Former "Dancing with the Stars" co-host Samantha Harris shared an anecdote about how actor Tom Cruise rescued her from a potentially dangerous situation during a promotional event. The incident occurred in Seville, Spain, while Harris, then working for "Entertainment Tonight," was interviewing Cruise for the 2010 film "Knight and Day."
Harris described the setting as a closed course with numerous cameras and fans present for the movie promotion. Initially, the plan was for Harris to interview Cruise and then chase him on his motorcycle in a separate vehicle. However, Harris asked Cruise if she could sit on his Ducati motorcycle. Cruise agreed, encouraging her to hop on. Unfamiliar with motorcycles and accustomed to riding horses, Harris attempted to mount the bike in a similar fashion, placing her left foot in a stirrup and swinging her leg over. As she did this, the 500-pound Ducati began to tip over, heading directly towards Cruise.
In a moment Harris likened to a movie scene, Cruise reacted quickly, getting under the falling motorcycle and pushing it upright before it could crush him. Despite the near-accident, Cruise reportedly encouraged Harris to try again, advising her to keep her foot planted on the ground as she mounted the bike.
Following Cruise's instructions, Harris successfully got on the motorcycle with him. She recalled wrapping her arms around Cruise and audibly exclaiming, "Oh my God, your abs," a comment that was caught on camera and aired later that day. Cruise then gave Harris a ride through the streets of Seville, an experience she described as one of the most fun and awesome TV experiences of her career.
Beyond the celebrity encounter, Harris also reflected on her personal health journey. She has faced multiple battles with breast cancer, first diagnosed with stage 2 cancer in March 2014 at age 40. Harris emphasized the importance of being one's own health advocate, recalling how doctors initially dismissed a lump she found, assuring her it was nothing despite her concerns and multiple clear mammograms. Her persistence led to a specialist removing the lump, which was then discovered to be stage 2 invasive breast cancer. Following a mastectomy, it was found that the cancer had spread to a lymph node.
After undergoing treatment and a double mastectomy, Harris was declared cancer-free. However, she experienced a recurrence in August 2024. This time, due to lifestyle changes made after her initial diagnosis, the recurrence was small. Again, she encountered medical professionals who initially dismissed her concerns, but she insisted on further testing, which thankfully detected the cancer. Harris stated that this second experience served as another wake-up call.
Despite an ongoing fear of recurrence, Harris expressed that she is feeling more energetic, happier, and healthier. She believes the changes she has made since her initial diagnosis and pivot towards a healthier lifestyle have given her a new lease on life and she is excited for her future.