Idris Elba Appears on "One World" Concert 33 Days After COVID-19 Diagnosis

One inspiring part of the "One World: Together at Home" virtual concert was an appearance from actor Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre.

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The One World: Together at Home virtual concert was absolutely jam-packed with stars singing, performing, cracking jokes, and otherwise sharing inspiring stories about everyday heroism in the face of of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. And one of the most memorable moments? When actor and DJ Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre made an appearance from their home to honor Italica Grondona, a 102-year-old Italian woman who survived both the 1918 Spanish Flu and the coronavirus. The star is so beloved by fans that it was lovely to watch. 

On March 16, Idris Elba shared that he'd been diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19). He reassured fans that he wasn't in the hospital, but explained, "I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus." Shortly after, it was revealed that his wife had the virus as well. He's not the only celebrity or politician to have contracted the disease: Tom Hanks and Prime Minister Boris Johnson also tested positive for COVID-19. But it make the virus feel even more real—that it was affecting public figures as well as neighbors, families, and friends.

The latest we'd heard about Elba and Dhowre was that they had finished their isolation. "We’ve passed the quarantine period but we’re a little bit stuck in limbo. We can’t get a flight back home...So we just have to sit still for a little bit. Other than that, we’re OK, and we’re so thankful for that. I think the worst of it has probably passed."

ICYMI, One World: Together at Home was a global benefit concert in support of those in need during COVID-19 and those working to find a cure. Considering Elba's a terrific DJ in addition to being an award-winning actor, it made sense that he'd make an appearance—unfortunately not to do any type of musical performance, though he did make an excellent joke about that. And while he didn't speak about his own health, people on Twitter quickly noticed how great and healthy the couple looked (like they looked good).

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Katherine J. Igoe
Contributing Editor

Katherine’s a contributing syndications editor at Marie Claire who covers fashion, culture, and lifestyle. In her role, she writes stories that are syndicated by MSN and other outlets. She’s been a full-time freelancer for over a decade and has had roles with Cosmopolitan (where she covered lifestyle, culture, and fashion SEO content) and Bustle (where she was their movies and culture writer). She has bylines in New York TimesParentsInStyle, Refinery29, and elsewhere. Her work has also been syndicated by ELLEHarper’s BazaarSeventeenGood Housekeeping, and Women’s Health, among others. In addition to her stories reaching millions of readers, content she's written and edited has qualified for a Bell Ringer Award and received a Communicator Award. 

Katherine has a BA in English and art history from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in art business from the Sotheby's Institute of Art (with a focus on marketing/communications). She covers a wide breadth of topics: she's written about how to find the very best petite jeanshow sustainable travel has found its footing on Instagram, and what it's like to be a professional advice-giver in the modern world. Her personal essays have run the gamut from learning to dress as a queer woman to navigating food allergies as a mom. She also has deep knowledge of SEO/EATT, affiliate revenue, commerce, and social media; she regularly edits the work of other writers. She speaks at writing-related events and podcasts about freelancing and journalism, mentors students and other new writers, and consults on coursework. Currently, Katherine lives in Boston with her husband and two kids, and you can follow her on Instagram. If you're wondering about her last name, it’s “I go to dinner,” not “Her huge ego,” but she responds to both.