“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.

Perrydiedin his Los Angeles home on Saturday after anapparent drowning. The star, who was 54, was best known for his portraying Chandler Bing onFriendsfor 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.

Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry Athenna Crosby

“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.”

Matthew Perry Athenna Crosby

Matthew Perry Athenna Crosby

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

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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source: people.com