In September 2023, Howie Mandel shocked everyone on The Voice when he gave Reba McEntire a tight hug. This was a big deal because Howie is known for his intense fear of germs, often saying “don’t touch me.” But in that moment, the comedian’s excitement overpowered his usual reluctance, and he couldn’t resist hugging the country music legend.
Howie has long struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and germaphobia. While he seems happy and upbeat on TV, behind the scenes, he’s admitted to feeling like a “scared guy” who would rather live “in the fetal position.” Recently, Howie revealed more about the mental health challenges he faces, sharing how his OCD makes life extremely difficult for him.
The Pandemic’s Impact
During the global pandemic, a lot of people became more aware of the dangers of germs. While many people’s fears eventually faded, Howie’s never did. His germaphobia is constant, a part of his daily life.
“It’s impossible for me to live a day without thinking we might not survive,” Howie confessed. He’s dealt with anxiety and OCD since he was a little boy, and at 68 years old, the pandemic was particularly rough for him. In an interview with People magazine, Howie shared, “The only comfort I had was knowing everyone around me was okay. But during the pandemic, nothing was okay, and it was the worst.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, OCD is a mental health disorder where a person experiences “unwanted thoughts and fears” called obsessions. To cope with those obsessions, people often develop repetitive actions, known as compulsions. These behaviors can cause a lot of stress and interfere with daily life.
Howie described living with OCD as being stuck in a “bad dream.” He tries to keep himself grounded by focusing on his family—his wife Terry and their three children, Riley, Jackie, and Alex. He’s been married since 1980 and says, “I love what I do,” but sometimes he falls into deep depression, which makes it hard to function.
Laughter as a Lifeline
Howie’s big break came in 1982 on the medical drama St. Elsewhere, but he’s always turned to comedy to help him through tough times. “I use humor as a coping mechanism,” he explained. “If I’m not laughing, I’m crying. I haven’t been open enough about how dark things can get.”
He feels most comfortable on stage. “I’m at ease when I’m performing,” he said, adding that humor helps him fight off the urges brought on by OCD. But when he has nothing to do, things get tough. “I withdraw into myself, and it’s not good.”
Despite his struggles, Howie stays busy. He’s a judge on America’s Got Talent (AGT) and hosts multiple other shows, always bringing his one-of-a-kind humor to every project.
Opening Up About His Struggles
In 2022, Howie sat down with Kelly Clarkson on her talk show and got real about his mental health. “I have OCD and I’m neurotic,” he told her. “People think that because I’m out there, I’m having fun, but honestly, I’m terrified. When I’m done, I just want to go home and curl up in the fetal position.”
Kelly was surprised. “That’s so funny because every time I see you, even off work, you seem like the opposite!” she said.
Howie chuckled and responded, “I know, I’m such a joy, full of energy and light, right?” But then he added, more seriously, “To be honest, I take a lot of medication.”
The Hug That Surprised Everyone
So maybe that medication helped him feel brave enough to hug Reba McEntire on The Voice. Howie, who was a panelist on the show, couldn’t contain his excitement. He jumped out of his seat and called out Reba’s name. “We’re shooting the AGT finale right next door,” he said. “Can you sign my shirt?”
After Reba signed his “I [heart] Reba” shirt, Howie did something completely out of character—he gave her a tight hug! It left the audience, and even the show’s host, Carson Daly, shocked. “You don’t see that every day,” Carson said, referring to Howie’s well-known dislike of physical contact.
Howie later reflected on the moment. “People notice when I do something like that,” he explained. “They’ll say, ‘He shook someone’s hand,’ or ‘He hugged someone.’ I can do it, but afterward, my mind won’t let it go. I’ll think my hand isn’t clean, and I’ll spend hours washing it over and over.”
Even though Howie can see the humor in his actions, the pain of OCD is still very real for him. “I get that it’s funny,” he said, “but that doesn’t make it any less awful. I’m not trying to excuse my mental health; I just want to keep the conversation going.”
In 2022, Howie got Covid-19, but luckily, his symptoms were mild because he was vaccinated and boosted. This served as a reminder that even with all his fears, being afraid alone isn’t enough to keep you safe from illness.
