Christina Applegate Surprises Emmys, Receives Standing Ovation, Teases Crowd: ‘Don’t Applaud Every Time I Speak

Christina Applegate rocked the 2023 Emmys, surprising everyone by stepping up to present the Emmy Award for the best supporting actress in a comedy show to Ayo Edebiri from “The Bear.” The unexpected moment, kept under wraps until recently, stole the spotlight and set the room ablaze with an electrifying standing ovation, bringing even the seasoned actress to tears.

Back in August 2021, Applegate bravely revealed her battle with MS, maintaining a low profile until this year when she resurfaced to champion the final season of the cult Netflix comedy “Dead to Me,” earning her a well-deserved Emmy nomination for the most outstanding actress in a comedy show.

“Thank you so much,” Applegate graciously addressed the cheering Emmys crowd, playfully deflecting the standing ovation with a quip, “Oh my god, you’re totally shaming me with disability by standing up. It’s fine…Body not by Ozempic. Okay, let’s go.”

As the applause continued to cascade with each word she uttered, Applegate laughed and teased, “We don’t have to applaud every time I do something.”

In a candid interview with alternative sources leading up to the recent Walk of Fame ceremony, Applegate opened up about the challenges of filming the final episode of “Dead to Me” while grappling with MS. Navigating the set required wheelchairs, and she admitted it was a while before she could bring herself to watch the culmination of the series.

“I don’t like seeing myself struggling,” Applegate confessed. “Also, I gained 40 pounds because of inactivity and medications, and I didn’t look like myself, and I didn’t feel like myself. At some point, I was able to distance myself from my own ego, and realize what a beautiful piece of television it was. All the scenes I wasn’t in were so much fun to see and experience for the very first time.”

Looking ahead, Applegate shared with alternative media her contemplation of a shift toward full-time voiceovers, a path allowing her to flex her acting prowess while navigating the challenges of MS.

“Right now, I couldn’t imagine getting up at 5 a.m. and spending 12 to 14 hours on a set,” Applegate admitted. “I don’t have that in me at this moment.”

Beyond acting, Applegate envisions a future in Hollywood that involves creating, directing, and “doing a ton of voiceovers to make some cash to make sure that my daughter’s fed and we’re homed.” A woman of resilience, Applegate continues to redefine the narrative, turning challenges into opportunities on her adventurous journey in the entertainment world.

Christina Applegate receives a standing ovation at the #Emmys. https://t.co/SiaGD3jesB pic.twitter.com/rGZF8ooLiq

— Variety (@Variety) January 16, 2024