Look To The Stars News: Eva Mendes

M.I.A. Builds School In Liberia

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Rapper M.I.A. is currently looking for support to help build a school in Liberia.

The 31-year-old British-born Paper Planes hit maker visited Liberia with 4REAL, a humanitarian-based TV show that features stars such as Cameron Diaz, Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Casey Affleck, and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers as they undertake adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are affecting real change on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

M.I.A., who is currently pregnant with her first baby, used $100,000 she was paid for a show earlier this year to kickstart her Liberian school project.

“It costs $52k to build a school for 1,000 in Liberia,“ she said.

The school is now starting to take shape, and M.I.A. is asking for help with books and ideas for the school.

“Maybe you have ideas to make this school more eco-friendly,“ she said in her latest blog. “Your school might have books and stuff to donate etc let us know. And if you have interest in going to Liberia to do exchange programs at a school or help out in anyway, let us know.”

More info about 4REAL and the 4REAL Foundation can be found at their website.

Stars Are 4Real In New TV Show

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

A new humanitarian-based TV show debuts in the US this weekend, featuring Cameron Diaz and K’NAAN.

4REAL is a project that began as a documentary television series and has expanded to include an online global community, a provider of educational materials (4REAL School), and the non-profit 4REAL Foundation.

The television show, 4REAL, is a series of half-hour episodes hosted by Sol Guy that takes celebrity guests on adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are affecting real change on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Celebrity guests for Season One are Cameron Diaz, Mos Def, Joaquin Phoenix, Eva Mendes, Casey Affleck, K’NAAN, M.I.A., and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The shows take you on unique adventures with these celebrities, but ultimately it’s the young leaders who emerge as the stars. 4REAL inspires viewers with stories of their courage, creativity and dedication to tackling issues such as poverty, environment, health, children’s and indigenous rights, drugs and violence in their communities and beyond.

Beyond the exposure that 4REAL provides, these young leaders are partners in the show, with 50 per cent of the show’s profits going directly to their initiatives.

4REAL is airing globally on National Geographic Channels International (not including Canada, U.S., and U.K.) in 166 countries and 35 languages, as well as on The CW channel in the U.S. and on CTV and MTV in Canada.

4REAL premieres in the U.S. on The CW this Sunday October 5 at 5pm. Two episodes will air back to back every Sunday for the next five months.

Scarlett Johansson Wants You To Recycle Your Phone

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Scarlett Johansson and Eva Mendes have created Public Service Announcements to encourage people to recycle their old cell phones.

The ads – created by the Environmental Media Association and Lionsgate Films – will be released on Friday, with their first appearance in People Magazine. The PSAs will tie in with the actresses’ new movie, The Spirit, and will reinforce the EMA’s goal to lower the amount of carbon dioxide emissions created by the production of new phones.

The film’s website claims that “old phones can’t be thrown away as they have parts that are considered toxic”, and includes the opportunity to download postage-paid mailing labels to recycle old cell phones for free. It also includes tips on how to become an environmental hero in ten steps – such as stop using bottled water, carry reusable bags, and utilize public transport.

2008 Cartier Love Charity Braclets Launched In LA

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It wasn’t just about the bling when a major jeweler hosted a star-studded event to launch a line of exquisite bracelets to benefit a worthwhile charity last night.

Stars such as Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Eva Mendes, Fergie, Hilary Duff, and Janet Jackson attended the official launch of the Love Charity Bracelet in Los Angeles, and pledged their support of the initiative.

This year’s bracelets are made of silk cord with different colors corresponding to a selected charity, and feature two links – one white and one rose gold. They retail for $995, with $200 of that price going towards one of the charities selected by each celebrity. The list of celebrities, colors, and charities include:

Janet Jackson – grey; the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Fergie – orange; The Black Eyed Peas Foundation.
Good Charlotte – deep green; the Richie Madden Children’s Foundation.
Hilary Duff – purple; Blessings in a Backpack, a program run by USA Harvest.
Ashanti – royal blue; Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America.

This is the third year the campaign has been run, and it has so far raised over $2.24 million for sixteen different charities.

“Cartier is about selling joy and emotion,” said Frédéric de Narp, president and chief executive officer of Cartier North America. “You can’t pretend to sell emotion if you don’t care for people.”

To view the bracelet and find out where to buy one, visit the Cartier website.

Big Names Flock to 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:38:00 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

On Saturday May 31, stars converged at a private estate in Brentwood California to attend the 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball. Each year, Chrysalis helps more than 2,300 men and women transition from poverty, regain their dignity, and radically change their lives through jobs. And the impressive celebrity turnout speaks volumes to the good work being done by Chrysalis.

Rebecca Gayheart-Dane and her ‘McSteamy’ husband Eric Dane were the first couple to arrive.

“I feel very honored to be part of Chrysalis and that I get to do the work that I do,” said Rebecca Gayheart-Dane before the event. “It’s a great cause and this community has been so supportive and I so appreciate it.”

Eric Dane was equally impressed with his wife’s work as a co-chair member: “Every year I marvel at the commitment and the dedication and the time she puts aside for this event,” he told the media.

Charlie Sheen and his new wife Brooke Mueller made their first public appearance as a married couple, just one day after the two exchanged vows in front of about 60 close friends and family. The “Two and a Half Men” star and real estate developer were engaged last summer after meeting at the Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in 2006.

Among the list of stars supporting the cause and creating a media frenzy during arrivals were Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Kate Walsh, Katherine Heigl, Eva Mendes, Mila Kunis, Amaury Nolasco, Brett Ratner, Jason Lewis, T.R. Knight, Justin Chambers, Jason Bateman, and the night’s emcee, Chris Kattan.

“The charity is certainly worth while,“ said Bateman from the red carpet. “I love this – instead of just throwing money at something, you actually give them a very proactive tool to eliminate their problem of homelessness.”

Chris Kattan was proud to play host for the evening, as he is a regular supporter of Chrysalis: “I think it’s a great cause to help the homeless situation here. I’ve been here four years in a row now.”

All proceeds from the Butterfly Ball directly fund Chrysalis employment programs, and this years’ event is said to have raised close to one million dollars for the organization.

Kite Runner Auction Raises Afghan Hopes

Fri, 07 Dec 2007 18:38:15 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Madonna, Will Ferrell and Angelina Jolie are among the many celebrities who have joined the Kite Runner Auction, which runs until the 15th of December.

The auction corresponds with the theater release of The Kite Runner on December 14th. Based on the book of the same name, the film explores the world of Amir, who returns to Afghanistan after 20 years in America to set right his past mistakes.

The book’s author Khaled Hosseini is joined in the auction by tail-signers Edward Norton, Steve Nash, Cher and Halle Berry. 75% of the auction’s proceeds will be donated to the Afghanistan Relief Organization.

Other items on the auction block include a visit to the set of the new James Bond film with director Marc Forster, who also directed The Kite Runner film, dinner with Khaled Hosseini, or the chance to name a character in one of his future works.

To see the full list of celebrities, or to bid on kites and tails signed by Jessica Biel, Natalie Portman, Jake Gyllenhaal or Reese Witherspoon, go to The Kite Runner Auction page.

Stars Record Public Service Announcement

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:44:27 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Ben Affleck, Dakota Fanning, Eva Mendes, Garth Brooks, Jeremy Piven, Joaquin Phoenix, Morgan Freeman, and Reese Witherspoon have filmed a Public Service Announcement for all Americans, stating that the country’s health care and financial security crisis is about to explode. But if people on both sides of the issue would start a dialogue, the problems are not insurmountable.

The video is part of the American Association of Retired Persons’ (AARP) “Divided We Fail” project, an initiative that has just garnered support from the Entertainment Industry Foundation and the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF).

“We need to build a national conversation around these issues,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli, who is more than happy with the union. “The entertainment industry is uniquely suited to help us do that.”

It is a view shared by MPTF Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg. “Hollywood can call attention to these problems and help galvanize the public into taking action,” said the producer of Shrek and head of the organization of entertainment industry leaders dedicated to supporting health and human service needs. “[This] is a key first step in solving them.”

The director of the video, Tony Goldwyn, had a very specific message to get across: “People wind up feeling that the two sides are just too far apart; that these problems are so big and complex that we can’t fix them. What we’re saying is, if we all get together and start talking, we can.”

Americans struggling with financial and health care problems are invited to share their stories at www.aarp.org, and their experiences may be used for the Divided We Fail project. The PSA video can also be viewed on the site. The AARP organization is dedicated to enhancing the experience of aging through advocacy, information, and service, with a focus on the needs for health, financial security, giving back to society, family and social connectedness, and joy in life.

Lunchbox Auction Will Help Feed Hungry Children

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:49:04 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Forget what they say about good things coming in small boxes, better things come in lunch-boxes created by artists, actors, chefs, musicians, photographer, politicians, and fashion designers to shed light on the plight of hungry children in New York City and South Africa. These original artistic efforts are for the Lunchbox Auction.

The artistry is often unique and often indicative of the personality behind the work. World renown chef Bobby Flay’s 2005 lunchbox was decorated with spices. Bono’s lunchbox was simply red signifying his (RED) campaign. The bidding for lunchbox items will commence online on December 6, 2007

Among the other contributors of lunch-boxes for the first online auction included Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, David Bowie and Iman among other famous people. The proceeds help the Food Bank For New York City provide food to more than 1,000 emergency and community food programs throughout the five boroughs.

One in five children in NYC rely on emergency food. Thousands of miles away in South Africa, children face similar hunger oriented plights. Fledgling school programs do not subsidize pre- and high schools, so for many of these children the Lunch box fund feed them their only meal of the day. Moreover, many of the children are AIDS orphans running child-headed households.

To see the full list of lunch-boxes, visit the Charity Folks Website.

Celebrities Cast Aside Their Clothing For Charity

Wed, 01 Aug 2007 10:35:59 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

It is not a case of what to wear for celebrities this month, but rather of what to give away, as eBay and other auction websites are inundated with the closet cast-outs of a variety of actors and singers.

Film company New Line Cinema is leading the charge by auctioning off original costumes from their current hit movie, Hairspray. Among the costumes are two dresses worn by John Travolta in the film, as well as the silk top and capri pants belonging to Queen Latifah. The proceeds will benefit Citymeals On Wheels, a charity that looks after those in need in New York City, as well as The Harry Holmberg Memorial Foundation, which is dedicated to sick children in the city.

Bidding on each costume is expected to reach $500, and the auction ends on August 4. It can be viewed at www.hairspray.ebay.com.

Several celebrities are emptying out their closets for an auction on the website www.clothesoffourback.org this month. Actress Eva Mendes is offering one of her personal handbags ($250), and Resident Evil star Milla Jovovich has donated a dress from her own fashion label ($175). Joss Stone and Serena Williams will also be donating items to the auction. Proceeds will go to America’s Second Harvest (the nation’s largest charitable hunger relief organization), The Art of Elysium (which enriches the lives of critically ill children through art), and World Education (which focuses on girls scholarship programs in Africa), as well as research into autism. The auction ends on August 6.

Also shedding her unwanted clothes this month is Faith Hill, who is auctioning a lilac cotton cardigan at www.myqlu.com. Proceeds from the auction (bidding has already reached $250) will go to the Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation, the non-profit organization she set up in 2005 with her husband, Tim McGraw, to help those in need of proper health care and educational services.

Also on www.myqlu.com, hip hop star Nelly is offering a pair of his NBA Basketball Logo jeans. Bidding for these started at $250, and proceeds will go to 4sho4kids, an organization that aims to improve the quality of life for children born with developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on Down Syndrome and those addicted to drugs.

And finally this month, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner is offering a special one-off jacket on www.myqlu.com. The man usually associated with the shedding of other people’s clothes has donated a custom-made jacket created for him in honour of the Playboy Jazz Festival held at the Hollywood Bowl in 1990. Super slick, super bold, and super collectible, the jacket is set to sell for over $500, with proceeds going to the Hugh M Hefner Foundation, which supports issues relating to freedom of speech and civil liberties, as well as health.

Hill, McGraw and More Become Cartier LOVECHARITY Ambassadors

Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:29:26 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Djimon Hounsou, and Eva Mendes are among the list of 2007 Cartier LOVECHARITY Bracelet Ambassadors.

The Cartier LOVE bracelet was introduced more than 30 years ago, and has risen to be one of the most coveted jewelry designs in the world. In 2006 alone, more than $1.2 million was donated to eight global charities from the sales of its LOVECHARITY bracelet, spurring the company to create a new LOVECHARITY bracelet for 2007. The goal is to exceed last year’s donations as a number of new celebrities join the endeavor.

The 2007 LOVECHARITY bracelet features an 18K white gold miniature LOVE bracelet graced with the word LOVE and accented with two signature screw motifs. It is set into a knotted silk cord available in various colors, with each cord designating support of a unique cause. The bracelet costs $475 with $100 per bracelet benefiting its corresponding charity.

The complete list of the 2007 Ambassadors and their corresponding charities includes:

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw have a chocolate brown bracelet for the Neighbor’s Keeper Foundation
Djimon Hounsou has a deep copper bracelet for SOS Children’s Villages
Eva Mendes has a navy bracelet for The Art of Elysium
Julianne Moore has a lavender bracelet for the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance
Rihanna has a sea foam green bracelet for Believe
Usher has a gold bracelet for the New Look Foundation
Rachel Weisz has a lilac bracelet for The Constant Gardener Trust
Elie Wiesel has a yellow bracelet for The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity

The 2006 LOVECHARITY Bracelets will also be available through the year, supporting YouthAIDS (Rosario Dawson) ; the Salma Hayek Foundation (Salma Hayek) ; USA Harvest (Scarlett Johansson) ; Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television Graduate Division / Tisch School of the Arts/NYC (Spike Lee) ; Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (Edward Norton) ; UNICEF (Sarah Jessica Parker) ; The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Liv Tyler) ; and Mercy Corps Gulf Coast Recovery Fund (Michael Stipe).

Cartier’s second annual LOVE DAY is scheduled for June 8, and on this day 10% of all sales from the complete LOVE collection will benefit partnered organizations.

Look To The Stars News: Eva Mendes

M.I.A. Builds School In Liberia

Related past articles

Stars Are 4Real In New TV Show

Related past articles

Scarlett Johansson Wants You To Recycle Your Phone

Related past articles

2008 Cartier Love Charity Braclets Launched In LA

Related past articles

Big Names Flock to 7th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball

Related past articles

Kite Runner Auction Raises Afghan Hopes

Related past articles

Stars Record Public Service Announcement

Related past articles

Lunchbox Auction Will Help Feed Hungry Children

Related past articles

Celebrities Cast Aside Their Clothing For Charity

Related past articles

Hill, McGraw and More Become Cartier LOVECHARITY Ambassadors

Related past articles