Grammy-winning singer Chrisette Michele just shared a deeply heartfelt revelation: she’s been officially diagnosed with autism! And what makes her announcement even more impactful is her candor about the severity of the diagnosis.
In a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Sunday, June 15, the R&B vocalist revealed that she’s been officially diagnosed with autism. And not just that—her doctors categorized her as “severely” autistic.
“I just learned I’m autistic,” Michele wrote. “My life and its challenges finally make sense. So so much sense. Autistic. Would you get a load of that…”
She added that she’ll share more soon, but for now, she just wanted to say “hi… from stage side.”
The news has quickly gone viral, with fans applauding her vulnerability and expressing how much her honesty means, especially in an industry where masking and performing perfection is often the norm.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects people differently, ranging from challenges with communication and social interaction to sensory sensitivities and repetitive behaviors. Each person’s experience is unique. Michele’s use of the word “severely” highlights that her personal journey may have involved obstacles that, until now, didn’t have a name or a frame of understanding.
And for Michele, that frame is changing everything.
The singer explained that despite the weight of the diagnosis, it has been enlightening, helping her unpack and understand many of her life experiences. From career highs to personal battles, the news brought clarity.
“I’ve been outside. Singing… but learning to strip the mask. One show at a time,” she shared, suggesting that her performance journey is now evolving with more truth and self-acceptance than ever before.
Chrisette Michele hasn’t dropped a full album since Out of Control in 2018, but she’s far from silent. In 2020, she released the single “Wait.” In recent years, she has remained connected with fans through her self-titled podcast, where she delves into topics ranging from healing to growth and identity.
Many believe the artist’s shift toward privacy and introspection began after the controversial moment that nearly tanked her career: performing at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration in 2017. The backlash was intense. She was dropped from her label and shelved a powerful project titled Strong Black Woman.
That same period also brought personal pain, Chrisette publicly shared that she experienced both depression and a miscarriage.
