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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This is not the venue for this kind of talk.
Yvonne seems to have this thing about soup kitchens. Why doesn't she start a chain of them sometime? Go cook up some Campbell's for these celebrities lady.
We should send the homeless in Los Angeles, New York, London, hell all of them to Haiti, for a new start at life!!
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well we made these stars rich.Ree-Ree looks fat now,she has big thights.Her hair look better straight.She looks like an ostrige.
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Why don't these so-called celebrities sing their songs, tell their jokes and dance their dances for the banks, politicians, and corporations that actually have the billions to fork over for aid, instead of shamelessly self-promoting themselves as saints to an American audience that is broke and going through one of the hardest economic times in American history????
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Hey Hamachi,
You sound like a giant whiner to me, and yes, I have worked at homeless shelters, cared for homeless people, and just have advice for you. Change the channel and watch something else.
Wow... you have worked at homeless shelters and there are still homeless people??? Hmmm... I pay hefty taxes, work 72 hours a week and provide jobs so that people can have homes and health care. Take your meds, and feel happy about yourself.
Any body remember Hurricane Ike? Who the hell came to help? I will give to no one since then. Those people needed help too, and no one came..But mention Katrina, ahhhh different story, they are probably still bleeding the system.....
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If you would be better informed you would know that countries like the Netherlands, France, Germany have send help, donations, supplies etc for every large disaster: Andrew, Katrina, etc and now they send it also to Haiti.
Prove it Yvonne.
With your spelling and grammar I doubt you could make it as
as a janitor; here or in a third world country.
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I think this is great....However....I don't understand why these people don't do something like this on a Regular basis for the people who could use help in This Country?!!!
I'm guessing the people of New Orleans are wondering the same.
Just wondering...
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BY VICTORIA
PEANUT YOU PRETTY MUCH COVERED IT. BUT LETS NOT BE SUCH HATERS!! PRAY FOR HAITI, AND LET'S TAKE CARE OF OUR COUNTRY FIRST WE ARE REALLY IN BAD SHAPE.
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why are they putting this on all the major networks? One network woul be plenty. They aew screwing uo my Friday night programming!!
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I agree that we should take care of our own American citizens first, but Americans have always stepped up to the plate when there is crisis, no matter where it is.
As for this concert, I think Andrea Bocelli was the first to ask people to help in some way. Wish he were going to perform. Then I might actually watch.
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Help Haiti if you have the means but screw this joke of a telethon and Clooney tonight...
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I have lived through 2 hurricanes in Florida and numerous blizzards and tornados in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The RED CROSS and SALVATION ARMY were there every time. They didn't have a telethon to raise money. Please keep giving to these 2 icons of help.
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So when are all these "stars" going to put on something like this for the farmers in the upper midwest who lost everything due to floods last fall, hmmmm? Oh yeah, I forget: they're mostly white people that tend to vote Republican, so Hollyweird doesn't think they're deserving of any assistance.
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Have you seriously never heard of Farm Aid? they do one every single year. Plus, I live in the upper midwest- I know for a fact that FEMA helped almost everyone out and people continue to get help. They just released even MORE rebuilding money last week.
All the millionaires should give their money and not ask the regular normal people who earn a living. What a slap in the face when they have more money than they know what to do with what an insult,when some of us don't know what were going to eat or sleeping. DIGUSTING1
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