Look To The Stars News: Christy Turlington

Natalie Portman Makes A Powerful Noise For Women's Rights

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Actress Natalie Portman has joined a panel that will discuss women’s rights in celebration of International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 5.

The panel discussion will follow screenings of the film A Powerful Noise in 450 theatres across America, in partnership with the ONE Campaign and the UN Commission on the Status of Women. The documentary “A Powerful Noise” features three extraordinary women creating change in Bosnia, Mali and Vietnam. Immediately after the film, the panel discussion from the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College in New York City will be simulcast in each theatre.

The panel also features Madeleine K Albright – the 64th Secretary of State of the US – as well as model Christy Turlington, president of CARE Helene Gayle and many others.

“Serving as a Global Ambassador for CARE, I’ve met women in impoverished communities who still lack basic rights, access to education and health services – rights we often take for granted in the United States,” said the film’s executive producer, Sheila C Johnson. "And I have learned that when you empower women in these communities, you strike at the very root causes of poverty. Their stories inspired me and my production team to make the documentary “A Powerful Noise.” It’s one of the most important projects I’ve ever had the honor of working on. Through the A POWERFUL NOISE Live event on March 5th, it has become so much more than just a film. This is a forum to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful global change."

To find out more about the event and where you can attend the screenings, visit the official website. To find out more about Natalie Portman’s thoughts on women’s rights, check out Look To The Stars’ interview with her here.

Gwyneth Paltrow Hosts Yoga Charity Dinner

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow hosted a charity evening for an organization that offers instruction in yoga and meditation to students in New York public schools last Wednesday, February 25.

The evening raised money for Bent On Learning, a group set up in 2001 with the aim of improving the physical fitness and cognitive, social and emotional skills of New York City public school students by providing regular instruction in yoga and meditation.

The evening featured cocktails and dinner and was attended by celebrities such as Russell Simmons, Christy Turlington, Kelly Rutherford, members of the Beastie Boys, and many others.

Every year, Bent On Learning brings yoga to more students in more schools and youth centers, from Brooklyn to Manhattan and the Bronx. They offer special classes for students with learning disabilities and for pregnant teens as well as classes for teachers to learn ways to incorporate simple yogic techniques and mindfulness training into their teaching.

More information about the organization can be found here.

Celebrities Sign iPods For Charity Auction

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Tonic.com has announced the launch of a new charity auction series. Leading celebrities from the worlds of music, film, television, and fashion have contributed an autographed iPod loaded with their personal playlist to be auctioned off, with all proceeds benefiting Music Rising, a campaign founded in 2005 to replace lost or destroyed instruments of musicians in the Gulf Coast Region after the hurricane disasters.

Over seventy celebrities will participate in the auction series including U2’s The Edge, former President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Beyoncé Knowles, Cher, Donna Karan, Warren Buffett, Christy Turlington, Britney Spears, Michael Stipe, Gwen Stefani, Mariah Carey, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Ben Affleck, Ellen DeGeneres, Estelle, Faith Hill, Carrie Underwood, Scarlett Johansson, Peter Wentz, Randy Jackson, will.i.am, Kevin Bacon, Gisele Bundchen, Marc Jacobs, Ed Burns, Samantha Ronson, Nick Lachey, Petra Nemcova, Mandy Moore and many others.

Each celebrity was given a new iPod which they each autographed and Tonic pre-loaded with a playlist of ten to twenty of the celebrities’ favorite songs. Beginning February 12 between one and five separate iPod auctions will simultaneously launch every week on eBay; playlists will be revealed to the public on both tonic.com and eBay when auctions are launched.

“Music Rising is honored to be the charitable beneficiary of Tonic’s innovative iPod auction series,” said Bob Ezrin, Co-founder of Music Rising. “My visits to New Orleans gave me a firsthand look at the devastation which tragically destroyed the lives of thousands. Every person who wins an iPod bid will directly be helping ensure that one of the Gulf Coast’s greatest assets, its music, will rise again.”

“Everyone who has ever wondered what songs their favorite celebrities listen to in their home or on the road won’t have to wonder much longer,” said Pankaj Shah, CEO and Founder of Tonic. “We’ve compiled pre-loaded, autographed iPods from countless iconic celebrities to share with the public. By bidding on an autographed iPod, you’ll be helping to aid in the continued rebirth of the Gulf Coast Region. The Celebrity iPod Auction Series is Tonic’s first major campaign of 2009 to offer consumers an opportunity to create social good and we’re thrilled to rally people behind a great cause.”

Bono Faces The Real Deal In Elle Magazine

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

As a rock and roll star, Bono has written some of the most important music of our time, and now, the U2 front man has been asked by ELLE Magazine to turn a page (RED) and address “the greatest health crisis in 600 years: HIV/AIDS.”

In his one page letter, which appears in this month’s edition, Bono shares startling statistics on HIV/AIDS, including the fact that 90% of new cases occur in females aged 15-24. “I can’t get my head around that fact, let alone get it out of my head” he writes. Bono also shares details of his journey to Africa six years ago, where he witnessed the devastating effect the disease has had on the communities, including “orphans raising orphans.”

Bono also writes about the importance of (RED), its products and the pure power of consumer activism. “They have power in their pockets,” he writes, “(RED) raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS—$120 million so far. That is enough to buy drugs for more than 750,000 people for a year. (RED) funds prevention and counseling programs as well as treatment, and is now the thirteenth biggest contributor to the Global Fund; it’s giving more than many countries.”

“There are the millions of men and women whose names we don’t know, but whose (RED) purchases are doing nothing less than keeping people alive,” he continues, “(RED) is not asking you to flock to the stores for the sake of it, but if you find yourselves browsing, we are asking you to choose (RED) where you can—for the sake of those who can’t ask you themselves.”

Other celebrities involved with (RED) include: Scarlett Johansson, Gisele Bundchen, Christy Turlington, Penelope Cruz, Julia Roberts, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Garner, Kanye West, Djimon Hounsou, Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg among others

Bono’s complete (RED) letter can be read here.

Bono Wants You To Clean Up For Charity

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It may seem weird – maybe even unbelievable – but Bono has designed a trash can and wants YOU to buy it for charity.

The unique bin is part of a new auction featuring a range of bins designed by celebrities and raising money for the Food Bank For New York City and the Chernobyl Children’s Project International. Joining Bono in designing the receptacles are a range of stars, including REM’s Michael Stipe, celebrity chef Mario Batali, models Helena Christensen and Christy Turlington, actress Mena Suvari, and many more.

The auction is part of a partnership between The Conran Store – an international chain of homeware and furniture stores – and Danish design company VIPP, who were the original designers of the classic pedal trash bin in 1939. The unique celebrity designs will be on display for public viewing and pre-bidding at The Conran Shop in New York (407 East 59th Street) from September 4, culminating in a live auction event on Thursday, September 18, at the Winston Wächter Fine Art Gallery.

For more information, or to see the creations online, visit the Conran Store website.

More Stars Stand Up To Cancer

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Stand Up To Cancer has announced another selection of stars that will take part in their television extravaganza on September 5.

Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, and Scarlett Johansson have been confirmed to join Meryl Streep, David Cook, and Christina Applegate in appearing on the primetime television event that hopes to raise funds for cancer research. Lance Armstrong has already filmed a segment that will be shown during the one hour event which will be broadcast simultaneously on ABC, CBS and NBC.

Organizer Sherry Lansing is pleased with the celebrity support the event is getting, and is grateful for their assistance.

“It hasn’t been hard getting celebrity involvement,” she told Look To The Stars. “Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way and they want to stand up, just like everyone else.”

A star-studded PSA for the event – featuring Christy Turlington, Tobey Maguire, Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman, Keanu Reeves, and Casey Affleck – can be viewed here.

Happy Military Mothers' Day From The Stars

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:43:57 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A group of celebrities are marking Mothers’ Day with a new initiative from Hallmark Greeting Cards for military moms deployed overseas.

Stars such as Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Billy Joel, Ben Harper, and Christy Turlington were amongst a group of celebrities who have recorded messages for mothers in the US military currently away on active duty.

“It is an absolute honor and privilege to be able to support the mothers who serve both overseas and on the home front,” said Andre du Broc, editorial director at Hallmark. “At the heart of Hallmark’s brand is a legacy of connecting people. Our cards have been sent with messages of love and support to troops serving around the world for decades, and we treasure our role in helping keep these families connected.”

The messages were recorded using Hallmark’s new Recordable Cards With Music, which allow the sender to record a personal voice message into a card, followed by a pre-recorded song. Hallmark, who are partners with Bono’s (RED) campaign, are also sending the cards with personalized voice messages from the children of the military moms, many of whom have been away from their families for over 15 months.

“With service members away for second, third, and even fourth deployments, it is incredibly important for companies such as Hallmark to continue to send the message to our troops that America Supports You,” said Allison Barber, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense. “I can’t think of a more wonderful gift for a deployed mother than hearing her child’s voice on Mother’s Day.”

More information about the cards can be found at Hallmark’s website.

Bono's Charity Auction Raises $42.6m for (RED)

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:11:22 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Sotheby’s was seeing red last week as Bono and artist Damien Hirst organized a Valentine’s Day auction of more than 60 works of art to raise funds for Bono’s (RED) charity. And by by the end of the night, the U2 frontman had rallied deep-pocketed bidders to make the AIDS charity auction a raging success to the tune of $42.6 million.

“It is a historic night for artists” said Bono, “An extraordinary night in New York City. I am very moved.”

The U2 frontman was flanked by celebrity pals as he led the guests in a sing-along of the Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’. “I see myself as a servant for Africa,” Bono said, “Tonight is about the awareness of AIDS and the medical treatment that can strongly aid in the demise of this disease.”

Throngs of celebrity bidders were on hand to snatch up items such as a steel and glass cabinet by Hirst called ‘Where There’s a Will There’s a Way,’ which fetched $7.15M. The cabinet was filled with drugs to treat HIV.

“I have watched people dying for lack of these pills,” Bono said after the sale. “I actually can’t quantify how many people that will keep alive. It’s not just the money we made tonight, it’s the excitement around the issue.”

Model Christy Turlington bought Francesco Clemente’s ‘Red Flower on Scorched Earth’ for $155,000, even though it was valued at $70,000.

“When I first saw the catalog, I loved this piece the most,‘’ Turlington said after the sale. "It was completely impulsive.’’

Bono seems to inspire the best of people, so it’s no surprise that most auction items were sold for well above their estimated value.

“Tonight we got serious about love, and not just the love of art, but the love of our brothers and sisters suffering from Aids in the poorest places on the planet,” he said.

A work by London street artist Banksy sold for $1.7M, though it had been valued at no more than $350,000; Murakami’s ‘Red Flower Ball’ was estimated at $700,000, but sold for $1.5M; Richard Prince’s ‘Untitled’ sold for $1.6 million even though the top estimate was $900,000; and Andreas Gursky’s ‘Pyongyang IV’ was valued at $300,000, but adding Bono into the mix led to a final bid of $1.4M.

“I’m never going to be cynical ever again for a while,” Bono said. “We’ve helped change the world a little bit.”

Among those on hand to support the cause were NBC news anchor Brian Williams, R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe, Queen Noor of Jordan, actor Dennis Hopper, tennis star John McEnroe, supermodel Helena Christensen, actor Ed Burns and hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons.

Proceeds from the sale, which was organized at no cost by Bono’s charity organization (RED), will go directly to the United Nations Foundation to support HIV/AIDS relief programs run by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Christy Turlington Burns Supports Cancer Charity

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:46:02 -0000

When cover model Christy Turlington Burns lost her father to lung cancer in 1997, she dedicated her life to crusading for smoking cessation and lung cancer awareness. From launching the anti-smoking and lung cancer resource website called Smoking is Ugly, to acting as spokesperson for the cause through her affiliation with organizations like the American Cancer Society, Christy has been relentless in lending her time to the cause.

Fast forward ten years and one can see that Christy’s mission is far from over.

At an event this summer at the Steven Weiss Studio in New York City for Donna Karan’s Urban Zen Initiative Christy meets a young woman who has just started her personal crusade against the same cancer that killed her mother in April 2006.

The woman was Kellie Lerner, a full-time attorney at Labaton Sucharow & Rudoff in New York, who co-founded Roseann’s Gift, a charitable organization bearing the name of Kellie’s late mother, Roseann. The charity is committed to funding research initiatives aimed to improve the early detection of lung cancer and to challenge societal attitudes associated with the disease.

This month, Christy is honored to serve as the guest of honor at the Roseann’s Gift inaugural benefit at the Manhattan Penthouse, located at 80 Fifth Avenue. The event will take place September 18, 2007 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm.

Like Christy, Kellie was shocked to learn that lung cancer research is one of the most underfunded types of cancers in the U.S. In 2005, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimated it spent only $1,708 per lung cancer death compared to $13,947 per breast cancer death, $10,214 per prostate cancer death, and $4,655 per colorectal cancer death.

Some experts suggest that the reason lung cancer research has been poorly funded is because of the stigma associated it – namely that smokers are to blame for their illness. It’s one of many societal misconceptions Kellie intends to exploit in her campaign. “No one deserves any illness,” she says. “Lung cancer doesn’t characterize who you are as a person.”

To learn more about the charity, please visit: www.roseannsgift.org.

Jamelia Launches Fragrance, Bares All For Charity

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:37:37 -0000

Written by Steve Purcell

Pop star Jamelia has recently been making it her business to lend support to charities.

In January she launched a perfume in support of MTV’s Staying Alive Foundation, which aims to raise awareness of AIDS and HIV. Proceeds from each bottle of “Rougeberry” sold will go directly to the Foundation.

Jamelia said: "A lot of people are thinking it’s not really their problem, it’s not going to happen to them.

“I feel that people really need to be more aware of the problem and realise that it can happen if you’re not safe and careful.”

This week she has become the latest celebrity to pose nude for an anti-fur campaign by animal rights PETA timed to coincide with London Fashion Week.

“The reason I decided to bare all for Peta was because I was educated about the inhumane ways animals used for their fur are treated, and I think it’s disgusting,” said Jamelia.

“I think if you have a heart, then you just wouldn’t wear fur.”

The charity’s provocative nude adverts have previously featured Sadie Frost, Pamela Anderson, Kim Basinger and Christy Turlington.

Look To The Stars News: Christy Turlington

Natalie Portman Makes A Powerful Noise For Women's Rights

Related past articles

Gwyneth Paltrow Hosts Yoga Charity Dinner

Related past articles

Celebrities Sign iPods For Charity Auction

Related past articles

Bono Faces The Real Deal In Elle Magazine

Related past articles

Bono Wants You To Clean Up For Charity

Related past articles

More Stars Stand Up To Cancer

Related past articles

Happy Military Mothers' Day From The Stars

Related past articles

Bono's Charity Auction Raises $42.6m for (RED)

Related past articles

Christy Turlington Burns Supports Cancer Charity

Related past articles

Jamelia Launches Fragrance, Bares All For Charity

Related past articles