Selma Blair Hid MS Symptoms on Sets Due to ‘Fear’ of Being an ‘Insurance Risk,’ Got Told She Had ‘Possible Leukemia’ While Filming ‘Hellboy’
variety.comZack Sharf Digital News Director Selma Blair revealed to British Vogue as part of its May 2023 cover story interview that she had to hide her multiple sclerosis symptoms on film sets in order to maintain her career and not be deemed an “insurance risk” by producers.
Not that Blair knew her symptoms were related to multiple sclerosis at the time anyway. “Sets were excruciating sometimes with the exhaustion and the tics,” Blair said. “I took benzos and Klonopin [a medication used to prevent seizures and anxiety disorders].
I didn’t abuse those things, just alcohol. But I was lost and sad and could hardly ever smile. Hence my roles, I imagine.” “I was worried since the beginning of time that a glaring fault would remove me from the workforce,” Blair continued. “And usually it was my incoordination or getting stuck, too weak or sick, in my trailer — or any time, really.
The vomiting or body issues were terrifying, [and the] baldness or rashes.” Blair said she was terrified of being “found out.” Through all the symptoms, she was continually misdiagnosed by health professionals. “I remember [feeling] very, very poorly on ‘Hellboy’ and was diagnosed with cat scratch fever and possible leukemia in Prague,” Blair added. “I couldn’t tell anybody.
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