Famous People with ADHD: Celebs You Might Be Surprised to Share a Diagnosis With

Curious about which stars share your diagnosis? Read the stories behind some of the famous people with ADHD.

Simone Biles: “Nothing to be ashamed of”

Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast in history. She has seven Olympic medals, holds the record for World all-around titles, and broke the record for the most World Championship medals in gymnastics. It’s undeniable that Biles is one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.

But throughout years of racking up medals, titles, and accomplishments, Biles has overcome a number of personal challenges. When her medical records were leaked by hackers in 2016, it showed that she tested positive for methylphenidate — also known as Ritalin. Although some tried to claim she was doping, she refused to be shamed for taking the medication. Importantly, her prescription was permitted by the World Anti-Doping Association under their therapeutic use exemptions.

Biles didn’t try to sweep the incident under the rug, either. Instead, she used it as an opportunity to share her diagnosis and help break down ADHD stigma. Shortly after the leak of her medical records, Biles shared the following tweet: “Having ADHD, and taking medicine for it is nothing to be ashamed of nothing that I'm afraid to let people know.”

Adam Levine: “ADHD isn’t a bad thing”

Maroon 5 is a major player in the world of pop music. As frontman for the band for the last two decades, Adam Levine faced plenty of pressure while the group rose to fame and created multiple chart-topping hits. Through it all, he’s faced ups and downs, including some struggles with ADHD. The singer has been fairly open about his diagnosis by sharing its impact on his personal and professional life.

Levine started sharing about his ADHD occurred in 2011 when he starred in a public service announcement (PSA) to raise ADHD awareness. The campaign was specifically focused on people who were diagnosed with ADHD as kids and found that the condition persisted into adulthood — just like it did for Levine, who was diagnosed as a teen. Before he found a treatment plan that worked, he struggled with writing songs, recording in the studio, and getting all his ideas down on paper due to issues with focus.

As Levine explained, “I was diagnosed with ADHD by my doctor when I was a teenager. As I got older, I thought my ADHD had gone away. Eventually, I realized it was something that was still there. I was able to work with my doctor to help manage my ADHD symptoms. This campaign is important to me because it can help young adults and adults realize that there’s a chance they may still have ADHD if they had it as a kid.”

Paris Hilton: “ADHD would become my superpower”

Back in the early 2000s, there was a lot of hate for celebrities like Paris Hilton. She was seemingly “famous for being famous,” and the result was a lot of judgment from the media and society at large. But as she has opened up about her story in recent years, there’s been an outpouring of sympathy for the personal struggles she endured during her childhood.

In her 2023 memoir, Hilton shared that one of the challenges she faced in her youth was undiagnosed ADHD. As she struggled in school, she was on the receiving end of much criticism. “People told me I was dumb, bratty, careless, ungrateful, or not applying myself. And none of that was true,” she explains. The normal ADHD symptoms she experienced were misunderstood, leading to punishment rather than treatment. Unfortunately, some of these symptoms also contributed to her parents’ decision to send her to behavior modification programs where she suffered physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

But after getting an ADHD diagnosis and treatment as an adult, Hilton has been able to recognize some of the ways her ADHD benefits her professionally. “"I am a risk taker. I am a creative. My mind is always moving. I am always thinking of new ways to do business. I think it gives me this drive and edge I needed to succeed.”

Hilton summed it up succinctly in a 2024 tweet: “I wish someone had told me my ADHD would become my superpower.”