Singer-Songwriter LeAnn Rimes, 43, Who Lives With Psoriasis, Says She Strives To ‘Give Love Back To People’ While Accepting Billboard’s ‘Unstoppable’ Award

“I can’t imagine not being on stage. I started on stage when I was five, and I’ve been on stage ever since. And the rush and the connection with people, it’s wild to think.”

Reflecting on her childhood, when she stepped on stage yearning for the audience’s admiration and affection, Rimes shared that she now performs to spread joy and love to others.

She explained, “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to a place where I walk out to give love back to people. And it really becomes this kind of cyclical … receiving it completely, but being able to really pour into people.”

“I think it is such a powerful experience for people when they can come to a show and feel like they are free and safe, and that they can be who they are, and that they can connect with other people. They can connect with the artists that’s on stage.”

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Rimes emphasized that she has no plans to slow down anytime soon and hopes to always offer a safe, welcoming space for others.

She added, “I am honored to forever be a part of this touring industry. To everybody who’s ever helped me, every agent, every sound guy, every musician … I’m just really grateful that, you know, in a world where you can scroll past someone in five seconds or less than that, to have been around for over 30 years is a blessing.”

“So thank you very much for honoring me here tonight, and I really appreciate it.”

Fans were quick to praise Rimes for her continued devotion to fans, with one commenting on the video clip of her acceptance speech, “Well-deserved!!! So proud of you, and you truly do provide that safe space for so many.”

“You deserve all the awards! You have persevered through so much, and I’ve watched you shine through all of it.”

“Wonderful speech, LeAnn, and you couldn’t be more deserving,” said a second fan.

A third supporter commented, “9 years ago, I got the chance to travel abroad to see you in Nashville. That day, one of my dreams came true. I will never forget the moment I heard your voice live for the first time. You deserve all the recognition in the world. I love you with all my heart, @leannrimes, congrats! Beautiful in and out, beyond words!!”

LeAnn Rimes’ Journey to Managing Her Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks normal tissues. It causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin. The most commonly affected areas are the lower back, elbows, knees, legs, soles of feet, scalp, face, and palms.

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Symptoms of psoriasis can be managed through various treatments.

Rimes was diagnosed with psoriasis at 2 years old and, when she turned 6 years old, about 80% of her body was covered in “painful red spots,” according to an article she wrote for Glamour Magazine.

Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. “It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days.”

WATCH: There is good news for people out there suffering from plaque psoriasis.

Dr. Saakshi notes that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.

Rimes’ psoriasis journey includes the singer trying several different treatment options to clear up her psoriasis, including steroid creams.

Steroid creams or topicals are a common option to treat psoriasis. Topicals are often recommended for newly diagnosed psoriasis patients. These work by applying the cream on your affected skin to reduce inflammation. The creams used can also be non-steroidal. Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, adds that topical treatments are often a convenient option for patients.

“The majority of patients with psoriasis overall are managed with topicals only,” Dr. Han explains. “And I would say part of this is from convenience, and you could argue certainly patients with milder forms of psoriasis, it’s justifiable to just treat topically.”

Rimes also focused on her diet to reduce flare-ups. Healthline previously reported she “eliminated gluten and all fried food from her diet.”

Meanwhile, SurvivorNet experts say certain foods and drinks can trigger autoimmune conditions and cause inflammation.

Some examples of foods that cause inflammation include white bread and pastries, fried foods like French fries, sodas and other sugary drinks, red meat, processed meats, and margarine, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

These types of foods can cause insulin (a hormone that controls our blood sugar) to spike in our bodies, which can contribute to inflammation. Conversely, examples of anti-inflammatory foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fish.

Rimes also tried an “injection regimen” to manage her symptoms, although she has not said what type of injections she uses. She resorted to some vitamin D from the sun to help manage her symptoms.

“Saltwater and sunshine, mother nature’s gifts to us, truly, truly help me. I’ve been in a place before many times and gone on vacation and come back and been completely clear,” she said to Prevention, a health news resource.

While saltwater can help with easing skin conditions, according to SurvivorNet experts, for some, the sun will exacerbate symptoms. However, phototherapy, or light therapy, is a treatment option for psoriasis. It’s generally used when topical medications are not working. Phototherapy exposes the skin to ultraviolet light to slow down the excess growth of skin cells.

“I use raw coconut oil, which I love. I also love a little bit of any kind of carrier oil with a bit of essential oil in it,” Rimes said to help keep her skin moisturized.

Moisturizers can be very effective in treating dryness caused by the disease and promoting healing of the skin. SurvivorNet experts say the best moisturizer to buy will have the following characteristics:

• Heavy textures like oils, ointments, or creams
• Doesn’t include any fragrance to avoid irritation

Psoriasis is Chronic, But Can Be Managed

According to the National Institute of Health, “Many people with psoriasis have a family history of the disorder. Researchers have identified certain genes linked to the disease, but still don’t fully understand the disease process. They do know that it isn’t contagious.”

WATCH: Understanding the various types of psoriasis.

Common symptoms often include:

• Red patches of skin covered with silvery scales
• Small scaling spots
• Dry, cracked skin that may bleed or itch
• Itching, burning sensation, or soreness
• Thickened or ridged nails
• Swollen or stiff joints

Topical medicines like skin creams are considered mainstays in treating psoriasis symptoms. The topical you take depends on the kind of psoriasis you’re dealing with and its related symptoms.

The seven different types of psoriasis include:

• Plaque psoriasis: The most common form of the disease causes dry, raised skin patches that may be covered in scales. The patches may be itchy and tender.
• Nail psoriasis: This disease can affect fingernails and toenails and might cause nails to loosen from the nail bed.
• Guttate psoriasis: This disease typically affects young adults and children and is often caused by a bacterial infection like strep throat.
• Inverse psoriasis: This type of psoriasis mainly affects skin folds, so it will often present in areas such as the groin, buttocks, or breasts, and can worsen with friction or sweating.
• Pustular psoriasis: This rare form of psoriasis causes pus-filled blisters to develop in widespread patches across the body.
• Erythrodermic psoriasis: This is another rare form of the disease. It can involve the entire body and cause a red, peeling rash that may itch or burn intensely.
• Psoriatic arthritis: With this form of the disease, joints may become swollen and painful. Sometimes, joint pain is the first or only symptom, while other symptoms, like nail changes, occur.

How is Psoriasis Treated?

Sometimes, psoriasis is treated with oral drugs, which may include:

• Methotrexate: This medication was approved for psoriasis in 1972 and can be administered orally or intravenously. It works as an immunosuppressant that inhibits rapidly dividing cells. According to the American Academy of Dermatology and National Psoriasis Foundation guidelines, methotrexate is typically administered in doses ranging from 7.5 mg to 25 mg weekly as one dose or divided into three dosages over 24 hours. Common side effects include fatigue and nausea.
• Apremilast (Otezla): This medication suppresses an enzyme inside inflammation cells. The most common side effects are diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache.
• Cyclosporine: This drug isn’t used for long-term psoriasis treatment due to potentially serious adverse effects. However, it does have a role “as a rapid-acting medication for severe, recalcitrant disease, acute flares, and erythroderma.” Nephrotoxicity (kidney issues) and hypertension (high blood pressure) are cyclosporine’s most common adverse side effects.

Other systemic treatment options for psoriasis include Biologic drugs, which are given by injection or intravenous (IV) infusion (a slow drip of medicine into your vein).

These drugs target only specific parts of the immune system, while other systemic drugs target the whole system.

The Power of Gratitude: Finding Strength in Appreciation

Many cancer survivors or anyone coping with a chronic illness, who’ve shared their journeys with SurvivorNet, speak not only of resilience, but of gratitude. In the face of life-altering diagnoses and grueling treatments, they consistently point to the people, moments, and simple joys that bring light into their lives.

Defined as the practice of recognizing and appreciating what we have, gratitude can be a powerful mindset for those navigating the uncertainty of cancer. Experts interviewed by SurvivorNet encourage both patients and their loved ones to embrace gratitude as a tool for emotional well-being and mental strength.

WATCH: Finding gratitude and its impact on your well-being.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has seen firsthand how this mindset can transform the treatment experience.

“The patients who do well with cancer live life with gratitude—not for the disease itself, but for the clarity it brings,” he explains. “They’re grateful for the opportunity to understand that life is finite, and that every moment matters.”

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies show that cultivating gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced stress—two critical factors in supporting mental health during treatment.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. It can be as simple as pausing each day to reflect on what brings you joy or jotting down a few things you’re thankful for in a journal. These small acts can help reframe even the most difficult days, offering a sense of control, hope, and emotional grounding.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are living with psoriasis, you may have additional questions for your care team. Here are a few to help begin that conversation.

• What type of psoriasis do I have, and how severe is it?
• Which treatment options are best for my symptoms and lifestyle?
• What triggers should I watch out for, and how can I prevent flare-ups?
• How might psoriasis affect my overall health or be linked to other conditions?
• What kind of daily skin care routine should I follow to reduce discomfort and protect my skin?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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