Matthew Perry Was in 'Extremely Good Spirits' 1 Day Before Death, Says 'One of the Last People to Speak to Him'

Matthew Perry and Athenna Crosby, whom the 'Friends' star called "the Number 1 Girl," were photographed dining together last Friday before he was found dead at his home over the weekend

Entertainment reporter Athenna Crosby is shedding light on her final encounter with Matthew Perry, which occurred one day before his death.

Crosby, 25, was photographed dining with the Friends actor at the Hotel Bel-Air. Of that experience, the model and actress told TMZ that Perry was in "extremely good spirits" at the time as he spoke "enthusiastically about the things that he had coming up in his life."

"He was so happy and vibrant," she recalled, noting that they were not on a date and they were simply pals who were introduced through mutual friends a few months back.

Related: Matthew Perry Was ‘Fountain of Light’ Says Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip Costar Bradley Whitford

Perry died in his Los Angeles home on Saturday after an apparent drowning. The star, who was 54, was best known for his portraying Chandler Bing on Friends for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.

Crosby is among those who have shared tributes for Perry on social media since he died, posting a photo of The Odd Couple alum on her Instagram Story Tuesday with the caption: "Rest in peace, my friend."

"I wasn't going to speak about this but what I will say is I had the honor of knowing Matthew personally," she continued. "I am so devastated from his death but felt it was in poor taste to talk about it publicly as the attention should not be on me but rather on him and his legacy and he was an extremely private person and I always respected that in our friendship. But indeed, we were friends and I was one of the last people to speak to him and see him before he passed."

Related: Friends Creators Recall Their 'Chipper' Conversation with Matthew Perry 2 Weeks Before His Death

Crosby then posted a black-and-white video of her opening up her copy of Perry's 2022 memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, which featured a handwritten note where he referred to her as "the Number 1 girl."

Crosby then encouraged people to "check out his amazing & inspiring book," asking her followers to "remember to be kind to all no matter what they are facing" as "everyone is simply trying their best."

Related: Matthew Perry's Lasting Legacy: How He Won Our Hearts and Found a Mission Helping Others with Addiction

Crosby also asked urged anyone reading her post to "please refrain from any speculation surrounding his death and know that the man was on a comeback and truly deserved more time on this earth."

"Our entertainment industry has truly lost a legend," she added. "RIP 🕊️❤️"

In an additional video on her Instagram Story Wednesday, Crosby explained why she came forward with her story, saying she simply wanted to share Perry's legacy in "a positive and respectful way."

She also shut down rumors that she was seeking fame or capitalizing on Perry's death, explaining that she met with him on Friday and someone took a photo of them "without her knowledge and consent" so she felt compelled to set the record straight.

"I'm only here to testify of his mental state before he passed away," she said, adding that the actor seemed "completely normal and fine."

"He left such an important legacy. He was very positive the day before and that's why I'm choosing to speak," she added.

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