Dame Julie Andrews has reflected on the loss of her singing voice following throat surgery in the late 1990s, describing how the career crisis led her to discover a new professional purpose in authorships, per parade.com.
Speaking ahead of the release of her latest children’s book, “Shy,” the 90-year-old star revealed how writing allowed her to maintain her creative output after she was forced to stop singing.
The Oscar-winning actress and former Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music star explained that losing her voice was an incredibly difficult period, given that singing had been a central part of her identity and global communication. Rather than retiring from the entertainment industry, Andrews transitioned into writing as an alternative creative outlet.
Her latest picture book, “Shy,” was co-written with her daughter and long-time collaborator, Emma Walton Hamilton. Inspired by Andrews’ real-life poodle who howled during rehearsals for My Fair Lady, the narrative follows a timid puppy learning to find its voice. Andrews stated that the book’s core message focuses on finding the confidence to contribute, advising those struggling with self-belief to begin gently and avoid letting fear silence them.
The publication marks the 35th collaborative book project between Andrews and Hamilton. Andrews praised the partnership, noting that working with her daughter has been one of the greatest joys of her life, built on a shared creative shorthand, mutual trust and intergenerational collaboration.
Andrews was one of the most prominent musical theatre and film vocalists of the 20th century before undergoing a medical procedure in 1997 that permanently damaged her vocal cords. Her subsequent pivot to children’s literature has spanned nearly three decades, establishing her as a successful author alongside her acting legacy.
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