Filming physically demanding scenes is often part of an actor’s job, but Erin Moriarty has revealed that one experience on The Boys pushed her far beyond her limits. Speaking on the MesSy podcast, the actress opened up about shooting Starlight’s first intimate scene with Hughie, played by Jack Quaid, during season 2 while suffering from what she described as a “really, really, really bad” staph infection. Moriarty explained that she had been so physically run down during filming that she developed the infection, noting that while staph bacteria naturally exist on the skin, exhaustion can allow the infection to become serious. In her case, it became so severe that she couldn’t even move her right arm.
“You’re taught and conditioned, especially when you start really young as an actress, to say yes to everything,” Moriarty said, adding that she had long believed in pushing through pain for the sake of her work. Looking back, she admitted that mindset often came at the expense of her own health.
Despite informing production about her condition, Moriarty said the only adjustment made to the night’s schedule was to proceed with filming Starlight and Hughie’s intimate scene. She recalled telling the crew, “Guys, I have a second head growing out of my armpit,” hoping they would understand the seriousness of the infection.
According to the actress, many people initially heard her concerns but failed to grasp how severe the situation had become. It wasn’t until she physically showed them the infection that they realised she needed urgent medical attention.
“I remember saying, ‘I have the staph infection going on. You don’t understand. It’s really bad. I’m in total hell,’” Moriarty recalled. “Then I would show them the infection, and they would go, ‘Oh my God. You need to go to the ER right now!’”
Even while in significant pain, Moriarty chose to complete the night shoot because she wanted to prove she was a reliable member of the team. She admitted that she often avoids complaining at work because she fears people won’t take her seriously, only speaking up when the situation becomes impossible to ignore.
The actress has become increasingly open about her health in recent years. In 2025, she publicly revealed that she had been diagnosed with Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition that can affect the thyroid, after previously sharing how the illness impacted both her personal life and filming schedule.
Moriarty’s story highlights a broader conversation taking place across Hollywood about performers feeling pressured to work through illness or injury. While audiences often see the finished scene on screen, they rarely witness the physical challenges actors sometimes endure behind the camera. For Moriarty, making it through the shoot wasn’t a badge of honour, but a reminder that prioritising health should never be seen as a weakness.