Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis PHOTO: BY JOHN SALANGSANG/BFA.COM
FROM BRIAN COX TO MILA KUNIS TO STEVEN SPIELBERG, CELEBRITIES HAVE BEEN UTILIZING THEIR PLATFORMS TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT RUSSIA’S INVASION OF UKRAINE AND OTHER CAUSES.
During the Succession cast’s acceptance speech for best drama series ensemble at the SAG Awards, Scottish actor Brian Cox made a call to action. “The thing that’s really distressed me is what’s happening in Russia, to our fellow actors and actresses and performers and writers and critics. They are told, under pain of high treason, that they cannot say a word about Ukraine,” he said. “I think that is pretty awful, and I think we should all stand together for those people in Russia who don’t like what’s going on—the artists. I think we should join in celebrating them and hoping that they can actually make a shift. Because I believe they can.”
Since the declaration, support for Ukraine has poured in from across Hollywood, marking an impressive, massive philanthropic effort by the entertainment industry to help better our world. Here’s how celebrities have been raising their voices for Ukraine and other causes.
Yara Shahidi, Angela Bassett and Walt Disney Television’s Dana Walden at Taste for a Cure PHOTO: COURTESY OF TASTE FOR A CURE
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher
For Mila Kunis, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine are personal. The actress was born and raised in the Eastern European country until she was 8 years old, so within weeks of the invasion, she and husband Ashton Kutcher launched a GoFundMe to support Airbnb, which is providing short-term housing to refugees, and Flexport, an organization shipping relief supplies to various refugee sites. The Kutcher-Kunis family personally contributed $3 million to the fundraiser, and raised $36 million by mid-April. gofundme.com/f/stand-with-ukraine
Steven Spielberg
In step with their charitable track record, the award-winning director and his wife, Kate Capshaw, donated $1 million in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, supporting various organizations in and near the country, including World Central Kitchen, Polish Red Cross and Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society. Their philanthropic contribution was made through their Hearthland Foundation.
Ben Platt performed at LA Family Housing’s 2022 Awards PHOTO: BY ERIC CHARBANNEAU FOR LA FAMILY HOUSING
Julia von Boehm
Fashion has also made its mark in the effort to support Ukraine. Among the charitable stylists and designers is Julia von Boehm, who dresses A-listers like Nicole Kidman. Following her charitable efforts for the COVID-19 pandemic, von Boehm launched Donate with Style for Ukraine. Through the initiative, she and her team held virtual styling sessions for anyone who made a donation of $100 or more to Doctors Without Borders. juliavonboehm.com
Olivia Colman and Taron Egerton
Who would’ve thought we’d find two Golden Globe-winning actors on Cameo? In March, Olivia Colman and Taron Egerton teamed up on the personalized video service to raise funds for Choose Love, a United Kingdom-based humanitarian aid organization that provides emergency aid and long-term refugee support for Ukraine.
Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg. PHOTO: BY MATTEO PRANDONI/BFA.COM
Macy Gray
On the heels of her national anthem performance at the NBA All-Star Game, Macy Gray released an NFT in solidarity with Ukraine. Called the “All-Star Spangled Banner,” the limited-edition piece combined the Grammy-winning artist’s soulful rendition of the national anthem with American flag artwork that represents the multiracial diversity of the United States. Proceeds from the NFT went to UNICEF’s Ukraine relief efforts.
LA Family Housing Awards
On April 21, the LA Family House Awards returned for an in-person ceremony that raised over $2 million toward the organization’s work to end homelessness throughout Los Angeles County. The evening celebrated Interscope Vice Chairman Steve Berman and his family, and featured performances from Ellie Goulding and Ben Platt. Hosted by Jacques Slade, the event also drew support from attendees Chrishell Stause, Perrey Reeves and Kayla Ewell. lafh.org
Taste for a Cure
Taste for a Cure took over the Fairmont Century Plaza April 29. Over the last 25 years, the ceremony has raised millions of dollars for cancer research at the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation. Co-hosts Rob Lowe and Ken Jeong led the celebration of Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award honorees Michael Thorn, president of entertainment at Fox Entertainment, and Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials at Fox Entertainment. Featuring tastings from world-famous winners, the culinary event also included a performance from Robin Thicke. events.cff.org
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