Look To The Stars News: Debra Messing

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

The Trevor Project – the nonprofit endeavor established to promote acceptance of gay and questioning teenagers and aid in suicide prevention – is to hold an evening of irreverent comedy, performances, and awards next month.

The 11th annual Cracked Xmas – A Not So Silent Night will be presented by Anne Hathaway and will honor Sigourney Weaver with a Life Award for her support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Previous recipients include Ellen DeGeneres, Debra Messing, and Rosie O’Donnell.

“I feel grateful and humbled to be honored with the Trevor Life Award, and to be recognized as an ally to the LGBTQ community,” said Weaver. “I hope that films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ will send messages of compassion and acceptance to all people, and compel them to create safer, all-encompassing environments for our young people.”

Lifetime Networks, a leader in women’s television that produces and distributes diverse programming for its audiences, will receive The Trevor Hope Award.

“We are delighted to honor Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime Networks, since they both demonstrate the courage and conviction to break the barriers of stereotype and intolerance,” said Charles Robbins, executive director and chief executive officer of The Trevor Project. “Sigourney Weaver and Lifetime provide inspiration to young people and families who will see films such as ‘Prayers for Bobby’ and understand the importance of celebrating diversity and life.”

The Trevor Project operates the only nationwide, around-the-clock crisis and suicide prevention helpline for LGBTQ youth, and has taken over 100,000 phone calls since its inception.

The event will also feature an appearance by Salma Blair and will take place at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles on December 7. Tickets and info are available at the Trevor Project website.

Mischa Barton Knits Hat For Ethiopian Child

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Mischa Barton has launched her new official website by posting a photo of a hat she knitted for a child as part of her work with Save the Children.

“I knitted [the] cap a few weeks ago, which was then delivered to Ethiopia and given to an expectant mother who was waiting to give birth in her incredibly primitive home,“ wrote Barton. “The baby was delivered with the help of a birth attendant that had been trained by Save the Children. The birth attendant put the cap on the newborn’s head in order to prevent hypothermia.“

The Knit One, Save One campaign was launched last month and asked some of Hollywood’s leading ladies to create one baby cap to keep a newborn warm during the first critical hours and days after birth. Stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Rebecca Romijn, Debra Messing, Lisa Edelstein, Vera Farmiga, and Patricia Arquette.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this effort to help the world’s babies survive,” said Rebecca Romijn, star of ABC Television’s “Ugly Betty” series. “I believe all moms should get to experience the joy of seeing their beautiful babies grow up and do great things in life.”

“Being a mother, I know how vulnerable a child is during their first few hours and days of life,“ added Debra Messing. “So when I was told that something as simple as a knit cap can help save a baby’s life by keeping him dry and warm, I was moved to act.”

Barton’s website also includes information about her recent trip to South Africa with the charity: “I visited a primary school in Soweto. Many of the children there are orphans or are infected with the AIDS virus. The kids and I read together, I helped serve them their lunch, and then after school my boyfriend at the time and I drove one of the little boys home. Just seeing where these children come from and the lives that they lead really opened my eyes to how much there is to be done in the world.

“It truly was a life changing experience and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with these children. I have every intention of returning in the near future.“

To see the hat Mischa knitted and its lucky recipient, click here.

Debra Messing To Design Charity Bling

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Debra Messing will collaborate with designer Robert Lee Morris to create a piece of gold jewelry to benefit YouthAIDS.

The piece will be featured in the February and May 2009 issues of InStyle magazine, as well as on a special website which will be live from January 13 to February 24, 2009.

Messing is also the first confirmed celebrity participant in the Leaves of Change charity initiative, in which A-List celebrities will be invited to design a gold pendant necklace incorporating a leaf motif. Participants will choose to have proceeds from the sale of their designs benefit their favorite charity or Jewelers for Children, the jewelers industry charity that has invested over $30 million in special programs to reach children whose lives have been devastated by catastrophic illness or life-threatening abuse and neglect.

Leaves of Change will culminate in spring 2009 with an exclusive Los Angeles gala event and a live and online auction to raise funds and awareness for all of the participating charities.

“Bringing together highly talented celebrities with renowned jewelry designers will create exciting and innovative gold designs,” World Gold Council U.S. Managing Director John Calnon said in a media release. “The simultaneous benefit to multiple charities, especially in such difficult economic times, makes for a meaningful and lasting impact.”

Daniel Craig Joins DeNiro At Charity Bond Screening

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

James Bond star Daniel Craig was in New York on Tuesday night for a benefit screening of Quantum of Solace, the first screening of the film in the US.

Held at New York City’s AMC Lincoln Square theater – and attended by stars such as Robert DeNiro, Debra Messing, Becki Newton, Julia Stiles and Molly Sims – the screening raised money for the Tribeca Film Institute, a non-profit organization founded by De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in the wake of September 11th to educate, entertain, and inspire filmmakers and film lovers alike. The Institute creates innovative programs that draw on the power of film to promote understanding, tolerance and global awareness.

“This benefit is our budget for next year,” said Rosenthal after the $1,000/ticket screening raised almost $500,000 for the charity. “It’s trying times for everybody.”

More information about the Tribeca Film Institute can be found at their website.

Bid For Signed Coffee Cups For Charity

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Fancy sitting down for a cup of coffee and helping to fight breast cancer at the same time? Now you can, with the launch of the Second Annual Nonni’s Biscotti Celebrity Mug Auction.

The auction launches today, October 1, and features over 90 pink Nonni’s mugs signed by some of your favorite stars. 100% of the proceeds will go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the auction features cups signed by Barbara Walters, Montel Williams, Zachary Levi, Jason Mewes, Joel Madden, Debra Messing, Cameron Mathison, Daniel Goddard, Julianne Hough, Shannon Elizabeth, Susan Lucci, and many more.

Nancy Brinker created Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of her dying sister’s wish to speed up research and make the treatment process a little more esthetic and feminine friendly. A global breast cancer movement was launched, “fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.”

“We are proud to help raise funds for research, education, screening and treatment that will hopefully eliminate this disease one day,“ said Nonni’s marketing manager Matt Duffy, “We hope this charity auction will not only help raise funds, but also increase awareness about breast cancer.“

The auction can be accessed via eBay and runs until the end of the month.

Jeans Engineered For Celebs On Auction

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Anybody walking through Times Square may be surprised to find hundreds of jeans and shirts hanging like laundry from clotheslines above the streets. Don’t be too concerned… it’s all part of the Pair in the Square Celebrity Jeans Auction.

Alison Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser and cast member of Days of Our Lives, kicked off the auction yesterday by auctioning off Ryan Seacrest’s jeans to benefit the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation. The remaining celebrity jeans from Miley Cyrus, Nick Lachey, Ashlee Simpson, Lauren Conrad, Rachael Ray, Minnie Driver, Debra Messing, Brittany Snow, Terrence Howard, Forest Whitaker, Neil Patrick Harris, and many more are available at www.clothesoffourback.org. A sweepstakes will also be held at www.washingmyjeans.com to win the new GE Profile Frontload Washer and Dryer as part of the auction.

Proceeds from the auction, which runs until September 8, will go to America’s Second Harvest, The Art of Elysium, Hope North, and H.E.L.P. Malawi.

Other stars offering to split their jeans with you include Alan Alda, Maria Menounos, Nancy O’Dell, Chris Rose, John Salley, Toni Collette, Jeff Probst, Kristian Alfonso, Shaun Robinson, John Krasinski, John McCrea, Melissa Joan Hart, Angie Harmon, Jillian Michaels, Christian Slater, Zachary Levi, Tony Shalhoub, Dule Hill, Greg Grunberg, and Coolio.

Glenn Close Throws a Bone to Charity

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:17:52 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Glenn Close is a five-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Golden Globe winner, but it’s her latest role at Fetchdog.com that’s earned the actress a ‘Golden Bone’ from Look to the Stars.

“I’m in a redemption mode, to get back to my real self,” joked Close, who’s portrayed characters that haven’t always been kind to animals, “The real truth is that I’ve been surrounded by dogs my entire life.”

Last October, Close and her husband David Shaw started Fetchdog.com, a site that sells high-end dog products while raising money for charity. Included on the site is Close’s blog, Lively Licks where she interviews celebrities about their dogs, profiles people who work with dogs and dishes out tips on anything from puppy training to canine health.

The most unique aspect of the site is that Fetchdog.com funnels a portion of its sales to dog-related causes. All you have to do is purchase an item and a percentage of the total will be donated to select dog charities with no added cost to you. Martha Stewart, for example, chose the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. When shoppers place their orders through Stewart’s page, the ASPCA receives roughly 6 percent of the price.

“Our dogs love us and keep us laughing through good times and bad,” writes Close on her blog, “This blog is a tribute to all the fabulous dogs who trot and wag their way through our lives and to the people who they have so successfully trained.”

Close has interviewed many dog lovers such as Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, who directed contributions to Little Angels Pug Rescue, and Dan Zelman and Debra Messing, who selected Animal Rescue New Orleans.

In one of her blogs, there is a great video of Close and her husband taking part in a training exercise with ski patrol member Tracy Christensen and his avalanche rescue dog, Mick. The video, narrated by Close, shows the couple buried beneath 4 feet of snow while Mick catches their scent and leads his handler to their rescue.

Close has more than one furry friend herself, including several canines whose lineage appears to be a mix of cairn terrier, West Highland white terrier and indeterminate other breeds. And wouldn’t you know it, she always brings her ‘kids’ to the set while shooting “Damages,” FX cable network’s critically acclaimed legal drama in which Close plays high-powered attorney Patty Hewes.

“They really change the atmosphere of the set when they come on. People just love it,” Close said. “And as long as they’re in a place where you can’t hear their toenails click when the camera turns on, then we’re fine.”

Celebrity Designed Corsets On Auction

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:06:55 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities have teamed up to design a series of corsets to be auctioned off in October.

Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, and Jessica Biel are just some of the stars who have submitted designs for the 4th annual Frederick’s Of Hollywood Celebrity Corset Auction. The event, which is being run in conjunction with the internet charity auction site Clothes Off Our Back, will raise money for a variety of children’s charities, including Second Harvest, a non-profit organization that benefits the hungry, The Art of Elysium, which uses art to help the sick, and World Education, a charity that provides training to underprivileged children around the world. Some of the proceeds will also go towards research into autism.

“In previous years, we got $18,000 for Charlize Theron’s corset and $10,000 for Nicole Kidman’s,” said Frederick’s of Hollywood’s Erin Dominguez. “Each year we set the bar higher and hope to get more.”

To create the pieces, the celebrities were each given a special design kit to make a sketch of their creation. It was then up to costume designer Linda Stokes, best known for dressing Gwen Stefani on tour, to produce the garments.

“You get to draw and sketch,” said Eva Longoria about her design. “And I sketched some tulle at the top and it has all of this beading.”

Andy Garcia, star of the Ocean’s 11 movies, was inspired in his design by the flag of his native Cuba. Others took a more fanciful approach, with Ashley Olsen’s design dripping black feathers, and Kyra Sedgwick’s creation appearing to have garbage trailing off the hem. Other celebrities involved in the campaign include Christina Aguilera, actress and Clothes Off Our Back founder Jane Kaczmarek, Maria Menounos, Gabrielle Union, Ashlee Simpson, Mandy Moore, Debra Messing, Fergie, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette.

The event kicked off on October 25, with a live auction hosted at Frederick’s flagship store on Hollywood Boulevard, and the online auction runs until November 5 on www.clothesoffourback.org.

“I think you should bid on any and all of them,” said Oscar nominee Julianne Moore, whose peacock inspired design is featured in the auction. “I love them, and it’s a great cause.”

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.

Look To The Stars News: Debra Messing

Anne Hathaway Gets Ready For A Cracked Xmas

Related past articles

Mischa Barton Knits Hat For Ethiopian Child

Related past articles

Debra Messing To Design Charity Bling

Related past articles

Daniel Craig Joins DeNiro At Charity Bond Screening

Related past articles

Bid For Signed Coffee Cups For Charity

Related past articles

Jeans Engineered For Celebs On Auction

Related past articles

Glenn Close Throws a Bone to Charity

Related past articles

Celebrity Designed Corsets On Auction

Related past articles

Celebrity Portraits Up For Auction

Related past articles