Look To The Stars News: Hilary Duff

Send Personalized Messages From Hilary Duff For Charity

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0000

For years Hilary Duff has been involved with Blessings in a Backpack, which provides backpacks filled with weekend nourishment to children of lesser income families.

Now she is calling her fans to help support the charity. Fans can go to www.celebritiescallyou.com and send personalized messages from Hilary Duff to themselves or their friends. She pre-recorded hundreds of names for these personalized greetings, which include birthday, holiday and anniversary messages, which can be sent as a phone call or an eCard.

Each phone call costs $3.99, and all of the proceeds benefit Blessings in a Backpack. Duff has helped to donate millions of meals to underprivileged children from all over the United States.

Charitable Celebrities To Receive 21st Century Leaders Awards

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Celebrities will be out in abundance in Doha, Qatar, next week for the Whatever It Takes Experience presented by 21st Century Leaders and Whatever It Takes.

As well as a private art experience and gala dinner, several stars will be honored with 21st Century Leaders Awards at this massive charity event.

The Doha 21st Century Leaders’ Awards are granted to individuals who, whilst being leaders in their own fields, have also made a serious commitment and significant impact on their chosen cause.

The award is given to individuals who have used their influence to raise awareness, their celebrated status to raise funds, and the respect and notoriety which they have gained from successes in their chosen profession, to make positive policy changes to progress either environmental or humanitarian concerns.

Friday, October 30, will see Sir Ben Kingsley CBE, Venus and Serena Williams, Josh Hartnett, Danny Boyle and Christian Colson honored for their outstanding charity and humanitarian work. A surprise guest will open the event, and an art exhibition will also take place featuring original artworks by George Clooney, Stella McCartney, Sir Roger Moore KBE, Sir Michael Caine CBE, and Lady Shakira Caine, Sir Ian McKellen, Samuel L. Jackson, Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Laurence Fishburne, John Travolta, Pierce Brosnan OBE, Morgan Freeman, Charlize Theron, Minnie Driver, Lucy Liu, Susan Sarandon, Courteney Cox & David Arquette, Whoopi Goldberg, Penelope Cruz, Benicio del Toro, Joseph Fiennes, Anjelica Huston, Christian Slater, Harvey Keitel, Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Gillian Anderson, Hilary Duff, Adrien Brody, Mickey Rourke, Robin Wright Penn, Patrick Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Stephanie Powers, Toni Collette, Daniel Craig and many more.

An active supporter and patron of charities such as the Prince’s Trust, Teenage Cancer Trust and First Star, English actor Sir Ben Kingsley CBE is very much devoted to helping disadvantaged young people and children. In 2008, Kingsley was awarded the “Cinema for Peace Honorary Award”, for the portrayal of the humanitarian role-models Simon Wiesenthal, Itzhak Stern and Gandhi.

In April 2009, following the success of Slumdog Millionaire, filmmakers Danny Boyle and Christian Colson announced a commitment of £500,000 to Plan, an international children’s development organization. The money will be spent on a five-year program focusing on education and sanitation, designed to improve the lives of children in Mumbai’s slum communities. In consultation with Plan, the filmmakers have also founded the Jai Ho Trust, an independent trust which aims to ensure that Rubina Ali (who played the youngest Latika in the film) and Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (youngest Salim) receive an education, housing and social support. The trust will also hold a sum of money for the two children until they reach adulthood.

American actor and film producer Josh Hartnett supports a number of worthy causes and has backed Global Cool, a charity focused on climate change since its inception. Launching with a reception at No.10 Downing Street in London in 2007, Josh Hartnett met with former Prime Minister Tony Blair on behalf of the group and has since taken the message of greenhouse gas reduction far and wide, to let people know that they really can make a difference to the environmental health of our planet.

Professional women’s tennis players whom have won a combined 12 Grand Slam titles. The Williams sisters have demonstrated an immense amount of charitable work off the court. The “Williams Sister’s Tour” set out to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities which provides housing for families of seriously ill children. In addition, Serena started The Serena Williams Foundation which focuses on education, and helping underprivileged children in Africa who cannot afford to go to school or college to do so.

WhateverItTakes.org is a unique charity artwork project which inspires hope by gathering artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. The artworks are used to ethically produce Whatever It Takes products which are then sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader. 21st Century Leaders Foundation’s mission is to assist and encourage a generation of influencers – royalty, Nobel peace prize laureates and well-known leaders in the fields of film, music, fashion, art and literature – to raise awareness and funds for international development causes, thereby leading the way in promoting positive environmental sustainable development. 21st Century Leaders was founded in May 2003 when Charlotte di Vita was made a Goodwill Ambassador to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund. 21st Century Leaders was also the 10th Anniversary celebration of Trade plus Aid, the foundation for which Charlotte had received an MBE from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

To find out more about this event – to be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Doha on October 30/31 – click here.

Hilary Duff Brings Blessings In A Backpack To Colombia

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Hilary Duff was in Bogota, Colombia, last week at the invitation of Mayor Samuel Moreno to embark on an ambitious four-day mission to bring meals to the city’s underprivileged children on behalf of Blessings in a Backpack.

During her four days in Bogota, Duff will handed out more than 3,000 backpacks filled with nutritious food for the children of Bogota.

“We are honored to have Hilary Duff launch Blessings in a Backpack in Bogota,” said Mayor Moreno. “Besides helping thousands of needy children, Blessings in a Backpack is aligned with our initiative, ‘Positive Bogota: To Live Better,’ which seeks to guarantee the enjoyment of a modern, prosperous, equal, cooperative, just and participative city.”

Blessings in a Backpack, founded by Stan Curtis in Louisville, Kentucky in 2005, serves more than 90 schools across the U.S. and provides weekend nourishment to qualified children in kindergarten through grade ten so they can learn at the same rate as their classmates. “Better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, improved health and increased attendance have all been attributed to the success of this program,” said Curtis.

Duff, who finished a week of filming “Gossip Girl” in New York City, a packed agenda during her visit to Bogota, which included visits to hospitals and orphanages, meetings with ex-gang members and Colombian officials.

“I am thrilled to be in Bogota to launch Blessings in a Backpack,” said Duff. “I want to express my gratitude to Mayor Moreno for offering me the opportunity to share this program, which is close to my heart, with the children of Bogota.”

“We are encouraged by Mayor Moreno’s welcome to Blessings in a Backpack,” said Curtis. “We see this visit to Bogota as an opportunity to share our program with the children of the world and we’re excited that the Mayor recognizes and supports social programs aimed at improving the lives of its most vulnerable citizens.”

With Blessings in a Backpack, Colombia’s goal is to create a sustainable healthy food program for children in very low income areas of Bogota. Working with the Secretary Generals office, and the Secretary of Education, Blessings in a Backpack will continue to provide nutritious food to children each weekend to insure that no children go hungry.

Mayor Moreno’s long-term plan for Bogota includes a city, where government action is directed toward achieving a greater quality of life for all citizens — an inclusive, just and equal city where human rights are recognized, respected and restored; where diversity is an opportunity and peace and reconciliation are possible.

Celebrities Do Whatever It Takes For Charity

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A huge selection of celebrity-designed bags and T-shirts are currently available at the UK’s premiere celebrity charity auction website, Buy Once Give Twice.

The auction site is hosting the auction for Whatever It Takes, a unique charity artwork project which inspires hope by gathering artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, sports, literature etc. The artworks are used to ethically produce Whatever It Takes products which are then sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader.

Going under the hammer in the auction are T-shirts featuring designs by The Killers, Pink, Snoop Dogg, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Duff, Lucy Liu, Toni Collette, Coldplay, Minnie Driver, Keane, Whoopi Goldberg, Green Day, Barry Manilow, Penelope Cruz, Melanie C, Annie Lennox, and the Kaiser Chiefs. There are also bags and purses designed by Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Lucy Liu, Kanye West, Slash, David Bowie, Ozzy Osbourne, and Stella McCartney.

Charities supported by Whatever It Takes include: Adopt-A-Minefield, Anti-Slavery International, Breast Cancer Campaign, CARE, Children of the Andes, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Christian Children’s Fund, City at Peace, Comic Relief, Dreams Can Be Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Greenpeace, Healthlink Worldwide, Heifer International, Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, Red Cross, LIFEbeat, LifeLine & Rape Crisis PMB, Opportunity International, Oxfam, ROTA, Rights and Humanity, S.A.F.E., Save the Children, Sharon Osborne Colon Cancer Program, Snoop Youth Football League, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Teenage Cancer Trust, The BRIT Trust, Christina Noble Children’s Foundation, Little Dreams Foundation, Lotus Outreach, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Toothfairy Foundation, Trade plus Aid, UNHCR, UNICEF, and WaterAid.

To make a bid in the auction, which runs until June 30, click here.

Hilary Duff To Attend Speedway Event

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hilary Duff will be at the Kentucky Speedway at Sparta later this month to support the Blessings in a Backpack program.

The singer will serve as the grand marshal of the NASCAR nationwide series “Meijer 300 Presented by Ritz” and encourage people to donate to the Blessings in a Backpack program, which every week distributes backpacks filled with enough non-perishable food for the weekend (six meals) to “at-risk” students.

Duff and 24 students from Gallatin County Schools will participate in activities at the Speedway, including a pit-road bike relay race. She will also drop the flag for the NASCAR race to begin. People will also be able to donate old and new backpacks to the program.

Race tickets, infield camping and Big Ticket Deals can be reserved online at www.kentuckyspeedway.com, by phone at 888-652-RACE (7223), through the Kentucky Speedway ticket offices in Fort Mitchell, at 400 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 100, or the track Fan Center located off of Interstate 71, Exit 57 and Ky. Hwy. 35 N in Sparta. Tickets also are available through Tickets.com outlets including Meijer stores.

Hilary Duff To Turn New York Red for AIDS

Wed, 13 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hilary Duff – Grand Marshal for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) New York AIDS Walk on May 17 – will be part of a ceremony to turn the Empire State Building’s lights red on Thursday, May 14.

“From sunset to midnight on Thursday, New Yorkers will see the solid red color, synonymous with AIDS awareness, beaming from the building,” said Marjorie J. Hill, chief executive officer of GMHC. “The red lights will serve as a reminder that AIDS is still a matter of great urgency in New York and throughout the United States.”

Duff will also act as co-host of the of the AIDS Walk opening ceremony in Manhattan’s Central Park, and will walk with her team, “Hilary Duff — Walk with Love.”

“We have a responsibility to educate young people about HIV/AIDS,” said Duff. “So when I hear about how more young people are getting HIV because they don’t understand the risks of infection, it just seems so tragic and avoidable. I’m fortunate to have the type of relationship that I do with my fans — I can ask them to participate in their communities and I receive a great response… I am grateful that so many of them have decided to join me by donating to the AIDS Walk and even walking with me.”

Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $105 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world. In 2008 alone, 45,000 participants, many of whom were members of 2,450 corporate and community teams, raised a record sum of over $7 million for Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and 50 other local AIDS service organizations.

To find out more about how to take part in this event, visit the official website.

Hilary Duff Records PSA For AIDS Walk NY

Wed, 06 May 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hilary Duff has recorded a new PSA to promote the upcoming AIDS Walk New York.

“We have a responsibility to educate young people about HIV/AIDS,” said Duff, who will act as Grand Marshal for the Gay Men’s Health Crisis AIDS Walk on May 17. “So when I hear about how more young people are getting HIV because they don’t understand the risks of infection, it just seems so tragic and avoidable. I’m fortunate to have the type of relationship that I do with my fans — I can ask them to participate in their communities and I receive a great response… I am grateful that so many of them have decided to join me by donating to the AIDS Walk and even walking with me.”

To find out more about how to take part in this event, visit the official website.

Bill Clinton’s iPod Nets Over $2,200 For Charity

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Isra Shah

An 8GB red iPod Nano signed by former President Bill Clinton has been auctioned off for $2,246. Proceeds benefit Music Rising, and will help replace instruments lost by musicians, schools, and churches as a result of the hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast Region in 2005.

U2’s The Edge created Music Rising with the support of many industry insiders in order to “help rebuild the musical heart and culture of the Gulf Region by replacing the musical instruments and gear that were lost in the Inundation in 2005.” The campaign has raised money through the sale of memorabilia and concert events. To date, Music Rising has assisted over 2,700 musicians and almost 50,000 students and parishioners in continuing pursuing their musical passions.

The organization’s latest charity effort partners Music Rising with celebrities and other public figures to auction autographed iPods; the players are filled with music selected by the participant and sold through the website Tonic.com. Clinton, himself a saxophonist, created a playlist featuring eleven songs including Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Carly Simon’s “I Get Along Without You Very Well,” Joan Baez’s “Winds of the Old Days,” and Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”

Bidding for iPods signed by Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore, and Scarlett Johansson is set to begin Monday, March 16. Place your bid online or visit the official Music Rising website to find out about the most recent promotions and events benefitting Gulf Coast musicians.

Hollywood Steps Out For World Kidney Day

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

A host of celebrities will come out for World Kidney Day tomorrow to encourage people get blood tests to check for early signs of kidney disease.

Mario Lopez, Hilary Duff, Brooke Burns, Kevin Sorbo, Constance Marie, Deana Carter, Lou Gossett Jr, Courtney Hansen, Eva Tamargo, Stacy Keibler, George Lopez, Phillip Palmer, Andy Garcia and Anthony Anderson are just some of the stars who will attend KEEP It Hollywood on Thursday, March 12.

The National Kidney Foundation of Southern California’s “KEEP It Hollywood” event is a pre-Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) that includes a mini-screening (blood pressure cuff, finger prick & a few health questions asked by some of the best doctors in the country) allowing numerous celebrities and influential community members to take part in the fight against Kidney Disease through early detection, evaluation, and intervention for World Kidney Day.

World Kidney Day is a global health awareness campaign focusing on the importance of our kidneys and reducing the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide. The campaign is celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March in more than 100 countries on 6 continents. Celebrity supporters of the campaign include Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks, Enrique Iglesias, Maria Petrova and many more.

The KEEP It Hollywood event will raise awareness of chronic kidney disease, a condition suffered by over 26 million American adults. To be part of the event, be at Guy’s North in Studio City, California, between 9am and 2pm tomorrow.

Hilary Duff To Give Blessings In Backpacks

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer and actress Hilary Duff is expected to visit an elementary school in Florida on behalf of the Blessings In A Backpack program today, March 4.

The 21-year-old star is scheduled to appear at Tice Elementary School in Fort Myers to raise awareness of the program, which aims to feed elementary school children who qualify for the federal free and reduced meal program and may not have any or enough food on the weekends. Every Friday, students receive backpacks with food that requires little to no preparation. They return with their backpacks on Monday ready to learn, with better test scores, improved reading skills, positive behavior, and improved health.

In the area surrounding Fort Myers, the number of children participating in the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program has increased dramatically from 50 percent last year to 62 percent this year.

“[Hilary’s] heart will always be bigger than her celebrity,” said Stan Curtis, founder of Blessings in a Backpack. “She feeds 1,100 children a week in Los Angeles. You won’t find a famous person more visible and vocal when it comes to her philanthropy.”

Duff was a guest at Leeza Gibbons’ Night To Make A Difference Oscar Party last month, and is a supporter of charities such as Kids With A Cause, Return To Freedom, and USA Harvest.

She is expected to meet students and staff of Tice Elementary School and talk about the Blessings In A Backpack program. The event is not open to the public.

More info about the program can be found here.

Siegfried & Roy Make Triumphant Return

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Famed illusionists Siegfried & Roy made their return to the stage in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 28.

The duo performed a 15 minute show at the Keep Memory Alive Foundation’s “Power of Love” gala to benefit the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute (LRBI) in Las Vegas.

“This is the goodbye we never were able to say,” Roy Horn told the Las Vegas Sun. “This is the farewell we wanted to make. Our duty now is to give back to the community that gave us so many gifts and so much love over the years. We are very much committed to the amazing work being done and the successes that will be achieved [at the Institute].”

The show was the first time the pair has appeared on stage since Horn was mauled by a tiger during a show in 2003. The tiger, Montecore, also appeared with the magicians during their show on Saturday.

Among the stars who paid up to $75,000 for a table at the dinner and show were Hilary Duff, Danny DeVito, Teri Hatcher and Steve Schirripa.

As Look To The Stars reported last year, the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute has been under construction since 2007. It will aim to provide the most current research and scientific information for the prevention, early detection, treatment, education, and support of memory disorders and neurodegenerative dementia diseases. LRBI plans to “house the world’s most powerful brain doctors”, and predicts that the cure for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and Lou Gehrig’s disease will be discovered there.

LTTS Exclusive: Inside A Night To Make A Difference with Host Michelle Vink

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Michelle Vink

Look To The Stars’ lead host, Michelle Vink was on hand as a host of Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference Fundraiser on Oscar night. Read her story below:

“Without hope, life is just not worth living”…

Those were the words from Harvey Milk from the Oscar-winning movie, Milk. Despite the uncertain state of the economy and the lack of faith we keep hearing about on the news, there was an overwhelming resurgence of hopeful optimism at the Oscars this year. Winning storylines like Slumdog Millionaire and Milk captured that very essence.

A new type of Oscar party

I recall reading that Slumdog director Danny Boyle placed the money to be paid to the 3 lead child actors in a trust until they complete grade school, and that the production company set up a driver to take the kids to school every day until they are 16 years old. When the movie was nominated for an Oscar alongside all the Milk nominations, I knew it would be a good year.

Soon after that I learned of a new type of Oscar party that Leeza Gibbons was coordinating, called A Night to Make A Difference. The timing was impeccable, and before I knew it I was invited to help host the event.

Michelle with Leeza and co-host, Russell.

Celebrity organisers with special causes

Leeza wanted to “take the global stage of Oscar Night and use it to put the focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.” With a team of volunteers and a production team fueled with the same passion, Leeza did just that. Helped by Olivia Newton-John, music legend David Foster, and several co-hosts, the team created “A Party with a Purpose.” This monumental event not only benefited Leeza Gibbons’ Memory Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre, but also raised awareness for philanthropy and inspired a feeling of hope. This inaugural event was streamed live here on LooktotheStars.org, and on other sites including Variety.com , LeezaGibbonsOscarEvent.com, Glam.com and ExtraTV.com.

With the aid of Jessica Biel and her Make The Difference Network, an opportunity was created for viewers to donate to the cause or just open the door for people to get involved in a charity that is close to their own hearts. Check out MTDN.com for more information on Jessica’s charity.

Jessica Biel – photo by Levi Walker

An all-star cast of celebrity givers

Celebrities who came out to support this event and celebrate Hollywood’s big heart included Laila Ali (who uses her celebrity to get kids excited about physical fitness), Mel B., Jessica Biel, Wilson Cruz, Hilary Duff, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk, Paris Hilton, Slash & Perla Hudson (who donated a guitar to the auction), Kym Johnson, Mario Lopez, Melissa Gilbert, Jane Seymour & James Keach, Cindy Margolis, Terrell Owens, Holly Robinson-Peete, Suzanne Somers, Dee Wallace, Forest & Keisha Whitaker and many, many others. I was honored to interview Wilson Cruz (He’s Just Not That Into You) immediately following Dustin Lance Black’s win for Milk and I was moved by his passionate desire for change.

Michelle talks to Teri Hatcher during the event.

A responsibility to help

Rex Lee said of using his celebrity status for good, “For whatever reason, people out in the world pay attention to us, and if I say I support Olivia Newton John and building a new cancer center out in Australia, people listen. There is a responsibily in that.”

Michael Buble expressed his feelings on helping others, too, saying, “I think most people hopefully have compassion and empathy. We’ve been blessed, and we should help.”

Michael Buble and Paris Hilton – photo by Levi Walker

Manuela Testolini, founder of In A Perfect World, talked about giving back, saying, “It’s mutually beneficial. The thing that unites us despite our circumstances is the desire to create better world.”

Making a difference with makeovers

Another special touch to the event was the five women that were “hired” as extras from the LA Women’s Shelter. Celebrity hairdresser Ken Paves supervised red carpet makeovers for these women, providing hair, makeup and wardrobe. Shoes were donated by Jessica Simpson. The women were given life coaching lessons and a boost of confidence to help them show others that change is possible, that we can always reinvent ourselves (just like Madonna), and that there is always room for a second chance.

“Help other people”

While on the red carpet, Jane Seymour said, “It’s not just the Oscars, but giving back and helping other people. It’s about what you can do to help other people right now. The more we help other people, the better it will be for all of us. My mum always used to say to me, ‘When life is tough, go out and help other people’ […] Every single person on this planet can make a difference – it’s just an act of kindness.”

David Foster and Jane Seymour – photo by Levi Walker

So despite what we have been hearing on the news, it looks like there are a few of us out there that still believe in hope. Thank you, Leeza — it truly was a party with a purpose.

Celebrity-Signed Guitars Up For Auction This Weekend

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars would like to remind readers about the Phoenix Guitar Gala being held on Saturday, February 28, in Petaluma, California. As reported earlier, the event features an auction of guitars signed by some awesome stars.

Over 20 guitars signed by famous faces such as George Lucas, Carlos Santana, BB King, Seth Green, Devo, Stan Lee and many more will go under the hammer, with 100% of the proceeds supporting the free-of-charge after-school music, theater and arts programs for at-risk youth of the North Bay – as well as to help preserve the historic Phoenix Theater, which has served as an important performing arts venue for over 100 years – hosting a diverse group of artists ranging from Enrico Caruso to Louis Armstrong, from Carlos Santana, Sublime, and Metallica to Green Day and Hilary Duff.

The mission of the Petaluma Phoenix Theater is to foster the emotional, physical and social development of the young people we serve, specifically at risk youth, by enabling them to create and engage in programs for music, the arts, and health and wellness, while preserving and improving the historic Phoenix Theater as a resource for youth and the community at large.

The event will feature a Brazilian Carnival theme, and will take place at the Phoenix Center at 201 Washington Ave, Petaluma, on February 27-28. More info and tickets can be found at the Guitar Gala website.

Look To The Stars Exclusive: Live Stream Of Leeza Gibbons' Night To Make A Difference

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be involved in one of Hollywood’s premier charity Oscar parties this weekend. Leeza Gibbons’ A Night To Make A Difference will take place on Sunday, February 22, at the iconic Mr Chow in Beverly Hills, with a host of celebrities expected to attend. And Look To The Stars is streaming the event LIVE.

This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

Hosted by Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster, the Night To Make A Difference will attract stars such as Paris Hilton, Jessica Biel, Forest Whitaker, Slash, Alan Thicke, Ashley Tisdale, Brooke Burns, Cheryl Burke, Cheryl Ladd, Chevy Chase, Danny Boyle, Darryl McDaniels, Dee Wallace, Hilary Duff, Holly Robinson-Peete, Jaclyn Smith, Jane Seymour, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Ken Paves, Mario Lopez, Mel B., Melissa Gilbert, Rick Schroder, Suzanne Somers, Taraji P. Henson, Teri Hatcher, Tony Hawk and many more.

“The Night To Make a Difference party is to benefit the [”Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/402-leezas-place] and my own Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center," Olivia Newton-John told Look To The Stars. “But now it has morphed into a bigger night than just our two charities – it’s about everybody’s philanthropy and giving back. It’s a new era in America with the new Obama presidency, and it’s all about giving back, so we decided to make the night an evening about celebrity giving – like the theme of Look To The Stars.”

Other charities to be involved with the event are Jessica Biel’s Make The Difference Network, the Felix Organization, the Children’s Hospice & Palliative Care Coalition, Cancer Schmancer Movement, Blessings in a Backpack, the Red Cross, TreePeople, the Tony Hawk Foundation, the David Foster Foundation, Smiles For Life, The HollyRod Foundation and many more.

“This event is truly different from the others and one of the aspects I am most excited about is the ability for viewers at home to be a part of the experience via the live webcast,” said Leeza Gibbons. “With Arquiva and Highwinds handling the technical wizardry, we are able to focus on our message of advocacy and philanthropy. Our hope is to inspire people at home and around the world to take action and knowing that we are able to reach a broad audience on the web means we truly have a chance to help create the change presented by our on-camera Hollywood celebrities. I think it’s what happens when Hollywood stars converge with technical stars like Arquiva and Highwinds. Our combination of being behind the scenes of movie’s most glamorous night along wtih it’s most passionate and purposeful stars takes the gold for best new web idea!”

The event kicks off at 4pm in Beverly Hills with Red Carpet arrivals. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website. And be sure to visit Look To The Stars’ special live stream of the event on Oscars night.

Celebrities Slip Into Red Dresses For Women's Heart Health

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New York Fashion Week kicked off with a celebrity bang during the weekend with the 7th annual Red Dress fashion event for The Heart Truth.

Stars such as Katie Couric, Tori Spelling, Patricia Arquette, Brittany Snow, Amanda Bynes, Hilary Duff, Jennie Garth, and Vivica Fox all strutted their stuff on the catwalk at the show in fashions created by America’s top designers for women’s heart health.

The Heart Truth is an awareness campaign created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. It is designed to warn women about their number one health risk, heart disease, and the need to take action against its risk factors. The organization created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002 to deliver an urgent wakeup call to American women.

For people who missed the show, Clothesoffourback.org is currently running an auction of some of the dresses worn at the show – and selections from past shows – to raise money for The Heart Truth to further efforts related to women’s heart health awareness and research.

Lucky bidders can bid on dresses that graced Daisy Fuentes, Jane Kaczmarek, Kelly Ripa, Lynda Carter, Rachael Ray, Vanessa Willaims.

The auction runs until February 27.

Leeza Gibbons And Olivia Newton-John Present A Night To Make A Difference

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Look To The Stars is proud to be a sponsor of an exciting event that is set to take Oscar night by storm. Leeza Gibbons, Olivia Newton-John and David Foster are bringing together a host of celebrities for A Night to Make a Difference to focus on advocacy, philanthropy and volunteerism.

The star-studded and inspirational event will be held at Beverley Hills’ exclusive and iconic Mr Chow, which will be transformed into a “living set” as it provides a backdrop for a very special interactive Oscar viewing party. This unique event will bring together stars from film, TV, music, sports and fashion to celebrate the worlds of celebrity and charity. Special Ambassadors of Change who have used their celebrity to make a tangible difference in the world will be on hand to empower the audience to make a difference in their own lives.

The list of Ambassadors of Change is long and includes Laila Ali, Jessica Biel & Make The Difference Network, Cindy Crawford, John Paul DeJoria, Fran Drescher, Hilary Duff, David Foster, Leeza Gibbons, Melissa Gilbert, Erin Gray, Tony Hawk, Slash & Perla Hudson, Larry King, Ali Landry, Mario Lopez, Gloria Loring, Darryl McDaniels, Dr Phil & Robin McGraw, Olivia Newton-John, Holly Robinson-Peete & Rodney Peete, Jane Seymour, and Amy Smart.

“We call it a “party with a conscience” and it happens live on the internet (via EXTRAtv.com and Glam.com)," Leeza Gibbons told Look To The Stars. "Our correspondents are the stars themselves who have been inspired or moved to action by Hollywood’s example and leadership. We will create a “living set” inside Mr. Chow and cut live to our “Glam lounge” where lifestyle reporters will give viewers ways to take Hollywood’s example for confident building looks . We’ll also show how Hollywood beauties (ranging from classics like Audrey Hepburn to contemporaries like Angelina Jolie) have used their beauty to make a difference in the world. We will feature the ways in which Hollywood is leading the charge in the green movement and demonstrate how Hollywood’s huge heart has become a catalyst for good all over the world."

The event will even be carbon neutral, and a tree will be planted in honor of each attendee to erase their carbon footprint.

“Of course , we will have plenty of fun too!” said Leeza. “David Foster is our entertainment director and he is delivering A-list performers. We will have fans interact with our guests to get inspired and learn that together we are stronger than anything than threatens to tear us apart. Favorite Oscar moments, favorite Oscar hosts, and of course, plenty of fashion and flair! It’s all part of our Night To Make A Difference, which is a benefit for the [”Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation":http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/402-leezas-place] and Olivia Newton John’s Cancer and Wellness Centre in Australia."

The Night To Make A Difference takes place at Mr Chow, 344 N Camden Drive, on February 22. Dinner guests will be treated to a specially planned and prepared 10-course dinner featuring Mr. Chow’s world famous cuisine while watching the Oscars, and there will also be a special celebrity auction.

The event is expected to sell out. For more information and tickets, visit the official Night To Make A Difference website.

And be sure to stay tuned to Look To The Stars for more coverage of this exciting event.

George Lucas Signs Guitar For Charity Gala

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A long time ago (earlier this week) in a galaxy far, far away (called Petaluma, California), Star Wars creator George Lucas signed a brand new Gibson guitar for a special charity auction.

The film making legend is one of 20 artists to sign instruments for the Phoenix Guitar Gala, an event that aims to raise money for the Petaluma Phoenix Center, a facility that offers music and arts programs. Proceeds from the auction will go towards the free-of-charge after-school music, theater and arts programs for at-risk youth of the North Bay. They will also help preserve the historic Phoenix Theater, which has served as an important performing arts venue for over 100 years and has hosted a diverse group of artists ranging from Metallica to Green Day and Hilary Duff.

Other artists who have signed guitars for the event include Carlos Santana, BB King, Seth Green, Devo, Stan Lee and many more.

The event will feature a Brazilian Carnaval theme, and will take place at the Phoenix Center at 201 Washington Ave, Petaluma, on February 27-28. More info and tickets can be found at the Guitar Gala website.

Mandy Moore To Share Charity Hosting Duties With Hilary Duff

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hilary Duff and Mandy Moore will co-host a special charity gala later tonight, December 10.

The event is being held at the Beverly Hills boutique Kitson to launch a collection of holiday merchandise to benefit Stand Up To Cancer. Items in the collection include a star necklace designed by Jennifer Meyer, Love Zooey Tees by Alice Heller, a set of Graf & Lantz felt star ornaments, and a Kumi KooKoon cashmere and silk throw blanket.

“Today’s cancer scientists are on the verge of life-saving discoveries, but they desperately need the funds to mount an all-out assault,” said Laura Ziskin, executive producer and founding member of Stand Up To Cancer. “The money raised from the sale of these beautiful items will go directly to funding these important research programs. Together we will defeat this insidious disease.”

The collection can be viewed at the Stand Up To Cancer website, and all items will be available at Kitson stores across the US.

Bid2Beat AIDS For Special Christmas Gifts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

One of the biggest celebrity charity auction events of the year is currently gearing up for its launch on December 1.

Bid2Beat AIDS is an annual event that will feature over 1000 items from top stars such as 50 Cent, Adam Sandler, Adrian Grenier, Aerosmith, Alec Baldwin, Amy Winehouse, Antonio Banderas, Britney Spears, Cameron Diaz, Common , Death Cab for Cutie, Denzel Washington, P. Diddy, Donny Osmond, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Foo Fighters, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hanson, Hilary Duff, Jake Gyllenhaal, James Blunt, James Earl Jones, James Morrison, Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z , Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jeremy Piven, Jessica Alba, John Legend, Johnny Depp, Kanye West, Kirsten Dunst, Ludacris , M.I.A., Madonna, Mariah Carey, Neil Patrick Harris, Ozzy Osbourne, Phil Collins, Raven Symone, Razorlight, Rihanna , Sacha Baron Cohen, Sharon Osbourne, Victoria Beckham, Whoopi Goldberg, Will Ferrell, Wyclef Jean, and many, many more. Also up for grabs will be VIP tickets to concerts and backstage visits with stars like Bernadette Peters, Jewel, Aimee Mann, Joan Rivers, and Michael Feinstein.

The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity. The first three BID 2 BEAT AIDS auctions raised nearly $250,000, and this year’s looks set to be the biggest yet.

More info about the auction can be found at the Bid2Beat AIDS website, and the auction will go live on World AIDS Day here.

Look To The Stars will keep you posted as the items are announced.

Hilary Duff Counts Her Blessings In A Backpack

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Hilary Duff has been busy in the last two weeks visiting schools to raise awareness of the Blessings in a Backpack initiative.

Blessings in a Backpack was launched in 2005 to provide food to children and families in need. Since been established, they have provided over 6 million meals, with food being distributed through a network of volunteers and school officials on Fridays before the children leave school for the weekend. 21-year-old star Hilary Duff first helped with the campaign following Hurricane Katrina when – along with USA Harvest – she donated over 2 million meals throughout the Gulf Coast.

“I feel lucky enough to have a voice or a name that people might pay attention to,” said Duff. “I think that people might not be aware that a couple neighborhoods away, kids aren’t having food on the weekends, and we just want people to be informed and to know what’s going on in their communities and to help if they can.”

More information about Blessings in a Backpack can be found at their website.

Stars Hit The Catwalk For St. Judes

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A bevy of stars stepped out on the catwalk on Saturday night for the 5th annual Runway For Life benefit in Beverly Hills.

Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ross McCall, Hilary Duff, Selena Gomez, Jonny Lee Miller, Daisy Fuentes, Jason Alexander, Nancy O’Dell, Cybill Shepherd, Natasha Henstridge and Jaime Pressley were among the stars to show their fashionable sides in the fundraiser for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and William Shatner was spotted in the audience.

Over 1,000 guests attended the event – held at the Beverly Hilton – which raised well over $1 million for St. Judes. Runway for Life is one of the biggest fundraising events of the hospital’s calendar, and has netted over $6.5 million since it was first staged.

Past events have included appearances by Cindy Crawford, Anna Kournikova, Alison Sweeney and many more.

Hilary Duff Records PSA To Stop Homophobic Language

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress and singer Hilary Duff has created a new PSA to help teens realize that anti-gay and lesbian language is harmful and inappropriate.

The 21-year-old has joined with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network to encourage teens to stop using the term “That’s so gay” in everyday speech. According to the Think B4 You Speak website, there are over 80,000 pages on the internet that contain the phrase, and it is homophobic remarks like that that create an atmosphere where young homosexuals feel disrespected, unwanted and unsafe at school and in the community.

From the website: “The new campaign aims to raise awareness about the prevalence and consequences of anti-LGBT bias and behavior in America’s schools. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce and prevent the use of homophobic language in an effort to create a more positive environment for LGBT teens. The campaign also aims to reach adults, including school personnel and parents; their support of this message is crucial to the success of efforts to change behavior.”

Hilary Duff’s PSA can be found at www.thinkb4youspeak.com.

Teen Power At Charity Gala

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of Hollywood’s most exciting and energetic teenage stars attended the ‘Target Presents Variety’s Power of Youth’ event held at the Nokia Theatre in L.A. on Saturday night.

The event celebrated the activism of the young Hollywood community with an afternoon full of performances and activities for patients and families of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and “produced an opportunity to harness the enthusiasm and activism of the young Hollywood community in a focused effort to encourage their peers and audiences to get involved in philanthropic and humanitarian causes.” Making an appearance at the gathering were the Jonas Brothers, Hilary Duff, Miranda Cosgrove, Miley Ray Cyrus, Dakota Fanning, Selena Gomez, Angus T. Jones, Demi Lovato, Corbin Bleu, Elle Fanning, Eliza Dushku, Olivia Thirlby, Ashley Tisdale and Emma Roberts.

“Target Presents Variety’s Power of Youth campaign is a powerful one; one that harnesses the energy of more than 150 young performers who are in a position to influence their peers and fans,” said Brian Gott, associate publisher of Variety. “With the support of Target and our other sponsors, the Power of Youth effort has the opportunity to generate millions of dollars to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and create a bedrock of social awareness within the next generation of entertainment.”

As part of the celebration, a public online auction is running to raise funds for St. Jude, the nation’s leading children’s cancer research and treatment hospital, and the only one that covers all of the costs for medicine, treatment, food, travel and lodging. It features items and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as a guitar signed by the Jonas Brothers, the chance to interview Coldplay, a walk-on role on Weeds, and many more awesome lots.

The auction runs until October 23 and can be accessed through eBay.

Who Wants To Be A Roadie For The Who?

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Following last week’s announcement that they are to donate the proceeds from an upcoming concert to charity, classic British rockers The Who are offering one lucky fan the chance to roadie for them on their new tour in a special online auction to raise money for a charity that inspires at-risk youth with the assistance of homeless shelter dogs.

Fans are already bidding over $20,000 for the opportunity to join the band on the road and hang out with Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend on their US tour. But that’s not all that’s on offer: bidders also have the chance to pick up signed memorabilia from Bob Dylan, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Harrison Ford, David Gray, Robert Plant, Kevin Spacey, Tom Hanks, Hilary Duff, Justin Long, Tori Spelling, and Hayden Panettiere.

The auction, which runs until August 24 and can be accessed through Ebay Giving Works, is raising money for K9 Connection, a charity that allows at-risk 12- to 18-year-old children train homeless shelter dogs in basic obedience, assisting the dogs to develop the skills to become adoptable. The organization aims to empower high-risk youth to apply the lessons they teach the dogs to their own lives: to develop an awareness of the risks of uncontrolled and impulsive behavior, and to believe in the power of positive reinforcement as an alternative to force and violence.

“Be a Who roadie for a day,” said Roger Daltrey, lead singer for The Who, known for their habit of destroying their equipment onstage. “And if you get the job – good luck… you’re gonna need it!”

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.

Buffy In The Buff For Charity

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 10:47:10 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A group of celebrities have bared their skin in a new campaign to increase awareness of skin diseases.

As reported in an earlier article, former Buffy The Vampire Slayer actress Sarah Michelle Gellar has agreed to auction naked photos of herself on eBay, to raise money for the Coalition of Skin Diseases. It can now be revealed that she will be joined in the campaign by Hilary Duff, Minnie Driver, Dave Navarro, Amanda Bynes, Jacqueline Bisset, Regina King, and John Leguizamo, and the autographed photos will be available until February 22 at eBay.

The auction is part of Vaseline’s “Skin Is Amazing” campaign, and the special skin portraits demonstrate what each celebrity finds amazing about their skin.

“My versatility comes from facial expressions and how I hold my body,” said John Leguizamo. “My skin has to be able to take some punishment, whether I’m making faces or doing stunts in movies. It’s how I make my living.”

Each photo was shot by renowned photographer Walter Chin, and features a personal quote from the featured celebrity.

The Coalition of Skin Diseases is an organization that advocates on behalf of individuals who suffer from diseases of the skin by supporting clinical research, fostering physician and patient education, and generating general awareness on skin safety. They also strive to improve the quality of life for those affected.

More information and behind-the-scenes footage of the photo shoot can be found at the Vaseline website.

Another actress famous for baring her skin was the late Anna Nicole Smith, and a new charity has just been launched in her name.

Smith’s former partner, Howard K. Stern, announced the new charity on the first anniversary of the former Playmate’s death on Friday. The Anna Nicole Smith & Daniel Wayne Smith Charitable Foundation – also named in honor of her son, who died in 2006 – is expected to generate funds for a number of causes that Smith supported, including those relating to children, the elderly, and AIDS.

“Hopefully it will grow, help more people each year, and eventually be headed by her daughter Dannielynn,” said Stern. “All donations through February 2008 will benefit a charity in the Bahamas for underprivileged and at risk youths that Anna Nicole wanted to help.”

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