Undisclosed Illness Forces Anna Paquin to Use Cane at NYC Screening of A Bit of Light

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After a year and a half of absence from the public eye, Anna Paquin returned to the red carpet on Wednesday for the New York City premiere of her new drama movie, A Bit of Light. While I was glad to see Paquin back, I couldn’t help but wonder why she was walking the red carpet with a cane.

Fans also expressed their concerns for the actress, who was escorted on the red carpet by her husband and director of A Bit of Light, Stephen Moyer.

Anna Paquin shocks many as she arrives at the New York Screening of A Bit of Light at the Crosby Street Hotel with a cane, hinting at health issues, on April 3, 2024Anna Paquin shocks many as she arrives at the New York Screening of A Bit of Light at the Crosby Street Hotel with a cane, hinting at health issues, on April 3, 2024 (Credit: Dave Allocca / Starpix / INSTARimages)

Anna Paquin Opens Up About Health Challenges

Speaking with People on the red carpet at the Crosby Street Hotel, Paquin said that the past two years had been “difficult” due to health concerns that impaired her speech and mobility.

“It hasn’t been easy,” she said without disclosing her illness. A source told the outlet that Anna will fully recover from her medical condition.

Paquin is thankful she can continue doing what she loves despite her health issues. “My first love was independent filmmaking.”

“That’s how I entered the film industry. I was working with people who were all about telling stories and telling them with integrity and truth.”

Anna Paquin reveals struggling with health issues that impaired her speech and mobilityAnna Paquin reveals struggling with health issues that impaired her speech and mobility (Credit: Dave Allocca / Starpix / INSTARimages)

Anna Paquin Praises Husband Stephen Moyer’s Support and Talent

Anna also has nothing but praise for her husband of nearly 14 years, Stephen Moyer. “He’s my favorite person to play with,” noting that she wouldn’t agree to work with him on a movie if he weren’t a skilled director.

“I’m not sentimental when it comes to work,” she quipped.

Before her most recent appearance, Anna Paquin was last seen on the red carpet during the October 2022 Raindance Film Festival premiere of A Bit of Light.

Anna Paquin is accompanied on the red carpet by her husband Stephen Moyer, who directed Paquin's latest film A Bit of LightAnna Paquin is accompanied on the red carpet by her husband, Stephen Moyer, who directed Paquin’s latest film, A Bit of Light (Credit: Dave Allocca / Starpix / INSTARimages)

Anna Paquin Shines in Elegant Black Dress Amidst Health Struggles

Amidst the health struggles, I think it was admirable that Anna Paquin attended her movie’s screening and displayed her understated, classic elegance.

Her inherent beauty is breathtaking; she looks great, flashing her pearly whites in a sparkly little black dress that flaunts every inch of her slim figure.

I love Paquin’s radiant appearance, enhanced by her shimmering foil sequin LBD. She opted for the $249 “Seduce” mini dress by Nookie, an Australian womenswear fashion brand that aims to provide women with amazing clothes “for all those momentous occasions in their lives.”

Anna Paquin wows in a sparkly Nookie little black dress cut from foil sequin fabric with a mock neck, long sleeves, and a thigh-skimming hemAnna Paquin wows in a sparkly Nookie little black dress cut from foil sequin fabric with a mock neck, long sleeves, and a thigh-skimming hem (Credit: Dave Allocca / Starpix / INSTARimages)

The structured mock neck and strong shoulders give the silhouette a sleek, contemporary air that greatly appeals to me. It’s finished with long sleeves, a flattering thigh-skimming hem, and an asymmetrical waist gathering accentuating her slender form.

Paquin kept things understated by styling her little black dress with black tights and leather ankle boots, which gave the feminine, party-ready ensemble a bit of edge.

However, I would have preferred it more if she had thrown off the tights and worn strappy sandals instead of her boots to create a sultrier and more modern look.

Anna Paquin teams her LBD with black sheer tights and black leather ankle bootsAnna Paquin teams her LBD with black sheer tights and black leather ankle boots (Credit: Dave Allocca / Starpix / INSTARimages)

Anna eschewed ornate jewelry except for a few rings, letting the shimmering garment do the talking.

The Significance of Anna Paquin’s Red Carpet Cane

I like how she didn’t just use a regular cane; she got hers from Fashionable Canes, which offers various cane designs and patterns. Hers appear to be made of carbon fiber, which went well with her look’s edgy vibe.

Dolo Hair pulled Paquin’s hair back into an incredibly tight ponytail to prevent loose strands from falling into her exquisitely applied makeup.

Lucas Dean gave Anna a flawless complexion using the Future Skin Gel Foundation from Chantecaille before applying makeup from Patrick Ta Beauty. He accentuated her eyes with the Major Dimension III eyeshadow palette dusted with glitter and finished her look with dark peachy lip gloss and rosy cheeks.

Wearing her hair in a neat updo, Anna Paquin opts for a radiant glam with glittery smokey eyeshadow, rosy blush, and lipstickWearing her hair in a neat updo, Anna Paquin opts for a radiant glam with glittery smokey eyeshadow, rosy blush, and lipstick (Credit: Dave Allocca / Starpix / INSTARimages)

Anna Paquin’s Graceful Approach to Privacy on Health Matters

While we’re all concerned for Paquin’s health, the actress isn’t comfortable talking about it just yet. Anna refuses to discuss her condition, but she’s thankful for everyone who has shown care and support.

During an appearance on Today, Hoda Kotb mentioned Paquin’s recent red-carpet appearance, where she was seen walking with a cane and asked if everything was okay.

“I’m having a good day today. Yeah. Thank you for asking. I’ll probably talk about that at some point.” Paquin said.

Speaking on ET’s Spilling the E-Tea on Friday, “I am extraordinarily touched and moved by people showing that they care and being interested and kind about it.”

“At some point, I will probably elaborate on my own platform in my own words. I’m just really grateful for the support.”

Exploring Anna Paquin’s Role in ‘A Bit of Light’: A Tale of Recovery and Hope

A Bit of Light is based on Rebecca Callard’s stage play of the same name. It follows Ella (Anna Paquin), a recovering alcoholic who gives up custody of her young daughters to her ex-husband Joseph (Youssef Kerkour) and his new partner Bethan (Pippa Bennett-Warner).

She’s living with her father, Alan (Ray Winstone), as she tries to stay sober to take her kids back. She later meets a mature 12-year-old kid, and with his help, she begins to recover gradually.

A Bit of Light, directed by Stephen Moyer, was released in the US on Friday, April 5.