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Actress Christina Applegate has surprised the audience at the Emmys by taking to the stage to present an award.
Her appearance comes almost a year after she stepped back from acting, revealing how her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis had taken a toll on her life.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Emmys audience’s emotional response to Christina Applegate amid MS battle.
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Applegate was diagnosed with MS in 2021 — a potentially disabling disease in which the immune system attacks the brain and spinal cord.
Taking to the stage at the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Monday night local time, Applegate had the crowd on its feet. Clearly an emotion moment for Applegate, she lent on host Anthony Anderson for support.
“I’m gonna cry more than I’ve been crying,” the 52-year-old said through tears.
“Thank you so much! Oh my God! You’re totally shaming me (and my) disability by standing up.”
The moment was shared on X with one fan reacting: “This standing ovation for Christina Applegate has me bawling already #Emmys #Emmys2024”.
“Love her. She deserves that ovation and more,” a second said.
“Touching moment. That is so heartwarming for Christina Applegate!” added another.
While Applegate did not walk the carpet, she did pose at her house for photos ahead of the event.
Applegate has been candid about her battle with the disease.
The Dead To Me star said a day with MS was “never a good day” — there were only “less s****y” days, she told Vanity Fair in May 2023.
“There are just certain things that people take for granted in their lives that I took for granted,” she said.
“Going down the stairs, carrying things — you can’t do that anymore.
“It f****** sucks.”
“I can still drive my car short distances. I can bring up food for my kid.
“Up, never down.”
Applegate said going downstairs was difficult because MS impacts the sense of balance.
Even taking a shower could be “frightening”, she added.
“You can fall, you can slip, your legs can buckle.”
Applegate does have some celebrity friends who understand what she is going through.
Actresses Selma Blair and Jamie-Lynn Sigler are two women navigating managing the illness and trying to maintain a career.
Applegate also highlighted that the Netflix hit Dead To Me (2019) could well be her last role in front of a camera.
“I can’t even imagine going to set right now,” she said in 2023.
“This is a progressive disease.”
Applegate’s last award show appearance was at the 2023 SAG Awards where she was photographed on the red carpet holding a cane with the message “F U MS” written across it.
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