Pauley Perrette: A Journey of Strength and Change

Pauley Perrette opened up about a tough chapter in her life when she revealed that she had a stroke in 2021. She shared this important news in a heartfelt video posted on her social media in September 2022, marking the first anniversary of her severe health scare.

In her video, Pauley reflected on the hardships she faced during that year. She shared, “I lost close ones and friends,” emphasizing the emotional toll it took on her. Despite the challenges, she described herself as a survivor, filled with gratitude and faith for overcoming her struggles. Pauley courageously recounted how she had narrowly escaped death several times due to severe food and hair dye allergies.

In addition to these health battles, she bravely faced past traumas, including domestic abuse and a terrifying encounter with a homeless person. After two long years, she finally felt “good” about herself and found joy with her rescue pets.

Since leaving her iconic role as Abby Sciuto, the forensic specialist on NCIS, Pauley’s appearance has transformed dramatically. Initially, her fans weren’t too thrilled about her new rainbow-colored hair, which she proudly showcased before revealing her stroke. On November 10, 2021, Pauley posted several photos on Twitter, showing off her vibrant, tousled hair, declaring, “I look like a rainbow!”

However, not everyone was kind. One user harshly criticized her new look, saying her hair was “ugly” and claimed that she “looked cheap,” despite acknowledging that she had “such a beautiful face.” Another reviewer mentioned that Pauley’s hair looked “ratty,” while others chimed in with comments like “horrible” and “awful.”

Yet, as Pauley shared her story of survival and resilience, many fans began to change their minds. On July 24, 2023, she posted more photos on Instagram, where she looked stunning with her colorful hair. In a surprising turn, she also mentioned feeling “terrified of Harmon,” referring to her former co-star Mark Harmon, expressing her fears about an attack from him.

But fans rallied behind her, encouraging her with supportive messages like “keep on being you!” and “you’re awesome!” One fan affectionately called her “Aunt P,” saying she was “so beautiful” and that they loved her. Another admirer noted how well she could make others smile, expressing a desire for Pauley to “stay you,” be happy, and stay safe.

After dedicating 15 years to NCIS, Pauley left the show in 2018 amid reports of a falling out with Mark Harmon. Sources claimed that their tensions peaked in 2016 when Harmon’s dog bit a crew member, resulting in fifteen stitches.

Their troubled relationship was highlighted when they never appeared together in her farewell episode; while she said goodbye to her colleagues, her character’s absence was felt as Mark’s character only received a letter from her, which he read from across the street.

In a 2019 Twitter post, Pauley firmly stated, “I will never change my part in the show.” She also expressed her fears, saying she was “terrified of Harmon” and often had nightmares about potential catastrophes involving him. Thankfully, she has since moved on to a new, safer, and happier project.

What are your thoughts on Pauley’s journey? Share in the comments!