Though she’s often seen with voluminous, healthy hair today, Jennifer Lopez’s journey to self-confidence included battling hair loss during her younger years.

The revelation has surprised many fans, who see her as a paragon of beauty and glamour.

“When I was younger, I went through a phase where my hair was falling out, and it was really tough,” Lopez began. “It wasn’t something I talked about much back then because I was embarrassed and didn’t want people to know.”