Laura Benanti suffers devastating miscarriage while performing on stage: ‘Thank you to that little soul for choosing me’

Laura Benanti has opened up about suffering a miscarriage while on stage.

The Gossip Girl actress, 43, was showered with love and support on social media after revealing that she lost a baby with her husband, Patrick Brown, during a performance on board a cruise ship.

Taking to Instagram, she shared a snap of herself mid-show on The Broadway Cruise, traveling from New York to Bermuda earlier this week.

‘On Monday April 3rd, I performed on stage for 2000 people while having a miscarriage,’ she began the lengthy caption. ‘I knew it was happening. It started slowly the night before. If it had been our first loss, or even our second, I likely wouldn’t have been able to go on. But unfortunately, I am not a stranger to the pain and emptiness of losing a pregnancy.

‘It is a path I have walked before, hand in hand with my husband. But this time we walked it alongside some of the kindest, most loving humans I will ever have the honor to share space with. Thank you to everyone in that audience for the grace your presence allowed. For lifting me out of my grief for that Holy hour.

‘Thank you to my band for holding me, unconditionally, in your hearts, and to the crew for working so hard to make me as comfortable as possible. Thank you to my friends and fellow performers for rallying around me and so graciously accommodating my changing needs.

‘Thank you to the extraordinary producers and their teams who could give a masterclass on how to handle a personal emergency with empathy and compassion.’

‘Thank you to my remarkable Mother-in-law and Father-in-law for shielding Ella from the reality of this experience and giving her the time of her life while “Mama’s back hurt”,’ she continued.

‘Thank you to that little soul for choosing me as your home, even for a short time.’

‘Patrick and I are so grateful for the family that we have, and the miracle of our two little girls. One carried by me and one carried by an angel-on-earth.

‘My husband and I are heartbroken but we will move through this together as we, and so many others, have done before.

‘I share all of this, not to garner sympathy or attention, but to remind the many people and families who have and will suffer in this way that there is no shame in this kind of loss. That you are not alone. And to remind myself as well.’

Laura and Patrick announced their engagement in June, 2015, and tied the knot later that year.

They welcomed daughter Ella together in 2017, and welcomed Louisa via a surrogate last year.

The Tony-winner was flooded with love in the comments below, as famous faces offered her their support, praising her for being so open.

Brenda Strong penned: ‘I am beyond moved by your courage, your strength, your honesty and your resilience. Any one of us who have suffered this kind of loss understand what it took for you to stand on that stage.

‘Most would have collapsed in the contrast of what was being demanded of you. But you used it as an opportunity to shine gratitude on others, and to receive support. This is grace. This is what motherhood looks like.

‘It requires a deep vulnerability at the same time you are called to raise others up and your offering the truth of those complexities for us to bear witness to is an incredible gift. Thank you so much for sharing. I am in awe.’

Jewel said: ‘I’m so proud of you! This moved me immeasurably – your Grace, heart, vulnerability and courage all together – heroically divinely feminine.’

Kristin Chenoweth agreed: ‘Laura. I’m so sorry. Everyone who knows you loves you. You’re an angel on this earth. You are the toughest person i know. Sending Gods love to your fam.’

‘I am so so sorry for your loss and your pain. Thank you for sharing this,’ Rufus Wainwright posted.

As Yvette Nicole Brown added: ‘Sending love and Light to you and your family. ? Your transparency in sharing this helps so many. Love you!’