The cliché “stick to what you know” has got to be thrown around at celebrities more than any other existing group. Fortunately, for most, the lack of truth in those words has led big stars to give their platform to important causes. From Black Lives Matter to the environment, these celebrities mix fame with activism, lending their voices and finances to the issues that matter most. These stars show us the power of speaking up and causing “good trouble,” as civil rights activist John Lewis once said.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie swapped adoring fans and red carpets for the unforgiving reality of life in refugee camps. By definition, she was on the front lines with the UNHCR in over sixty countries after joining the refugee relief agency in the early 2000s. It upped her game as a Special Envoy in 2012, taking on global issues diplomatically when she founded an initiative called Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. With this mandate, she continues to fight fiercely for the rights of survivors worldwide.
Jennifer Lopez
J.Lo’s choreography isn’t just on the dance floor; in 2009, she founded the Lopez Family Foundation with sisters, supporting mothers and kids to get high-quality health care for all. That wasn’t enough for this feminist power woman, so she also joined Amnesty International in its fight against femicide in Mexico, opening a bilingual information center and creating “Borderland,” which highlights the murders of women activists.
Shakira
Shakira’s philanthropy hits as hard as her beats. In 1997, she founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which seeks to create opportunities for the enormous numbers of impoverished children in her native Colombia. Then, as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, she forewent her baby shower in favor of a donation opportunity to show her continued concern for children worldwide.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD foundation is as legendary as her music. Recently, BeyGOOD donated $6 million to support mental health services and assist families during the pandemic, along with around half a million to prevent evictions. As dedicated supporters of Black Lives Matter, Beyoncé and Jay-Z have funded legal fees for jailed protestors and actively participated in protests, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
Emma Watson
As United Nations Women’s Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson has led the #HeforShe campaign to include men in the struggle for gender parity. She is also a champion for reproductive rights, putting the spotlight on tragic cases, including that of an Irish woman who died because of restrictive abortion laws. She is passionate about sustainability and committed to wearing only eco-friendly, ethically-made fashion.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton never forgot where she came from, from the poor hills of Tennessee to the superstar stage she holds across the nation. In 1988, she founded the Dollywood Foundation and cut in half the high school dropout rate in her hometown. Her success led to the Imagination Library, which now sends over a million free books to children monthly.
Elizabeth Taylor
When AIDS was new and terrifying, Elizabeth Taylor stepped up. She lost her friend, Rock Hudson, and never stopped fighting for AIDS awareness and research. She co-founded amFAR and launched the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in the 1990s. Yet even in death, her work continues. Taylor made sure that 25% of her image rights fund her foundation, making her iconic face a symbol of hope and compassion.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn’s childhood during WWII fueled her lifelong dedication to helping others. As a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, she tirelessly raised funds and visited countless countries to aid vulnerable children. Even while battling cancer, Hepburn auctioned her iconic film costumes to provide clean water, food, and medicine worldwide.
Bono
Bono, the U2 frontman, is as famous for his philanthropy as his music. Since 1999, he’s been a driving force in third-world debt relief and AIDS awareness in Africa. He toured Africa with the Treasury Secretary in 2002. He showcased African plights with NBC’s Bono’s dedication, which earned him the Man of Peace Prize in 2008, solidifying his status as a humanitarian hero.
Oprah
Oprah’s philanthropy is as legendary as her media empire. She’s tackled everything from disaster relief to homelessness and has significantly funded the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History. Education is her true passion, and she has donated around $400 million to causes like the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Her passion and efforts earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga and her mother launched the Born This Way Foundation to support youth mental health in 2012. In 2010, she led MAC’s Viva Glam campaign to raise funds for the MAC AIDS Fund. Lady Gaga’s Oscar-nominated song “Til It Happens To You” from “The Hunting Ground” spotlighted campus rape. Vocal about her own assault, Gaga’s 2016 Oscars performance with 50 survivors solidified her as a fierce advocate for victims.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman’s iconic voice has championed many causes, from environmental awareness with One Earth to social justice. He’s a vocal critic of Black History Month, believing the path to ending racism is by changing the conversation. Freeman’s straightforward and impactful advocacy highlights his commitment to making a difference, proving that his influence extends far beyond the silver screen.
Nina Simone
Nina Simone’s powerful voice became a beacon for the Civil Rights Movement. Her song “Mississippi Goddam,” written in response to the Birmingham church bombing, echoed the cry for justice and equality. Though it was banned in Southern states, its message resonated nationwide.
Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera, a true disaster relief hero, jumped in to help after Hurricane Katrina. In 2010, she turned her attention to Haiti’s earthquake victims, and in 2012, she supported those hit by Hurricane Sandy. As a global spokesperson for World Hunger Relief, Aguilera travels to developing nations to highlight malnutrition, using her star power to highlight global hunger.
Viola Davis
Viola Davis knows hunger firsthand and uses her platform to combat it. As an ambassador for Hunger Is and a National Spokesperson for No Kid Hungry, she’s a vocal advocate against childhood hunger. Davis shares her own struggles and tirelessly spreads awareness about food insecurity, especially during the pandemic. Her advocacy transforms personal hardships into hope, fighting to ensure no child goes hungry.
Mariska Hargitay
Mariska Hargitay’s role as Detective Olivia Benson on “Law & Order: SVU” sparked a real-life mission. Moved by fan letters from sexual assault survivors, Hargitay founded the Joyful Heart Foundation. The organization focuses on healing, education, and empowerment for victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.
George Clooney
George Clooney is passionate about preventing genocides. He co-founded the Not On Our Watch Project. In 2010, Clooney organized the Hope For Haiti Now telethon, raising millions for earthquake victims. In 2012, Clooney was arrested outside the Sudanese Embassy, protesting the dire conditions in Sudan. He called it “the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.”
Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Stewart, beloved as Captain Picard, is a champion for women’s rights. At Comicpalooza 2013, his heartfelt response to a domestic violence survivor’s question went viral, showcasing his dedication. Stewart actively speaks against domestic violence, urging men to join the fight. His powerful stance has earned him admiration beyond his iconic role, proving that heroes exist off-screen, too.
Mark Ruffalo
You might know him as the Hulk, but Mark Ruffalo is a fierce environmental activist. In 2010, he founded Water Defense, aiming to ban fracking in New York. Though the nonprofit no longer exists, Ruffalo’s fight continues. He battles against oil pipelines and harmful chemicals. In 2019, he testified before Congress about PFAS, the toxic substance featured in his film Dark Waters.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s generosity is as legendary as her music. She’s known for surprising fans by paying off student loans, medical bills, and rent. Swift also donates to numerous charities. Her single “Welcome to New York” proceeds went to NYC schools. In 2020, she even gave $1 million for tornado relief in Nashville.
Yara Shahidi
At just 17, Yara Shahidi founded Eighteen x ’18 to mobilize young voters. Through Yara’s Club, she mentors girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. Shahidi’s activism is deeply rooted in her upbringing. As she told Teen Vogue, her parents instilled a passion for social change. Comfortable voicing her opinions, Shahidi inspires a generation to speak up and make a difference.
Leonardo DiCaprio
No doubt, he is an A-list actor; Leonardo DiCaprio is also a staunch environmental activist. Since 1998, he’s led the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, focusing on biodiversity and climate change. His foundation has awarded over $10 million to ecosystem projects. Named a UN Messenger of Peace in 2014, DiCaprio continues to advocate for ocean conservation and hosts galas that raise millions.
Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen is a supermodel and a Global Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Environment Program. Passionate about sustainability, she practices “reduce, reuse, recycle” at home and advocates globally. Her mission to leave a better earth for future generations drives her work. As she told Marie Claire, preserving natural resources is crucial for survival.
Elton John
Elton John’s legacy extends far beyond music. His Elton John AIDS Foundation, founded in 1992, has raised over $125 million to combat HIV/AIDS globally. Devastated by personal losses to the disease, Sir Elton channels grief into action, funding research and services for those affected. A perennial philanthropist, he consistently ranks among music’s most generous donors.
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