Look To The Stars News: Donny Osmond

Charice Performs At David Foster Charity Concert

Tue, 12 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Teenage star Charice Pempengco was one of the many performers who appeared at a charity concert organized by David Foster on Saturday, May 9.

The 17-year-old joined Cher, Clay Aiken, Donny Osmond, Brian McKnight and Paul Anka at the David Foster & Friends concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas to raise money for the David Foster Foundation, an organization established by the legendary composer and music producer in 1986 to provide financial and emotional help to the families of children needing organ transplants.

During the show, Charice thanked Foster and Oprah Winfrey for their help in her career.

“I would like to mention these people who are very special in my life,” she said. “First, he is my fan, my producer, my mentor. He taught me a lot of things and of course he is my hero — David Foster. And of course I want to thank Oprah for believing in my dreams and of course believing in me. Thank you so much. I love you both.”

Foster has a long history of charitable efforts to help children. In 1997 he was honored with the United States Children’s Choice Award for his work supporting research into children’s cancer, leukemia, and AIDS.

Star Power At Evening of Electric Youth

Mon, 11 May 2009 15:25:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Deborah Gibson hosted an Evening Of Electric Youth last week at Café La Boheme in West Hollywood for a benefit event for the Gibson Girl Foundation, and Look To The Stars was there.

The evening included dinner & live performances from Pop/Broadway star Deborah Gibson; Ryan Black’s 88’s Cabaret, stars from television, stage & film and special performances from the kids from “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth.” The was also an auction of rare items from The Fray, the Jonas Brothers, New Kids On The Block, Pierce Brosnan, Donny and Marie Osmond, Paris Hilton and others, as well as amazing travel packages, tickets and backstage passes to top Vegas shows, an intimate musical evening with Deborah Gibson, and more.

The Gibson Girl Foundation awards scholarships to young performers. In 2008 alone, Gibson Girl Foundation provided more than $75,000 in scholarships to kids in need allowing them to attend the Los Angeles Summer Camp of “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth” as well as songwriting intensives, recording boot camps, and the New York City Winter Camp of “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth.”

Joining Gibson at the event were Jeremy Piven, Shannon Elizabeth, Lorenzo Lamas, Jonathan Knight, Vivica Fox, Michael Rosenbaum, Nolan Funk, Samantha Droke, John Lloyd Young, Dick Van Patten, Jimmy Van Patten, Greg Fellows, Gabrielle Union, Hayley Hasselhoff, Nathalia Ramos and many more.

To watch a special video of Look To The Stars at the event, click here.

Photos copyright Mario Sanchez.

Deborah Gibson To Host Charity Night Of Electric Youth

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Deborah Gibson will be joined by a long list of celebrities on Tuesday, April 28, at Café La Boheme in West Hollywood for a benefit event for the Gibson Girl Foundation. The evening will include dinner & live performances from Pop/Broadway star Deborah Gibson; Ryan Black’s 88’s Cabaret, stars from television, stage & film and special performances from the kids from “Deborah Gibson’s Electric Youth.”

Additionally, a silent & live auction will include rare items from The Fray, the Jonas Brothers, New Kids On The Block, Pierce Brosnan, Donny and Marie Osmond, Paris Hilton and others, as well as amazing travel packages, tickets and backstage passes to top Vegas shows, an intimate musical evening with Deborah Gibson, and more.

Expected celebrities include: Deborah Gibson, Jeremy Piven, Shannon Elizabeth, Lorenzo Lamas, Jonathan Knight, Vivica Fox, Michael Rosenbaum, Nolan Funk, Samantha Droke, John Lloyd Young, Dick Van Patten, Jimmy Van Patten, Greg Fellows, Gabrielle Union, Eden Espinosa, Dave Coulier, Zoe Myers, Scott Bakula, Sharon Case, The Clique Girls, Brando Eaton, Lisa FOXX, Savvy & Mandy (Radio Disney) and others.

The event is open to the public and General Admission Tickets are available for only $25 (Includes performance); Premiere tickets $100 (Includes dinner and performance with main floor seating); and VIP Tickets $250 (Includes VIP preferred seating, VIP menu selection, performance, private post-performance meet-and-greet with Celebrities and Electric Youth Performers, a photo with Deborah Gibson, a VIP Gift Bag, and cocktails).
Tickets available at www.DeborahGibsonsElectricYouth.com.

Celebrities Send Messages Of Support For Earth Hour

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

This Saturday, March 28, will mark Earth Hour, an initiative of the WWF in which people around the world are being encouraged to switch their lights off between 8:30 and 9:30pm in a bid to reach the target of one billion people who are committed to fighting climate change.

Earth Hour has grown from a single event in Sydney, Australia, in March 2007 to a global phenomenon that will change the way the world sees climate change. On March 31, 2007, over 2.2 million people and 2,100 corporations in Sydney turned their lights off for an hour, creating an energy saving of 10.2% – that’s roughly the same as taking 48,000 cars off the road!

A number of celebrities have thrown their support behind the initiative and have spoken about its importance:

Edward Norton: “I am encouraging people toturn off their lights for one hour on March 28th at 8:30 p.m. – EarthHour – and join tens of millions of people around the world in the largest call to action on climate change in history. Earth Hour sends a powerful message to the world that we must act urgently before it’s too late. By turning out the lights, Americans will be casting a vote for action.”

Desmond Tutu: “Earth Hour is an opportunity for every man, woman and child from all corners of the globe to come together with a united voice and make a loud and powerful statement on the issue of climate change.”

Jo Dee Messina: “Earth Hour is such a great campaign. It lets something as simple as flicking a light switch become so much more. Earth Hour reminds everyone that if we all put in a little effort, we can achieve big results.”

Gavin DeGraw: “Not only is this going to be great for the environment, but it also shows how powerful an idea can be if people with different backgrounds, cultures, shapes, and sizes all work together. I’m not exactly sure what city, state, or country I will be in on March 28, 2009, but I look forward to sharing this monumental occasion with not only the locals but my friends, family, and all of my wonderful fans around the world.”

KT Tunstall: “In 2009, I’m going to join in for the first time on March 28th at 8.30pm and turn off every light, appliance and pull out all the plugs to support Earth Hour. Experience power to the people – fully off the grid!!”

Wynonna: “I think this hour can give people everywhere a chance to be mindful that we are all in this together and that we can – and will – make a difference.”

Dierks Bentley: “I think it’s an honor for Nashville to be included in the list of flagship cities being asked to help promote Earth Hour. Climate change is for real and I’d like for my daughter to enjoy this beautiful world as much as I have. Personally, I’m hoping to be down in one of the Lower Broadway honky-tonks at 8:30! Acoustic hour at Robert’s…Cool!”

Simple Plan: “Global warming and the devastating effects it has on our planet are among the most urgent and serious issues we face in the world today. It’s up to us to do our share, evolve, adapt and change the way we live. On March 28th, we can all get involved by doing something extremely simple: turn off the lights! It’s easy and a great way to send a message and let the world know that we care about the environment.”

Linkin Park: “Climate change is a crisis affecting the world right now, negatively impacting the Earth’s ecosystems and the strength and frequency of climate-related disasters such as drought, flooding, and catastrophic storms. Earth Hour is an opportunity for individuals to come together with one voice and declare that we are ready to tackle this critical issue head on.”

Backstreet Boys: “The Backstreet Boys are proud and excited to be a part of Earth Hour 2009. It is absolutely inspiring for the four of us to come together with millions of people from all over the globe for such an important and monumental cause. On March 28th at 8:30pm, put in your vote to take action against the climate crisis. Get creative for an hour. Turn off your bedroom lights and light some candles. Unplug the electric and serenade your sweetheart with an acoustic guitar ballad instead. Forget the microwave and indulge on that huge bowl of Captain Crunch you’ve been craving. You know that’s what we’ll be doing. Not necessarily in that order though.”

Other celebrities who have shown their support for the initiative include Coldplay, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Larry Flynt, Amy Grant, The Veronicas, Vince Gill, Cate Blanchett, Janeane Garofalo and Alanis Morissette.

To learn more about what you can do to join the campaign on Saturday, visit the Earth Hour website.

Keanu Reeves To Race For Charity

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actors Keanu Reeves and Luke Wilson are among the many stars set to take to the race track in this year’s Toyota Pro/Celebrity Grand Prix.

The celebrity race has been held every year since 1977, and has attracted stars such as Gene Hackman, Jason Bateman, Rick Schroder, Stephen Baldwin, Donny Osmond, Sean Patrick Flanery, Nancy Lieberman, Daniel Goddard and Josh Brolin. Last year’s race was won by ESPN/ABC pit reporter for NASCAR Nationwide Jamie Little.

Every year, Toyota donates $5,000 to Racing for Kids, a non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Southern California, in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. The car company has donated close to $1.6 million to various children’s organizations since 1991.

This year’s participants will drive Scion tCs in a 10-lap race, as part of the 35th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, on April 18. Other celebrities taking part this year include Adrien Brody, Alex Trebek, Tyson Beckford, Raven Symone, Jon Hamm, Tim Daly, Eric Close, 24’s Mary Lynn Rajskub, comedian Carlos Mencia and E!’s Ken Baker.

More info about the event can be found here.

Cream Of The Christmas Celebrity Charity Auctions

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It’s that time of year again when most of us are looking for the perfect gift for those we love, and Look To The Stars wants to make the choice a little easier for you by highlighting some of the great celebrity items up for grabs in the name of charity.

Born-to-run fans of Bruce Springsteen will be revving their engines to get hold of the rocker’s very own Harley Davidson this Christmas. The customized Fatboy motorcycle is up for grabs to benefit the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, the charity founded in 1994 by former professional tennis player Andre Agassi and dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth.

“This is my Harley Davidson Fatboy FXFSTF,” said Springsteen. "I bought this bike from a friend in 1993. I did some light customizing and put 9,000 happy miles on it on the backroads of New Jersey. It’s got straight pipes, a McConey carburator, HD saddlebags, custom handle bars, forward controls and foot pegs. It’s extremely reliable and a great cruiser. So, if you’re “Born to Run,” this bike’s for you!"

The auction ends on January 8 and can be accessed here.

Also on sale to benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation is the chance to have a private soccer lesson with David Beckham at the LA Academy he set up to give young, aspiring athletes the chance to develop their skills, learn about teamwork, healthy living and, above all, understand the importance of having fun every time they step on the pitch. This auction ends on December 11, so you had better be quick. It can be accessed here.

And if music is your thing, then you will want to grab hold of the Andre Agassi Foundation’s special celebrity-signed Fender Stratocaster guitar. This once-in-a-lifetime item was autographed at the Summer of Stars Malibu Beach Parties by the Jonas Brothers, James Taylor, Pink, Donny Osmond, Boyz II Men, comedian George Wallace, Emeril Lagasse and many others! This auction ends on January 8, and you can find it here.

If the idea of an autographed guitar excites you, then maybe you will be interested in the rare WANDRE guitar signed by Eddie Vedder and the members of Pearl Jam to benefit Red Feather, a charity that builds sustainable homes for American Indian families. This is another sale you’ll have to be quick for – it ends on December 12 – and you can view it here.

Or maybe you would be more interested in guitars signed by the Jonas Brothers or 3 Doors Down. Both these items are going under the hammer for Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, a non-profit organization that funds leading junior investigators whose work represents cutting-edge thinking in both conventional and integrative disciplines which focus on prevention, treatment and quality of life issues of leukemia, lymphoma and other related cancers. Also included in this auction are the chance to have dinner with astronaut Buzz Aldrin and spend a day with Petra Nemcova. These auctions all end on December 16 and can be found at www.charitybuzz.com.

So there can be no excuse for just finding socks under the tree this year.

It's Business Time For The Flight Of The Conchords

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Grammy award-winning comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are part of a huge new auction being run to raise cash for charity.

The Conchords shot to fame in 2007 when their quirky television series debuted on HBO and immediately received ratings and critical acclaim. Originally from New Zealand, the duo uses a mix of music and comedy to make witty and deadpan observations on society. Their new series starts next month.

Now – as part of the annual Grammy Charities Auction – you have the chance to bid on an acoustic guitar, DVD and CD signed by “New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.”

The auction is raising money for MusiCares – which works to help those in need in the music industry – and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education.

Also up for auction are guitars signed by the Jonas Brothers, Slash, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and John Mayer. But if you don’t know one end of a guitar from another, don’t worry – there are plenty of other great items, such as signed posters from the Dixie Chicks and Robert Plant, clothes from Ricky Martin and Carrie Underwood, and the chance to have lunch with John Stamos or meet Donny and Marie Osmond.

But wait – there’s more!

Maybe you would be interested in handwritten lyrics from Annie Lennox, a sketch by Anthony Kiedis and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or a photo signed by Good Charlotte. There are also a stack of CDs and other items signed by Steven Tyler, Rascal Flatts, Richie Sambora, Avril Lavigne, and many others.

The auction is live right now on eBay and ends on December 11.

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One of the biggest celebrity charity auction events of the year is currently gearing up for its launch on December 1.

Bid2Beat AIDS is an annual event that will feature over 1000 items from top stars such as 50 Cent, Adam Sandler, Adrian Grenier, Aerosmith, Alec Baldwin, Amy Winehouse, Antonio Banderas, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Common , Death Cab for Cutie, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hanson, Hilary Duff, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Blunt, James Earl Jones, James Morrison, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z , Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Johnny Depp, Kanye West, Kirsten Dunst, Ludacris , M.I.A., Madonna, Mariah Carey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Raven Symone, Razorlight, Rihanna , Sacha Baron Cohen, Sharon Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Wyclef Jean, and many, many more. Also up for grabs will be VIP tickets to concerts and backstage visits with stars like Bernadette Peters, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Joan Rivers, and Michael Feinstein.

The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity. The first three BID 2 BEAT AIDS auctions raised nearly $250,000, and this year’s looks set to be the biggest yet.

More info about the auction can be found at the Bid2Beat AIDS website, and the auction will go live on World AIDS Day here.

Look To The Stars will keep you posted as the items are announced.

Pick Up Celebrity Hand-Me-Downs For Charity

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas shopping again, and this might just be the answer you’ve been searching for.

Celeb2nds.com has a whole swag of exciting items donated by your favorite stars – including Jamie Oliver’s apron, Donny Osmond’s dressing gown, Duran Duran’s drum kit, Kelly Osbourne’s dress, a card signed by David Tennant, Beverley Knight’s gold disc, and much more.

“Celeb2nds.com is an exciting new concept that allows users to get their hands on money can’t buy items from their celebrity idols, whilst raising money for some very worthy charities,” said site founder Steve Howell, who established the initiative in 2006.

80% of the proceeds from the site go to charity, with organizations such as Children with AIDS, Plan, Dial a Dream, Rainbow Trust, Elephant Family, Richard House, Kids Company, and Whizz-Kidz all benefiting.

Absolutely everything the site auctions is 100% authenticated, obtained through the correct channels and backed up by a certificate of authenticity signed by the celebrity or by one of the celebrities representatives.

Andre Agassi's Grand Slam A Success

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sheryl Crow, Natasha Bedingfield, The Killers, Lifehouse, Ray Romano, Rod Stewart and David Spade were among the performers at the 13th annual Agassi Grand Slam for Children benefit concert in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The concert raised funds for the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, which provides recreational and educational opportunities for at-risk boys and girls, and was preceded by an invitation-only concert on Friday that featured James Taylor and Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik.

Among the 1,900 guests at Saturday’s Grand Slam were Stefi Graf, Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon, the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, Donny Osmond, comedian George Wallace, and many more.

Andre Agassi said that while the event was a benefit, this year’s focus was not on counting the dollars, but instead celebrating accomplishments made possible through the support of talented performers, generous sponsors, enthusiastic attendees and hard-working volunteers. Agassi summed it up as "a night full of heart.

Stars Stomp Out Bullying With New Auction

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Love Our Children USA STOMP Out Bullying auction reported by Look To The Stars last week has now started.

In November, the organization will celebrate its 10th year as the national nonprofit leader that honors, respects and protects children. Its mission is to break the cycle of violence against children. Love Our Children USA has become ‘the go-to’ prevention organization for all forms of violence and neglect against children in the US, and their new Celebrity Auction will raise funds to go towards bullying and cyberbullying prevention, education and peer mentoring in schools.

Among the celebrities and those in the entertainment and sports industries who have joined Love Our Children USA in its STOMP Out Bullying Auction are: Elton John, Bette Midler, Ellen DeGeneres, Sugarland, John Cusack, Donny and Marie Osmond, Ashleigh Banfield, Dancing With The Stars, Live With Regis and Kelly, The View, truTV, “In The Heights”, the NJ Nets and more.

The auction can be accessed through the Charity Folks website and runs until October 20.

Stars Want To Stomp Out Bullying

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Love Our Children USA has announced the launch of its national campaign STOMP Out Bullying with its First Annual Celebrity Auction.

The star-studded auction will take place at www.charityfolks.com from October 6 – 20. Proceeds from the auction will go towards bullying and cyberbullying prevention, education and peer mentoring in schools.

“Kids who are intimidated, threatened, or harmed by bullies often experience low self-esteem and depression, whereas those doing the bullying may go on to engage in more serious antisocial behaviors. Some kids are so traumatized by being bullied, that they contemplate suicide. Bullies often have been the victims of bullying or other mistreatment themselves,” said Ross Ellis, Love Our Children USA Founder and Chief Executive Officer. This campaign’s key purpose is to educate those kids who are being bullied – and those who are bullying – that there are choices for them to get help.

Bullying has reached epidemic proportions. While childhood should be a time filled with learning and joy, the reality for many kids and teens is often much different. They’re the victims of bullying at school or on neighborhood playgrounds. Bullying can be so painful and has played a role in school shootings across the country. While boys are more physical, girls use weapons, exclusion, slander, rumors and gossip.

And cyberbullying is on the rise. This social online cruelty is used in the forms of e-mail, cell phone/pager text messages, instant messaging, defamatory personal Web sites, and defamatory online personal polling Web sites. While most kids use the Internet for friendly interactions, more and more kids are using these communication tools to antagonize, terrorize and intimidate others.

In addition to the auction, teen celebrities Demi Lovato and JoJo are participating in the public service campaign, which includes TV spots, videos, posters, brochures and wristbands.

More information can be found at the STOMP Out Bullying website.

Jamie Little Wins Pro/Celebrity Race

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:47:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Car enthusiasts, racing fans, petrol heads – call them what you will, a large crowd of them turned out to watch ESPN pit reporter Jamie Little win the 32nd annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the 34th Toyota Grand Prix in Long Beach on Saturday.

A field of 18 celebrities and professional drivers slipped into gear and battled it out through 10 laps on the 1.97-mile street circuit, with 17 of them finishing – basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman got stuck on a tire wall on Lap 6. The field were racing Toyota Scion tCs, and it was a tight duel all the way, with Pixar producer/director Brad Lewis leading for the first 8 laps. A small altercation with the tire wall saw Lewis finish 9th overall, with Little holding off 2nd-placed NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Champion Mike Skinner by 0.324 seconds.

“When you interview a winning driver after the race, they always tell you how they just try to get through that last lap,” said Little. “Well, now I know exactly what they’re talking about.”

The celebrity race has been held every year since 1977, and has attracted stars such as Gene Hackman, Jason Bateman, Rick Schroder, Stephen Baldwin, Donny Osmond, Sean Patrick Flanery, and Josh Brolin. Toyota donates $5,000 to Racing for Kids, a non-profit program benefiting children’s hospitals in Southern California, in the name of each celebrity racer, and another $5,000 to the winner’s charity of choice. The car company has donated close to $1.6 million to various children’s organizations since 1991.

“You go into the event with everyone out here wanting to help raise money for charity and have fun,” said Little, who will give her winnings to the UCI Reeve/Irvine Center in California, a facility that specializes in spinal cord injury research. “But when the race starts, the competitive juices take over and everyone wants to win.”

Another big-hearted participant in the race was fine jewelry designer and part-time Grand Am driver Sarena Traver, who earned her spot in the Pros with an $80,000 winning bid in the Boys’ and Girls’ Club annual charity auction.

Celebrities Take Pole Position For Charity

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 06:30:07 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

You will not have to be a car enthusiast, racing fan, petrol head, or even an average, ordinary sports fanatic to enjoy the celebrity specticle that will take place next weekend in downtown Long Beach. The peaceful silence of Southern California will be ripped asunder as engines are revved and a host of stars take to the track in the Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race at the 34th annual Toyota Grand Prix.

A field of 18 is primed and ready to vie for the checkered flag in the world’s longest-running and most successful celebrity racing event. The 10-lap race will trace a 1.97-mile street circuit, and will raise money for Racing for Kids, a program that benefits children’s hospitals in Long Beach and Orange County. Toyota has generously pledged $5,000 to the charity in the name of each celebrity driver, and another $5,000 to the race winner’s charity of choice.

Wilmer Valderrama, best known for the role of Fez in That ’70s Show and host of MTV’s Yo Momma.
Drew Lachey, best known as the second-season winner of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and member of the group 98 Degrees.
Raymond Cruz, best known for his roles in The Closer, Clear and Present Danger, The Substitute, The Rock, and Training Day.
Eric Dickerson, Pro Football Hall of Famer.
John Salley, Sportscaster.
Daniel Goddard from The Young And The Restless.
Jamie Little, ESPN/ABC pit reporter for NASCAR Nationwide.
Nancy Lieberman, ESPN women’s basketball analyst.
Brad Lewis, Executive Producer of Ratatouille, Broken Arrow, Forces of Nature, and Antz.

Race fans should also check out the Honda Performance Development auction over at www.clothesoffourback.org. There are a large selection of racing gloves, shoes, suits, and more donated by some of today’s hottest drivers, including Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe, Darren Manning, and Ed Carpenter. Proceeds will benefit Clothes Off Our Back and American Honda supported charities.

But you had better slip into a higher gear and be quick – the auction ends April 21.

Celebrities Put Their Votes Where Their Hearts Are

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:44:49 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Celebrity endorsement and music have been essential features of political campaigns for the last 70 years. One of the earliest examples dates back to 1932, when Franklin D. Roosevelt used “Happy Days Are Here Again” as the theme song to his first presidential campaign. It eventually became the unofficial anthem for the Democrats, was used for years afterwards, and set a new standard in the way elections were campaigned.

Jump forward to 1960 and you find crooner Frank Sinatra openly supporting the presidential campaign of John F. Kennedy by singing a specially revised version of “High Hopes”. Jump forward further and you will hear the Republicans of 1988 singing the chorus of Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (although McFerrin later asked them to stop using it).

And who can forget Bill Clinton blowing his saxophone along to Fleetwood Mac’s “Don’t Stop” in 1992?

In 2008, it looks as though celebrity endorsement and music are set to be important parts of the Presidential Election once again, with a number of celebrities throwing their support into candidates’ campaigns. But although many stars are openly backing particular campaigns, their message this year has a deeper meaning.

“If we want to stop the war, if we want to get the economy better, I think that young people need to understand they have to take matters into their own hands,” said Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. “It is really like waking up a sleeping giant.”

The 38-year-old Hip Hop star and fashion designer believes that it is more important than ever for young people to go out and vote, and that the voice of youth will be an defining factor in this year’s election.

“A lot of young people have decided that this is their future. This president is going to decide their future,” said Combs, who launched the Citizen Change campaign in 2004 to encourage young voters. “I didn’t really want to get in the political game but I wanted to see young people become empowered. That’s where my attention is at. To have an African-American man and a woman in, it’s going to go down in history as the most historical election. And I think that young people will have a hand in the result.”

Last Tuesday saw 20 states in America hold primary elections to determine the eventual Democratic and Republican nominees for president, with Senator Hillary Clinton up against Senator Barack Obama for the Democrats, and Senator John McCain against former Gov. Mitt Romney for the Republicans.

And it seems that all of the candidates have pulled together an impressive list of celebrity backers. McCain has received endorsements from Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tom Selleck, while Romney is being backed by the likes of Pat Boone and Donny Osmond. On the Democrats’ side, Clinton has received endorsements from Barbra Streisand, Danny DeVito, Sally Field, Magic Johnson, Steven Spielberg, and Jack Nicholson, while Obama has attracted the support of celebrities such as Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Jessica Biel, Usher, Edward Norton, Hulk Hogan, Robert DeNiro, and Forest Whitaker.

23-year-old actress Scarlett Johansson is another star to show her support for Barack Obama, and last week recorded a message that was played to hundreds of voters in California over the telephone. She stated in the message that a vote for the Illinois senator was the last chance to “turn a page on the polarizing politics of the past”. This was followed by George Clooney adding his name to the supporters list at the annual Oscar Nominees’ Lunch last week.

“I’ve been an Obama guy for a year and a half and I’m very excited by his campaign,” he said. “It just seems that the more time he’s out there, his numbers keep growing. So I’m very, very encouraged.”

Johansson has also showed her support by taking part in the massive new internet campaign to increase the youth vote for Barack Obama. Led by Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am, the campaign features a music video that is taking YouTube by storm. Yes We Can took the singer two days to record and film, and has attracted almost 2 million views since it was released last Friday.

The Hip Hop star was inspired to write the song after watching Obama’s speech following the Democrat’s loss to Clinton in the New Hampshire primary election.

“It was as if he was talking to me,” said will.i.am. “It was as if he was talking to and defending everything that made me who I am. I took that speech, and I wanted everyone else to be inspired by that speech as I was.”

The song features Obama’s speech set to music, and includes appearances by John Legend, Kate Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Herbie Hancock. Although it was not commissioned by Obama, he saw it on Saturday and has embraced it.

“After nearly a year on the campaign trail, I’ve seen a lot of things that have touched me deeply, but I had to share this with you,” Obama’s wife, Michelle, said in an e-mail to supporters. “Sharing this video, which was created by supporters, is one more way to help start a conversation with your friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else who will be voting soon about the issues important to them in this election.”

But will.i.am insists the point of the song is not just to stir up votes for the first-term senator, but to “remind people how powerful they are. The idea of ‘Yes We Can’ doesn’t stop because he doesn’t win.”

There are currently several organizations that are being backed by celebrities to encourage young people to vote, including Declare Yourself and Rock the Vote, both of which are using the internet to raise the awareness of youth prior to this year’s election.

“The Internet and technology empowers people,” said will.i.am. “And the ‘Yes We Can’ song is proof that they don’t need a big record company or a big movie company . . . to go out and captivate people’s attention.”

But whether celebrity endorsement actually affects the votes is still a matter of contention. According to a study carried out by the Pew Research Centre in September, “political endorsements generally have little impact on voter preference”.
The research found almost 70% of Americans polled said that if told a celebrity endorsed a presidential candidate, it would not affect their vote. And of the 30% who said an endorsement would influence them, 15% said it would make them more likely to vote for the endorsed candidate while the other half said they would be less likely to do so.

But if history is anything to go by, it won’t stop the celebrities from having their say.

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