After months of silence, former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Ashlee Holmes is stepping back into the spotlight with a raw and honest update on her health.
The 34-year-old reality personality and makeup artist took to social media on Sunday, June 22, sharing a video where she slowly steps back from the camera to reveal her current body. The post, paired with a candid caption, marks her return to social media after what she describes as a difficult and deeply personal journey.
“The good news? Family is great. Career is great,” Holmes began. “The ‘bad’ news? Due to some health issues that I’m still navigating, in addition to some personal stressors, I have gained roughly 40lbs since December — and even more over the last year.”
Holmes didn’t hold back in sharing the emotional toll the changes have taken on her. She admitted that the physical transformation led her to withdraw from social platforms.
“I’ve been feeling pretty reclusive,” she wrote. But after time away, she says she now feels “a level of safety and confidence” that allows her to re-engage and speak openly about her experience.
Though Holmes didn’t specify her exact diagnosis, the hashtags included in her post—#autoimmune, #thyroidhealth, and #pcos—hint at underlying medical conditions that could be contributing to her weight gain and overall health challenges.
“So… this is where I’m at in my body right now,” she continued. “It may seem like nothing to a lot of you, but it matters to me. I’m taking all of the steps to get healthy from the inside out.”
Support quickly poured in, including a heartfelt comment from her mom, RHONJ alum Jacqueline Laurita, who wrote, “You look beautiful to me!”
@ashleeholmesmua Hi. It’s Ashlee. The good news? Family is great. Career is great. The “bad” news? Due to some health issues that I’m still navigating, in addition to some personal stressors, I have gained roughly 40lbs since December — and even more over the last year. Wild. It’s caused me to hide myself from all of you in so many ways, it’s made me pretty reclusive, and although my mental health has been in a good space overall — I’ve been battling some mild depression because of it. I’m thankful for God, my family, and my close friends for being there for me. I’m also thankful for certain influencers that have been championing loving your body in every stage on their social media platforms. — Shout out to people like @Victoria Garrick Browne @Sarah Nicole @thebirdspapaya @Alexandra Cooper @kristenlouelle +more for being vulnerable with their own stories and showing up confidently for others. ?? — I finally feel a level of safety and confidence for me to return to social media the way I used to be able to show up for you guys without fear of criticism from the keyboard warriors out there. Trolls are always gonna troll. I’m so grateful for those of you who have continued to follow me over the years. I’m back. ?? So… this is where I’m at in my body right now. It may seem like nothing to a lot of you, but it matters to me. I’m taking all of the steps to get healthy from the inside out. Come along for the ride. I’ll share more along the way. ? (Good thing one of my best friends is @Jacqui Nguyen | IFBB Bikini eh? ??) #healthjourney #autoimmune #thyroidhealth #hormonehealth #pcos #wellness #rhonj #fyp ? original sound – Ashlee Holmes
Holmes rose to public attention in 2009 when her mother joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. Over the years, she’s carved out her own path as a professional makeup artist, all while remaining candid about the highs and lows of life in the public eye.
Now, it seems she’s ready to continue that openness—this time, bringing her followers along on her journey toward healing and self-acceptance. And as she puts it, she’s focusing on getting “healthy from the inside out”—a message that resonates far beyond reality TV.
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