Stars flooded the Call to Unite 26-hour livestream global relief event. More than 200 names including Oprah Winfrey, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Julia Roberts, Josh Groban and former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush took part in the event to help inspire people to surge onward and overcome challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.
The livestream, hosted by film producer Tim Shriver, began on Friday and lasted through late Saturday. It included messages of hope, advice, stories and prayers. Some participants also gave performances, taught a practice, or offered a “gift” that could help viewers cope with the pandemic.
Former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton call for Americans to do their part
Two former presidents, in separate video messages, called for viewers to band together to get through hard times.
Clinton delivered an encouraging message that “we can get through this together.”
“I’m grateful for the people who are doing their part for those who would be left out or left behind otherwise,” Clinton said. “We know that, with all the agony, and all the loss, the essential dignity of every person’s life has been affirmed by those who are risking theirs to help the rest of us.”
Bush said he believes solidarity is also a solution.
“Even at an appropriate social distance, we can find ways to be present in the lives of others to ease their anxiety and share their burdens,” he said in a message.
Medical workers are our bridge over troubled waters, Josh Groban says
Mental health is key during these troubling times, Groban says.
And not just the mental health of others, the singer cautioned. Monitor your own wellbeing, too.
Staying Apart, Together: A newsletter about how to cope with the coronavirus pandemic
“Check in with people you think need to be checked in on, but more importantly check in on yourself,” he said. “Take the time to listen to yourself. I know it seems like we’ve got nothing but time right now but, honestly, that can be the time when our minds move the fastest. So just take a moment to take a breath to check in on your body, your mind, your soul … and be OK to yourself because you deserve it.”
Groban thanked medical workers, calling them “our bridge over these troubled waters right now” before singing Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” a song he often performs at the end of his concerts.
“I think it’s an amazing message to leave people with in these troubled waters that we’re in,” he said.
Jewel: Challenges make us stronger
We’ve all faced challenges in life.
Jewel was quick to remind viewers of that during her 10-minute appearance. She certainly knows.
The singer, who left home at 15, says she lost her job after refusing to sleep with a boss at 18 and eventually became homeless, suffering from anxiety attacks and turning to shoplifting to survive.
“I made myself a promise that my first job in life would be to be a happy, whole human,” she said. “My second would be to be a musician, a singer/songwriter.”
That second job came together when Jewel was discovered while performing in a coffeehouse.
Before singing her new single “Grateful,” she took time to speak with one of the many troubled teens helped by Never Broken, the foundation she created.
“I wanted to help the toughest cases,” she said. “The people who have no resources, people like me.”
Jennifer Garner reads to West Virginia schoolchildren
For her contribution, Garner – aka “Miss Jen” – let viewers in on something she does every month: read to kids from Pleasant Hill Elementary in her home state of West Virginia. She also greeted them with her customary dab.
“I’ve been reading to the kids at Pleasant Hill over Skype from movie sets and different locations like my living room and kitchen once a month for the past couple of years,” she explained. “And we are so excited to share our tradition with everybody (out) there because my call to unite has been to make sure that kids who are missing out on education and food with school closures have access to both.”
For this month’s session, Garner donned thick-rimmed glasses and read “Chicks Run Wild” by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Ward Jenkins.
Afterward, she chatted with Mark Kennedy Shriver, with whom she works as a board member for Save the Children, which aims to give kids in the U.S. and around the world a healthy start in life.
“We support the people out in the field who are doing the day-to-day work. In doing that, we get to go all over the country, visiting kids growing up in rural poverty to see the amazing work and all the optimism that can happen just from giving a child a little bit of a leg up,” she explained.
But just being a board member wasn’t enough, Garner said: “I felt kind of removed from it.”
That’s what led to her reading program.
“This was a way to do one small thing that was just mine,” she said.
Naomi Campbell hopes to simplify her life
Some good has come of the coronavirus lockdown, Campbell says.
In a chat with three young leaders from Africa, the supermodel-turned-actress pointed to reduced emissions and other environmental benefits that have resulted from fewer people traveling.
There are personal benefits, too, Campbell says.
“There’s so much that you can do,” she said. “It’s time to reflect and think of things you want to do differently in your life. I want to simplify my life in so many ways.”
Eva Longoria: ‘Extraordinary acts by extraordinary people’
Actress Eva Longoria says she’s in awe of the things she’s witnessed during the coronavirus pandemic, as people from all walks of life come together to help however they can.
“I’ve seen extraordinary acts by extraordinary people,” she said. “Nurses and doctors risking their lives, not seeing their own families so they can take care of ours. I’ve seen chefs pivoting away from restaurant business and customers, and focusing on feeding the homeless and those in need. Therapists donating their time online for no charge just because they want to help those in need who need mental health support at this time as they face scary uncertainties. Perfume factories making hand sanitizers instead of fragrances. Grandmas and moms and aunts and uncles and nieces and everybody using their hobby of sewing to make masks for front-line health responders.”
COVID-19 has brought us all closer together, she said: “Everyone has something to give and they are giving it.”
“We’re in a moment where we have a chance to reset and to start anew, to come out of this wiser and stronger and kinder.”
‘There Will Be a Better Day,’ LeAnn Rimes promises
Country star LeAnn Rimes sought to reassure viewers better times are just around the corner during her performance of a classic.
This is a “difficult and challenging time,” she said, before singing “There Will Be a Better Day.”
The lyrics to the song speak to the heartache many are feeling right now: “Take our sorrows, take our tears / Heaven’s not so far from here / Though we struggle, hear us pray / There will be a better day / Show us mercy, give us rest / Hold the weary to your breast / And for the child who lost his way / There will be a better day / Alleluia, alleluia / There will be a better day.”
“I don’t think there’s ever been a time in my life where we’ve needed music more,” Rimes said. “It is something that unites, something that speaks for us when we can’t find the words. So I’m blessed to be able to have this gift to share music with you guys.”
Oprah Winfrey prays with Bishop T.D. Jakes
After joking with Bishop Jakes that she only realized she was considered a senior following coronavirus warnings for those 65 and older, the 66-year-old Winfrey said she was grateful “in this moment I am well.” She continued by sharing a Bible verse that calms her during these tough times: “In God I move and breath and have my being.”
Jakes showed sadness for those who had family members and friends die from the virus. But the bishop, who is a talk -show host, entrepreneur and best-selling author, said he believes the world can pull through.
“We have seen this before and survived,” Jakes said. “Just a 100 years ago, we went through something like this. And before that, the bubonic plague. We are resilient. We will work our way out as we hold each other and love each other.”
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs wants us ‘unite as a global family’
Staying at home has given the star plenty of time to reflect on his dreams and wishes for the future. Chief among them: “Stop as many injustices happening to our Earth and happening to our extended family, our brothers and sisters – people of color, minorities,” he said.
Combs said that dream doesn’t have to wait until the pandemic ends.
“Today and tomorrow, be kind to someone, give somebody an extra mask, check on an elderly neighbor,” he added. “Let’s stay united, we’re one family, one love.”
Julia Roberts reads to children
Roberts read a “Rescue the Princess”, a children’s book that turns the traditional damsel in distress storyline on its head with a princess who saves a knight sent to rescue her. Roberts chose the book to raise awareness of children’s education, saying in countries with marked gender inequality, “girls are at acute risk for never returning to the classroom.” She spotlighted the non-profit Room to Read, which helps children in low-income communities get an education.
Daniel Dae Kim donates plasma after recovering from COVID-19
The “Hawaii Five-O” actor said he had the “unique, well, not that unique” experience of having COVID-19. He went on to encourage people who have recovered from the virus and who qualify for plasma donation to do so. Doctors can use plasma that contains antibodies developed after beating COVID-19 to help someone battling the virus right now.
“I hope I can be a source for hope,” Kim said, who added he plans to donate plasma again.
Mandy Moore sings “Silver Landings” to thank health care workers
Moore and husband Taylor Goldsmith sang the song “Silver Landings,” to thank health care workers.
“We are so, so, so, so, so appreciative of all you are and all you have done for all of us and for your communities,” Moore said. “We owe you the hugest debt of gratitude.”
“Silver Landings” is included on Moore’s new studio album of the same name, her seventh, released earlier this year.
98 Degrees dedicates ‘Because of You’ to front-line workers
On a four-way split screen, musical group 98 Degrees, comprised of Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre sang the 1998 hit, “Because of You.”
“Throughout the course of our career, we’ve been known to sing a lot about love,” Nick Lachey said. “Well, never has the world been so in need of love than right now.”
Each took a turn thanking health care workers, grocery store workers, delivery people, mail carriers and first responders.
“With love and perseverance, together we will get through this,” Jeffre said.
Contributing: Jennifer McClellan and Gary Dinges, USA TODAY, and The Associated Press
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Call to Unite: Oprah, Julia Roberts, Josh Groban on global livestream