(Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Evangeline Lilly is speaking candidly about the physical, emotional, and financial toll of her recovery from a traumatic brain injury, revealing that the process has required extensive and expensive specialized care.
In a video posted to Instagram over the weekend, the Lost and Ant-Man and the Wasp actor shared details about her ongoing healing journey following a serious accident last year. Lilly explained that she fainted at a beach in May and fell face-first onto a boulder.
She was later diagnosed with a concussion and traumatic brain injury, which she says has had a noticeable impact on her cognitive functioning. “I have spent a lot of money getting evaluated and getting targeted, expert advice on how to heal my brain,” Lilly said in the video.
She emphasized that the care she is receiving has been customized specifically for her condition. At the same time, she acknowledged that her experience is shaped by her ability to afford such treatment and made clear that not everyone has access to similar resources. She also noted that she is not a medical professional and is not offering medical advice.
Lilly said she chose to share her story in part because of concerns about how difficult it can be for many people to access quality, affordable healthcare. While she discussed guidance she has received from various specialists, she repeatedly stressed that what works for her may not work for others.
She was careful to avoid positioning her experience as a template for recovery. During the video, the actress also mentioned a supplement plan recommended by one of the specialists she consulted in Hawaii. The regimen, she said, was designed to address what she described as current “deficiencies” in her brain.
Lilly added that she does not view supplements as a long-term lifestyle choice, explaining that she takes them temporarily only when she feels they are necessary. Earlier this month, Lilly shared another personal update about her health. In a New Year’s Day post, she revealed that brain scans showed reduced brain function following the injury.
She said the results confirmed that she had sustained brain damage, describing the news as both validating and overwhelming. The accident came to public attention months ago when Lilly posted photos showing the extent of the facial injuries she suffered in the fall.
At the time, she explained that she had lost consciousness before hitting the rock. She also shared that doctors were focused not only on treating her injuries but also on understanding why she had fainted in the first place.
Lilly, who became a household name as Kate Austen on Lost and later starred as Hope van Dyne in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has recently taken a step back from acting. Last year, she announced she was leaving Hollywood to pursue a quieter life away from the spotlight, saying the decision brought her a deep sense of peace.
While she has not closed the door on a potential return to acting, Lilly said her priority right now is her health. Her focus, she explained, is on healing her brain and body, and she has described this period as the most restful and grounded she has felt in years.
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