No one wants to get sick, especially when they are far from home. That recently happened to Zac Efron while he was filming his new reality show in Papua New Guinea. He had to be flown to Australia for treatment. Fortunately, he’s doing well, and is back home:
Zac Efron says he has “bounced back” after falling ill while filming a survival reality TV show in Papua New Guinea.
The American actor confirmed on Twitter and Instagram Monday reports that he had received medical treatment following the health scare. . . .
“Killing Zac Efron” is billed as an expedition series that will see the screen star venture “deep into the jungles of a remote, dangerous island” for 21 days with nothing but basic gear and a local guide.
Efron said the series, which was commissioned by Quibi — a new streaming platform scheduled to launch in April — would challenge him.
Zac updated his followers on Instagram, reassuring them that he was doing well:
Variety reported that The Daily Telegraph was the first to share the news (behind a paywall) that Zac apparently had a bacterial infection and had to be flown to Brisbane, Australia, for treatment. He flew home to the U.S. on Christmas Eve.
Yikes. I’m glad Zac is OK. I was very ill the last time that I was overseas, and it was awful, but nothing like what Zac experienced. If I were him, though, I’d reconsider that show title, much as I appreciate dark humor, and rethink some of the extremes they’re putting him through for it. Here’s to hoping his show does well and that he doesn’t have any more health scares in 2020.
photos credit: WENN
I’m not much a fan of the white blonde on him. Some people can pull it off and look suuuper hot. But it kind of makes him just look goofier. I like his darker hair much better.
That whole situation sounds terrifying, though I do enjoy the name of the show, and it’s been backed up a bit more by the recent events lol.
Yes, the blonde looks awful on him, I wish he would go back to dark hair.
Maybe change the name of the show
This! Maybe it’s the SE Asian in me but that’s not an auspicious title. Also made me think of Godfrey Gao who died of heart failure during a reality show.
I didn’t know about Godfrey. He was so young and talented (and from my hometown). That’s absolutely tragic. Apparently the show’s producers had him working for 17 hours straight before he died. How is that legal? Show business seems to constantly get away with shirking labour standards.
Glad Zac is okay.
I’m always skeptical, so of course I’m wondering if this is all overblown to drum up interest in his reality show. Aside from that, Yikes, what happened to his teen good looks?
I love him. He’s handsome, humble, funny, versatile, and is getting better and better as an actor. I’ll want to watch this series.
He looks…profoundly unwell in the pictures in this article. Are we sure it was actually a bacterial infection and not a “bacterial infection” (i.e. some type of drugs overdose or something similar)?
I have to say, whenever I see a headline about Zac Efron I usually suspect that something else is going on.
Yes, same thing.
What makes you say he looks unwell? I’m genuinely wondering because I feel like there’s something I’m missing.
Yeah I suspect it’s something more serious, he looks like it’s been something long term wrong with him.
It’s could be out of control drug use again
I co-sign this. Seems like such a sweetheart and I think he’s growing as an actor. I hope he recovers soon.
Zac has always been my guilty pleasure. Thank God he is safe! I wish him a long and healthy life.
I’m glad he’s okay! Being sick far from home is the WORST. This happened to me and it was one of the most physically difficult things I’ve ever had to deal with. It’s so scary being far from family and friends when you get sick. So I’m so glad Zac was able to get better and be with his family for the holidays.
I got food poisoning exactly a year ago when traveling back from Lima, Peru for a friend’s wedding. The symptoms started literally hours before my flight back and manifested themselves on my Uber on the way to the airport. I won’t go into details because I don’t want to gross anyone out but it was awful. I ended up calling my poor mom (the flight was leaving around midnight but luckily Lima and the US East Coast are in the same time zone) who of course couldn’t do anything but I needed to hear a friendly voice. I was so dehydrated that I could barely stand and in airports, you have to stand in so many lines. I squatted in line for check in, security, and customs, and only stood when it was my turn or when I had to move up. I still don’t know how I had the strength to walk all the way to my gate, I was in such bad shape. And then somehow convinced the gate staff to let me board with priority because the thought of standing in line waiting to board was horrendous. I still don’t know how they let me fly in the condition I was in and unfortunately I had more symptoms before and during my flight, I felt terrible for the people sitting around me. But honestly, my priority was getting back to New York. I was terrified of being left behind as everyone at the wedding was heading back that day and I didn’t want to be alone in some hospital in Lima (when literally all they would do was stick an IV in my arm) on my own. By the time we got back to NYC, I was feeling much better and could stand but all I did that day when I got back to my apartment was sleep. I refused to eat for 24 hours after that whole ordeal. Luckily it happened at the very end of my trip, the rest of my trip was great. But omg it was a terrible way to start 2019 (and probs should have been an omen for what the rest of my year would be like!).
My goodness, that sounds like quite a trial. Although you were miserable at the time, you were lucky they let you on the plane, which got you home & comfortable more quickly.
@Amelie i hear you! The worst thing to happen. Happened to me in my ex mother in law’s house years ago before flight back (we lived in another country) had severe case with temp up to 40 and fainting even hit my head. Was “forced”(and to feel guilty)to fly back a day after after we lost initial flight. And I swear all i prayed for is just to get through and to make it alive into my bed. Horrific expierience
Stay well, Zach. I think he looks incredibly sexy with the white blond hair and in that suit. Yes, please change the title!