Kimberly Williams-Paisley opens up about feeling 'invisible' over her 'terrifying' voiceless two years

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Kimberly Williams-Paisley faced a challenging period in her life when she nearly lost her speaking voice for two years. Her struggles began in the fall of 2022 during an event she hosted with her sister, Ashley Williams.

The 'Father of the Bride' actress shared her journey of dealing with the physical and emotional toll of her condition as doctors worked to uncover the cause of her sudden voice loss.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley recalls her 'terrifying' voice issues

Kimberly Williams-Paisley described it as a “terrifying” experience, one that affected not just her ability to communicate but also her sense of identity in an interview with People.

“I felt trapped in my own body,” Williams-Paisley said, “There was so much shame involved. I felt invisible.”

She said her ordeal began unexpectedly while co-hosting an event with Ashley Williams. “I put the mic to my mouth, and nothing came out,” she said. “It was terrifying.”

Her voice, reduced to a whisper, also failed her at the premiere of her film 'Dog Gone' in January 2023. She recalled retreating to the bathroom in tears, feeling overwhelmed by the noise on the carpet.

“I sounded weak, and it’s not how I felt,” the actress said. “I went into the bathroom and cried, and a couple of friends held my hand."

Kimberly Williams-Paisley battled anxiety and depression after losing her voice

Kimberly Williams-Paisley's challenges with her voice soon began to affect her mental health. “There were days when I didn’t want to do anything,” she said.

“Days when I was extra tired. Cycling anxiety thoughts in the middle of the night. I wouldn’t say I had clinical depression, but I was sad.” She felt increasingly isolated, worrying that something she had done caused her condition.

Months of medical visits and holistic treatments provided no answers. Williams-Paisley explored acupuncture, massage, antidepressants, braces, hypnosis, a vegan diet, and even consultations with a psychic.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley was diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia

It wasn’t until Kimberly Williams-Paisley visited Vanderbilt Voice Center in early 2023 that doctors diagnosed her with muscle tension dysphonia. Her neck muscles were so tight that her vocal cords were barely visible.

The actress credited the support of her husband, Brad Paisley, and their sons, Huck, 17, and Jasper, 15, during this period. Despite their encouragement, she struggled with social interactions.

“I love dinner parties and being around people, but I didn’t want to go out,” Williams-Paisley said. “I couldn’t be a part of the conversation. There were days when I grieved and sobbed. I wondered, ‘Who am I without my voice?’”

After nearly a year of work to relax her body and muscles, doctors discovered the root cause: her left vocal cord wasn’t meeting her right. Williams-Paisley shared how this diagnosis shifted her perspective.

“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.”

Kimberly Williams-Paisley's voice returned after surgery  

Kimberly Williams-Paisley underwent surgery in August, and her voice returned almost immediately.

“I couldn’t believe it was true,” she said. While she still experiences mild raspiness at the end of a long day, she embraces it as a new part of herself.

“I’ve learned that when you talk quieter, people lean in, which is not bad either,” she added.

Reflecting on her experience, Williams-Paisley noted how losing her voice helped her find inner strength. “I had to fight to be heard,” she said.

“Now, no matter what my physical voice is, my voice underneath is stronger. I feel more confident. I know myself better.” She concluded, “I never want to take my voice for granted—and I want to be brave in using it.”