Megan Thee Stallion was rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe illness during her performance in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. She later shared on social media that she had been pushing herself beyond her limits recently.
According to a spokesperson speaking to Variety, the singer started feeling unwell during Tuesday’s show, leading to an understudy taking over while she received medical attention. Doctors diagnosed her with extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction, and low metabolic levels. After being discharged, she was advised to rest.
In an Instagram post, the Grammy-winning rapper announced that she would be taking a break from performing on Wednesday to focus on recuperating. She assured fans of her return on Thursday, promising to deliver a full and energetic performance.
Reflecting on the incident, Megan Thee Stallion admitted that she had been overexerting herself, running on empty until her body could no longer cope. She expressed fear of fainting on stage and the realization that she needed to prioritize her health and well-being.
Making her Broadway debut as nightclub impresario Harold Zidler at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Megan Thee Stallion was initially scheduled to conclude her eight-week run on May 17. Notably, she is the first female performer to portray MC in a professional production of the musical worldwide.
The adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film has seen various actors take on the role of Zidler, including Boy George, Wayne Brady, Tituss Burgess, and Bob the Drag Queen. Megan Thee Stallion, in a statement upon her involvement announcement, expressed excitement for the new creative challenge presented by theater and the opportunity to showcase a different facet of her talent to her fans.
The incident with Megan Thee Stallion adds to a list of musicians who have faced health issues due to exhaustion in the past, such as Ace Frehley, Justin Bieber, and Mariah Carey. The Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, known for its modernized soundtrack featuring hits like Single Ladies and Firework alongside classics like Lady Marmalade, is set to end its successful seven-year run on July 26.