Leona Lewis Sings For Nelson Mandela
Leona Lewis Sings For Nelson Mandela
Commanding the stage in a colorful floral patterned ensemble, Leona Lewis helped Nelson Mandela celebrate his 90th birthday during a big concert in London on Friday (June 27).
Offering up a solid performance at the Hyde Park venue, Lewis was there to lend her support for Mandela and his global AIDS campaign, 46664.
Proceeds from the event were funneled directly towards the 46664 charity, which is currently campaigning to raise awareness of the severity of the disease.
Also on hand for the festivities were musical acts including Amy Winehouse, Annie Lennox, Josh Groban, Joan Baez and actor Will Smith.
Winehouse Plays for Full House at Mandela Gig
Nelson Mandela’s not just a moral authority, he’s a miracle worker.
Tens of thousands of punters and a slew of A-list stars and musical acts gathered in London’s Hyde Park Friday for a special concert honoring the South African leader’s 90th birthday party. The biggest surprise of the evening came courtesy of a healthy-looking Amy Winehouse, who, despite speculation and a track record to the contrary, actually turned up as planned and delivered a hitch-free performance during the four-hour event.
Will Smith hosted the megaconcert (with ample help from wife Jada Pinkett Smith), which also counted Josh Groban, Leona Lewis, Queen, Annie Lennox, Stephen Fry, Quincy Jones, Lewis Hamilton, Simple Minds, Geri Halliwell, Razorlight and U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown among its stage-gracing guests.
Winehouse made her triumphant appearance roughly two hours into the show, first taking the stage with the rest of the performers to sing “Happy Birthday” to the guest of honor. Per usual, her trademark “Blake” heart brooch was ensconced firmly in her beehive.
Donning a short black-and-white dress, she took the stage again roughly a half-hour later to perform a solo set.
After a short struggle to adjust her microphone, Winehouse kicked off the set with “Rehab.” The song’s lack of slurred lyrics and nonshortness of breath combined with particularly effusive backup dancers resulted in major crowd love for the singer, who curtsied and twirled for the fans before next launching straight into “Valerie,” a cover of the Zutons hit she performed on Mark Ronson’s Version.
Remarkably, she left the stage after the two tunes without incident.
She then returned to the stage for the concert’s finale to lead the rest of the artists in attendance in an updated version of the Specials’ 1984 anthem “Free Nelson Mandela.”
While Winehouse was one of the final performers added to the lineup last month, her appearance was iffy at best in recent weeksshe went from being hospitalized to having emphysema to not really having emphysema to having it, maybe, just a bit.
Pretaped messages abounded during the packed-house event, including a beamed-in Bono and The Edge joining in the “Happy Birthday” song and shout-outs from Susan Sarandon, Morgan Freeman, Gordon Ramsay, David Beckham (who garnered the loudest cheers of the montage) and wife Victoria (who garnered the loudest boos).
In addition to marking Mandela’s entrée into the world of nonagenarians, the concert also raised funds for his HIV/AIDS charity, 46664, so named for his prison number.
In keeping with the theme, 46,664 people attended the concert in Hyde Park, which actually comes a few weeks before Mandela’s real birthday, July 18.
Famous Friends (and Naomi Campbell) Fete Mandela
Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday bash isn’t until Friday, but celebs are already flocking to London to fete the former South African president.
Will Smith (who’s emceeing Friday’s event) and Jada Pinkett Smith were just two boldfaced names in attendance at a prebirthday dinner party held in Hyde Park. Also on the list: Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, Forest Whitaker, Kim Cattrall and Denzel Washington.
And yes, Naomi Campbell will be in the house on Friday.
Despite reports that the birthday boy had banned the supermodel from introducing some of the performers after her airport arrest, her rep says that was never the plan.
“To my knowledge, she has always just been a guest,” he told News.
One trainwreck who is allowed on stage at the soiree? Amy Winehouse. The troubled singer is slated to sing, as well as Leona Lewis, Queen and Annie Lennox.
It will be Amy’s first performance since her hospitalization last week.
Nobel Peace Prize Concert Draws A-List Crowd
Nobel Peace Prize Concert Draws A-List Crowd
Oslo, Norway was overflowing with celebrity presence as the Nobel Peace Prize concert got underway last night.
Hosted by Kevin Spacey and Uma Thurman, this year’s festivities centered around honoree Al Gore. And the former Vice President had quite the night of musical performances in his honor.
Pop sensations like Alicia Keys, KT Tunstall, Annie Lennox, and Kylie Minogue all took the stage to add their own flavor to the night. And Gore showed his appreciation by applauding wildly after each song.
At the end of the event, Gore addressed the crowd with the utmost enthusiasm with a message of hope. “Let’s get on with it. We can do this,” he said, referring to the necessary global steps to better the environment.