Fundraisers like last night’s American Idol Gives Back special is an eye-opener that’s hard to ignore, especially if you’re a parent.
Watching the clips of children left fending for themselves in Africa because their caregivers — mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts and uncles — died due to being infected with AIDS leaves a scar imprinted on your heart.
Seeing the many millions of children living in poverty in the U.S. is more than touching — it’s heartbreaking.
It’s difficult to observe what’s happening millions of miles away from us, let alone what’s happening around us so close to home.
The two-and-a-half-hour long event started with the remaining Idol competitors singing Rihanna’s Don’t Stop The Music, accompanied by a number of professional dancers. They also sang Seasons Of Love later on in the show.
Stars from every aspect of the entertainment world were a part of the show — international talent and sports figures including NBA star Kobe Bryant, WWE’s Triple H, Billy Crystal, Bono, Annie Lennox, Keith Urban, Reese Witherspoon, Alicia Keys, Brad Pitt, Daughtry, Robin Williams, Dane Cook, Celine Dion, Kiefer Sutherland, and more.
Performers included Snoop Dog, Gloria Estefan, Heart, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Desperate Housewives’ Teri Hatcher, who sang Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats, and Fergie accompanied by John Legend to name a few.
By 8 p.m., with the help of the show’s sponsors, they had already reached just more than $15 million. And half an hour later they had nearly doubled that amount. The money raised is helping those in poverty all over the United States, and will also help AIDS programs in Africa.
Idol Gives Back raises awareness and funds to benefit the following six charities this year: The Children’s Defence Fund, Children’s Health Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More, and Save the Children.
Catch the results show tonight on American Idol on CTV at 8.
