Cori Broadus Opens Up About Lupus Stealing Her Childhood: Snoop Dogg’s Daughter Shares Raw Battle and Path to Healing

Cori Broadus, the 26-year-old daughter of rap icon Snoop Dogg, has laid bare the devastating toll of her lifelong struggle with lupus, revealing in a recent interview how the autoimmune disease “snatched” her childhood away, leaving her perpetually fatigued, in constant pain, and reliant on a barrage of medications from a tender age. Diagnosed at just 6 years old, Broadus described the ordeal as a “hell of a journey,” explaining, “I always say it kind of snatched my childhood away from me, you know, ’cause I was so young and I never had energy. I was always tired. I was always in pain. I was taking millions of medications.” Her candid reflections, shared during a Complex interview at ComplexCon in Las Vegas, underscore the invisible scars of living with lupus—an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues, causing inflammation that can ravage joints, skin, organs, and more. With no cure available, Broadus’s story highlights the relentless reality for the estimated 1.5 million Americans affected by the condition, particularly its disproportionate impact on women and people of color.

The symptoms first emerged during a family vacation to San Diego when Broadus was a child, manifesting as a telltale butterfly rash across her face—a hallmark of lupus flares. What followed was a grueling diagnostic process, with her parents, Snoop Dogg and Shanté Broadus, feeling helpless as doctors drew blood repeatedly and prescribed treatments for what seemed like “old-person cells.” Snoop later recounted to People magazine the terror of watching his daughter deteriorate: “I felt helpless. No power, no friends.” Shanté echoed the frustration, noting the rapid decline despite initial medications. From syringes and steroids in her early years to daily pills as she grew older, Broadus’s routine became a constant battle against hair loss, joint pain, fatigue, and arthritis-like symptoms that sidelined her from typical kid activities.

Lupus’s grip extended beyond the physical, intertwining with mental health struggles that Broadus has openly addressed. In the E! docuseries “Snoop’s Fatherhood: Cori & Wayne’s Story,” which premiered in December 2024 and chronicles her wedding planning with fiancé Wayne Duece, she detailed how the disease fueled depression and even suicidal thoughts during her teens. “I was in a dark, deep space,” she shared, reflecting on feeling isolated as the “chocolate one” in a family with lighter-skinned brothers, compounded by weight gain from steroids and the stigma of frequent hospitalizations. Journaling became her lifeline as a child, a practice she continues through vlogs to process emotions and raise awareness. Broadus’s vulnerability has resonated, turning her into an advocate who emphasizes, “I feel like God doesn’t give us things that we can’t handle… You blessed to even be able to tell your story.”

The challenges persisted into adulthood. In January 2024, at age 24, Broadus suffered a severe stroke linked to her lupus, which she announced on Instagram from her hospital bed: “I’m only 24, what did I do in my past to deserve all of this.” The incident, which also involved kidney issues requiring a biopsy, underscored lupus’s progression—her condition at stage 3 of 5, avoiding more severe stages that might necessitate chemotherapy. Snoop confirmed she was recovering, crediting family support, while Broadus shifted to a holistic approach in 2023, ditching some medications for natural remedies, diet changes, and exercise. “My body is not achy… better than I’ve ever been,” she told People, though fatigue lingers. Off meds for months by late 2024, her labs improved, but she stresses the ongoing fight: “I have days where I’m sick, but I’m still blessed.”

Broadus’s resilience shines through her entrepreneurial ventures and personal milestones. Co-founder of the cruelty-free cosmetics line Choc Factory with Duece—inspired by her lupus-related hair loss and bullying—she promotes self-love for darker skin tones. The brand, launched in 2020, embodies her nickname “Choc” and ties into family efforts like the Broadus Collection scarves with Annie, aimed at empowering lupus patients facing alopecia. As a musician under the moniker Choc, she’s released tracks like those on her “Journals to Johnny” project, channeling pain into art.

Motherhood added another layer in February 2025, when Broadus welcomed daughter Codi Dreux three months premature amid a high-risk pregnancy complicated by lupus and HELLP syndrome—a rare hypertensive disorder. Treated at UCLA Health, where doctors praised her proactive care, Broadus used Instagram to educate on the condition, receiving overwhelming support from other women. “Pregnancy and motherhood can be very guilt-inducing,” noted her physician, but Broadus focused on what she could control, emerging stronger.

Snoop’s bond with Cori has deepened through these trials. The rapper, who once felt powerless, now celebrates her victories, from surviving the stroke to her wedding plans documented in the E! series. “In the beginning lupus was winning. But now Cori is,” he told People years ago. Their story, woven with advocacy—like lupus foundation donations and headscarf lines—transforms personal pain into communal strength, reminding followers that vulnerability can inspire healing. As Broadus continues sharing via vlogs and music, her message of gratitude amid adversity offers hope to those grappling with chronic illness: life’s fragility demands cherishing every capable moment