Serene Branson: ‘As Soon As I Opened My Mouth, I Knew Something Was Wrong’

Los Angeles reporter Serene Branson has given her first interview since the Grammy night live report that catapulted the KCBS-TV journalist into YouTube fame. “My head was definitely pounding and I was very uncomfortable and I knew something wasn’t right,” Branson told KCBS anchor Pat Harvey Thursday night. “I was terrified and confused. Confused. What had just happened? At that point they sat me down, then my right cheek went numb. My right hand went numb and I lost some sensation in my arm.”

The live report, where Branson become visibly confused and had trouble speaking clearly, led many to fear she’d had a stroke on live television. Branson was checked out by paramedics after the incident, cleared, and sent home. Some have questioned that decision, but Branson says her doctors have determined she suffered a migraine, not a more serious medical problem. As KCBS reports:

Tests conducted by Branson’s doctor confirmed that she had suffered a migraine and that the symptoms — dizziness, nausea and garbled speech – mimic a stroke. Since the broadcast, Branson has also learned that the migraines are hereditary and that her mother also suffers from them.

Branson, who visits CBS’ Early Show Friday morning, says she looking forward to returning to work. “My boss has already asked if I’m ready and I expressed to him that I am anxious and eager to get back to being back at work and I’m ready to be telling the story and not be the story.”

Watch the interview here, from KCBS:

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