Mariah Carey led a star-studded lineup Monday with a dazzling performance for the Rise Up New York! telethon. The one-hour benefit was presented by the New York-based poverty fighting organization Robin Hood and iHeartMedia.
She opened the streaming event with a beautiful medley of her 2002 track Through The Rain and the 1991 single Make It Happen, helping to raise money for New Yorkers affected by COVID-19. The native New Yorker prefaced the performance with some uplifting words: "I know we're strong enough to get through this. We will rise again. We can do this together."
She belted her iconic high notes from home, accompanied by three backup singers, also performing from their respective homes. Jennifer Lopez also made an appearance, advocating for children amid the global pandemic.
The Queens-born artist said: "New York, I know your strength. We're gonna get through this, but we need to make sure we take care of all our neighbors, including our children. Nearly 400,000 school kids are without the resources they need to continue their education. If you want to see what bright, shining, New York kids can do, check this out." She introduced the Staten Island children of PS22 Chorus, who gave a moving performance of Rise Up by Andra Day.
Alicia Keys performed her new single Good Job, which she debuted last month as a tribute to first responders during the pandemic. Jimmy Fallon gave a special edition of his Thank You Notes segment from The Tonight Show: "Thank you, Brooklyn Bridge, for keeping Brooklyn and Manhattan socially distanced."
He also joked: "Thank you, Andrew Cuomo, for being a sterling example of leadership in this rough time, though in all fairness, the high bar for leadership right now is not telling people to drink bleach."
Barbra Streisand, Patti Lupone and Audra McDonald showed optimism about New York City's Theater District coming back "stronger than ever" after being closed due to the pandemic lockdown. The Funny Girl star said: "When all the Broadway theaters went dark, it was another shock in the midst of many these days. It was painful to think of all that creative energy suddenly shut down."
Lupone added: "Live performances will most likely be the last industry to come back after this nightmare, but we will come back. The lights of Broadway, now dimmed, will shine again on those beautiful houses because the show must - and will - go on."
McDonald said: "When I see Broadway darkened, it makes me ache for not only my own soul, but the soul of New York. It's such a part of what makes New York tick, it's its heartbeat." Fellow Broadway stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel, Ben Platt and more performed a rendition of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York.
Spike Lee also shared encouraging words that sports would return to the city someday soon: "New Yorkers don't just want to win, they expect to win. That's why New York doesn't give up." The Do the Right Thing auteur added: "That's why we got more cups, rings, trophies than any other city. Cause New Yorkers are champions, and we don't give up on each other. Sports will be back, the games, the crowds, the rings. But for our teams come back, our city has to recover. Every neighborhood and every family, we're all in this together. New York, baby!"
New York Giants players Michael Strahan, Eli Manning, Phil Simms and Justin Tuck announced a sweepstakes, in which the winner will play touch football with them and receive a Super Bowl ring.
Robert De Niro said during his appearance: "Our city is under attack, but we've been here before.In the last 20 years, both 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy. You can take your best shot but you cannot break our spirit.'"
The event also featured appearances from Jessica Chastain, Chris Rock, Billy Joel, Sting, Bon Jovi, Bette Midler, Awkwafina, Jake Gyllenhaal, Trevor Noah, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and more.
Host Tina Fey shed tears after announcing that more than $115 million was raised in support of New Yorkers impacted by COVID-19 during the virtual telethon. Robin Hood said all donations will provide support for food, shelter, cash assistance, mental health, legal services and education.
(Daily Mail Online)
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