Just like the rest of us, celebrities are having to quarantine themselves during the coronavirus pandemic. For now, there are no live concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, or parties. That hasn’t stopped many celebrities from using technology and their social platform to support the community during this difficult time. Some have donated money, others are offering inspiring messages to encourage others. Here are 35 celebrities stepping up during the coronavirus pandemic to help others and keep spirits strong.
Kick back and relax--it’s story time! Everyone’s favorite country darling will be reading bedtime stories in a series called ‘Good Night with Dolly.’ Families can watch Dolly Thursdays at 7 PM EST on YouTube. Dolly has also donated $1 million dollars to COVID-19 research. As if we didn’t already love Dolly enough!
Hollywood A-listers Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner will also be reading children’s books! Many children aren’t just getting an education at their schools, they also rely on schools to provide their meals. That’s why Amy and Jennifer launched ‘Save with Stories’ a non-profit to raise money to feed kids while schools are closed due to COVID-19. You can check stories read by them and many others (including actor James Marsden, and Christian actress Candace Cameron Burre) on the Save with Stories Instagram.
Making sure kids who depend on school meals are cared for is also near and dear to Kristen Bell and Angelina Jolie’s heart. The stars have both donated to support No Kid Hungry.
As Broadway shut down during the Coronavirus pandemic, Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda offered a treat for music fans--an unreleased song he wrote for his Tony-winning musical, Hamilton! You can listen to the song, “I Have This Friend” here.
If you’re overloaded with all the bad news during this crazy season, and it’s making you anxious--check out John Krasinski’s latest project! The actor, best known for his roles on The Office and Jack Ryan, has launched a YouTube channel. Called ‘Some Good News with John Krasinski’ his channel is dedicated to only sharing good news! Fans were excited when one of John’s first guests was none other than actor Steve Carrel!
In the same episode, John interviewed Courtney ‘Coco’ Johnson who went viral after returning home from her last chemotherapy to find a group of her friends all there to support her from a distance. “I wrote to your mom and told her that I cried for a very long time after watching that, just pure joy. You guys rock for sharing that with the rest of the world.” John shared.
John Krasinski isn’t the only one hosting from his home. Late-night stars, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Myers, and Jimmy Kimmel all continue to bring much-needed laughter to the world as they broadcast versions of their shows from their homes.
Grammy Award-winning Pop singer Lizzo showed her support to medical professionals on the front lines by donating food to multiple hospitals for them!
"You guys are heroes," - @lizzo
— UW Medicine (@UWMedicine) March 31, 2020
💜💛 #WeGotThisSeattle pic.twitter.com/uupQC5z2kX
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds donated $400,000 to hard-hit hospitals dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in New York City. “Stay at home, practice social distancing, wash your hands. We are going to get through this thing, we’re going to get through this thing together,” Ryan shared.
On Instagram, he continued to encourage others saying, “Take care of your bodies and hearts. Leave room for joy. Call someone who’s isolated and might need connection.” His wife, Blake Lively, shared a similar sentiment on her Twitter account ending her post with a joke directed at her husband saying, “Sending so much love. Now can someone please tell Ryan that ‘emotional distancing’ from his mother in law is not a thing. Nothing can save him.’
If you can, give to: https://t.co/WYvxVdz0Y1 and/or https://t.co/H9AtTAdBnt pic.twitter.com/QAshjLKmlk
— Blake Lively (@blakelively) March 17, 2020
This couple opened a free grocery store in Nashville, Tennessee, called “The Store”. The establishment offers free grocery items to families in need.
Singer Demi Lovato is donating meals to families through DoorDash. She is also calling on celebrities to help during the pandemic with the #doyourpartchallenge.
The almighty Thor is making his fitness app free for all users.
Actor and Executive Producer, respectively, have converted their restaurant to a grocery store in an effort to assist their community!
Fieri has initiated a relief fund to benefit restaurant workers.
The Dragon Queen from Game of Thrones has asked people to donate to SameYou in an effort to help hospitals. She plans to have virtual dinners with donors.
This pop icon has donated $5 million to various organizations benefiting America, Haiti, and Malawi.
The professional tennis player donated millions to help families in Switzerland with the crisis.
Swift has been privately donating to fans undergoing financial struggles.
The actor and former governor is using GoFundMe to raise $5 million for medical supplies.
Gaga is using earnings from her beauty brand HAUS for donations to food banks.
Proud to have donated to support #AmericasFoodFund, a new initiative directly supporting @FeedingAmerica & @WCKitchen to feed those in need & impacted by #COVID19. Thankful for my friends @leodicaprio @laurenepowell and @apple for putting this together. ❤️ https://t.co/jTxd4WjrgA
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) April 2, 2020
X-Men star James McAvoy is looking out for the medical team on the front line helping heal those individuals who are COVID-19 infected. The actor has donated money to help produce protective equipment for first-responders. In a YouTube video, James shared, “One of the incredible things that’s happening right now across the world is we are prioritising our health service, our care for the elderly, we are looking inwards, we are spending time with our families – there are weird positives to come out of this new reality we find ourselves in, but one of the massive things is we’re all coming together regardless of financial status, birthright status. We’re all in the exact same boat.”
Christian pop star Justin Bieber stopped in the middle of an Instagram live with his fans to share a poignant prayer.
"God, we thank you so much for this day. I thank you so much that you have everything in control. You know the beginning from the end and you're not surprised by this whole thing that's happening.
God, we know that these things don’t come from you, that these things are unexplainable, but God, we trust you in these times, and we just ask God that you would make this go away as soon as possible, God.
We just thank you so much for who you are and we just ask that you would give us more answers. In your name, we pray. Amen."
Justin has also donated to a children’s charity in China called Beijing Chunmiao Charity Foundation.
The famous Italian designer has donated money to an intensive-care center in Milan, Italy.
The singer has been donating money to Feed America.
This married couple will donate one million meals to Food Lifeline in Seattle.
On March 17th, he offered a virtual concert to fans.
It’s nice to see how some celebrities are rising to the occasion to help those in need! Even when we feel alone, we can remember that there are other people, celebrities included, who are facing the same isolating circumstances. Christian singer Sandi Patti is recovering from COVID-19, and offered these words of advice, “If you are not social distancing and STAYING HOME, DO SO NOW! God has given us faith, but he’s also given us wisdom. Be well and wise!"
Friends - Today I received confirmation that I tested positive for COVID19. We are quarantined at home. WE MUST DO OUR PART. If you are not social distancing and STAYING HOME, DO SO NOW! #flattenthecurve God has given us faith, but he’s also given us wisdom. Be well and wise!
— Sandi Patty (@SandiPattyP) March 18, 2020
While we may not be able to connect in person with those outside of our households, let’s make sure we take time to connect with God. We don’t need social or technology to reach Him. All we need is prayer.