Look To The Stars News: Ashton Kutcher

Demi And Ashton To Attend Freedom Awards

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher will be at the 2009 Freedom Awards on October 13 to help end slavery forever.

The Freedom Awards celebrate heroes of the anti-slavery movement from around the world. The awards are open to organizations and individuals working to eradicate human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Nominations came from 22 countries, and winners were selected by an independent international committee. This year’s awards honor women who are setting the standard for world-class anti-slavery work. Their inspiring life stories and courageous work recognize the importance of women in the anti-slavery movement

The event will take place at the University of Southern California on Tuesday, and will also be attended by author Isabel Allende, football great Emmitt Smith, actress Camilla Belle, actress Jenifer Lewis, creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, film director Tom Shadyac, and musician Peter Buffett.

To learn about this year’s winners, click here. To find out more about the event, visit the official website.

Charlize Theron Gets A Kick Out Of Charity Soccer

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Charlize Theron was joined by a host of celebrities at a charity soccer match in LA on Tuesday.

The actress attended the match to officially announce that the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project and the LAFC Chelsea Soccer Club have joined forces to give kids living in underserved communities – in Southern California and Umkhanyakude District of the KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa – more opportunities to play competitive soccer.

The match saw Chelsea take on Inter Milan at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, and attracted stars such as Ashton Kutcher, Will Ferrell, Alyssa Milano, Gilles Marini, Brandon Routh and Anthony LaPaglla.

“The World Cup is a huge, huge thing for South Africans and for Africa. The pride Africans have of hosting this is tremendous,“ said Theron. "The question is, how do we generate that into other areas and have more of an impact?“

The fundraising event will help continue LAFC Chelsea’s mission to give economically challenged youth living in Southern California real opportunities to play competitive soccer as a means to keeping them in school through graduation. Money raised will also allow LAFC Chelsea to help expand its reach, building a viable youth soccer club in a rural community of South Africa in cooperation with Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP).

“LAFC Chelsea has always been focused on leading economically challenged young people to brighter futures and a better life through the universal sport of soccer,” says Don Sheppard, President of LAFC Chelsea. “When I learned about Charlize’s incredible plan to give sustainable opportunities to young South Africans who are at enormous risk, I knew that LAFC Chelsea was in position to help.”

Stars Use Twitter To Raise Awareness Of Iran

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore are using their Twitter accounts to urge the U.S. government not to intervene in the crisis in Iran.

“Considering how well fighting 4 freedom in Iraq went, I don’t know that we should B jumping in2 this Iran deal,“ wrote Kutcher. “I think that truly the only people that can change things in Iran are the Iranians themselves and they seem to be speaking their minds now.”

“My heart aches but I am inspired by the courage and strength of the Iranian people in the face of such opposition and adversity!” added Moore. "I have no judgement on who voted for who I am just pained that they are dealing with such civil unrest that is leading to violence.“

They have been joined by British comedian and writer Stephen Fry, who is concerned that the Iranian government is monitoring internet use following the recent violent demonstrations over the re-election of hardline President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

“Iranian govt should at least know we’re watching & we care,“ he wrote. “We’re not imperialists, we just care.” He went on to list ways in which Iranian Twitter users can “avoid govt filters” and access the site.

P. Diddy And Ashton Kutcher To Host Party For Malaria No More

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Sean Combs has announced that he will host his famous White Party in Los Angeles on July 4th this year with the theme of “We are Family” to benefit Malaria No More.

Complete with white carpet entrance and all of the VIP treatment for which he has become famous, celebrities, friends, and dignitaries alike will join Combs to celebrate – White Party style – in a private home located in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Los Angeles, CA.

In addition to being one of the most anticipated events of the year, this White Party will also serve as a platform to raise awareness for a very important organization, Malaria No More. To promote the cause and bring needed attention and aid to those living in areas where malaria is prevalent, Combs is teaming up with longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Ashton Kutcher, who will co-host the party. In conjunction with the White Party, Combs’ Sean John fashion label will produce and sell a limited edition t-shirt that will retail for $40 on-line at www.seanjohn.com with the slogan “Celebrate Life End Malaria” with a portion of the proceeds going to the non-profit organization. Partygoers will learn how they to make additional contributions, purchase t-shirts, and sign up for volunteering during the event.

Sean “Diddy” Combs said, "This year’s White Party is going to be historical. We are pulling out all of the stops to create a celebration that will be like none other before, and I thought it was time to share the sexiness and glamour of the White Party with all of my friends and family in LA. I chose July 4th because I am feeling very patriotic these days and who doesn’t love a barbeque on our nation’s birthday.

“I am also proud to be partnering with a cause that my boy Ashton has been involved with for some time now: Malaria No More. They have been doing some amazing things to help families in Africa protect themselves from this preventable and treatable disease,” Combs added.

George Clooney Makes Statement Against Imprisonment Of Nobel Prize Winner

Mon, 18 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

George Clooney joined Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and many others on Friday in calling for the immediate release from prison of Myanmar’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Along with Bono, Madonna, Steven Spielberg, Nobel Laureates professor Elie Wiesel and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright and US Senator John McCain, the group released a statement protesting about the fact that Aung San Suu Kyi – who has been under house arrest for 19 years – has now been moved to a prison facility.

The only Nobel Peace Prize recipient currently imprisoned, and leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma, Suu Kyi is a noted prisoner of conscience and advocate of nonviolent resistance.

“Yesterday Suu Kyi was taken to Burma’s Insein prison to face criminal charges as part of a concerted plan to deny her freedom,“ said the statement. “We must not stand by as she is silenced once again. Now is the time for the United Nations and the entire international community to speak clearly, and with one voice: Free Aung San Suu Kyi.”

Aung San Suu Kyi is a remarkable woman – immortalized in the U2 song “Walk On” and the only Nobel Peace Prize winner kept imprisoned anywhere in the world – her crime was her desire to see her people free.

Other stars to sign their name to the statement included Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig, Matthew Broderick, Scarlett Johansson, Nicole Kidman, Ashton Kutcher, Meg Ryan and many more.

To read more about Aung San Suu Kyi’s plight, click here or visit the Not On Our Watch website.

Bono To Play Charity Dominoes At Cannes

Fri, 15 May 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

U2 singer Bono is to co-host a charity event with a difference at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival on May 18.

Bono will join Penelope Cruz and director Pedro Almodovar at the Hollywood Domino tables to benefit The Global Fund, which raises cash to further AIDS research. Along with Charlize Theron, Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, the stars will take part in a game that has taken Hollywood by storm.

Hollywood Domino is a new take on a very old game originally invented in China over 400 years ago. The new version was developed after two young entrepreneurs – Inge Theron and Daya Fernandez – met in LA during the Oscars. It was not long before a select group of celebrity friends including Salma Hayek, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher caught onto the trend and began to meet regularly to play.

“Beating the credit crunch has never been so much fun,“ said Inge Theron. “Staying in has definitely become the new going out. ‘Hollywood Domino’ is a fun and exciting parlour game that you cannot help being absorbed by. It is strategic and highly addictive, and brings the glamour of the Hollywood Hills into your living room.”

The game is available for purchase from Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and other selected retailers.

Ted Turner Responds To Ashton Kutcher For World Malaria Day

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Following Ashton Kutcher’s Twitter Battle with CNN last week that resulted in Kutcher donating 10,000 mosquito nets to charity, Ted Turner – chairman of the United Nations Foundation – has challenged him yet again.

“Congratulations Kutcher, your Twitter followers really came through for you,“ said Turner in his video message. "But World Malaria Day is only the beginning. We need to send more nets and save more lives. And you don’t have to be Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey to make a difference – you just need $10. If 10,000 more people joined the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, I’ll have you and Demi over for lunch at Ted’s Montana Grill in Atlanta. Hope you like Bison Burgers…“

Nothing But Nets is a grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in Africa. While the UN Foundation has been working with the UN to fight malaria for years, it was a column that Rick Reilly wrote about malaria in Sports Illustrated, challenging each of his readers to donate at least $10 for the purchase of an anti-malaria bed nets — and the incredible response from thousands of Americans across the country — that led to the creation of the Nothing But Nets campaign.

World Malaria Day is on Saturday, April 25. Ted Turner’s video message can be viewed here.

Kutcher Wins Twitter Crown

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Following last week’s Twitter Battle between Ashton Kutcher and CNN, other celebrities have promised donations to Malaria No More via the micro-blogging site.

Within hours of Kutcher becoming the first person to gain 1 million followers on Twitter, CNN matched his donation of 10,000 mosquito nets to the charity. Ryan Seacrest also made pleas to his fellow celebrity Twitter users to make donations – a challenge that was taken up by Oprah Winfrey as she joined the Twitter community with the announcement she would donate money for 20,000 nets.

Kutcher is also using Twitter to raise awareness of World Malaria Day on April 25.

“Let’s rally the troops on World Malaria Day,” he wrote in a series of Tweets earlier this month. “If we all rally we can make malaria a thing 4 history books (so) that we all say, ‘I can’t believe people use to die from that.’ Why focus on malaria? The cure exists. $10 saves a life I know we can do this.”

“Supporting World Malaria Day on Twitter is designed to be very simple. Our goal is to secure participation from the Twitter community, to Tweet the following message on Saturday, April 25, 2009: ‘Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria. Nets save lives. Support World Malaria Day’.

“By way of background, Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa. Malaria No More uses breakthrough communications, global advocacy and smart investments to advance the goals of providing universal access to malaria interventions by the end of 2010 and ending deaths by 2015. Every 30 seconds – the time it takes to send and receive a Tweet – a child dies from malaria, but a simple mosquito net can save lives.

“Please join us on April 25th in raising awareness of malaria prevention by Tweeting on Twitter in support of World Malaria Day.”

(On a related note, you can follow Look to the Stars on Twitter too!)

Ashton Kutcher Challenges CNN For Malaria Nets

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Earlier this month, Ashton Kutcher used Twitter to encourage his fans to support World Malaria Day on April 25. Now he has challenged CNN to a popularity race to get 1 million followers on the micro-blogging site. And he’ll make a charity donation if he wins.

“I found it astonishing that one person can actually have as big of a voice online as what an entire media company can on Twitter,” Kutcher says in a video. “So I just thought that was just kind of an amazing comment on the state of our media, and I said that, if I beat CNN to 1 million viewers, then I would ding-dong ditch Ted Turner — because I don’t think it’s gonna happen.”

If Kutcher wins the challenge, he has agreed to donate 10,000 mosquito nets to Malaria No More, a charity he encourages his fans to support.

“Malaria No More is determined to end malaria deaths in Africa,“ he said. "Malaria No More uses breakthrough communications, global advocacy and smart investments to advance the goals of providing universal access to malaria interventions by the end of 2010 and ending deaths by 2015. Every 30 seconds – the time it takes to send and receive a Tweet – a child dies from malaria, but a simple mosquito net can save lives.“

As of Wednesday, Kutcher had 896,947 followers, putting him in third place behind Britney Spears and CNN. No Twitter user has attracted 1 million followers before.

Ashton Kutcher Uses Twitter For World Malaria Day

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Ashton Kutcher yesterday used his official Twitter site to encourage people to support World Malaria Day on April 25.

“Let’s rally the troops on World Malaria Day,” he wrote in a series of Tweets throughout the day. “If we all rally we can make malaria a thing 4 history books (so) that we all say, ‘I can’t believe people use to die from that.’ Why focus on malaria? The cure exists. $10 saves a life I know we can do this.”

He also used his official MySpace blog to promote the cause: "On World Malaria Day, we plan to rally the Twitter community to Tweet in support of Malaria prevention and treatment, by asking our followers to go to the Malaria No More Website to learn about how to help end malaria deaths in Africa.
 
“Supporting World Malaria Day on Twitter is designed to be very simple. Our goal is to secure participation from the Twitter community, to Tweet the following message on Saturday, April 25, 2009: ‘Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria. Nets save lives. Support World Malaria Day’. 

“Please join us on April 25th in raising awareness of malaria prevention by Tweeting on Twitter in support of World Malaria Day.”

World Malaria Day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the plight of the millions of people living in Malarial areas, their lives heavily impacted by this terrible but preventable disease.

Ashton Kutcher Twitters Against Sex Slavery

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actor Ashton Kutcher is using Twitter to help fight sex slavery.

Kutcher recently met with GEMS founder Rachel Lloyd to discuss the problem of sex trafficking and slavery, and Twittered these responses following the meeting: “sexual exploitation & trafficking is just modern day slavery & the pimps & traffickers R the slave owners” and “[t]here’s nothing cool about being a pimp. Pimp = Slave Owner.”

GEMS – Girls Education and Mentoring Services – is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS was founded in 1999 by Rachel Lloyd, a young woman who had been sexually exploited as a teenager. GEMS has helped hundreds of young women and girls, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and to develop to their full potential. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change.

The issue is an important one for Kutcher, who has blogged about it many times. He is also encouraging his 200,000 Twitter followers to sign the online petition that calls for a new law that will stop exploited children from being prosecuted as criminals. The petition can be accessed here.

More information about GEMS can be found at their website.

“We Have to Do This:” Stars Urge Answer To Obama’s Call To Service

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Isra Shah

Actors Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have recorded a star-studded “Presidential Pledge” in collaboration with MySpace and Katalyst Films to encourage Americans to get involved in community service via USAService.org. The move is part of an effort to answer President Barack Obama’s call to begin the “work of remaking America.”

During his inauguration speech on January 20th, President Obama asserted that despite all that “government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.”

“The price and promise of citizenship,” according to Obama, is that “we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world.”

It was this call to duty that inspired Kutcher and Moore to record the commercial. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kutcher explained that, "The truth is it’s going to take millions, hundreds of millions, of people for that [change in the world] to happen.”

“It’s going to be because of what all of us do. He’s the catalyst. It’s his inspiring message that asks us to be of service to each other. “

“Someone came into our office and had the idea of doing pledges for Obama, and instantly it was like, ‘We have to do this’," he said.

The commercial, aired online and viewable here, features celebrities sharing their personal commitments to service. The pledges range from simple tasks (“I pledge to turn the lights off”) to grand endeavors (“I pledge to find a cure for Alzheimer’s”). Participants included famous faces such as George Lopez, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jason Bateman, Dakota Fanning, Nicole Richie, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Kevin Connolly, Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz, and Molly Sims, amongst others.

In a statement, Kutcher emphasized the interactive nature of the PSA announcement, saying, “We are honored to be working with MySpace to rally the entertainment industry to answer President-elect Barack Obama’s call to service. The ‘Presidential Pledge’ is a platform for people across the nation and throughout the world to make a first-person commitment of service to our new president, articulating a specific intent or action to become an agent of positive change.”

Read the full text of President Obama’s Inaugural Address here.

To record and post your own ‘Presidential Pledge,’ visit the MySpace site .

Stars To Give Big At Big Game Charity Event

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0000

The Giving Back Fund will host their “Big Game—Big Give” VIP Charity Event in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, January 31st, during Super Bowl XLIII weekend.

This exclusive event will be held at an exquisite waterfront estate from 5:30 – 8:00 pm. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. A limited number of $1000 tickets will be available to the public online at Givingback.org. All proceeds go to charity and all tickets are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Confirmed guests include Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Maria Menounos, Drew Brees, Warrick Dunn, Matt Cassel, Reggie Wayne, World Series MVP Cole Hamels, John Lynch, Mike Allstott, Matt Ryan, and Antwaan Randle El.

“We wanted to offer an elegant and exclusive choice for the weekend’s celebrations. Somewhere you can have a real conversation up close and personal with star athletes. An event where everyone in attendance is a VIP,” said The Giving Back Fund’s founder and president Marc Pollick. “We look forward to hosting many of the athletes whom we advise on charity matters in the same room for the first time. In many ways the party is also a celebration of their commitment to philanthropy.”

The Giving Back Fund is the premier philanthropic resource for the sports and entertainment communities. The Fund encourages philanthropy from high-profile individuals and the general public, offering the resources and support celebrities need to confidently give back to their communities.

Join Ashton Kutcher For The Super Bowl

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Looking for someone special to watch the Super Bowl with this year? Why not try Ashton Kutcher or Jenny McCarthy?

Kutcher is hosting a VIP Super Bowl party on January 31 to raise money for the Giving Back Fund. The event will be held at a private house in Tampa – to be revealed when you purchase tickets – and the ticket price is $1000.

Established in 1997, The Giving Back Fund provides professional philanthropic management, consulting, and mentoring to athletes, entertainers and others. In the past they have worked with Ben Roethlisberger, Yao Ming, Sam Madison and many more.

Tickets are available here.

Jenny McCarthy is hosting the annual Leather and Laces VIP party on January 30 at Jackson’s Bistro to raise money for her autism charity, Generation Rescue.

Also scheduled to appear at the event are Carmen Electra and Kim Kardashian, and the event will include live entertainment by the amazing world renowned Cirque USA performers doing awe inspiring feats.

The extravaganza will take place on Friday, January 30th from 9:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. at Jackson’s Bistro, located in the heart of Downtown Tampa connected to the Wyndham Harbor Island and only one block from the Tampa Convention Center, Marriott Waterside and the TECO Line streetcar.

More info and tickets can be found here.

Stars To Shine In Charity Heaven

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The Art of Elysium will celebrate their 2nd annual Black Tie Charity Gala in a star-studded event this weekend.

Subtitled Heaven, the event will honor Jim Sheridan and Eva Mendes for their work with the charity, which encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions.

The event will be hosted by Rosetta Millington Getty and Relativity Media’s Ryan Kavanaugh, and celebrities expected to attend include Casey Affleck, Jason Bateman, David Arquette, Patricia Arquette, Justin Bartha, Sophia Bush, Courteney Cox, Eric Dane, Kirsten Dunst, Rebecca Gayheart-Dane, Topher Grace, Rachel Griffiths, Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Joan Hart, Thomas Jane, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Ali Larter, Jared Leto, Lisa Love, Tobey Maguire, Joaquin Phoenix, Natalie Portman and many others.

The Art of Elysium was established in 1997 and is dedicated to enriching the lives of artists and critically ill children.

“The Art of Elysium exists because of the passion that artists hold in their hearts,” said Jennifer Howell, founder of the organization. “By serving children in need, the artist is allowed to express this passion in ways that could never be revealed on stage, in a gallery or behind a camera. We invite you to join in our efforts to make a difference or to invent your own way to reach out and share yourself with others.”

The Heaven Gala takes place on Saturday, January 10, at the The Vibiana, 210 Main Street, Los Angeles. More info can be found here.

Ashton Kutcher Praises Demi Moore's Compassion

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Ashton Kutcher has spoken to Tyra Banks about what he finds beautiful about his wife, Demi Moore.

“I think the most beautiful quality that she has is just her capacity to give to others,“ said the 30-year-old star. “She’s always thinking about somebody else… The first moment I recognized her beauty was just listening to her talk to her daughters, my stepdaughters over the phone. The compassion she shares. To me was breathtaking. It was the first time I realized how special she was in that moment.”

Both Kutcher and Moore are well known for their charity work, and spent a week together in Central America last year building homes for the disadvantaged. In 2006, Kutcher announced he would donate one dollar to Habitat For Humanity for each of the first 50,000 MySpace users who add him as a friend. The pair also attended Madonna’s gala event at UN Headquarters for Raising Malawi last year.

Hollywood Domino Attracts Stars On Both Sides Of Atlantic

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hollywood Domino is the new craze sweeping the world, and two launch events over the weekend attracted stars from across the celebrity spectrum to raise money for charity.

Friday night, November 7, saw the first of the launch events take place in London, with well-known faces such as Charlize Theron, Sienna Miller, Tom Hollander, Ridley Scott, and Giannina Facio in attendance to raise cash for the Charlize Theron African Outreach Project. This was followed on Sunday, November 9, by a second tournament in New York, attended by Salma Hayek, James Franco, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Jessica Alba, Molly Sims, Jeremy Piven, Kim Raver, Jason Lewis and many more to raise money for The Art of Elysium.

The game is available for purchase from Amazon.com, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and other selected retailers.

Celebrity Endorsement Pulls Young Voters

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new study has revealed how celebrity endorsement can encourage young people to vote.

“Celebrities have the power to motivate civic engagement regardless of their own grasp of the issues at hand,” reported a study by Washington State University published in the Mass Communication and Society journal. “Celebrity endorsed campaigns successfully lowered complacency and helped young people believe in their own impact on the political system. Young people got involved at higher levels and became increasingly aware of societal issues.”

According to the study, initiatives from stars such as Jessica Alba – who recently featured in several ad campaigns for Declare Yourself – as well as Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé Knowles have influenced the youth vote in America. 44% of newly registered voters in 2004 were between 18 and 25.

This year’s voters have been encouraged by a host of celebrity campaigns, such as Death Cab for Cutie’s free concert offer and the recent 5 Friends video that featured will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

About 44 million people aged 18 to 29 are eligible to vote in the November 4 presidential election. If young voter turnout exceeds 50%, it will be only the third time since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1972.

Hollywood Urges US To Vote

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of the brightest stars in Hollywood have joined forces in a new video encouraging people to vote in the upcoming US elections.

The 5-minute film, which is called 5 Friends and can be viewed here, features appearances from Amy Adams, Tatyana Ali, will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

The video, which uses a little bit of reverse psychology to get people to the polls, was organized by Declare Yourself, a national nonprofit campaign initiated in 2004 to energize and empower a new movement of young voters.

“If you’re not going to vote I don’t even know what to say to you anymore,“ says DiCaprio in the video, which was shot in his home in LA. “You know you have to vote.”

Declare Yourself has also launched a new print and internet advertisement featuring Jessica Alba.

Last month the star appeared gagged and wrapped in plastic in an ad for the organization. In the new campaign, Alba appears wearing only a Hannibal Lecter-type mask called “The Muzzler.”

The advertisement can be seen at the Declare Yourself website.

Demi And Ashton Lend A Hand For Homes

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Demi Moore and husband Ashton Kutcher have just returned from a week building homes for the disadvantaged in Central America, following in the footsteps of Moore’s teenage daughter.

According to Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper, the 45-year-old star of Indecent Proposal spent a week in Guatemala’s slums digging foundations and shifting bricks.

“They were working… for a charity that helps indigenous organic farmers,’ said a source from the newspaper. “Demi’s daughter, Scout Willis, went out to do the project a while ago. Demi and Ashton were actually building houses with tin roofs and shlepping breeze blocks in the midday sun. Ashton’s father is a carpenter so he has experience.”

16-year-old Scout Willis is actively involved in a number of charities, including Habitat For Humanity, the ONE Campaign, Save the Children, and her father’s Bruce Willis Foundation.

Big Names Flock to 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On Saturday May 31, stars converged at a private estate in Brentwood California to attend the 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball. Each year, Chrysalis helps more than 2,300 men and women transition from poverty, regain their dignity, and radically change their lives through jobs. And the impressive celebrity turnout speaks volumes to the good work being done by Chrysalis.

Rebecca Gayheart-Dane and her ‘McSteamy’ husband Eric Dane were the first couple to arrive.

“I feel very honored to be part of Chrysalis and that I get to do the work that I do,” said Rebecca Gayheart-Dane before the event. “It’s a great cause and this community has been so supportive and I so appreciate it.”

Eric Dane was equally impressed with his wife’s work as a co-chair member: “Every year I marvel at the commitment and the dedication and the time she puts aside for this event,” he told the media.

Charlie Sheen and his new wife Brooke Mueller made their first public appearance as a married couple, just one day after the two exchanged vows in front of about 60 close friends and family. The “Two and a Half Men” star and real estate developer were engaged last summer after meeting at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in 2006.

Among the list of stars supporting the cause and creating a media frenzy during arrivals were Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Kate Walsh, Katherine Heigl, Eva Mendes, Mila Kunis, Amaury Nolasco, Brett Ratner, Jason Lewis, T.R. Knight, Justin Chambers, Jason Bateman, and the night’s emcee, Chris Kattan.

“The charity is certainly worth while,“ said Bateman from the red carpet. “I love this – instead of just throwing money at something, you actually give them a very proactive tool to eliminate their problem of homelessness.”

Chris Kattan was proud to play host for the evening, as he is a regular supporter of Chrysalis: “I think it’s a great cause to help the homeless situation here. I’ve been here four years in a row now.”

All proceeds from the Butterfly Ball directly fund Chrysalis employment programs, and this years’ event is said to have raised close to one million dollars for the organization.

Madonna And Friends Shine A Light On Malawi

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:23:58 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

If you were to look on a map, you could be excused for missing Malawi completely. Bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique in South East Africa, the nation of Malawi is shaped like a lightning bolt, with much of its land area covered by a massive lake. But it a country that is in dire need of help, and a host of celebrities turned out to a dazzling evening of fun on Wednesday, February 6, to raise awareness for what is one of the poorest countries in the world.

The gala event was hosted by Madonna on the lawns of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, with the $3.7 million raised going to UNICEF and her own Raising Malawi organization. A long list of stars, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Lopez, Tea Leoni, Lucy Liu, Billy Joel, Gwen Stefani, and Djimon Hounsou, attended the event, with tickets ranging from $2,500 to $10,000. The evening also featured performances by Alicia Keys, Timbaland, and Rihanna.

“I want to put Raising Malawi on the map,” said Madonna. “I want credibility as a philanthropic organisation. I want to inspire people. I don’t want them to just write me a cheque: I want them to give me a piece of their heart.”

Comedian Chris Rock hosted an auction during the evening, which featured some exciting items donated by celebrity guests. Priceless, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities were up for grabs, such as a dance class with Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow (which sold for $600,000), and a trip to Château Latour – including lunch with Salma Hayek – which was sold to Donald Trump for $120,000.

Tom Cruise, who attended the event with wife Katie Holmes, narrowly missed out on buying a sports package that included baseball practice with Yankee Alex Rodriguez and soccer practice with David Beckham.

“It was an extraordinary evening,” said Cruise. “The whole evening was quite moving. [Saving Malawi] is an absolute necessity.”

Saving Malawi was co-founded by Madonna in 2006, after she witnessed the plight of the country firsthand. And it is a plight she hopes to make more people aware of.

Recent UNICEF figures state that almost 1 million people in Malawi (whose total population is 13 million) suffer from HIV/AIDS, including 83,000 children. 267 people are infected with the virus every day, and half of the country’s 1 million orphans have lost their parents to the disease.

It is a country where 48% of children are severely malnourished, and many are subjected to the horrors of exploitation. The infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world, and 133 children out of 1000 die before they reach the age of five. They suffer from lack of food, shelter, clothing, education, clean water and sanitation, as well as basic medical services, and the average life expectancy is only 37 years.

Raising Malawi hopes to ease the suffering of the children of Malawi by providing smart solutions to the most challenging problems. Instead of just throwing money at the nightmare, they provide grassroots initiatives in the way of healthcare, education, and agriculture at a community level. To do this, they have partnered with some of the best organizations that work in the country, including the Millennium Promise Alliance, the Network of Organizations for Vulnerable and Orphan Children, and Spirituality for Kids.

One of Raising Malawi’s greatest initiatives is the Orphan Care Center recently built in the village of Mphandula. Designed to serve 4000 children, it provides a safe haven for orphans, and supplies nutritious meals, basic education, and crucial life skills. Along with programs to introduce solar power, clean water systems, and self-sustenance, Madonna hopes the Orphan Care Center will help Malawi overcome its problems.

“I’ve earned a reputation for many things,” said Madonna during Wednesday’s gala evening. “For pushing the envelope, for being a provocateur, for never taking no for an answer, for endlessly reinventing myself, for being a cult member, a kidnapper, for being ambitious, outrageous, and irreverent. And for never settling for second best. I don’t just want you to write me a check. I’m more interested in your heart. I want to take you on that journey with me tonight. I want you to feel as inspired as I do right now.

“Yes, I want to raise Malawi. But if I can do that – if we can do that – then the sky’s the limit.”

Stars Design Ugg Boots For Charity

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:56:14 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It may be cold, and snow may be falling outside your window, but a new charity auction might have just the thing to keep you warm and cosy this winter. A host of celebrities have got together to fight the winter blues by designing a range of sheepskin-lined Ugg boots, with all proceeds going to fight childhood diseases.

Sharon Stone, Penelope Cruz, and John Travolta are just some of the 22 stars trying to keep your toes toasty this holiday season, with a variety of designs on offer in the auction to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, America’s third largest healthcare charity.

St. Jude’s is internationally recognized for its pioneering work in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases, and offers free treatment to all of its patients. The hospital, based in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas, and shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities all around the world, making it a leader in children’s healthcare.

The auction has been organized by Ugg Australia, the company behind the famous sheepskin boots, established in 1978 when a young Australian surfer named Brian Smith started selling the boots while on a trip to America. The boots soon became the preferred footwear of Californian surfers, and have now become almost legendary around the world.

The surfing theme has been captured in Ashlee Simpson’s design, which incorporates surfers and dolphins splashing in the ocean, and Eva Longoria’s design highlights the importance of love, with bronze hearts adorning the toes. Matthew McConaughey’s design is emblazoned with the phrase “Just Keep Livin’”, and Liv Tyler’s boots look fit for an Elven Princess. Other stars to donate specially designed boots include Ashton Kutcher, Cindy Crawford, Ellen DeGeneres, Minnie Driver, Whoopi Goldberg, Martha Stewart, Kelly Ripa, and Kelly Preston.

The boots start with a reserve price of $200, and the auction runs from December 1-14 on www.cmarket.com.

Also in the mood for giving this holiday season is actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who has teamed up with non-profit organization Trickle Up to offer a special piece of jewelry available when people make donations to the charity.

“Would you like to give a gift that will change someone’s life?” said the 30-year-old in a letter published on Trickle Up’s website. “This holiday season, make a donation of $100 in honor of a friend or family member and Trickle Up will send them the beautiful Trickle Up necklace, designed by one of my favorite designers – TENTHOUSANDTHINGS. Trickle Up will use your donation to help someone living on less than one dollar a day to start a micro-enterprise and take the first steps out of poverty. With their successful businesses, Trickle Up entrepreneurs are able to feed their families more nutritious meals, send children to school, receive medical care, and improve their housing. The Trickle Up necklace is a great holiday gift that will always remind you of an even greater gift: a hopeful future for a very poor family. You can seed a dream.”

The necklace is available from www.trickleup.org.

Madonna To Headline Charity Event

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:54:12 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One of the most well-known names in show business is teaming up with one of the biggest names in fashion for a fund raising event expected to generate millions of dollars to revitalize the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in the African nation of Malawi.

Madonna has joined forces with Gucci to prove she is not just a material girl, and will headline a special gala and show on February 6, 2008. The event will benefit UNICEF and Raising Malawi, the charity the singer co-founded in 2006, and will focus on ending the poverty and hardship suffered by Malawi’s 1 million orphans, many of whom have had parents die from the AIDS pandemic.

To help with the event, which is expected to raise over $2 million for the cause, Madonna has enlisted the help of her many friends as co-chairs, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Lucy Liu, Salma Hayek, Tea Leoni, Adrien Brody, Arpad Busson, and Francois-Henri Pinault.

“I am grateful that Gucci is joining forces with me to bring attention to a country with millions of children in desperate need of our help,” said Madonna when the event was announced. “Raising Malawi has already done tremendous work in helping these children. But we have much more to do, and this event will surely bring us closer to our goal.”

Madonna and her husband Guy Ritchie are currently embroiled in a bid to adopt a young child from Malawi, 13-month-old David Banda. However, the adoption attempt has been the centre of much controversy, especially from human rights groups who have accused the singer of trying to get around the country’s laws by using her fame and wealth. The 49-year-old denies the allegations, and a hearing at Malawi’s High Court will be held in 2008 to decide whether the couple are suitable parents and should be allowed to welcome the child into their family.

Raising Malawi was established to assist the African country with its poor public health record and high AIDS rate – it is estimated that 12% of the population between the age of 15-49 suffer from the disease.

“Every day, 6000 children lose a parent to AIDS,” said Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the US Fund for UNICEF, who also thanked Madonna and Gucci for organizing the gala event. “Every day, 1400 children die from AIDS.”

Gucci has been a UNICEF corporate partner since 2004, and the event in February will also celebrate the opening of the biggest Gucci store on the planet, situated on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

Celebrity Portraits Up For Auction

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 08:25:15 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Autographed portraits of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars are up for auction on the internet this month, as part of the “Stars For A Cause”: charity Gala to be held in September.

George Clooney, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are just some of the legends who have been immortalized in the works by acclaimed artist, Nicolosi. Painted using acrylic on canvas, these pop-art style portraits are both colorful and dynamic, and have been exhibited in London and Los Angeles, as well as at the Cannes Film Festival and on the cruise liner, the Queen Mary II.

Proceeds from the auction will go to The Prince’s Trust, a UK based charity that helps young people overcome barriers by providing training, mentoring, and financial assistance. Joanna Lumley, an ambassador for the Trust, is one of the stars featured in the collection. The Hollywood Museum will also benefit from the auction.

The pictures were personally autographed by the stars during Entertainment Tonight interviews held backstage at events such as the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards, and the 58th Primetime Emmys.

“We are always eager to support the charitable endeavors of celebrities,” said Linda Bell Blue, executive producer for Entertainment Tonight. “So we readily embraced the opportunity to get involved with Stars For A Cause.”

The online auction will run until September 27, when a VIP Gala will be held at The Hollywood Museum. Many of the stars featured in the portraits are expected to attend the event, and the evening will bring bidding on the paintings to a close.
Other celebrities whose portraits are for sale include Angelina Jolie, Alan Alda, Mariska Hargitay, Kyra Sedgwick, Jane Kaczmarek, Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Geena Davis, Candice Bergen, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Debra Messing, Forest Whitaker, Kiefer Sutherland, Meryl Streep, Charlie Sheen, Jack Nicholson, Eddie Murphy, Helen Mirren, Penelope Cruz, Daniel Craig, Beyoncé Knowles, and Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen.
Bids start at $500, and can be viewed at www.juliensauctions.com.

Kutcher and 50,000 Friends Help Habitat For Humanity

Wed, 06 Sep 2006 22:43:41 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Ashton Kutcher announced today that he will donate one dollar to Habitat For Humanity for each of the first 50,000 MySpace users who add him as a friend. His official MySpace page launched earlier today, and Kutcher has chosen this opportunity to make a difference for those in need.

Habitat For Humanity International helps build houses for people around the world, and invites volunteers to join them through their Global Village Program.

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