Kimberly Williams-Paisley, 53, Opens Up About Health Issue That Left Her Unable to Speak for 2 Years

The “Father of the Bride” star turned a long and silent battle with her voice into a story of resilience, finding both unconventional tools and inner strength to help her speak again.

Now recovering, the actress uses an unconventional tool to build her confidence—a life-sized hollow plastic swan, which she described as her “support animal.” She demonstrated its purpose by tilting it to her ear, explaining how speaking into the swan amplifies her voice. “It helps me hear my voice,” she said, finding reassurance in the unique object after a long period of silence.

This quirky moment contrasts sharply with the struggle she endured for nearly two years, during which her voice inexplicably vanished. “I felt trapped in my own body,” the 53-year-old shared.

“I put the mic to my mouth, and nothing came out,” she recalled. “It was terrifying.” Initially, she believed she had strained her voice and thought rest and tea would resolve the issue. But as days turned into weeks, her voice remained faint and unsteady, and her concerns deepened.

Desperate to regain her voice, the “According to Jim” alum turned to various remedies. She worked with a vocal coach and sought alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage. But none of these efforts brought significant improvement.

At the premiere of her Netflix film “Dog Gone,” the noise on the red carpet made it impossible for her to participate in interviews. “I sounded weak, and it’s not how I felt,” she expressed. Overwhelmed by the experience, she retreated to a bathroom in tears, supported by friends who held her hand.

Kimberly’s struggles began to impact not only her career but also her emotional health. She described experiencing fatigue, days of low motivation, and anxious thoughts that disrupted her sleep. “I wouldn’t say I had clinical depression, but I was sad,” she admitted.

Despite her efforts to carry on, she began withdrawing from social events and declining acting opportunities. “I love dinner parties and being around people, but I didn’t want to go out,” she said.

Determined to find answers, she sought help at the Vanderbilt Voice Center in Nashville, a renowned facility known for treating music legends like Johnny Cash and Wynonna Judd. Doctors initially struggled to diagnose her condition because of severe tension in her neck muscles, which obscured their view of her vocal cords.

Treatment focused on relieving the tension and improving her overall alignment. Specialists at Vanderbilt designed a regimen that included physical therapy, nighttime use of a custom mouthpiece, and body realignment techniques.

Her silence brought moments of deep self-reflection. Fearing her voice might never recover, she grappled with questions about her identity and career. “There were days when I grieved and sobbed. I wondered, ‘Who am I without my voice?'” she divulged. During this time, she explored new creative outlets, completing two screenplays and considering alternative ways to express herself.

Brad also provided emotional and practical support, although his attempts to offer vocal tips occasionally backfired. “I stepped in it so much!” he joked. Still, his humor and positivity helped lighten the mood during difficult moments.

Another source of solace was the couple’s nonprofit organization, The Store, a free grocery store they co-founded in 2020 to combat food insecurity. Working with Brad to support the community gave Kimberly a sense of purpose. “It felt good to throw myself into service and helping others,” she said.

The diagnosis was a turning point. “Once I got that diagnosis, my body could relax in a whole new way,” she said. “The shame and blame dissipated. It was largely a technical issue, not something I did wrong.”

Although her voice has significantly improved, it is not quite the same as before. She acknowledges limitations, such as being unable to yell and experiencing increased raspiness after extended use.

Despite her struggles, Kimberly remained active professionally. In 2023, she not only starred in the family adventure film “Dog Gone” but also lent her acting prowess to the historical drama “Jesus Revolution.”

Reflecting on her journey, she expressed gratitude for the strength she discovered within herself. “I had to fight to be heard,” she noted, adding that the experience helped her develop a deeper understanding of her resilience. “No matter what my physical voice is, my voice underneath is stronger.”

The third season of the popular dating show is set to premiere on March 20, 2025, with Kimberly taking over hosting duties from Jennifer Nettles.

The show’s activities include events in Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas, ranging from a speed-dating event to a country ball and an overnight camping mixer. The daters will also invite their families to visit the farms, adding an emotional layer to the process.

Speaking about her involvement in the show, the “Lucky 7” star shared, “I enjoyed being myself in this show, which was a new experience for me with my first unscripted series…I really appreciate how dedicated this show and its producers are in helping these hopeful farmers and women find love.”

Her trusty plastic swan remains a constant companion, even on set. She practiced her hosting voice with it before her first day of filming. “I was nervous,” she admitted. “If I am afraid that my voice isn’t going to be there, I may be inclined to go back to old habits. The swan helps me hear my voice and I don’t tense up. Before I went on camera, I said, ‘Hey, we got this.'”

Earlier in August, Kimberly took to social media to share an update about her health, revealing that she had been hospitalized after undergoing surgery.

The “Two and a Half Men” actress recounted the distressing experience from nearly two years ago when she lost her voice during her performance at an Alzheimer’s event in Nashville.

The then-52-year-old star underwent surgery at Vanderbilt Health, where expert surgeons worked on her condition. She reported that the procedure was successful and that her voice was already improving.

Kimberly mentioned that she had been hesitant to talk about this topic before because it felt too personal. “I took for granted my ability to ‘use my voice’ before—for my career, for a good cause, for a timely joke, for SELF-EXPRESSION, for a loud dinner party,” she added,

The journey wasn’t entirely bleak, as Kimberly revealed, “I’ve met many amazing helpers along the way who’ve become amazing friends & I’m feeling SO GRATEFUL.”

She watched much of the process on a video screen above her and was amazed by the remarkable advancements of modern medicine.

Additionally, Kimberly began deadlifting over a hundred pounds, took better care of her body, managed stress, and let go of shame. Overall, she felt more whole, empowered, and joyful.

Kimberly’s supportive husband, Brad Paisley, commented on his wife’s revealing post, saying, “This will be a great new chapter. Also, I will miss the silence.”

One user, who is a voice therapist, shared their expertise, “There are techniques available that can help improve voices more quickly, but whispering can be as damaging as shouting. I hope she recovers soon.”

A third fan commented on their own vocal struggles, “My voice tends to get shaky when I’m stressed. I love the Store, and Paisleys’ idea is fantastic!”

She also recounted her concern about attending a State Dinner and meeting President Joe Biden, while struggling with a lost voice.

Fortunately, when she met First Lady Jill Biden, she discovered that Jill had also lost her voice. Kimberly was relieved and amused to find that she wasn’t the only one unable to speak at the time.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s journey to reclaim her voice has been one of resilience and transformation. Her openness about her surgery in August 2024 offered a heartfelt look at the challenges she overcame and the gratitude she carries moving forward.