Poison frontman Bret Michaels, 47, who found a second career as a glam-rock reality television star, is in intensive care suffering from a brain hemorrhage at the base of his skull.
Michaels’ publicist, Joann Mignano, in New York confirmed that the former Poison lead singer is in critical condition in intensive care, after complaining of a severe headache late Thursday (Apr. 22).
Michaels is currently a contestant on the third season of Donald Trump’s NBC boardroom reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
He has avoided being fired in the boardroom through six episodes. Trump said he was “deeply saddened” about the turn of events.
“He’s a great competitor and champion, and I hope he will be fine,” Trump said in a statement.
Doctors discovered bleeding at the base of Michael’s brain stem, a potentially life threatening condition known as a subarachnoid hemorrha.
The symptoms include the sudden onset of a headache, often described as the “worst ever experience.” It can be preceded by a popping or snapping sensation in the head.
The condition is usually caused by the bursting of a blood vessel that fills the space between the brain and the skull with blood, creating pressure on the brain. It often requires surgery to repair the blood vessel, and relieve the pressure, according to medical references.
Michael had only been released from the hospital last week after undergoing an emergency appendectomy. It’s unknown whether the two afflictions are related. Michaels also suffers from diabetes.
He was scheduled to perform at Sea World in San Antonio, Texas, when he came down with sharp stomach pains.
Michaels said the surgery “has taken its toll,” in a posting on his Web site, but doctors expected him to make a full recovery.
Michaels second career as a reality star began on VH1’s reality dating series “Rock of Love.” He appeared from 2007 to 2009.
For three seasons, Michaels searched for the women of his dreams amid a sea of implants, tattoos and thongs.
He also served as a judge on the fifth season of the USA singing competition “Nashville Star” in 2007.
Keith Girard four decades of experience as an award-winning reporter, editor-in-chief, and senior media executive. Keith’s career began in Washington, D.C., where he was a reporter for The Washington Post and a contributing editor for Regardie’s and Washingtonian magazines. He also worked as a writer/producer in CNN’s Washington Bureau and has written one book on the U.S. Marines in the Gulf War.

I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS TRAGEDY. I JUST CAN’T BELIEVE IT. I LOVE HIM. HE IS SO AMAZING. SO WONDERFUL. SUCH A KIND PERSON. LET US ALL GIVE HIM STRENGTH. GOD BE WITH HIM. GOD BE WITH YOU. GOD BE WITH HE AND HIS FAMILY
Best of luck with the recovery. I have been a major fan since the late 80’s, and have enjoyed watching him on TV over the past few years. Bret is a fighter and will not give up this fight.
Pray for him!!!
WOW, AS I’M SITTING HERE FAXING PAPERS TO HELP SAVE OUR HOUSE, I’M LISTENING TO MONSTERS BALLADS CD ON MY COMPUTER, LISTENING TO BRETT MICHAELS (SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN) AND I SAW THE POSTING ON YAHOO. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH, AND GOD BE WITH HIM AND I KNOW HE HAS A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER ALSO. GET BETTER SOON.
I’ve been a fan since 1986. I’m just sick about this. I hope nothing but the best for him and his daughters.
I really enjoy you on the tv show I think you have a great heart, and put a lot of effort more than anyone on the show to help diabetes. I hope to see you in Birmingham, Ala. I am praying that you get better and make a speedy recovery! You seem to be a very strong person. I will be there with a sign that says good job Brett, at the concert! You are a big inspiration! Sincerely, Scoot Keith!
I hope you make a speedy recovery. I hope to see you in Birmingham, Ala. You are a huge inspiration to the Diabetes Foundation, and really have your heart in this. I pray that you make a speedy recovery! I will be there with a sign that says good job Brett. Sincerely, Scoot Keith!
I am sorry that the messages came out three times! I thought there was an error on the computer! Scoot
I hope Bret will be Ok, very scary! Met Bret several times and he is always very nice, approachable, and even better looking in person 😉
Speedy recovery and God bless…
I’ve been a fan since the 80’s as well though I was just a kid. I read a friends post on facebook and I had to check it out. You mr michaels have been a musical inspiration to me and I wish u luck and a comfortable recovery. You are good man with a big heart and I’m cheering for you in the celebrity apprentice. God speed and know you are loved by me and my wife Britney and my roomies Quinn and Casey.
I Love You! I Love You! I Love You!
My prayers and white light surround you.
BRET I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND MOST OF ALL YOUR CHILDREN I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THEM AND THEY YOU PLEASE FIGHT THROUGH THIS AND GET WELL YOU ARE SUCH AN AWSOME LOVING PERSON YOU DO SO MUCH FOR YOUR FANS AND THAT MAKES YOU A VERY SPECIAL MAN I WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE YOU IN MY PRAYERS AND ALSO I WANT TO TELL YOU THANK YOU FOR THE SONG GIVE ME SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN IT HITS HOME FOR ME ALL MY LOVE AND PRAYERS TO YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN RENEE FROM HAUGHTON LA.