Movies

Heartbreaking reason Christina Applegate is writing new memoir amid ongoing MS battle

BBG News

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I’m excited to share some personal news – I’ve decided to pen down my experiences in a heartfelt memoir, which I’ve titled “You With The Sad Eyes.” This book will serve as an intimate journey through my life, especially during the challenging period of battling Multiple Sclerosis.

The actress from Dead To Me, aged 53, who shared a distressing health update a few months ago, mentioned that she chose to write the book when she was compelled to take things at a slower pace.

Her future memoir has been purchased by Little, Brown And Company and is planned for release on store shelves sometime around March 2026.

Applegate openly discusses various aspects of her life, such as her personal health story, challenging childhood in Lauren Canyon, battles with self-doubts, and the effects of past traumatic experiences like abuse and assault.

Since my early years of three, I’ve been part of the television and film industry, and I cherished every moment of it. However, as I grapple with MS, what was once significant to me has undergone a transformation, the Emmy-nominated actress explained in a statement, according to People.

Over a significant period, it seemed unattainable to discern purpose in all that transpired, yet now, for the first time, I’ve managed to pause and contemplate.

Christina then admitted that it was ‘scary’ to ‘to tell it all’ in her candid memoir. 

Despite the deepest darkness, I penned these words with a firm conviction that reading can help people realize they’re not alone.

She, the star recognized from shows like “Married… With Children,” assured readers that her upcoming book isn’t a melodramatic account of her personal experiences.

Applegate went on, ‘It’ll indeed be authentic. Expect a rollercoaster of life’s highs and lows, laughter and tears. Here I am, being truthful about myself. There’s plenty to share.’

Bryn Clark, the chief editor at Little, Brown and Company, shared some insights about the content that fans might encounter in the upcoming memoir penned by a well-known actor.

In my role as an editor, I’m constantly seeking that ineffable sensation of, “This is a must-have.” It’s something you can sense immediately, and from the moment I read Christina’s initial passage, I knew her book was just that.

Clark stated, ‘Christina emphasizes the importance of accepting life’s complexity and transience rather than concealing ourselves behind the superficial facade of our contemporary society. There’s no need for us to squander time on illusions and flawlessness.’

Aside from sharing insights into her childhood and life under the public eye, Applegate also delves into her encounter with Multiple Sclerosis.

As stated in the official summary, the actress famed for Anchorman will reveal the entire tale of her years under public scrutiny, including the difficult instances that were hidden from the public.

This memoir showcases a remarkable and unconventional woman, who, despite giving up her acting career, her dancing skills, and her physical strength, has persistently sought and discovered an enriching and more meaningful path in life.

‘Applegate’s unique brand of humor will bring equal measures of joy to counterbalance the pain, offset any setbacks with something extraordinary, and alleviate the burden of life.’

In July last year, it was verified on Christina’s MeSsy podcast episode that she was indeed working on a book.

In the early 1970s, Applegate began her journey in the entertainment industry at a very young age, making an appearance on the television series “Days of Our Lives.

She subsequently landed small acting positions in television series like Family Ties, The New Leave It To Beaver, Heart of the City, and 21 Jump Street.

Between 1987 and 1997, an actress played the role of Kelly Bundy in the television series Married… With Children.

During the 90s, Christina also made appearances on the silver screen in films like “Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead” (1991) and “Mars Attacks!” (1996).

This mother of one additionally starred in the Anchorman series, including movies like Anchorman: The Ron Burgundy Legend (released in 2003) and its sequel, Anchorman 2: The Saga Continues (released in 2013).

Between 2019 and 2022, she starred as Jen Harding in the highly praised TV show Dead to Me, sharing screen time with Linda Cardellini and James Marsden.

Applegate garnered both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations based on her performance in the show. 

Last year, I myself was compelled to share some personal health news: I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a condition that affects the protective sheath surrounding my nerves. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, vision changes, and other related issues, as defined by the esteemed Mayo Clinic.

Christina decided to step back from her acting career to concentrate on dealing with her health issues, but last year she shared on her podcast that she dearly missed it.

As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but express a longing for something, and truth be told, throughout my existence, the single constant in my life has been my relentless dedication to work.

‘Growing up, I was accustomed to movie sets…Knowing both the intricate details behind the scenes and the overall atmosphere, it’s the only environment I truly understand. I have an affinity for that location.’

A couple of months ago, in May, Applegate shared a distressing health report and disclosed that she rarely ventures outside her home now.

On Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend, the celebrity confessed, ‘I seldom step outside these days.’

If you knew the challenges I face every day, you probably wouldn’t think it’s easy – because there are times when even I struggle. It’s incredibly tough.

‘People often remark, “How did you end up with this?” As if to imply that I must have somehow brought this illness upon myself because of mistakes in my life. It’s almost as if having breast cancer before, their response is, “You must have done something.”‘

Initially, it was a struggle for me to accept the prejudice associated with this situation, as I couldn’t fathom why anyone would assume I’d be involved in such circumstances. This is the most challenging ordeal I’ve encountered in my life. Now, though, I’ve grown accustomed to it.

The actress candidly expressed, ‘It’s the worst thing I’ve ever gone through.’ 

Christina described her tough days as feeling as though stepping into a bathroom is similar to treading on thumbtacks and molten rock, which has made it difficult for her to leave her bed on such occasions.

The star then shared early symptoms she had, such as numbness and also losing her balance. 

After several months, the symptoms spread from my toes, then to my ankles, and eventually down to my knees. Selma Blair suggested I visit a neurologist, to which I responded with disbelief, thinking it was unlikely that we, who were in the same film, both had Multiple Sclerosis.

She found herself wobbling unsteadily, yet the discomfort was intense. When she mentioned feeling numb, she meant truly numb, but there was still a throbbing pain. She went on to explain this.

Read More

2025-07-18 00:51

Previous post Netflix earnings surged last quarter. Thank ‘Squid Game,’ price hikes and advertising
Next post BBC’s hit crime drama with Irish detective confirms UK return date after ‘twisted cliffhanger’