Julia's Challenge

Support has poured in for Veep star and Emmy queen Julia Louis-Dreyfus after she revealed she has breast cancer

- Sandy Cook

IT HAD been a night of gongs, glory and smashed records. When Julia Louis-Dreyfus took to the stage to receive her 11th Emmy award she also made history by becoming the first woman to win six consecutive Emmys for leading actress in a comedy.

But stepping onto stage was a bittersweet moment for the woman who brought the outrageous Selina Myers to life in the hit satirical romcom Veep. In her acceptance speech Julia (56) paid tribute to her dad, billionaire Gérard Louis-Dreyfus, who’d died the previous weekend. “I’m so glad he liked me because his opinion was the one that really mattered,” she said, choking back tears.

But Julia’s emotional roller coaster wasn’t about to end there. Within 24 hours of her night of triumph, she learnt she had breast cancer.

She announced the news to her friends and fans on Twitter under the heading, “Just when you thought . . .”

“One in 8 women get breast cancer,” she went on to say. “Today I’m the one. The good news is that I have the most glorious group of supportive and caring family and friends, and fantastic insurance through my union.”

She then made a powerful political point directed at President Donald Trump’s take on non-inclusive healthcare. “The bad news is that not all women are so lucky, so let’s fight all cancers and make universal healthcare a reality.”

Hollywood immediately rallied around the star. Debra Messing of Will & Grace fame tweeted, “J sending all my healing energy your way. You’re incredible to use this moment as an opportunity to support others.”

Christina Applegate, herself a breast cancer survivor, tweeted, “Mama, find me. Let’s talk if you want.”