Jeannie Mai recently opened up about how she almost died while performing on Dancing With the Stars. Jeannie was diagnosed with Epiglottitis during her time on the show. She ended up withdrawing from the dancing competition due to the health concerns.
Jeannie Mai was more than excited to take on a new adventure in the ballroom. Back in September, the talk show host announced on Instagram how excited she was to be a part of her favorite show. Jeannie was partnered up with pro dancer Brandon Armstrong. The two received good scores on the show, performing better and better each week. Just a few days after the Halloween themed night of DWTS, Jeannie took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news that she could no longer compete on the show due to medical concerns. Jeannie was diagnosed with Epiglottitis, a condition involving inflammation of the throat. She received emergency surgery and was in the hospital for a few days. Jeannie did however make a return to Dancing With the Stars to watch her fellow star, Kaitlyn Bristowe, win the Mirror Ball Trophy on finale night.
It seems like Jeannie’s condition was a little more serious that fans originally thought. ET reported that Jeannie Mai recently opened up about how she almost died while competing on Dancing With the Stars. Jeannie took to her YouTube channel to share an in depth video of her and Brandon Armstrong recapping the days leading up to their withdraw from the show. She started off the video by reminding viewers of her recent illness. Jeannie explained that she luckily had found a doctor that saved her life. She shared, “I saw a doctor who correctly diagnosed me and saved me from possibly losing my ability to breathe.” Jeannie went on to admit that even after being diagnosed with Epiglottitis, she did not take the condition seriously. She was more focused on winning the Mirror Ball Trophy than her own health.
Jeannie remembered every detail of the moments leading up to her emergency surgery. She woke up with a sore throat, didn’t think much of it and went about her busy day. By the following day, the condition worsened, leaving Jeannie with no other option but to cancel rehearsal for the first time all season. The first doctor misdiagnosed, leaving her to believe to was fine to continue dancing with just the steroids she was prescribed. After a long day of rehearsals, Jeannie’s throat was 60% closed. She went to bed early, before waking the next morning not being able to breathe. Jeannie recalled, “I was literally like gasping for air.” Jeannie couldn’t even swallow an aspirin because of how closed her throat was. She was misdiagnosed for a second time before finally finding the proper doctor. Jeannie was just moments away from her throat completely closing and she was more upset about letting Brandon down. She called him in tears, repeatedly apologizing. Watch the entire conversation between Jeannie and Brandon below.
Jeannie was going through something so scary and life-threatening and was still focused on the Dancing With the Stars competition. That is a true competitor right there. If Dancing With the Stars ever brings back past contestants for a second chance, Jeannie deserves to be on that season.
