Hollywood star Elaine Hendrix is fighting through the pain — and she’s coming back to the ballroom. After a scary injury during Dancing with the Stars rehearsals, the 54-year-old actress shared a heartfelt video from her hospital bed, saying she’ll be back on Friday. “I am ready to go,” she told her fans.
A Frightening Setback
Elaine’s road to recovery took a sudden twist during rehearsals for the Halloween episode of Dancing with the Stars. She suffered a rib injury, freezing mid-dance with her partner, pro Alan Bersten, saying she “couldn’t move” and felt like she couldn’t breathe. iHeart+2HELLO!+2
She was carried off the ballroom floor on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. TMZ+1 According to her post, doctors told her that with a day or two of rest, she’d be able to return. BollywoodShaadis+1
Pain, But Not Giving Up
In her Instagram update, Elaine opened up about her feelings. “I was beyond excited to share what we had worked so hard on,” she said, clearly emotional. But she refused to let the injury take her out of the competition. “With your support, I’ll be back in the ballroom next week. I want nothing more.” SoapCentral+1
She also revealed she’s been managing chronic pain through the season — including an old issue with a titanium joint in her foot, which she says caused her to “rip half the skin off” during a barefoot rehearsal. EW.com
Support Is Pouring In
Her dance partner, Alan Bersten, confirmed she’s been discharged from the hospital and is now focused on pain management. Extra He told Extra: “She is cleared to dance for next week … it’s just about pain management at this point.” Extra
He also shared a touching message for her: “Elaine, you know how much I love you … I cannot wait to see you again.” Extra
A Fighter’s Spirit
Elaine’s competitive spirit and love for the show shine through despite everything. She kept her eyes on the prize and thanked fans for the outpouring of support. “All of your messages … I am seeing it all, and I just want you to know … I am okay,” she said. People.com
She’s determined to be back in full form — and she made it clear: the ballroom is where she belongs.
What’s Next?
If everything goes according to plan, Elaine and Alan will return on the Friday episode. With her drive and resilience, she’s not just coming back — she’s coming back strong. As Alan promised, the choreography ahead will be tailored to help protect her injured rib.
Elaine’s journey is a powerful reminder: even when things go wrong, passion and grit can put you right back in the game. Her fans will surely be rooting harder than ever — because her comeback story might just be the highlight of this DWTS season.