Christina Applegate Receives Standing Ovation at Emmys

Emmy Award-winning actress Christina Applegate, known for her roles in “Dead to Me” and “Married with Children,” received a standing ovation at the 2023 Emmys ceremony. Applegate made her first public appearance after revealing her battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2021. Despite her condition, she gamely presented the award for supporting actress in a comedy series, won by Ayo Edebiri for “The Bear.”

Applegate’s surprise appearance took the audience by storm, with her emotional reaction to the warm reception leaving her teary-eyed. In August 2021, the actress made her MS diagnosis public, and she has since been admirably determined to continue her career in the entertainment industry. “Dead to Me,” her hit Netflix comedy series, earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series.

While on stage, Applegate humorously addressed the audience’s applause, joking, “We don’t have to applaud every time I do something.” She playfully acknowledged her disability, adding, “It’s fine… Body not by Ozempic.” Ozempic is a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes, unconnected to Applegate’s condition.

In a previous interview, Applegate revealed the challenges of filming the final season of “Dead to Me” while battling MS, including needing a wheelchair on set. She shared her struggles with watching herself on screen during the last season, dealing with weight gain due to medications and a lack of self-identity. Despite these hardships, she ultimately recognized the beauty of the show and the joy of experiencing scenes she wasn’t a part of.

Applegate has gone on to express her considerations of transitioning to voiceover roles full-time as a way to continue working in the industry while managing MS. Working long hours on set is currently challenging for her, and she is exploring producing and developing projects in addition to voiceover work. Her focus is on providing for her daughter and ensuring their welfare.