Rihanna launches her Gucci for UNICEF campaign

It's finally here! After much anticipation, Rihanna's ads for Gucci's new "Tattoo Heart" for UNICEF campaign have finally arrived.

Last night, celebs attended a posh dinner at The Plaza to celebrate the launch of the new campaign, which donates 25 percent of sales to UNICEF.

These swanky stars included Madonna, Adrien Grenier, Blake Lively, Pen Badgley, Mary J. Blige, Erin Wasson, Timbaland, Natasha Poly, and Patricia Fields.

Learn more about this cause and also check out other stars who have come out to show their support for UNICEF!

Rihanna at Gucci's Tattoo Heart for UNICEF dinner
via rihanna-fenty.com

CGG Exclusive! Kevin Spacey on gay marriage: "We’re going to get it right"

Kevin Spacey

Among the remarkable guests who showed up to Petra Nemcova’s 2008 Happy Hearts Gala was the one and only Kevin Spacey. Not only did the two-time Academy Award winner drop everything ( he’s currently shooting The Men Who Stare at Goats with George Clooney in New Mexico) to come to New York and support his friend Petra, he also auctioned off a date with himself in London to help raise funds for the charity.

Kevin is a truly passionate actor with an amazing heart. He’s also known for being elusive; as he puts it, the less you know about him, the easier it is to believe he’s that character up on the silver screen. Check out our exclusive interview below as Kevin discusses Obama, Prop 8, and why he believes America is going to overturn the ban on gay marriage once and for all.

CelebsGoneGood: What brings you here tonight?

Kevin Spacey: Oh you know, anything that can help kids around the world, and I think that what Petra has done is pretty remarkable these last couple of years.

CGG: How do you feel about President-Elect Obama?

KS: Hope is in the air, and it’s palpable. It’s an exciting and generous spirit. And I think that the American public is ready for it, and I think he’s ready for it, and I believe the world is ready for it.

CGG: What about Proposition 8? Do you hope California will fight the ban on gay marriage?

KS: Well there’s no doubt that election night was a bittersweet night. But in some ways, these kinds of setbacks allow for a bigger fight, more challenges, and eventually we’re going to get it right. Eventually the American public will figure out that it really isn’t right to deny citizens basic civil human rights. And we can no longer allow that to happen.

So the fact that these things were voted in, to me, it’s just an example of the fact that they had more money. How much money did the Mormon church put in? So I hope, like Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Don’t give up. Keep protesting.”

CGG: Do you think that the UK has it right with Elton John pushing for civil unions, not marriage?

KS: Well, I haven’t heard what Elton has said about it, and I don’t really know the particular laws in London with respect to whether they just have civil unions or...Look, I think at the end of the day, if people are given rights, and the same basic rights that any individual is given, then we are in fact honoring the Constitution of the United States. Anything less than that is unfair.

Petra Nemcova has a heart of gold

Petra Nemcova

If there’s one thing you think of when it comes to supermodels, it’s normally not what’s on the inside. But the exception to that rule is the gorgeous Petra Nemcova, who has one of the biggest hearts we know. After surviving the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, Petra was inspired to create the Happy Hearts Fund, to create education and sustainable opportunities for children in areas hit by disaster. Formed two years ago, today Happy Hearts affects 20,500 children and over 100,000 community members in 12 countries on five continents. This Monday, we headed to her annual gala to find out just what is behind her mission. Fellow do-gooder supermodel Molly Sims tells us of her friend, “The most amazing thing about Petra is not her looks; it is that she works every angle for these children. She’ll do whatever it takes.” The Masquerade in Venice Gala, featuring a performance by Estelle, showed a tremendous amount of work and passion, ultimately raising almost $3.5 million.

In the last year, Petra tells us that Happy Hearts has grown “one thousand percent. And because we have strategic partnerships,” she says, “we’ve been able to choose different companies and different governments to work with. We set more goals each year.” That night Petra honored Wyclef Jean for his organization Yelé Haiti, which helps bring hope to his native country. Happy Hearts helps Yelé Haiti to implement computers in schools.

When asked about one incidence of specifically helping out a child, Petra tells us although there are many stories, the children in Cambodia are particularly close to her heart: “The ones we are helping are growing up in garbage dumps and most of them are orphans,” she says. “And they’ve been eating rotten foods in order to survive or sniffing glue to overcome hunger. And now they are getting the best possible education in Cambodia; they are in the best international schools where other children can come as they go, and then they can go to Yale, Harvard, any university. For them, when you ask them what they want, they don’t say bicycles, they don’t say a computer game, they say the best possible education because when they come back to Cambodia, they can help the country so the children of Cambodia don’t have to suffer as they did.”

Petra is truly an inspiration, proving that it’s possible to be beautiful both inside and out. And by focusing her efforts on children and education, she shows us that education is truly the key to change.

Estelle

Celebs walk the green carpet at the 2008 EMA's

Rosario Dawson at the EMA's
via omg.yahoo.com

Last Wednesday, celebs rolled up in hybrid cars to walk down the green carpet in eco-friendly frocks for the 18th Annual Environmental Media Awards in LA. The EMA awards seek to reward those in the entertainment industry who "convey environmental messages in the most creative and influential ways," according to their website.

Among the stars who came to support the EMA's were Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, Wilmer Valderrama, Jaime King, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lance Bass, and Amy Smart.

And among the night's top winners were Honoree Rosario Dawson, Director Sean Penn's movie Into the Wild for Best Feature Film, and Producer Tina Fey's show 30 Rock for Best Television Episodic Comedy.

Also, guess what show won a Green Seal Award? Teen Choice Awards 2008 (who's officially charity sponsor was Do Something by the bye)!!!

All in all, the 2008 EMA were a major environmental success. We're just "green" with envy (a-ha, a-ha) we couldn't make it out to LA for this!

Now check out ways you can help support our environment in your own town!

NEW Do Something PSA! Jamie Foxx wants you to feed the need

How psyched are we that Do Something now has Oscar winner Jamie Foxx spreading the word about our Feed the Need campaign?!

Well, it totally makes sense -- afterall, it was Jamie's character in his upcoming movie that inspired the program, which is sponsored by Participant Films.

Due for release in Spring 2009, The Soloist is a tale of hope and humanity: After journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie) -- a homeless man who's a classical music prodigy -- playing a two-stringed violin on an L.A. street, Lopez makes it his mission to do whatever it takes to get Ayers back on track.

In the spirit of this film, schools across the country are currently conducting Do Something food drives to raise much needed food this holiday season. And check it: Do Something is awarding the winning schools $1000 grants!

Find out how you and your school can be part of a national movement to raise ONE MILLION POUNDS of non-perishables by December 15 at Feed the Need.

If you and/or your school are already part of the drive, tell us how it's going below!

Finally, for inspiration, here's the the trailer featuring Jamie in The Soloist!

Charlize Theron: messenger of peace

via askmen.com

Super-stunner Charlize Theron was just named the newest United Nations messenger of peace on Friday, with a special focus on ending violence against women.

These messengers of peace consist of ten celebrities in all forms of entertainment who aim to promote UN activities and ideals through media and the public.

Other UN messengers of peace include George Clooney, Michael Douglas, and Jane Goodall.

But now, Charlize proves to be an excellent choice for this new voice to stop violence against women as she has admitted to having her own experience with domestic abuse at the age of 15, when her mother fatally shot her alcoholic father after he threatened the family in an inebriated rage.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon told Charlize on her new designation, "You have used your voice, compassion, and special relationship with the public to create a better world."

Other efforts Charlize has been involved with include efforts to place mobile health clinics in rural areas of her birthplace of South Africa, where there is limited access to health care.

Congrats Charlize!!!

And with 1/3 of Americans to experience domestic abuse in their lifetimes, find out the warning signs of an abusive relationship....

Courtney Cox and David Arquette won't let Americans go hungry

Courteney Cox, Vicki Escarra (President and CEO Feeding America), and David Arquette
via SunshineSachs

Last Wednesday, Courtney Cox and David Arquette teamed up with Feeding America in LA to launch its official brand and kick off its new "Fill a Bowl, Feed America" campaign.

This inaugural campaign will feature a freshly created Entertainment Council that is made up of a team of spokespeople including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Nick Lachey, Laila Ali, Scott Hamilton, Olympian Sanya Richards, and Phil Vassar.

All these celebs and more will be involved in a nationwide call to action to motivate Americans to fight against hunger, especially during a time where it has never been more imperative to do so.

That's because with the current state of the economy, one in eight Americans today cannot always tell where they will get their next meal. Furthermore, Feeding America's 205 food banks are reporting an increase in demand of 15 to 20 percent and higher, with currently 36 million Americans at risk of hunger.

But Courtney and David, along with a group of many other fabulous celebs, are rallying to feed these hungry mouths through their support. And now you can too by joining Do Something, Corbin Bleu and Participant Films to Feed the Need in your own community this holiday season.

Damien Fahey reminisces on TRL!

Damien Fahey at the TRL Wrap-Up Party and Damien Fahey & Kim Kardashian on TRL
via newsday.com

For many of us, we will no longer be able to rush home after school to watch our favorite TRL countdown of the hottest music videos. Nor will we be able to scream with joy and giggle with delight when we see our favorite band play live or meet their biggest fans under one roof. That’s because after a decade of serving up one of the biggest pop culture statements of our generation, MTV’s TRL has finally come to a close. (tears.)

But what better way to end things with a bang, then have seven-year MTV VJ and Do Something board member Damien Fahey throw one of the best wrap-up parties in town??! After hosting the TRL finale show that included guest appearances and performances by Mariah Carey, Diddy, Taylor Swift, Ludacris, Hilary Duff, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Benji and Joel Madden, 50 Cent, Beyonce, The Backstreet Boys, and Fall Out Boy, the whole MTV crew headed over to the after-party at Nikki Beach Midtown for some late night jubilations.

The venue was pristine with white booths surrounding a packed dance floor, gauzy fabrics draped from the ceiling, dimmed blue lighting that set the cool mood, and the DJ’s intense bass that nearly pumped a second heart beat into your chest! The A-list crowd only added more excitement to the mix and was teeming with past and present MTV VJs and News Correspondents alike, including Carson Daly, Dave Holmes, Tim Kash, La La Vasquez, Vanessa Minnillo, Sway, John Norris, and Hillary Burton. Other celebs who partied it up with the MTV crew included Kid Rock, American Idol’s Constantine Maroulis, JC Chasez, and Joel and Benji Madden (sans Nicole and Paris.)

CGG caught up with Damien at his party, where he told us all about his feelings about TRL’s last day, what’s next for him and his career, and how he got involved with Do Something and the ways he continues to contribute—and we must say how impressed we were with how personable Damien was at a party where everyone was screaming his name!!

Wanna get involved with Do Something yourself? Here’s how you can Do Something today!

Quote of the Day: Alan Cumming

via broadwayworld.com

"I was inspired to become a citizen of the US by Barack Obama and his vision of the future. Although I missed being able to vote for him on Tuesday, being sworn in as a citizen knowing he is the next president made me so proud. I am now an American. If McCain and Palin had won, I may have stayed in bed."

-Alan Cumming tells Page Six regarding being sworn in as a US citizen last week.

How do you feel now that the election is decided? Let us know!

Also, check out what Obama has on his plate now that he's our new prez!!

Brandy is back! The CGG iview

It's been nearly 15 years since Brandy broke into the limelight -- yet she's only 26!

But her hiatus was tainted by tragedy. Almost two years ago, she was involved in a car accident on a Los Angeles freeway that claimed the life of another driver when Brandy's Land Rover slammed into the back of the victim's car. The singer was not arrested nor charged with a crime.

Now, finally she's making her comeback, and, as CGG learned, she's brimming with positivity -- and, wow, she's more beautiful than ever.

Her new album, Human, drops on December 9. And CGG is totally obsessed with the first single, "Right Here (Departed)" -- which was written by her producer BFF, Rodney "The Boy is Mine" Jerkins -- and its gorgeous, compelling video (she plays a guardian angel). Plus, we can't wait for her upcoming performance at New York radio station Z100's always rockin' Jingle Ball!

CGG recently caught up with Brandy in an exclusive interview, where she told us all about the inspiration behind her powerful new song and its angelic metaphors; how important love is to her life; her youth org, Norwood Kids Foundation -- plus, what she's most thankful for during this holiday season.

Welcome back, Brandy! You've been missed!

Let us know what you think of our CGG Brandy chat, and/or tell us your fave Brandy song or period (Moesha? I Know What You Did Last Summer? Holla!). Just don't leave this page without scribbling some words below, you hear?!

And now a word from our founder!

via Getty Images

CGG caught up with Melrose Place alum Andrew Shue at Do Something’s Social Action Boot Camp in NYC yesterday, where he was bursting with pride while talking about the org that he and a friend started back when he was the Zac Efron of prime time television!

“It's incredible now, 16 years later, that we’re still relevant: Young people are still leading the charge in social change—even in this year’s election!" Andrew tells CGG of the not-for-profit that seeks to inspire, empower and celebrate a generation of young Do-ers.

"Do Something is needed more than ever," he continues. "Young people have the time, the passion, the energy to be the change agents in our country. We need innovation, we need entrepreneurship to be fostered, and that’s what Do Something’s all about: inspiring and giving real assistance to young people who want to change the world.”

Looking to the future, Andrew says he’s planning to pass on the torch to his sons, who sat right next to him during the Boot Camp's popular "speed pitching" session. “I love the fact that my kids were here and they were exposed to these young social entrepreneurs, and hearing their pitches, and seeing the passion in people’s eyes and how much they care about it,” Andrew says. “I’m getting to be an old person, now so passing on to the next generation is an important thing.”

As for Do Something’s ultimate goal, Andrew says, “I want it to have a meaningful impact on as many young people as possible . . . and eventually go around the world. We have a lot of great Do Something entrepreneurs who come from around the world now that the world is shrinking, and the Internet is allowing us to do that. [Do Something] is a concept that needs to grow and expand.”

As articulate as Andrew is in discussing his passion for youth action, the (still a) hottie doesn't have much to say about the relaunch Melrose Place, the TV show that gave him his big break and provided him with the connections and resources to begin this organization. “I’m not involved at all [with the new show]," he says. "I really don’t know anything about it to be honest. But whomever does it, I wish them well.”

But what if Heather Locklear (aka Melrose vixen Amanda) herself comes banging on his door, begging him to take part?!

“I don’t think so,” Andrew says. “I enjoy my life in the slow-lane.”

Oh, Andrew--helping kids to change the world is so not the slow-lane! You rule!

Wanna DO SOMETHING and act now?? Of course you do!

Good Singer Alert: Adele

via dailymail.co.uk

Phew! So we know having the same song play on repeat for the last half hour may sound a little excessive, but we just can't get over Adele's killer voice! And that's not even mentioning this songstress' ferosh self-confidence either....

Not only is this lady the next British queen of music (toodloo Ms. Winehouse!) but the girl's got a solid body image for daayys...

In a recent Glamour interview, Adele discussed the habits of Tinseltown, "In Hollywood you are either too fat or you're too skinny. It's just absurd. You are never going to please everyone anyway, so what's the point? If anyone ever told me to lose weight, I would be like, 'F--k off!' And then I'd fire them."

But this outspoken darling doesn't just stop there. She continued by laying down a couple of her body-loving philosophies:

1. "People who don't have imperfections are boring. Everyone is meant to have imperfections. You're not human if you dont."

2. "When my friends and I looked at magazine covers we said, 'We don't look like that!' To try to be like one of those girls is quite imaginary. I'd rather be legendary than imaginary."

Looking for more info on how you can improve your self-image?? Follow one of these action guides!

Elton John: Why Prop 8 failed

David Furnish and Elton John via AP

Hear ye, hear ye! Sir Elton John is issuing his explanation of where those who opposed the passing of Prop 8, the Calif. measure to ban same-sex marriage, went wrong.

As one-half of a civil partnership himself since Dec. 2005 with long-time partner David Furnish, Elton seized the opportunity last week at his Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation benefit to speak out on the controversial issue that's resulted in organized protests by both sides -- not just in California, but across the US.

"We are not married; let's get that right," Elton said of he and David. "We have a civil partnership. What is wrong with Proposition 8 is that [gay rights supporters]went for marriage. Marriage is going to put a lot of people off, the word 'marriage.' "

Elton continued, "I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership."

"You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership," he explained. "Heterosexual people get married; we have civil partnerships."

But while civil unions mean the same thing across the board in the United Kingdom, in the US, its definition -- and range of rights -- differs from state to state.
Three states where civil unions offer the same benefits as marriage (without the label) are Vermont, New Hampshire, and New Jersey. These three currently offer civil unions that offer all of the state benefits of marriage, including unpaid leave from work to care for an ill spouse; social security survivor benefits; and the right not to testify against one's spouse -- among others.

Meanwhile, Oregon has a different name for a civil union -- domestic partnership -- but these are also granted the same state rights as marriage.

Then there are Maine and Washington, which offer domestic partnerships, but these states grant limited marital rights.

Finally, Massachusetts and Connecticut are currently the only two states where same-sex marriage is legal.

What do you think? Millennials like you are going to inherit these divided States -- comment below. Your opinion counts!

Then find out here what will happen to the same-sex partners who were legally wed before Prop 8 passed (we're talking Ellen and Portia, and more than 10,000 couples in California).

Rosario Dawson brings aWEARness to voting

Kenneth Cole and Rosario Dawson at Awearness event
via blogs.glam.com

CGG was hot on the scene last night for Kenneth Cole's book launch of AWEARNESS, a collection of 86 inspiring stories from the likes of Lance Armstrong, Jon Bon Jovi, Ludacris, Robert Redford, and Rachael Ray among many others.

While covering the red-and-black-hued affair, we caught up with another one of the book's star contributors, Rosario Dawson, who tells CGG she chose to write about her four-year-old voting organization called "Voto Latino" to inspire change.

"The organization that I co-founded aims for voting awareness even after the election. We're specifically trying to involve Latinos in the voting process," Rosario tells CGG.

When speaking about the event's host, Rosario says, "[Kenneth] has given us a voice and a platform for our causes.... We are living in an uncertain and exciting time; a time when we all need to pull together for the larger community."

She continues, "Use your platform, use your voice, like Kenneth, make a difference.... Like Kenneth has said, "It's more important what you stand for than what you stand in."

Hmm... sounds a lot like CGG's own motto: It's not what you're wearing, it's what you're doing. Kudos, Rosario!!

Also, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we threw in a quick query about what Rosario is most thankful for. "I'm most thankful for the health of my family," she replied. "Very much so."

As for the man of the night himself, Kenneth had quite a few things to say about what inspired him to compile his new book.

"This event touches on our company's heritage of volunteerism for social awareness and outreach," Kenneth says. "...Each story [of the book] ends with a call to action, each chapter ends with a 'how to' and a 'where to.'"

On the other hand, in reference to some people in his life he's most thankful for--including his little girl, Kenneth says, "My daughter is wonderfully naive, and she still thinks that she can do anything...and as of last Tuesday, I think she's right."

But on top of releasing a book that calls people to action, another major bonus about this new release is that 100% of the net proceeds from the 25,000 copies of the paperback (printed on recycled paper) will go to the Awearness Fund, which Kenneth founded last year to promote service, volunteerism, and social change.

"You can change your outfit, or you can outfit change, or both," says Kenneth.

Also read up on how not just the record minority vote, but especially your YOUTH vote won Obama this moving election!

CGG Must See of the Year: Slumdog Millionaire

Dev Patel and Anil Kapoor, via Fox Searchlight

It’s a fantasy story that reaffirms the hunger for life. An 18-year-old orphan from Mumbai, Jamal Malik (Dev Patel), is one question away from winning 20 million rupees on India’s version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?” But no one can believe this kid from the slums really knows all the answers, including the show’s handsome host (Anil Kapoor), who has him arrested on suspicion of cheating. Can Jamal convince the police that there was no foul play behind his knowledge? The film takes us into a series of flashbacks, with each chapter of his life revealing another answer. But each story answers much more than a multiple choice question. Jamal’s life is opened up to us, revealing the trials of this life: from witnessing his mother’s violent death as a child to the cost of winning over his true love. And let’s just say the film opens with a scene of him going to such lengths to get a celebrity’s autograph, that we would never in a million years venture.

Slumdog Millionaire is the latest feature from Director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, Sunshine), and quite possibly his best. CGG asked Boyle if the film was meant to inspire audiences (His last film Millions caused kids to raise money to build wells in Africa). “It's your own eyes that you open. You're not there to teach anybody anything,” he says. “You're there to learn about yourself, and you do. And these people who live in these slums are extraordinary people, so generous, so resourceful, you know. I wanted it to be something that they'd like, really. I hope they, if they ever see it on a pirated copy somewhere, that they think, yeah that's ok, that's alright.”

One person who admits to learning quite a lot from the film already is the lead actor Dev Patel, who tells us that while playing the character he “matured five years in the space of five months…Yeah, just the character himself, the amount of willpower you’ve got to have to search for this girl all your life.”

Boyle believes that with Obama’s election: “the world is going to become a kind of bigger place again. And that's sort of what you get from doing something like this.” The film is as much a portrait of India as it is about Jamal, and Boyle credits his Mumbai crew for helping him bring the city to life. The buzz of the city is complimented with an amazing soundtrack, featuring the likes of M.I.A. and A R Rahman. CGG is naming Slumdog Millionaire as our must see of the year, for its incredible portrayal of the individual and human growth, its delicate and hopeful portrait of one of the world’s poorest slum, and its inspirational message that anyone is capable of anything.