Jamie Lee Curtis addresses decision to film Jimmy Fallon comedy sketch amid LA fires
- The actress, 66, recreated her aerobic routine from the 1985 film Perfect
- She guest appeared on The Tonight Show amid the catastrophic LA fires
- READ MORE: Panicked Jamie Lee Curtis reveals evacuation agony
Jamie Lee Curtis has admitted it felt 'complicated' to make a comedy sketch on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Show while her Los Angeles neighborhood was burning down.
After fighting back tears over the Pacific Palisades fires, the actress, 66, recreated the iconic aerobic routine from her 1985 film Perfect on Wednesday night, while Fallon, 50, took on the role of John Travolta.
During the segment, Jamie effortlessly slipped back into character as fitness instructor Jessie Wilson and showed off her age-defying figure as she wore a high rise one-piece 40 years on.
But the decision to do the show at all was 'challenging' for Jamie, who later confirmed she and her family are donating $1 million to help with relief efforts.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, she addressed her appearance on the program in a post shared on Instagram.
Jamie penned: 'Flying to New York and hearing the beginnings of the stories of the fire was very challenging to be far away from my home and family and friends and feeling very powerless.
'I suited up and showed up for work here in the city, complete with the recreation of the hip, thrusting meme from the movie, Perfect, and was greeted by such warmth from @fallontonight @jimmyfallon and @questlove and their team.
'It was complicated to feel like we were making comedy in the midst of such a profound tragedy across the country, but we did.'
Jamie Lee Curtis admitted it felt 'complicated' to make a comedy sketch amid the LA fires
The actress, 66, recreated the aerobics scene from her 1985 movie Perfect
Jamie added: 'The hug he gave me in support of my fragile feelings will always be remembered, and I leave New York City with the hopes and prayers and good thoughts from all in the East Coast as I return home to the best coast and my beloved City of Angels to help start to repair and rebuild.'
In another post, she revealed that she and husband Christopher Guest - along with their two daughters Ruby and Annie - have pledged $1 million to help with relief efforts.
'I'm in communication with Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass and Senator Schiff as to where those funds need to be directed for the most impact,' she added.
Jamie expressed her emotion over the catastrophic Pacific Palisades fires ahead of her comedy sketch and came close to tears.
'As you know, where I live is on fire right now,' she said. 'Literally, the entire city of the Pacific Palisades is burning.
'I flew here last night. I was on the plane, started getting texts. And it's f***ing gnarly, you guys. It's just a catastrophe in southern California.
'Obviously, there have been horrific fires in many places. This is literally where I live. Everything.
'The market I shop in. The schools my kids go to. Friends, many, many, many, many, many friends now have lost their homes.'
Jamie said she felt 'very powerless' as she flew to New York amid the blaze
Jamie effortlessly slipped back into character as fitness instructor Jessie Wilson and showed off her age-defying figure
Host Jimmy excited the audience when he revealed Jamie had brought along some 'never before seen' footage from the film
She continued: 'So it is... it's a really awful situation. I am, you know, obviously going to go home first thing tomorrow and be with my family and try to help my friends.
'But it is... just so I can tell you, if you know anybody on the west coast or not, the American Red Cross, support them.
'They will come in and help people. Do anything you can. Anything in your community to help people, whether you need it or not now, you will need it. Give blood, donate, whatever.
'And remember, since I'm on the middle of a very big television show, for anybody living anywhere, have an emergency kit in your house.
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills with evacuations ordered on January 8
Firefighters battle flames from the Palisades Fire
'I'm an American Red Cross ambassador. Have an emergency kit with prescription glasses, medicines, dog food, baby formula, all the things you need if you have to flee.'
At the time of writing, at least five people are dead and thousands have fled their homes as multiple wildfires swept across Southern California.
The apocalyptic scenes have been likened to 'Armageddon', with blazes in Southern California which began on Tuesday continuing to rage.
Many celebrities have seen their multi-million dollar mansions razed to the ground as the fire spread to Hollywood Hills.
