Today I found a wonderful article on abcNews. This article talks about celebrity charity activists and how they serve their charities. Enjoy!!
Paris to Rwanda: Socialite Becomes Latest Star Hitched to Charity
How Involved Are Celebrity Charity Activists, and Do They Have Ulterior Motives?
By BLAIR SODEN
Oct. 19, 2007 —
The pictures are everywhere -- celebrities dressed down in earth-tone T-shirts and jeans, covered in dirt and looking incredibly out of place among a group of villagers in some Third-World country; it's a far cry from the red carpet.
Now Paris Hilton says she, too, is jumping on the humanitarian aid bandwagon as she plans her upcoming trip to Rwanda. Some are questioning Hilton's motives for linking up with a humanitarian aid organization, wondering if she's only doing it in effort to revive her tarnished reputation, or if she is truly involved in the charity Playing for Good's cause.
Hilton's recent entrance into the world of charitable giving raises the question: Are celebrities lending more than just their names to a cause, or is it all about the photo-op?
Celebs and Causes Go Way Back
Celebrities' association with humanitarian aid organizations is nothing new. Danny Kaye was one of the first actors to join a charitable organization when he was named a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) in 1954. The comedian paved the way for other entertainers, among them Audrey Hepburn, Sarah Jessica Parker, David Beckham and Clay Aiken.
While Unicef was one of the first international aid programs, as need spread throughout the world other organizations started popping up, adding to the list of charitable celebrities.
Now organizations are even being established by celebrities. In 2006, actor Don Cheadle founded the Enough project with human rights activist John Prendergast.
Prendergast said the celebrity attachment is an integral part of his organization.
"Celebrities are like major recruiters to the humanitarian cause," said Prendergast. "They certainly increase the number of people and donors interested in the cause."
Lisa Szarkowski, who heads the ambassador program for Unicef agreed.
"Celebrities have the ear and attention of the public," said Szarkowski. "They tend to command more attention than talking heads from our organization."
Attention that leads to big bucks. Aiken asked fans to donate money to Unicef to help the children in Lebanon and raised more than $75,000 in 24 hours.
So getting involved in causes may help celebrities draw attention to a specific need in some other part of the world as well as get their names in the spotlight -- but just how involved are they?
How Do Celebrities Get Involved?
It's not easy to be selected as a Unicef ambassador. The group sets high standards for celebrities to live up to.
"In terms of becoming an ambassador, it's definitely a process," said Szarkowski. "We like to work with people who are committed to the cause and the mission and to align themselves with us for the long term."
Aiken made the cut when he was named a Unicef ambassador in 2004. The organization approached Aiken after hearing of his involvement with his own charity, the Bubel/Aiken foundation that helps young people with special needs.
Aiken said he felt obligated to help those in need.
"One of the most important responsibilities that you have if you're answering to the public is that you try to use that position in a way that serves the people you're trying to entertain," said Aiken. "I think you have a responsibility when you realize you have kids watching you. ... You can set an example to have kids doing drugs, or you can set an example to have kids helping their communities or their world."
Preparing for a Trip
Despite some common misconceptions, celebrity representatives don't just jet set off for a photo-op; they prepare for months before taking a trip.
"We prepare them pretty well," said Szarkowski. "People don't become ambassadors or supporters of ours unless they go through a process of learning about us and engaging with us."
Celebrities sit through classes to learn about Unicef and all the various issues that threaten children's survival around the world.
"We study as much as we possibly can before we go," said Aiken. "And I study after I go, because I want to be an expert on it. I think it's a disservice to the country you're going to and the children you're trying to help if you don't know what's going on and can't speak knowledgably about your experience.'
Aiken said the preparation is necessary in order to meet with health ministers and other officials on these trips.
"It wouldn't behoove anyone if we just went in to take pictures and came back," said Aiken. "The goal of all these visits and the reason we sit through extremely long sessions sometimes is so when we come back we know what we're talking about."
What Really Happens on Field Visits
Aiken didn't know what to expect during his first visit to Uganda. He walked into the minimalist community center, where he expected nobody to know his name. Suddenly, he was greeted with bows from the crowd.
"When we walked in, they kept calling me your excellency," laughed Aiken. "I think both visits we've been on there have been misconceptions about how important I am."
All joking aside, no matter how famous -- or infamous -- a celebrity is, celebrity support is essential.
But with so many problem areas across the globe, how do celebrities decide which country they want to visit? For most, the decision is made based on where the greatest need is at that time.
"The celebrities we work with want to go where they can be most helpful," said Szarkowski. "We're fortunate to have that caliber of people who basically say to us, 'Tell me where you want me to go.'"
In her eight years at Unicef, she said she's never had a celebrity refuse to go where they were asked to go. And the places they're asked to go certainly don't come with luxe accommodations.
"It's usually a tent somewhere.That's our standard accommodation," said Szarkowski.
Aiken and others pay their own way when they travel on behalf of Unicef. However, once they reach their destination, they don't have the need for many expenses. Most nights they're sleeping in tents on the ground.
In addition to the bare bones travel accommodations, celebrities must cope with extremely dangerous situations. In order to avoid conflict, Prendergast said every minute detail of the trip must be mapped out.
"These trips have to be planned very well to ensure maximum impact and security," said Prendergast.
Security is something Hilton has expressed concern about regarding her upcoming trip, which has some people questioning her motivations.
"I'm scared, yeah. I've heard it's really dangerous," she said. "I've never been on a trip like this before."
All Attention Is Good Attention
Hilton will be filming scenes for her new reality TV show while she's in Rwanda, which has left some questioning the genuineness of her visit. But not everyone is upset about celebrities like Hilton lending their name to causes without much further involvement, if that is so in her case.
"I wouldn't judge people for what their motivations are," said Szarkowski. "We need everyone with a voice to help us get behind that and change that reality."
But, Aiken cautions, a focus on one organization or charity is important to the public.
"I get requests from every organization to come and do this or that," said Aiken. "It's not that I don't have a passion for kids with cancer, because I do. I feel like you can dilute your message if you talk about too many things."
While it remains to be seen how involved Hilton will be with her organization of choice, one celebrity who no doubt has stolen the humanitarian aid spotlight is in it for all the right reasons, according to Aiken.
"I look to Angelina Jolie as a prime example of someone who is doing an amazing job," said Aiken. "She really has a passion and she goes in and makes a point to educate herself about what's going on and that's the only way to do it."
Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/Story?id=3748792&page=1
Friday, October 19, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Clay Aiken and Tyra Banks
Clay Aiken has made some wonderful friends. I wonder why the press has refused to recognize that Clay Aiken lunches with beautiful available women. Here is a link to a great blog that shows Clay Aiken likes the company of female companions.
http://www.flippinbirds.com/blog
http://www.flippinbirds.com/blog
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Clay Aiken's Stalker's Big Fat Lie
Despite his assertions that he never filed bankruptcy and never defaulted on his debts, these documents prove otherwise.
Please notice the signature on the second page of the official bankruptcy petition and compare it to the signature on the mortgage Paulus signed on property he used to own in Ft. Lauderdale (which will be the subject of a future blog). The signature on the mortgage was notarized, leaving no doubt that Paulus signed it himself. There is no doubt that the signatures on both documents are identical.
There are no "court papers which fixed it." This was a legitimate bankruptcy, signed and filed by Paulus to discharge all his debts. The case proceeded through the bankruptcy system in an orderly fashion and was concluded with a Discharge of Debtor signed by the bankruptcy judge:
Stay tuned for Part 2.
"Listen if there was any information on me that was legitimate it would be on every Claymate operated blog before it could be verified. That's not moth balls your smelling, that's Claymate desperation.John Paulus Homepage 10.07.07 -11:22 pm #"Posted by John Paulus in a comment on his blog Naked Truth.Since you asked . . . .Here it is. This is the first in a series where we will reveal legitimate information Paulus contends does not exist.He posted in a comment on Naked Truth on June 15, 2006:
John Paulus said...Hi I am back. I was away for awhile and then I was toldthat someone was using my screen name on another blog. These games these people play. The lastest is the posting of my alleged bankruptcy. I thought that I had address that a few months ago and spoke about being a victim of identity theft by a soldier in my unit by the name of Anthony Harrison? They won't post the court papers which fixed it. I will let them play. I have those papers in a box and when I can I just might post those to make them feel stupid again. 12:42 AMHe alleges that someone by the name of Anthony Harrison stole his identity and filed bankruptcy in his name, presumably forging his name and appearing on his behalf in court. Paulus claims that he filed court papers to fix it. Really? Let's examine the real court papers. Below is his bankruptcy petition:Click on images to enlarge.
Please notice the signature on the second page of the official bankruptcy petition and compare it to the signature on the mortgage Paulus signed on property he used to own in Ft. Lauderdale (which will be the subject of a future blog). The signature on the mortgage was notarized, leaving no doubt that Paulus signed it himself. There is no doubt that the signatures on both documents are identical.
There are no "court papers which fixed it." This was a legitimate bankruptcy, signed and filed by Paulus to discharge all his debts. The case proceeded through the bankruptcy system in an orderly fashion and was concluded with a Discharge of Debtor signed by the bankruptcy judge:
Stay tuned for Part 2.Monday, October 8, 2007
Clay Aiken's Stalker's Recant
In a recent article published by a tabloid journal it was claimed that John Paulus never recanted his story about Clay Aiken. This is absolutely untrue. In the spirit of fair and complete journalistic reporting I am presenting proof that John Paulus actually did recant his fable about Clay Aiken:
http://www.theclayaikenblog.wordpress.com/
I'd be willing to have a press conference admitting that this was all a lie and that Clay and I never met nor did he ever solicit me for sex and that as far as I know he is straight.
Are you saying Clay is not gay? And the evidence they had, was that Clay with a man or a woman? And where did you get your inside information? Like before going on GMA in Sept. that he was on meds?When we started the blog there were people who disliked Clay's saying that LA had rotting guts and they were willing to share information on Clay. Clay pissed off some powerful people by not playing ball.
Percocet is just a numb front person. It's the others on there that are behind this whole thing. When I had my blog I would occassionally post and that's why you say different styles and why it appeared on was on all night. There are a group of 8 people. I was recuited back in July of 2005 from bigmuscle.com. They saw me there and that I was muscular, attractive, and from NC. and persuaded me to help them. So we worked out this scheme over 6 months and put it into place going over ever detail. I even took 3 prior lie detector test so that I could pass one by any media that gave me one.
Oh what about the cumrag? Used a prop.
And the cell phone calls? They were calls made by "haters" to my phone.
And the hotel room? There was really a room 207 and I really did check in and I did walk with someone into the room.
So who is revoles?
I am told that it's a guy with a close connection to 3 of these women. I do know that he is rich.
Were you paid?
My only compensation was that they would get me in touch with Lucas to do porno.
He did all this for a shot with Michael Lucas.
And all my bills paid for an entire year. Why do you think I had to start working again in December?
On Sept 28 2007, Paulus admitted that he had not spoken to the real Clay Aiken. He was fooled by an impostor and blogged about the fact that all of his saved Instant Messenger transcripts were with a Fake Clay.So, why after you were put in contact with Lucas... did the porno and hated it, did you continue the lie? Was it because of the contract with Lucas and your image as the 'guy who had sex with Clay Aiken'??
Because Claymates pissed me off and it was fun messing with them. I sort of forgot about Clay in the mix not until he called did I connect with him as a real person.
Some may think that I am disappointed to learn that the person I was communicating with for nearly a year turned out to not to be Clay Aiken. I am not. I was greatly relieved to have learned that Clay Aiken and Ms. Parker were NOT using some single mother in order to manipulate me and the fans. It would have been easier for me to ignore the truth and to continue to post IM conversations from "Clay Aiken", but I would have compromised my integrity as a person. I will readily stand before you and admit that these perpetrators have fooled me as well as many fans than to continue to publish conversations which I have now learned weren't with Clay Aiken. My apologies to all those that were affected and I hope that the person(s) responsible will be sought out, found, and prosecuted.
In your e-mails to Perc, where you call him a pathological liar and so many other bad things, what was that all about?
That Jonahcruise@yahoo.com email is access by more than just me. I wasn't the one who sent those to her.
I have admitted that this was all a lie and that Clay and I never had sex. What's the problem. Time to move on. Clay has been a victim of a really evil scheme and I know that he is grateful for having such devoted fans who always believed in him. It's over Perc. The Claymates and Clay have both won. I hope they will forgive me for playing along with this ruse as Clay has.
Perc- You want me to name names, but I have family I need to be protective of. IF these people are crazy enough to destroy Clay, then imagine what they might do to my family if I start naming names. The only protection I have is threatening to take them to the police.
They already know where your family is jackass.
I won't reveal who you guys are, If you just leave them alone then.
I knew you wouldn't name the names, John. Anytime I call you on ANYTHING you never come through. Real stand up guy. (rolls-eyes)
Why did you emerge here all of a sudden. I thought you were DONE with me? Something to hide or should I say protect? It's over with. I'm not playing. Leave Clay and his fans be and just enjoy Kelly and Ruben.
Percocet is a victim of the "haters" influences. When I started defending Clay they became unhinged. Clay and I never met nor have we ever had sex. To my knowledge he is straight or bi curious. I will share more about this scheme put together by posters on the 411 over the weekend.
And then, just last week he LIED to the National Enquirer.I've called my friend at the N.E. He is very interested in hearing this was all a hoax. He will be contacting you tomorrow!Great, I'd be more than willing to share.
http://www.theclayaikenblog.wordpress.com/
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