James Van Der Beek Breaks the Internet – Here’s Why Fans Are Shocked

Why people were shocked

• Van Der Beek, diagnosed with **stage-3 colorectal cancer**, had shared that he wasn’t well enough to attend the live reading in person.
• He revealed that two stomach viruses further kept him grounded. That made his virtual message even more unexpected.
• Fans saw him looking more frail than usual in video, and many were deeply moved by how open he was about struggling — yet still pushing forward.
• The surprise element: Van Der Beek had expressed profound disappointment at missing the event and longing to be there with his former castmates — yet still chose to speak, to show up virtually.

The emotional moment that broke through

His prerecorded message played to the audience, and from his words, you could sense heartbreak mixed with gratitude. “I have been looking forward to this night for months and months … since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together,” he said, his voice full of longing. He admitted: “I can’t believe I don’t get to see my castmates … in person.”

Then came a tender moment: he introduced **Lin-Manuel Miranda** as his substitute in the live reading, calling him an “upgrade” in his absence — a gesture both humorous and touching. It showed Van Der Beek’s spirit was present even if his body couldn’t be.

Fan reaction & what this means

The response was immediate and flooding in. Social media lit up with admiration, concern, and love. Fans praised his honesty, sending messages of support and sharing how his vulnerability made them reflect on strength, community, and the power of authentic connection.

Many also saw this as a moment of awareness: reminding people to pay attention to health signals, to cherish what they have, and to uplift those facing serious illness with compassion. Van Der Beek’s openness about cancer and his struggles gives others permission to not just “put on a brave face,” but to be real.