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Rapper Megan Thee Stallion was raced to hospital on Tuesday (New York time) after falling ill midway through a Moulin Rouge! The Musical performance just one week into its run on Broadway.
The musical enlisted the Grammy award-winning star, whose real name is Megan Pete, to make her Broadway debut as the first woman to play the flamboyant and manipulative owner of Moulin Rouge, Zidler, for eight weeks to renew interest in the show and revive its box-office sales.
A spokesperson for the star told Variety “during Tuesday night’s production [of Moulin Rouge! The Musical], Megan started feeling very ill and was promptly transported to a local hospital”.
Later the New York Times reported that the spokesperson said the performer was evaluated in hospital and diagnosed with “extreme exhaustion, dehydration, vasoconstriction and low metabolic levels”.
“Megan has since been treated, discharged and is now resting … Megan is incredibly grateful for the prayers and well wishes from her supporters and is looking forward to resuming her role as Zidler.”
Pete also took to her Instagram to address the situation, saying she pushed herself beyond her limits in her Broadway debut and thought she was about to faint on stage.
“Last night was a real wake-up call for me,” she said. “I’ve been pushing myself past my limits lately, running on empty, and my body finally said enough.
“It honestly scared me. I thought I was gonna faint on stage, I really tried to push through my performance, but I just couldn’t.”
The rapper said she wanted to be honest with her fans and admitted to needing one day off to rest, meaning she would miss two Wednesday shows.
“I’ll be right back on that stage Thursday, stronger, clearer, and ready to give you 100 per cent the way you deserve. Thank you for always riding with me and loving me through everything,” she said.
The singer, brought in to help push the show, had already helped revive its finances. According to the New York Times, last week in Pete’s first Moulin Rouge!, the show grossed $US1.6 ($2.3) million at the box office.
The Times said it was a 39 per cent increase over the previous week.
Even though the show is set in late 19th-century Paris, its score is mostly composed of contemporary pop. Carmen Pavlovic, the lead producer of Moulin Rouge!, said Pete would reinvigorate the show, which has been on Broadway since 2019.
“We want our show to go out with a spectacular bang, and Megan is the force of nature to lead us there,” Pavlovic said in a statement to the Times.
When Pete was announced as Zeidler, she said: “I’ve always believed in pushing myself creatively, and theatre is definitely a new opportunity that I’m excited to embrace.”
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