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Celeste Barber has built a global following by keeping it real. Her signature Instagram parodies poke fun at the unrealistic beauty standards that flood social media, offering a much-needed dose of humor and honesty to over 9.6 million people. But behind the laughs and self-confidence is a more personal—and often invisible—struggle that many of her fans may not expect.
It’s not her body that’s been her biggest source of insecurity. It’s her brain.
“I feel like I’m not smart. That’s my biggest insecurity,” Barber recently revealed, opening up about her experience with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
For years, she’s felt like her mind works against her rather than with her. Despite her success, ADHD has made it hard for her to fully enjoy the moment. “It doesn't let me enjoy my success,” she said. “I’m constantly going, ‘But what next, but what next?’”
That relentless mental loop—always thinking ahead, always feeling behind—is one many people with ADHD will instantly recognize. Barber’s candid reflection sheds light on what it’s really like to live with the condition, beyond the stereotypes and surface-level labels.
“I Knew I Was Different”: Celeste Barber on Growing Up Undiagnosed
Before the fame, the comedy, and the millions of Instagram followers, Celeste Barber was a kid growing up in northern New South Wales, navigating a world that didn’t understand her—and didn’t try to. Her ADHD went undiagnosed throughout her early years, and what looked like a loud, disruptive personality to others was, in reality, a young girl struggling to make sense of how her brain worked.
Teachers didn’t know what to do with her. Her energy and humor—traits that would eventually define her career—were seen as a problem. “I don't think teachers realised I was struggling because it was the '90s and there was no awareness of neurodiversity then,” Barber told Australian Story. She was sent out of classrooms, singled out, and left behind academically.
But the social cost was even more devastating. In her first year of high school, a group of popular girls decided she was to be excluded. No one was allowed to speak to her. For more than a year, Barber endured isolation and relentless bullying, which her sister Olivia described as something that “just demolished her sense of self.” That pain left a lasting mark. “You still question it,” Celeste says. “If something happens that brings back that feeling, you're like, 'Oh, I knew it. I knew I was shit.’”
And yet, that same adversity planted the seeds of her resilience. “It really broke her,” says her mother, Kath, “but at the same time it made her the person she is today.” Determined to prove she could be liked, Barber found refuge in performance—especially dance and drama, where being expressive wasn’t punished, it was celebrated. “Knowing what I wanted to do at such a young age saved me essentially,” she says.
Her true turning point came at 16, when she was finally diagnosed with ADHD and began taking Ritalin. For her, the change was profound. “Life-changing,” she calls it. Today, as a mother of two, she’s a vocal advocate for parents considering medication for their kids. “People go, ‘Oh, you can’t just medicate your kids if they’re loud.’ There’s loud, and then there’s struggling—you have no idea how life-changing it can be.”
She’s also aware that not everyone feels instant relief with a diagnosis. Even with answers, the emotional baggage from years of misunderstanding doesn’t vanish overnight. While some call ADHD a “superpower,” Barber doesn’t connect with that narrative. “I find that I’m kind of the opposite to that,” she says honestly.
Still, the very qualities she was once punished for—her boldness, her larger-than-life personality, her refusal to conform—are now the engine behind her success. “The loudness now is just Celeste as she was at school,” her mother says, “but celebrated now because of her difference.”
In 2024 alone, she toured her third live show Backup Dancer across Australia and North America, starred in Colin from Accounts, and appeared in the feature film Runt. All while continuing to post her signature celebrity parody videos, which have earned praise from stars like Cindy Crawford. “Her content is really drawn from her life,” Crawford said. “And I think that’s why it resonates so well.”
Barber’s story is a testament to what can happen when someone learns to work with their neurodivergence rather than fight against it. But she’s clear-eyed about the challenges too—and for her, that honesty is just as important as the laughs.
Redefining Success: What Celeste Barber’s Story Teaches Us About ADHD and Self-Worth
Celeste Barber’s story isn’t just about ADHD. It’s about the cost of being misunderstood—and the power of redefining what success looks like on your own terms.
For years, Barber internalized the message that she was “too much.” Too loud, too disruptive, too different. Like many people with undiagnosed ADHD, she didn’t just struggle with attention—she struggled with shame. And that’s not uncommon. Psychologists often refer to this as “rejection sensitive dysphoria,” a common trait in people with ADHD, where perceived rejection or criticism hits especially hard and lingers long after the moment has passed.
But Barber’s journey also shows what happens when someone learns to stop fighting their brain and starts understanding it. That’s the real shift: moving from self-judgment to self-awareness. It’s not about pretending ADHD is a “gift” or a “superpower” for everyone—it’s about recognizing the reality, with all its complications, and still choosing to live fully and authentically.
Her story also highlights an important truth: people with ADHD are often wired for creativity, intuition, and big-picture thinking. But those strengths rarely thrive in rigid environments like traditional school systems, which prize conformity and control over curiosity and expression. What Barber found in performance—freedom to be herself—wasn’t a fluke. It was the right environment finally meeting the right brain.
The lesson? Diagnosis isn’t a label—it’s a lens. It gives language to what once felt like chaos, and that clarity can be empowering. But as Barber reminds us, it’s also okay to have complicated feelings about it. Growth doesn’t always look like glowing self-acceptance. Sometimes, it looks like showing up anyway—messy, loud, and completely human.
What Science Says About ADHD: Beyond the Stereotypes
Celeste Barber’s experience echoes what researchers and clinicians have known for years: ADHD is more than just a childhood condition—and it’s far more complex than the outdated image of a hyperactive kid who can’t sit still.
Today, science recognizes ADHD as a neurodevelopmental condition that often persists into adulthood. According to the Australian ADHD Professionals Association, an estimated 1 in 20 Australians live with ADHD, and many—particularly women—are only diagnosed later in life. That’s in part because ADHD presents differently across genders. While boys often show external behaviors like impulsivity or hyperactivity, girls and women tend to internalize their struggles, masking symptoms with perfectionism, people-pleasing, or anxiety.
Dr. Michele Toner, an ADHD coach and researcher based in Australia, notes that this internalized struggle often leads to low self-esteem and delayed diagnosis. “Many women grow up feeling like they’re constantly falling short or failing, despite trying incredibly hard. That’s not a lack of motivation—it’s a brain that works differently.”
ADHD also affects executive functioning—the brain’s ability to plan, prioritize, and regulate emotions. That’s why people like Barber often describe feeling stuck in a loop of overthinking or unable to enjoy their achievements. It’s not laziness or lack of gratitude—it’s a neurological wiring that keeps the brain in “what’s next?” mode.
Medication, like the Ritalin Barber mentioned, can be life-changing. Studies show that stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines are effective for 70–80% of individuals with ADHD, helping to improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and support emotional regulation. But medication is just one part of a broader management plan that often includes behavioral therapy, coaching, and lifestyle adjustments like sleep, exercise, and structured routines.
Importantly, the idea of ADHD as a “superpower” is being increasingly challenged in the scientific community. While some people with ADHD do harness unique strengths—like creativity, spontaneity, or hyperfocus—experts warn against glamorizing the condition. “It’s okay for ADHD to be hard,” says Dr. Edward Hallowell, a psychiatrist who has written extensively about living with the condition. “You can be proud of how you manage it without pretending it’s all upside.”
What Barber’s story helps normalize is this: You don’t have to frame your neurodivergence as a gift for it to be valid. Struggling is not weakness. And acknowledging that struggle is often the first step toward healing.
Practical Tips for Navigating ADHD and Building Resilience
Whether you’re just starting to learn about ADHD or you've been living with it for years, Celeste Barber’s journey shows that you’re definitely not alone. And the good news is, there are real, simple ways you can take charge of your life. Here are some practical tips to help you manage ADHD and build resilience along the way:
1. Get the Right Diagnosis
If you think ADHD might be affecting your life, it’s a good idea to talk to a professional. Getting a diagnosis isn’t about putting you in a box—it’s about understanding what’s going on in your brain and finding the strategies that work for you, whether that’s therapy, coaching, or medication. It’s the first step to figuring out how you can leverage your brain’s strengths.
2. Consider Medication, If It Feels Right for You
For some people, medication like Ritalin or Adderall can make a world of difference, just like it did for Celeste. It’s not the solution for everyone, but it can really help with focus and managing emotions. If you’re unsure whether medication could work for you, have an open chat with your doctor. It’s about finding what fits you best.
3. Create a Routine That Works for You
Having a routine can make a huge difference when managing ADHD. Try breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces and setting clear, realistic goals. Whether it’s using a planner, a phone app, or even just sticky notes, find something that helps you stay on track. The key is to make sure your system feels natural to you and helps keep your priorities in check.
4. Focus on Your Strengths
ADHD isn’t just about the struggles—it’s also about what makes you stand out. Many people with ADHD have creativity, energy, and the ability to think outside the box. Embracing those traits can boost your confidence and help you shine in whatever you do, whether that’s at work, in your personal life, or pursuing a hobby.
5. Use Mindfulness to Calm Your Mind
Managing ADHD often means learning how to handle stress and emotions better. Mindfulness practices, like deep breathing or meditation, can be a great way to quiet your mind. Studies show mindfulness helps improve focus and emotional regulation, which can make dealing with the impulsivity and anxiety that come with ADHD a lot easier. Even five minutes a day can make a difference.
6. Build a Support System
ADHD can sometimes feel lonely, but it’s important to remember you don’t have to go through it by yourself. Whether it’s talking to people who understand what you’re going through or reaching out to close friends and family, having a support system can make a huge difference. There are also online communities where people with ADHD share their tips and experiences. It’s comforting to know you’re not alone in this.
7. Be Kind to Yourself
Probably the most important tip: be patient with yourself. ADHD can be frustrating, and some days won’t go as planned. But that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. If things don’t work out, try to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Remember, progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line—but every step forward matters.
These tips are meant to help you find a way to manage ADHD that works for you while celebrating the things that make you unique. Just like Celeste, you can shift your perspective, focus on your strengths, and find success on your own terms.
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