Julia Roberts honors Dr. Anthony Fauci as Kelly Clarkson and Rita Ora perform during amfAR benefit

Julia Roberts presented Dr. Anthony Fauci with amfAR’s Award of Courage during Thursday’s virtual A Gala for Our Time.

The Academy Award winner appeared from home, as she honored the Chief Medical Advisor to the President for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She addressed him during the special: ‘There’s no one more deserving. You’ve been tireless and true for all of us and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.’

Virtual tribute: Julia Roberts presented Dr. Anthony Fauci with amfAR’s Award of Courage during Thursday’s virtual A Gala for Our Time

Dr. Fauci thanked Roberts and expressed his commitment to fighting both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS: ‘We are going to continue the work both with HIV and as we continue to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic. 

‘We are in a very unusual situation historically where we are battling simultaneously two extraordinary pandemics. We have our challenges ahead of us. I appreciate very much this award, and I promise you that I will continue to do whatever I can with whatever energy I have to address both of those.’  

Kelly Clarkson performed Patty Griffin’s Kite Song from a dark stage, as her black dress was backlit in red.

She prefaced the song: ‘I wanna thank amfAR for helping improve the lives of people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, and for joining the fight against COVID-19.’

Tireless and true: She addressed him during the special: 'There's no one more deserving. You've been tireless and true for all of us and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart'

Tireless and true: She addressed him during the special: ‘There’s no one more deserving. You’ve been tireless and true for all of us and I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart’

The fight continues: Dr. Fauci thanked Roberts and expressed his commitment to fighting both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS: 'We are going to continue the work both with HIV and as we continue to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic'

The fight continues: Dr. Fauci thanked Roberts and expressed his commitment to fighting both COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS: ‘We are going to continue the work both with HIV and as we continue to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic’

Black and red: Kelly Clarkson performed Patty Griffin's Kite Song from a dark stage, as her black dress was backlit in red

Black and red: Kelly Clarkson performed Patty Griffin’s Kite Song from a dark stage, as her black dress was backlit in red

Special thanks: She prefaced the song: 'I wanna thank amfAR for helping improve the lives of people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, and for joining the fight against COVID-19'

Special thanks: She prefaced the song: ‘I wanna thank amfAR for helping improve the lives of people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, and for joining the fight against COVID-19’

Changing the world: Rita Ora appeared earlier in the show, as she covered Eric Clapton's Change the World from a brick-lined venue with a warm ambiance

Changing the world: Rita Ora appeared earlier in the show, as she covered Eric Clapton’s Change the World from a brick-lined venue with a warm ambiance

Stunnign display: She looked stunning in a strapless black gown with a sweetheart neckline and a thigh-high leg slit, layered with an oversized denim jacket, which she wore off the shoulders

Stunnign display: She looked stunning in a strapless black gown with a sweetheart neckline and a thigh-high leg slit, layered with an oversized denim jacket, which she wore off the shoulders

Best of both worlds: The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was introduced by Heidi Klum, who appeared from home in a deconstructed eveningwear/athleisure look by AZ Factory

Best of both worlds: The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was introduced by Heidi Klum, who appeared from home in a deconstructed eveningwear/athleisure look by AZ Factory

Rita Ora appeared earlier in the show, as she covered Eric Clapton’s Change the World from a brick-lined venue with a warm ambiance.

She looked stunning in a strapless black gown with a sweetheart neckline and a thigh-high leg slit, layered with an oversized denim jacket, which she wore off the shoulders.   

The Fifty Shades of Grey actress was introduced by Heidi Klum, who appeared from home in a deconstructed eveningwear/athleisure look by AZ Factory.

Glenn Close was also honored during the event for her ongoing support of amfAR’s mission to end the AIDS pandemic, particularly her work in the past year.

Bette Midler honored her with the award, stating: ‘She has an enormous heart. She puts her time and energy and resources into causes that are distinctly unglamorous and unfashionable. She walks the walks.’

Close said that being honored alongside Fauci was the ‘most humbling experience’ of her life, adding: ‘He is the man whose courage has given us hope, who courage was unwavering. His moral gravitas has fed us as a nation.’  

Fighting AIDS: Glenn Close was also honored during the event for her ongoing support of amfAR's mission to end the AIDS pandemic, particularly her work in the past year

Fighting AIDS: Glenn Close was also honored during the event for her ongoing support of amfAR’s mission to end the AIDS pandemic, particularly her work in the past year

Waking the walk: Bette Midler honored her with the award, stating: 'She has an enormous heart. She puts her time and energy and resources into causes that are distinctly unglamorous and unfashionable. She walks the walks'

Waking the walk: Bette Midler honored her with the award, stating: ‘She has an enormous heart. She puts her time and energy and resources into causes that are distinctly unglamorous and unfashionable. She walks the walks’

Good company: Close said that being honored alongside Fauci was the 'most humbling experience' of her life, adding: 'He is the man whose courage has given us hope, who courage was unwavering. His moral gravitas has fed us as a nation'

Good company: Close said that being honored alongside Fauci was the ‘most humbling experience’ of her life, adding: ‘He is the man whose courage has given us hope, who courage was unwavering. His moral gravitas has fed us as a nation’

Donations encouraged: Chelsea Handler encouraged viewers to donate to amfAR, as she introduced Ava Max, the final performer of the night

Donations encouraged: Chelsea Handler encouraged viewers to donate to amfAR, as she introduced Ava Max, the final performer of the night

Dramatic scene: Max performed her single Kings & Queens from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell, against a dramatic light show on an otherwise dark stage

Dramatic scene: Max performed her single Kings & Queens from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell, against a dramatic light show on an otherwise dark stage

Green with envy: She donned a strapless chartreuse gown with a pair of matching long evening gloves and a diamond choker with a large cross pendant

Green with envy: She donned a strapless chartreuse gown with a pair of matching long evening gloves and a diamond choker with a large cross pendant

Pleased and proud: The Sweet but Psycho artist said before her performance: 'I am so so pleased and proud to be a part of this virtual gala, supporting amfAR's life-saving research. Together, we can end AIDS and COVID-19'

Pleased and proud: The Sweet but Psycho artist said before her performance: ‘I am so so pleased and proud to be a part of this virtual gala, supporting amfAR’s life-saving research. Together, we can end AIDS and COVID-19’

Chelsea Handler encouraged viewers to donate to amfAR, as she introduced Ava Max, the final performer of the night.

Max performed her single Kings & Queens from her debut studio album Heaven & Hell, against a dramatic light show on an otherwise dark stage.

She donned a strapless chartreuse gown with a pair of matching long evening gloves and a diamond choker with a large cross pendant.

The Sweet but Psycho artist said before her performance: ‘I am so so pleased and proud to be a part of this virtual gala, supporting amfAR’s life-saving research. Together, we can end AIDS and COVID-19.’

Morgan Freeman and Catherine O’Hara made appearances to discuss how amfAR has temporarily expanded their scope beyond finding a cure for HIV to help research the coronavirus. 

Billy Porter kicked off the event from his living room in a shimmering red smoking jacket with black lapels, paired with a black turtleneck.

He spoke about the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19 in his short speech: ‘Tonight is a tale of two deadly viruses and of people around the world coming together to defeat them both.’ 

The event also featured appearances from Iman, Boy George, Olly Alexander, Coco Rocha, Carine Roitfeld, Cheyenne Jackson and Jon Kortajarena.

Star-studded special: Morgan Freeman and Catherine O'Hara made appearances throughout the special

Star-studded special: Morgan Freeman and Catherine O’Hara made appearances throughout the special

Expanding their mission: They discussed how amfAR has temporarily expanded their scope beyond finding a cure for HIV to help research the coronavirus

Expanding their mission: They discussed how amfAR has temporarily expanded their scope beyond finding a cure for HIV to help research the coronavirus

Chic display: Billy Porter kicked off the event from his living room in a shimmering red smoking jacket with black lapels, paired with a black turtleneck

Chic display: Billy Porter kicked off the event from his living room in a shimmering red smoking jacket with black lapels, paired with a black turtleneck

Joining the fight: He spoke about the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19 in his short speech: 'Tonight is a tale of two deadly viruses and of people around the world coming together to defeat them both'

Joining the fight: He spoke about the amfAR Fund to Fight COVID-19 in his short speech: ‘Tonight is a tale of two deadly viruses and of people around the world coming together to defeat them both’

Glam presence: Iman was one of several celebs to appear during the 30-minute program

Glam presence: Iman was one of several celebs to appear during the 30-minute program

Fan boy: Boy George showed his love for Glenn Close, as he helped introduce her

Fan boy: Boy George showed his love for Glenn Close, as he helped introduce her

Leading man: Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander appeared, following the premiere of his queer HBO Max drama It's a Sin

Leading man: Years & Years frontman Olly Alexander appeared, following the premiere of his queer HBO Max drama It’s a Sin

Model behavior: Coco Rocha was on hand to make a virtual appearance

Model behavior: Coco Rocha was on hand to make a virtual appearance

Paying tribute: Carine Roitfeld also showed up to say some nice words about Glenn Close

Paying tribute: Carine Roitfeld also showed up to say some nice words about Glenn Close

Man of the hour: Cheyenne Jackson helped pay tribute to Dr. Anthony Fauci

Man of the hour: Cheyenne Jackson helped pay tribute to Dr. Anthony Fauci

Eye candy: Spanish model Jon Kortajarena also provided some eye candy during the event

Eye candy: Spanish model Jon Kortajarena also provided some eye candy during the event

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