Big Ed Brown Reveals Klippel-Feil Syndrome Story

Summary Big Ed faced bullying for his appearance but turned it around by becoming a bodybuilder and finding confidence.

Klippel-Feil syndrome impacted Ed's life, motivating him to stay active and achieve his goals.

Despite facing criticism, Ed used challenges to build a successful career and remains a top earner on Cameo.

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? star Big Ed Brown is recalling a painful memory while addressing questions about his neck condition known as Klippel-Feil syndrome. Big Ed is a 59-year-old who fans have known since his Before the 90 Days season 4 debut in 2020. Big Ed’s distinctive body shape with his short neck and large rib cage always made heads turn wherever he went. Big Ed doesn’t talk about the rare condition on TV amid his relationship drama with Rose Vega and Liz Woods, but he’s now revealing what happened after he was diagnosed as a teen.

90 Day Fiancé star Big Ed Brown is revealing how he went to the hospital as a teenager after a double backflip went wrong.

Big Ed opened up about living with Klippel-Feil syndrome in an interview with Today. Big Ed was bullied as a child for his appearance. However, he also discovered something about himself while dealing with the negative comments. Big Ed found out he had a “lot of upper body strength” and used it to his advantage. He revealed he’d become a bodybuilder at a very young age. Big Ed took up gymnastics in junior high because of his natural strength. At 13, Big Ed did a double backflip and fell on his head. Big Ed was rushed to the hospital.

Related 20 Best Reality TV Shows Right Now Reality TV is more popular than ever. With so many to choose from, here are some of the best reality TV shows to stream or watch right now.

Big Ed Reveals How He Became Popular In School

Close

Big Ed’s spinal cord had been exposed during the incident. He could never do any sports or gymnastics after what happened. The experience turned out to be “devastating” for Big Ed, who’d found a silver lining through his pain. However, Big Ed didn’t give up so easily. His new limitations made him take up weightlifting. His classmates saw him through a new lens. He was no longer called “very hurtful” comments such as “neckless” and “no neck.” Instead, Big Ed became popular. He slowly started morphing into the entertainer that he is today and became confident.

Klippel-Feil syndrome helped shape Big Ed's life. He found a solution for every problem that came his way. He was born with a minor curve to his spine. It is something that might cause bone issues as he gets older. Big Ed has been hoping that he doesn’t run into problems and is trying to stay active as much as he can to prevent any damage. Big Ed says he’s in a “really good place” now, both mentally and physically. Big Ed had lost 19 pounds in 2024 and wishes to lose 18 more. His goal is to have a dad bod by Summer 2024.

Big Ed’s neck, his using mayonnaise in his hair, his lies about his height, his showering scene with a rat in Rose’s house, or his asking her to shave her legs for a kiss all made him a meme when he debuted in the franchise. However, Big Ed used every rock thrown at him and built something better out of it. While he isn’t exactly a fan favorite, Big Ed is one of Cameo’s biggest earners and sustains his lifestyle on the money he makes there. The 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After? star knows there’s a reason for everything.

90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After airs Sundays at 8 p.m. EDT on TLC.

Source: Today, Big Ed Brown/Instagram