Idol Gives Back to Children On the Gaza Strip

If you’ve been wondering where the money you contributed to American Idol’s Idol Give Back show went, wonder no more. Thousands of preschoolers in Mozambique will be starting school tomorrow, thanks to the funds raised from Idol Gives Back 2007. Those donation went to a grant from the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF) , that ultimately went to Save The Children to build the schools.

Ninety six schools in 42 communities opened in the five districts of the southern province of Gaza. Many of the children, who are between the ages of 3-5 years old have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS.

Idol Gives Back Review

by Deb Porter-Jones

Tonight’s show is actually not the elimination show as previously scheduled, but a special episode of American Idol Gives Back. The show is jam-packed, chock-full of awesome performances by some of this country’s best entertainers – past and present!

From teen sensations like Miley Cyrus, to rap legend Snoop Dogg and legendary comedian Billy Crystal, Idol hosted all of Hollywood tonight. The performances were memorable – Fergie performed with Heart, Charlie Wilson performed with Snoop, Gloria Estefan performed with drummer Sheila E, Mariah Carey performed with Randy Jackson on bass guitar. The level of talent that performed on the Idol stage multiplied tenfold tonight, all in an effort to draw attention to people who have much less than many of us.

The show’s focus was on the plight of children who live in poverty in the United States as well as Africa. The show’s stars visited New Orleans, New York and Kentucky, as well as several countries in Africa, highlighting the plight of these children, the lost children, the forgotten children.

We learned about children who die every 30 seconds in Africa from a totally-preventable illness called malaria. These children’s suffering could have been prevented with only a $10 mosquito net and a $2.00 pill. We learned about the brave children who are left behind when their adult parents are claimed by HIV/AIDS, left in the care of their elderly grandmother. This is a phenomenon that is virtually unheard of and goes against the tenets of the African customs. In Africa, parents are cared for by their children in their old age, not the other way around.

We learned about children and their parents who struggle to create some semblance of normalcy after hurricane Katrina wiped out everything they knew and loved. We watched while it was explained why these children and their families still to this day, three years later, have yet to return to a safe, clean and normal home. We witnessed the kindness and sincerity of mega-stars like Annie Lennox, Bono, Alicia Keys and Reese Witherspoon, who took the time to visit places like New Orleans and Africa to bring the stories of these children to life.

Idol Gives Back was not your average telethon (“beg-a-thon” is how I usually refer to them). It was a sweet and entertaining foray into the lives of people who have it harder than we do. It was hard to think about voting for a new American Idol after watching the suffering of so many people that could be helped by so little. If you were able to watch without giving last night, it’s not too late. Visit www.AmericanIdol.com or call 800-446-2534.

American Idol News Bites & Gossip

- According to an interview that Blake Lewis gave radio station WAPE in Jacksonville, Florida, Sanjaya Malakar was put through with his sister because they thought that it would be “cute” to have a brother and sister on. When, he was cut later on, they decided to give him another chance, expecting that he would be cut before making it to the actual show.

- Some ex-Idols have a bone to pick: Kelly Clarkson is upset that songs from her CD were leaked before the album was actually finished, and Carrie Underwood is annoyed when the media ask questions about her break up with Chace Crawford.

- David Archeleta’s voice coach calls in several times a day from Salt Lake City to take him through voice exercises. Is that cheating?

- Danny Noriega is working on his own YouTube channel. Why?

-There’s an article in USA Today about former Idol contestant Nikki McKibbin, who talks about her lastest album, and how she literally took a swing at reality tv diva Omarosa.

-Unlike last season, where they didn’t want the elimination of a contestant ruin the “feel good” vibe of Idol Gives Back, this week somebody’s going home.

- Always and forever a diva, Randy Jackson’s buddy Mariah Carey taped her Idol Gives Back segment rocking a blinging microphone.

- Clay Aiken’s new cd, On My Way Here is set to drop on May 6:

- And finally, Miley Cyrus admitted to OK! magazine that she has never seen American Idol:
“I think it’s something you have to really get into from the beginning and I just don’t have time!”
Yeah, because if you miss a show, you won’t have a clue why these people are singing. What does she think it is; LOST?
Miley will be performing on Idol Gives Back, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know why.

Ellen Drops Out of of Idols Gives Back

Unfortunately Ellen DeGeneres had to drop out of the special Idol Gives Back episode of American Idol that will be airing live this week. She cited a scheduling conflict as her reason.

No word yet on who, if anyone, will replace her as co-host. Maybe they will bring back first season co-host Brian Dunkleman. Oh, that’s right, he’s probably busy with his successful acting career.  If you count losing weight on Celebrity Fit Club Boot Club as acting.