Huge Stars Rally For 'Hope For Haiti Now'
Dedicated stars took up the Hope For Haiti Now cause on Friday night to earn money for the earthquake relief fund. Alicia Keys opened the show at her piano, singing 'Prelude to a Kiss.'
"Why? That's the question so many of are you asking," George Clooney said as he took the stage to introduce his telethon. "Why should you give more? ... At the core of every religion is that we care for one another and that we take care of each other, especially in time of need. The Haitian people need our help. They need to know that they are not alone."
Music Coverage After the Jump
After Clooney, Coldplay performed their song, 'A Message.'
Halle Berry then shared the story of a young boy who survived being trapped in a house all by himself for eight days due to the earthquake.
"He had no one to comfort him, no one to tell him that they loved him and no one to tell him that things were actually going to be all right," the actress described.
Next up -- Bruce Springsteen played a rendition of 'We Shall Overcome.'
Among the stars manning the telephones were Jewel, Tobey Maguire, Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins, Ben Affleck, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, and Anna Kendrick. They continued to take calls throughout the night -- some of which were highlighted during the show.
Watch Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris: 'Hallelujah' and
See All the Night's Best Performances >>>
Broadcasting from Haiti, Anderson Cooper appeared with a special report.
Following the CNN anchor, Leonardo DiCaprio read an entry from Dr. Mark Hyman's journal. The doctor is working in Haiti under the extreme conditions to help as many patients as he and his team can.
'Bridge Over Troubled Water' was Stevie Wonder's choice for a tribute.
Wyclef Jean told of his journey to Haiti last week, and even added words in Creole.
"To tell you the truth, I'm not no news reporter, so I was not there to take the news. I was looking at my country go through so much trauma. I was there to clear away concrete and pull my friends from the rubble," he explained solemnly.
An emotional Shakira belted out 'I'll Stand by You' in support of the cause.
Back with Anderson Cooper, he introduced the director of a Haitian orphanage whose children are sleeping outside.
A segment on orphaned Haitian children showed their struggles in the troubled country.
Fittingly, afterward, John Legend played the traditional spiritual, 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child.'
"The grief is everywhere we look. Now the challenge is ours to take the grief and transform it into real and lasting help for Haiti. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians lived through this nightmare ... They want to rebuild their country and with your help, they will. The people of Haiti are listening tonight, what will they hear?" 'Daily Show' mastermind Jon Stewart said, before Mary J. Blige sang for the telecast.
"We want you to give. We want you to give so we can all come together and help Haiti rise from the ruins," Samuel L. Jackson implored.
Taylor Swift and Christina Aguliera added their talents by performing.
At the phones, Julia Roberts talked to a mother who donated in honor of her young boys.
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'Hope For Haiti Now' Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, actor Leonardo Dicaprio works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Davis/Hope for Haiti Now)
AP
Hope for Haiti Now
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, actor Leonardo Dicaprio works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Davis/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, actor Leonardo Dicaprio works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Davis/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, actor Leonardo Dicaprio works the phone bank at the "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark Davis/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Mary J. Blige performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Mary J. Blige performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Mary J. Blige performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
In this image released by Hope for Haiti Now, Mary J. Blige performs at "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief", on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini/Hope for Haiti Now)
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: In this handout photo provided by MTV, actor Jared Leto at the Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief telethon on January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/MTV Hope for Haiti Now via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jared Leto
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: In this handout photo provided by MTV, actress Rose McGowan at the Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief telethon on January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/MTV Hope for Haiti Now via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rose McGowan
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 22: In this handout photo provided by MTV, singer Justin Timberlake (L) and actor Bradley Cooper at the Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief telethon on January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/MTV Hope for Haiti Now via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Justin Timberlake;Bradley Cooper
Hope For Haiti Now Snapshots
A bearded Robert Pattinson in London spoke of the technology connecting us to the tragedy, prior to Sting's performance in New York with The Roots.
Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood appeared together to appeal for help and donations. In another pairing, Chris Martin accompanied Beyonce on the piano as she sang 'Halo.'
"Do what you can, give what you can. They need you," Morgan Freeman urged.
The trio of Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow and Keith Urban harmonized to 'Lean on Me.'
President Bill Clinton spoke from New York. "I'm very grateful that our Clinton/Bush Haiti fund will be one of the recipients of the fundraiser tonight. Through our fund, we'll focus on helping the Haitian people build back a stronger nation."
Madonna was up next with 'Like a Prayer,' supported by a gospel choir in the background.
"Here's something you might not know. In Haiti, the kids go to school in the afternoons. That means at 4:53 PM last Tuesday, the elementary schools and high schools were packed with kids. They were in their classrooms, sitting at their desks, walking to the blackboard or opening a book when everything crashed down around them," Ben Stiller described the destruction during his turn on the broadcast.
Other musical interludes included Justin Timberlake and Matt Morris taking on 'Hallelujah' and Jennifer Hudson's huge voice on 'Let It Be.'
"It just kind of fit for the telethon, so hopefully you guys download it on iTunes," Timberlake explained of his song choice.
Brad Pitt used his star power to ask for people's help and introduce Haitian artist, Emily Michelle.
In Los Angeles, Tom Hanks shared the story of a brother's search for his sister, and in London, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Bono and The Edge performed together. "This song is really important, because lyrically it's really deep," Rihanna said after the show of the original work.
Then, Julia Roberts talked of a mother's strength for her trapped child. Neil Young and Dave Matthews followed the actress.
"Even in these trying times, none of us can afford to lose hope. As Dr. MLK jr once said, if you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving. You lose that courage to be, the quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. It took seconds to tear down so much, it will take years to build back something better. It will be a struggle, it will take patience, but we are ready to do this -- not for, but with the Haitian people," Denzel Washington said.
"Let us all pledge to do what we can, what we must, to help bring hope for Haiti now," he finished.
Wyclef Jean ended the night back on stage, singing for Haiti.
"I was fortunate enough to be asked by Mr. Clooney to assist this evening. It was my pleasure to do so. This is where everybody's priority is," Drew Barrymore said about her participation when the show ended.
'Hope For Haiti Now' was broadcast in Haiti, too. A 23-year-old survivor was even able to translate it in it's entirety into Creole.
"I hope we made some money out of this. The only way to make this a success is to make a considerable amount of money," Clooney told MTV after the event.
People can purchase the night's musical performances for 99 cents each through iTunes starting Saturday. All proceeds will go to Haiti relief.
The funds raised from the telethon will be donated to several organizations, including UNICEF, Oxfam America and Partners in Health.
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AMEN....May Peace be with you.
you are so right jim.
Wow Jim,
I can't believe you're still riding that bandwagon. Please understand that the survivors of Hurricane Katrina have received billions of dollars from our government, among others. Now, where did all of that money go? Some has gotten to where it needs to be, but the rest? Hmmm.
A HUGE, HUGE AMEN TO THAT!!!
amen!!!!! we here in this great country(well i thought it was)we need help, but why is it that we do not help our fellow americans first?
PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER IS WHAT YOU NEED. WE ARE ALL THE SAME KIND OF PEOPLE, NO MATTER WHAT COUNTRY YOU'RE IN. DONT WORRY ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
I WONDER WHO WAS THE PRESIDENT WHEN kATRINA DIASTER HAPPENED ???
I agree !!
go back to your history book and you'll see that haiti helped the usa fighting for its independance
I agree that giving begins at home and I do my best but to bash people for their charitable desires is stupid. The stars have a right to donate to whom ever they please, as far as America if we as a people reach out to one another and help, and demand an account of all the money that was given to katrina perhaps help will be noticeable.
george, your a prick, jerk, Why down the President? he is trying, as for not listening to their Music, whoever you are referring to, or is it the entirer lineup for tonight, I really don't think they will miss you,
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This is to George. If you are an example of a typical American Republican, this country is in the s... hole
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I just hope that these celebrities give money, and not just their time.
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This is to George: are you aware (probably not) that it is considered in poor form to use all capitals? Did you go to high school? Better yet, did you graduate?
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I think instead of bashing how someone types we should concentrate on the issue at hand. this is the internet not english class.
Even so it appears at least on the surface that these Stars have good intentions, when in reality it is only a Publicity Stunt to get their Names on the front page of leading News Papers.Sad.
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Time for all of these millionaires to lead by example; talk about how much they gave and then ask the rest of us to join
them. The real fear with Haiti is that it will be a black hole of need and dispair for years. Look at the example of those
six students and two hundred foreigners who were in the collapsed hotel; not a single bit of help for them. Family memebers ignored by this administration; they owe the families to at least search to see if anyone is alive. Help for everyone but our citizens
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I understand it is frustrating when you don't know what is going on, but there are rescuers trying to find people in that specific hotel working for days.
If you do not believe it, go over and check for yourself.
And for the celebrities. All of them George Cloney and lots his friends and co-stars have spend millions and worked very hard rebuilding New Orleans, but maybe you already forgot about that
Typical liberal do-gooders. They want you to spend your hard earned money when they are sitting on millions in the bank. Besides, BILLIONS have already been spent in Haiti and look what it has done. Nothing!
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I like that phrase...typical liberal do-gooders!!!! It justifies my reply phrase of typical selfish con evil doers.