Jenifer Lewis Becomes Emotional As She Recalls Near-Fatal 10-Ft. Fall Off Balcony During African Getaway: ‘It Was Hard Even To Take A Big Breath To Scream’

Jenifer Lewis

Jenifer Lewis Becomes Emotional As She Recalls Near-Fatal 10-Ft. Fall Off Balcony During African Getaway: ‘It Was Hard Even To Take A Big Breath To Scream’

For the first time, Jenifer Lewis is revealing the harrowing moments of a fall that could have been fatal.

On Tuesday (March 12), ABC News shared a preview of an upcoming interview featuring beloved actress Jenifer Lewis speaking out about a terrible accident she had while on a trip in Africa.  In her conversation with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, the entertainer said that following the conclusion of the hit show ‘Black-ish’ in 2022, she intended to retire and embark on a global journey.

Among Jenifer Lewis’ planned destinations was the Serengeti region of Africa, where she booked a hotel room with a balcony offering views of an infinity pool. Unfortunately, following her arrival at the dream vacation spot in November 2022, things soon became a nightmare.

According to Lewis, shortly after checking into her lodge, she decided to go out and take a look at her view and new (temporary) living arrangements.

Jenifer Lewis

The actress shared,

“When the sun sets in the Serengeti, there are no street lights. It is pitch black.”

Lewis continued,

“I laid out my safari clothes and I saw the infinity pool out on my deck. So I went out, I was just taking in that I was back in the Serengeti once again. And I’m walking and all of a sudden, I had fallen 10 feet into a dry ravine full of boulders and stones and sharp rocks.”

Noting how such a dangerous fall was even possible, she said,

“There was a space that was not sectioned off and there was no sign that said, ‘Caution, 10-foot. drop.'”

The fall put Lewis in a deep state of shock. She also said during the interview that when she tried to get her friend’s attention, it proved to be a difficult task.

She stated,

“It was hard even to take a big breath to scream.”

Fortunately, Lewis managed to muster enough strength to call out to her friend. However, once the woman rushed to seek assistance, Lewis found herself, once again, in the darkness alone and immobile.

Lewis recounted,

“When Laurie ran to get help, I heard a lion roar.”

She joked,

“My last thought, because I’m Jenifer Lewis, was ‘What a headline! The King Ate the Queen: Pieces of Jenifer Lewis’ Body Is Being Flown Back to the States.’ “

Jenifer Lewis

Lewis also mentioned that due to the fall, she experienced a great deal of discomfort.

The veteran actress shared,

“My right hip took the impact. My shoulder went up against the stone. A lightning bolt went through my mind’s eye right here in pitch black.”

She added,

“In pitch black, I didn’t know I was falling. nothing would move. So I laid there and said, ‘Move your body, baby. Come on Jenny, move your body.’ “

Jenifer Lewis‘ complete interview with Robin Roberts will air on Tuesday evening (March 12) at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.

.@ABC NEWS EXCLUSIVE: "In pitch black I didn't know I was falling."

Jenifer Lewis opens up to @RobinRoberts about a near-fatal fall she took while on her dream vacation. See more tonight at 8:30pm ET on @ABCNewsLive and @Hulu. pic.twitter.com/oSMAjsoXog

— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 12, 2024

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