Emma Heming Willis, wife of Bruce Willis, has issued a statement pleading with the paparazzi to give the Hollywood actor 'space' in the wake of his dementia diagnosis.
In a video shared to social media, she called on them to be more mindful when vying for snaps of the 67-year-old actor:
In her Instagram video, she recounted a recent incident in which photographers tried to bombard the Die Hard star when he ventured out of his home for a rare catch-up with friends for coffee in Santa Monica.
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"If you are someone who is looking after someone with dementia, you know how difficult and stressful it can be to get someone out into the world and to navigate them safely, even just to get a cup of coffee," she said.
"It’s clear that there’s still a lot of education that needs to be put forth. So this one is going out to the photographers and video people that are trying to get those exclusives of my husband out and about."
She then made her message clear: "Just keep your space."
She added that while she understands taking photos of celebrities might be their livelihood, her husband's life is being made more difficult as things get harder and harder for him.
She said: "I know this is your job, but maybe just keep your space. Please don’t be yelling at my husband, asking how he’s doing, whatever.
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"The woo-hooing and the yippee-ki-yay’s — just don’t do it.
"Give him the space. Allow for our family or whoever’s with him that day to be able to get him from Point A to Point B safely. That’s my PSA."
Her video message comes weeks after the Willis clan confirmed the actor's deteriorating health in an online statement.
His family - including wife Emma Heming, ex-wife Demi Moore, and his five daughters - said that the Armageddon star is now suffering from frontotemporal dementia, just a year after he retired from acting following the initial aphasia diagnosis.
The statement read: “Our family wanted to start by expressing our deepest gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love, support and wonderful stories we have all received since sharing Bruce’s original diagnosis.
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“In the spirit of that, we wanted to give you an update about our beloved husband, father and friend since we now have a deeper understanding of what he is experiencing.
“Since we announced Bruce’s diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce’s condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD).
“Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces.
"While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.”
Topics: Bruce Willis, Celebrity, Health