Actresses Who Actually Fell Asleep During Their Own Movie Premieres

It is often assumed that movie stars are filled with adrenaline and excitement when the lights go down at their own film premieres. However, between grueling press junkets, constant travel, and late-night filming schedules, many actresses have confessed to nodding off during these high-profile screenings. From child stars who could not stay awake past their bedtimes to seasoned professionals overcome by exhaustion, here are the actresses who actually fell asleep during their own movie premieres.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan rose to international fame at the age of 12 after playing the dual roles of Hallie Parker and Annie James in the 1998 Disney remake. During the Hollywood premiere of ‘The Parent Trap’ (1998), the young star was reportedly so overworked and exhausted from the intense production and promotion cycle that she promptly fell asleep in the theater. She later admitted in an interview on ‘Last Call with Carson Daly’ that she had dozed off during the screening despite the star-studded nature of the event. The actress noted that her busy schedule as a child performer often left her with little time for rest.

Deepika Padukone

The entire main cast of the 2014 heist comedy ‘Happy New Year’ (2014) reportedly fell asleep within five minutes of the film’s grand world premiere in Dubai. Director Farah Khan revealed in a vlog that the team, which included leading lady Deepika Padukone, was completely burnt out after a relentless 40-day promotional tour and a three-week international press spree. The actors were seated in the front row of the theater but were too physically exhausted to stay awake for the duration of the screening. Farah Khan joked that the aggressive PR campaign had taken such a toll that the stars could not even make it through the opening scenes.

Mylène Demongeot

French actress Mylène Demongeot was a prominent figure in international cinema during the 1950s and 60s. During the high-profile premiere of the art-house classic ‘Red Desert’ (1964) at the Venice Film Festival, she reportedly fell asleep despite being seated directly next to the film’s director, Michelangelo Antonioni. The film is known for its slow pace and existential themes, which may have contributed to the actress dozing off in the dark theater. While ‘Red Desert’ (1964) went on to win the Golden Lion, the top prize at the festival, Demongeot’s accidental nap became a humorous piece of festival lore.

Claire Denis

Though primarily known as a critically acclaimed director, Claire Denis admitted to falling asleep during the official Cannes Film Festival screening of her first feature film, ‘Chocolat’ (1988). The filmmaker explained in an interview with the British Film Institute that she was “half dead” and terrified by the prospect of presenting her debut project to such a prestigious audience. The combination of intense fear and physical exhaustion led her to lose consciousness during the projection of the movie. She humorously recounted that when she was asked how it felt to see her work on the big screen for the first time, she had to confess she missed a significant portion of it.

Morfydd Clark

Welsh actress Morfydd Clark experienced a physiological reaction to the stress of a major premiere when she attended the screening of ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ (2019). While she did not fall asleep from boredom, she actually fainted and passed out during the Q&A session following the film’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The actress later explained that the combination of being cast as Galadriel in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ and the excitement of the premiere caused an “out-of-body experience” that led to her collapse. Footage from the event captures the moment she had to be helped offstage after losing consciousness.

Camila Cabello

Singer and actress Camila Cabello had a dramatic start to her film career during the Los Angeles premiere of the musical ‘Cinderella’ (2021). Cabello revealed to the audience at the Greek Theatre that she had passed out right before she was supposed to walk onto the stage to introduce the film. She attributed the fainting spell to a combination of nerves and stomach issues, which caused her to miss her initial cue. Despite the temporary loss of consciousness, she managed to recover and return to the stage to address her fans. She jokingly apologized for her lateness, explaining that she “literally just passed out” in the wings.

Karolyn Grimes

Karolyn Grimes is best known for her role as Zuzu Bailey in the holiday classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (1946). When the film held its opening night screening, the six-year-old actress was in attendance but found it impossible to stay awake for the duration of the movie. She has since recounted that she was a veteran child actress at the time but still succumbed to her young age and the late-night festivities. Grimes noted that because the film was not an initial box office hit, she did not actually watch the full movie until many years later when it became a television staple.

Share your thoughts on these accidental red-carpet naps in the comments.