Celebrities with coronavirus urge fans to stay safe

As the global coronavirus pandemic and its effects continue to reverberate around the world, some of Hollywood's biggest stars have spoken about their own experience testing positive for the virus, which has been dubbed COVID-19 by the scientific community. Scroll through for the stars who have been diagnosed with the illness, and how they're urging fans to stay safe and take the virus seriously.

Opera legend Andrea Bocelli confirmed he and his family tested positive for the coronavirus in March and have all since recovered.

"My whole family was contaminated ... It was like living a nightmare," the singer told reporters in a video shared by Italian newspaper La Stampa and translated by French outlet France 24.

The tenor said he and his wife donated their plasma in Pisa for research purposes. Bocelli sang for audiences on Easter Sunday from his native Italy via YouTube that has been streamed by more than 40 million people to date.

Tony Shalhoub is an Emmy and Tony award-winning actor who famously played detective Adrian Monk on USA Network's Monk and currently stars in Amazon's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Shalhoub revived the Monk character, who had obsessive-compulsive disorder, for the debut episode of Peacock's At-Home Variety Show, he confirmed he and his wife had coronavirus in April. The pair has since recovered after "a pretty rough few weeks."

On May 3, CBS News' Lesley Stahl revealed she had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

During an a video at the end of Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes, Stahl shared that she and several other colleagues at the show had been diagnosed with COVID-19. Each case is presenting differently. "I was one of the more than one million Americans who did [contract the coronavirus]," she said. "I wasn't alone from this broadcast."

Stahl went on to pay tribute to the doctors and nurses involved in fighting the epidemic, adding, "Tonight, we all owe them our gratitude, our admirations — and in some cases, our lives.”

Madame X is a dancer, a professor, a head of state, a housekeeper, an equestrian, a prisoner, a student, a mother, a child, a teacher, a nun, a singer, a saint, a whore, and a new carrier of coronavirus antibodies!

Though the 61-year-old Queen of Pop did not explicitly state that she had coronavirus, she revealed in an Instagram video that she tested positive for coronavirus antibodies, which the CDC describes as sickness-fighting proteins that "show if you had a previous infection with the virus." 

The country star was touring behind his latest album Sound & Fury when coronavirus quarantine went into effect. Simpson says he was experiencing symptoms like fever and high blood pressure as early as March 13, but wasn't able to get tested until April 9. He has now tested positive, even though he's had symptoms for more than a month, and is under self-quarantine until April 19. 

"The CDC nurse I spoke to yesterday told me that it reacts differently in a case-by-case basis and the White House briefings and the information they are providing is basically pure speculation causing fear and that the only thing anybody knows is that we don’t really know much yet," Simpson wrote on Instagram.

The six-time Tony nominee and star of Broadway's Moulin Rouge! The Musical penned an April 13 column about his experience with COVID-19. He described how he fell to his "hands and knees in the shower" and had "been coughing up blood for two to three days" before making the decision to go to the hospital. 

In the op-ed, he wrote about his time in the COVID unit in harrowing detail, and praised the work of his doctors. He said he finally returned home on March 27.

On April 13, Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos announced his diagnosis on the ABC morning show. The news comes nearly two weeks after his wife, actress and author Ali Wentworth, confirmed she tested positive for COVID-19.

Stephanopoulos said that he has been "basically asymptomatic." "I’ve never had a fever, never had chills, never had a headache, never had a cough, never had shortness of breath," said Stephanopoulos, who has been working from home for the past month or so. "I’m feeling great." He added that the only thing he's really noticed was some back pain and a diminished sense of taste at one point.

While thanking fans for their birthday wishes on April 10, Grammy-winning singer Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds revealed that he and his family had tested positive for coronavirus. "I feel so blessed to celebrate another birthday... it's an incredibly scary thing to go through my friends," Edmonds said of his diagnosis. "I'm happy to report we have now tested negative and are on our way back to full health."

Todd Chrisley is recovering after testing positive for COVID-19. The Chrisley Knows Best star, 52, revealed on his Chrisley Confessions podcast that he had been "battling corona" for three weeks resulting in being hospitalized for four and a half days. He has since been released and is recovering at home.

"It has been the sickest that I have ever been in the 52 years I’ve been on this earth," he said. "I cannot ever tell you a time in my life where I have ever been as sick as what I had been with the coronavirus...This has been a life-altering experience for me. I know it’s been a life-altering experience for everyone in my family."

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jennifer Aydin announced on April 8 that she tested positive for COVID-19.

The cast member, who joined the show in 2018, revealed the news on Instagram. 

"Why I've been MIA: I've been sick for the past 10 days and Monday is when my test came back positive," she captioned a video, adding that she was beginning to feel better. 

She ended the post by writing, "We'll all get through this. #staypositive #stayinside #covid19."

On April 5, Duran Duran bassist John Taylor revealed in a note posted on the band's Twitter account that he tested positive for coronavirus "almost three weeks ago." 

"Perhaps I am a particularly robust 59-year-old — I like to think I am — or was blessed with getting only a mild case of COVID-19, but after a week or so of what I would describe as a 'Turbo-charged Flu', I came out of it feeling okay," Taylor wrote, adding, "I am speaking out to answer to the enormous amount of fear being generated by the pandemic, some of it entirely justified, and my heart goes out to everyone who has had to deal with real loss and pain. But I want to let you know that it isn’t always a killer, and we can and will beat this thing."

Marianne Faithfull, known for her 1964 hit "As Tears Go By," is being treated for COVID-19 in a London hospital. "She is stable and responding to treatment, we all wish her well and a full and speedy recovery," read an April 4 statement from her manager. 

The 73-year-old has previously dealt with numerous health issues, including breast cancer, hepatitis C, and a broken hip in 2014. 

The singer-songwriter, one of the most visible female artists of the British Invasion, released her 21st album in 2018, titled Negative Capability.

Faithfull recently signed off on a biopic about her life, starring Bohemian Rhapsody's Lucy Boynton. It was set to begin filming in fall 2020, but with the coronavirus pandemic, that timeline could change. 

Pink announced via Twitter on April 3 that she tested positive for coronavirus two weeks ago and has since recovered from it. "This illness is serious and real," she wrote. "People need to know that the illness affects the young and old, healthy and unhealthy, rich and poor, and we must make testing free and more widely accessible to protect our children, our families, our friends and our communities."

Because of her experience, Pink is donating $1 million to coronavirus relief funds "in an effort to support the healthcare professionals who are battling on the frontlines every day."

CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin announced on Instagram April 3 that she had tested positive for coronavirus. "I am OKAY," Baldwin wrote. "It came on suddenly yesterday afternoon. Chills, aches, fever. I’ve been social distancing. Doing ALL the things we're being told to do. Still — it got me. I’m healthy… no underlying conditions… Honestly, I feel like one of the lucky ones."

Baldwin is the second CNN anchor to test positive for the virus, following Chris Cuomo. Despite her diagnosis, Baldwin says she’s looking forward to being back on TV "real soon."

"And shout out to the doctors and nurses who are doing the real work right now," she added.

Sara Bareilles revealed on April 2 that she tested positive for coronavirus, but has since recovered. The singer announced the news on her Instagram Stories while she was out "social distance walking."

"I had it, just so you know. I’m fully recovered, just so you know," Bareilles said. "I am just thinking about all of the people who are walking through this really tricky time and sending a lot of love and just being really grateful for every easy breath and every day that I get to be walking around. Lots of love, you guys. Take care of yourselves."

On Rosie O'Donnell's live show March 23, Bareilles' Waitress costar Gavin Creel said he was "pretty sure" he had the illness, despite not getting tested. The actor explained that one of his other Waitress castmates (not Bareilles) had tested positive and they had been around each other for some time. But Bareilles did not elaborate on when she contracted the illness, when she recovered, or other details. 

Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell revealed on April 2 that he tested positive for coronavirus. Fortunately, it seemed he was on the mend, with the worst already over.

"The good news is, over the last few days I've isolated myself. I come to you from the bedroom now," Mitchell said in a Twitter video, adding that his family has "been 100 percent asymptomatic." "I love you guys so much, thank you for everything you've been doing for me. The other good news is, for the last few days, probably the last three or four, every day that has passed has been better than the previous. So I'm pretty sure I'm over the hump for this right now."

Mitchell has been a Broadway leading man since the '90s, and in 2000 won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in the revival of Kiss Me, Kate. 

CNN anchor Chris Cuomo announced March 31 that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

"In these difficult times that seem to get more difficult and complicated by the day, I just found out that I am positive for coronavirus," Cuomo wrote in a message on Twitter. "I have been exposed to people in recent days who have subsequently tested positive and I had fevers, chills, and shortness of breath. I just hope I didn't give it to the kids and Cristina. That would make me feel worse than this illness!"

Cuomo, whose brother is New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said he will continue to host his show Cuomo Prime Time from home while he recovers. He ended his message on a positive note: "We will all beat this by being smart and tough and united!"

Rapper and Geto Boys co-founder Scarface revealed in a March 26 interview with his bandmate Willie D that he had been hospitalized as a result of the virus.

The rapper said he first found out he tested positive for COVID-19 two days prior after weeks of battling the illness. Scarface said initially his symptoms started as "an itch in [his] throat," which then progressed to a fever, at which point he went to the emergency room and received antibiotics. He would later return to the hospital with even worse symptoms. "It started off with pneumonia in both of my lungs and three or four days later my kidneys failed," he said. “I’ve been to the point where I felt I was gonna die.”

"It's not fake," he warned listeners. "I'm not all the way out the woods yet... People out there thinking this s— is a game, it ain't no joke."

On March 25, Hart of Dixie and Legally Blonde: The Musical actress Laura Bell Bundy announced on Instagram that she tested positive for coronavirus.

"Do not be alarmed, I am okay," she said in a video message. "I am taking everything in stride. I am taking all the nutritional supplements that have been recommended by my doctor." Bundy, who explained that she had been self-quarantined since March 12, said she wanted to share her symptoms, though they are "minor." She said initially she had a fever and a sore throat, and a few days later felt tightness in her chest and shortness of breath intermittently. 

“It’s very, very, scary, of course I’m scared,” she said, adding that she believes she could have contracted the illness at an event she went to before she started self-quarantine. “I highly encourage everybody to stay inside. My belief is that more people have this than they realize and could be carriers. I was tested, but many people can’t get tested.”

She concluded, “Please take care of yourselves, do not expose yourself to relatives that are older, friends that are older, or anybody really.”

Rapper Slim Thug revealed to his fans on Instagram that he tested positive for COVID-19. "No games being played," he began the video, which he shared to his account March 24. "As careful as I've been self-quarantined and staying home, I might have gotten something to eat or something or did some stuff like that — simple stuff like that, nothing crazy — stayed in my truck, had masks, gloves, everything on. And my test came back positive."

Slim Thug said he feels much better after having a slight fever and cough initially, but he encouraged his followers to follow quarantine guidelines and to get their symptoms checked out if they're concerned. "Take it seriously. It's real out here," he concluded.

Rocker Jackson Browne told Rolling Stone on March 24 that he tested positive for COVID-19. Luckily, he said his symptoms were "pretty mild" and that he wouldn't be requiring medication or hospitalization.

The 71-year-old said he suspected he may have contracted the illness at the annual Love Rocks NYC benefit in New York City, which also featured artists like Cyndi Lauper and Dave Matthews. Browne also cautioned young people who feel they aren't impacted by the virus to take it seriously. "They need to take part in the global response to stop the spread," he said. "That means not going anywhere, not getting into contact with anybody, not seeing anybody.”

Aaron Tviet, star of the Moulin Rouge! Broadway show, informed fans on Monday, March 23 that he’d tested positive for coronavirus, but is feeling “much better.” The actor has been in quarantine since Broadway closed down on March 12, though Moulin Rouge! actually halted production one day prior to the industry-wide shutdown, when one member of the company had a fever. “I consider myself extremely lucky that my symptoms have been very mild — cold like with no fever — as so many are experiencing much more serious symptoms, because this is a very dangerous virus,” he wrote on Instagram. “I was tested last Monday, and just found out the results, however, I have been taking this situation extremely seriously, even before I was tested. I want everyone to realize that this can affect anyone. And even if you aren’t feeling sick or showing drastic symptoms - please take heed, stay safe, stay healthy and I hope to see everyone at the theater again soon.”

On March 22, news broke that disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein had tested positive for the virus. Weinstein is one of two inmates at Wende Correctional Facility in western New York who tested positive, according to Reuters. Weinstein is currently serving out a 23-year sentence for committing a criminal sex act in the first degree and rape in the third degree. No official statement from Weinstein with regards to the diagnosis or pandemic has been made.

Spanish opera singer Plácido Domingo on March 22 announced he has tested positive for coronavirus.

"I feel it is my moral duty to announce to you that I have tested positive for COVID19, the Corona virus," he wrote in a post on his Facebook page. "My Family and I are all in self isolation for as long as it is deemed medically necessary. Currently we are all in good health but I experienced fever and cough symptoms therefore deciding to get tested and the result came back positive."

He urged followers "to be extremely careful, follow the basic guidelines by washing your hands frequently, keeping at least a 6 feet distance from others, doing everything you can to stop the virus from spreading and please above all stay home if you can!"

Domingo recently resigned from the opera singer union AGMA, after an internal investigation by the American Guild of Musical Artists and LA Opera found multiple accusations of sexual harassment against him.

Like DiMarco, Broadway star Gavin Creel announced on March 22 that he believes he has COVID-19, but he has not been formally tested for the virus.

Creel revealed the news during Rosie O'Donnell's live-streamed show. "I'm pretty sure I have the virus," Creel said. "I haven't been officially tested, but I was doing Waitress in London and a bunch of our cast has fallen sick from it. One of my castmates did test the same day that I was starting to have symptoms, and she's positive and we were together the whole time." 

He described his symptoms as having a "cruddy flu." He said he's "hanging tight" and shared that his doctor told him to stay away from other people for 14 days.

Dancing With the Stars champion Nyle DiMarco said on March 21 via his Twitter account that he believes he has coronavirus but that he has opted to forego getting tested so that people with more serious symptoms can take the test instead.

DiMarco said he began experiencing symptoms of the virus, including a spiked fever, chills, sore throat, and a mild cough, as well as a lack of smell and taste, and that he spoke with his doctor and placed himself on self-quarantine.

"I'd really like to stress the importance of testing," he wrote on social media. "Of course testing is critical and it's been proven in some countries like South Korea to greatly help the efforts of combating Coronavirus. In a perfect world I would take that test. However, the U.S. lacks enough test kits for everyone. If you are healthy and if you have no respiratory issues I strongly encourage you to be mindful of sick patients and allow them to get tested if they need it more than you do. And please stay home." He ended his note by saying, "We're all in this together. Let's do it."

Younger star Debi Mazar announced March 21 on her Instagram that she had tested positive for the virus.

"I have just tested positive for Covid-19. I AM OK!" she wrote. "About a month ago my entire home (husband and two teen daughters) got an odd bug - Low grade fever, headaches, sore throat, body aches, ears ringing and a dry cough. It cleared up quickly. Seasonal I thought? but it felt unusual/different... Two weeks later, March 15th, I woke up with all those same symptoms but super intense body aches, and 102.4 fever. I figured maybe I got the flu or..Corona?"

Like many others, Mazar had issues getting access to a test because she didn't meet the stated "criteria" to get one, but when she finally took the test, it came back positive. "I'm hoping I’ve been through the worst of it already... One day I feel crappy and the next I’m normal. Today my lungs are heavy, but I’m tough. I can breath, and I’m going to heal here, in my own home!"

She ended her message by telling her fans to stay home. "Protect yourselves & your loved ones. Build up your immune systems. Good Luck & God Bless us all!"

Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen said on March 20 that he has coronavirus.

"After a few days of self-quarantine, and not feeling great, I have tested positive for Coronavirus," he wrote in an Instagram post. "As much as I felt like I could push through whatever I was feeling to do #WWHL from home, we’re putting a pin in that for now so I can focus on getting better. I want to thank all the medical professionals who are working tirelessly for all of us, and urge everybody to stay home and take care of themselves."

Bachelor star Colton Underwood, who appeared on the show's 23rd season, announced on March 20 that he had tested positive for COVID-19, after first feeling symptoms of the illness a few days prior.

“It’s been kicking my ass, just to put it pretty bluntly,” the 28-year-old said in a video posted to his Instagram. “The main thing is I can’t even walk up a flight of stairs without being out of breath or go to the bathroom without having to sit down because I’m exhausted.”

Underwood said that he is currently self-isolating at his girlfriend Cassie Randolph's parents' home in California, but that everyone is "in good spirits" and he would keep fans posted.

“So, I guess the reason I’m sharing this is not to cause fear or panic, but to hopefully encourage you guys to stay home, do your part, take care of yourselves, take care of one another,” he said. “I just want to encourage everybody to stay at home. Stay in your house and do your part and take care of one another.”

Daniel Dae Kim revealed March 19 that he had tested positive for COVID-19 the day prior. The Lost and Hawaii Five-O actor posted a video to his Instagram explaining his experience so far with the illness. "Hi everyone- yesterday I was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus," he wrote alongside the video. "Looks like I’ll be ok, but I wanted share my journey with you in the hopes that you find it informative or helpful. Hope you all stay safe, calm, and above all, healthy."

In the video, which he filmed while he self-quarantines at his home in Hawaii, he explained his symptoms and his experience taking the test. The actor also said that though he is feeling much better, everyone should be taking this pandemic seriously. He concluded his video by thanking his family, friends, and fans for their support and kept things light by making a joke. "I guess it's nice to be mentioned in the same breath as Tom Hanks and Idris Elba, two of my favorite actors," he said. "I guess I'm in some pretty good company."

Game of Thrones and The Seagull star Indira Varma indicated March 18 on Instagram that she was sick from the illness.

"So sad our and so many other shows around the world have gone dark affected by the Covid-19 pandemic," she wrote. "We hope to be back soon and urge you all (and the govt) to support us when we do."

She concluded her note by urging her followers to be kind to others: "Phoenix/ Seagull rising from the ashes. I’m in bed with it and it’s not nice. Stay safe and healthy and be kind to your fellow people."

Singer and model Charlotte Lawrence announced March 18 that she had tested positive for COVID-19. 

In an Instagram post sharing the news, the 19-year-old daughter of actress Christa Miller and TV producer Bill Lawrence assured fans that she will be "completely fine," but urged her nearly 800,000 followers to do everything in their power to follow safety protocols and "protect those less able to survive this virus." 

"Think about your parents. Think about your grandparents. I love so many people who might have a very tough time getting through this," the Birds of Prey soundtrack singer continued. "For the love of God, self f—ing quarantine or you'll be on my s— list."