Betty Who, the acclaimed singer and actor, recently made headlines with an apology to fans after falling ill during The Festival, a three-day Broadway music event held in the picturesque Hudson Valley. The festival commenced on August 14, and Betty was set to make an appearance as part of the star-studded line-up. However, things took an unexpected turn when she was struck down by a severe illness.
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On August 18, Betty took to her Instagram Stories to share the unfortunate news that she had contracted E. coli. Reflecting on her experience, the 34-year-old performer, whose real name is Jessica Newham, expressed her regret at missing so many moments of the festival due to her illness. “I was feeling sick before I left for @thebroadwayfest but I flew on Thursday with every intention of toughing it out!” she wrote, revealing that her condition worsened upon her arrival in New York.
The “All of You” singer expressed her dismay at having to forgo much of the festival experience. “Everyone at the festival was amazing,” she noted, commending the event’s organisers and staff for their support, who graciously accommodated her sudden health issues. “They took such good care of me and were so gracious about re-programming all my songs at the last minute. I was devastated, to be honest,” she added.
After returning home, Betty confirmed her diagnosis of E. coli, stating, “Cool and great, I love it—maybe the sickest I’ve ever been? Really wild.” In a light-hearted tone, she mentioned her improvement, sharing that she was finally able to keep water down and was subsisting on broth. However, her sorrow over missing a significant portion of the festival was palpable, as she apologised to fans for her absence. “I’m soooo sad about missing so much of the festival,” she lamented. “I’m sorry to anyone who was looking around for me thinking, where the heck is this guy! I was a mile away throwing up,” she concluded.
In a separate update, the pop star shared that she was on “day 9” of her illness, indicating some progress in her recovery. “I am so much better than I was when I was in New York, but still not quite in fighting shape,” she stated, along with a selfie depicting her rather tired state on the couch. Despite her struggles, Betty found solace in keeping herself occupied with the Cincinnati Open, which she posted with a snapshot of her TV screen.
The Festival was particularly noteworthy for being the platform that showcased “Love Somebody,” a new musical featuring a book written by Rehana Lew Mirza and Mike Lew, along with music and lyrics by Betty herself. This further emphasizes her expansive role within the Broadway community.
Betty’s connection to Broadway is not new, having made a splash with her performance in “Hadestown,” which she debuted in September 2023 as Persephone, the queen of the underworld. Reflecting on this prestigious role, she expressed her gratitude for being part of such an exceptional production. “I’m honestly just feeling insanely lucky to get the opportunity to do something like this in a show that is this excellent, and I am pinching myself every night,” she remarked in a previous interview.
Speaking about her experience of portraying Persephone, Betty noted the transformative nature of the role. She remarked how the costume and makeup process made her feel as though she was stepping into a persona akin to drag. “I have such hand dysmorphia because I have these crazy claw nails for Persephone, but then I’m in my life and I’m dressed like a boy, and I have these huge stiletto nails on,” she detailed.
Betty elaborated on the transformative power of the character, explaining how the transition from her everyday self to the role of Persephone involves an elaborate process. “The robe goes on and it’s like a blank slate. Then all the makeup, the lashes, all of her jewelry goes on. The wig comes on. The wig is really important. It does feel like drag,” she explained, highlighting the layers of complexity behind embodying such a character.
While Betty Who continues to recover from her illness, her candid sharing on social media showcases both her resilience and her commitment to her art. As she navigates her health challenges, her fans remain hopeful for her swift recovery and look forward to seeing her back on stage. The music and theatrical community undoubtedly stands behind her as she recuperates from this unexpected setback.