Newly released private journal entries from Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, reveal his extensive interactions with and reflections on numerous Hollywood celebrities who publicly backed him during the COVID-19 pandemic. The entries, published by Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rand Paul, R-Ky., chronicle Fauci's perspective on his rising fame and his encounters with figures like Julia Roberts, Katy Perry, and Orlando Bloom.
In a May 21, 2020 entry, Fauci described his national and international fame as "explosive and really unimaginable," adding that he was "the most famous and talked about person in the country and one of the most recognizable in the world."
Fauci dedicated significant portions of his private 2020 journals to documenting personal interactions with well-known actors and musicians. Among those noted are Julia Roberts, Barbra Streisand, and Sean Penn.
Julia Roberts expressed her admiration for Fauci, calling him her "personal hero" during an Instagram Live interview. Fauci described Roberts in his diary as "absolutely fabulous" and "totally down to earth," noting he felt "embarrassed" by her praise. He also recounted a virtual event in February 2021 where Roberts presented him with an award, experiencing visible nervousness.
Kim Kardashian organized a private Zoom call in April 2020 with Fauci and approximately 36 other celebrities, athletes, and influencers, including Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis. Fauci noted that the participants asked sophisticated questions about staying safe during the pandemic, and he agreed to the call due to the group's significant reach and ability to disseminate public health messages to millions of followers.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom, then engaged, demonstrated their support by wearing matching "Fauci Gang" hoodies, a collaborative merchandise item that partially benefited the CDC Foundation's Coronavirus Emergency Response Fund. Bloom shared a photo of the hoodies on Instagram in May 2020.
Other notable figures who publicly championed Fauci included Jennifer Garner, who hosted an Instagram Live interview with him to discuss pandemic-related concerns for parents, and Leonardo DiCaprio, who honored Fauci with the Leonardo da Vinci Award for Leadership in Health and Science at a virtual gala. DiCaprio lauded Fauci's leadership during the pandemic, stating that "people like Dr. Fauci go to work each morning with one goal: to see our nation through the most devastating pandemic in a century."
Matthew McConaughey interviewed Fauci on Instagram in August 2020, discussing COVID-19 myths and vaccines. McConaughey expressed frustration with the politicization of the virus and urged Americans to "pull together."
Alyssa Milano was a vocal defender of Fauci on social media, frequently sharing his interviews and criticizing political attacks against him. However, she also expressed frustration that Fauci had not more forcefully challenged the Trump administration's pandemic response.
Mark Ruffalo repeatedly praised Fauci on social media, describing him as "speaking truth to power" and amplifying his public health guidance. George Takei was also a consistent supporter, celebrating Fauci's continuation in his role under the Biden administration and defending him against criticism.
The newly released entries come as Fauci faces increased scrutiny ahead of his scheduled testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, which is investigating the origins of the pandemic. These documents offer a glimpse into Fauci's personal reflections during a period of intense public focus on his role in the nation's COVID-19 response.