Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, wife of country singer Brad Paisley, recently shared her challenging two-year journey to recover her voice after a terrifying incident on stage. In November 2022, while hosting an Alzheimer's fundraiser, Williams-Paisley found herself unable to speak. The experience, she recounted, left her feeling "trapped" and "invisible."
Initially believing she had simply strained her vocal cords, Williams-Paisley soon realized the issue was much more serious. Weeks turned into months, and her voice remained weak. She tried various remedies, from vocal exercises to self-blame, but nothing seemed to work.
The prolonged struggle took an emotional toll. Williams-Paisley experienced anxiety, sadness, and a sense of isolation. Eventually, she was diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, a condition involving excessive muscle tension around the voice box, which resulted in partial paralysis of her left vocal cord. She explored a range of treatments, both conventional and unconventional, from medication and therapy to even consulting a psychic and astrologer. She feared her acting career might be over.
Throughout this ordeal, her family, including husband Brad and their two sons, provided unwavering support. Brad even tried to help with vocal exercises, though Williams-Paisley admits he wasn't always helpful. Their encouragement, however, made her feel less alone.
While Williams-Paisley is not yet fully recovered, she reports significant improvement. She acknowledges that her voice is still not what it was, but she maintains a positive outlook. She even jokes that the raspiness she sometimes experiences is "sexy." Earlier this year, she shared details of her journey on Instagram, including a photo of the scar from her laryngoplasty, a procedure she underwent to address her paralyzed vocal cord.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Williams-Paisley is set to host the third season of Fox's "Farmer Wants a Wife."
