Glee Star Kristin Chenoweth Breaks Silence on Health Issue She's Battled for 10 Years

Exclusive! The Broadway beauty reveals a secret that she has been hiding from the public for years.

Kristin Chenoweth has always been known for her bubbly personality, bright smile and huge Broadway voice. However, few know that the Tony Award-winning actress has been struggling with a secret health issue for the past ten years.

Now, the singer is exclusively speaking out to E! News about the disorder that has been kept out of the public's eye. We sat down with Chenoweth and the blonde beauty revealed that for nearly a decade, she has been battling with a career-affecting condition

"I actually was diagnosed ten years ago as an adult with asthma," the pint size star divulged in a sit down interview. "Those people who know me, and some of my fans, know that I have an inner ear problem and a neck problem too and I was just like, 'Do I dare talk about having asthma as well?'"

Chenoweth explained that she finally feels ready to expose her daily challenges with the chronic long-term lung disease. "I've re-thought it, and I was very honored to team up with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America," she said. "The main focus is just bringing asthma awareness."

In addition to brining attention to the disease that affects nearly 25 million Americans, the Wicked star is also hoping to encourage those with asthma to switch over to a dose counter inhaler. "When I was first diagnosed, they didn't have [dose counters] on the medication and sometimes you would reach for your inhaler and it would be out," she explained. "So I encourage everyone who has asthma, and you know who you are, to tell your doctor that you want the dose counter."

Chenoweth is also encouraging asthma-sufferers to pay close attention to the warning signs. For example, the singer personal experiences "shortness of breath" or "wheezing" if she's excited before a big performance. "This is something that I'm actually proud to speak out about," the Broadway legend said. "I didn't know that two million Americans go to the E.R. every year for an asthma attack and these medications are here to help us."

Take a look at our full interview with the Glee star, above, to find out what shocking event she believes triggered her asthma, and how she deals with the disease when it affect her before a big show.

For more information on asthma and the dose-counter inhaler, please visit www.KnowYourCount.com