Supermodel Anok Yai opened up this weekend on social media, revealing that she has been quietly battling a critical well being situation after being recognized with a congenital defect that was “overworking my coronary heart and slowly destroying my lungs,” she shared in an emotional Instagram put up Friday.
The 28-year-old mannequin stated the situation had been “asymptomatic for almost all of my life,” however over the previous 12 months, she started experiencing signs that shortly worsened. What started as a lingering cough progressed to chest pains, bouts of coughing up blood, and, at instances, problem respiration. “I selected to work via this whereas looking for the proper physician and the proper time,” Yai wrote, “I shortly realized there was by no means going to be a ‘proper time — my well being would proceed to worsen.”
Yai, who has emerged as one of many vogue trade’s most seen faces and was just lately named Mannequin of the Yr on the 2025 Vogue Awards, stated she initially tried to push via the well being points whereas persevering with her work. “I’ve all the time thought I might outwork or outrun something however the universe has a manner of slowing you down and waking you up,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside pictures and clips from her hospital keep.
On Thursday, the mannequin underwent a profitable robotic lung surgical procedure carried out by Dr. Robert Cerfolio and his group. Robotic thoracic surgical procedure — a minimally invasive process — is commonly used to take away diseased lung tissue and deal with advanced pulmonary situations. “Due to [Dr. Cerfolio] and his gracious and proficient group who I’m without end indebted to for giving me extra time,” she wrote.
Yai additionally expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who helped establish her situation, together with Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and the employees at Beverly Hills Concierge Well being, in addition to the medical doctors and nurses at NYU Langone. She thanked her household and associates for his or her help, writing that they have been “the very first thing I noticed once I wakened.”
“For now I’m therapeutic… however I’ll be again,” she concluded, signing the put up with a coronary heart and a message of resilience.
Pals and colleagues of the supermodel shared their help within the feedback beneath her put up.
“Spending you’re keen on . gentle and therapeutic .,, might God cowl and defend you ❤️❤️🩹❤️🙏🏾,” Naomi Campbell wrote.
“Wishing you a speedy restoration angel ❤️,” Edward Enningful added.
Snoh Aalegra, Winnie Harlow, Daniel Caesar, and La La Anthony have been additionally amongst her well-wishers.
Yai’s disclosure highlights the challenges of diagnosing congenital situations that may stay hidden for years earlier than changing into symptomatic, and the significance of attentive medical care when uncommon signs seem.
