Reality TV star Nikki Exotic is recovering from emergency triple heart bypass surgery, according to a charity fundraiser and social media posts posted by her mother following the recent medical crisis that landed the artist in intensive care. The former star is reportedly show "90 Days Before the Wedding"« suffered a mild heart attack days before the surgery that saved her life, after months of worsening symptoms that initially went unnoticed by doctors.
According to information Just Jared , The 50-year-old TV presenter has been suffering from chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue and difficulty exercising for several months, while continuing to rehearse and perform ahead of a planned summer tour.
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According to information provided by her mother, Mirna, Exotica has sought medical attention multiple times since last fall and has undergone extensive cardiac testing, including an EKG, echocardiogram, and stress test.
Despite these tests, she was reportedly told that her heart appeared healthy.
The situation escalated after she nearly fainted during a performance and later suffered a mild heart attack on her way to see a cardiologist, according to her family.
Myrna later reported that doctors at Hackensack University Medical Center discovered severe arterial blockages after performing an angiogram. Because the arteries were too calcified to accommodate stents or angioplasty, surgeons proceeded with triple bypass surgery.
«"Nicole now requires triple bypass surgery, which will allow surgeons to reroute blood flow around the blocked arteries using healthy blood vessels," Myrna wrote in the fundraiser description.
She also confirmed that Exotic has handed over her powers to her mother while she recovers from surgery.
Exotica gained widespread popularity thanks to the 10th season of the show "« 90 days before the wedding"» , which chronicled her relationship with Justin Shutenkov during a trip to Moldova in 2023. Throughout the season, she spoke openly about her experiences as a transgender woman and the difficulties that impacted their relationship before the couple eventually split.
Beyond reality TV, Exotika has had a career in music, nightlife, and television for years, including appearances on series such as «Pose» и «Orange Is the New Black» .
She is also associated with the legendary House of Xtravaganza, one of the most influential houses in New York ballroom culture. Founded in the early 1980s, the House of Xtravaganza helped bring voguing and ballroom culture into the mainstream through connections with artists like Madonna and documentaries like «Paris is Burning» .
While Myrna emphasized that Exotika's medical insurance covers the surgery itself, the family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover rent, monthly expenses, and recovery costs while the artist is unable to work.
«"Any contribution, big or small, will mean a lot to us during this difficult time," Myrna wrote in a fundraising post.
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