The producers of American Idol have really been talking up this big announcement and speculation has run rampant from a wildcard show to more than four eliminations. However the actual announcement is even bigger and better than any speculation I’ve seen. American Idol will be “bringing issues of extreme poverty, both in Africa and the U.S., into the hearts, minds, and homes of us all.” This will all be under the banner of “Idol Gives Back.”
Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell travelled to a poverty-stricken region of Africa as part of this program. When asked about his trip Cowell said “it was something I’ll never ever forget, seeing some of the most appalling conditions I’ve ever seen in my life then we met some of the nicest people I’ve ever met…mixed emotions.” Later this year Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul will travel to Louisiana and the Mississippi basin to address not only poverty but literacy and help those that are still recovering from natural disasters; namely Hurricane Katrina.
On April 24th the final six will be performing an original song written just for this event by Quincy Jones. That night as you vote a donation will be made by Coke, AT&T, and other sponsors for every vote made. In addition Ford Motor Company will also be making a donation with details to follow. On April 25th phone lines will be open for us, the viewers, to make our own contributions to this cause. In addition we will be able to donate via the internet.
This will be a star-studded event with the likes of Gwen Stefani, Borat, Pink, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, and even Bono becoming involved. I am so very excited for this, it is about time that American Idol has stepped up to the plate and done something charitable on this level. When April 24th comes everyone better get their dialing fingers ready!
March 9th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
[…] Forums « The Big Announcement: “Idol Gives Back” […]