La La Anthony has faced challenges with her self-esteem due to plaque psoriasis.
The actress and media personality, 43, has been dealing with the chronic inflammatory condition for over a decade. Last year, she partnered with Amgen to raise awareness about plaque psoriasis, which can cause dry skin, dandruff, itching, burning, and scaliness—symptoms she has experienced both in private and in the public eye, as she recently shared with WWD.
“Plaque psoriasis has affected my confidence at times, for sure — I would be lying if I said it hadn’t,” Anthony told the outlet. She also admitted to feeling especially self-conscious “during high-profile events,” worrying whether people were “looking at or whispering about my flaky, rough patches or if someone may ask me what they are.”
After receiving her diagnosis, Anthony made it a priority to understand her condition.
“I stepped in to know what it is,” she explained. “Many people don’t realize that plaque psoriasis is not just a skin condition, but an autoimmune disease that starts inside the body.”
In a statement with Amgen last year, it was revealed that Anthony initially mistook her symptoms for dry skin. However, as they worsened, her concerns grew.
“A lot of my life is public, and people are used to seeing me on camera – but some of my biggest struggles with plaque psoriasis are in the moments where no one is watching,” she shared.
Recalling a major premiere, Anthony admitted she was hyper-aware of the photos being taken, which made it difficult to focus on the event.
“I remember I was hyper-aware of all the photos that were about to be taken, and it was distracting for me before the event. I didn’t want anyone to see my skin and think, ‘What is that?’”
