Lady Gaga kicks off the One World: Together At Home concert (Photo: @GlobalCtzn/Instagram)
It was an eight-hour virtual extravaganza featuring the biggest celebrities in the world. And it was all for our brave health workers who are battling to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
One World: Together At Home is definitely the concert of our time.
Curated by Lady Gaga and Global Citizen, the event raised US $127.9 million for coronavirus relief action, a large portion of which Gaga raised through corporate donors before the concert even started!
“I care so much about all of the medical workers who are putting their lives at risk for us right now,” Lady Gaga said, before singing Nat King Cole’s “Smile” for the millions of people tuning in through YouTube and TV networks around the globe.
There were performances from music legends, new and old, including Paul McCartney, Lizzo, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish…
Beyoncé also made an appearance and used her moment in the spotlight to highlight an important issue:
“African American communities at large have been severely affected in this crisis,” Queen Bey said on camera.
“Those with pre-existing conditions are at an even higher risk.”
She also paid tribute to medical staff: “To the doctors and nurses and the other health care workers who are away from their families to take care of ours, we continue to pray for your safety.”
“To those in the food industry, delivery workers, mail carriers, sanitation employees who are working so we can be safe in our homes, we thank you for your selfless service.”
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The event was hosted by late night talk show hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon and Stephen Colbert.
In between the spectacular performances, we also heard from medical professionals, media queen Oprah Winfrey, former first ladies Michelle Obama and Laura Bush as well as World Health Organisation’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus who all had messages of hope and encouragement.
“We will continue to be here for one another and we will get through this crisis together,” Michelle Obama says after thanking those working on the frontlines.
Perhaps the most moving performance came from Celine Dion, Lady Gaga and Andrea Boccelli who sang “The Prayer”:
What was your favourite moment?