Selma Blair has quit Dancing with the Stars, after revealing that the experience left her with 'bone trauma and inflammation' related to her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.
The American actor left the US reality series on Monday night, tearfully telling viewers that she would risk 'extensive damage' to her body if she was to continue in the competition any longer. The disappointing update comes a little more than a year after Selma shared an emotional update on her MS prognosis, in which she celebrated entering remission from the life-changing condition.
"You know I’ve been monitored and in touch with my doctors this whole process," she told her professional dance partner, Sasha Farber, in a taped video.
"I had these MRIs and when the results came back, it just all adds up to I can’t. I can’t. I can’t go on with the competition. I pushed as far as I could."
Selma, who first revealed that she has multiple sclerosis in October 2018, went on to detail how the rigorous training regime and performances of Dancing with the Stars have impacted her body.
Selma Blair arriving for Dancing with the Stars rehearsals in October 2022
"I’ve pushed as far as I could," she said. "With a chronic illness, you do have special considerations, and my body has taken a hit. It’s way too much for the safety of my bones. I could do extensive damage that I, of course, do not want.
"There’s just intensive bone trauma and inflammation among rips and tears so I could do extensive damage that of course, I do not want."
Selma bowed out of the competition on a high, receiving a perfect score of 40 for her final performance of a Waltz to What The World Needs Now Is Love. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba hailed the 50-year-old as a "living, breathing, elegantly dancing miracle", before praising her for bringing "so much awareness" to chronic illness.
Host Tyra Banks also announced that no other celebrities would be eliminated due to Selma's unexpected exit. Always one to keep a positive attitude in the face of hardship, the Legally Blonde star hugged her 11-year-old son Arthur and revealed her motivation for staying healthy.
"I’m going to be okay. I am a mum and I don’t want to be laid up again because I’m afraid I won’t get back," she said.
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