Sisters aren’t only doin’ it for themselves.
Singer Lady Gaga used her star power for good as the celebrity driving force behind this past weekend’s “One World: Together At Home” concert. The event, conducted entirely online, was a collaborative effort with international poverty nonprofit Global Citizen.
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Its purpose was to raise money for coronavirus crisis relief — and that it did. In all, the event pulled in $127.9 million in donations, to be split between the Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund and smaller contributions to local and regional responders around the globe.
Those who tuned in were treated to a star-studded show featuring over 70 famous figures, including performers like Lizzo, John Legend, Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones. And it was hosted by late-night television mainstays Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
This isn’t Lady Gaga’s first time using her influence to effect positive change — she has done significant work over the years on behalf of homeless individuals, members of the LGBTQ community and more.
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She also isn’t the only woman at the top of her field to make a difference in the fight against the novel coronavirus. Women leaders around the world — including from Taiwan, Iceland and New Zealand — have been lauded for their handling of the pandemic in their respective countries.
However, Lady Gaga may well be the first woman to organize a high-profile entertainment event in times of crisis. Similar events of this scale and reach have traditionally been coordinated by men — for example, Band Aid, which was organized by performer and activist Bob Geldof. But the success of Lady Gaga’s concert now has some wondering if she represents the future of such fundraising concerts.
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