Bret Michaels Blames Tony Awards For His Brain Hemorrhage, Files Lawsuit
In 2009, reality-TV rocker Bret Michaels was nearly decapitated--or at least almost lost some of his trademark blonde locks--when a descending set piece toppled him over at the end of Poison's "Nothin' But A
Good Time" Tony Awards performance with the Rock Of Ages cast. At the time--once it was announced that Bret was SUPPOSEDLY okay--it seemed pretty funny, the most Spinal Tap-esque moment in Broadway history. But when Bret was hospitalized with a massive subarachnoid hemorrhage six months later, and nearly died, no one was laughing. Back then, I always wondered if Bret's brain condition was linked in any way to the nasty bump on the noggin that he received at the 2009 Tonys.
And now, Bret Michaels is claiming just that.
According to TMZ, The Hollywood Reporter, and Us Magazine, Bret's legal counsel has just filed a major lawsuit for unspecified damages against Tony Award Productions and CBS, with paperwork stating: "One of the most common causes of this type of hemorrhage is head trauma--exactly like the one Michaels suffered at the hands of the Tony Awards."
The suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Bret asked producers where he should stand onstage during Poison's performance, and he was merely instructed to exit from the stage rear at the end of the band's song.
Bret has since rebounded, both health-wise and career-wise, even limping onto the set of the "Celebrity Apprentice 3" finale mere weeks after his near-death experience. While he has never overtly accused the Tony Awards of causing his brain hemorrhage until now, this is hardly the first time he's lashed out regarding the Tonys incident. In fact, right after it happened, his rep, Janna Elias, issued a statement saying:
"Somewhere down the line there was a lack of communication and the prop should have been immediately halted until Michaels was clear. Sunday morning at rehearsals, Bret was never informed that the descending set piece existed, let alone would be moving into position as he was exiting the stage....I find it surprising that a Tony spokesperson would brush off this incident with a comment stating 'Mr. Michaels missed his mark' with no mention of concern for his condition. If everyone at the Tonys were aware that Bret missed his mark then they should have been aware enough to stop the set piece from hitting him or at least slowed it down until he cleared the stage."
So, what do you think? Is the Tony Awards production staff to blame for Bret's brain hemorrhage?
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