Actress, singer and health advocate Jamie-Lynn Sigler has been entertaining audiences since the age of seven, getting her start in New York regional theater productions. Since that early introduction to the stage, Jamie-Lynn has starred in over two dozen theatrical plays such as Annie, The Wizard of Oz, The Sound of Music and Gypsy.
In the summer of 2001, she starred opposite the late Eartha Kitt in Cinderella, but it was her Broadway debut starring as Belle in Beauty and the Beast that brought her to the attention of casting producers for an upcoming HBO show, The Sopranos, where she portrayed Meadow Soprano, daughter of mob boss Tony Soprano.
Diagnosed with MS when she was 20 while starring on the hit HBO series, Jamie-Lynn kept her diagnosis a secret for 15 years. “I’ve allowed myself to honor myself and have acceptance to make different choices–to reflect on my reality and reframe my life,” she told FIRST for Women as our cover girl (get your copy here!)
Jamie-Lynn is now mom to two young boys, has two podcasts and is currently the spokesperson for Novartis, the pharmaceutical company that makes Kesimpta, a medication she takes for her Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (RMS). Her collaboration with Novartis has also given her a platform of three steps to help others understand their disease.
Today, fans know and love Jamie-Lynn for her authenticity and honesty with her podcasts, MeSsy, which she co-hosts with Christina Applegate, who was diagnosed with MS a few years ago, and Not Today Pal, which she hosts alongside fellow Sopranos alum Robert Iler.
FIRST for Women: Looking back over the past few decades, how has MS made you a stronger, more resilient woman?
Jamie-Lynn Sigler: I think when anyone faces a challenge, they have choices. My initial reactions weren’t always the best—ignoring it certainly wasn’t. I tried both approaches, but after 23 years of living with MS and RMS, I’ve learned to make better choices.
That experience led to my collaboration with Novartis and the creation of this three-step guide. It helps me acknowledge that I may wake up with grief, sadness or fear about what my body feels like compared to what it once did. Whether I process that alone, with a professional or with loved ones, I then step into acceptance: Okay, this is my reality. Now how do I reframe my life and participate the way I want?
For example, when I travel, I bring a four-wheel suitcase to lean on at the airport. If I don’t want to limit myself with friends, I have them drop me off in front so I don’t have to walk far. Little things like that help me stay engaged and comfortable asking for help. That’s hard for many people, but MS has forced me to, and in a way, it’s empowering. It shows me how many people want to be of service. Inspired by my own experiences, this three-step program helps others with MS define their needs.
FFW: Can this three-step process—acceptance, reframing reality and asking for help—apply to other areas of life?
JLS: Absolutely. No matter what you’re facing, this process can help. People often push things away or ignore them, but MS has taught me to see its unexpected benefits. It’s made me an advocate for my own health.
With a chronic illness, many doctors tell you what you should do or think. But I sit across from my MS specialist, and she considers my lifestyle before recommending treatments like Kesimpta. That’s a huge shift—learning to be part of my own health decisions rather than just following orders.
FFW: You’ve said MS gave you the “superpower” of vulnerability. How has Novartis amplified that?
JLS: They’ve given me a platform to share what I’ve learned, in hopes of helping others. We don’t always have everything figured out, and I’ve been fortunate to have strong resources and support.
FFW: How has MS affected your self-confidence?
JLS: Funny enough, I grew up a perfectionist but lacked self-acceptance. I was always hard on myself. Now, in a body that isn’t “perfect,” I have more love for it than ever.
MS has forced me to accept myself, and I’ve had people remind me that this disease doesn’t define me. That led me on a journey of self-exploration—understanding why I think the way I do and allowing grace for myself. I can’t control MS, so I’ve learned to accept that. And now, I feel empowered by my honesty and openness.
Also, instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I focus on what I can—and I honor what I accomplish each day. For a long time, I fixated on how things had changed, and there’s space for that. But now, even on tough days, I give myself credit just for showing up.
FFW: What are some everyday stresses, and how do you manage them?
JLS: Uncertainty in my career can be stressful. People send me so much, and I do my best to keep up. I’ve had to learn to trust the universe and the timing of things.
There were times I felt frustrated—thinking I wasn’t working enough or wasn’t good enough. But when I look back, I see moments where I was present as a mother, wife or friend. I now understand things unfold as they should.
FFW: What’s your mantra for a simple life?
JLS: Every morning before I open my eyes, I say, Where would you have me go? What would you have me do? What would you have me say, and to whom?
It helps me stay open to service and connection. It also takes pressure off—reminding me not to force my own expectations but instead be present for what the day brings.
FFW: Has embracing authenticity impacted your mental and physical well-being?
JLS: Authenticity is everything. If I’m not being authentic—or if someone else isn’t—I feel uncomfortable.
People don’t do small talk anymore; they want to get to the real stuff. Maybe that means I overshare, but I don’t care. I want to leave conversations knowing everything that needed to be said was said. Even when the truth is hard to hear, I appreciate it. It builds trust and faith.
FFW: You mention faith often—what are you most grateful for?
JLS: The people around me. They challenge and inspire me. They accept me, which allows me to be my full, messy self. That takes the pressure off being anything other than who I am in the moment.
FFW: How do you define yourself?
JLS: As someone who always sees the good in others—and is learning to see it in herself.
FFW: Your son was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder. How has that changed you?
JLS: It made me more in awe of my children. Even when they’re being difficult, I’m grateful for all of it. It also strengthened my mother’s intuition. I’ve learned to trust it completely—and to never take anything for granted.
For more information on Jamie-Lynn’s collaboration with Novartis and their helpful guides, go to ReframingMS.com or TreatmentDecisionGuide.com.
