Look To The Stars News: Laila Ali

Black Celebrities Unite Against AIDS

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

More than 60 Black celebrities – including Samuel L. Jackson, Laila Ali, Tatyana Ali, Anthony Anderson, Bill Duke, Dennis Haysbert, Nia Long, Chris Massey, Kyle Massey, Lisa Masterson and Shaun Robinson – have united with Greater Than AIDS to bring attention to the severe and disproportionate epidemic facing Black Americans and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.

Black Americans account for half of the approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in this country today — and 44 percent of new infections — while representing just 12 percent of the population. Blacks are also more likely to die of AIDS as compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Coinciding with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (Feb. 7), Greater Than AIDS is debuting new public service ads (PSAs), available here, coordinated social media posts and other messages from popular Black television and film actors, directors, producers, and others in Hollywood about the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS in the Black community. Many of the participating talent spoke about people they knew who are living with or have died from the disease. Participating talent will be supporting the campaign’s themes of unity, hope and empowerment through their own Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and through personal appearances.

Laila Ali Supports Kidney Campaign

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

The American Kidney Fund has launched a national campaign to raise awareness about kidney disease, a serious and increasingly common condition that is damaging the health of as many as 31 million Americans.

Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease encourages women to take two simple, yet powerful actions: learn if they’re at risk for kidney disease; and spread the word about kidney disease to loved ones who also may be at risk. The launch of Pair Up coincides with the release of a national survey revealing that most Americans who care for their loved ones’ health are unaware that diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease.

According to the American Kidney Fund, most cases of kidney disease could be prevented. Kidney disease has few warning signs in its early stages, and 9 out of 10 people with early kidney disease don’t know they have it. Kidney disease can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and death.

Celebrity Moms Decorate Maternity Jeans For Charity

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Celebrity trendsetters and Hollywood moms have teamed up to create unique maternity jeans so a few lucky moms-to-be can own a pair of one-of-a-kind jeans, personally embellished by a star.

Heidi Klum Jeans

Kodak Launches Celebrity Charity Auction For Alzheimer's Association

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Eastman Kodak Company has announced the beginning of its celebrity charity auction benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association.

The latest innovation from the KODAK Picture Kiosk – PYNK Smart Print System – not only holds memories, but with your assistance, can help preserve the memories of loved ones. KODAK PYNK Smart Print Ready frames signed by celebrities who attended Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference are currently available for auction with all proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association at www.eBay.com/KODAK.

Samantha Harris To Host Celebrity Charity Celebration Of Babies

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Entertainment Tonight’s Samantha Harris will host the 5th annual Celebration of Babies Luncheon on November 13 in Los Angeles.

The event will honor three individuals who exemplify the March of Dimes commitment to improving the health of babies by helping moms have a healthy full term pregnancy: Amy Stenson, MD, OB/GYN; Dr. Charles Simmons, Jr., Chairman Department of Pediatrics Cedars- Sinai Medical Center; and Dr. Jenn Berman, Psychotherapist, Sport Psychology Consultant, Author, Speaker and Media Figure.

RumbaTime Launches Celebrity Charity Watch Auction

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:30:00 +0000

During October 2010, watch brand RumbaTime will host its 1st Annual Celebrity Breast Cancer Charity Auction, donating 100% of the proceeds to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Celebrities including Kourtney Kardashian, Vanessa Hudgens, Rachel Zoe, Lisa Rinna, Laila Ali, Faith Evans, Maria Menounos, Ashlan Gorse and Gretchen Rossi have all lent their signature to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer research.

Billie Jean King Hosts Salute To Women In Sports

Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:30:00 +0000

On October 11, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, Billie Jean King, Women’s Sports Foundation Founder, and Mary Carillo, sportscaster and former professional tennis player, hosted the Women’s Sports Foundation’s 31st Annual Salute to Women in Sports awards dinner.

Sports fans and champion athletes from Jessica Mendoza and Laila Ali to Annika Sorenstam and Michelle Kwan gathered to recognize and honor talented female athletes who, through their accomplishments, have been inspiring role models for girls and women worldwide. As part of the celebration, Women’s Sports Foundation CEO Kathryn Olson, announced that the foundation has been chosen as the “Official Charity of espnW,” the soon-to-be-launched digital arm of ESPN that will serve, inform and inspire the female athlete and fan.

Laila Ali Launches The Healthy Schools Challenge

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Nearly 1 in 3 young Americans is overweight or obese, but in the words of First Lady Michelle Obama, “We need to quit quoting statistics and get going!” Parents, teachers, and administrators aren’t the only ones who can make an impact in schools.

DoSomething.org announced today a national campaign to combat this growing issue through the teens and students themselves, empowering them to make their schools and communities healthier.

Stars To Attend Black AIDS Film Premiere Tonight

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

In an effort to fight AIDS stigma and raise awareness of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in black communities, several black celebrities have joined the Black AIDS Institute to host the Hollywood premiere of “The Other City,” the groundbreaking documentary that shines a light on the HIV/AIDs epidemic in Washington, DC.

With a host committee that includes Danny Glover, attendees will include Magic Johnson, Vanessa Williams, Laila Ali, Jenifer Lewis (The Princess & the Frog), Monique Coleman (High School Musical) and many more.

The event will also feature a special advance screening of a new Public Service Campaign featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Shaun Robinson, Anthony Anderson, Tatyana Ali, Chris Massey, Kyle Massey, Nia Long and more.

Stars To Be Honored For Charity At Stuntwomen's Awards

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The 2010 Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Diamond in the RAW Foundation, a 501c3 organization, will take place on October 17.

The foundation honors and recognizes exceptional women who have achieved success and outstanding achievements in stunts, athletics and extreme sports.

This year’s 2010 honorees include:

Maria Shriver Announces Women's Conference Lineup

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Maria Shriver has announced the lineup for this year’s Women’s Conference, to be held from Sunday, October 24 through Tuesday, October 26 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

“Our theme this year is ’It’s Time’ – and we are hoping The Women’s Conference inspires women to see this challenging moment in history as an opportunity to come together and transform ourselves, our communities and our world as Architects of Change,” she wrote in the Huffington Post. "I could not be more proud to disclose this amazing lineup, which will be led by Laila Ali, Yahoo! CEO Carol Bartz, Martha Beck, Mary J. Blige, Erin Brockovich, Campbell Brown, Deepak Chopra, Rosario Dawson, Paula Deen, Giada De Laurentiis, Linda Ellerbee, Giselle Fernandez, Sally Field, Jane Fonda, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, David Gregory, Arianna Huffington, Women for Hire CEO Tory Johnson, Donna Karan, Billie Jean King, New York Times Columnist Nicholas Kristof, Matt Lauer, Omega Institute Co-Founder Elizabeth Lesser, Journalists Laura Ling and Lisa Ling, Jillian Michaels, former Xerox Chairwoman & CEO and Save the Children Board Chair Anne Mulcahy, The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, Poet Mary Oliver, Suze Orman, Dr. Oz, Tony Robbins, Al Roker, Diane Sawyer, The Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop and Primate The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Howard Schultz, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Jessica Simpson, Anna Deavere Smith, Disney/ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney, “The Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro, Kerry Washington, Ali Wentworth and Oprah Winfrey.

“We’ll kick the Conference off on October 24 with Maria Shriver’s March on Alzheimer’s and candlelight vigil in Long Beach, which I will emcee with Leeza Gibbons, Peter Gallagher and Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines. Alzheimer’s is a mind-blowing disease that disproportionately impacts women – both as victims and caretakers of loved one’s suffering from it. With more than 5 million people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in this country and a new diagnosis every 70 seconds, I believe it’s time to pick up the pace and start marching to defeat this devastating disease.

Charlize Theron Kisses For Charity Cash

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

ONEXONE, the charitable organization committed to fighting health issues and preserving the lives of children locally and globally, hosted their 2nd Annual ONEXONE Fundraiser at Bimbo’s 365 Club in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, October 22.

Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron, Jeremy Piven, Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, David Arquette, Mia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra, Laila Ali and more helped raise funds and awareness for charitable causes.

The evening featured keynote speaker Vicki Escarra, CEO of Feeding America, along with a special headline performance from Snow Patrol. Additional entertainment included performances by Josh Groban, Carlos Santana, Spencer Day, the local jazz vocalist from San Francisco, and Ethan Bortnick, the 8-year old pianist and composer who wrote his own song “It’s For the Kids” in honor of the event. ONEXONE also welcomed back Jay Bilas for his second year as Master of Ceremonies.

LTTS Exclusive - The 2009 Noble Awards

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

I had the honor of attending “The Noble Awards” on their first annual show honoring charities and their celebrity supporters.

On Sunday, October 18th at The Beverly Hilton, “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush hosted the premiere of this special event honoring Morgan Freeman with a Lifetime Achievement Award and a list of celebrity honorees from Brett Ratner to Teri Hatcher.

Inaugural Noble Awards Celebrate Hollywood Philanthropy

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars was proud to be part of the inaugural Noble Awards on Sunday, October 18 – an event that honored a host of charities and the celebrities that support them, elevating awareness of the significant impact of their work.

Held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the event honored Morgan Freeman with a lifetime achievement award, as well as Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org).

Lionel Richie was on hand during the ceremony to present an award to Joel Madden, who attended the event with Nicole Richie and his brother Benji.

Look To The Stars Helps Promote Hollywood Philanthropy At Noble Awards

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look to the Stars is pleased to announce that we will work year-round with The Noble Awards to promote philanthropy in Hollywood.

The inaugural Noble Awards, taking place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18, has announced five new award honorees. The Blind Project, The Lollipop Theater Network, Padres Contra el Cancer and Playing for Change will be honored along with six previously announced charities. In addition, Morgan Freeman will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The two-hour event, hosted by “Access Hollywood’s” Billy Bush, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the significant impact of their work.

Celebrities who will accept awards on behalf of the charities being honored include Laila Ali (Women’s Sports Foundation), Billy Bush (Lollipop Theater Network), Kenny Edmonds (Stand Up To Cancer), Teri Hatcher (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Norman Lear (Playing for Change), Joel Madden (The Art of Elysium), AnnaLynne McCord (The Blind Project), Nancy O’Dell (Best Buddies International), Eva Longoria Parker (Padres Contra El Cancer) and Brett Ratner (DoSomething.org). During the ceremony, each will be presented with an award sculpture, designed by Antonio Banderas, with personal touches added by children who participated in The Art of Elysium workshop at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Brian McKnight and Julio Iglesias, Jr., along with Emily Bear and Timothy Mitchum will provide live musical performances throughout the evening.

Actresses To Be Honored For Sports And Charity

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:30:00 +0000

As previously reported by Look To The Stars, the 2009 Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards and the Diamond in the RAW Foundation have announced two-time Golden Globe winner Jamie Lee Curtis and Super Middleweight Champion Laila Ali among top honorees. Curtis will be awarded the Action Icon Award for her achievements in film and Ali will be awarded the Dare2bDifferent Award for her achievements in sports and her involvement in charity work.

“In its second year, The Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards will honor the fearless and outstanding achievements of action-oriented women within the entertainment industry and stunt community,” stated La Faye Baker, stuntwoman and co-creator of The Celebrity & Stuntwomen’s Awards. “We are excited to have Jamie Lee Curtis and Laila Ali among our top honorees, as well as several other outstanding women from the stunt community.”

Noble Awards Set To Honor Celebrity Humanitarians

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:30:00 +0000

As the film industry has the Oscars, television the Emmys and the music industry the Grammy Awards, the charity community and its most dedicated Hollywood supporters will gain global recognition with the staging of the inaugural Noble Humanitarian Awards, to take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, October 18. And Look To The Stars is proud to support it.

The two-hour event, produced on behalf of the non-profit Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, seeks to annually honor up to a dozen charities and celebrities who actively support them, elevating awareness of these organizations and the impact of their work.

The organizations to be honored at this first-annual ceremony include The Art of Elysium, Best Buddies International, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, DoSomething.org, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Keep A Child Alive, The Salvation Army, Stand Up To Cancer and Women’s Sports Foundation.

John Wooden Awards Honor Leadership

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Stevie Wonder will be one of a host of celebrities to attend the John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards presented by the HAX Foundation and McDonalds in Hawthorne, California, tomorrow night, September 12.

John Wooden was one of the greatest basketball coaches of all time, and the 98-year-old will attend tomorrow’s event as an honoree, along with Laila Ali, Paul Pierce and many others. The awards honor outstanding leadership.

The HAX Foundation was set up to provide access to athletic and educational programs to at-need children in the Los Angeles area. The foundation aims to help combat some of the more serious issues facing youth today, including: Childhood/Adolescent obesity via after-school athletic programs, and neighborhood violence by giving local adolescents a place to go after-school.

Michael J. Fox Honored For His War On Parkinson’s

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Hollywood honored actor Michael J. Fox last week for his ongoing work to raise awareness on Parkinson’s Disease.

Fox’s commitment goes beyond his Michael J. Fox Foundation that researches treatments and cures for Parkinson’s disease – although the foundation has raised almost $100 million since Fox established it in 2000, ten years after being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s. He was very pleased when, earlier this year, American president Barack Obama overturned a ban on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, getting “politics out of science.”

But perhaps an even greater contribution, to himself and others who are afflicted with the disease, was when he came out of the closet, helping to overturn taboos and the shame that comes along with the debilitating disease. The books Fox has written on living with Parkinson’s have also been well-received.

Stuntwomen To Be Honored For Diamond In The RAW

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:30:00 +0000

The Diamond in the RAW Foundation has announced The Stuntwomen’s Awards 2009 honorees. In its second year, The Stuntwomen’s Awards will honor the fearless and outstanding achievements of action-oriented women within the entertainment industry and stunt community.

“These unsung ‘heroes’ risk their lives daily to help create some of the most memorable moments in film, television and commercials,” stated La Faye Baker, co-founder of the Diamond in the RAW Foundation and co-creator of The Stuntwomen’s Awards. “These talented women perform death defying stunts for the hottest, sexiest actresses in Hollywood and deserve to be honored for their achievements.”

Stars To Attend Charity Sports Spectacular

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:30:00 +0000

The 24th annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular is to take place in LA this Sunday, June 7.

This year’s honorees are Laila Ali, Ryan Sheckler and Dwayne Wade, and celebrities expected to attend include Snoop Dogg, Joel Madden, Tom Arnold and many more.

The Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular has been heralded by the Los Angeles Times as the premier sports awards dinner in the country. This exciting charity event was established in 1986 in response to the promise of genetic research leading to the understanding of numerous genetic diseases found in children as well as adults.

LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars’ lead host, Michelle Vink was on hand as a host of Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference Fundraiser on Oscar night. Read her story below:

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

Those were the words from Harvey Milk from the Oscar-winning movie, Milk. Despite the uncertain state of the economy and the lack of faith we keep hearing about on the news, there was an overwhelming resurgence of hopeful optimism at the Oscars this year. Winning storylines like Slumdog Millionaire and Milk captured that very essence.

Leeza Gibbons And Olivia Newton-John Present A Night To Make A Difference

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars is proud to be a sponsor of an exciting event that is set to take Oscar night by storm. Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster are bringing together a host of celebrities for A Night to Make a Difference to focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.

The star-studded and inspirational event will be held at Beverley Hills’ exclusive and iconic Mr Chow, which will be transformed into a “living set” as it provides a backdrop for a very special interactive Oscar viewing party. This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

The list of Ambassadors of Change is long and includes Laila Ali, Jessica Biel & Make The Difference Network, Cindy Crawford, John Paul DeJoria, Fran Drescher, Hilary Duff, David Foster, Leeza Gibbons, Melissa Gilbert, Erin Gray, Tony Hawk, Slash & Perla Hudson, Larry King, Ali Landry, Mario Lopez, Gloria Loring, Darryl McDaniels, Dr Phil & Robin McGraw, Olivia Newton-John, Holly Robinson-Peete & Rodney Peete, Jane Seymour, and Amy Smart.

Celebrity Shoe Auction for Women’s Heart Health

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 00:42:26 +0000

Spirit of Women Health Network and Carlos by Carlos Santana footwear announce today the opening of bidding for the Spirit of Women Red Shoe Celebrity Auction, an online auction of celebrity-autographed footwear that will benefit several health organizations, including the National Stroke Association and P.A.D. (Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition). Shoes up for auction were autographed by celebrities including Courteney Cox, Nicollette Sheridan and Carlos Santana.

“While women are typically the caretakers of their families, they often fail to take action for their own health,” said Josh Davis, president, Spirit of Women. “We hope this auction will catch women’s attention by encouraging them to take action for their heart health while simultaneously giving them a wonderful opportunity to raise money for important women’s heart health issues.”

The Red Shoe Celebrity Auction is the national cornerstone of “The Red Shoe Initiative”, a national health education and action campaign that aims to encourage women on a local level throughout the year to take important steps for their heart health.