One World
Over the last few months we have shared with you the various celebrities doing their bit to support the coronavirus pandemic, however our cover star this month, the legendary Lady Gaga, took things to the next level. Alongside the World Health Organisation, Gaga took over the major networks for a Global Citizen event celebrating essential workers and the medical, logistical and humanitarian efforts taking place across the globe. The livestream concert, entitled, One World: Together at Home, featured intimate performances from global music stars at home as they self-isolate. A whole host of A-list stars came together virtually to perform powerful renditions of their hits and put their spin on iconic covers to entertain people confined to their homes.
Songs by the likes of Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift were interspersed with messages from actors such as Matthew McConaughey and Lupita Nyong’o, as well as other figures including Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. The event united an impressive roster of performers, all of whom sang songs to pay tribute to healthcare workers who are on the frontlines battling COVID-19. “I feel very honoured to be a part of the World Health Organization and Global Citizens, in the fight against COVID-19 and raising money for the Solidarity Response Fund,” said Gaga, kicking off the two-hour special that she curated. “I care so much about all of the medical workers that are putting their lives at risk for us right now.”
The event was hosted by three late-night fixtures: Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and Stephen Colbert alongside friends from Sesame Street to help unify and inspire people around the world.
The lineup of stars, who all performed from their homes via streams, was vast and varied: It ranged from rock icons such as The Rolling Stones and Billie Joel Armstrong to pop stars such as Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Taylor Swift. Throughout the special, non-performers also made appearances to highlight certain issues or introduce sets, including Beyoncé, David and Victoria Beckham, Amy Poehler, and many more. The grand finale, meanwhile, included a surprise group performance by Céline Dion, Lang Lang, John Legend, Lady Gaga, and Andrea Bocelli that ended the special on a high note.
It has since been announced that the show raised over 125 million dollars for coronavirus relief charities with the money going towards food banks and housing providers as well as tests, treatments and to support a vaccine.
During the concert Beyoncé and Alicia Keys both highlighted how the disease was disproportionately affecting African Americans. Keys cited a study that found 33% of those hospitalised with the virus in the USA were black Americans despite African American counting for only 13% of the US population. “Pre-existing health conditions and lack of access to information and affordable healthcare, and economic and societal circumstances, are some of the reasons why it’s most prevalent amongst communities of colour,” she said.
Beyoncé, who voiced support for, among others, essential workers across healthcare, sanitation, said: “Black Americans disproportionately belong to these essential parts of the workforce that do not have the luxury of working from home, and African American communities at large have been severely affected by this crisis … this virus is killing black people and in an alarmingly high rate here in America.” She cited a report that found 57% of fatal cases in her home city of Houston were African American.
Lady Gaga tweeted after the show: “Thank you with all of my heart for watching #TogetherAtHome, sharing in a global moment of kindness with each other, and spreading positive and loving intentions. We love you.”
Global Citizen’s activities were strongly supported by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, who used this opportunity to call for unity and a global ceasefire in order to focus on the virus, while saluting the bravery of all the frontline workers fighting to save our lives.