Celebrity2 min(s) read
Published 14:59 27 May 2026 GMT
Penelope Cruz has opened up about the terrifying moment she feared she was about to die after receiving a chilling warning from her doctor.
The actor, 52, recalled the scary moment where her doctor told her she may have a brain aneurysm while she was filming her latest movie, The Black Ball (La Bola Negra).
Speaking at Cannes Film Festival on Friday, May 23, after the film received a 16-minute standing ovation during its Cannes premiere at the Grand Théâtre Lumière, Penelope revealed her health scare.
The incident apparently unfolded as she prepared to film a late-night performance in which she plays a cabaret entertainer performing for soldiers.
She explained, per Variety: "And then when we’re about to go out, I was putting on my wig, and they said, ‘Oh, apparently you have some brain aneurysm.'
"I thought I was about to die. This is something that was totally surreal in my life."
Thankfully, she was cleared by doctors the next day and was able to continue with the singing and dancing scenes.
Penelope described the moment as transformative, adding: "I thought, ‘It’s a total miracle. I have to, I must have this in me.'"
She also praised the production team for their support during the ordeal, adding: "You experience these things together, yet despite all this, despite the hardship, you can move forward in life."
As well as Penelope, The Black Ball has an ensemble cast featuring Glenn Close, Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Lola Dueñas and Carlos González.
It is currently in contention for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
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