Jamie Lee Curtis stepped out on the 94th Academy Awards red carpet Sunday night wearing a sparkling long-sleeve navy gown by designer Stella McCartney, as well as a ribbon supporting Ukrainian refugees. She was on-hand to present the Betty White “in memoriam” tribute, and thought of a sweet way to honor White through her look.
The 63-year-old actress enlisted McCartney to design the gown as a way to pay tribute to White, who died late last year at 99, and who was an avid supporter of animal rights. “I am representing Betty White,” Curtis told Access Hollywood. “Betty White was an animal rights activist and when I knew I was going to make a statement about her I went to Stella McCartney, who is an animals rights activist and whose mother Linda McCartney was an animal rights activist. Stella, who uses sustainable materials [and] non-animal materials. I went to [her] and said ‘Hey, is it possible you might have something for me to wear to the Oscars?’ And they made me this dress. I feel like it is telling Betty’s story.”
To bring the moment full circle, Curtis took the stage to honor the late Golden Girls star carrying an oh-so-adorable puppy companion named Mac & Cheese. “She was not only a Golden Girl, she was a legend who brightened every room she walked in and brought a smile to the faces of all who watched her on the screen,” Curtis said on screen while holding the puppy.
“And day in and day out for almost a century, she was a woman who cared so much for not just her two-legged friends but for animals just like this.” Curtis continued, “So the greatest gift you could give Betty White is to open your heart and your home and adopt a rescue dog just like Mac & Cheese from Paw Works. So thank you, Betty, thank you for being a friend to us all.”
