‘Father of the Bride’ star Kimberly Williams-Paisley lost her voice for 2 years, shares ‘badass’ neck scar photo
Kimberly Williams-Paisley is giving fans a health update.
The 52-year-old underwent surgery to repair her vocal cords after being unable to fully use her voice for nearly two years.
“I’ve been going through a thing,” Williams-Paisley wrote on Instagram Sunday. “Almost two years ago I lost my voice on stage at my Alzheimer’s event in Nashville. It was embarrassing & scary & it never quite came back. It’s been a challenging couple of years, but we finally got to the bottom of it.”
“I have damage to my laryngeal nerve,” she continued. “I tried everything I could to heal it (so thank you but please don’t give me any tips!)”
The “Father of the Bride” star added that she was “finally” able to undergo successful surgery, which was performed by “expert surgeons” at Vanderbilt Health in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I have a badass scar that’s smiling at me across my neck. (Swipe for the drawing my brother made on top of the image if you can handle it.)”
“I haven’t wanted to share about this much until now because it felt too vulnerable. I took for granted my ability to ‘use my voice’ before — for my career, for a good cause, for a timely joke, for SELF-EXPRESSION, for a loud dinner party. Instead, I’ve been the quietest in the room. I’ve felt meek. New people I’ve met thought I was a shy or reserved person. I’ve felt trapped in my body,” she went on.
“I’ve been through shame & self-loathing, all kinds of training, breathing techniques, & braces & healing & laughing & crying & explaining. I’ve met many amazing helpers along the way who’ve become amazing friends & I’m feeling SO GRATEFUL.”
Williams-Paisley remained awake for the entire three-hour laryngoplasty, which was to “plump up” her “paralyzed vocal cord so it hits the other one.”
The “Jesus Revolution” actress joked about her working vocal cord “(She’s so happy not to be doing all the work by herself anymore. She was EXHAUSTED).”
“I watched a lot of it on a video screen above my head as it happened, and all I can say is MODERN MEDICINE IS MIRACULOUS.”
But looking on the bright side, Williams-Paisley shared what she has learned throughout her health journey.
“THE OTHER GOOD NEWS: In the last two years, I’ve found power in using my voice in new ways,” she explained to followers. “I’ve healed old emotional wounds. I’ve learned the strength & beauty of silence. I’ve become a serious meditator. I’m deadlifting over a hundred pounds. I’m taking better care of my body. I’m managing stress. I’m dissolving shame. I’m feeling more whole, empowered & joyful.”
“As I learned from a recent @katecbowler podcast, if you’re going through hell, don’t come out empty-handed,” Williams-Paisley concluded. “Was losing my voice worth it? Mm, not exactly. Was it worthless? Not for a second. Xo.”
Alongside the caption, the “According to Jim” alum posted a photo of herself in a hospital gown and a picture of a large scar on her neck.
Williams-Paisley’s husband, country singer Brad Paisley, took to the comments section to show his support and tease his wife of 21 years.
“This will be a great new chapter. Also I will miss the silence,” he joked. The couple share sons William, 17, and Jasper, 15.
In a follow-up post, she smiled while wearing a hat, black sunglasses and a scarf tied around her neck.
“Thank you so much for all the love and support following my last post,” she wrote on August 19. “You reminded me of the power of authenticity, vulnerability and hope. I’m feeling validated and seen and ever more grateful. I read and responded to as many comments as I could and I’m still going! THANK YOU. I see you too. Recovery is on track and I’m feeling really good. With much love and gratitude, Kim.”
Williams-Paisley is best known for her role as Annie Banks in the 1991 comedy “Father of the Bride,” alongside Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Martin Short. She reprised her role in the 1995 sequel, “Father of the Bride Part II.”
