Amy Schumer is embracing vulnerability. On Wednesday, April 10, the 42-year-old shared a makeup-free mirror selfie with her 13 million Instagram followers. And true to her profession, she added a light-hearted caption: “Looking forward to your kind words!”
In the photo, the comedian wears a black square-cut tank top with her hair down, parted to the side, showcasing her natural skin.
Followers flooded the comments with praise, including fellow celebrities. “You are honestly one of my heroines,” wrote Glenn Close. “Your courage, your transparency, your lack of pretense, your LOVE, your loyalty, your SMARTS, your incredible, sometimes painful sense of HUMOR. I am on your team through thick and thin.”
“I have such deep admiration for you,” Christina Hendricks commented. “Total package. And a total babe.” Kristyn Ritter chimed in to say: “Brilliant, badass, iconic, show stopping, wildly intelligent, one of a kind, perfect, tough, queen, fierce, an absolute inspiration.”
This post follows Schumer’s revelation about her Cushing’s Syndrome diagnosis, shared via the News Not Noise newsletter on February 23. “I reached out to Amy after the haters came for her,” Jessica Yellin reported. “She shared that she has exogenous Cushing syndrome, brought on by getting steroid injections in high doses.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, the disease can occur when the body has too much cortisol. Those with Cushing Syndrome may have “a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin,” among other symptoms.
“The Girl With the Lower Back Tattoo” author likely spoke with News Not Noise because she’s received a lot of unsolicited criticism about her appearance. In a February 15 Instagram post, she acknowledged her fans’ (and critics’) remarks, simultaneously addressing the societal scrutiny women face daily.
“Thank you so much for everyone’s input about my face!” she wrote. I’ve enjoyed feedback and deliberation about my appearance as all women do for almost 20 years. And you’re right it is puffier than normal right now. I have endometriosis an auto immune disease that every woman should read about. There are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now but I’m okay.”
“Historically women’s bodies have barely been studied medically compared to men,” she continued. “The book ‘all in her head’ does a good job explaining this. I also believe a woman doesn’t need any excuse for her physical appearance and owes no explanation. But I wanted to take the opportunity to advocate for self love and acceptance of the skin you’re in. Like every other women/person some days I feel confident and good as hell and others I want to put a bag over my head.”
“But I feel strong and beautiful and so proud of this tv show I created. Wrote. Starred in and directed,” she concluded, complemented by marketing imagery for her Hulu series Life of Beth. “Maybe just maybe we can focus on that for a little. I had backup dancers on Fallon but my face is the headline hahaha anyway I hope you enjoy life and Beth. Love and solidarity. Amy.”
