The Young and the Restless star Lily Brooks O’Briant recently opened up about her private health battle. Fans wondered if her reduced screen time hinted at something deeper. Now, her emotional confession suggests endometriosis may have played a big role in her temporary break.
From The Young and the Restless Set Lights to Silent Pain
Lily Brooks O’Briant, who plays Lucy Romalotti on The Young and the Restless, didn’t plan to step back. But behind her vibrant on-screen presence, she was fighting a brutal invisible illness. In a candid interview on State of Mind with Maurice Benard, Lily finally revealed her long battle with endometriosis.
Her symptoms started at sixteen. The pain was crippling. “Five days of each cycle, I couldn’t get out of bed,” she shared. Doctors dismissed her agony. Some called it anxiety. Others claimed it was her body adjusting. A few even suggested an eating disorder. But Lily knew it wasn’t in her head.
Even as she booked her Y&R role the same day her Apple TV+ show Life by Ella was canceled, she carried the weight of undiagnosed illness. Auditions, shoots, and social life took a hit. She hid her pain well, but not for long. Then came the turning point — an Instagram post from Bindi Irwin. It changed everything.
Awareness, Advocacy, and Hope for a Return
That post gave Lily hope. Bindi Irwin’s story led her to a surgeon in New York. After months of being dismissed and placed on waitlists, Lily got her diagnosis and had surgery. The relief was overwhelming. “Did they find anything?” she asked her mom after surgery. The answer was yes — validation, finally.
Since then, Lily has become a fierce advocate for endometriosis awareness. She uses her voice to break the stigma around menstrual pain and women’s health. She’s also not alone. Soap stars like Kirsten Storms and Kate Mansi have shared similar stories, as has GH’s character Molly.
Lily’s health journey isn’t a goodbye to The Young and the Restless. She hasn’t officially exited the show. She remains open to returning when the time is right. For now, she’s focusing on healing and speaking up for the millions of women suffering in silence.
Lily Brooks O’Briant’s fight with endometriosis brought a pause to her The Young and the Restless journey. But it also lit a path for others dealing with the same pain. She’s not done with Genoa City just yet—and we’ll be watching for her comeback. For more updates on your favorite stars, stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily.
