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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Danced? People were helping each other out of fear and humanity.
Judging by your spelling and grammar, it's obvious you row with one oar in the water. Thus, I can understand how you could express such nonsense.
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jim, when that happen to Louisiana Obama wasnt president at was good ole brush with a small 'b'. thank you!
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I was a Katrina victim, with about 10 ft of water in my house. Yes Bush was President at the time and it did take a very long time to get any help. I am now retired with a big mortgage still on the house which I cannot pay, and just waiting for a foreclosure whenever since repaired, but think I would have drowned with Obama in the White House. Either way sinking. But Obama is in debt in one year further than it took Bush for 8 years. Has he furfilled any of your promises yet?
In the past BILLIONS of dollars (that's with a 'B') have been sent to Haiti. Already there have been several hundred million dollars raised since the earthquake for them and we're asked to give even more. I know they need help, but how much money do they need?? When will it ever end....if at all.
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To me, all I think is that they should at least have enough for FOOD and WATER things that help them SURVIVE! People always say you need to know if you can support yourself before you give to others. My family always tell me that and it's something America is not doing! Sometimes I wonder if there's ANY country willing to help us in our times of need AT ALL. For example, 9/11, it was just us working while other countries did NOTHING to help us! Right now, we're having trouble with money, so why in the world are we giving away more than enough when we hardly have enough to support ourselves?
You people are all going to hell.
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Then we'll see you there.
Hamachi, you are an idiot, Haiti doesn't have any money.
WTF does that mean? Hamachi means yellow tail snapper in Japanese, not Haitian.
P.P.S. and tell the stupid celebrities to beg to China instead, because they have a 1.7 trillion dollar SURPLUS from last year, selling American Happy Meal toys to us.
WHERE ARE ALL THE DO GOODERS THAT HAVE MILLIONS LIKE GEORGE CLOONEY ETC. WHEN WE AMERICANS NEED HELP LIKE BIG TIME. WE'RE RETIRED,WE LIVE FROM MONTH TO MONTH, WE OWN OUR HOMES,OLD CARS, AND EAT ALOT OF CHICKEN. WHY NOT HELP US OUT SEEING AS OBAMA DESIDED WE DIDN'T NEED A COST OF LIVING INCREASE,ALTHOUGH EVERYHTING IS SKY HIGH AND PROGRESS ENERGY HAS GOTTEN A HUGE INCREASE! WE NOW HAVE TO DECIDE IF WE WANT TO STAY COLD OR HOT OR EAT. AS FOR GEORGE BUSH SAY WHAT YOU WANT,HE HELPED US HE DIDN'T TAKE AWAY FORM US AND FOR YRS. MY HUSBAND PAID A HUGE AMOUNT IN TO S.S. AND TAXES. WE RAISED 4 CHILDREN WITHOUT INS. B/C WE COULDN'T AFFORD IT. SO YOU OBAMA LOVERS AND KISS MY ASS!
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smoooches!!!lol
At least you have the house, the car and the chicken. Did you see any of that in any poor country,e specially in Haiti?
Maybe should be grateful for what you have!
If you are going to sit there and praise George W Bush you are more of an idiot than you sound like. Where were you for 8 years while he was sitting there like an idiot with his thumb up his butt?????
I am just wondering how much did all of you give to Katrina efforts, how much do you give now? When is the last time you helped a homeless person? How many soup kitchens are you working in? In this country there are shelters, there is water, there is food. You who preach to help our 'own' are the same people who, no doubt, are fighting against health care reform, or any other legislation to 'help our own'. Put your money where your mouth is. Dirt poor? Me thinks not, how many Haitians do you figure are on line right now?????
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HOW MANY OF THESE PEOPLE WOULD DO THIS TO HELP THE PEOPLE STARVING AND HOMELESS IN THIS COUNTRY?????????????????????
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How many homeless people have you help in this country????????idiot..lol
What have you done to help the homeless here? Volunteered lately in the soup kitchen?
You claim to work in a soup kitchen Yvonne? I sincerely doubt it. You seem more like a troublemaker, and whiner than anything else.