Hollywood Pitches in for Haiti Relief

It is a rare feat to get some of Hollywood’s youngest and brightest stars come together for a cause – and no, this time it’s not about the guest list for the Grammys or some pompous awards show celebrating their frivolity. This time, it’s about Haiti.

In the wake of Haiti’s earthquakes, Hollywood has finally taken notice and decided to do something about it! Aside from the hugely successful tele-marathon in efforts to raise money for Haiti, the music industry looks to itself to try and up the ante for raising awareness again.

Legendary music producer Quincy Jones has been at it again. He’s gathered some of music’s biggest names, locked them up in a room and made them sing about something they all care about.

Twenty-five years ago, the perennial hit We are the World was made in an effort to raise awareness about AIDS in Africa.

This time though, instead of raising awareness about AIDS in Africa, it’s about Haitian relief.

Like the original, Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie produced the song (Michael Jackson originally penned the song) and recruited celebrities to be the performers.

There are an estimated 81 performers on the remake of We are the World, which made its premiere at the Vancouver Olympic opening ceremony on Friday. Among those who participated: Celine Dion, P!nk, the Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Nicole Richie, Will.i.am, Kid Cudi, Miley Cyrus, Kanye West... I think you get the idea: famous people who care.

This time however, it looks like the attention has shifted from who’s participating, to who isn’t. So just exactly who’s not on the roster, for the new all-star remake of this iconic song? Why, it’s none other than 2009’s biggest breakout star – two-time Grammy award winner Lady Gaga.

Apparently, although producers Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie extended the invitation to Lady Gaga, the songstress didn’t lend a hand in the effort even though she is at the pinnacle of her career, making her quite influential. Wow, who knew that a woman parading around in a glittery leotard and vertiginous shoes whilst singing jaunty tunes could have such an impact on people who would donate?

Lady Gaga sets the record straight though about her refusal to join the We Are the World remake, when she talked to Access Hollywood: "I've actually been in rehearsal for my new tour, but I was never supposed to do We Are the World... I was unable to do it."

But that doesn’t mean that she hasn’t done her part! "I've been working on my own charity projects for Haiti. We've raised over half a million dollars for Haiti already and we like to work specifically with charities that are based in Haiti itself," she gushed.

She has also donated all the proceeds of her Radio City Music Hall concert in New York (including the merchandise) and she hosted a “GaGa for Haiti” day in January, in which all the proceeds from purchases off her website went to Haiti relief.

Gaga or no Gaga, 2010's We are the World will undoubtedly aid the relief effort in Haiti in a major way. The 1985 version of the song has raised more than $63 million to date. You can support the current relief effort by purchasing We are the World on iTunes.