Smash actress and Broadway star Krysta Rodriguez has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The 30-year-old actress made the announcement on her new blog, ChemoCouture, where she revealed she was diagnosed in September 2014 with the “Cadillac of tumors” — but she’s not letting it get her down. In fact, she’s on a mission to embrace it.
“On September 24, 2014 at age 30, I was diagnosed with stage 2B ductal carcinoma: in-situ and invasive. Fancy words for breast cancer,” the singer shared on her new blog on Thursday, Feb. 19. “Now as far as cancer goes, I have the Cadillac of tumors. It’s slow growing, highly treatable and not really interested in spreading. My doctor calls it an ‘old lady cancer.’ I always knew I was ahead of my time! Picture a lump sitting in a BarcaLounger eating Cheetos and enjoying the warm, cozy studio apartment I’ve been providing for it on Left Breast Lane. No one would want to leave that, am I right? Well, sorry buddy. I’m the landlord from hell and it’s eviction time.”
After discovering she was sick, the actress admits she tried everything — even flirting with doctors — to avoid chemotherapy, but ultimately she had to succumb.
“I begged, coaxed and flirted with every doctor I have in an attempt to avoid this,” she wrote. “There were vanity reasons, of course. I’m a Leo and we lions love our hair…I’m [also] an actress. I make my living with my appearance, to some degree,” she explained. And her “vanity” is exactly what lead her to create her blog.
“I desire to feel as great as I can during this time. I still want to be sexy, to take risks, to challenge what even I view as beautiful. So I’m pulling out all the stops…I’ve always believed you feel better when you look better. And what better time to test that out than when I’m going to be feeling pretty terrible for while! ChemoCouture will be dedicated to all things fun and fashion, while being focused on the specific needs of those women going through chemo. My goal is to have us all feeling beautiful together, wherever you are in your life,” she shared.
Rodriguez, who played Ana on NBC’s Smash, has appeared on Broadway in First Date, The Addams Family, In The Heights, A Chorus Line, Spring Awakening, and Good Vibrations.
