5 Famous People With ADHD or ADD

Famous and ADHD - Justin Timberlake

Featured Image by Gage Skidmore, flickr.com

Blog post updated on 28th February 2022.

5 famous people who have ADHD or ADD

Find out about famous people who have ADHD!

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a neurodivergent condition that affects a person’s attention, concentration and activity levels. Some sources also state that ADD (attention deficit disorder) is a subtype of ADHD that only affects a person’s attention and concentration levels.

While people with both ADHD and ADD may struggle to maintain concentration, those with ADHD can also achieve hyperfocus, allowing them to be extremely productive in the correct environment.

Below we look at some individuals that have ADHD or ADD, and have pursued successful careers in music, acting, sport and reality TV:

 

Adam Levine

Adam Levine, lead singer of Maroon 5, is singing and playing the guitar in front of a stripy purple background.

Image by trashpaintedgold, flickr.com

The Maroon 5 frontman was diagnosed with ADHD as a young teenager. He didn’t realise the condition could continue into adulthood, although when he was working on his band’s first album, Adam felt ‘stuck.’ He had over 30 ideas for the album but found it hard to focus.

Their album ‘Songs About Jane’ became a number one album in the UK, and internationally. Not only is Adam the lead singer of his band, but he is also a spokesperson for adults with ADHD.

 

Justin Timberlake

Justin TImberlake smiles as he stands in front of a brick wall.

Image by Edward Kustoff, flickr.com

Formerly a member of the boyband NSYNC, Justin says that his singing is a way to ‘deal with his condition.’

In an interview about his film The Love Guru, Justin mentioned he has ADD mixed with OCD. Brittany Shoot from Additude believes that Justin ‘walks up walls in his videos,’ to show that he has ADHD/ADD and OCD.

One video that illustrates actions similar to those described by Brittany is Cry Me a River where Justin jumps from one place to another during the second verse.

 

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is swimming in a swimming pool.

Image by Linus Egger, flickr.com

Michael is a successful Olympic swimmer. He was Diagnosed with ADHD in the 6th grade at school. His mother worked closely with his school to make sure he was given the resources he needed. His swimming ability may have been enhanced through his ADHD, allowing him to hyperfocus on his task, maintaining his determination and precision. Besides his swimming career, Michael has his own foundation that helps children develop healthy lifestyles – the Michael Phelps Foundation.

 

Channing Tatum

Close-up of Channing Tatum's face against a dark background

Image by GabboT, commons.wikimedia.org

Channing had dyslexia and ADHD when he was at school. He claimed to take ‘much longer than most [people] to process what he reads.’ Unlike most people who have ADHD, Channing doesn’t take any medication for his condition, believing that the more he takes, the less it works.

Channing is best known for his acting roles in films such as 21 Jump Street (2012), its sequel 22 Jump Street (2014) and Step Up (2006).

 

Paris Hilton

Close-up of Paris Hilton's face in front of a white background.

Image by Eva Rindali, commons.wikimedia.org

Paris mentioned her diagnosis of ADD in an interview with Larry King. She takes a medication called Adderall to treat it and she was diagnosed with it when she was 12.

While Paris was unsure if her ADD affected her brief time in prison, she has always found it ‘hard to pay attention to things.’ However, despite this, Paris has managed to build a strong career in business, singing and TV.

If you have ADHD or ADD and would like some support finding work, please feel free to send us your CV. For more information on ADHD, please click HERE. If you think you might have ADHD, you can take our free ADHD test to see exactly which traits you have.