Bret Michaels Changes His Tune After Tony Night Injury

After originally downplaying injuries suffered during an onstage mishap during the Tony Awards ceremony on June 7, Poison frontman Bret Michaels has changed his tune. Reps for the singer issued a statement on June 9 critical of the Tony producers and host Neil Patrick Harris’ reaction to Michaels having been struck by a piece of scenery at the end of the opening number. Recent reports say that Michaels, whose music is featured in the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, suffered a fractured nose in addition to previously disclosed stitches to close a wound in his lip.

“Sunday morning at rehearsals, Bret was never informed that the descending set piece existed let alone would be moving into position as he was exiting the stage,” according to Michaels Entertainment Group’s Janna Elias. The statement went on to say that the “half-ton stage prop” continued descending even after Michaels was hit and that he “moved himself out of the way just moments before the prop touched down.”

The statement continued, "I find it surprising that a Tony spokesperson would brush off this incident with a comment stating, ‘Mr. Michaels missed his mark,' with no mention of concern for his condition. If everyone at the Tonys were aware that Bret missed his mark, then they should have been aware enough to stop the set piece from hitting him or at least slowed it down until he cleared the stage. I feel had this incident happened to Liza Minnelli, Dolly Parton or Elton John, the Tonys would have at least issued a letter of concern.”

Bob Wallerstein, a representative for Michaels, said, "We realize the show is live and must go on, however it is unfortunate that the show's host [Neil Patrick Harris] made light of the situation without having any knowledge of the severity of Bret's injuries. Comments that Mr. Harris was doing shots backstage with Mr. Michaels and that Bret was completely fine were untrue considering Bret never saw Mr. Harris prior to, during, or after the Tonys, but in fact was being attended to by medical personnel backstage. Michaels did not return to the stage, the seats nor attend any after-parties."

The Tony Awards producers have not responded to the statement from Michaels' reps.