Louis Theroux Reveals Alopecia Battle Peaked During Netflix Manosphere Documentary
Louis Theroux has spoken candidly about his ongoing struggle with an autoimmune disease, revealing that his condition reached its lowest point while filming the controversial Netflix documentary Inside the Manosphere. The 55-year-old journalist and broadcaster, known for his immersive documentary style, has been diagnosed with alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss in patches.
Health Update Amidst Documentary Filming
In a recent Instagram update shared on Thursday, Theroux disclosed that his alopecia was at its worst during the production of Inside the Manosphere, a Netflix documentary exploring how young boys are influenced by ideas surrounding masculinity. The film features extremist influencer HSTikky Tokky, whose real name is Harrison Sullivan, who claims to be coaching boys to embrace traditional masculinity.
Theroux described this period as hitting bottom, with his hair appearing noticeably patchy in the documentary. He explained, "I filmed that documentary last year, and that was my hair I think at its lowest depth of the two." The autoimmune disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2021, initially caused his beard and eyebrows to fall out before patches appeared in his hair.
Positive Signs of Recovery
Despite the severity of his condition during filming, Theroux now reports encouraging signs of recovery. In his social media post, he stated, "The good news is that my hair seems to be growing back. Not all of it, but much of it. It is better than it was." He noted visible regrowth in several areas, including the sides and back of his head, though some patches remain.
Theroux expressed gratitude for the improvement, saying, "I am grateful that it is better. I take nothing for granted, I am pleased I have hair." He emphasized that he hasn't made any medical interventions, changed his diet, or taken medication to address the condition, attributing the recovery to what he called "the vague mysteries of life and the human condition."
Documentary Context and Personal Impact
Inside the Manosphere examines the controversial online communities that promote specific ideals of masculinity, with Theroux engaging directly with figures like HSTikky Tokky. The documentary has sparked significant discussion since its release, with Theroux's changing appearance becoming a topic of conversation among viewers.
Reflecting on his experience, Theroux acknowledged the stress associated with alopecia while maintaining perspective. He said, "There are bigger things in the world than this I realise, but some of you may have alopecia and it is stressful and some of you may have questions about my alopecia, so I hope I have answered some of them."
His health update comes nearly five years after his initial diagnosis in 2021, with the worst period occurring in 2025 during documentary production. Theroux concluded his message by sharing his appreciation for the regrowth, stating simply, "I like having hair."
