The Possible Explanation For Hell's Kitchen Contestant Fabiola Fuentes' On-Air Health Scare
Hell's Kitchen season 19 contestant Fabiola Fuentes left the show after experiencing an unexplained medical emergency that definitely put her off her game. Based on seemingly no provocation, Fabiola completely lost her composure. Crying, shouting, hyperventilating, and camera-shoving ensued until she was seen by medics (via Yahoo! Movies). Medics diagnosed the chef's immediate medical issue as dehydration. It's definitely true that dehydration can lead to some bizarre symptoms such as confusion (via Self). Contributing factors to dehydration include heat and exertion, both of which are plausible in a kitchen environment. However, some viewers weren't quite buying the diagnosis, supposing instead that Fabiola had a panic attack or possibly was even drunk.
Cooking for Chef Ramsay in front of cameras definitely sounds like it could trigger panic, and enjoying too many alcoholic beverages can alter behavior, but there are many medical issues that can mimic symptoms of dehydration. Diabetes, brain injury, or even poor sleeping can cause confusion (via MedlinePlus). If Fabiola does have an underlying condition, it's certainly her right not to share it with the viewing public. But whatever the case, something threw her off her stride. She ended up serving underdone, then very overdone (burnt), flatbread.
In Fabiola's tearful exit interview, she said, "I wish my health was in better [shape], and that's me. I tried to fight for myself as much as I could. I knew I failed and I knew that I bounced back. I was extremely embarrassed."
Fabiola is doing okay now
To be clear, having a physical or mental health condition, whether dehydration or otherwise, is nothing to be embarrassed about in our view. While viewers might not be sure exactly what went on with the aspiring chef, fans can rest assured that she's doing alright now. Shortly after her episode aired, one fan said on social media, "My heart breaks for you. What you deal with is so difficult and to do it so publicly is hard. You are amazing!!" Fabiola replied, "thank you so much [heart emoji] I appreciate it was definitely a difficult one I just wanted to keep going but it's ok and thank you [smile emoji] seriously it means alot it really does facts [heart emoji]" (via Instagram).
In another response, she elaborates further after a fan asks if she is feeling better: "Thank you so much for asking [hands emoji] I definitely am! I appreciate it so much I definitely was not doing well at all at that time [pray, heart emoji] have a great one!" Commenters sent well wishes about her health, and hopefully, Fabiola has success as she continues her culinary journey.