• Idol Gives Back is an annual televised charity drive that first aired on April 24, 2007. The second charity drive, during season seven, aired on April 9, 2008. The event raises money to help fund projects to fight disease and promote education, largely in Africa, but also in other under privileged areas as well.

• Fast Facts

  1. First aired: April 24, 2007
  2. Second season airing: April 9, 2008
  3. Parent organization: American Idol
  4. 2007 show was co-hosted by Ellen DeGeneres
  5. News Corp. paid 10 cents per call for the first 50 million calls made
  6. Other major sponsors and contributors: Ford Motor Company, AT&T, Allstate, Exxon Mobil
  7. 2007 earnings: $75 millionOfficial Site: Idol Gives Back Announces the Impressive... (November 13, 2008)
  8. 2008 earnings: $64 millionOfficial Site: Idol Gives Back Announces the Impressive... (November 13, 2008)

• 2008 Campaign

  While Idol Gives Back was spread over two episodes of Idol in 2007, it aired as one 2 1/2-hour episode on April 9, 2008. Celebrity guest spots included performances by Miley Cyrus and Snoop Dogg and a special appearance by actor Brad Pitt.

• 2008 Performers

  • Snoop Dogg with Charlie Wilson
  • Teri Hatcher
  • Fergie
  • Heart
  • Annie Lennox
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Jordin Sparks with Chris Brown
  • Gloria Estefan with Sheila E
  • Chris Daughtry
  • Mariah Carey
  • Miley Cyrus

• 2007 Campaign

  Initiated by AI creator Simon Fuller and writer Richard Curtis, the first "Idol Gives Back" campaign sent funds to Africa and donated to Hurricane Katrina charitable funds. Corporations such as News Corp and Coca-Cola donated money based on the number of votes called into the show. Celebrity performances highlighted the two-night event, with appearances by Marc Anthony, Antonio Banderas, Bono, Tom Cruise, Ellen DeGeneres, Shaquille O'Neal and Gwyneth Paltrow.

• 2007 Performers

  • Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Il Divo
  • Carrie Underwood
  • Jack Black
  • Fergie
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Josh Groban
  • Kelly Clarkson
  • Celine Dion
  • Annie Lennox
  • Green Day
  • Pink and Gwen Stefani were had taped segments for the show, but due to time constraints their segments were aired on later episodes.

• Charities Helped

  • Save the Children
  • America's Second Harvest
  • Boys & Girls Club of America
  • Children's Health Fund
  • The Global Fund to Fight AIDS
  • Tuberculosis & Malaria
  • Malaria No More
  • Nothing But Nets
  • UNICEF

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Idol Gives Back Videos | Idol Gives Back Spoilers | Brad Pitt American Idol | American Idol Season 7 | American Idol Season 7 Spoilers | American Idol | Simon Cowell | Simon Fuller | Miley Cyrus | Idol Gives Back Photos | Idol Gives Back Videos | Annie Lennox Idol Gives Back

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