Ashley Park Recovers From Septic Shock, Boyfriend Paul Forman Provides Update

Ashley Park is embracing a “demure fall” as she prioritizes her health, with her boyfriend and Emily in Paris co-star, Paul Forman, by her side.

On Wednesday, August 14, the cast of the popular Netflix series—including Lily Collins, Park, Lucas Bravo, Lucien Laviscount, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Bruno Gouery, Forman, and Samuel Arnold—gathered for the Los Angeles premiere at the Egyptian Theater, just ahead of season 4’s debut.

At the event, Park, 33, shared that she’s currently enjoying a “recovery summer” and is looking forward to a more low-key fall after a serious health scare in January, where she was hospitalized for septic shock.

“I’m focused on regaining my health and getting back on my feet, which I’m thankfully doing now,” she said. “I’ve also taken up gardening—it’s been really therapeutic.”

Earlier this year, Park experienced a medical emergency while vacationing in the Maldives with Forman. A bout of tonsillitis escalated into septic shock, a life-threatening condition caused by severe infection, resulting in dangerously low blood pressure and potential organ failure.

Throughout her hospitalization and recovery, Forman, 30, remained by Park’s side. At the August 14 premiere, he reflected on the support he received during that challenging time.

“I don’t want to go into too much detail because it’s really Ashley’s story to tell, but I had a solid support system,” Forman shared. “The doctors in the Maldives and back in London were instrumental in helping me make decisions and go through the medical challenges we faced.”

Forman added, “I was fortunate to have support from my family, which helped me stay grounded and calm. My focus was always on Ashley.”

As Park continues her recovery, she’s dedicating time to rest and her new passion for gardening, a hobby she’s found both enjoyable and healing.

“I haven’t had much time at home to rest, so I’ve been spending time with my mom and family, which has been wonderful. Gardening has been my go-to activity,” Park said. “I’m constantly on garden TikTok and have a bunch of vegetables growing. I’m not sure if I’ve done everything right, but we’ll see.”

In the Fall 2024 issue of Cosmopolitan, Park opened up about her septic shock diagnosis while on vacation.

“When I first went to the ER and ICU, I was in the Maldives with Paul. I don’t think I would’ve made it without him. Everyone else was so far away,” she told the magazine. “Once I got there, I came down with tonsillitis, and then everything started to go downhill.”

After multiple ICU stays and several air ambulance transfers, Park eventually recovered in Paris, close to her Emily in Paris co-stars. Reflecting on the experience, Park acknowledged that she had been pushing herself too hard.

“I wasn’t listening to my body,” she admitted. “Now, I’m more mindful of my future and asking, ‘Am I putting myself in a position to perform at my best?’ That starts with prioritizing my health. I’m working on getting back to my old self.”

Emily in Paris season 4 will premiere on Netflix in two parts, with the first half airing on August 15 and the second half on September 12. Seasons 1-3 are currently available for streaming on Netflix.