Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, John Legend Paul McCartney and more kick off One World coronavirus concert
LADY GAGA kicked off the One World: Together At Home benefit event and sang ‘Smile’ after thanking healthcare and essentials workers for ‘putting their lives in risk for us every day’.
The virtual concert, organized by WHO and Global Citizen, will bring together those who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to support the global COVID-19 response.
Following Lady Gaga’s stunning performance of Smile, Jimmy Kimmel – one of the hosts for the night – introduced the iconic Stevie Wonder.
Sitting at his piano, he sang a Lean On Me and Love’s In Need of Love Today.
Paul McCartney quickly followed and played Lady Madonna after thanking healthcare workers and calling for better healthcare throughout the world.
David and Victoria Beckham thanked those watching and everything that essential workers have done to help those in need before introducing Sir Elton John, who sang I’m Still Standing.
LADY Gaga’s One World: Together At Home benefit event kicked off on Saturday afternoon with a six-hour live stream on YouTube – featuring performances by celebs like Kesha, Andra Day, Liam Payne, Naill Horan, The Killers, and many more.
Celebrities have given up some of their time to help thank first responders with some singing empowering and beautiful melodies, while others remind fans to wash their hands and practice social distancing throughout these tough times.
R&B singer Andra Day performed Rise Up; Kesha played the piano and sang her comeback hit, Praying, from her home, and One Direction members, such as Naill Horan and Liam Payne, have performed their singles for those at home.
Lady Gaga herself made an appearance towards the end of the YouTube transmission and thanked healthcare workers and essential works.
She said: “We have already raised millions of dollars for the WHO’s solidarity trust fund. We want to get to the other side of this pandemic and know you too. But tonight is not a fundraiser. It’s our love letter to the world.
“The incredible artists we have lined up are here to say thank you.”
Kesha, who has been an advocate for mental health, told those watching the YouTube stream: “It’s Kesha from quarantine day 500.
“I miss my fans so much. I know that there’s so many people working and not sleeping and sacrificing so much to help figure this out for everyone and I just think the vulnerability of us all as human beings right now is really showing a really beautiful side to humanity.”
She continued: “I’m going to do the main thing I know how to do, which is play some music and hopefully this will just brighten your day, maybe just a little bit. That’s my goal.”
Singer Ellie Goulding also talked about how she’s doing in the midst of social distancing and admitted she wasn’t handling it well, despite being someone who has “social anxiety.”
Charlie Puth, who was quarantining with his parents, sang his most popular hits: See You Again and Attention.
And Billy Ray Cyrus dedicated his song to all “the girls in the world.”
Other celebs that have made appearances during the YouTube transmission include Samuel L. Jackson, Rita Ora, Matthew McConaughey, Lavern Cox, Don Cheadle, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Hozier, Jameela Jamil, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Michael Bublé, The Killers, Jennifer Hudson, Common.
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A TV special, curated by Lady Gaga, will air simultaneously on ABC, NBC, CBS, iHeartMedia and Bell Media networks.
It will feature Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, David and Victoria Beckham, Alicia Keys, Ellen DeGeneres, Pharrell Williams, Kerry Washington, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Celine Dion, Lizzo, J Balvin and Andrea Bocelli.
Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel will host the TV special.
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