Christina Applegate has received a touching standing ovation at this year’s Primtime Emmy Awards.
The actress, 52, made a surprise appearance at the ceremony, appearing on stage to present the award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
It was a rare public outing for Applegate, who has been battling a diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis since 2021.
But despite this, Applegate proved she is still as witty as ever, joking to the audience as they applauded her, “Thank you so much. Oh my god, you’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up.”
She added wryly, “Body not by Ozempic.”
‘It’s been an honour to play funny, flawed, complex characters like the women nominated,” she said, before the nominees were announced.
Applegate is no stranger to the Emmys, having starred in some of the most iconic television series of her time, including most recently, Dead To Me, for which she earned a Best Actress nomination.
However in August 2021, she took to X to share the news of her diagnosis, writing, “Hi friends. A few months ago I was diagnosed with MS.”
“It’s been a strange journey. But I have been so supported by people that I know who also have this condition. It’s been a tough road. But as we all know, the road keeps going. Unless some asshole blocks it.
“As one of my friends that has MS said ‘we wake up and take the indicated action.’
“And that’s what I do. So now I ask for privacy. As I go through this thing. Thank you xo.”
Since then, Applegate has been forced to step away from the spotlight in recent months. In February 2023, she told the Los Angeles Times that her struggle with MS had seen her consider retiring from acting.
“Right now, I couldn’t imagine getting up at 5 am and spending 12 to 14 hours on a set,” she said. “I don’t have that in me at this moment.”
So whether she makes a return to acting or not, we’re just glad to see this icon of the silver screen looking happy and healthy.