Evangeline Lilly is starting 2026 with honesty, vulnerability, and gratitude—even as she navigates some deeply concerning health news.
The 46-year-old actress shared an emotional update with fans after undergoing a recent brain scan following a serious concussion. In an Instagram video posted on Friday, January 2, Lilly revealed that the results confirmed ongoing complications stemming from a traumatic brain injury she sustained last year.
“It’s late on January 1, the first day of 2026, and I’m entering into this new year — the year of the horse — with some bad news about my concussion,” Evangeline said. “The results came back from the scans, and I missed every area, and my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity.”
She continued with heartbreaking clarity: “So, I do have brain damage from the TBI, and possibly other factors going on.”
The injury occurred in May 2025, when the Ant-Man and Lost star fainted while at a beach and fell face-first into a boulder. While Lilly had previously shared that she was recovering from a concussion, the latest update revealed that the effects have been more serious and persistent than initially understood.
Despite the difficult diagnosis, Lilly explained that she is committed to continuing her medical journey and recovery.
“Now, my job is to get to the bottom of that with the doctors, and then embark on the hard work of fixing it. I don’t look forward to it because I feel, like, hard work is all I do,” she said.
However, she also noted that the injury has brought an unexpected shift in perspective.
“That’s OK, my cognitive decline since I smashed my face open has helped me to slow down and helped me to have a more restful finished 2025,” Evangeline said.
The actress, who has long spoken openly about wellness, balance, and intentional living, framed her update not as a moment of despair, but as one of reflection and resilience. She emphasized gratitude for time, health, and the opportunity to keep moving forward—one day at a time.
She concluded the video on a hopeful note, sharing that she is “feeling extraordinarily grateful and blessed to be able to play one more day, one more year on this beautiful living planet,” while thanking fans and followers for their continued support.
