There is a new blog explaining that Jaymes Foster, Clay Aiken's son's mother, is a girl. There are bloggers out there insinuating that Jaymes is male. How ridiculous. Here is a link to the blog.
http://baldfacetruth.blogspot.com/
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Clay Aiken Visits Kenya
UNICEF posted the last in the series of field notes from UNICEF ambassador Clay Aiken relating his experiences in Kenya. Here is the link.
http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/
Please take the time to read this informative blog from one of UNICEF's active ambassadors.
If you feel the need to donate to help these children, here is a link. The children need our help. You can make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself about the world around us.
https://secure2.convio.net/unicef/site/Donation2?df_id=3821&3821.donation=form1
http://fieldnotes.unicefusa.org/
Please take the time to read this informative blog from one of UNICEF's active ambassadors.
If you feel the need to donate to help these children, here is a link. The children need our help. You can make a difference. Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself about the world around us.
https://secure2.convio.net/unicef/site/Donation2?df_id=3821&3821.donation=form1
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Clay's New CD - On My Way Here
Chexxxy's pearls has a great article about the meaning behind Clay's new CD.
Here is the link to her blog.
Clay Aiken Spills The Beans.
http://chexxyspearls.blogspot.com/
Here is the link to her blog.
Clay Aiken Spills The Beans.
http://chexxyspearls.blogspot.com/
My Excellent Spamalot Adventure
i just got back from NYC spending a few days seeing Clay Aiken in Monty Python's Spamalot. We had a wonderful time. Clay shows what a talented man he is. Not only can he sing, but the man can act and dance too. We attended the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday shows this past week and were lucky enough to have a chance to get a picture taken with Clay for Broadway Cares - a charity that helps many causes. We were happy to contribute to such a worthy cause.
I am looking forward to Clay's new CD, "On My Way Here" being released on May 6th. I understand that Clay will be on QVC on Monday, April 28th at 7:00pm promoting his CD and singing live. I cannot wait.
I am looking forward to Clay's new CD, "On My Way Here" being released on May 6th. I understand that Clay will be on QVC on Monday, April 28th at 7:00pm promoting his CD and singing live. I cannot wait.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Clay Aiken to Release Brand-New Album, On My Way Here, on May 6th 2008
Clay Aiken will release a brand new CD on May 6th. This CD will contain all new material. This is an exciting time to be a Clay fan. Here is the official press release.
Clay Aiken to Release Brand-New Album, On My Way Here, on May 6th 2008
EAGERLY AWAITED COLLECTION IS THE POP SUPERSTAR'S FIRST ALBUM OF ORIGINAL
SONGS SINCE 2003
NEW YORK, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum selling pop
singer Clay Aiken will release his fourth album, On My Way Here, on RCA
Records/19 Entertainment on May 6th, 2008. The collection is the
29-year-old Raleigh, NC, native's first album of original songs since his
2003 chart-topping, double- platinum debut Measure of a Man.
On My Way Here chronicles Aiken's experiences over the past five years,
ascending from popular contestant on the second season of American Idol to
pop superstar. The album's theme came to Aiken when he and his executive
producer Jaymes Foster fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic
frontman Ryan Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics --
how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as
adults -- struck a very deep chord with the artist. The title track "On My
Way Here" will be the first radio single from the album to be released
later this month. Additionally the single, "On My Way Here" will premiere
as an "AOL First Listen" on Monday, April 7th.
"I thought if we could find songs that relate to what's gone on in my
life over the past five years and address what I've learned from my
experiences, it would be a great concept for my album," Aiken says. "Since
I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself. I think this
album covers how far I've come, personally and professionally."
The chance to record new material was an opportunity Aiken didn't want
to miss. His previous two albums, 2004's Merry Christmas with Love (which
went platinum within six weeks of its release) and 2006's gold-certified A
Thousand Different Ways, featured 10 cover versions of well-known songs
popularized by Celine Dion, Elton John, and Dolly Parton. Aiken's vocal
performances on songs like "As Long as We're Here," about not waiting until
it's too late to tell someone you love them, and "The Real Me," about being
in the public eye, resonate with the kind of emotion that can only come
from someone who's experienced this firsthand. "Although," Aiken says, "it
was important to me that the songs be interpretable in all kinds of ways.
People should be able to find their own meaning in the lyrics."
On My Way Here will be released just as Aiken finishes up his Broadway
run playing Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python's
Spamalot. Since January, Aiken has spent his days in the recording studio
with On My Way Here's Grammy Award-winning British producer Kipper (Sting,
Chris Botti), and his nights onstage in Spamalot. "I guess I'm a glutton
for punishment," he says with a laugh.
For more on Clay Aiken, please visit his official website
http://www.clayaiken.com.
Clay Aiken to Release Brand-New Album, On My Way Here, on May 6th 2008
EAGERLY AWAITED COLLECTION IS THE POP SUPERSTAR'S FIRST ALBUM OF ORIGINAL
SONGS SINCE 2003
NEW YORK, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platinum selling pop
singer Clay Aiken will release his fourth album, On My Way Here, on RCA
Records/19 Entertainment on May 6th, 2008. The collection is the
29-year-old Raleigh, NC, native's first album of original songs since his
2003 chart-topping, double- platinum debut Measure of a Man.
On My Way Here chronicles Aiken's experiences over the past five years,
ascending from popular contestant on the second season of American Idol to
pop superstar. The album's theme came to Aiken when he and his executive
producer Jaymes Foster fell in love with a song written by OneRepublic
frontman Ryan Tedder called "On My Way Here." The message of the lyrics --
how the lessons we learn while growing up shape us into who we become as
adults -- struck a very deep chord with the artist. The title track "On My
Way Here" will be the first radio single from the album to be released
later this month. Additionally the single, "On My Way Here" will premiere
as an "AOL First Listen" on Monday, April 7th.
"I thought if we could find songs that relate to what's gone on in my
life over the past five years and address what I've learned from my
experiences, it would be a great concept for my album," Aiken says. "Since
I got into this business, I've learned so much about myself. I think this
album covers how far I've come, personally and professionally."
The chance to record new material was an opportunity Aiken didn't want
to miss. His previous two albums, 2004's Merry Christmas with Love (which
went platinum within six weeks of its release) and 2006's gold-certified A
Thousand Different Ways, featured 10 cover versions of well-known songs
popularized by Celine Dion, Elton John, and Dolly Parton. Aiken's vocal
performances on songs like "As Long as We're Here," about not waiting until
it's too late to tell someone you love them, and "The Real Me," about being
in the public eye, resonate with the kind of emotion that can only come
from someone who's experienced this firsthand. "Although," Aiken says, "it
was important to me that the songs be interpretable in all kinds of ways.
People should be able to find their own meaning in the lyrics."
On My Way Here will be released just as Aiken finishes up his Broadway
run playing Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python's
Spamalot. Since January, Aiken has spent his days in the recording studio
with On My Way Here's Grammy Award-winning British producer Kipper (Sting,
Chris Botti), and his nights onstage in Spamalot. "I guess I'm a glutton
for punishment," he says with a laugh.
For more on Clay Aiken, please visit his official website
http://www.clayaiken.com.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Clay Aiken & Family Celebrate Christmas With Survivors of Mexico's Floods
Clay Aiken & Family Celebrate Christmas With Survivors of Mexico's Floods
UNICEF Ambassador Aiken visits flood affected states of Tabasco and Chiapas
CHIAPAS, Mexico, Dec. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- UNICEF Ambassador and
critically acclaimed recording artist Clay Aiken today wrapped up the first
leg of his trip to the flood affected areas of southeast Mexico by
participating in a gift exchange and "sing along" with over 300 children
and their families at a camp erected for flood victims.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071225/AQTU002)
Aiken, who is traveling in the region with his mother and younger
brother, a Marine on leave from Iraq, will also be part of a UNICEF
delegation scheduled to visit the state of Tabasco over the next two days.
"The situation in Chiapas and Tabasco has really become a forgotten
emergency," said the U.S. pop star who became an ambassador for the
children's agency in 2004. "Telling the story of these brave people,
especially the children, to a U.S. audience is the reason that I am here.
Sharing this experience with my family during this time of year makes it
even more special."
In one weekend last month torrential rains in Tabasco and Chiapas
produced the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 50 years. More
than one million residents of the two states have been affected, one third
of which are children.
While an integrated humanitarian response lead by government and U.N.
agencies has stabilized the emergency in Mexico, thousands remain homeless
and displaced. According to UNICEF officials in the region, children are
the most vulnerable in these situations. Hundreds of them are at risk of
psychological trauma and many more are out of school due to extensive
structural damage to school buildings.
Today's event, also attended by Hon. Isabel Aguilera de Sabines, First
Lady of the state of Chiapas, was held in the city of Ostuacan where 19
deaths were recently reported after a series of mudslides engulfed the
small mountain community of Juan de Grijalva and the search for six missing
residents is ongoing.
Chiapas is bordered on the north by the state of Tabasco, on the south
by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by the Central American nation of
Guatemala and on the west by the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. Chiapas has
111 municipalities. Its capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, lies near the center of
the state. Tabasco is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Mexico, to the
south by the state of Chiapas, to the east by Guatemala and Campeche and to
the west by Veracruz. Villahermosa is Tabasco's capital city.
How To Help:
Please visit: http://www.unicefusa.org/ or call 1-800-4UNICEF
Attention Broadcasters:
Hard copy b-roll footage available.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading
international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to
address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides
lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency
response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization
in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable
causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF,
with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the
global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of
survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit
http://www.unicefusa.org/.
s.server=server()
s.channel="news release"
s.pageName="news_release_clay aiken & family celebrate christmas with survivors of mexico's floods"
s.prop2="104"
s.prop3="12-25-2007"
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SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF
UNICEF Ambassador Aiken visits flood affected states of Tabasco and Chiapas
CHIAPAS, Mexico, Dec. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- UNICEF Ambassador and
critically acclaimed recording artist Clay Aiken today wrapped up the first
leg of his trip to the flood affected areas of southeast Mexico by
participating in a gift exchange and "sing along" with over 300 children
and their families at a camp erected for flood victims.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071225/AQTU002)
Aiken, who is traveling in the region with his mother and younger
brother, a Marine on leave from Iraq, will also be part of a UNICEF
delegation scheduled to visit the state of Tabasco over the next two days.
"The situation in Chiapas and Tabasco has really become a forgotten
emergency," said the U.S. pop star who became an ambassador for the
children's agency in 2004. "Telling the story of these brave people,
especially the children, to a U.S. audience is the reason that I am here.
Sharing this experience with my family during this time of year makes it
even more special."
In one weekend last month torrential rains in Tabasco and Chiapas
produced the worst flooding the region has seen in more than 50 years. More
than one million residents of the two states have been affected, one third
of which are children.
While an integrated humanitarian response lead by government and U.N.
agencies has stabilized the emergency in Mexico, thousands remain homeless
and displaced. According to UNICEF officials in the region, children are
the most vulnerable in these situations. Hundreds of them are at risk of
psychological trauma and many more are out of school due to extensive
structural damage to school buildings.
Today's event, also attended by Hon. Isabel Aguilera de Sabines, First
Lady of the state of Chiapas, was held in the city of Ostuacan where 19
deaths were recently reported after a series of mudslides engulfed the
small mountain community of Juan de Grijalva and the search for six missing
residents is ongoing.
Chiapas is bordered on the north by the state of Tabasco, on the south
by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by the Central American nation of
Guatemala and on the west by the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz. Chiapas has
111 municipalities. Its capital, Tuxtla Gutierrez, lies near the center of
the state. Tabasco is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Mexico, to the
south by the state of Chiapas, to the east by Guatemala and Campeche and to
the west by Veracruz. Villahermosa is Tabasco's capital city.
How To Help:
Please visit: http://www.unicefusa.org/ or call 1-800-4UNICEF
Attention Broadcasters:
Hard copy b-roll footage available.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading
international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to
address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides
lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency
response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization
in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable
causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF,
with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the
global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of
survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit
http://www.unicefusa.org/.
s.server=server()
s.channel="news release"
s.pageName="news_release_clay aiken & family celebrate christmas with survivors of mexico's floods"
s.prop2="104"
s.prop3="12-25-2007"
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var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code);
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SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Friday, October 19, 2007
Clay Aiken - The Humanitarian
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
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
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