Evangeline Lilly Reveals Traumatic Brain Injury After Hawaii Fall
HONOLULU, Hawaii — Evangeline Lilly, known for her roles in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and “Lost,” has opened up about the lasting impact of a serious fall she suffered in Hawaii last year. On January 2, 2026, the actress posted a heartfelt video on Instagram revealing that brain scans confirmed she sustained significant brain damage from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following the accident in May 2025.
In the video, Lilly explained that “almost every area in my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity,” a diagnosis that has brought clarity but also daunting challenges. “Verdict’s in…I do have brain damage from my (traumatic brain injury),” she wrote. “Comforting to know my cognitive decline isn’t just peri-menopause, discomforting to know what an uphill battle it will be to try to reverse the deficiencies.”
The incident occurred on May 30, 2025, when Lilly fainted at a beach in Hawaii and fell face-first onto a boulder, causing a puncture wound and a concussion. She had previously experienced fainting spells since childhood, which were initially attributed to hypoglycemia, a condition involving low blood sugar. However, extensive medical testing, including blood work after fasting, failed to confirm this diagnosis.
“At the hospital, the nurses and doctor went straight into action, more determined to find the cause of my blackout than to stitch up the hole punctured into my face by the rock,” Lilly recounted in a May 2025 post on her Substack account. She described the frightening nature of the episodes, noting that her partner observed her eyes rolling back and all life seeming to leave her body during blackouts.
Despite ruling out epilepsy and hypoglycemia, Lilly suspects emotional and psychological factors may contribute to her fainting spells. “I have come to believe that this ‘checking out’ is a result of my little soul reaching her limit of what she feels she can cope with in this life,” she said. This introspective perspective underscores the complex interplay between physical injury and mental health.
Following the accident, Lilly has faced months of demanding recovery. She acknowledged the difficulty ahead, stating, “Now my job is to hit the bottom of that with the doctors and then embark on the hard work of fixing it, which I don’t look forward to because I feel like hard work is all I do. But that’s okay.”
Traumatic brain injuries are a serious public health concern, with the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html”>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noting that TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) provides extensive resources on the diagnosis and treatment of TBIs, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and rehabilitation.
Lilly’s openness about her condition brings attention to the challenges faced by individuals living with brain injuries. Her experience also highlights the complexities of diagnosing fainting spells, which can stem from a variety of causes including neurological, metabolic, and psychological factors, as outlined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
As she embarks on this difficult journey, Lilly expressed gratitude for the clarity the diagnosis has provided and the support she has received. “It might seem crazy looking at my face and my busted tooth, but I feel so grateful that I blacked out. I needed the reset,” she reflected.
Fans and colleagues alike have extended their well-wishes as Lilly continues her recovery. Her candid update serves as a reminder of the resilience required to confront serious health setbacks and the importance of comprehensive medical care. For more information on traumatic brain injury and support resources, the CDC’s dedicated TBI page offers valuable guidance.
As Evangeline Lilly faces the months ahead, her story underscores the critical need for awareness and research into brain injuries, as well as compassionate care for those affected.
Leave a Reply