicly suffer from the disease. In 1985, while in Paris seeking experimental treatment, Hudson’s representatives reached out to the White House, requesting a transfer to a specialized military hospital. Despite their personal connection, the Reagans declined the request due to religious beliefs.
Also, while Nancy Reagan was known for her advocacy of the Just Say No campaign, her approach to her husband's Alzheimer's disease was less conventional. In a 2009 interview with Larry King, Reagan said, "I believe in prayer. I believe in the power of the human spirit."
Rapper Nicki Minaj caused a stir in 2021 when she tweeted about her cousin's friend who allegedly swelled up down there after receiving the COVID vaccine. "My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent... His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied."
"This claim was quickly debunked by medical experts, but it highlighted Minaj's skepticism of conventional medicine. “I’m one of those people who doesn’t go with a crowd,” she told Vogue. “I like to make my own assessment of everything without help from everyone.”
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, is perhaps one of the most well-known cases of a celebrity refusing traditional medical treatment. When Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003, he initially declined surgery in favor of alternative therapies. Jobs reportedly tried a range of non-medical treatments, including dietary changes, acupuncture, and herbal remedies, before ultimately opting for surgery nine months later. By then, some experts believe the delay in receiving proper medical treatment may have cost him valuable time in his fight against cancer.
Jobs later regretted his decision, reportedly telling biographer Walter Isaacson, "I didn’t want my body to be opened... I didn’t want to be violated in that way." His story is a sobering example of the potential consequences of rejecting conventional medicine. Although Jobs eventually embraced medical intervention, his initial reluctance may have contributed to the progression of his illness, serving as a cautionary tale for those who consider alternative treatments over proven medical care.
The Oprah Winfrey Show, which ran from 1986 to 2011, was a daytime talk show that covered a wide range of topics, including relationships, society, health, and more. On the Drew Barrymore Show, Winfrey shared, “I had all my therapy on the show in front of everybody. And you know, when I first started in 1986 with the national show, nobody was going to therapy. Even speaking about therapy on television was taboo, and now everybody has gone to therapy.”
She continued, “So I did my therapy in front of everyone at a time when people were still adjusting their consciousness to the idea of accepting somebody else being able to counsel you about your life."
