Look To The Stars News: Ashley Judd

Mandy Moore And Ashley Judd's Appetite For Life At Charity Event

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 16:00:00 +0000

Mandy Moore and Ashley Judd will attend Population Services International’s Appetite For Life event at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee later this month.

Hosted by PSI’s Five & Alive program, proceeds from the event – from August 19-22 – will go to the organization’s Haiti initiatives. In addition, the event will feature delicious meals prepared by Chef Suzanne Goin, wines by Chappellet Winery of Pritchard Hill, California and the sweet decadence of Katrina Markoff’s gourmet Vosges Huat-Chocolat. Last year’s event raised an incredible $160,000 for Five & Alive, and Five & Alive hopes you can join them this year for another weekend of food, wine, song and spirit in support of our work in Haiti.

Ashley Judd To Lobby In Washington For End To Mountaintop Mining

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Actress Ashley Judd will call for an end to mountaintop coal mining in an address at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on June 9.

The environmental activist and spokesperson for the Natural Resources Defense Council will spotlight the controversial practice that President Barack Obama has called “one of the most destructive industries in America.”

Celebrity Women Deliver At Empowerment Conference

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Ashley Judd, Annie Lennox and Christy Turlington will be featured celebrity speakers at this year’s Women Deliver conference in Washington.

Women Deliver 2010, an international conference that starts June 5 and runs until Wednesday June 9, will host the world’s most influential leaders to address women’s health issues. Women Deliver is expected to be the highest-profile and largest ever event to focus on maternal and women’s health and catalyze global action on the issue. The theme of the conference is: “Delivering solutions for girls and women.”

Expected to attend the event are United Nations Foundation special guests Ali Larter, Jennifer Beals and Rachael Leigh Cook, and VIP participants include Melinda Gates (co-chair, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation); UN leader Ban Ki-moon; Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (tentative); Michelle Bachelet (former Chile President); Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, US; Cecile Richards (President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America); Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post); Nicholas Kristof (NY Times); Christiane Amanpour (CNN); Nancy Gibbs (Time Magazine); Tina Brown (The Daily Beast); Andrew Jack (Financial Times); Joan Walsh (Salon.com); Kathleen Sibelius (Secretary, US Department of Health & Human Services); Melanne Verveer (US Ambassador-at-Large, Global Women’s Issues); 12 International First Ladies; top NGO, UN, USAID and Administration leaders.

Annie Lennox And Ashley Judd To Attend AIDS Conference

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Annie Lennox and Ashley Judd will attend the Global Health Action Awards for Excellence in Business on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in Washington on June 8.

The Awards Dinner is part of a major conference that will see the private sector come together with leaders of government, non-profits and multilaterals – all focused on health and development.

The dinner will feature presentations by Dr Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and Dr Helene Gayle, CEO of Care USA. Special guests will include Yvonne Chaka Chaka and players from the National Basketball Association (NBA). The NBA will receive the 2010 Richard C. Holbrooke Award for Business Leadership.

Ashley Judd Signs Charity Petition For Homeless Animals

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

Ashley Judd is leading the charge to urge Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to protect the State’s homeless animals by signing a new petition.

The petition, organized by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, aims to increase support for Kentucky’s Humane Shelter Law, which requires each county to provide basic care for stray and homeless animals. However, the organization believes the law is not being enforced.

The petition reads: "In 2004, the state of Kentucky abdicated its responsibility to protect all citizens of the state by relinquishing the authority to oversee and regulate the animal shelters in each county in the state. Despite passage of the “Humane Shelter Law” (KRS Chap. 258) that same year, many Kentucky counties are treating the animals in their care with reckless disregard for the suffering that they are causing. This misconduct continues because the Humane Shelter Law has no enforcement provision and the state has not stepped in and demanded that the basic standards of care required by the Law be provided to these animals.

Ashley Judd Supports Violence Against Women Act

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Actress Ashley Judd is lending her support to a new legislation in the US that aims to stop violence against women.

The Population Services International ambassador is backing the International Violence Against Women Act, a five-year plan to prevent violence against women in countries around the world.

“I’ve spent an awful lot of time in brothels, more than I care to recall,” she said. “What I have learned is that gender-based violence is not deviant and perverted and the acts of a few monstrous individuals. What I would posit is that that kind of violence against women is really the norm, and once we accept it’s the norm, then we can broaden the scope of the solutions that we’re willing to throw at the problem.”

Ashley Judd Advocates For The Protection Of Wolves

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Ashley Judd has teamed up with the Defenders of Wildlife to advocate the protection of wolves again.

Previously, Judd took part in the campaign Eye on Palin, which targeted former Alaskan governor Sarah Palin for aerial wolf killing. Now she is urging the President to reinstate the Endangered Species Act protection for wolves located in Idaho and Montana.

Lucky Bidder Wins Dinner With Ashley Judd For Charity

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:30:00 +0000

Excel Telecommunications entrepreneur Paul Orberson has bid almost $100,000 to have dinner with Ashley Judd and Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari.

The auction took place as part of Hoops for Haiti, a telethon held by the Kentucky team last Sunday that raised $1 million for earthquake victims. Calipari organized the event in only a few days.

“I’ve been saying for months that the Big Blue Nation is full of ‘crazies,’” said Calipari. “But after Sunday’s outpouring of support, I can call everyone something else: compassionate and generous. … It was beyond my wildest dreams.”

Stars Join Larry King To Talk Charity For Haiti

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:30:00 +0000

As reported earlier by LookToTheStars.org, a host of stars joined Larry King on CNN last night to encourage people to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. The broadcast raised over $5 million for UNICEF and the Red Cross.

Famous faces such as Alyssa Milano, Mick Jagger, Ben Stiller, Ringo Starr, Colin Powell, John Mayer, Seal, Ryan Seacrest, Benicio del Toro, Tea Leoni, Scarlett Johansson, Christian Slater, Ashley Judd, Sarah Ferguson, Russell Simmons, P. Diddy, Kobe Bryant, Danny Glover, David Spade, Susan Sarandon, Nicole Richie, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Jeff Probst, Molly Sims, Peter Wentz, will.i.am and many more took the chance to appear on the show.

Each star took the time to speak about the disaster and appeal for donations.

Larry King To Host Star-Studded Haiti Special

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:40:00 +0000

Larry King will host a special two hour show tonight, Monday January 18, on CNN featuring a plethora of celebrities, leaders and activists talking about how YOU can help victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Expected to take part are Alyssa Milano, Mick Jagger, Ben Stiller, Ringo Starr, Colin Powell, John Mayer, Seal, Ryan Seacrest, Benicio del Toro, Tea Leoni, Scarlett Johansson, Christian Slater, Ashley Judd, Sarah Ferguson, Russell Simmons, P. Diddy, Kobe Bryant, Danny Glover, David Spade, Susan Sarandon, Nicole Richie, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Jeff Probst, Molly Sims, Peter Wentz, will.i.am and more.

The show will air on CNN at 8pm ET.

LTTS Exclusive - Ashley Judd Awarded As Hollywood Hero

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:30:00 +0000

Look To The Stars contributers Fatima Fofana and Crystal A Johnson were guests at a very special event that honored a philanthropic actress this week. They filed this report and exclusive photos.

USA Today honored Ashley Judd with its annual Hollywood Hero award this week at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The award is presented to an exceptional entertainment industry humanitarian who has made a notable contribution to a non-profit organization. The recipient is recognized for his or her efforts that extend far beyond charitable contributions or lending’s one’s celebrity status to enhance a cause or concern. Judd’s work as a Global Ambassador for the past ten years with YouthAIDS, the education and prevention program of Population Services International (PSI), earned her this noteworthy award.

Ashley Judd To Receive Hollywood Hero Award

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Accomplished film, television and Broadway actress and philanthropist, Ashley Judd will be honored November 10 as the recipient of the fourth annual USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award being presented by USA TODAY President and Publisher David Hunke. The award recognizes her work as Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS, the education and prevention program of Population Services International (PSI).

Judd will be feted at a private award gala on the evening of November 10 at The Montage Beverly Hills Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Guests will enjoy special celebrity tributes to Ashley Judd, dinner, a silent auction and an exciting live auction, with all proceeds to benefit PSI.

“I am honored to receive the USA TODAY Hollywood Hero Award. I accept it on behalf of the world’s poor, vulnerable, and exploited, who in my capacity as global ambassador for YouthAIDS and board member for PSI, I am committed to serving. I am grateful to PSI and its grassroots mission of providing basic health products, services, and the care necessary to empower people to lead healthier lives, which is the basis for all sustainability and is vital for what we are all working toward: stability and peace,” said Ashley Judd.

Ashley Judd Speaks Out Over Mountaintop Removal

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Actress Ashley Judd joined a rally outside Kentucky’s state Capitol yesterday, February 10, to protest the abhorrent practice known as mountaintop removal.

The Kentucky native joined over 500 people at the rally to raise awareness of the practice in which pristine mountain peaks are blasted to unearth coal.

“Mountaintop removal mining is a tragedy,” she told reporters. “Mountaintop removal mining is a scourge on our land and our people. It’s killing our mountains – the very thing that produced us.”

Charitable Stars Shine For Obama

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Celebrities were out and about in droves on Tuesday to celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration by attending several charity balls.

One of the largest was the Creative Coalition Ball at the Harman Center for the Arts in Washington DC. The sold-out event cost between $10,000 and $100,000 to attend, and attracted appearances by Ashley Judd, Anne Hathaway, Susan Sarandon, Kerry Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachael Leigh Cook, Ron Howard, Heather Graham, Forest Whitaker, Magic Johnson and many more. Entertainment was provided by Elvis Costello, Sam Moore and Sting.

The Creative Coalition is a nonprofit public charity organized by the creative community to learn about pressing issues so they can better inform and influence the community and nation.

Stars To Flock To Purple Inauguration Ball

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:30:00 +0000

The Inaugural Purple Ball will take place on the evening of Barack Obama’s inauguration and will feature a host of celebrities raising money for charity.

Patricia Arquette, Amy Brenneman, Ed Harris, Ashley Judd, Josh Lucas, Amy Madigan, Brad Silberling, Kate Walsh, Angela Bassett, John Cusack, Brendan Fraser, David Alan Grier, Herbie Hancock, Hill Harper, Clifton Powell, and Lisa Marie Presley have been confirmed to attend the Ball, which will feature live performances by Il Divo and Peter Cincotti.

A portion of the proceeds from The Inaugural Purple Ball will benefit the Eracism Foundation, a charity established in 2006 by Academy Award Winner Lou Gossett Jr that aims to better society by addressing the negative impacts of racism. The organization provides programs that foster cultural diversity, historical enrichment, education, and antiviolence initiatives in an effort to eradicate racism. The evening will also honor American troops stationed overseas.

Rihanna To Play Inauguration Show For The Hungry

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Pop star Rihanna is set to perform at Barack Obama’s inauguration to benefit hunger relief.

The 20-year-old has been confirmed to sing at the Recording Industry Association of America’s Presidential Inauguration Charity Ball in aid of Feeding America.

“We could not be happier that Rihanna will be performing at the Inauguration charity ball to benefit Feeding America,” Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), told people.com. “Rihanna’s involvement will help raise awareness about the prevalence of hunger in America and help bring more aid to the 36 million Americans who do not always know where they will find their next meal.”

Stars Support YouthAIDS at Company 81 Launch Event

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:30:00 +0000

On November 5, 2008, Adam Gregory (90210) and the trendy Santa Monica boutique, Fred Segal Fun hosted a launch event for the clothing line Company 81 to benefit YouthAIDS.

YouthAIDS is an education and prevention program of PSI, a non-profit organization to improve the health of poor and vulnerable people in the developing world. Youth Aids uses the power of music, media, and pop culture to reach over 600 million young people in more than 60 countries with pop concerts and marketing campaigns featuring Alicia Keys, Diddy, Ludacris, Rihanna and Good Charlotte to name a few.

Ashley Judd is the Global Ambassador for Youth Aids and is supported by her fellow celebrity ambassadors, Emmy Rossum, Josh Lucas, Wynonna Judd, and 12-time Grammy winner Juanes. These celebrities have traveled all over the world visiting schools and clinics, raising funds and awareness and providing student outreach, education, and prevention programs in support of the charity.

Ashley Judd Wants You To Make A Difference

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

October 25 is Make A Difference Day, and Ashley Judd is urging you to help others by volunteering for non-profit organizations.

The 40-year-old has been a Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS for the last six years, and has traveled through 13 countries – including Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo – to witness health empowerment programs and raise awareness of their work.

“Volunteer work has revolutionized my life,” she said. “It has, in the best possible, most dramatic and rewarding way, turned my life inside out and upside down.”

Annie Lennox Honored By YouthAIDS

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:45:00 +0000

Annie Lennox was honored at the 2008 YouthAIDS Gala last week, an event honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Hosted by Ashley Judd, YouthAIDS Global Ambassador, the ceremony – held on October 3 at the Ritz-Carlton in Virginia – also honored Bob Geldof and MTV CEO Judy McGrath.

This year’s event – dubbed The Power Of Music and voted by Washingtonian magazine as one of the top five social events in Washington, D.C. – included a gathering of musicians, artists, health professionals, celebrities, business and political leaders, and media who share YouthAIDS’ commitment to protecting young people from HIV/AIDS.

Affleck Tops Charity Stars in Denver

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:30:00 +0000

Denver saw an outpouring of celebrity love during last week’s DNC, with Ben Affleck leading the philanthropic pack.

On the Tuesday night, Affleck took part in a poker tournament, along with Richard Dreyfuss and Montel Williams, which ultimately raised over $60,000 for the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

“A lot of important organizations use this environment and the people who are here, celebrities, members of Congress, to try and raise money. This is not a Democratic or Republican group, this is a group serving our veterans,” Affleck said of the charity.

Stars Support New MTV Video Competition

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:30:00 +0000

MTV and MySpace have launched an exciting new competition that puts YOU in the creative driving seat. And if you win, you could be making your directorial debut on MTV… and helping the Staying Alive Foundation in their aim to reach at-risk youth and protect them from the multiple threats posed by HIV and AIDS.

Untold Stories is looking for budding scriptwriters to finish off three videos posted on the competition website, and the person whose ending really packs a punch will be chosen as the winner. If you’re that lucky person, you’ll get to make the script into a short film – with the help of MTV producers! According to the Staying Alive Foundation, not only will your finished masterpiece be shown on MTV channels, but you’ll also be whisked off to watch your film played at a World AIDS Day event in India.

The competition is being supported by Selma Blair, Ludacris, T-Pain, Idris Elba, and Ashley Judd – all of whom appear in the videos on the competition’s MySpace page.

Sting And The Police Offer Jean Therapy At Charity Auction

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:30:00 +0000

They once sung about “walking on the moon”, but The Police probably didn’t wear the jeans that were auctioned off for US$19,800 in Sydney on Wednesday whilst gallivanting around in outer space.

The denim trousers were part of the 2008 Celebrity Jeans For Genes auction, an annual event to raise funds for the Children’s Medical Research Institute. Every year a host of international celebrities donate a pair of their personally signed jeans to the cause, which are then transformed into unique and valuable pieces of artwork by talented artists who volunteer their time.

This year’s event – which celebrated 50 years of the Children’s Medical Research Institute – was held at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, and raised a total of $250,000 for the charity. It also raised awareness of the Jeans for Genes Day on August 1, which aims to encourage people to wear jeans to work and donate money to the institute.

Malaria No More Fights A Forgotten Killer

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:55:26 +0000

When people think of health and welfare in Africa, they think of AIDS, famine, poverty, and hundreds of other killers that bring death and hardship to the continent. But they hardly ever think of malaria. “It’s not a problem anymore,” they say. “We’ve been treating it for over 100 years…”

And yet it is still a problem – a HUGE problem.

The disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, causes a drawn-out and painful death. It destroys red blood cells and clogs the tiny capillaries that carry blood to the brain and other organs – a horrible way to die in anyone’s books. And it is killing as you read this – an African child dies of the disease every 30 seconds. That’s 3,000 children a day… over 1 million a year. In addition to the devastating human toll, the African economy loses over $12 billion in productivity due to the disease annually.

Celebrities Listen For Disadvantaged Children

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:33:55 +0000

A huge and exciting new global media campaign has kicked off to raise awareness and funds for some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.

The Listen Campaign is the result of seven years work and research, and is being supported by a host of celebrities who want the public to listen to the rights and needs of children affected by poverty, disease, natural disaster, exploitation, war, and AIDS in places such as Africa, America, Asia, and Eastern Europe.

“Listen is an annual global media campaign bringing together some of the finest creative artists in film, music, and the arts to raise awareness and funds for 200 children’s charity projects around the world, and to develop a worldwide community of supporters,” said Tony Hollingsworth, Executive Producer of the campaign.

2007 - The Year The Stars Gave Back

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:11:14 +0000

2007 was a year of giving, both on grand and not-so-grand scales. Celebrities from all fields, be it movies, music, sport or general entertainment, showed compassion beyond the call of duty, and in most cases had a lot of fun doing it.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest events of the year was Live Earth in July, where stars new and old shone in all of the corners of the Earth to raise awareness of the plight of the planet. The shows were generally well-received, and led to organizer Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

But celebrities also participated in smaller, more personal acts of kindness in 2007. Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melissa Gilbert, and Michael Douglas all donated their time to feed the hungry at the Los Angeles Mission, Fran Drescher launched the Cancer Schmancer Movement, and Ewan McGregor visited UNICEF projects during his epic motorcycle trip across Africa.