'Jane the Virgin' Star Gina Rodriguez Reveals Real-Life Health Scare

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ETONLINE

Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez was named ET's breakout star of the new TV season, and we chatted with the promising young actress about the show and the health diagnosis that stunned her doctor.

In the show, Gina plays Jane, a 23-year-old virgin engaged to be married. Before her big day, Jane gets some big news -- she's pregnant. Although she's been celibate her entire life, she was accidentally artificially inseminated by her doctor during a routine pap smear.

VIDEO: Why Jane the Virgins Gina Rodriguez is a Role Model in the Making

In real life, Gina was diagnosed with thyroid disease when she was 19 and has talked about how it was an added challenge for a female actress already dealing with so much pressure about her weight. Only recently was she told she specifically had Hashimoto's thyroiditis -- which wasn't determined until after she shot the pilot. Her doctor was shocked at how well she was doing with the disease.

"[My doctor said] 'To be honest, I don't know how you're standing right now and why you're not asleep," said Gina. "I was like, 'I just ran a half marathon.'"

Gina's positive outlook may have had something to do with push through her health struggles and it definitely helped push her to the top of our list of breakout stars.

"I love ET and [being here] doesn't make any sense!" Gina gushed while literally pinching herself. "I'm just making sure that I'm awake and this is all really happening."

You'll get a chance to see Rodriguez's big breakout for yourself when the series premieres on Oct. 13 at 9/8c on The CW.