![Photo of Kiana George](https://scotscoop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Profile-pic-template-3-475x317.jpg)
Twitter: @KianaGe5245146
May 3, 2020
Every day now, people fear becoming ill and losing their own or a loved one’s life to COVID-19. As the pandemic sweeps across the globe, we’re consumed by unsettling questions and the constant thought of whether we are going to make it out alive or not. With the world in a state of uncertainty, people desperately cling to glimmers of hope, which is why celebrities are stepping up to help.
Celebrities ranging from NBA all-stars to multi-millionaire singers are using their talents and finances to contribute to others in this time of turmoil. With their vast amounts of money and growing social media platforms, celebrities are spreading positivity across the nation.
After concerts and musical events were canceled due to COVID-19, several singers turned to social media and began hosting free online shows. For example, Chris Martin live-streamed himself playing music on Coldplay’s Instagram account to entertain audiences. Martin even played “Green Eyes,” which hasn’t been played at any recent concert.
Among other performers, John Legend hosted an at-home concert to provide entertainment for people facing boredom from quarantine. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Legend told his viewers that “as entertainers, we want to entertain you guys, and we want to help everybody get through this.”
Some celebrities are combining forces with media companies to help the community during this time. On March 29, iHeart and Elton John teamed up to create a commercial-free iHeart Living Room Concert for America that streamed on Fox.
The concert featured Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Camilla Cabello, The Backstreet Boys, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Alicia Keys, Ellen DeGeneres, Lady Gaga, Melissa McCarthy, and many more. The singers used their phones and personal audio equipment to perform, and the other celebrities contributed messages of love and positivity. The audience was also strongly encouraged to donate to Feeding America and First Responders Children’s Foundation, which the concert raised $10 million to help with the coronavirus outbreak.
On April 18, the World Health Organization (WHO) live-streamed “One World: Together At Home,” featuring some of the nation’s favorite singers and comedians. The show was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, and Stephen Colbert, who were all accompanied by 24 other celebs.
“Through music, entertainment, and impact, the global live-cast will celebrate those who risk their health to safeguard everyone else’s,” said Hugh Evans, the co-founder of Global Citizen.
Other celebrities such as Melissa Jefferson — also known as Lizzo — and Chris Hemsworth are watching out for the public’s mental health by hosting online meditative activities. Lizzo has been hosting an online mass meditation in which she plays the flute, lights incense, and displays soothing crystals.
In one of her videos, Lizzo explained that she wanted to help relieve people’s fears related to COVID-19. Her belief is that fear spreads hatred, negative energy, and ultimately the disease. She feels that through meditating, we have the power to eliminate this fear and transform it into love.
During the meditation, Lizzo calmed her viewers and said, “I wanted to take the time today to do a mass meditation. We’re going to come together and take deep breaths, and we’re going to join in agreement, and we’re going to try to eliminate the fear as much as we can as we work together during this trying time.”
Similarly, Chris Hemsworth, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel movies, began introducing free guided meditations through his fitness app, Centr. Hemsworth said that this would help families who are like him and struggling to take care of their kids during this time. Hemsworth believes that this will help parents keep their kids busy and help kids relieve any built-up stress.
Some of the meditations are specifically for children, which include practicing sleep visualizations and positive thoughts. Hemsworth said it is hugely beneficial for his kids and kids around the world to do this.
“The meditations calmed them down ’cause kids, you know, have anxiety and stress, all of that, like us and probably more so because they don’t understand it, and it’s difficult for us to explain to them,” Hemsworth said.
Twitter: @KianaGe5245146