Look To The Stars News: Lucy Liu

Selena Gomez And Lucy Liu Blog Charity Christmas Gifts

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Selena Gomez and Lucy Liu have once again blogged for the US Fund for UNICEF’s 12 Days of UNICEF campaign.

Both stars have followed up last week’s blogs with new gift ideas that benefit UNICEF’s mission around the world.

“21,000 young children die every day from causes we already know how to prevent – like malnutrition, poor sanitation and lack of safe, drinkable water,” writes Selena in her new blog post. "UNICEF’s mission is to make that number zero. By purchasing a UNICEF Inspired Gift, we can help UNICEF achieve that goal.

Lucy Liu Talks Charity Christmas Gifts

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:45:00 +0000

Lucy Liu is the latest star to blog for the US Fund for UNICEF’s 12 Days of UNICEF Christmas campaign.

Every day for 12 days, a UNICEF celebrity supporter is blogging about some of the gifts available this Christmas that benefit the organization’s work.

“During the holidays as a child in New York, it often snowed, and when it did, my brother, sister and I would run outside and build snowmen, rocket ships and all kinds of creatures from our imaginations,” writes Lucy. "We’d also have snowball fights that lasted for hours with the other kids on the block. After playing in the cold all day, we would come back home, change into our pajamas and then thaw out under the Christmas tree. I loved watching the lights change colors while sipping hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Latin Grammy Winners Fight Exploitation And Trafficking

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Nineteen-time Latin Grammy winners Calle 13 joined forces with UNICEF, MTV Latin America and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más last week to launch the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign within Latin American and US Hispanic communities.

The multi-media campaign aims to reach Spanish-speaking youth in Latin America and the US to increase awareness and prevention around human trafficking and exploitation through creative content, digital media interaction, community events and opportunities for direct participation.

Lured by false promises offering opportunities for a better life, at least 550,000 children, adolescents and youth have become victims of trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean; often forced into unsafe sexual practices and drug use, they are at a heightened risk of contracting HIV.

Lucy Liu Highlights Human Trafficking

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:00:00 +0000

UNICEF ambassador Lucy Liu has written an article for USAID highlighting her work fighting human trafficking.

“In the past several years I’ve met with girls and women who have survived brutal treatment as sex trafficking victims, and have been involved with several documentaries about their struggle to survive and give back,” she writes. "Human trafficking [is] a lucrative and growing transnational crime that brings in roughly $32 billion per year internationally. Of those profits, $28 billion are made from commercial sexual exploitation, which characterizes 79% of identified trafficking cases. The victims are predominantly female.

Bono Leads Celebrity PSA For (RED) Charity

Sun, 02 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

(RED) has announced the launch of The Lazarus Effect Campaign, a multi-platform campaign across TV, online and print, including an HBO documentary airing on May 24, that will help raise awareness of the transformative effect of antiretroviral medicine for those living with HIV in Africa.

Launching April 29 on HBO, the awareness campaign will roll out across various TV and online networks in the coming weeks. The campaign equates the relative value of 40 cents by comparing trivial items worth 40 cents e.g. a stick of gum, a smear of lipstick — to the value of one day’s worth of life transforming antiretroviral medication.

The campaign, directed by renowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe, features Bono, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Julianne Moore, Naomi Watts, Claire Danes, Alek Wek, Iman, John Turturro, Toni Collette, Hugh Jackman, Orlando Bloom, Lucy Liu, Gabourey Sidibe, Kerry Washington, Bryan Cranston, LeAnn Rimes, Jane Lynch, Michelle Rodriguez, Gwen Stefani, Hayden Christensen, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Don Cheadle, Ludacris, Common, Benicio del Toro, Dakota Fanning, Christy Turlington and the Jonas Brothers.

Pete Wentz Named UNICEF Tap Project Ambassador

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF today announced that musician/entrepreneur and social philanthropist, Pete Wentz will be the national spokesperson for the 2010 UNICEF Tap Project.

Now in its fourth year, the UNICEF Tap Project is a grassroots initiative that will take place during World Water Week 2010 (March 21-27) and invites individuals to donate $1 or more for tap water at participating restaurants to provide clean water to children around the world.

Celebrity Designs On Offer In Qatar

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:30:00 +0000

This Friday and Saturday, February 26-27, the Doha Marriott Hotel in Qatar is hosting a Whatever It Takes Shop and Draw for hope event in the main lobby featuring items from your favorite stars.

All of the unique merchandise for sale at this event features original artwork donated to Whatever It Takes — products include watches with artwork by Pierce Brosnan, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson; t-shirts with the artwork of musicians Amy Winehouse, Barry Manilow, Suggs and Joss Stone; and a variety of totes and wallets with the artwork of Kanye West, Lucy Liu and David Bowie; the prices start at just 50QR (US$13).

After a pass through, shoppers are encouraged to enjoy the Doha Marriott’s lavish weekend brunch that offers an array of cuisines featuring stations from the restaurants Asia Live!, Corniche, All’ Aperto, Taj Rasoi, Salsa and special treat, cakes featuring Whatever It Takes Celebrity Symbols of Hope. In addition to shopping and dining, kids are invited to draw their own Symbols of Hope for the 21st Century or be entertained in the Doha Marriott’s kids club.

George Clooney Presents Jerry Weintraub Humanitarian Award

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

On December 10, the UNICEF Ball brought together Hollywood’s biggest stars for a fundraising gala to honor those individuals who have made key contributions to UNICEF’s mission to save and improve children’s lives worldwide. The evening raised more money for the organization than any UNICEF Ball to date.

Producer and long-time philanthropist Jerry Weintraub was honored as Man of the Year with UNICEF’s Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. The special black-tie evening took place at the Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, in Beverly Hills, CA.

Lucy Liu And Rebecca Mader To Light UNICEF Snowflakes

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

UNICEF will light up both New York and Beverly Hills this weekend with the help of some celebrity friends.

Lucy Liu will light the UNICEF Snowflake at a special ceremony on Thursday, November 19, in front of the Louis Vuitton Fifth Avenue store in New York, followed by a similar event at the intersection of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills featuring Rebecca Mader on Saturday, November 21.

“The UNICEF Snowflake is a special symbol for the world’s most vulnerable children,” said Caryl Stern, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Every day 24,000 children die of preventable causes. These iconic snowflakes—at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York and on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills—hang as a reminder of UNICEF’s commitment to reach a day when zero children die from preventable causes.”

Charitable Celebrities To Receive 21st Century Leaders Awards

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Celebrities will be out in abundance in Doha, Qatar, next week for the Whatever It Takes Experience presented by 21st Century Leaders and Whatever It Takes.

As well as a private art experience and gala dinner, several stars will be honored with 21st Century Leaders Awards at this massive charity event.

The Doha 21st Century Leaders’ Awards are granted to individuals who, whilst being leaders in their own fields, have also made a serious commitment and significant impact on their chosen cause.

Lucy Liu Speaks Against Child Trafficking

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:30:00 +0000

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Lucy Liu gave an impassioned speech at a symposium organized by the US Agency for International earlier this week to raise awareness about the estimated 1.2 million children who are trafficked worldwide every year.

The fight against child trafficking is a cause Liu has been passionate about since her appointment as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2004. She recently produced a documentary film, ‘Red Light’, which focuses on the issue of trafficking in Cambodia.

“With no options and not enough protection,” she said, “the world’s poorest children are being recruited more and more into a gruesome array of practices that include trafficking for sex, soldiering, begging, scavenging, working in factories and on farms, and domestic servitude.”

David Carradine's Food 4 Africa Legacy

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:30:00 +0000

David Carradine, star of the television show Kung Fu and a plethora of films, passed away on June 3rd, 2009, aged 72 years old.

A funeral service took place on Saturday June 13 for the beloved late celebrity. Many other stars came out to show their respect for a man who made a name for himself doling out words of wisdom as Kwai Chang Caine on the television series Kung Fu. Among the celebrities in attendance were Jane Seymour, Rob Schneider, Lucy Liu, Tom Selleck, Daryl Hannah and many others.

The sky was gloomy as the white hearse which carried David Carradine’s body delivered the actor to his final resting place.

Celebrities Do Whatever It Takes For Charity

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A huge selection of celebrity-designed bags and T-shirts are currently available at the UK’s premiere celebrity charity auction website, Buy Once Give Twice.

The auction site is hosting the auction for Whatever It Takes, a unique charity artwork project which inspires hope by gathering artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. The artworks are used to ethically produce Whatever It Takes products which are then sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

Going under the hammer in the auction are T-shirts featuring designs by The Killers, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Duff, Lucy Liu, Toni Collette, Coldplay, Minnie Driver, Keane, Whoopi Goldberg, Green Day, Barry Manilow, Penelope Cruz, Melanie C, Annie Lennox, and the Kaiser Chiefs. There are also bags and purses designed by Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Lucy Liu, Kanye West, Slash, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, and Stella McCartney.

Madonna And Friends Launch Handbag Auction For Earthquake Relief

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:30:00 +0000

A host of celebrities have donated handbags to an auction to raise money for victims of April’s devastating earthquake in Italy.

Madonna, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, Hilary Swank, Eva Longoria, Dita von Teese, Lucy Liu, Marisa Tomei and Lily Tomlin have autographed and donated a selection of Salvatore Ferragamo handbags to the auction. 100% of the proceeds from the online auction will be donated to GlobalGiving’s Italy Earthquake Recovery and Relief Fund.

On April 6, 2009, the deadliest Italian earthquake in over 15 years struck the Abruzzo mountain region of Italy, with the town of L’Aquila at its epicenter. The toll was grim with nearly 300 people killed, more than 1,000 injured, and as many as 65,000 residents displaced. Many of those who lost their homes are still living in tent cities.

BBC Interviews LookToTheStars.org Founder

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

LookToTheStars.org founder Myrlia Purcell was invited by the BBC’s World Today show to take part in a radio interview on the subject of celebrity philanthropy.

Myrlia explains what the site is trying to accomplish, and responds to the suggestion that celebrities undertake charity work mainly for publicity.

The segment includes soundbites from George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Mia Farrow, and other celebrities mentioned include Paris Hilton, Forest Whitaker, John Hurt, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Lucy Liu, and Run DMC frontman Darryl McDaniels and his Felix Organization.

Hollywood Beauties Give Signatures For Good

Mon, 23 Feb 2009 11:30:00 +0000

Friday, February 20, saw a flock of Hollywood beauties turn out at the Montblanc Signature for Good event in Los Angeles.

The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of 12 unique portraits featuring twelve world-famous Hollywood actresses. Each actress is part of a new campaign and is featured in posters for UNICEF’s childhood reading project on behalf of MontBlanc, the jewelry and pen manufacturer that is an important international partner of the organization.

Present at the event were Reese Witherspoon, Eva Longoria, Sienna Miller, Lucy Liu, Emily Blunt, Susan Sarandon, Marcia Cross, Andie MacDowell, Hilary Swank and many others.

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

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

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.”

Celebrities Blog In The New Year For UNICEF

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:00:00 +0000

For the final 12 days of 2008, UNICEF’s celebrity ambassadors and supporters have been blogging on their site about the impact UNICEF Inspired Gifts are having on children around the world.

“Thanks to lifesaving vaccines, measles is mostly history in our country,” wrote Al Roker. "But in working with UNICEF, I was shocked to learn that this terrible disease still affects hundreds of thousands of children every year. In fact, it steals the future of 540 children around the world every day.

“Not one child should die needlessly, and UNICEF is giving us a chance to help those remaining few whose lives could be saved with simple vaccines. For just $26.30, you can give the gift of health to children in need, providing 100 doses of anti-measles vaccination. This year, let’s celebrate the New Year together by resolving to make measles a thing of the past.”

Christina Aguilera Performs At CNN Heroes Event

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:30:00 +0000

Pop singer Christina Aguilera joined fellow Grammy Award winners Alicia Keys and John Legend at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event that aired on CNN last night.

The event honored the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008, and was taped in front of an audience of 2,500 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.

Liz McCartney, dedicated to helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes, was named 2008 CNN Hero of the Year, and will receive $100,000 to carry on her humanitarian work.

Madonna And Friends Shine A Light On Malawi

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

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.”

Madonna To Headline Charity Event

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

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.

Celebrity Auctions Tackle The Big Issues

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 10:29:11 +0000

Thirteen of the hottest celebrities in Hollywood are creating a buzz with an internet auction taking place in October, in order to raise awareness of one of the biggest and most pervasive threats to life on Earth.

Ebay Giving Works, eBay’s program dedicated to charity listings, is hosting an online auction for the WWF, with 100% of the proceeds going to the World Wildlife Fund’s global conservation initiatives, especially those involved in the fight against climate change.

The auction, which runs from October 3 -12, features a series of 100% organic T shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Hotter Than I Should Be”. The shirts, which have created much interest in the media and Hollywood as a unique way to spread the message that the Earth is warming, have all been signed by a multitude of celebrities, including Scarlett Johansson, Orlando Bloom, Rachael Ray, Harrison Ford, and Cate Blanchett.

Making Friends With 3 Needles

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 21:31:49 +0000

Award-winning independent film director & writer Thom Fitzgerald graciously took the time to share with Look to the Stars his thoughts about his new movie 3 Needles. The film tells three stories from the global AIDS crisis. Like a good friend, he helped me to see movies, storytelling, AIDS and myself differently — much as he hopes his movie 3 Needles will do for you.

The on-line promotion for the new film 3 Needles, written & directed by Thom Fitzgerald and starring Lucy Liu, Chloë Sevigny, Shawn Ashmore, Sandra Oh, Stockard Channing, Olympia Dukakis and Tanabadee Chokpikultong, is reminiscent of gathering ‘round the fireplace to socialize on a winter’s eve – with a few thousand of your friends.

Barrymore Raises Funds For Food

Sat, 25 Mar 2006 12:43:50 +0000

Drew Barrymore recently travelled to Kenya in an effort to help some of the 11 million people in East Africa who are suffering from poverty and drought.

Photos the actress took while visiting the affected people of the area were sold in an auction that raised nearly $20,000 for the World Food Programme. One dollar will feed five hungry children for a day. Fellow filmstars Lucy Liu and Hugh Grant were among the winning bidders supporting the cause.

Barrymore has also designed a locket that will be sold through Marie Claire Magazine and on the internet. Some of the proceeds go to feed schoolchildren as a part of Marie Claire’s Shop For Charity World Hunger Campaign.