Chrisette Michele is” coming to grips with a bit” and giving herself room to take in the announcement of her new dementia treatment.
On Sunday, Grammy-winning musician Chrisette Michele took to Instagram to share things seriously specific: she’s been diagnosed with autism.
” I only learned I’m disabled. Standard diagnosis. They used the phrase ‘ greatly,'” Michele captioned the article. ” I’ve been silent on these. But … I’ve been around. Singing. … but learning to remove the face. One present at a time. ( The irony ) Just … coming to grips with a lot and giving myself room to take it all in”.
While some may have been surprised by the news, the performer said the treatment was affirming, offering her a fresh perspective on her life experience.
” My existence and its problems eventually make feel”, Michele continued. ” But thus much impression. Autistic. Would you get a pile of that … I’ll talk more quickly. Only wanted to say hi… from step side”.
Michele joins 1 in 45 people living with dementia and a rising number of Black people receiving dementia diagnoses later in life, a transition reflecting broader social conversations around neurodivergence and mental wellbeing in disadvantaged communities. According to a Harvard study, adult diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder ( ASD ) —a developmental condition that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction—are becoming increasingly common. But, research shows that Black people are also excluded from studies on ASD.
Michele’s flexibility contributes to a required unfolding of the shame surrounding neurodivergence, particularly among high-achieving Black people who’ve learned to “mask” their signs to live.
Fans immediately flooded her feedback with words of love and unity, some sharing their personal journeys toward self-discovery.
” As a brother neurodivergent who was diagnosed last November, the pain and then quick independence from realizing I’ve been living for the comfort of people to face knowing something was different in. Whewwww, the dropping of the helmet felt fast. We are free”, one person commented.
” Neurodivergent ladies unite”, another commenter added. ” There’s so much freedom in knowing and it’s really like unlocking a complete nother level of understanding in yourself.. offer yourself grace and love as you unmask, wishing you the best sweetheart”!
On the same day she shared her treatment, she opened for Anthony Hamilton in Atlanta. Off-stage, she hosts her namesake radio. In 2017, Michele made stories for her determination to do at Donald Trump’s first opening. Despite the reaction, Michele says her decision was rooted in a need to tunnel divides.
“ The first thing I thought was that I have an opportunity to get in front of these people who don’t seem to know who they’re talking to and show them what we look like”, she told Billboard in 2017, defending her selection”. I felt immediately committed to making sure that I stood up for the people who’ve felt disrespected and the immigrants who felt disrespected, areas that felt that they weren’t being heard or understood”, Michele stated. “ I thought that it was almost my responsibility to not just say yes but to say yes with purpose, so that was my reasoning. And no, I didn’t think twice about it”.
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Originally sourced via trusted media partner. https://thegrio.com/2025/06/17/chrisette-michele-finds-clarity-in-autism-diagnosis-my-life-finally-makes-sense/
