Pretty in Pain

Be proud of yourself for surviving all of the silent struggles you don’t speak about.

Top Chef alum Shirley Chung was crowned the first-ever winner of House of Knives, which aired on Food Network. She also revealed she had beaten stage 4 tongue cancer.

“Riding on my winning fighting spirit, I beat the Triple Threat Titans, and most recently, I beat stage 4 tongue cancer,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

Shirley was diagnosed in 2024 after mistaking symptoms for dental issues. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She chose an experimental chemo and radiation treatment instead of surgery. “I chose to keep my tongue. I am a fighter. I am a chef. I can be that unicorn too,” she said.

In remission, Shirley continues to inspire fans.

Credit: Follow her journey at

Top Chef alum Chef Shirley Chung was crowned the first-ever winner of House of Knives, which aired on Food Network. She also revealed she had beaten stage 4 tongue cancer.

“Riding on my winning fighting spirit, I beat the Triple Threat Titans, and most recently, I beat stage 4 tongue cancer,” she wrote in an Instagram post.

Shirley was diagnosed in 2024 after mistaking symptoms for dental issues. The cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She chose an experimental chemo and radiation treatment instead of surgery. “I chose to keep my tongue. I am a fighter. I am a chef. I can be that unicorn too,” she said.

In remission, Shirley continues to inspire fans.

Credit: Follow her journey at

Hi, I’m Genevieve—founder of Pretty in Pain, a platform that uplifts creatives living with disabilities, chronic conditions, and invisible challenges. I’m also a screenwriter and passionate advocate for inclusion in entertainment.

I’m honored to be a finalist for Roadmap Writers’ Coletta Preacely-Garcia Diversity Fellowship! It means so much to be recognized for telling stories that reflect real, diverse experiences.

Want to learn a little more about me? Click here: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/pages/genevieve-mcdevitt-bio

Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with leukemia at 22, prompting her to turn to journaling as a way to cope. This led to her Emmy winning column, Life, Interrupted, and her best-selling memoir, Between Two Kingdoms. She highlights the importance of navigating life’s uncertainties and finding meaning in the in-between moments. As the wife of Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste , their journey is explored in the new Netflix documentary American Symphony.💡 “Creativity is a gift we all have access to.” – Suleika #SuleikaJaouad #AmericanSymphony #JonBatiste credit: @richroll @suleikajaouad