Look To The Stars News: Vanessa Williams

Brooke Shields To Attend Family Charity Carnival

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Brooke Shields is confirmed to attend the annual Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Kids For Kids Family Carnival on October 24.

This annual event is a major fundraiser for the charity, and has for 16 years brought families together to rally in support of the Foundation’s fight against pediatric AIDS. Last year’s event raised $3.6 million. The event will feature samplings from New York’s greatest restaurants, world-class artists and photographers, celebrities, and both old-fashioned and cutting-edge games and activities – all-in-all a great day out for the whole family.

Joining Brooke at this year’s event will be Nigel Barker, Mario Batali, Diane Sawyer and many more. Past years have seen appearances by Whoopi Goldberg, Marcia Cross, Mariska Hargitay, Heidi Klum, TR Knight, Vanessa Williams and others.

The event will take place at the Industria Superstudio, New York City. More info can be found here.

Ugly Betty To Highlight Malaria Issues

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Stars from Ugly Betty – including America Ferrera and Vanessa Williams – have teamed up with the United Nations to raise awareness of malaria.

The first episode of the new season of the ABC show – which starts on October 16 – will feature the U.N.’s Nothing But Nets initiative and a plotline that will “reveal the role mosquito nets play in preventing the disease”.

The show is the first comedy to be shot inside the U.N.’s New York City headquarters.

Catherine Zeta Jones and Hugh Jackman Host A Fine Romance

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Melanie Mitchell

Catherine Zeta Jones and Hugh Jackman will be hosting the 5th annual event ‘A Fine Romance’, which has previously been held at Sony Centre, California. The ‘A Fine Romance’ event is one of the many charitable events held throughout the year in order to raise money for the Motion Picture & Television Fund. The event is due to take place on 7th November 2009, and celebrates the undeniable love affair between Hollywood and Broadway.

The Motion Picture and Television Fund (MPTF) was first created in 1921 by big stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Conrad Nagel, Milton Sills, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith as well as many others. The MPTF aims to offer assistance to members of the movie and television industry as well as their families. The services that the MPTF offers range from child care support, health care assistance through to help with retirement living.

The ‘A Fine Romance’ event takes its name from the Darcie Denkert book also titled ‘A Fine Romance.’ In this book Denkert explores the relationship between Broadway and Hollywood by examining how a musical such as Pygmalion became a Hollywood blockbuster and re-titled My Fair Lady. In the MPTF event performers are accompanied by a live orchestra under the baton of the Hollywood Bowl’s John Mauceri and perform the songs that have tied both film and stage together for decades.

Previous performers have included Audra McDonald, Dick Van Dyke, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, Chita Rivera, Shirley MacLaine, Raul Esparza and Jamie Campbell Bower.

This year the event will again be attended by star-studded cast, and some of whom will also perform for their fellow members of the movie and television industry. Performers include Catherine Zeta-Jones and Hugh Jackman, as well as Amy Adams, James Marsden and Neil Patrick Harris.

More info about the event can be found here

Stars Want To Be Millionaires For Charity

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire will make a return to American TV screens next week, with a special 11 show run.

Every night of the two-week run, a different celebrity will answer a single question to win $50,000 for the charity of their choice, and a host of stars have lined up for the chance.

The shows will be hosted by Regis Philbin and will feature appearances by:

Lauren Conrad
Snoop Dogg, playing for the Snoop Dogg Youth Football League
Patricia Heaton, playing for the Westside Pregnancy Clinic and Lighthouse Medical Missions
Shawn Johnson, playing for Blank Children’s Hospital
Steve Nash, playing for The Steve Nash Foundation
Katy Perry, playing for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Rachael Ray, playing for the Yum-o! Organization and the SPCA
Sherri Shepherd, playing for the March Of Dimes
Vanessa Williams, playing for The Maria Torres Emerging Artist Project at the Amas Musical Theatre
Wynonna, playing for Backpack Mission Ministries
A special “mystery” celebrity

The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’s 10th Anniversary shows begin August 9 at 8pm on ABC.

Join Bill Clinton For Vegan Lunch In Charity Auction

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Russell Simmons has launched an online auction to 10th anniversary Art For Life Garden Benefit Party.

Simmons will flex his charity muscles on July 18 with the Art For Life Garden party benefit on July 18th in East Hampton. The auction and event benefits Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the organization he founded with his brothers, Danny and Joseph Simmons, that connects disadvantaged youth with art programs. Held at the private East Hampton Estate of Russell Simmons, this evening will once again celebrate the creative energy of New York City youth and honor exemplary individuals in the community, including Vanessa Williams, at a star-studded dinner and gala featuring live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

The online auction features the chance to join an intimate and private dinner where Bill Clinton will be hosted with 35 guests at Simmons’ private residence in New York on July 20. The others in attendance will be 35 of the most influential movers and shakers in America under the age of 35, part of the noted Summit Series. Past Summit Series attendees have included founders and top officials of companies as Zappos, Facebook, Twitter, Google, Trump International, as well as top entertainment personalities. An extraordinary vegan dinner will be prepared by world famous chef Tom Colicchio, head judge on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, and founder of NYC’s famed Craft restaurants.

Other items include the chance to meet Deepak Chopra and Ice T, yoga lessons with Simmons, meet-and-greets with Third Eye Blind and Fall Out Boy, exclusive tickets to Coldplay, and much more.

The auctions run until July 18 and can be accessed here.

Russell Simmons Talks Philanthropy

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Russell Simmons features in the latest issue of Hamptons Magazine, due to hit stands on July 10, and talks about his charity work.

The hip-hop and fashion legend opens up to the magazine about how he’s carved a new role for himself as philanthropy icon and how he is transforming lives through art.

When it comes to giving back, the soulful Simmons tells the Hamptons mag that, “All charities are struggling a little bit right now. When people stop giving, it’s good to remind them that just because you lost money in the market that day doesn’t mean you stop giving to the poor.”

Those words of wisdom are just the reason that Simmons will flex his charity muscles with the Art For Life Garden party benefit on July 18th in East Hampton. The event benefits Simmons’ Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, the organization he founded with his brothers, Danny and Joseph Simmons, that connects disadvantaged youth with art programs. Held at the private East Hampton Estate of Russell Simmons, this evening will once again celebrate the creative energy of New York City youth and honor exemplary individuals in the community, including Vanessa Williams, at a star-studded dinner and gala featuring live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

“It’s nice to be around people you’re partners with and friends with,” Simmons tells Hamptons magazine, “It’s a great place for charity. There are a lot of wealthy people and good organizations.”

On celebrating 10 years of his charity, Art For Life, Simmons opens up to Niche Media’s Hamptons mag that, “It’s a cycle of giving.” He continues, “The more you get, the more you give, so its humbling. People like being able to play a good role.”

The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation was established by Russell Simmons and his brothers to direct funding to non-profit organizations who provide arts and education programming to New York City youth.

Vanessa Williams To Be Honored By Russell Simmons' Charity

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:30:00 -0000

On Saturday, July 18, 2009, the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation will celebrate 10 years of one of the most anticipated and attended Summer events, ART FOR LIFE East Hampton.

Held at the private East Hampton Estate of Russell Simmons, this evening will once again celebrate the creative energy of New York City youth and honor exemplary individuals in the community.

This year’s event will honor Vanessa Williams and others at a star-studded dinner and gala featuring live and silent auctions of unique art and luxury items.

More info about the event can be found here.

Vanessa Williams Holds Charity Listening Party

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Vanessa Williams will host a special charity listening party for her new album on Wednesday, June 3.

The new album, The Real Thing, comes out tomorrow – June 2 – and will be the 8th album released by the 46-year-old Grammy and Emmy-nominated singer and actress.

Proceeds from the listening party will go to LIFEbeat, an organization dedicated to reaching America’s youth with the message of HIV/AIDS prevention and mobilizing the talents and resources of the music industry to raise awareness and to provide support to the AIDS community.

Advance tickets to the event – to be held at New York’s Greenhouse, 150 Varick Street – cost $20 and are available by clicking here. Tickets at the door will cost $25.

Find out more by visiting the LIFEbeat website.

Vanessa Williams Supports An End To Violence Against Women

Mon, 18 May 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Fatima Fofana

It was Angela Davis, political activist and University Professor, who once said that domestic violence against women could not end without enlisting the help and support of men in our society.

Although there are many organizations, a range of legal remedies, a network of shelters, crisis centers and other sites where survivors are able to find support, none of these efforts or initiatives are aimed at involving men to put an end to their own violence against women. None except A Call To Men, a leading national men’s organization focused on the man’s role in ending violence against women.

Emmy Award nominated actress Vanessa Williams – best known for her work on Showtime’s hit series Soul Food – co-hosted an event at the ArtPeace Gallery in Burbank, California for A Call To Men last week. Williams is a board member of this nonprofit whose mission is to galvanize a national movement of men (and women) dedicated to eradicating this prevalent problem.

Co-founder’s Ted Bunch and Tony Porter believe that it is vital that men play a primary role in the solution to this problem. A Call To Men is therefore unique in its approach because it challenges men to change their traditional beliefs about women and work towards eradicating sexism. The organization has developed strong coalitions with women’s groups that share the same or similar goals. A Call To Men holds seminars, workshops and other educational activities designed to shift the behaviors of men through a re-education and training process that challenges sexism.

The event was attended by a cross section of Hollywood celebrities, including Rockmond Dunbar (Vanessa Willam’s husband on Soul Food), Michelle Stafford and Laura Bregman of the Young and the Restless, Tamala Jones (Head of State), and Camille Winbush (the Bernie Mac Show). For more information on this nonprofit, visit their official website.

Kristen Bell Attends Alzheimer's Event

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Kristen Bell was one of the many stars to attend the 17th annual Alzheimer’s Association A Night At Sardi’s event in Beverly Hills on Wednesday, March 4.

Held at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the event attracted stars such as Jason Alexander, Vanessa Williams, Dick Van Dyke, Michelle Pfeiffer, P. Diddy, Greg Kinnear, Zachary Levi, Michael Chiklis and William Shatner, and honored the producers of Fox Sports and the TV show “Friday Night Lights”.

The charity event is one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the Alzheimer’s Association, garnering over $17 million since it was first held.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. More information about their work can be found at their website.

Celebrities Expected For Kirk Douglas Thanksgiving Meal

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Yesterday, Look To The Stars brought you news about Kirk Douglas’ annual Thanksgiving Meal for the Homeless. We can now announce the lineup of stars expected to join the 91-year-old at the Los Angeles Mission.

Making a difference for Thanksgiving this year are Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer), Cindy Crawford, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical III), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), Neil McDonough (Desperate Housewives), Rebecca Mader (Lost), James Black (Starter Wife), Wilmer Valderrama (Fast Food Nation), Christopher Knight (Brady Bunch), Adrianne Curry (America’s Next Top Model), Doug Rinehardt (The Hills), Deniece Williams (Singer-Songwriter), Katherine Kelly Lang (the Bold and the Beautiful), Daren Kagasoff (Secret Life of the American Teenager), Nora Zehetner (Heroes), Natasha Alam (the Women), Alaina Huffman (Smallville), Christa Campbell (Day of the Dead), Shirly Brener (Righteous Kill), Kate Linder (the Young and the Restless), Ross McCall (Band of Brothers), Brandon Barash (General Hospital), C. S. Lee (Dexter), Jorge-Luis Pallo (Secret Life of the American Teenager), and Casey Reinhardt (Laguna Beach). And, as in past years, there will be a few more surprises on the day.

The celebrities are expected to gather at the Los Angeles Mission – on the corner of E. Fifth Street and Wall Street – at 10:45am tomorrow, November 26, and start dishing out meals to the city’s homeless at 11am. The event will run until 3pm.

Stars Paint Dogs For Parade And Auction

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Let loose the dogs of charity this Monday, October 13, as 25 life-sized fiberglass canines decorated by celebrities are paraded through the streets of New York.

The creations will be aboard a float in the annual Columbus Day parade, and will then be sold off in an online charity auction. Among the stars who have donated their artistic talents are Richard Gere, Chevy Chase, Glenn Close, Robert Kennedy Jr., Paul Shaffer, Martha Stewart, Vanessa Williams, Stanley Tucci, Cyndi Lauper, Rachael Ray, Robin Quivers, Dan Aykroyd, and Jane Goodall.

The auction – which will run until November 1 – will benefit Green Chimneys, an organization that operates a special education school, a residential treatment center for children, and a farm and wildlife rehabilitation center in Brewster.

The auction can be accessed through the Charity Folks website.

10th Annual Design Care Event Attracts Celebrities

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Actress Holly Robinson-Peete and her husband, former NFL player Rodney Peete, held their 10th annual “Design Care” event benefiting The HollyRod Foundation – which raises money for adults and children battling debilitating disease and life circumstances including Parkinson’s Disease and autism – on July 19.

The Design Care event is an evening of fashion, music and charity. What started as a gathering of 150 people at the home of Holly and Rodney has grown to a guest list of 500 people. To date, DesignCare has raised over $2 million.

This year, the HollyRod Foundation honored Cedric the Entertainer with the 2008 HollyRod Humanitarian Award; businessman James Warsaw with the Matthew T. Robinson Award of Courage; and philanthropist Lisette Ackerberg with the Angel on the Path Award. The first annual Champion Award was presented by hollyrod4kids to Jason “JMac” Mc Elwain – the teen basketball player with autism.

The live auction led by John Salley featured exclusive items such as a Smart Car courtesy of Mercedes-Benz of Beverly Hills, a trip for two to attend a taping of the Oprah Winfrey Show in Chicago, and a MotoPure H12 diamond encrusted Bluetooth headset among other luxurious items.

Celebrities in attendance included Vanessa Williams, Amy Yasbeck, Lisa Renna, Cheri Oteri, Eric LaSalle, and Regina King, and recording artist Maxwell performed at this year’s event.

The foundation was founded in 1997 in honor of Holly’s father, Matthew T. Robinson, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1982 at age of 46.

Idol And Dancing With The Stars Auctions For Great Causes

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:59:51 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

What’s better than an auction featuring items from your favorite television show? An auction featuring items from two of your favorite television shows! Fans of American Idol and Dancing With The Stars will be jumping up and down with excitement when they see what’s on offer over at www.clothesoffourback.org this week, with a mouthwatering assortment of garments and other surprises up for grabs.

The auction presents a unique opportunity for all those people who have watched Dancing With The Stars and said to themselves “I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes.” A host of the best celebrity dancers from the show are selling their fancy footwear for charity, and are inviting people to step up and make a bid. Melanie Brown, Vivica Fox, Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Samantha Harris, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Jane Seymour, and Lisa Rima are all putting their best foot forward and donating shoes to the auction, and the highest bidders will also receive a selection of products from Dr Scholl. Proceeds will go to a selection of charities chosen by the stars.

Anybody interested in the auction should hot-foot it over there soon – the auction ends on May 7.

Following hot on the heels of the shoe auction is a sale from American Idol’s Kimberley Locke. The Season 2 finalist is auctioning the dress she wore when she performed her song “Fall” on the show, and it just happens that the garment was designed by Project Runway’s Season 4 winner, Christian Siriano. The auction ends on April 18, and proceeds will benefit Camp Heartland.

And just in case you want to put your feet up after all of your hard bidding, why not check out the Modern Studio Furnishings celebrity signed couch that is also on offer over at Clothes Off Our Back. A colossal crowd of celebrities have autographed the sofa, used at last year’s BET Awards, including Patti La Belle, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, Akon, Stevie Wonder, Vanessa Williams, and many more. Proceeds from the auction – which ends April 18 – will go to the BET Foundation.

What a pity it is only signatures on the couch… it would make for a cosy and interesting evening squeezed up to all those celebrities!

A Very Special Christmas

Mon, 24 Dec 2007 09:14:56 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Christmas may already be upon us, and Santa may at this very moment be squeezing his way down your chimney, but there is still time for one last fix of Christmas shopping.

Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow, U2, and Eric Clapton are just some of the stars to be featured on the first ever DVD collection from the “A Very Special Christmas” holiday music series to benefit the Special Olympics.

“A Very Special Christmas – 20th Anniversary Music Video Collection” is out now, and is the latest release in the series that has already raised more than $100 million for Special Olympics programs around the world.

“A Very Special Christmas is a fitting way to spread holiday cheer,” said Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics chairman. “But more importantly, this gift will help bring the joy of Special Olympics to many more children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing them the chance of a new life – a life of participation, pride, friendship, and joy.”

The project was launched in 1987, when record producer Jimmy Iovine decided a Christmas album would be a suitable memorial to his father. His wife Vicki suggested that the album benefit the Special Olympics, which she was working for as a volunteer. Bobby Shriver, son of Special Olympics founder Eunice Shriver, signed on as producer, and A&M Records backed the project with an agreement to cover all costs.

Over the years, A Very Special Christmas has attracted a plethora of heavy-weight artists, and past releases have featured songs donated by Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, the Smashing Pumpkins, Stevie Nicks, Enrique Iglesias, Aretha Franklin, Tom Petty, and Reba McEntire.

“I am full of admiration for the many artists who have helped us,” said Eunice Shriver. “It’s a great tribute that these men and women say to themselves ’I’ll use my talent to help others’.”

The full list of songs on the 20th Anniversary Music Video Collection is:

Run DMC – Christmas In Hollis
U2 – Christmas (Baby Please Come Here)
No Doubt – Oi To The World
John Mellencamp – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Sting – Gabriel’s Message
Jon Bon Jovi – Please Come Home For Christmas
Vanessa Williams – What Child Is This?
Eric Clapton – Christmas Tears
Tracy Chapman – Oh Holy Night
Sheryl Crow – Run Rudolph Run
Wyclef Jean – Little Drummer Boy/Hot Hot Hot
Stevie Wonder – Merry Christmas Baby

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