It is not a secret that the world is going through a difficult time, but small living room concerts from celebrities during a worldwide pandemic have touched the lives of people who can barely leave their homes without fear.
COVID-19 has spread to almost everywhere in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people have died since the outbreak began in China in December 2019, and all 50 states have documented cases as of March 17, according to ABC News.
With all the horrifying stories and fights in the news, it is hard to find positive things to focus on, which is why the many living room concerts are providing entertainment and support for the world.
“FOX Presents the iHeart Living Room Concert” is the largest of these concert specials and it has caught many people’s attention. It aired on Sunday March 29 across various networks.
Producers and executives threw together the special in just two weeks following the cancellation of the iHeart Radio Music Awards, which were supposed to air Sunday night, according to Variety.
iHeart Media President of Entertainment John Sykes explained that the event was also going to be a fundraiser to raise money and awareness for the first responders fighting the virus while the rest of the world was told to stay home, according to Fox News.
Elton John hosted the unconventional event and was praised by many of his guests for being an amazing host. He even pulled a surprise performance of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” with his son’s keyboard, according to BBC.
The concert had an impressively large cast of performers who all were willing to give viewers a peek into their homes for the evening. Among the performers were the Backstreet Boys, Dave Grohl, Billie Joe Armstrong, Tim McGraw, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, H.E.R., Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Billie Eilish and Finneas, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Even more guests sent in supportive messages as well. Ellen DeGeneres, Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, Ryan Seacrest, Lady Gaga, Lizzo and Ciara and Russel Wilson all shared their support via video messages, according to iHeartRadio.
The concert raised approximately $10 million for Feeding America—sending food to local food banks across the United States—and First Responders Children’s Foundation—supporting the families of first responders undergoing financial struggles, according to iHeartRadio.
The iHeartRadio and Fox concert special might be the most talked about, but it is not the only one. “The Late Late Show” host James Corden put together “Home Fest,” which aired Monday March 30.
Corden raised money for the Center for Disease Control Foundation and Feed the Children with performances by John Legend, BTS, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Finneas, according to Rolling Stone.
Corden’s surprise guest and final performance of the night was Ben Platt with the cast of “Dear Evan Hansen” singing “You Will Be Found,” according to PopSugar. Corden said he chose to end the night because of the message of the song that people can make it through dark times.
The performers, guests, executives, editors and everyone else who worked on these specials were dedicated to putting together a concert to raise money and awareness during these extremely trying times. It is heartwarming to see so many celebrities making attempts to give back in some way.
Many other celebrities are livestreaming from their homes as well. Others who have held concerts or provided content are Miley Cyrus, Diplo, Andrew Llyod Webber, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Garth Brooks and so many more, according to Vulture.
Even though they are only providing entertainment, these concerts are providing some unique sense of normalcy. Since everything is closed, the only place people can look for entertainment is media.
While some people will say that famous people should be doing so much more to help, the attempts they are making should not go unnoticed. Many are donating and raising awareness. Some might even be affected by COVID-19 in some way.
It is also not the responsibility of celebrities to end the pandemic, but they are playing their part just like every other person who is staying inside and practicing social distancing.
Until the pandemic slows down, all people can do is wait and follow CDC guidelines. So, if celebrities are going to host concerts online—whether they are raising money and awareness or not—who is anyone to tell them that the efforts they are making are not enough?