Australian actor Aisha Dee recently opened up about her experiences with chronic pain and the challenges of navigating life and career in the entertainment industry. Speaking from Melbourne while promoting a women’s health campaign, Dee reflected on her journey with undiagnosed endometriosis and the broader issues surrounding women’s health.

Dee, 33, who was raised on Queensland’s Gold Coast, moved to Los Angeles 15 years ago and has lived there quietly, describing her life as “pretty chill.” Despite being in the spotlight for roles such as Kat Edison on the television series The Bold Type (2017–2021), and a Logie-nominated performance on SBS drama Safe Home in 2023, Dee maintains a preference for a more low-key existence away from the industry’s hustle. She expressed concern about recent shifts in Hollywood following the pandemic and writers’ strike, noting the worry that the industry could be moving away from Los Angeles.

Her longtime struggle with chronic pain stemmed from years of undiagnosed endometriosis, a condition she began experiencing in her early twenties but was not diagnosed with until recently. Dee described how pelvic pain, often dismissed or normalized in women’s lives, significantly affected her mental health. “We’re conditioned from a really young age to believe: Oh, you’re gonna be in pain; your periods are gonna suck. But we’re not supposed to be in pain all of the time,” she said. The late diagnosis and prolonged discomfort led to emotional difficulties, with Dee citing moments when she felt despair but credits the support of her close network for helping her through.

In her current role as the face of Swisse’s “Hysteria” campaign, Dee is raising awareness about the historical underfunding and bias toward women’s health issues, pointing out that only 3% of medical research funding goes toward such conditions. The campaign aims to confront long-standing stigma around topics like menstruation and fertility.

Dee also touched on the challenges of managing a public persona in the social media era. Though active on Instagram with over half a million followers, she excludes herself from platforms like TikTok and wrestles with how to present authenticity online, especially when coping with health setbacks. This theme is explored in her recent work, including the series Apple Cider Vinegar and the psychological horror-comedy Sissy, in which she portrays a social media wellness influencer.

Looking ahead, Dee is continuing her acting career with a role in the second season of the Prime Video comedy series Overcompensating, created by U.S. comedian Benito Skinner. She described the show as “warm and cosy,” offering a lighter tone that contrasts with some of her heavier past projects. Dee credits a chance encounter with Skinner as the start of her involvement in the series.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Dee revealed she is in a relationship and is focusing on finding balance amid the pressures of fame and health challenges.

For more information on Swisse’s women’s health campaign, visit wearehysterical.com.au. Support services are available at beyondblue.org.au.