Pauley Perrette: A Story of Strength and Change
In a powerful moment of honesty, Pauley Perrette revealed that she suffered a stroke in 2021. On September 2, 2022, she shared a heartfelt video on social media to mark the first anniversary of this life-altering event.
In her emotional message, Pauley talked about the tough times she faced during her recovery. “I lost close ones and friends,” she admitted, reflecting on the pain she endured. Despite everything, she expressed deep gratitude for being alive and proudly called herself a survivor.
“I’m grateful for every day,” she said, highlighting her incredible journey. Pauley also shared how she narrowly avoided death multiple times due to severe allergies to food and hair dyes. On top of that, she faced domestic abuse, sexual assault, and a terrifying attack by a homeless person. After two long years of struggle, she finally felt “good” about herself and her beloved rescue pets.
Pauley’s appearance has changed a lot since her time on NCIS, where she played the beloved forensic specialist Abby Sciuto. Initially, fans were not very supportive of her bold new look. In the year before revealing her stroke, she flaunted her vibrant rainbow-colored hair.
After leaving NCIS, Pauley posted several pictures of her new hairstyle on Twitter on November 10, 2021. She excitedly proclaimed that she looked like a “rainbow,” showing off her colorful and tousled hair in the photos.
However, not everyone was kind. One online troll cruelly stated that Pauley’s hair was “ugly” and made it clear they felt no regret for their harsh words. This person claimed Pauley “looked cheap” despite her “such a beautiful face,” and even suggested that her style was meant for “Walmart patrons.”
Another commenter appreciated colorful hair but thought hers looked “ratty,” while others described her appearance as “horrible” and “awful.”
But after Pauley bravely opened up about her stroke and the hardships she faced, many fans changed their tune. On July 24, 2023, she posted more stunning photos on Instagram, where she looked fantastic with her rainbow-colored hair. In one post, she declared that she was “terrified of Harmon,” expressing fears of being attacked by her former co-star Mark Harmon.
Support poured in from fans, with one encouraging her to “keep on being you” because she was “awesome.” Another admirer, affectionately calling her “Aunt P,” told her she was “so beautiful” and expressed their love for her. Many remarked on her ability to make others smile and advised her to “stay you,” be happy, and keep safe.
Pauley’s journey with NCIS was not without its challenges. After 15 years on the show, she left in 2018. Reports suggest she quit due to a falling out with Mark Harmon, her co-star. The tension between them escalated when Harmon’s dog bit a crew member, leading to fifteen stitches.
This rift became evident when they didn’t share any scenes in Pauley’s farewell episode. When she visited the NCIS headquarters to say goodbye to her coworkers, her character’s farewell to Mark was limited to a letter he read as she watched from across the street.
In a tweet from 2019, Pauley declared, “I will never change my part in the show.” She openly admitted her fears, stating she was “terrified of Harmon” and worried about an attack from him. Pauley even shared that she had nightmares about potential dangers but felt relieved to have moved on to a new, safe, and enjoyable project.
What are your thoughts on Pauley’s inspiring journey? Share in the comments!
