Stars Raise $9 Million for Haiti in One Night
Credit: Bennett Raglin/WireImage.com; Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com
In a special two-hour broadcast on Monday night's Larry King Live, Hollywood stars helped raise nearly $9 million for Haitian relief efforts, a rep for the show tells UsMagazine.com.
Jennifer Lopez, Paula Abdul, John Mayer, Scarlett Johansson, Ryan Seacrest, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden and countless other stars participated in the event called Haiti: How You Can Help.
Take a look at more of Hollywood's most generous celebs
"To come here and see people call in from across the United States -- it was awesome," Lopez, who helped man the phones as viewers dialed in their donations to UNICEF and the American Red Cross, told Extra.
In addition to taking calls, the stars auctioned off some of their prized possessions.
Take a look at photos from today's top news stories
Actor Jared Leto beat out Seacrest in a bidding war over Larry King's suspenders -- and won them for $1000. In addition to the host, P Diddy auctioned off his sunglasses and Abdul brought a copy of the one-of-a-kind book, Michael Jackson OPUS.
"It was wonderful to raise so much money and quickly," Abdul told Extra. "It's just heartfelt."
Both the Red Cross -- which earned $5.6 million -- and UNICEF -- which brought in $3.2 million -- kept their phone banks open after the show to handle the influx in calls.
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19i wanted to give them my old clothing and shoes and blankets and stuff but no one wanted that. they only want money. moneymoneymoney. didja know only one percent of the money they raised actually went to where they said it was going? all those fools that gave all that money were SUCKERED. biggest scam around.
I don't care about any negative things anybody has to say about Haiti. If you don't want to give then shut up about who's giving. I just want to say thank you very very very much to anybody that has tried their best and even to those that doesn't have anything to give, just the thought help. I will definitely support those stars on their career. I LOVE YOU ALL.
So nice
Most of the money won't even make it to Haiti or the victims. there is NO oversight on donations. It's like throwing your money away.
Hoot Nanny, I'm sorry to hear about your husband but you can't get mad at people who want to help Haiti, if you have an issue with your health care than bring that up with your government not the celebs. At least they want to help and that's what matters because without people donating towards Haiti, than it wouldn't be able to be rebuild.
Sure. And how much of this money will actually go to the poor people of Haiti.
I love when celebs that make millions a year show their altruistic side by going to the working people that support their obscene salaries and ask for donations for a cause. If they are so concerned why dont they donate one years salary each. Most of them make more than most people will see in a lifetime and have $10m + in the bank. JLo 10X that. What a disgrace how the media applauds them.
alinla-Read my post again. Mr. Pitt stated he was going to live with his family in my home town. I live here, and I did not state he had not financed green houses. You need to read some books yourself, mainly those related to history. Those Americans who have labored in Haiti for decades, could write you books on giving. Do not set yourself up as the moral compass for everyone. Some of us know first hand what we are talking about. No one said do not give. If it takes your favorite "star" to get you to give, think about that.
Nicole's eyes look really pretty in this pic. Also, I like Selina's idea, they can give there...and we can give here :)
Comon - Brad Pitt's contributions in New Orleans have been tremendous. A friend was just down there and she sent pictures of 3-4 homes that the Make It Right organization he started, has built. I think they've completed 14-15 homes. While not everyone is wild by the architectural styling and there has been some backlash related to this, the Make It Right Foundation w/ Brad's goal to build 150 new homes is on track and they are making progress in their hopes to have them all completed in 2010. He was also just in New Orleans, this past weekend, to see the Saints beat the Cardinals in an NFL playoff game. You could not be more wrong. And what would you have us do related to Haiti? Nothing. Donating through the Red Cross and other organizations will ensure that aid, food, clothing and medical supplies reach those in need in the aftermath of the earthquake. It is these organizations that, after the news media dies down, will continue to provide assistance and supplies to the people of Haiti when it has fallen off most our radars that they still need help. You should research and read a little before you write about something that you clearly know little about.
HOOT NANNY, I'm sorry about your husband but just because people are trying to raise money for a catastrophe that struck a 3rd world country doesnt make people selfish or ignorant for temporarily turning away from domestic problems. Our economy is a freaking paradise compared to that of Haiti's...it really doesn't take a genius to recognize this. Haiti and its people need all the help they can get right now. I donated earlier today, and if you can donate and still wake up tomorrow morning, I suggest you do too.
How much of that is actually going to Haiti? The red cross, and many other organizations have a long history of using funds for "different" purposes..
I have never seen such camera hungry people taking advantage of a tragic situation. Oh wait! Brad Pitt was going to live forever among the great people in New Orleans. Haven't seen him since he put up the security fences to keep his "neighbors" safe. A billion dollars in the hands of corrupt politians(mayors, senators) still leaves the poor and ignorant, poor and ignorant.
How about raising money for people who cannot afford health care and our mortgages. My husband is bleeding out his rectum and I cannot afford to go to the Doctor. Charity begins at home.
I have a thought. when all is counted from around the world, there will be well over 1 billion dollars collected. What's going to happen with all that money? Last time we collected such a huge amount of money, things didn't get done. Remember New Orleans?
why dont the stars on the telethon each give 1 million to haiti instead of trying to get it out of the general public that is facing tough times right now?! food for thought
hey i want to donate, but the red cross and those other people pay how much to their people. do not trust them!
That is what viewers pledged, how much did they themselves donate? Andwould they miss a million, they could use the tax write off?
Wow, that is so nice, congrats to Jared Leto on winning Larry King's suspenders!