The Emmy Award-winning Idol Gives Back returns with an illustrious group of celebrity participants to help raise awareness and funds to benefit various U.S. and international charities Wednesday, April 9 (7:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox. Robin Williams, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Kiefer Sutherland, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jennifer Connolly, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia and Amy Adams join previously announced international talent and sports figures Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, Heart and Gloria Estefan.
Tickets for the star-studded event are currently on sale to the general public. The event will tape at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday, April 6. For more information, visit AmericanIdol.com.
The brainchild of Simon Fuller, Idol Gives Back has been recognized as a life-changing program, earning praise from many of the world's best known figures including President George W. Bush, HRH Prince Charles and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Last season, Idol Gives Back raised over $76 million for charity and garnered a prestigious Governor's Award Emmy.
During the show, viewers will be able to make donations via toll-free lines and the Internet. Money raised by the charity special will be distributed by Idol Gives Back to the following beneficiaries: the Children's Defense Fund (ChildrensDefenseFund.org); The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (JoinTheGlobalFund.org); Make It Right (MakeItRightNola.org); Malaria No More (MalariaNoMore.org); Save The Children (SaveTheChildren.org); and the Children's Health Fund (ChildrensHealthFund.org).
American Idol is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder and CEO of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America.
Visit AmericanIdol.com for more information on Idol Gives Back as well as exclusive videos, photos, special behind-the-scenes information and all of your American Idol news.