Kimberly Williams-Paisley, 53, Opens Up About Health Issue That Left Her Unable to Speak for 2 Years

Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s battle with a mysterious health condition left her unable to speak for nearly two years, a challenge that forced her to step away from acting and reconsider her relationship with her voice. She opened up about her health issue in a recent interview with People.

Now recovering, the actress uses an unconventional tool to build her confidence—a life-sized hollow plastic swan, which she described as her “support animal.” She demonstrated its purpose by tilting it to her ear, explaining how speaking into the swan amplifies her voice. “It helps me hear my voice,” she said, finding reassurance in the unique object after a long period of silence.

This quirky moment contrasts sharply with the struggle she endured for nearly two years, during which her voice inexplicably vanished. “I felt trapped in my own body,” the 53-year-old shared.

The ordeal began unexpectedly in November 2022 during the annual Dance Party to End ALZ fundraiser, which she co-hosts with her sister, actress Ashley Williams. The event, held in honor of their late mother, who passed away from dementia in 2016, is deeply personal to the sisters.

“I put the mic to my mouth, and nothing came out,” she recalled. “It was terrifying.” Initially, she believed she had strained her voice and thought rest and tea would resolve the issue. But as days turned into weeks, her voice remained faint and unsteady, and her concerns deepened.

Desperate to regain her voice, the “According to Jim” alum turned to various remedies. She worked with a vocal coach and sought alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage. But none of these efforts brought significant improvement.

“I went to self-blame,” she said, questioning whether she had neglected her vocal training or breathing techniques. As months passed without progress, her frustration grew. By January 2023, she found herself facing emotional and professional challenges.

At the premiere of her Netflix film “Dog Gone,” the noise on the red carpet made it impossible for her to participate in interviews. “I sounded weak, and it’s not how I felt,” she expressed. Overwhelmed by the experience, she retreated to a bathroom in tears, supported by friends who held her hand.

Kimberly’s struggles began to impact not only her career but also her emotional health. She described experiencing fatigue, days of low motivation, and anxious thoughts that disrupted her sleep. “I wouldn’t say I had clinical depression, but I was sad,” she admitted.

Despite her efforts to carry on, she began withdrawing from social events and declining acting opportunities. “I love dinner parties and being around people, but I didn’t want to go out,” she said.

At home, the loss was equally challenging. She struggled to engage fully with her husband, country music star Brad Paisley, 52, and their two sons, Huck, 17, and Jasper, 15. “I couldn’t be a part of the conversation,” she explained.

Determined to find answers, she sought help at the Vanderbilt Voice Center in Nashville, a renowned facility known for treating music legends like Johnny Cash and Wynonna Judd. Doctors initially struggled to diagnose her condition because of severe tension in her neck muscles, which obscured their view of her vocal cords.

Eventually, she was diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, a condition in which neck muscles overcompensate to help the vocal cords function. “The muscles in my neck were tensing up to help my vocal cords hit each other,” she recounted.

Treatment focused on relieving the tension and improving her overall alignment. Specialists at Vanderbilt designed a regimen that included physical therapy, nighttime use of a custom mouthpiece, and body realignment techniques.

Over the course of a year, she tried various interventions, ranging from antidepressants and dietary adjustments to unconventional methods such as hypnosis and consultations with psychics and astrologers. “I tried everything,” she said. Yet, despite her dedication, her voice failed to return.

Her silence brought moments of deep self-reflection. Fearing her voice might never recover, she grappled with questions about her identity and career. “There were days when I grieved and sobbed. I wondered, ‘Who am I without my voice?'” she divulged. During this time, she explored new creative outlets, completing two screenplays and considering alternative ways to express herself.

At the same time, she found comfort in her family’s support. Her sons often stepped in to help her communicate, earning her gratitude for their understanding and encouragement. “They were great cheerleaders for me. To see them embracing me made me feel less alone,” she said.

Brad also provided emotional and practical support, although his attempts to offer vocal tips occasionally backfired. “I stepped in it so much!” he joked. Still, his humor and positivity helped lighten the mood during difficult moments.

Another source of solace was the couple’s nonprofit organization, The Store, a free grocery store they co-founded in 2020 to combat food insecurity. Working with Brad to support the community gave Kimberly a sense of purpose. “It felt good to throw myself into service and helping others,” she said.

By early 2024, her relentless pursuit of treatment began to show results. Months of therapy had relaxed her neck muscles enough for doctors to get a clear view of her vocal cords. They discovered partial paralysis in her left vocal cord, likely caused by a viral infection.

The diagnosis was a turning point. “Once I got that diagnosis, my body could relax in a whole new way,” she said. “The shame and blame dissipated. It was largely a technical issue, not something I did wrong.”

In August 2024, she underwent medialization laryngoplasty, a surgical procedure that repositioned her left vocal cord closer to the right. The three-hour surgery produced immediate results. “I couldn’t believe it was true,” she added, recalling the joy of hearing her voice restored after nearly two years.

Although her voice has significantly improved, it is not quite the same as before. She acknowledges limitations, such as being unable to yell and experiencing increased raspiness after extended use.

However, she embraces these changes with optimism. “I think that’s sexy,” she said, noting that speaking softly can draw people in. “When you talk quieter, people lean in, which is not bad either.”

Despite her struggles, Kimberly remained active professionally. In 2023, she not only starred in the family adventure film “Dog Gone” but also lent her acting prowess to the historical drama “Jesus Revolution.”

Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the strength she discovered within herself. “I had to fight to be heard,” she noted, adding that the experience helped her develop a deeper understanding of her resilience. “No matter what my physical voice is, my voice underneath is stronger.”

After overcoming nearly two years of vocal struggles, Kimberly is cautiously embracing a new chapter in her life and career. Her resilience has not only restored her voice but also brought fresh opportunities, including her return to television as the new host of the Fox reality series “Farmer Wants a Wife.”

The third season of the popular dating show is set to premiere on March 20, 2025, with Kimberly taking over hosting duties from Jennifer Nettles.

A self-proclaimed “city girl” who has embraced country life since marrying Brad more than two decades ago, Kimberly brings a unique perspective to the unscripted series. She will guide four farmers and their daters as they embark on a journey to find meaningful connections.

The show’s activities include events in Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, ranging from a speed-dating event to a country ball and an overnight camping mixer. The daters will also invite their families to visit the farms, adding an emotional layer to the process.

Speaking about her involvement in the show, the “Lucky 7” star shared, “I enjoyed being myself in this show, which was a new experience for me with my first unscripted series…I really appreciate how dedicated this show and its producers are in helping these hopeful farmers and women find love.”

Returning to work after such a prolonged and deeply personal health struggle is not something Kimberly takes for granted. She credits meditation and regular vocal warm-ups for helping her manage the stress of performing and preventing her from falling back into the habits that once strained her voice.

Her trusty plastic swan remains a constant companion, even on set. She practiced her hosting voice with it before her first day of filming. “I was nervous,” she admitted. “If I am afraid that my voice isn’t going to be there, I may be inclined to go back to old habits. The swan helps me hear my voice and I don’t tense up. Before I went on camera, I said, ‘Hey, we got this.'”

Through this journey, she has gained a renewed appreciation for her voice and the lessons her struggles have taught her. “I feel empowered now,” she revealed. “I don’t want to leave things unsaid. I never want to take my voice for granted — and I want to be brave in using it.”

Earlier in August, Kimberly took to social media to share an update about her health, revealing that she had been hospitalized after undergoing surgery.

The “Two and a Half Men” actress recounted the distressing experience from nearly two years ago when she lost her voice during her performance at an Alzheimer’s event in Nashville.

I was both embarrassing and frightening for her, and despite various attempts to heal, the issue persisted. She eventually learned that she had damage to her laryngeal nerve. “I tried everything I could to heal it (so thank you but please don’t give me any tips!),” she wrote.

The then-52-year-old star underwent surgery at Vanderbilt Health, where expert surgeons worked on her condition. She reported that the procedure was successful and that her voice was already improving.

“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. 😂😳),” she noted with a touch of humor.

Kimberly mentioned that she had been hesitant to talk about this topic before because it felt too personal. “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,” she added,

The actress reflected on being the quietest person in the room, often feeling trapped in her own body. To new acquaintances, she appeared shy or reserved—a stark contrast to how she truly felt.

The journey wasn’t entirely bleak, as Kimberly revealed, “I’ve met many amazing helpers along the way who’ve become amazing friends & I’m feeling SO GRATEFUL.”

Kimberly shared that during the three-hour laryngoplasty procedure to enhance her paralyzed vocal cord, she was awake throughout. This procedure was intended to help her vocal cords properly engage with each other.

She watched much of the process on a video screen above her and was amazed by the remarkable advancements of modern medicine.

The actress also had “other good news” to share. “In the last two years, I’ve found power in using my voice in new ways. I’ve healed old emotional wounds. I’ve learned the strength & beauty of silence,” she wrote.

Additionally, Kimberly began deadlifting over a hundred pounds, took better care of her body, managed stress, and let go of shame. Overall, she felt more whole, empowered, and joyful.

The actress also told her followers that she had learned from a podcast by Kate C. Bowler. Her takeaway was that if one is going through a difficult time, one should emerge with something valuable from the experience. “Was losing my voice worth it? Mm, not exactly. Was it worthless? Not for a second,” she declared.

Kimberly’s supportive husband, Brad Paisley, commented on his wife’s revealing post, saying, “This will be a great new chapter. Also, I will miss the silence.”

Fans also responded with supportive messages. One fan wrote, “Praying ❤️🙏.” Another fan commented, “Scary but glad you made it through the surgery! You’re looking as beautiful as ever!”

One user, who is a voice therapist, shared their expertise, “There are techniques available that can help improve voices more quickly, but whispering can be as damaging as shouting. I hope she recovers soon.”

A fan who related spoke of their personal experience, “I lost my voice in a similar way and could barely speak for a few years. It was incredibly frustrating.”

A third fan commented on their own vocal struggles, “My voice tends to get shaky when I’m stressed. I love the Store, and Paisleys’ idea is fantastic!”

In February 2023, Kimberly and Brad appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” where the actress spoke with a whisper. She revealed that she was told she carried tension in her voice but assured a worried Kelly that she would be okay.

She also recounted her concern about attending a State Dinner and meeting President Joe Biden, while struggling with a lost voice.

Fortunately, when she met First Lady Jill Biden, she discovered that Jill had also lost her voice. Kimberly was relieved and amused to find that she wasn’t the only one unable to speak at the time.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s journey to reclaim her voice has been one of resilience and transformation. Her openness about her surgery in August 2024 offered a heartfelt look at the challenges she overcame and the gratitude she carries moving forward.