Penélope Cruz has revealed a frightening moment when she was preparing to film late-night scenes for her new movie, ‘The Black Ball’ (2026). During a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on May 23, the actress said a doctor warned her about a possible brain aneurysm.
In the film, Cruz plays a cabaret entertainer performing for soldiers.
“And then when we were about to go out, I was putting on my wig, and they said, ‘Oh, apparently you have some brain aneurysm,’” she recalled, according to Variety. The actress, 52, added, “I thought I was about to die.”
Cruz said she was cleared by a doctor the next day to continue singing and dancing for the production, and added that the experience changed her perspective.
Indeed, brain hemorrhages are a critical and life-threatening medical condition that require immediate attention and intervention. Often referred to as “brain bleeds” or "hemorrhagic strokes," their sudden onset and complex nature mean that it is imperative for people to understand their underlying causes, as well as the risk factors involved and the critical need for prevention.
Brain bleeds do not discriminate by age or background, and they can affect people across a wide spectrum of demographics. But certain lifestyle choices, health conditions, and genetic factors can increase the chances of developing it. So, what types of brain hemorrhages are there, and what can be done to prevent them? Click through this gallery to find out.