Rihanna To Light Up New York For UNICEF

Grammy Award-winning singer Rihanna and Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini will light the UNICEF Snowflake at the Grand Army Plaza in New York City today, November 19.

R&B artist Ne-Yo will perform live during the ceremony before Rihanna and Frida flip the switch to illuminate the huge Snowflake, which measures 23 feet in diameter, 28 feet in height, and weighs 3,300 pounds. Adorned with 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms, the snowflake has become an iconic fixture during the holiday season as a reminder of UNICEF’s commitment to do whatever it takes to save a child.

“We are thrilled to have Rihanna take part in the lighting ceremony in New York City,” said Caryl Stern, President and Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “She has tremendous enthusiasm for helping those in need and is the ideal person for spreading the UNICEF Snowflake’s message of hope, peace, and compassion for children around the world.”

Also attending the UNICEF Snowflake will be Sesame Street Muppet and UNICEF’s global “Champion for Children” Kami, a five-year old, HIV-positive Muppet who appears regularly on the South African co-production of Sesame Street called Takalani Sesame. Kami teaches children about literacy, respect and understanding, and also helps promote age-appropriate messages concerning HIV/AIDS.

Following the lighting ceremony, the Gucci 5th Avenue flagship store will hold a cocktail party to celebrate the launch of the 4th annual Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF. This year, Frida Giannini has designed a special white version of the Tattoo Heart Collection and will donate 25 percent of sales to support education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Los Angeles Snowflake will be lit up by Nicole Richie and Joel Madden on Saturday, November 22.