Jennifer Esposito, who stars in the CBS drama “Blue Bloods,” was recently diagnosed with celiac disease and is upset with the network, calling it shameful, after they asked Esposito to take some time away from the set.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy onward. The illness is often associated with causing fatigue and become very debilitating. Esposito was asked to take time off.
“Jennifer has informed us that she is only available to work on a very limited part-time schedule. As a result, she’s unable to perform the demands of her role and we regretfully had to put her character on a leave of absence. She is a wonderfully talented actress and we hope that she will be able to return at some point in the future,” the network said in a statement.
Shortly before starting her role on Blue Bloods, Esposito had been diagnosed with celiac, and after recently collapsing on set due to her condition, her doctor ordered her to cut back on her workload after taking a short time off.
But Esposito is saying that it is shameful the way her employer is treating her because of the situation, apparently not believing her and blackballing her from being able to work elsewhere.
In a Tweet, Jennifer said, “CBS didn’t listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw! After a week off my doc said I could return to work but CBS … (i)mplied that I was NOT truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise! It’s been almost two months without (bringing) me back to work + keeping (m)e from working anywhere else! … Absolutely shameful behavior.”
CBS has yet to comment on Esposito’s claims. After some fan support, Esposito retweeted, “A very sad day when you can be bullied at my age with a disease.”