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MUMBAI:
The host of the music based reality show American Idol
show, Ryan Seacrest confirmed that its Idol Gives Back
fundraising effort has raised almost $70 million to-date for
programmes to help people in extreme poverty in America and
Africa.
In
India the show airs on Star World while in the US it airs
on Fox.
In
addition US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura
Bush appeared in a special video on the Tuesday episoe of
the show to commend and thank the celebrity participants,
contestants, viewers and corporate sponsors for their respective
contributions to the success of Idol Gives Back.
With
donations still flowing in, viewers have pledged over $50
million; corporate sponsors have contributed $14 million;
and matching funds raised on behalf of Nothing But Nets and
Malaria No More bring the grand total to almost $70 million.
Former American Idol winners Ruben Studdard, Fantasia
and Taylor Hicks appeared on the show to urge continued support
of Idol Gives Back Donations will be accepted through
31 May 2007 via the Internet at www.Americanidol.com.
Simon
Fuller who created American Idol says, "Idol Gives
Back has been another amazing chapter in the history of
American Idol. The generosity and support of the American
public has been truly outstanding. I am proud to have been
able to give the power and reach of American Idol to
Richard Curtis and the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund
to enable him to assist so many worthwhile causes both here
in the USA and in Africa. This remarkable achievement hopefully
will enable the launch of a stand-alone event in the coming
years to expand upon this important beginning."
News
Corp president and COO Peter Chernin says, "The response
of the American public to Idol Gives Back has been
overwhelming. We are proud that we were able to participate
in this great statement of caring, and gratified that the
power of American Idol has worked to help so many who
need it most."
The
corporate sponsors of Idol Gives Back were led by News
Corp, Ford, Coca-Cola and AT&T. Allstate and ConAgra have
made matching contributions to Save the Children and America's
Second Harvest, respectively, via the Charity Projects Entertainment
Fund (CPEF).
In
addition, Ford has contributed generously by producing a very
special music video featuring the Top 6 finalists. This video,
along with a unique version of "Stayin' Alive" and
Carrie Underwood performing "I'll Stand By You,"
are available for download on iTunes along with other music
segments from the broadcast. Proceeds from the downloads will
be contributed to IDOL GIVES BACK. Additional matched contributions
will be donated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
to Nothing But Nets and by ExxonMobil to Malaria No More.
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