Celebrities with Hirsutism and PCOS (PMOS) Who Have Spoken Out

Short answer: Only a handful of well-known women have spoken publicly about their own PCOS, now called PMOS, and even fewer about facial or body hair. The clearest example is British model and activist Harnaam Kaur, who has PCOS and chose to keep her full beard. Actor Keke Palmer has talked openly about severe acne from PCOS, and actor Sasha Pieterse about weight changes before her diagnosis.

PMOS (formerly PCOS) affects about 1 in 8 women worldwide.^[1] It is also the most common cause of hirsutism: 70% to 80% of women with hirsutism have it.^[2] With numbers like that, many famous women must be affected. Yet hirsutism is rarely mentioned in public, probably because removing body hair is so routine that nobody talks about it, and because it still carries a stigma that acne or weight do not.

We only included people who have spoken about their own diagnosis in an interview or their own post, and we link to a news report for each one.

What is PMOS, and how is it linked to hirsutism?

In May 2026, polycystic ovary syndrome was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) after a global consensus process. The new name reflects that it affects hormones and metabolism, not just the ovaries.^[1] PMOS often raises levels of androgens, hormones such as testosterone, which can cause thick, dark hair on the face and body. It can also cause acne and irregular periods.^[3] Read more about the difference between hirsutism and PCOS.

Harnaam Kaur: The model who kept her beard

Harnaam Kaur is a British model, motivational speaker and body-positivity activist. She has PCOS, and according to HuffPost UK, she started growing facial hair at age 11.^[4] She was bullied about her beard to the point of self-harm, and at one point considered suicide.^[4] Instead of continuing to remove her hair, she decided to grow a full beard and now campaigns against bullying and body shaming. “Growing my beard has taught me that as humans we are all so different in our own wonderful ways,” she told HuffPost UK in 2015.^[4]

Harnaam’s choice is not the right one for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be. Many women with hirsutism prefer to remove their hair, and that is just as valid. What her story shows is that hirsutism is nothing to be ashamed of, whatever you decide to do with it.

Keke Palmer: Acne and a late diagnosis

Actor and TV host Keke Palmer shared on Instagram in 2020 that PCOS had “been attacking me from the inside out my entire life and I had no idea.”^[5] She described acne so severe that people in her industry offered to pay to have it fixed, and said she had taken isotretinoin (Accutane) twice.^[5] She said her blood tests had looked fine, and that she researched her symptoms herself, considered her family history of diabetes and obesity, and took that to a doctor, which led to her diagnosis.^[5]

Acne and hirsutism often go together, because both are driven by androgens. Read more in our article on hirsutism and acne.

Sasha Pieterse: Weight changes nobody could explain

Actor and singer Sasha Pieterse, known from Pretty Little Liars, spoke about her PCOS while competing on Dancing with the Stars in 2017. She told Entertainment Tonight she had gained “70-ish pounds over two years” and did not know why until she was diagnosed with PCOS. “Finally, I knew what this was happening to me,” she said.^[6]

Her experience of getting a diagnosis only after years of symptoms is common. The 2023 international PCOS guideline notes that diagnosis is often delayed and that many patients feel their needs are not fully met.^[7]

Why so few celebrities talk about facial hair

Celebrities who mention PMOS usually talk about fertility, weight or acne. Body hair is almost never part of the story, even though it is a core feature for many women. Research suggests why: In a UK survey, women with unwanted facial hair spent an average of 104 minutes a week managing it, and 67% constantly checked their faces in mirrors.^[8] In a Danish interview study, women with PCOS described hirsutism as clashing with expectations of femininity.^[9] When hiding feels this necessary, saying it out loud on a red carpet is a big step.

The international guideline recognizes that PMOS features can harm body image and quality of life, and recommends screening for depression and anxiety.^[7] If hirsutism is affecting how you feel, you are not alone. Read 10 things women with hirsutism want you to know, personal stories from women with hirsutism, or find a community in our list of support groups for hirsutism.

Do you have hirsutism? When to see a doctor

If you recognize yourself in these stories, a doctor can check for PMOS and other causes. See a doctor soon if new, thick, dark hair appears suddenly on your face and body, or if your voice is getting deeper or your muscles are getting bigger.^[3] Irregular or missing periods are also worth getting checked. You can start with our hirsutism self-check and read about what causes hirsutism.

Frequently asked questions

Which celebrities have PCOS?

Celebrities who have spoken publicly about their own PCOS (now PMOS) include model Harnaam Kaur, actor Keke Palmer and actor Sasha Pieterse.^[4][5][6] Several others have been reported, but we only list people whose statements we could verify.

Which celebrity has a beard because of PCOS?

Harnaam Kaur, a British model and activist, has PCOS and chose to grow a full beard after years of bullying. She campaigns against body shaming.^[4]

Why don’t more celebrities talk about facial hair?

Hair removal is so routine that it is rarely discussed, and facial hair in women still carries stigma. Studies show many women with hirsutism put a lot of effort into hiding it.^[8][9]

Is hirsutism always caused by PMOS?

No. PMOS is the most common cause, but hirsutism can also come from other hormone conditions, medicines, or no clear cause at all.^[2] A doctor can help find out what is behind yours.

Key takeaways

• PMOS (formerly PCOS) affects about 1 in 8 women and is the most common cause of hirsutism.
• Harnaam Kaur is the best-known woman to speak openly about PCOS and facial hair. Keke Palmer and Sasha Pieterse have spoken about acne and weight changes.
• Very few public figures talk about body hair, which reflects how much stigma it still carries.

Sources

1. Teede HJ, Khomami MB, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. PubMed 42119588
2. Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
3. NHS. Hirsutism. Accessed October 2026. Link
4. Bearded Lady Harnaam Kaur Joins Instagram’s #EffYourBeautyStandards Campaign To Raise Awareness About Body Shaming. HuffPost UK. November 18, 2015. Accessed October 2026. Link
5. Stump S. Keke Palmer reveals PCOS has been “attacking me from the inside out.” TODAY. December 2, 2020. Accessed October 2026. Link
6. Seemayer Z. Sasha Pieterse Tears Up Over Health Problems, Opens Up About Losing 15 Pounds Since Joining ‘DWTS’. Entertainment Tonight. September 26, 2017. Accessed October 2026. Link
7. Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, et al. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(10):2447-2469. PubMed 37580314
8. Lipton MG, Sherr L, Elford J, Rustin MH, Clayton WJ. Women living with facial hair: the psychological and behavioral burden. J Psychosom Res. 2006;61(2):161-168. PubMed 16880018
9. Pfister G, Rømer K. “It’s not very feminine to have a mustache”: Experiences of Danish women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Health Care Women Int. 2017;38(2):167-186. doi:10.1080/07399332.2016.1236108

This article is for education and is not medical advice. Talk to a doctor about diagnosis and treatment.