sáb. Dic 7th, 2024
Sheree Whitfield

Despite their best efforts, some of the biggest celebs – like Kanye West, Tom Hanks, Russell Westbrook, and more – have contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus.

(UPDATE 7/14/2020, 8:20PM ET): “I tested positive for COVID-19, so I’ve kind of really been at home self-quarantining for the past week and a half,” Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Sheree Whitfield told her fans via Instagram on July 14. She went on to reveal that the illness is “no joke,” but also admitted that she’s feeling a lot better. She concluded, “Thank you guys and take care and be safe”.

(UPDATE 7/13/2020, 2:30PM ET): “I tested positive for COVID-19 prior to my team’s departure to Orlando,” Russell Westbrook posted to Instagram on July 13. The NBA will resume its 2019-20 season on July 30, with 22 teams operating in “bubbles” within Disney World at Orlando, Florida. Russell, obviously, will not be among the rest of his Houston Rockets squad. “I’m currently feeling well, quarantines, and looking forward to rejoining my teammates when I am cleared. Thank you all for the well wishes and continued support. Please take this virus seriously. Be safe. Mask up! #whynot.”

(UPDATE 7/8/20, 8:00AM ET): During an interview with Forbes that was published on July 8, Kanye West revealed that he had coronavirus back in February. Of his symptoms, he said, “Chills, shaking in bed, taking hot showers, looking at videos telling me what I’m supposed to do to get over it.” He also added, “Someone told me Drake had the coronavirus and my response was, ‘Drake can’t be sicker than me!’” (Drake has never confirmed this)

(UPDATE 7/6/20, 7:00PM ET): Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Mayor of Atlanta, has revealed that she has tested positive for COVID-19. The 5-year-old mom-of-four broke the news on Twitter on July 6. “COVID-19 has literally hit home,” Lance Bottoms, 50, tweeted. “I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive.”

(UPDATE 7/3/20, 11:20 PM ET): Kimberly Guilfoyle, 51,  the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. who also worked on President Donald Trump‘s campaign — has tested positive for coronavirus as of Friday, July 3. The news was confirmed by Sergio Gor, the Chief of Staff for the Trump Victory Finance Committee on Twitter. “After testing positive, Kimberly was immediately isolated to limit any exposure. She’s doing well, and will be retested to ensure the diagnosis is correct since she’s asymptomatic but as a precaution will cancel all upcoming events,” the tweeted statement read. “Donald Trump Jr was tested negative, but as a precaution is also self isolating and is canceling all public events,” he confirmed.

(UPDATE 7/2/20, 3 PM ET) Model Shanna Moakler, 45, revealed that she “indeed” tested positive for COVID-19 in a series of Instagram Story videos on July 2. “I got my test results back yesterday and I am indeed COVID positive. They think I’m [on] about day seven,” she said, noting that she’s working with a doctor and nutritionist to “fight this.” The former Miss USA winner explained, “I’ve had different symptoms from fever, chills, coughing and just mostly l’m exhausted in a way I can’t describe.” Shanna added that she’s in “full rest mode.”

(UPDATE 7/2/20, 9:15 AM ET) The latest celebrity to confirm a positive coronavirus diagnosis is The Real Housewives of New York star, Ramona Singer. She revealed that she and her daughter, Avery tested positive for the COVID-19 antibodies, and had donated their plasma. Ramona explained that she noticed mild coronavirus symptoms back in February, but at the time, there was limited information and lack of testing for the disease. “I had no energy,” she told People. “I wanted to stay in bed all day. I felt very tired and I also had severe headaches.”

(Update 6/25/2020, 9:00 AM ET) “Man. What a few days. My show [WWE Backstage] gets canceled and I get Covid. Wear your masks and wash your hands. Stay safe, everyone,” tweeted Renee Young, 34, on June 24. Shortly after this confirmation, Pro Wrestling Sheet reported that “multiple people in WWE who have been at the Performance Center tested positive for COVID-19 this week, including in-ring talent.” Renee’s husband, current All Elite Wrestling world heavyweight champion Jon Moxley, pulled out of a recent AEW Dynamite taping out of concerns of spreading the virus. He was then tested, and his results came back negative, according to Wrestling Observer Radio (via Sportskeeda.)

”WWE will continue COVID-19 testing of its talent, production crew and employees in advance of TV productions for the foreseeable future,” the sports entertainment company said in a statement, per sports journalist Jon Alba. Though no other Superstar has confirmed they’ve tested positive, PWInsider reported one of its sources put it in the “two dozen” range.

(UPDATE 6/22/20, 10 PM ET) Laine Hardy, 19, confirmed he tested positive for coronavirus on June 22. “This wasn’t what I expected on the first day of summer. My doctor confirmed I have Coronavirus, but my symptoms are mild and I’m home recovering in quarantine. Y’all stay safe & healthy!,” the American Idol winner posted on social media.

(UPDATE 6/22/20, 9:45 AM ET) D.L. Hughley is the latest celebrity to test positive for coronavirus. His results came after he collapsed onstage during a stand-up routine in Nashville on June 19. “I was what they call asymptomatic,” he explained. “I didn’t have flu-like symptoms, I didn’t have shortness of breath, I didn’t have difficulty breathing, I didn’t have a cough, I didn’t have a low-grade fever. I still don’t have a a fever. I didn’t have loss of smell or taste.” D.L. also revealed that he will be quarantining for two weeks at home after leaving the hospital, where he was taken after passing out onstage.

(UPDATE 5/12/20, 10:00 AM ET): “I hope you are all being careful and following the protocol. We really are all Monk now,” said Monk star Tony Shalhoub. The 66-year-old actor — known for his turn as the OCD-detective Adrian Monk. as Antonio Scarpacci on Wings, and as Abe Weissman on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – revealed on Peacock’s The At-Home Variety Show that he and his wife, Brooke Adams, 71, came down with COVID. “Last month, my wife Brooke and I came down with the virus, and it was a pretty rough few weeks. But we realize that so many other people have and had it a lot worse.”

(UPDATE 4/15/20, 10:00 P.M. ET): Just two weeks after revealing he tested positive for COVID-19, CNN news anchor Chris Cuomo has confirmed that his wife Cristina Greeven Cuomo, 50, also has the virus. “Cristina now has COVID, she is now positive, and it just breaks my heart. It is the one thing I was hoping wouldn’t happen, and now it has,” he revealed on CNN during an interview with his older brother, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. He went on to add that his wife, who is a magazine editor and the founder of publication Purist, takes “everything in stride.” “Luckily it was Cristina and not one of the kids,” Chris also said.

(UPDATE 4/13/20, 8:30 A.M. ET): It was revealed on April 13 that Good Morning America host, George Stephanopoulos, has tested positive for coronavirus. His diagnosis came two weeks after his wife, Ali Wentworth, also tested positive. He revealed that he had mostly been ‘asymptomatic,’ compared to Ali, who was in “pure misery” during her bout with the illness. “I’ve never had a fever, never had chills, never had a headache, never had a cough, never had shortness of breath,” George admitted. He also confirmed that Ali was doing much better as of April 13, and had been fever-free for five days.

(UPDATE 4/11/20 11:30 A.M. ET): Broadway star Nick Cordero, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2014 for his work in Bullets Over Broadway, is in critical condition with coronavirus according to his wife Amanda Kloots after he was diagnosed last month. “Prayer warriors, prayer circles, whatever you’ve got. Energy, meditation, positive thinking,” she wrote on Instagram next to a photo of them with their 10-month-old son Elvis Eduardo on Friday, April 10. “He is fighting for his life right now. Elvis and I need you Nick Cordero. It’s time to fight daddy.”

(UPDATE 4/10/20 10:10 P.M. ET): Legendary music producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, 62, is the latest star to come forward with Coronavirus. “I feel so blessed to be able to celebrate another birthday,” he began his lengthy message on Instagram, thanking fans for their wishes. “I tested positive for the COVID-19 virus, as did my family. It’s an incredibly scary thing to go through my friends.” He went on to confirm that he and his family members have since “tested negative” and are “on our way back to full health.”

(UPDATE 4/9/20 5:20 P.M. ET): Rihanna‘s dad Ronald Fenty, 66, revealed that he contracted the coronavirus and thought he was doing to die. He spent 14 days inside the Paragon Isolation Center in his native Barbados being treated. He’s at home now and spoke to the UK’s The Sun. He still refers to RiRi by her first name, Robyn, and told the publication, “My daughter Robyn was checking in on me every day. “I thought I was going to die to be honest. I have to say, I love you so much, Robyn. She did so much for me. I appreciate everything she has done.” The pop superstar even bought her dad a ventilator and sent it to him in Barbados, but he said he had not needed it, as it was a fever that got the worst of him. He has now been declared virus-free and is recuperating at the home.

(UPDATE 4/8/20, 11:55 P.M. ET): Todd Chrisley, 51, has confirmed that he has tested positive for COVID-19. “It has been the sickest that I have ever been in the 52 years I’ve been on this earth,” he revealed on the April 8 episode of his podcast Chrisley Confessions. “I cannot ever tell you a time in my life where I have ever been as sick as what I had been with the coronavirus.” Todd was hospitalized for four days with the virus, but has since returned home.“This has been a life-altering experience for me. I know it’s been a life-altering experience for everyone in my family,” he said, adding that he’s operating at about “70 – 75 percent” since returning home.

(UPDATE 4/8/20, 5:10 P.M. ET): The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jennifer Aydin, 42, revealed that she has tested positive for the new coronavirus and is still fighting COVID-19. The Bravo star broke the news with a video message for her Instagram followers on April 8, writing in the caption, “I’ve been sick for the past 10 days and Monday is when my test came back positive. But today is the first day that I’m finally starting to feel better. Keeping my kids away has been the hardest and I’m grateful that I have no breathing issues. My days haven’t been so bad, aside from a lot of fatigue and sleeping. At night is when it’s the worst for me because of the mix of sweating and chills. I’m taking my vitamins and drinking hot liquids. We’ll all get through this.”

(UPDATE 4/7/20, 10:07 P.M. ET): Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter John Prine, 73, sadly died at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Apr. 7 due to complications caused by the coronavirus, his family confirmed to Rolling Stone. He had been in the hospital from the virus since Mar. 26 and was placed on a ventilator just two days after his admission. His family advised his Twitter followers how critical his condition was with a tweet they posted on Mar. 29. “This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send out more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you,” the tweet read. John’s wife Fiona, whom he married in 1996, also tested positive for the virus but fortunately recovered.

(UPDATE 4/5/20, 12:00 P.M. ET): NFL icon Tom Dempsey, 73, has sadly passed away due to complications from the coronavirus. The legendary kicker died on April 4 in New Orleans: the city he made proud in 1970 with his spectacular game-winning field goal while playing for the New Orleans Saints. Tom, who was born without toes on his right foot and without fingers on his right hand, was able to excel as an NFL kicker with the help of specially-designed shoes. He also played for the Eagles, the Rams, the Oilers and the Bills during his 11-year career. “The New Orleans Saints family is deeply saddened and heartbroken at this most difficult time. Tom’s life spoke directly to the power of the human spirit and exemplified his resolute determination to not allow setbacks to impede following his dreams and aspirations,” the team said in a statement. “He exemplified the same fight and fortitude in recent years as he battled valiantly against illnesses but never wavered and kept his trademark sense of humor.” John’s wife, Fiona, also tested positive for the virus, which she announced on Mar. 17, but she 

(UPDATE 4/3/20, 9:30 P.M. ET): Pink, 40, has confirmed that she and her 3-year-old son Jameson tested positive for COVID-19 after showing systems. “My family was already sheltering at home and we continued to do so for the last two weeks following the instruction of our doctor. Just a few days ago we were re-tested and are now thankfully negative,” the singer wrote on Instagram, captioning a photo of her and her son. In light of her diagnosis, Pink also announced she would be donating money to related causes.

(UPDATE 4/3/20, 4:30 P.M. ET): Christopher Cross, 68, iconic pop singer who rose to fame with songs like “Sailing”, announced he had tested positive for coronavirus on April 3. “I’m sorry to report that I am among the growing number of Americans who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,” he revealed on his Facebook page. “Although I am fortunate enough to be cared for at home, this is possibly the worst illness I’ve ever had.”

(UPDATE 4/3/20, 1:44 P.M. ET): Brooke Baldwin of CNN, 40, has tested positive for coronavirus. In an Instagram post made Friday, April 3, Brooke broke the news to her followers. “I’ve tested positive for coronavirus. I am OKAY,” she shared on the social media platform. “It came suddenly yesterday afternoon. Chills, aches, fever. I’ve been social distancing. Doing ALL the things we’re being told to do. Still — it got me.” Brooke closed her post telling her followers she looked forward to being back on TV “real soon” and thanked the many medical professionals helping in the global crisis during this time.

(UPDATE 4/1/20, 11:45 A.M. ET): YNW Melly, 20, tested positive for coronavirus while the rapper was awaiting trial in South Florida’s Broward County Jail, which his Instagram page announced on April 2. “He’ll be filing a motion for restricted release in hopes of better care due to any jails not being prepared to treat this new virus,” the announcement added. The rapper (whose legal name is Jamell Demons) was previously charged with two counts of first-degree murder stemming from the Oct. 2018 shooting deaths of two men, whom were reported to be his close friends.

(UPDATE 4/1/20, 11:45 A.M. ET): Paulina Bugembe, who stars as Valerie on the long-running ABC soap series General Hospital, announced on her Instagram that she’s been diagnosed with Coronavirus. Self-isolation Day 7/14: halfway there. I’m going nuts in this room,” she posted. “Sometimes I crack the door open when I hear (her cat) Snipes just outside the door to get a peek at him and close it before he tried to come in,” she wrote. “The ER nurse called to check in on me yesterday and said that it sounded like I was improving based on my updates. I will take this damn bracelet off when I’m able to leave this room which is hopefully in seven days. That all depends on what this cough wants to do. #LifeWithCOVID.”

(UPDATE 3/31/20, 12:04 P.M. ET): CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, the younger brother of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, announced via Twitter that he tested positive for COVID-19. “In these difficult times that seem to get more difficult and complicated by the day, I just found out that I am positive for coronavirus,” Cuomo, 49, tweeted. “I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fevers, chills and shortness of breath. I just hope I didn’t give it to the kids and Cristina. That would make me feel worse than this illness!” Cuomo said that he’s “quarantined” in his basement and will continue his show from there. “We will all beat this by being smart and tough and united!”

The anchor was at CNN’s offices in the Hudson Yards neighborhood of NYC on Friday, March 27. He hosted his show from home on March 30, during which he interviewed his brother. Cuomo actually broke the news while Governor Cuomo was giving his daily briefing about the COVID-19 crisis in New York state. “He’ll be fine,” the governor, 62, told reporters. “He’s a sweet, beautiful guy. He’s my best friend. It was always me and my brother growing up.” As of March 31, nearly 76,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus in New York state; at least 1200 people have died.

(UPDATE 3/30/20, 9:26 A.M. ET): Following seven days of self-isolation at his home, Burnham, on the Balmoral Estate in Scotland, Prince Charles is no longer in self-isolation. “Having consulted with his doctor, the Prince of Wales is now out of self-isolation,” a spokesman for the royal said, according to The BBC. His wife, Duchess Camilla, has tested negative for the virus.

(UPDATE 3/29/20, 6:45 P.M. ET): Grammy winning country-folk singer John Prine, 73, has been hospitalized with symptoms and is in “critical” condition. “This is hard news for us to share. But so many of you have loved and supported John over the years, we wanted to let you know, and give you the chance to send out more of that love and support now. And know that we love you, and John loves you,” John’s wife Fiona Prine confirmed in a statement on social media. Fiona previously tested positive for COVID-19.

(UPDATE 3/29/20, 4:15 P.M. ET): Beloved country singer Joe Diffie has died from the coronavirus at the age of 61. Known for songs like “John Deere Green” and “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)”, Joe was only diagnosed with the condition last week. “Oh my God. One of the all-time GREAT vocalists,” fellow crooner Trace Adkins tweeted after his death was announced. “Joe Diffie was my friend. RIP, buddy.”

(UPDATE 3/27/20, 7:45 A.M. ET): British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has become the latest celebrity to test positive for coronavirus. “Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus,” he wrote on Twitter. “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video conference as we fight this virus. Together, we will beat this.” On Sunday, April 5, the PM was admitted to hospital: “On the advice of his doctor, the prime minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests. This is a precautionary step, as the prime minister continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus,” his spokesperson said to the BBC.

(UPDATE 3/25/20, 6:45 A.M. ET): Clarence House has confirmed that Prince Charles, 71, who is the father of Prince Harry and Prince William, has tested positive for coronavirus. “He has been displaying mild symptoms, but otherwise remains in good health and has been working form home throughout the last few days as usual,” the statement read. Charles is the first royal to test positive for the disease. His last public event was on March 12.

(UPDATE 3/23/20, 11:17 A.M. ET): Senator Amy Klobuchar has announced on Twitter that her husband, John Bessler, has tested positive for COVID-19. The senator said that they got the results on the morning of March 23; he had originally thought he had a cold, then started coughing up blood. He is in isolation and on oxygen, but not a ventilator. “I love him & not being able to be by his side is one of the hardest things about this disease. So many are going through this & much worse. I pray for him & you & meanwhile I will do all I can to get help to the American people,” she wrote. She stressed that she and John, who was teaching in DC, have been apart long enough that she doesn’t need to take a test herself.

Broadway star Aaron Tveit, 36, also announced on March 23 that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Aaron, who currently stars in Moulin Rouge! has been quarantined since Broadway shows all shut down on March 12. “I consider myself extremely lucky that my symptoms have been very mild – cold like with no fever – as so many are experiencing much more serious symptoms, because this is a very dangerous virus,” he wrote on Instagram. You can read his full statement HERE.

(UPDATE 3/22/20, 3:30 P.M. ET): Senator Rand Paul has tested positive for COVID-19. His office announced the news on Twitter on Sunday, March 22. Paul, who is also a licensed physician, was the only senator to vote against a bipartisan $8 billion deal to provide emergency coronavirus funding earlier this month. He was called out for that on social media after the news was announced. Rand also reportedly worked out at the Senate gym as late as Sunday morning before he got the news and left.

(UPDATE 3/21/20, 11:30 P.M. ET): Idris Elba’s wife Sabrina Dhowre, 30, has also tested positive for COVID-19 after her husband confirmed he had the virus on Mar. 16 but confirmed she is asymptomatic. “I don’t feel anything that would come to what people would now expect to be a symptom of coronavirus, which is really strange,” Sabrina said to Oprah Winfrey over a FaceTime conversation. “It might change in the coming weeks, and we’ll keep everyone updated. But it is worrisome that we’re sitting here, two people, and … we’re asymptomatic.”

(UPDATE 3/20/20, 6:14 P.M. ET): Right after Colton Underwood revealed his positive coronavirus test, Andy Cohen sadly had the same news to share. The 51-year-old host of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen! (which will now be put on pause) revealed in an Instagram post that “after a few days of self-quarantine” and “not feeling great,” he tested positive for COVID-19.

(UPDATE 3/20/20, 5:12 P.M. ET): Colton Underwood has come forward as one of the biggest stars to test positive for the new coronavirus. On March 20, The Bachelor star revealed that he’s self-isolating in Huntington Beach, CA at the home of Cassie Randolph’s parents. He made the announcement in an Instagram video filmed at his girlfriend’s parents’ house, saying, “I want to let you guys know: I’m 28, I consider myself pretty healthy, I work out regularly, I eat healthy, and I became symptomatic a few days ago, got my test results back today, and they are positive,” Colton said in the video. COVID-19 has already taken a toll on Colton; he added, “It’s been kicking my ass, just to put it pretty bluntly. The main thing is I can’t even walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath or go to the bathroom without having to sit down because I’m exhausted.” You can watch Colton’s full video below.

(UPDATE 3/18/20, 9:46 p.m. ET): By March 18, a wave of new stars tested positive for the new coronavirus: Kevin Durant along with three other Brooklyn Nets players, and two Games of Thrones stars (Indira Varma and Kristofer Hivju).

(UPDATE 3/16 AT 2:30 P.M. ET): Idris Elba is the latest celebrity to reveal that he has been diagnosed with coronavirus. He shared the news via social media on March 16. “This morning I tested positive for COVID-19,” he wrote. “I feel ok. I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing. No panic.”

With the World Health Organization reporting almost 125,000 cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus within the first weeks of the pandemic, the odds that stars from the movie, television, music, and entertainment world would be spared were low. It was just a matter of time before a huge name reported that they’ve contracted COVID-19, but no one expected that name to be national treasure, Tom Hanks. Tom, 63, confirmed on Mar. 11 that he and his wife, Rita Wilson, 63, had come down with COVID-19 while he was filming an Elvis Presley biopic on The Gold Coast in Australia. Tom gave an update a day later, saying that he and his wife were “in isolation, so we do not spread it to anyone else.”

“There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time. There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no?” he added, delivering a message that seemed to dispel any potential stigmas associated with the disease while also encouraging people to stay grounded. “Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball.”

There might be some crying over baseball. The 2020 MLB season was delayed, and Spring Training was canceled as part of preventive measures. This followed similar steps by the NHL, NCAA, and MLS, who all reacted after the NBA paused its season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert, 27, tested positive. Shortly afterward, his teammate, Donovan Mitchell, 23, was also diagnosed with coronavirus. Overseas, European soccer was wrecked by the disease, with many games being held in empty stadiums and leagues suspending play.

In Italy – the country who reported the second-highest number of deaths from coronavirus in the early weeks, only topped by mainland China – everything was shut down, including the Serie A soccer league. After Cristiano Ronaldo’s teammate Daniele Rugani tested positive, the Juventus squad went into lockdown. The team’s “football players, staff members, directors, entourage and Juventus employees are observing a period of voluntary home isolation, in compliance with the requirements of the health authorities based on the provisions currently in force.”

On March 15, there was another confirmed celebrity case, as former Bond girl, Olga Kurylenko, confirmed that she had tested positive for the illness. Olga played Camille in Quantum of Solace, and revealed that she is in “self isolation” due to her diagnosis. She had been ill for more than a week before revealing her news to fans. The following day, Game of Thrones star Kristofer Hivju, 41 — who played wildling Tormund Giantsbane on the HBO show — revealed that he too tested positive for the new coronavirus. He told Instagram fans that he’d be “self-isolating” with his family “for as long as it takes.”

In this time of uncertainty, consult the Center For Disease Control for information about COVID-19, what measures you can take to prevent the spread of coronavirus, what to do if you demonstrate symptoms, and how to not get swept in the hysteria during this time.