- Hollywood legend Julie Andrews made a rare on-screen appearance via a pre-recorded video message at the seventh annual World Parkinson Congress in Phoenix.
- In her message, the 90-year-old Oscar winner emphasized the importance of global efforts to find a cure, stating, "I know well how devastating it can be."
- Andrews officially aligned herself with the initiative by stating, "Count me in as a red thread" — a World Parkinson Congress project aimed at building community among patients, families, and researchers.
Julie Andrews made a rare appearance Sunday — at least on-screen.
The 90-year-old Oscar winner filmed a short video message for attendees at Sunday’s seventh annual World Parkinson Congress in Phoenix.
In a video, which was later posted to YouTube by the World Parkinson Coalition, the actor discussed the urgent need for a cure.
“Good evening, everyone, I’m Julie Andrews, and I’m pleased to welcome you to the seventh World Parkinson’s Congress,” Andrews said. “Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease. I know well how devastating it can be. May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its tracks.”
Andrews concluded her message by aligning herself with the global initiative: “Count me in as a red thread. Thank you.”
What is a red thread?
The red thread refers to the World Parkinson Congress’ Red Thread Project, an initiative designed to help patients of Parkinson’s disease, as well as families and researchers, find community with one another.
With her message, Andrews joins fellow actor Michael J. Fox in advocating for a cure. Fox, who was diagnosed with the condition in 1991, regularly champions Parkinson’s initiatives and founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Andrews’ latest work
While Andrews isn’t spotted in public very often, the Hollywood star remains active in the industry. Most recently, she has voiced the narrator, Lady Whistledown, on Netflix’s romance series “Bridgerton” since its 2020 debut, winning an Emmy for outstanding character voice-over performance for the role.
Andrews is known across generations for her roles in “Mary Poppins,” “The Sound of Music” and “The Princess Diaries.”