Look To The Stars News: Beyoncé Knowles

More Performers Added To VH1 Divas Show

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:30:00 +0000

VH1 Divas – benefiting the Save The Music Foundation – has announced additional performers to join this year’s tribute to soul music.

Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Boyz II Men, Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius and Travie McCoy will join VH1’s “divas” in paying homage to these cities and soul music’s timeless classics at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom. VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.

“We are so excited to feature these diverse and multi-talented women and men joining our ‘Divas’ roster this year to showcase the global impact of soul music and how influential and inspirational the music is to today’s chart-topping artists,” said Lee Rolontz, EVP, Original Music Production & Development, VH1 and VH1 Classic. “Celebrating the soul music borne out of some of the world’s greatest cities being performed by today’s top artists with the iconic legends that put soul music on the map prove this year’s ‘Divas’ will be a must-see event.”

Katy Perry Joins Celebrity Charity Ambassador Class

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:30:00 +0000

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has announced its 2012 Ambassador Class, dedicated to restoring instrumental music education programs in our nation’s public schools.

Since 1997, The VH1 Save The Music Foundation has provided over 1.8 million children with the gift of a complete education that includes music. The Foundation’s Ambassador Program, comprised of prominent musicians, athletes and stars of the film world who have committed to being the Foundation’s most powerful advocates and fundraisers, have helped raise over 1 million dollars to support the Foundation’s cause. Joining Alumni Ambassadors like Beyonce, Colbie Caillat, Jamie Foxx, Natasha Bedingfield and Gavin DeGraw, the 2012 VH1 Save The Music Foundation Ambassador class includes: Katy Perry, Matthew Morrison, Lupe Fiasco, Gavin Rossdale, Jordin Sparks, Vanessa Carlton, AJ McLean and Chris Daughtry.

Throughout the year, the Ambassador Class will continue to raise awareness for The VH1 Save The Music Foundation and deliver key messages about the importance of music education in a young person’s life. They will help increase profits to further the Foundation’s goal of providing instrumental music education programs in U.S. public elementary and middle schools. Ambassadors will even perform at select national events and visit with public school students to share their experiences of how music has impacted their lives, passion and careers.

Mary J. Blige And Jennifer Hudson Are VH1 Divas For Charity

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

VH1’s beloved, popular franchise, “VH1 Divas,” returns and will pay tribute to the cities where soul gave birth to music’s most powerful classics and inspired today’s divas. Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Jill Scott, Florence + The Machine, Kelly Clarkson and Jessie J will pay homage to these cities and soul music’s timeless classics at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom.

“VH1 Divas Celebrates Soul” premieres Monday, December 19 at 9 PM/8c on VH1.

“This year’s telecast will showcase the vast impact soul music has had on the 21st century’s music and pop culture landscape as our talented and diverse lineup will attest,” said Lee Rolontz, EVP, Original Music Production & Development, VH1 and VH1 Classic. “This year’s ‘Divas’ offers a modern twist on soul music, all while tipping its hat to the legacy of key cities that created this musical heritage.”

Gloria Estefan To Be Honored At Charity Diamond Ball

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:30:00 +0000

Join Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation at the 2011 Diamond Ball this weekend, where Gloria Estefan will be inducted into the Ambassador David M. Walters International Pediatric Hall of Fame.

The gala will be held at JW Marriott Marquis Miami in Downtown Miami on Saturday, Oct. 29 and will be an elegant Masquerade Affair.

The Estefans will join a select group of notable philanthropists who have been honored in the past, including Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, Dwyane Wade, Beyoncé Knowles, Walt Disney and Audrey Hepburn, among others.

Stars Donate Clothes For Children's Hospital Events

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts is fronting a charity Clothes Throw to raise money for Alder Hey Imagine Appeal.

The Girls Aloud star turned solo artist revealed how pleased she is to support Alder Hey when she visited patients on their cancer unit: “I am really excited to be fronting the Clothes Throw 2011 campaign! I’m an avid supporter of Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. I visit Alder Hey and the patients there really touch my heart.”

The Clothes Throw is in its third year but has been able to expand greatly with the help of Liverpool ONE. Alongside Nicola a host of celebrities and retailers have donated clothes and accessories to raise money for the children’s hospital.

La Toya Jackson Joins Forever Michael Tribute Lineup

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:30:00 +0000

With less than a week to go until the Michael Forever Tribute in Cardiff, Wales on October 8th, Michael Jackson’s sister La Toya Jackson has announced she will be among the performers.

Having put music performances behind her for almost twenty years, she has decided there is no better time to perform from her heart.

“I have put musical performance behind me for roughly two decades, but there will never be another magical moment such as this to celebrate Michael with his fans to perpetuate the importance of his legacy,” she said. “I am honoured to share the stage with the incredible performers in this line up and am certain that nothing would make my brother smile bigger or brighter than this tribute concert. In speaking with my mother yesterday, I asked her where she thinks Michael would rather have us be, in this courtroom filled with negativity and lies or on a stage celebrating his music, his legacy and his life and she said without a second of thought, ‘Celebrating his Life with family and fans. I am looking forward to putting on a great show and making my brother proud.’”

Denzel Washington And Celebrity Friends Launch New Charity PSA

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America (BGCA) have announced a star-studded new Public Service Advertising (PSA) campaign, featuring 21 notable Club alumni dramatically showcasing the impact of the Boys & Girls Club experience in transforming the lives of young people.

The Great Future Start Here PSA made its debut yesterday during an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

On hand for the release of “Great Futures Start Here” was its director, Academy Award-winner Ron Howard, and Club alumnus Denzel Washington, who secured Howard’s support, along with that of producer Brian Grazer and Imagine Entertainment. The spot was filmed in June in Los Angeles.

Miley Cyrus: 10 Ways To Get Ur Good On For Back To School

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Youth Service America (YSA) and Get Ur Good On have compiled a list of “10 Ways to Get Ur Good On for Back to School” – encouraging youth on how to stay engaged with community service when the summer ends and school starts.

The Back to School list includes ways for young people to make a difference with the cast of Glee, Justin Bieber, First Lady Michelle Obama, and many more. Young people actively engaged in their communities not only learn the importance of giving back, but also life and workforce skills.

Its time to Get Ur Good On for Back to School! Miley Cyrus and her partners at YSA want to make sure YOU kick-off the school year by making a difference. Read this list of ten ways to Get Ur Good On for Back to School with Glee, Pencils of Promise, Pretty Little Liars, and much more.

Stars Step Up For Save The Children East Africa Appeal

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Yesterday saw the launch of a ground-breaking celebrity charity social media campaign, ’I’m Gonna Be Your Friend’ supported by many of the world’s most famous names in entertainment and their fans, including Beyoncé Knowles, Annie Lennox and Sting.

A global audience close to 600 million Facebook and Twitter fans will be able to view a short film of the crisis in East Africa created by award-winning director Kevin MacDonald from footage of East Africa. The film is set to the 1973 Bob Marley & The Wailers song ‘High Tide or Low Tide’ and will reach over a billion people.

The campaign was developed to support Save the Children’s fundraising for the devastating food crisis affecting millions of children and their families across East Africa.

Beyoncé Hugs Harlem Kids

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Beyoncé Knowles gave kids in Harlem the experience of their lives last week when she visited the New York district on Thursday.

The star was at Harlem’s Target store where she was entertained by young dancers from the local Boys’ and Girls’ Club, who got down and boogied to her latest release.

“I’d like to thank the Boys and Girls Club for coming out,” she said. “I hope y’all had fun learning the choreography to ‘Countdown’ today. I hope you guys enjoy the new album 4.”

Oxfam Ready For The Glastonbury Mud

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:30:00 +0000

It’s described as the scourge of British summer music festivals but new research by festival veteran Oxfam, a Glastonbury charity partner for 18 years, suggests that festival mud is very much embraced by music lovers and is even regarded as iconic.

This is good news for the charity which is asking festival-goers to ‘get your hands dirty’ as part of its new Grow campaign that aims to fix the broken food system that leaves billions hungry every day. The iconic music festival takes place this weekend, with performers this year including U2, Coldplay, Beyoncé Knowles, Morrissey, the Kaiser Chiefs, KT Tunstall and many more.

According to Oxfam, nearly three quarters of festival-goers (71%) aren’t put off by the muddy prospect of bad weather. When asked to pick the top three things they most associate with British music festivals, over a third of adults across Britain (36%) regard mud as an iconic element of British music festivals. Northern festival goers were the keenest of all on a muddy festival with almost a quarter (22%) of them embracing mud as ‘all part of the experience’, compared to only 11 per cent of Southern and just 7 per cent of London festival-goers.

Solange Knowles Joins Campaign For Clean Water In Africa

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Having stepped out of Beyonce’s shadow and become a star in her own right, DJ Solange Knowles is putting her newfound celebrity status to good use. She has partnered with indie singers Chris Taylor and Twin Shadow to record a new song, “Kenya”, to benefit the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative.

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s flagship water program, the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), aims to provide sustainable, clean water sources, hygiene education and sanitation services to millions of people throughout Africa.

These are causes Solange cares deeply about, and she has said that “the ‘Music for RAIN’ project gives everyone a chance to contribute and play a part in improving the situation.”

Songs For Japan: Stars Donate Tracks To Charity Album

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:30:00 +0000

In what stands as a major global music relief effort to benefit those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, over 30 of the biggest names in contemporary music have joined together for the worldwide release of “Songs for Japan,” an unprecedented compilation of 38 chart-topping hits and classic tracks.

The digital album is available worldwide on the iTunes Store for $9.99. Proceeds from the album’s sale will benefit the disaster relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

The “Songs for Japan” track listing features an all-star lineup:

Let's Move With Beyoncé For Children's Health

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Beyoncé is to help First Lady Michelle Obama in her initiative aimed at curbing childhood obesity.

Beyoncé will be the exclusive featured performer for the Let’s Move! Flash Workout, an initiative that will see middle school students across the US participate in a pre-choreographed “Let’s Move!” dance exercise routine at an identical time — Tuesday, May 3, at 1:42 p.m. Eastern Time.

The 16-time Grammy winner has re-written and re-recorded one of her songs and is providing an instruction video demonstrating the dance/exercise routine. The Beyoncé video will then be distributed to participating schools.

Usher Donates Gadhafi Money To Charity

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Usher is the latest star to confirm that money raised from performances for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has been donated to charity.

Following last week’s announcements that Nelly Furtado and Beyoncé have donated earnings from shows to charity, Usher said: “I am sincerely troubled to learn about the circumstances surrounding the Nikki Beach St. Bart’s event that took place on New Year’s Eve 2009. I will be donating all of my personal proceeds from that event to various human rights organizations.”

Usher followed his statement by donating to Amnesty International on Friday.

Beyoncé Confirms Gadhafi Money Went To Charity

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Beyoncé has confirmed that the money she made for a performance for Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in 2009 was donated to charity.

Following Nelly Furtado’s announcement that she is donating the $1 million paid for a similar performance to charity, other stars such as Beyoncé came under the spotlight to do the same.

In an email to The Huffington Post, Beyoncé’s spokesperson – Yvette Noel-Schure – had this to say:

Party with Jimmy Fallon on Grammy's Eve

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:51:00 +0000

Jimmy Fallon is set to host this year’s Roots Jam Session on Friday, February 12th, benefitting OpportunityNation, and you could be there, too!

Every year, award season brings the usual array of star-studded parties, but rarely do any of these become a celebrated institution. The Legendary Roots Crew, named one of the greatest live bands around by both Spin and Rolling Stone, have created the ticket to one of the most coveted and exclusive experiences of the season, delivering an innovative and unforgettable mix of musicians performing under one roof.

Jimmy Fallon will act as this year’s host, following in the footsteps of Don Cheadle, John Legend, Jada Pinkett Smith and Dave Chappelle, while Hennessy Artistry will serve as presenting partner. The announcement comes on the heels of The Roots’ 6 GRAMMY nominations, which are split between their two 2010 releases, Wake Up! (with John Legend) and How I Got Over.

Music Superstars Create CD for Flood Victims

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:08:00 +0000

Dozens of artists, including Sting, Bon Jovi, Pink, Bob Dylan and Kings Of Leon have donated tracks to a CD benefitting the Queensland flood victims.

Flood Relief – Artists For The Flood Appeal will also feature songs from Australian bands Powderfinger, Crowded House and Midnight Oil.

59 previously-released tracks have been donated by the bands for the three-disc compilation, including songs by Beyoncé, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters and Keith Urban.

Alicia Keys: 8th Annual Black Ball For Charity

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Alicia Keys held her 8th annual Black Ball to benefit her charity, Keep A Child Alive, last week.

Among those to perform at the Hammersmith Ballroom in New York City on Thursday were Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz, Jennifer Hudson, Usher and Whitney Houston.

“It’s my heart and soul,” Keys told MTV News. “Since the beginning, we’ve been very driven to do incredible work. I’m proud to show what four to five women who are very dedicated can do.”

Maria Shriver To Be Honored With Charity Award

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The Carousel of Hope, the world’s premiere charity event benefiting childhood diabetes, hosted bi-annually by Barbara Davis, will honor California First Lady Maria Shriver with the “Brass Ring Award” at its 32nd anniversary gala on Sat., Oct. 23, in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the Beverly Hilton.

“Maria Shriver has long been a fearless and tireless advocate for children and families, a trailblazer in this area for the good of mankind, carrying on a tradition of selfless dedication to those in need started by past generations of her remarkable family,” says philanthropist Barbara Davis.

The first lady of California since 2003, Maria Shriver has been a national presence for several decades, as a broadcaster, speaker, and best selling author. Six of her books have been New York Times best sellers and her groundbreaking reports on women’s issues have been featured on NBC, CBS and HBO, where she co-executive produced the Emmy winning four part film on Alzheimer’s, “Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?” A graduate of Georgetown University, Maria Shriver is married to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and is the mother of four children.

Stars Raise £48,000 At Oxfam Shop In London

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Last month, LookToTheStars reported about a celebrity pop-up shop that aimed to raise charity cash for Oxfam at London’s Selfridges store. We can now reveal the shop raised over £48,000 in one week.

  A team of A-list stars, led by Annie Lennox and Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson, helped to create, stock and staff The Oxfam Curiosity Shop – Britain’s biggest charity pop-up shop. Open from Friday 14 to Thursday 20 May in Selfridges’ Ultralounge, the pop-up shop sold celebrity-donated items from icons including Annie Lennox, Beyoncé Knowles, Elle Macpherson, Shirley Bassey, Vivienne Westwood and Stella McCartney plus thousands of handpicked items from Oxfam shops and boutiques across the country.

  Selling clothing, music, books, art and homewares, the Selfridges-based shop made more profit in one week than the £42,000 profit that the average Oxfam shop makes in a year – with over 10,000 people flooding through the doors. If it had traded for a year The Oxfam Curiosity Shop could have made an incredible £2.5 million, the equivalent of 60 Oxfam shops’ profits.

Stand Up To Cancer To Return With Second Celebrity Charity Telecast

Thu, 20 May 2010 20:45:00 +0000

Two years after an historic fundraising telecast and the start of a groundbreaking grassroots movement, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) will return to primetime television on September 10, 2010, at 8PM EST & PST / 7PM CT, with a star-studded appeal to build continuing public support and donations for cutting-edge cancer research that translates at a rapid pace from the laboratory to treatments and technologies that benefit patients.

Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer and Brian Williams announced the upcoming show during individual live appearances on CBS’s “The Early Show,” ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “TODAY” show, respectively. The three network evening news anchors — who will host the September 10th telecast, executive produced by Laura Ziskin — participated in an interview together last week, discussing the upcoming fundraising event as well as the encouraging progress of “Dream Teams” of researchers SU2C has funded to date. Portions of that interview, the first joint appearance by this group of anchors, also aired on the morning shows.

Online Auction Celebrates Celebrity Oxfam Charity Shop

Fri, 14 May 2010 13:30:00 +0000

The Celebrity Oxfam Curiosity Shop opens today, May 14, in London – and a special online auction has been launched to celebrate.

From Friday 14 May to Thursday 20 May Selfridges’ Ultralounge, the London store’s permanent arts and exhibition space, will be transformed into The Oxfam Curiosity Shop – staffed by celebrities from Annie Lennox to Beverley Knight with all proceeds going to Oxfam.

Shoppers will be able to browse fantastic one-offs; from a special collection of Livia Firth’s red carpet dresses, to items from icons including Alexa Chung, Annie Lennox, Helen Mirren, Natalie Imbruglia and Corinne Bailey Rae and designer donations from Vivienne Westwood, Stella McCartney, Roger Vivier and more. 

Rare Celebrity Items Go Under The Hammer At Charity Grammy Auction

Wed, 12 May 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The Grammy Charity Online Auction, sponsored by The Recording Academy, is on through May 20, 2010. A wide selection of music and memorabilia from famed artists are being auctioned off to the general public. All proceeds raised will directly benefit The Grammy Foundation and MusiCares.

This year’s special charity auction is presented in partnership with Kompolt Online Aunction Agency, a California based online aunction agency, focused on securing the highest quality of merchandise sale. Managed by professionals, buyers are guaranteed bona fide VIP experiences, bidder pre-qualifcation, and the authenticity of celebrity autographed items to ensure overall customer satisfaction.

A few of this year’s auctioned items include music memorabilia from Neil Young, Kings of Leon, Green Day, Colbie Caillat, James Taylor, Elton John, Jackson Browne, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews; a Red Hot Chili Peppers signed model Gibson guitar; a guitar signed by stars including Beyoncé, Carrie Underwood, and Lady Gaga; a meet and greet VIP experience with Michael McDonald; a DJ AM signed iPod Classic with his own personal playlist; a Lynyrd Skynyrd signed remo drumhead; celebrity-signed memorabilia from the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards and more.

Celebrities Donate Items To Artists For Peace And Justice Charity Auction

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Artists for Peace and Justice – the Haitian earthquake charity supported by a host of stars – has partnered with popular online auction site charitybuzz.com for a special celebrity awards-themed auction that launched on February 24.

The auction will feature exclusive one-of-a kind items donated by internationally known artists. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be directed to the initiatives of APJ, a charitable organization founded by award winning writer/director Paul Haggis and friends that is committed to improving the lives of children in the impoverished and devastated nation of Haiti. APJ’s immediate goal is to build schools to serve the poorest areas of Haiti, providing an education, hot meals, clean drinking water and regular medical treatments to the children living in the slums.

The list of items going under the hammer includes: