On the eve of her one-woman cabaret debut at New York City’s renowned Café Carlyle, Brooke Shields, aged 58, experienced a frightening health crisis. The incident, detailed in her latest Glamour 2023 Women of the Year cover story, started innocuously with an excessive intake of water and a lack of sodium awareness.
While preparing for her anticipated performance, Shields recounts, “I was drinking so much water, and I didn’t know I was low in sodium.” As she waited for her Uber at the bottom of her steps, her companions noticed her acting oddly, inquiring about her well-being.
An Unexpected Turn
Her state deteriorated as she made her way to the West Village hotspot L’Artusi. Inside the restaurant, she recalls, “I go in, two women come up to me; I don’t know them. Everything starts to go black.” Shields lost control, her hands dropping to her side and her head hitting the wall.
That was the onset of the grand mal seizure, a severe epileptic episode characterized by convulsions and loss of consciousness. She described the experience, as “frothing at the mouth, totally blue, trying to swallow my tongue.”
Bradley Cooper: An Unexpected Savior
Shields then spoke of a surreal moment in the ambulance. As she regained some consciousness, she found none other than Bradley Cooper, a Hollywood star, holding her hand. The two had shared screen time in the 2008 horror film, The Midnight Meat Train, and had been seen together in various events over the years.
Attempting to alert Shields’ husband, Chris Henchy, the L’Artusi staff accidentally reached Henchy’s assistant. The chain of communication eventually led to Cooper’s assistant, as the actor was in the vicinity. Acting promptly, Cooper arrived at the scene and ensured Shields was safely transported to the hospital. Shields humorously compared the moment to being accompanied by a divine entity, stating, “Then it was like I walked in with Jesus.”
Hospitalization and Recovery
- At the hospital, doctors initially believed her brain was seizing, prepping with EEGs, catheters, and IVs.
- Shields was later shifted to the ICU, where she contracted bronchitis.
- The root cause of the seizure was diagnosed as low sodium, a result of consuming excessive water. Shields stated, “I flooded my system, and I drowned myself.”
Surprisingly, Shields’ sudden water intake wasn’t based on aesthetics or a diet but due to feeling dehydrated from her increased singing activity for the show and a podcast, she was working on.
Brooke’s Perspective on Health and Well-being
Brooke Shields also shared her refreshing view on health, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing vital organs over fitting societal standards. “I love food and I love alcohol and I want to be healthy for my heart,” she declared. Instead of gym sessions, Shields expressed her preference for Pilates and her disinterest in relentless pursuits of thinness. “I am tired of not feeling skinny enough. It’s boring and it’s a waste of my time,” she said.
A Bright Future Ahead
The ordeal, while traumatic, has not dampened Shields’ spirit or her passion for the performing arts. She has made a commitment to stay informed about her health, ensuring she remains in top condition to continue mesmerizing audiences. Her recent performances at Café Carlyle have received rave reviews, with critics praising her natural stage presence and her ability to connect with the audience.
Community and Support
The incident has also shed light on the importance of community support in times of crisis. Bradley Cooper’s timely intervention is a testament to the bonds formed within the entertainment industry, where peers often become extended family. Shields has expressed gratitude not only to Cooper but also to all those who played a pivotal role in ensuring her safety that day.
Conclusion
Shields’ harrowing experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the significance of being surrounded by a supportive network, sometimes even from the most unexpected sources. Today, she has fully recovered and has continued her series of shows at Café Carlyle, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.
For readers interested in more insights on the topic of health and societal standards, refer to this article on health and well-being.
