Look To The Stars News: Vanessa Williams

Tony Bennett Performs At Star-Studded Gala For St. Jude Children's Hospital

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The United States Postal Service has unveiled a commemorative Forever Stamp honoring legendary entertainer Danny Thomas, the founder of the renowned St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The unveiling took place at a star-studded gala in Los Angeles this past weekend to celebrate Thomas’ 100th birthday and the St. Jude’s 50th anniversary.

“The Danny Thomas stamp, which will be officially dedicated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, and go on sale on Feb. 16, will become an ambassador for philanthropy, traveling on letters and packages to households and businesses throughout America and the world,” said Ed Ruiz, USPS Los Angeles district manager. “It also will serve as a lasting tribute to one of America’s most beloved and enduring entertainers who worked tirelessly to help the most helpless of all — children with diseases.”

Celebrity Judges For Best In Drag Charity Show

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

The outrageous beauty pageant spoof, “Best In Drag Show” – a benefit for Aid For AIDS in California – returns to The Orpheum Theatre on October 9, 2011.

The highly anticipated, annual fundraiser will be opened by comedienne Kathy Griffin and has a hilarious cast of drag contestants who compete in traditional beauty and talent categories. The legendary show always has a roster of celebrity judges – this year including Wayne Brady, Melanie Gritffith, Harry Hamlin, Vanessa Williams, Rita Wilson, Kim Coles, Dot Marie Jones, Sara Ramirez and Lisa Rinna – and the benefit has raised millions of dollars for Aid For AIDS, which was founded in 1983. Each year the show raises more than $250,000 in one night.

The fundraiser is produced by a large group of extremely dedicated and talented volunteers with a small staff from Alliance for Housing and Healing – the non-profit parent corporation of Aid For AIDS, executive producer of the show. This year, Aid For AIDS will be hosting a special VIP Reception for top-level sponsors. A celebrity red carpet and colorful pre-show cocktail party with costumed contestant “fans” begin at 6 PM. Curtain is 7 PM.

Rob Lowe Unveils Celebrity Charity Handprint Auction

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Rob Lowe has joined Valspar Paint and Habitat for Humanity International in unveiling Valspar Hands for Habitat, an initiative to auction the handprints of celebrities and notable personalities to benefit Habitat for Humanity’s relief efforts in Haiti.

Habitat has set a goal to serve 50,000 families impacted by Haiti’s 2010 earthquake, helping move them toward safe, secure and permanent housing. Those donating to the auction created their handprints using Valspar paint.

Seth Rogen To Host Celebrity Charity Night At Sardi's

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Actor, writer and producer Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet, Pineapple Express, Knocked Up) will once again serve as Master of Ceremonies at the 19th annual “A Night At Sardi’s” fundraiser to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

The star-studded gala will feature special appearances and all-star performances by some of television, film and Broadway’s hottest talent covering songs from the song book of the legendary Cole Porter, in a show titled “Red, Hot and Cole.” Among the many talented performers and participants confirmed for this year’s event are: Jason Alexander, Kristen Bell, Simon Helberg, Jim Parsons, Patrick Dempsey, Valerie Bertinelli, Betty White, Nick Jonas, Eric McCormack, David Hyde Pierce, Vanessa Williams and many more.

For over 30 years, the Alzheimer’s Association has been the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. “A Night at Sardi’s” has brought together prominent celebrities, business, political and entertainment industry leaders to raise over $18 million dollars. These funds have allowed the Alzheimer’s Association to continue to help thousands of affected individuals, families and caregivers get the help they need when faced with the challenges of this devastating and debilitating disease.

Maria Shriver Remembers Father as "Legendary Public Servant"

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:12:00 +0000

Sargent Shriver was laid to rest surrounded by family and friends, and dignitaries including Vice President Biden, former President Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama and Shriver’s son-in-law, former CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It was 8 years ago that the brother-in-law of former President John Kennedy and the late Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy, announced that he had Alzheimer’s disease. He died on January 18, at the age of 95.

Attending the funeral were Clint Eastwood, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Muhammad Ali. Bono, Vanessa Williams and Wyclef Jean sang at the funeral.

Bill Clinton To Be Honored At Magic Johnson Foundation Celebrity Charity Event

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0000

The tenth Annual Heroes in the Struggle Gala concert and awards presented by the Black AIDS Institute and the Magic Johnson Foundation will take place at the Avalon Hollywood on World AIDS Day, December 1.

The invitation-only event will honor Bill Clinton, award-winning actor Blair Underwood, academy award winning producer and director Lee Daniels, award winning CNN correspondent and producer Soledad O’Brien, AIDS activist Marvelyn Brown, billionaire philanthropist, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, owner of WNBA’s Washington Mystics Sheila C. Johnson, award winning producer and casting director, “For Color Girls”, Robi Reed and HIV/AIDS trailblazer Frank Oldham. This year’s corporate hero is the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Cookie and Magic Johnson are this year’s co-chairs. CNN’s Roland Martin and actor/comedian Sinbad are the co-hosts. Presenters this year include TV Guide’s Tanika Ray, Hill Harper, Vanessa Williams, Tasha Smith, Danny Glover, Entertainment Tonight’s Kevin Frazier, cast members from Grey’s Anatomy, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson and many more.

Stars To Attend Black AIDS Film Premiere Tonight

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

In an effort to fight AIDS stigma and raise awareness of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in black communities, several black celebrities have joined the Black AIDS Institute to host the Hollywood premiere of “The Other City,” the groundbreaking documentary that shines a light on the HIV/AIDs epidemic in Washington, DC.

With a host committee that includes Danny Glover, attendees will include Magic Johnson, Vanessa Williams, Laila Ali, Jenifer Lewis (The Princess & the Frog), Monique Coleman (High School Musical) and many more.

The event will also feature a special advance screening of a new Public Service Campaign featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Shaun Robinson, Anthony Anderson, Tatyana Ali, Chris Massey, Kyle Massey, Nia Long and more.

Camp Ronald McDonald To Host Celebrity Charity Halloween Party

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Los Angeles families are dusting off their Halloween costumes and gearing up for one of LA’s biggest family Halloween events, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times’ 18th Annual Halloween Carnival presented by JAKKS Cares, the philanthropic arm of JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

The Carnival, which raises money for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, has grown exponentially over the last 17 years, raising more than $7 million through ticket sales for this annual event.

Celebrities who have taken part in the event before include Ben Stiller, Taylor Lautner, Josh Duhamel, Heather Locklear, Vanessa Williams, Marcia Cross, Jerry O’Connell, Aaron Carter, Karina Smirnoff, Denise Richards, Cheryl Hines, Michael Chiklis, Brooke Burke, Gilles Marini, Joely Fisher, Jim Belushi and more.

Celebrities Support Botox Expressions Of Kindness For Charity

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 11:30:00 +0000

To celebrate acts of kindness around the country, Allergan, Inc., the maker of BOTOX Cosmetic, has announced the “BOTOX Cosmetic My Expressions of Kindness” charitable campaign.

Allergan is asking everyone who is treated with BOTOX Cosmetic, or is considering talking to their physician about treatment, to post acts of kindness online to help raise up to a quarter of a million dollars for three deserving charities: Make It Right, Dress for Success and Children’s Action Network. The online fundraising campaign is being spearheaded by television personality, long-time volunteer and BOTOX Cosmetic advocate Didiayer Snyder, who is joined by fellow celebrities Vanessa Williams, best-selling author Vicki Iovine, Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen and five-time gold medalist Nadia Comaneci as campaign ambassadors.

People are asked to get involved and show their support by visiting the campaign Web site at ExpressKindnessCampaign.com to complete a “My Expressions of Kindness” profile. Upon completion, a $25 donation will be automatically generated and each person will have the opportunity to choose whether it will benefit Make It Right, Dress for Success or Children’s Action Network. The “My Expressions of Kindness” profiles completed by each of the campaign ambassadors who have pledged their support to one of the charity partners is also posted on the Web site. Other social media fundraising activities include Facebook and Twitter.

Hugh Jackman Leads Celebrity Charity Watch Auction

Thu, 13 May 2010 15:00:00 +0000

As reported by LookToTheStars.org earlier this week, Meryl Streep, Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg and Jay-Z have joint a host of legendary stars of stage and screen who have lent their signatures to Audemars Piguet timepieces to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

The event entitled “Time to Give” is an historic collaboration between renowned Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and the Tony Awards and will culminate in a live, invitation-only auction (conducted by Christie’s) and cocktail reception at New York’s Four Seasons Hotel on Monday, May 17th.

Stars Sign Luxury Watches For Celebrity Charity Auction

Mon, 10 May 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Now is your chance to get your hands on luxury – by wrapping watches signed by your favorite stars around your wrist for charity.

Stars such as Daniel Radcliffe, Hugh Jackman, Meryl Streep, Jay-Z and Vanessa Williams have signed luxury Audemars Piguet Swiss watches for a celebrity charity auction to raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, an industry-based organization that relies on the talents and generosity of the American Theatre community to raise money for AIDS-related causes in the United States.

Other stars who have signed watches for the auction include Catherine Zeta Jones, Jane Krakowski, Cyndi Lauper, John Lithgoe, Scarlett Johansson, Alan Cumming, Sienna Miller, Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris, Antonio Banderas, Cynthia Nixon and many more.

Charity Names Celebrity Mothers Who Make A Difference

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 12:00:00 +0000

Love Our Children USA has announced the recipients of the Fifth Annual Mothers Who Make A Difference Awards, which recognize and support mothers in the celebrity and entertainment industries for their balancing motherhood, work and causes around the world. Among this year’s winners are celebrity moms Julianna Margulies, Amanda Peet, Keri Russell, Meredith Vieira and Vanessa Williams.

These celebrity mothers take on vital issues around the globe, giving of themselves to better the lives of complete strangers and yet still find time to balance their work and the most difficult job of all – parenting!

Ross Ellis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Love Our Children USA said “For the fifth year we are delighted to honor and celebrate these selfless and caring women who contribute so much to their children, families, society and to various causes.”

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.

Ugly Betty To Highlight Malaria Issues

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

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

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.

Stars Want To Be Millionaires For Charity

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

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:

Join Bill Clinton For Vegan Lunch In Charity Auction

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

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.

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.

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.

Vanessa Williams Holds Charity Listening Party

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

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.

Vanessa Williams Supports An End To Violence Against Women

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

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.

Kristen Bell Attends Alzheimer's Event

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

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.

Celebrities Expected For Kirk Douglas Thanksgiving Meal

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

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

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.

10th Annual Design Care Event Attracts Celebrities

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

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.