Red Dress Collection Concert Kicks Off American Heart Month with Star-Studded Advocacy

The Red Dress Collection Concert, hosted by actress Laura Linney with musical performances by Nicole Scherzinger and Amy Grant, officially marked the start of American Heart Month on January 29 in New York City. This fashion-forward musical celebration serves as the national marquee event for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement, which aims to combat heart disease as women's number one killer. The event builds on the two-decade tradition of the Red Dress Collection fashion show originally founded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's The Heart Truth program, now incorporating musical performances and personal stories about cardiovascular disease's impact.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 4 in 10 women in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, with this figure expected to grow. Linney, wearing Rubin Singer, opened the show by highlighting the complexities of heart health and its toll on families while advocating to make women's heart health more visible and personal. She introduced Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant, who performed several songs including "Baby Baby" and "Every Heartbeat" while wearing Maison Tai.

Following her performance, American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown presented Grant with the Woman Changing the World award, recognizing her commitment to the organization's mission. Born with a congenital heart defect and having undergone open heart surgery in 2020, Grant has become a powerful advocate for heart health, sharing her personal story to inspire women to prioritize their well-being. Through her public service announcements and national campaigns, she educates millions about heart disease risk and prevention.

The concert was headlined by Grammy-nominated, Tony Award-winning performer Nicole Scherzinger, who wore multiple designer outfits throughout the evening. She performed a set including Broadway hit "Don't Rain On My Parade," "Purple Rain," and "Don't Cha." True to the event's fashion origins, numerous stars of stage and screen walked the runway in red ensembles created by fashion designers, including Uzo Aduba wearing Naked Wardrobe, Selma Blair wearing Christian Siriano, Renée Elise Goldsberry wearing CD Greene and Ricca Sposa, and Jane Seymour wearing Christian Abdallah Couture.

CVS Health serves as a proud national sponsor of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement, having directed more than $50 million over the past decade to advance women's cardiovascular health, strengthen blood pressure management, and support lifesaving research and education. The Red Dress Collection Concert also receives support from Chase. Resources for women's heart health at every age and stage of life are available at GoRedforWomen.org, with additional information about National Wear Red Day at WearRedDay.org. The American Heart Association continues its work as the world's leading nonprofit organization focused on changing the future of health for all, with cardiovascular disease remaining the leading cause of death for women, claiming 1 in 3 women's lives despite most cardiac events being preventable.