Since the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, cities around the country have urged self-isolation in order to help flatten the curve and reduce transmission, resulting in school shutdowns, layoffs, and a plummeting stock market. Now, celebrities are stepping up to help.
In the entertainment industry, musicians have postponed and canceled tours, while events such as awards shows and festivals have also been put on hold. Movie and television sets have also shut down production while Americans hunker down.
With the situation and economy looking more dire with each passing day, celebrities are offering what help they can. Some musicians are sharing their talents, providing livestreams of performances to keep fans entertained. Others are donating not only their time, but their tremendous resources, to provide aid to the less fortunate in their communities and around the world.
Here’s a look at the stars who are giving back during the crisis.
Rihanna
Her nonprofit organization, the Clara Lionel Foundation, donated $5 million to various organizations supporting underserved communities from the U.S. to Malawi. Through their contributions to Direct Relief, Partners In Health, Feeding America, the International Rescue Committee, World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and more, CLF’s donation will support underserved communities in the face of the global pandemic as well as the healthcare professionals working tirelessly to keep them safe.
Ciara and Russell Wilson
The singer and her husband, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, are donating a million meals to the Food Lifeline, which provides nutritious meals to the food insecure in Western Washington. “We want to encourage everyone out there to join us in whatever way you can, big or small,” she said in a video shared on Twitter Tuesday (March 17). “Everything makes a difference.”
Better Than Ezra
Frontman Kevin Griffin livestreamed a performance on Facebook March 19 to raise money for MusiCares. His acoustic set, which lasted a little more than an hour, has so far raised more than $41,000 for the non-profit, which helps musicians in need. The performance is still available for viewing and is accepting donations on Facebook.
Dirty Projectors
Dirty Projectors’ Dave Longstreth shared a cover of John Lennon’s “Isolation,” with all proceeds through April 3 going toward MusiCares’ COVID-19 relief fund for musicians and music industry workers whose work has been disrupted by the crisis.
Brad Paisley
The country star announced on March 17 that his Nashville grocery store — The Store, which provides free groceries to the needy — would be making deliveries to seniors.
Dierks Bentley
Bentley, who owns gastropub Whiskey Row, gave his 90 hourly employees $1,000 to help get them through this difficult time for the service industry, and urged fellow bar owners in Nashville to help. “I encourage all bar owners on Lower Broadway to take care of bartenders, bar backs, waitresses, security, dishwashers, etc the best they can,” he wrote March 16 on Instagram. “Let’s make sure we help the folks that help make the music happen.
Lady Gaga
The “Stupid Love” singer’s makeup brand, Haus Laboratories, announced March 16 that it would be donating to the L.A. Regional Food Bank and Food Bank for New York City. “We believe this is a time to choose compassion over fear,” the brand noted on Twitter.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds
The couple announced that they are donating $1 million, which will be split between Food Banks Canada and Feeding America. “I think we can all agree, Covid-19 is an a–hole,” the actor said on Instagram March 16.
Justin Timberlake
The singer-actor announced on March 15 that he made a donation to the Mid-South Food Bank in his hometown of Memphis. “This is a crazy time, but remember we’ll all in it together. Start small and support your local communities by getting food out to those in need,” he reminded followers. “Every. little. thing. helps.”
Jose Andres
The celebrated chef, who has made numerous headlines over the years with his efforts to feed those impacted by disasters, announced on March 15 that he was transforming some of his restaurants into community kitchens offering to-go lunches for the hungry. “These Community Kitchens will be part of @WCKitchen efforts across the country in the coming days & weeks,” he tweeted. “Not for enjoyment….but a service for people in need of a plate of food during this emergency.”
Rudy Gobert
The Utah Jazz player, who was the first NBA athlete to test positive for the coronavirus, announced on March 14 that he is donating $500,000 to those impacted by the suspension of the basketball season, including $200,000 for part-time employees at Salt Lake City’s Vivint Home Arena.
Vanessa Hudgens
The High School Musical star shared a screengrab of her donation receipt to Feeding America on March 13. “It’s a crazy time out there in the world,” she shared in her Instagram post. “Join me in supporting @feedingamerica today. Let’s help each other out rather than freaking the f–k out.”
Donatella Versace
The fashion designer and her daughter Allegra donated about $216,000 to the intensive care unit of the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. “In times like this, it is important to be united and support however we can to help all those who are in the front lines, fighting every day to save hundreds of lives,” they shared in a statement on Instagram posted March 13.
Lil Nas X
The “Old Town Road” rapper offered to help fans with their bills during the outbreak. “hey guys drop ur cashapp,” he instructed via Twitter on March 12. “gonna send some of u some money to go get some food then stay inside.”
Megan Thee Stallion
Like Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion also wanted to support her fans. “Since y’all have been going so hard supporting me I wanna support y’all and bless them pockets real quick !!!” she tweeted March 12. “Drop y’all’s cash app names.”
Suga
The BTS member reportedly donated about $83,000 to Hope Bridge, a disaster-relief organization based in Suga’s hometown of Daegu, South Korea.
Justin Bieber
Bieber took early action. “Watching the news I couldn’t imagine how scary it would be if a new disease was effecting my wife and my family and friends,” he wrote on Instagram on Feb. 13. “China we stand with you as a collective humanity and have made a donation to support.”
Lecrae
Lecrae has partnered with Love Beyond Walls to plant portable hand washing stations around the Atlanta Metro Area for homeless and displaced people. The initiative kicks off on Thursday March 19 at 10 a.m. at Love Beyond Wall’s Center. Lecrae will help assemble the sinks, after which they will be filled with water, loaded on trucks, and distributed to key locations frequented by the homeless in the Atlanta Metro Area.
Florida Georgia Line
Country duo Florida Georgia Line (Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley) have announced they’ll be offering financial assistance to employees of FGL House, their restaurant in Nashville that recently closed due to coronavirus concerns.
Billboard
