Ellen gives back

Ellen DeGeneres will host an American Idol fundraiser this Thursday, Idol Gives Back which is airing on FOX8.

The line-up will include Reese Witherspoon and the ever-popular Miley Cyrus with performances by Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Mariah Carey who will perform a duet with a ‘very special guest.’

No doubt the current Idol kids, including Australia’s Michael Johns will also be appearing. Johns is also singing tonight in another performance from the batch of male singers.

Press Release:

Ellen DeGeneres will return to host IDOL GIVES BACK, a music celebration raising awareness and benefiting various U.S. and international charities, from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 10 at 7.30pm on FOX8.

DeGeneres will be joined by an illustrious group of celebrity participants on the special, including Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus with performances by Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Mariah Carey who will perform a duet with a very special guest.

The star-studded evening will echo the success of last year’s IDOL GIVES BACK which raised $US75 million for various U.S. charities that deliver support to underprivileged children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the country, providing them with medical care, food and grocery products, health and life skills and literacy programs, among other important initiatives. In Africa , funds were dedicated to organizations that support efforts to battle poverty through various health and educational programs, including delivering medical supplies and providing clean water.

The brainchild of Simon Fuller, last season’s IDOL GIVES BACK special featured performances from the AMERICAN IDOL stage, where Ryan Seacrest hosted alongside judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. Last year, the special was also broadcast from the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles where Ellen DeGeneres served as host.

Ellen DeGeneres ‘ distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world. Her hit syndicated talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” is now in its fifth season has won a total of 21 Daytime Emmy Awards. DeGeneres was selected as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and was voted “Favourite TV Host” in a Time magazine poll. She garnered praise for hosting the 79th Annual Academy Awards and the 2001 Primetime Emmy Awards.

Visit americanidol.com for more information on IDOL GIVES BACK as well as exclusive videos, photos, special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.