Stars Making A Change

It’s a tough time for everyone around the world as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to take the lives of loved ones while rendering odd job workers strapped for cash. Since its first discovery in Hubei province, China, the virus has spread like wildfire to over 183 countries and killed more than 80,000 people.

The outbreak has since revealed to us the relentless sacrifices of health care personnel, law enforcement officers, and other essential-services employees working around the clock to turn around things to normal.

Celebrities are too stepping in to put their privilege and stardom to good use with some donating Personal protective equipment (PPE) to medical workers and others, organising donation drives to those who have had their livelihood put to a halt. See how your ultimate biases are doing their part in giving back to the society.

#1 Lady Gaga

Yes. Queen Gaga managed to accumulate USD35 million with Global Citizen in just ONE WEEK to WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Fund to help provide protective equipment to health care workers. To top it off, she announced a benefit concert will take place on April 18th to honour medical professionals. Can’t wait!!!

#2 Rihanna

The B*tch Better Have My Money singer literally wants people to have her money when her charitable foundation, The Clara Lionel donates USD5 million to a number of charities that are working to curb the pandemic. A few of many includes Direct Relief, Feeding America, Partners in Health, The World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund and the International Rescue Committee. *Salutes*

#3 BTS Suga

You can definitely count on K-Pop band, BTS to rally a donation drive with a fan base as strong as an army (literally, their global fan base is known as ARMY). When Suga donated 100 million won to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association, 11000 strong BTS fans followed suit by donating more than half a billion won. Many of them utilised their ticket refunds from the now-cancelled BTS’s Map Of The Soul tour to purchase relief goods for the needy.

#4 Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Hollywood power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were one of the earliest celebrities to come to aid against the Covid-19 outbreak. The cheeky husband and wife took it to Instagram to announce that they were donating USD1 million to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada to help provide meals to those in need during the pandemic. Lively and Reynolds then donated $400,000 to four New York hospitals that were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. #STAN

#5 Justin Bieber

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A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Feb 13, 2020 at 11:25am PST

Wiring his donations all the way to China, Justin Bieber pledged USD 29,000 to the Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation, a children’s charity in China, to help combat COVID-19 in the nation. The singer made a shout out to fellow artist, Kris Wu, a former member of the K-Pop band, EXO presumably for inspiring him to make the donation.

#6 Shawn Mendes

Singer Shawn Mendes speaks fluent philanthropy as his charitable foundation, The Shawn Mendes Foundation donated USD175,000 to Toronto’s SickKids Foundation, the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. He shared in an Instagram post that the donation will support the urgent screening and prevention of the Covid-19 virus in his hometown. It’s definitely not in his blood to forget his roots.

#7 Christiano Ronaldo

With one too many football leagues achievements under his belt, philanthropy is one that we admire CR7 for. The Portugal football superstar was reported to donate EUR 1 million to show his support to the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. In another humanitarian gesture, Ronaldo and his agent Jorge Mendes donated to convert a wing of the Santo Antonio Hospital in the Northern city of Porto into Intensive Care Units (ICU) with 15 beds fully equipped with ventilators, monitors and other equipment. He now posts workout videos on Instagram to encourage people to stay fit while at home. Bravo Ronaldo!

#8 Roger Federer

Did you know that Roger Federer is reportedly on track to become the first billionaire tennis player through accumulated earning of prize money and sponsorship throughout his career? And he’s definitely not stingy to share his good fortune with those who is in need. The accomplished tennis player and his wife, Mirka have pledged to donate one million Swiss Francs to help families affected by the outbreak in their native Switzerland. The fund dubbed, “Fund For Families In Need” will be used to distribute vouchers for food and for child care services. Pandemic 0 – 1 Federer

Back in Malaysia tanah tumpah darahku, local celebrities have extended their fair share of altruistic contributions in the fight against Covid-19 too.

#9 Harith Iskander

Our comedian king is indeed a charitable king too! Harith Iskander shared in an IGTV video that him together with wife, Dr Jezamine Lim and the team at The Joke Factory, a comedy club he owns, have set up a fund raising effort dubbed The Hope Factory. The funds accumulated will be utilised to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical face masks, hand sanitizers, face shields, Polyethylene coated long-sleeved long gowns and shoe covers among others for front liners. He added that the funds will benefit the homeless and the underprivileged as well. The Funniest Person In The World Winner has definitely won our hearts too!

#10 Faizal Tahir

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A post shared by FT (@faizal_tahir) on Mar 30, 2020 at 5:08am PDT

The “Gemuruh Jiwa” singer posted a video on Instagram calling for 100 families who are have had their livelihood affected due to the MCO issued by the government. Together with I am Faith Men, a social enterprise; they purchased groceries and essential needs for the chosen families. In the one minute video, he shared a number for families or any individuals to call for further inquiries on the aid. Loving your energy Faizal Tahir!

#11 Datuk Radzuwan Radziwill

Datuk Radzuan Radziwill might be a name new to you if you’re not well-versed on the local fashion scene. The fashion designer has had the honour of designing for Malaysian royalty, the Sultan of Brunei and former USA president Barack Obama.

His talent for designing haute couture was put aside as he worked up some elbow grease to sew personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontliners during the Covid-19 pandemic. He reached out to a doctor friend from Serdang hospital to get information on measurements and materials needed and started to sew up gowns after gowns of protective clothing from home. And that’s what we call goodwill with style!

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A post shared by RADZUAN RADZIWILL (@radzuanradziwill) on Mar 29, 2020 at 2:08am PDT

#12 Daiyan Trisha

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A post shared by Daiyan Trisha (@daiyantrisha) on Mar 21, 2020 at 11:48pm PDT

According to Harian Metro, singer and actress, Daiyan Trisha donated over RM7,000 to NGOs and vulnerable communities in Malaysia affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. She shared in an IGTV video that her social media accounts has been flooded with messages from individuals seeking financial aid and has since been feeling restless to help. She then shares a number of other charitable platforms for her followers to donate and show support for others who need in this time of distress. Yass girl!

There's no denying that the Covid-19 pandemic has brought out the true colours of anyone from your friends, families, bosses, Insta-famous, Hollywood celebrities to political figures. If this health crisis has taught us anything, it should be that we should put personal politics aside and instead, focus on reaching out a helping hand to those in need.

Watch actress Sara Ali and director Megat Shahrizal dish out their opinions on personal politics in the local art scene in Malaysia with host Denise Chan on this episode of Hello Whats The Feed.