Jolie-Pitt Money Zoned for War
The Jolie-Pitt Foundation’s good intentions are once again pointed eastward.
The nonprofit set up to dole out the namesake thespian couple’s excess dough to good causes has made a $1 million contribution to a handful of groups benefiting kids affected by the war in Iraq.
Half the hefty sum will be spread out among three education and relief organizations in the embattled Middle East nation, according to the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which said that nearly 5,700 kids will benefit from the donation.
The other $500,000 will go to the U.S.’ Armed Services YMCA Operation Hero Program, which provides tutoring and counseling for children who have a parent stationed overseas or have lost a parent in the fighting.
Meanwhile, the clothes off of Angelina’s back are slowly doing their part to help hurricane victims on these shores.
The current bid for the zip-up leather jacket Jolie wore in her new action flick Wanted stands at $1,500 on CharityFolks.com, with all proceeds going to the Morgan Freeman-championed Plan!t Now fund.
“Angelina was nice enough to donate the original jacket she wore and used in one of the coolest scenes of the movie,” Charity Folks founder Kelly Fiore told News Wednesday. “We have big expectations. Last time, she donated jewelry she wore to the Golden Globes, and it sold for $20,000.”
But considering it’s summer and not exactly leather-jacket weather, it makes sense that a round of golf with Freeman is currently going for $5,000 and four tickets to The Country Girl on Broadway, in which the mellifluous-voiced actor is making a rare theatrical appearance, are valued at $2,500.
And, Fiore said, friends of Freeman’s such as Ben Affleck, Alice Cooper and Sheryl Crow are set to give a little piece of their heartsor possessions, at leastas well. Plus, memorabilia from the upcoming Batman sequel The Dark Knight will be on the block soon.
“Morgan’s friends have been stepping up and saying, ’I want to donate!’” Fiore said. “We are still in the brainstorming phase, thinking of cool movie memorabilia that fans will love.”
Additional reporting by Whitney English
Jessica Simpson: Country Girl in the Big City
Jessica Simpson: Country Girl in the Big City
Following a late night arrival in the Big Apple, Jessica Simpson and her mother Tina were spotted up bright and early on Tuesday morning (June 10).
And the rising country starlet looked cute in a white top, black jacket and a pair of black short shorts as she exited her hotel.
Regarding her foray into country music, Jessica recently told press, “It’s a spiritual thing for me, like ‘I know God has a plan and a purpose.’ For the first time in my life, I take a lot of pride in my talent and in the record I was able to put together.”
She continued, “With the writers, I felt comfortable opening up, because the only way this opportunity was going to be a great one was to be honest with myself and with them. If I want to be singing it for the rest of my life onstage, I want it to be honest.”
As for her naysayers, Miss Simpson commented, “Maybe they thought that I was just trying to stomp on their ground for a little bit and see what I could do, and then just go back and make another pop record. But I’m planning on making country for the rest of my life, and I don’t want to go back to that other world.”
Taylor Swift Turns 18, Gets A Pink Truck
Taylor Swift Turns 18, Gets A Pink Truck
Yesterday was a big day for country music phenom Taylor Swift. She had a party, got a new truck, and had another country superstar sing happy birthday to her.
But she started off the day doing something she hopes all of her 18-year-old fans will imitate… she registered to vote. She told press, “I did it in my pajamas!”
After completing her official government business, the “Our Song” singer (the latest #1 for Taylor) invited some friends over and started the long preparation process for last night’s big party.
The dress? A hot-pink Betsey Johnson number. Taylor told press, “It was between this and a black dress, but I knew all my friends would be in black, so I went with the pink. I love pink.”
At the party, the president of her record label, Scott Borchetta, hooked the country girl up with a “supersized bubblegum-pink Chevy truck.” And Swift couldn’t have been happier.
Later, John Rich of Big and Rich let the guests in a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Jessica’s Country Cover
Expect to see a little southern comfort to grace the cover of Jessica Simpson’s new country album.
No, not the booze.
Sources tell News she’ll likely be dressed in a cowboy hat and boots for the CD cover.
“This is her first country album, and she wanted to send home the message that despite her previous pop stuff, she’s just a country girl at heart,” the pal says.
Jessica posed for pics in Nashville on Monday in a cover shoot that included lots of cowgirl shots (in jeans and cutoffs), as well as glam-girl pics, according to our insider.
“They wanted a mix of stuff to choose from,” says the insider. “But she is pushing for the simple country cowgirl-type thing.”
Jessica’s mom, Tina, was on set, but the men in her life (daddy Joe and beau Tony) were both absent. And that’s a good thing, says Jessica’s pal.
“She’s got enough pressure on her,” her friend says. “She doesn’t need the men all tense around her. She’s got so much hope pinned on this country record. She thinks this could reinvent her and finally give her the respect she’s never had in the music industry. She simply can’t live with Newlyweds as her only lasting legacy.”