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Celebrities Rally For World AIDS Day

Did you know today is World AIDS Day? Since 1988 the first day in December has been set aside to unite efforts worldwide in the fight against HIV and AIDS. Statistics show that around 40 million people are living with HIV throughout the world – and that number increases in every region every day. Even more startling, in the first 10 months of 2006, some 4.3 million people became newly infected with the virus and around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. … Continue reading →

Ashley Judd Joins War On AIDS

When you hear the words “AIDS,” “Africa,” and “celebrity,” do you instantly think of Oprah and U2’s Bono. I do. And for good reason. The mega-stars have been heavy hitters in the battle against the disease raising millions of dollars to offer relief to residents living in communities that have been ravaged by the disease. But, now the talk show queen and the Irish rocker can add a new celebrity do-gooder to their list of soldiers: Ashley Judd. Despite having a new film in theaters (“Come Early Morning”) and another on the way (“Bug,” due in early 2007) –it’s Judd’s … Continue reading →

Bono and George Michael Break Records

The popular musicians are back in the headlines again, though not exactly for the same reasons. Per usual, Bono is garnering attention for his philanthropic deeds, which broke records last week. Thanks to his famous pals the U2 frontman was able to raise more than $42 million in an art auction to benefit the Global Fund of the United Nations Foundation, which works to fight AIDS in Africa. The event took place on Valentine’s Day (apropos considering the cash went to benefit Bono’s RED charity) at Sotheby’s on New York’s Upper East Side and brought out everyone from Martha Stewart … Continue reading →

Celebrities Go Global

Talk show host Craig Ferguson knows how to get laughs the world over, but now the Scottish-born comedian says he wants to concentrate on making American audiences chuckle and he has just the plan to do so. Never mind that the guy already has a nightly late night TV talk show, the “Late Late Show” host says he wants to show his commitment to American audiences by becoming an official U.S. citizen. Ferguson recently announced that he got a perfect score on his citizenship test, taken late last week in Los Angeles. According to the late night chatter, he will … Continue reading →

Bono—-One Step Closer To The Nobel Peace Prize?

It’s hard to believe that one day soon I could say that I spent time with a Nobel Peace Prize winner. It could happen if U2’s Bono gets the honor. Okay, it’s not like I spent the day on his private yacht or anything… Actually, now that I think about it we didn’t even shake hands, but we did exchange smiles, and I swear, if it weren’t for his security personnel, our hands would have touched. Heck, if it weren’t for his security personnel I would probably still have his autograph preserved on whatever article of clothing I was wearing … Continue reading →

Pop Culture Potpourri: Checkered Flags and Checkered Pasts

CHECKERED FLAGS I couldn’t be happier for actress Ashley Judd today. Her husband, racecar driver Dario Franchitti (also known in the tabloids as Mr. Ashley Judd) won the 91st edition of the Indy 500 yesterday. Judd was there cheering him on the entire time, but the moment that remains with me is the shot of her soaking wet in her flowery summer dress hurling herself over the pit wall and dashing towards her dear hubby. The couple has been married for six years now, though I still don’t understand how they ended up together. They seem like such an unlikely … Continue reading →

Mario Lopez Lands the Miss America Gig

I never paid that much attention to Mario Lopez until I watched “Dancing with the Stars” last season. I was a little too old to have grown up with “Saved by the Bell” and really did not notice anything else he had done. But, I became a fan after seeing him and partner Karina go to the Dancing finals. Now, Mario has landed another job. He told the Associated Press today that he would be the new host of the Miss America pageant. The pageant will be held on January 29th live from the Aladdin Resort and Casino in Las … Continue reading →

Celebrity Activists Go “Red” and “Green”

While Oprah and Bono paint the town red with their “Product Red” initiative to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa, hip-hop and fashion mogul Russell Simmons announced he’s going green to raise green for the development and empowerment of Africans. Simmons unveiled his “Green Initiative” jewelry to reporters at a news conference yesterday. According to the 49-year-old musician-turned-entrepreneur, 25% of proceeds from sales will go toward the Diamond Empowerment Fund, which “will support institutions, like schools and colleges, in South Africa and Botswana and help boost economic development.” So why is Simmons who is well known for his popular … Continue reading →

Rock Star’s Global Effort To Help The Poor

By now you are probably familiar with the efforts Irish rocker Bono has made to boost aid to Africa. He’s recruited the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Ashley Judd, Penelope Cruz, Matt Damon, Edward Burns, Christy Turlington, and many other members of Hollywood’s A-list, but it seems that’s not enough for the rock star turned anti-poverty activist. Now Bono is calling on world leaders to lend a hand to people of developing countries. According to news reports, Bono spent a good part of Wednesday urging Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to keep his nation’s pledge to aid Africa and other parts … Continue reading →