Christina Applegate’s Emotional Message at Screen Actors Guild Awards
During the Screen Actors Guild Awards, Christina Applegate shared a poignant message regarding her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. The actress, aged 51, and her 12-year-old daughter, Sadie Grace LeNoble, graced the red carpet together before the event. Applegate, dressed in a floor-length velvet tuxedo gown, used a cane with “FU MS” stickers to help her maintain balance, as MS can impact one’s equilibrium.
The Impact of MS on Applegate’s Acting Career
Applegate, who received her MS diagnosis in 2021, announced earlier in the month that the SAG Awards might be her final acting appearance due to the debilitating effects of the disease. She explained to The Los Angeles Times that her energy levels no longer allowed her to work long hours on set.
Facing the Diagnosis During Dead to Me Filming
During the filming of the third season of Netflix’s hit comedy-drama Dead to Me, Applegate was diagnosed with MS. She initially avoided watching her performance after the diagnosis became public, as she had gained weight from medication and inactivity, which affected her self-image. Eventually, she viewed the show alone and appreciated the incredible television production.
Acting as a Coping Mechanism for Personal Challenges
In a virtual interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show in December, Applegate revealed that acting has been her escape from personal challenges throughout her life, including breakups, trauma, loss, and even breast cancer. Working daily allowed her to grieve and process the emotions related to her MS diagnosis.
Dead to Me as a Unique Platform for Emotional Expression
Applegate emphasized that Dead to Me provided her with a unique platform to cope with her diagnosis, where she didn’t have to constantly be “on” or make jokes. She could authentically express her emotions through her character, describing it as a cathartic experience despite the pain of her soul “exploding in front of the world.”
