Pauley Perrette: A Journey of Resilience and Transformation
In a brave reveal, Pauley Perrette opened up about a challenging moment in her life—she suffered a stroke in 2021. The actress shared this significant news in a heartfelt video on September 2, 2022, marking the first anniversary of her severe health scare.
In her emotional video, Pauley spoke about how tough that time had been for her, saying, “I lost close ones and friends.” She expressed deep gratitude for surviving her struggles and proudly called herself a survivor. Pauley also shared how she narrowly escaped death multiple times due to dangerous allergies to food and hair dyes.
Beyond these health issues, she bravely recounted surviving domestic abuse, sexual assault, and a terrifying encounter with a deranged homeless person. After two long years of suffering, Pauley finally felt “good” about herself and found joy with her beloved rescue pets.
Since leaving her famous role as Abby Sciuto, the forensic specialist on NCIS, Pauley’s appearance has transformed dramatically. Initially, her fans reacted with criticism to her new rainbow-colored hair, which she showcased before revealing her stroke.
On November 10, 2021, Pauley shared a series of photos on Twitter, showing off her vibrant, damp hair. “I look like a rainbow!” she exclaimed, proudly flaunting her new style.
However, not all reactions were positive. One troll harshly criticized Pauley’s hair, calling it “ugly” and claiming they felt no remorse for their remarks. The critic suggested that Pauley “looked cheap” despite her “such a beautiful face” and even remarked that her new look was only appealing to “Walmart patrons.”
Another commenter, while admitting they liked colorful hair, called Pauley’s hair “ratty.” Other responses echoed this sentiment, with comments like “horrible” and “awful” flying in.
But things began to shift as Pauley shared her journey of survival and resilience. On July 24, 2023, she posted more photos on Instagram, revealing her looking stunning with her rainbow-colored hair once again. In this new post, Pauley admitted she was “terrified of Harmon,” expressing her fears about an attack from her former co-star Mark Harmon.
Fans rallied around her, offering encouragement and support. One fan told her to “keep on being you” because she was “awesome.” Another admirer, affectionately calling her “Aunt P,” said Pauley was “so beautiful” and expressed their love for her. Many fans noted how well she could make others smile and urged her to “stay you,” be happy, and stay safe.
Pauley’s journey with NCIS was long and complicated. After 15 years on the show, she left in 2018. Reports indicated that her departure was due to a falling out with Mark Harmon. The tension between them became public when Harmon’s dog bit a crew member, leading to fifteen stitches.
Their strained relationship was highlighted during Pauley’s farewell episode, where they never shared a scene together. As she bid farewell to her colleagues at the NCIS headquarters, Mark’s character only received a letter from her, which he read as Pauley watched from across the street.
In a 2019 Twitter post, Pauley firmly stated, “I will never change my part in the show.” She also voiced her fears, saying she was “terrified of Harmon” and often had nightmares about potential attacks. Thankfully, she has since moved on to a new, safer, and happier project.
What do you think of Pauley’s incredible journey? Share your thoughts in the comments!