On Saturday, Cheyenne Jackson made a confession on Instagram, revealing what he considers to be a "horrible secret" he'd been dreading to share for 17 years.
"No, this gnarly scar across my head isn’t from life-saving brain surgery, nor did I narrowly survive a shark attack. It’s worse. (At least in Hollywood...) I had hair transplant surgery. 5 of them, to be exact over 14 years," he wrote.
"My inner monologue is 'Really Cheyenne? With everything that’s going on in the world, you’re CONFESSING that you had hair surgery? Get over yourself.' I get it, but I’m admitting this, really, to RELEASE how much shame and anxiety I’ve had about people finding out for years."
"I started losing my hair around 22. My older brother was balding too, but was way braver and cooler and just shaved his off. It was really emotional for me to watch it fall out and I felt less attractive and truly less like myself as the days went on, so I saved up and got my first surgery at 28. I hid it from everyone. It was painful and expensive but I started to feel better about myself."
"Over the years as my hair kept thinning, I kept secretly getting more procedures & would just pray that no one would find out. Why? Why did I care so much? What does that say about me?"
Cheyenne also shared why he wanted to keep it a secret forever, opening up about the pressures in Hollywood to look a certain way.
"Being a vain actor in an industry that rewards beauty, I vowed to keep this my secret forever. I feel SO stupid saying that but it’s my truth. As if someone finding out would somehow negate my talent, or make me less viable or valuable in the world."
"At the beginning of every job, I'd secretly gather the hair and makeup people, dramatically close the door of the trailer, and make a big deal about REVEALING my devastating truth. Every. Single. Time. they basically said 'Ummm...yeah...so?' NO ONE CARED BUT ME!"
After nearly two decades of keeping this secret, Cheyenne hopes that revealing it will help others.
"I'm sharing because maybe this will inspire someone out there to share a secret they've been hiding, or show a scar that they've been afraid of anyone seeing. Let it go. What I've learned during this pandemic is that shit like this just doesn’t matter."
"I'm trying to teach my kids to accept themselves and to be proud of who they are, and to put value on things that are IMPORTANT AND REAL so as their father, the example should start with me. This is that. I’ll go first."
Many showed their support towards Cheyenne.
Marc Jacobs shared he's had hair transplants, too, and applauded Cheyenne for opening up about it.
Tyler Oakley loved how Cheyenne ended his post.
John Barrowman let him know there's nothing to worry about.
Broadway star Marissa Winokur also revealed she's worn fake hair for 26 years.
Frank DeCaro expressed how much he adores Cheyenne.
RuPaul's Drag Race pit crew member Simon Sherry-Wood thanked Cheyenne for his vulnerability.
