Celebrity Activists Who Use Their Fame For A Cause

By Elana Goodwin on October 1, 2014

While “celebrity” has become almost synonymous with money and scandal, there are actually many celebrity activists who use their star power to promote a good cause and use their fame to publicize important issues by lending their voice to campaigns and organizations.

Emma Watson at the United Nations Headquarters
Photo Credit: unwomen.org

On September 20, “Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson gave a moving and eloquent speech about gender equality and feminism at the United Nations as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Watson introduced a solidarity movement called HeForShe and called on men around the world to support gender equality, saying:

“In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly many of the things she wanted to change are still a reality today. But what stood out for me the most was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male. How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation? Men—I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.”

Since she made her speech, many famous men, including “Thor” baddie Tom Hiddleston, One Direction-er Harry Styles, actor Russell Crowe, “24′s” Kiefer Sutherland and “Glee” star Chris Colfer, have posted pictures holding up “#HeForShe” signs.

The YouTube video of her speech has already garnered over 1.1 million views and she sparked the hashtag #HeForShe which trended across the U.S.

Leonardo DiCaprio at the UN Climate Summit
Photo Credit: energydigital.com

On September 23, famous actor Leonardo DiCaprio made a poignant speech at the UN Climate Summit as a recently appointed UN Messenger of Peace. DiCaprio has long been an environmental activist and just days before his speech, attended the People’s Climate March in New York City which drew over 400,000 people.

While addressing the assembly, DiCaprio spoke about the reality of climate change, calling on governments to take action, saying:

“As an actor, I pretend for a living. I play fictitious characters often solving fictitious problems. I believe mankind has looked at climate change in that same way: as if it were a fiction, as if pretending climate change wasn’t real would somehow make it go away … Climate change is our single greatest security threat. My friends, this body — perhaps more than any other gathering in human history — now faces this difficult, but achievable task. You can make history … or be vilified by it.”

DiCaprio went on to state how clean air and a livable environment are inalienable human rights and it’s now time to start taking steps to secure these rights and ensure our survival.

Besides environmental advocacy, DiCaprio has also made sizable donations to other organizations ranging from the Wildlife Conservation Society to GLAAD.

Ian Somerhalder with “The Artist” pup Uggie
Photo Credit: ecorazzi.com

Though they may not have been in the news in the last few weeks for their advocacy, there are other celebrity activists who are using their fame to raise money and awareness for other issues and organizations as well.

“The Vampire Diaries” actor and animal-lover Ian Somerhalder, who was appointed a UN Environmental Program Goodwill Ambassador, established the Ian Somerhalder Foundation in December 2010.

The foundation’s goal is to educate and collaborate with youth to promote global change, and focuses on environmental issues from water conservation to animal cruelty and overpopulation.

Singer Sarah McLachlan is a celebrity activist who literally lends her voice to help animals. Pretty much everyone has seen those ASPCA commercials that break your heart by showing the sad faces or injured bodies of animals in cages set to McLachlan’s song “Angel.” The commercial featuring her song has helped the ASPCA raise over $30 million since 2007.

Recently, singer and 15-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys released a song called “We Are Here” and launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #WeAreHere.

She also announced that the movement will support 12 organizations who work toward social justice in varying ways, including Girls Rising, Oxfam, All Out, War Child and more. Keys also pledged a personal donation of $1 million to the campaign.

In 2003, Keys co-founded Keep A Child Alive which works to provide life-saving AIDS medicine and care to people in Africa and India.

Many other stars including Ellen DeGeneres, Ke$ha, Betty White, Ashton Kutcher, Kristen Bell, Bono, George Clooney, and more, are also celebrity activists who use their fame and fortune for good causes.

Because hey, as long as they’re in the spotlight, they might as well do and say something worthwhile since the world is watching and listening.

And they have our attention.

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