HSMTMTS Star Recalls Nearly Dying | Screen Rant
Content Warning: the following article contains discussions of sexual violence
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series star Joshua Bassett recounts nearly dying after a harrowing health scare. Bassett rose to fame with his portrayal of Ricky Bowen in the Disney+ series, which is a standalone spinoff of the High School Musical movie franchise. But with the increased spotlight came speculation over his personal life, and the actor experienced a darker side to fame.
Over the past year, Bassett found himself the subject of rumors and online attention when his HSMTMTS co-star Olivia Rodrigo debuted the song “Driver’s License.” Though neither actor has confirmed it, the song is rumored to be about the real-life relationship and breakup of Basssett and Rodrigo. The song quickly became a hit, gaining more attention, and with it, Bassett became the focus of hate on social media and even received death threats. Then, after several days of feeling unwell, Bassett found himself in the hospital, battling septic shock and heart failure.
In a new interview for PEOPLE, Bassett speaks candidly about the difficult time in his life. The star of HSMTMTS recalls that, in the weeks leading up to his hospitalization, he felt worse and worse. He noted that he was sleeping for up to 20 hours each day, explaining that he wouldn’t stand up for more than 30 seconds. Ultimately, he was taken to the hospital by a producer on the High School Musical series. He was told that, if he had waited to get himself checked, he could have died. Bassett’s full quote is included below.
“Every day I felt worse and worse. I was sleeping 16 to 20 hours a day. I couldn’t even stand up for longer than 30 seconds. I felt my heart literally failing. I was like, ‘This isn’t just anxiety. This is bad.’ The doctors were like, ‘If you hadn’t checked in within 12 hours, you would have died in your apartment.’ It’s wild that I was this close to taking another nap.”
Bassett was released from the hospital nine days later, though he says his mental recovery took longer. The actor credits mediation and sessions with a therapist for helping him to talk about what he went through and also process the sexual abuse he endured as a child and as a teenager. He says that by opening up about his own trauma, given his platform and status as a celebrity, he hopes to help others feel more comfortable in doing the same. He adds that he knows it won’t be an easy journey.
Professionally, Bassett has a busy schedule ahead. He’s releasing new music, in addition to returning for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 3. And he’ll be starring in the Disney+ movie Better Nate Than Ever, which reunites him with HSMTMTS showrunner Tim Federle and co-stars newcomer Rueby Wood and Lisa Kudrow. Still, as well as he’s doing now, Bassett’s experience serves as a reminder of how important it is for a person to look after their emotional and physical health before it’s too late.
Source: PEOPLE