Actress Laura Benanti has revealed she went on stage while having a miscarriage. The Broadway star bravely shared her ordeal on Instagram, saying she 'knew something was happening'.
She wrote: "I knew it was happening. It started slowly the night before. If it had been our first loss, or even our second, I likely wouldn't have been able to go on.
"But unfortunately, I am not a stranger to the pain and emptiness of losing a pregnancy." She said that it was "a path I have walked before, hand in hand with my husband."
And she added: "But this time we walked it alongside some of the kindest, most loving humans I will ever have the honor to share space with."
The 43-year-old has been in shows including Nashville and Supergirl. She was performing for 2,000 people on a Broadway-themed cruise when the miscarriage happened.
She said: "Thank you to everyone in that audience for the grace your presence allowed. For lifting me out of my grief for that Holy hour...
"Thank you to my friends and fellow performers for rallying around me and so graciously accommodating my changing needs." She also thanked the band, crew, producers and "that little soul for choosing me as your home, even for a short time".
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Benanti has two children with husband Patrick, one of whom was born last year via a surrogate. "My husband and I are heartbroken but we will move through this together as we, and so many others, have done before," she added.
"I share all of this, not to garner sympathy or attention, but to remind the many people and families who have and will suffer in this way that there is no shame in this kind of loss. That you are not alone. And to remind myself as well."
Support on Instagram included from fellow performer Randy Rainbow, who is also on the cruise. He said: "You are remarkable in every way. All my love to you and Patrick."
Benanti has been nominated for five Tony Awards during her career.
