On “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Howie Mandel discussed his struggles with mental illness. He confessed that his celebrity status negatively impacted his mental health. Although he seems cheerful in public, he revealed that at home, especially when alone, that’s not the case.
When Kelly Clarkson heard this, she was shocked. Mandel acknowledged, “I’m heavily medicated,” a revelation that surprised Clarkson. Since childhood, Mandel has battled anxiety and OCD, describing his daily life as a struggle. As a young boy, he was labeled “strange” because he had no friends, but now, he jokes, he gets paid to be strange as a judge on America’s Got Talent.
Mandel shared that the COVID-19 pandemic heightened his anxieties. He constantly worried, “We could die,” but found comfort in knowing his immediate family was safe. Despite his public persona, Mandel has kept his illnesses a secret until 2006, fearing it would affect his career.
Howie Mandel acknowledges that, even though he still experiences dark periods, comedy has been his saving grace. He uses humor to cope and feels most at ease while performing. By coming forward with his struggles, he hopes to end the stigma around mental illness. He understands the difficulty but remains hopeful that he can manage his mental health and encourage others to do the same.
