When Leslie Jones walked onto The View set in December 2024, she came ready to be brilliant. She came to make people laugh, to promote her work, to own her moment in front of millions of viewers. Instead, a hot flash hijacked the entire segment.
Mid-conversation, you could see it happening. The discomfort. The distraction. The struggle to stay present while her body staged a rebellion on national television. "I'm having a hot flash right now," she announced, trying to maintain her trademark humor while clearly fighting to keep her composure.
The other hosts offered fans and sympathy. The audience was understanding. But here's the truth: her moment was stolen. Her body hijacked the microphone, and she did not get a win.
When Your Body Steals Your Spotlight
This wasn't just an unfortunate moment caught on camera. This is what happens to performers, speakers, artists, and women in the public eye when menopause crashes the party at the worst possible time. You've prepared. You've practiced. You're ready to shine. And then your body decides it has other plans.
For Leslie Jones, it meant losing control of a national television appearance. For you, it might be the audition you've been preparing for, the keynote speech that could elevate your career, the performance you've rehearsed for months, or the pitch meeting where you need to be sharp and confident.
The cruelty is in the timing. Hot flashes don't politely wait until you're alone. They strike when you're on stage, on camera, in front of the people you most need to impress. They arrive precisely when you need your body to cooperate and let your talent speak.
The Artist's Dilemma
If you're a performer or public figure, you know your body is part of your instrument. Actors need physical presence. Speakers need vocal control and commanding energy. Musicians need steady hands and breath control. Dancers need every muscle responding exactly as trained.
Now imagine trying to deliver a powerful monologue while waves of heat roll through your body and sweat drips down your back. Imagine trying to hold a note while your heart races and your concentration fragments. Imagine trying to command a stage while you're hyperaware of every physical sensation screaming for attention.
You're not thinking about your character or your message or your art. You're thinking: Please don't let them see me sweating. Please don't let my voice shake. Please let me get through this without everyone noticing.
And if you're a Black woman or woman of color, you're carrying an extra layer of pressure. You're already fighting stereotypes, already navigating spaces where you have less room for error, already proving yourself in ways your White colleagues never have to. Now add a visible physical struggle that you can't control. The stakes are impossibly high.
What Gets Lost
Research tells us that Black women and Latinas experience more frequent and severe hot flashes than White women. We're also less likely to get effective treatment, even when we ask for help. So we're dealing with worse symptoms while facing higher scrutiny and receiving less support.
The result? Women start turning down opportunities. You say no to the speaking engagement because you can't risk a hot flash mid-presentation. You avoid auditions that require being on camera for extended periods. You step back from high-profile projects because you can't predict when your body will cooperate.
Some women reduce their bookings entirely. Some change the trajectory of their careers, choosing less visible work. Some step away during what should be their peak creative years because managing symptoms while maintaining their professional image feels impossible.
And here's what breaks my heart: these decisions happen quietly. Women don't announce "I'm turning down this opportunity because of menopause." They just fade back, and the world loses their voice, their artistry, their brilliance.
There's Another Way
Here's what should have happened: Leslie Jones should have had access to effective treatment that prevented that hot flash from ever occurring. She should have walked onto that set, owned her segment, made everyone laugh, and walked off having controlled every moment of her appearance.
The good news is that effective medical treatments exist. Hormone therapy reduces hot flashes by 75-90% in most women. It's not about vanity or comfort—it's about protecting your ability to practice your craft at the highest level.
There are also non-hormonal prescription options available. Your healthcare provider can discuss what treatments might work best for your specific situation and health history.
But many women never explore these treatments because they don't know they exist, their doctors dismiss their concerns, or they've been told menopause is just something to endure. And for women of color, getting adequate care often means fighting through provider bias and advocating harder than you should have to.
Protecting Your Artistry
If you're a performer, speaker, or anyone whose work requires being "on" in high-stakes moments, treating menopause symptoms isn't optional—it's protecting your livelihood.
Start by being direct with your healthcare provider. Don't just say "I'm having hot flashes." Say "Hot flashes are affecting my ability to perform. I need treatment that lets me do my job." If your provider dismisses you or offers only lifestyle suggestions, find a menopause specialist. Your career is too important to accept inadequate care.
While you're pursuing treatment, there are practical steps that help. Dress in breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics. Request reasonable temperature control when you can. Keep cooling supplies accessible backstage or between takes. Build in breaks for longer performances or recordings.
But these are management strategies, not solutions. You deserve actual treatment that prevents the hijacking from happening in the first place.
Your Moment Matters
Menopause happens during what should be your most powerful creative years. You've spent decades honing your craft, building your platform, developing your voice. You've earned the right to be seen and heard at your full power.
Leslie Jones deserved to shine on The View. Instead, millions of viewers watched her struggle, and her brilliance got overshadowed by biology. That's not fair, and it's not inevitable.
Don't let menopause steal your moments. Get the medical care you need. Find providers who take your career seriously. Build a support network of other artists who understand. And most importantly, know that struggling with symptoms doesn't mean you're declining or losing your edge—it means you have a treatable medical condition.
Your talent is real. Your voice matters. Your artistry deserves to be seen without your body hijacking the spotlight. Get the treatment that lets you show up fully, own your moments, and let your brilliance speak for itself.
The Peri Nation provides culturally relevant menopause education and support to help you navigate perimenopause without sacrificing your artistry. You deserve effective treatment and the ability to thrive in your craft. Your voice matters.
Source: Los Angeles Times. "Leslie Jones experiences hot flash during 'The View' appearance." December 11, 2024.
