Unstoppable: How Sopranos Star Jamie Lynn Sigler Has Redefined Success While Navigating Society With Multiple Sclerosis
…I’m only giving you a glimpse, but there have been some tough moments throughout, and I still experience them. Over 22 years of living with RMS, I’ve discovered a process of reflecting, reframing, and reaching out, helping myself and others with RMS to voice their needs and explore possibilities at any stage in their journey. The first step is reflecting on your emotions and experiences, which often includes dealing with grief, sadness, and depression. I’ve had my share of these emotions, and processing them has allowed me to move to the next step: reframing. This involves asking how I can still achieve my goals and live my dreams despite RMS. The final step is reaching out for help, something I had to learn. This means finding resources and support to live the fullest life possible, whether it’s attending a concert, a baseball game, or holiday events, with the help of friends and family…
I had the pleasure to talk to Jamie-Lynn Sigler. Jamie is a multifaceted American actress and singer, starting her career at age 7. She rose to fame for her role as Meadow Soprano in HBO’s “The Sopranos” from 1999 to 2007, earning critical acclaim and awards for her performance. Sigler’s theatrical prowess was showcased in numerous productions, including “Annie,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “Gypsy.” In 2001, she played the lead in “Cinderella” opposite Eartha Kitt and made her Broadway debut as Belle in “Beauty and the Beast.”
Beyond acting, Sigler starred in the USA Network’s movie “Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss” and appeared in films like “Extreme Dating.” She also featured in Mariah Carey’s music video for “Through the Rain.” Her battle with an eating disorder in the late 1990s led her to become a spokesperson for the National Eating Disorders Association. In 2002, she released her autobiography, “Wise Girl.”
Jamie married baseball player Cutter Dykstra in 2016, with whom she has two children, Beau Kyle and Jack Adam. She has faced health challenges, including being diagnosed with relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) at age 20, a fact she revealed in 2016.
Sigler is of Cuban, Greek, Romanian, and Sephardic Jewish descent. Fluent in Spanish, she has embraced her diverse heritage. Her contributions to television, film, and theater, alongside her advocacy work and personal resilience, mark her as a notable figure in the entertainment industry.
Yitzi: Jamie, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in, we’d love to learn about your origin story. Can you share this story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Jamie: Sure. I am the third and youngest child, and the only girl in the Sigler family. I was born in Bayside, Queens, New York, and then moved to Jericho, Long Island when I was about four or five. That’s where I grew up. I had a typical Long Island childhood. I went to dance class, gymnastics, had my bat mitzvah, and during that time, I developed a love for musical theater. I participated in many community theater productions across Long Island, a few professional summer stock shows, and I did one national tour. When I was about 16, there was a casting call for a show called ‘Sopranos’ for a 16-year-old Italian-looking girl. I figured I could pass for Italian, having a Cuban mother and a Greek father. I looked Italian enough. I thought it was a musical because of the title. So, I auditioned for the role, and the rest is history. I think everyone knows about me from then on.
Yitzi: That’s great. Okay, amazing. Do you feel comfortable sharing the story of how you were first diagnosed with MS?
Jamie: Sure. I was in the beginning of filming the fourth season of Sopranos. It was a busy and stressful time in my life, but I was 20 years old, healthy, and strong, so I didn’t think there was anything I couldn’t handle. I started to feel some weird symptoms, like numbness, tingling in my legs, heaviness, and some bladder issues. I went to the hospital to figure out what was going on. After a series of tests, I was given the surprising and sobering news that I had multiple sclerosis. Fortunately, I had a wonderful neurologist who diagnosed me and reassured me that this wasn’t a death sentence. I could still live a long and healthy life, have children, and continue being an actress. I had to rethink my ambitions of being a dancer, but there were still many possibilities for me. However, I was scared. I wasn’t knowledgeable about what MS meant for me and didn’t know anyone who had it, except for a few celebrities who had mentioned it but had passed away. At that time, it felt like the best decision to keep it a secret. Looking back, maybe I wouldn’t have done that, but I had enough people in my life who knew and protected me with that information while I figured out what it meant for me and my life.
Yitzi: Wow. How long did you keep it a secret?
Jamie: 15 years.
Yitzi: Wow. Was there a pivot point that made you say, okay, now I’m not keeping the secret?
Jamie: Yes, the last few years of keeping it a secret were increasingly difficult. I found myself making up excuses at work for my limp, blaming it on a hurt back, knee, or ankle. This dishonesty was uncomfortable, and I didn’t like it. Work became a challenge, not because of the job itself, but because I was constantly trying to avoid being found out. During a break from acting, I had a baby boy and met my husband. My closest friends encouraged me to be open about my condition, assuring me that people would still accept and love me just as they always had. My biggest fear was that people would see me only for my disease and set limitations on me without understanding my personal experience with RMS. However, teaching my son to embrace his uniqueness and the beauty in being different made me realize I wasn’t practicing what I preached. With my wedding approaching, a time of joy and celebration, I decided to face my biggest fear and disclose my MS diagnosis. What surprised me most was the unexpected gift of community from others living with MS. Before, I felt isolated, thinking no one could understand my struggles. But sharing my story connected me with millions who knew exactly what I was going through. While I may have helped some by speaking out, the support and connection I’ve received in return have been incredibly beneficial. It turned out to be a beautiful gift.
Yitzi: Wow. Unbelievable. From the outside perspective, your reality might be different, but it seems like you haven’t missed a beat. It appears like it hasn’t stopped you at all.
Jamie: Yes, from the outside it might seem that way, but I’m collaborating with Novartis to create a three-step guide, available at reframingms.com. I’m only giving you a glimpse, but there have been some tough moments throughout, and I still experience them. Over 22 years of living with RMS, I’ve discovered a process of reflecting, reframing, and reaching out, helping myself and others with RMS to voice their needs and explore possibilities at any stage in their journey.
The first step is reflecting on your emotions and experiences, which often includes dealing with grief, sadness, and depression. I’ve had my share of these emotions, and processing them has allowed me to move to the next step: reframing.
This involves asking how I can still achieve my goals and live my dreams despite RMS.
The final step is reaching out for help, something I had to learn. This means finding resources and support to live the fullest life possible, whether it’s attending a concert, a baseball game, or holiday events, with the help of friends and family.
I’m thankful to Novartis for helping to create this guide. It’s also taught me the importance of discussing my condition with my doctor, and recognizing that I have a voice in my treatment decisions. After extensive discussions with my doctor, we chose KESIMPTA or ofatumumab as it works for me and my schedule — I can take it myself, at home or on the go. We discussed the risks and potential side effects, but it was the right choice for me. This open dialogue with my doctor, especially regarding treatment plans during pregnancy, gave me a sense of control in a situation where control can often feel lost.*
Yitzi: As you know, Christina Applegate recently also shared her diagnosis. Can you talk about how your story is similar or different than hers?
Jamie: Christina and I have been friends for a long time through our mutual friend, Lance Bass. MS has really bonded us and brought us closer. When Christina was diagnosed, Lance put us in touch. In our first conversation, I advised her to set boundaries, especially since she was filming the third season of Dead to Me and was the star. I helped guide her in adjusting to working with a body that now had more limitations. We learned together about setting boundaries and being vocal about what we can and cannot do. At the same time, I was working too. We’ve been able to help each other. Despite my 22 years of experience with MS, Christina reminds me that it’s okay to feel the tough emotions sometimes. We’ve discussed the three-step guide a lot, and she’s familiar with reframingms.com. This process isn’t just for those living with MS or a chronic illness; it’s beneficial for dealing with any unexpected life challenges.
Yitzi: That’s great. So this is our signature question that we ask in all of our interviews. Looking back on your experience and your amazing work, do you have five things you wish people understood about MS?
Jamie: Sure.
- People with MS are in fact very strong.
- They sometimes don’t want to ask for help, so maybe ask if they need it.
- They are warriors.
- I’ve found that they are very funny and have a good sense of humor.
- Lastly, people with MS get to see the world with different eyes. Their bodies might have been hardened, but I think their hearts have been softened by what they deal with.
Yitzi: That’s great. Just to clarify, and maybe this is humorous, did you say warriors or worriers?
Jamie: Warriors, with an A.
Yitzi: So you don’t think they are worriers?
Jamie: At least for me, I don’t have the bandwidth to worry anymore. I take one day at a time, and it’s brought me a more beautiful outlook on life. I think I’m more present and it’s more day-to-day. That’s been a benefit for me, especially with my children, because children live in the moment.
Yitzi: Jamie, because of the great work you have done and are doing, you have an enormous platform. A lot of people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Jamie: No pressure, right? That’s a big one. I find that always listening with the willingness to have my mind changed is important. When I do that, it allows me to really hear and see people in a way that I might not have before. So, I’m always open to having my mind changed.
Yitzi: That’s great, that’s beautiful. So how can our readers continue to follow your work? How can they find more about the Reframing MS book?
Jamie: Reframingms.com is the website to find the three-step guide. I’m Jamie Lynn Sigler on Instagram, which is really the only social media where I’m active. I also have a podcast with my Sopranos brother called Not Today Pal. We’re just coming out of a strike, so I’m looking for my next gig. Hopefully, you’ll see me in something soon.
Yitzi: I wish you continued success and good health. It’s really been an honor to do this with you, and hopefully, we can do it again for our third time.
Jamie: Yeah, all the best. Take care. Thank you so much.
Disclaimer: Please note that while considering any medication, including KESIMPTA, it’s crucial to be aware of potential risks. Before prescribing KESIMPTA, doctors typically test patients for an active Hepatitis B infection, as those with active Hepatitis B infection shouldn’t take KESIMPTA. Additionally, your doctor will discuss the possibility of serious side effects, which may include infections, injection reactions, lowered antibody levels, and other common ones like headaches.
As Jamie-Lynn Sigler shared in her interview, experiences with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can vary greatly among individuals. Therefore, those with Relapsing MS (RMS) are strongly advised to consult their doctor to find a treatment plan that works for them, particularly if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
For more detailed information, please visit ReframingMS.com.
Unstoppable: How Sopranos Star Jamie Lynn Sigler Has Redefined Success While Navigating Society… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.