You would think that when celebrities like Kanye West, the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Celine Dion get into a room together, they’d be too jaded to get starstruck by the other A-listers in attendance. But when more than 80 singers, rappers and actors gathered on Monday to re-record “We are the World” to benefit the victims of the earthquake in Haiti, they were all pretty impressed by each other.

“We’re grateful because so many artists showed up,” Wyclef Jean said. “I think we have an all-star cast. Of course, there’s always artists that you wish was here, but every artist that I can think of… I seen Pink, Pink is incredible. Tyrese, Will.I.Am, Kanye West, I can keep going, so the room is definitely packed with stars.”

Tyrese noted, “I’ve never been in a room full of that many of my peers ever. I’m starstruck.” And Jordin Sparks added that the vibe was similar to that of a major award show.

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Josh Groban pronounced the scene “inspired chaos” as an all-star chorus re-recorded We Are the WorldMonday at the studio where the original was taped 25 years ago. “It’s great to see so many legendary artists sweating it out (and) to be in the middle of a sandwich between Barbra Streisand and Weezy (Lil Wayne),” he said.

Quincy Jones, the original producer, and Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song with Michael Jackson, were back to oversee We Are the World: 25 For Haiti, a contemporary update of the 1985 anthem. The 3-D video, shot by Paul Haggis, and song, which includes altered lyrics and an added rap segment pertaining to Haiti, will premiere Feb. 12 during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Proceeds from the release will go to Haitian relief efforts.

At Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Studios, roughly 80 singers, rappers and actors jammed into choir formation to repeatedly sing the familiar refrain. They snapped photos, exchanged phone numbers and collected autographs during breaks as the session stretched late into the night. Despite a clash of genres and generations that found Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers rubbing shoulders with Brian Wilson, Jeff Bridges and Harry Connick Jr., the mood was cozy.

“It’s bubbly, it’s energetic, it’s thoughtful,” Natalie Cole said during a lull. “We’re all lookie-looing.”

Tyrese added, “You have everybody in there with flip cams. People are sending text messages. It’s a good energy.”

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We Are the World, the 1985 all-star anthem that raised funds for famine victims in Africa, will be re-recorded Monday in Los Angeles with a fresh batch of artists. Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song with Michael Jackson, will coach singers at Henson Recording Studios (formerly A&M) in the same studio where the original was taped. Marking the song’s 25th anniversary, Quincy Jones returns as producer, joined by music director/composer Rickey Minor. The project will be filmed, and proceeds will benefit Haitian earthquake relief efforts. Participating artists won’t be identified until Monday.

HISTORY: I’m honored! We are recording WE ARE THE WORLD! OMG!! Barbra Streisand Game Changer!! This is for YOU HAIT!!!
about 2 hours ago from mobile web

I added new pictures of Tyrese at the Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief telethon on January 22, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

1/22 – Hope For Haiti Now Telethon in Los Angeles

Twitter Photo: Hope For Haiti Now Telethon in Los Angeles

Gallery Links:
- 1/22 – Hope For Haiti Now Telethon in Los Angeles
- 1/22 – Hope For Haiti Now Telethon in Los Angeles (Twitter Photo)

“Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” today announced that some of the biggest names in film, television, and music will be working the phones and taking donations from Los Angeles during tonight’s broadcast. “Hope for Haiti Now” will air tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT and 7:00 p.m. CT.

Click here to see the lineup of superstar operators.

Purchase an autographed copy of the film with proceeds going to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

On Michael Bay’s blog, consumers can purchase copies of the blockbuster ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen‘ signed by Director Michael Bay.

Prices range from $40-$55 depending on your preference of DVD or Blu-ray and region.

Both films are also available in a combo pack signed by Michael Bay and Tyrese Gibson ranging from $105-$150.

The discs will be available for order from now through October 16 and all proceeds will be going to Make-a-Wish.

Click here if you’re interested in donating to the cause.

Source: High-Def Digest

Allhiphop.com is reporting that Super producer Quincy Jones and his son QD3 have teamed with singer/rapper/actor Tyrese Gibson to launch the 5 Million Kids National Education Campaign.

The trio have partnered with Operation HOPE, a Los Angeles based non-profit that provides economic and educational tools for youth advancement.

The goal of the new campaign is to teach 5 million children, parents and teachers how to get rich legally through financial literacy.

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Tyrese on why charity is not always about giving money.

Stars Encourage Nation’s Youth to Use Serve.MTV.com To Connect with Local Community Service Opportunities

Serve.MTV.com, MTV’s platform to connect young people with local volunteerism opportunities, today debuted a series of on-air PSAs and viral Web videos that feature many of today’s biggest artists and celebrities calling on young people to make a positive impact in their communities.

From battling homelessness to beautifying impoverished neighborhoods to saving whales, celebrities including Cameron Diaz, Will.I.Am, Hayden Panettiere, Pete Wentz, Kelly Rowland, Tyrese, Flyleaf and Sean Kingston dish about the causes they volunteer to support, and urge young people to join with their friends in making civil service a part of their lifestyle. In addition to the PSA and Web videos, MTV plans to integrate this call to action in a number of its marquee on-air programs, including “The Real World,” “Buried Life,” and more.

Serve.MTV.com, which makes it easy for young people to connect directly with volunteer opportunities in their communities, was launched earlier this summer to help support the President’s national community service initiative, “United We Serve,” and in response to the Millennial generation’s strong appetite for social change.

Serve.MTV.com brings All for Good and its unparalleled array of service opportunities directly to young people nationwide. All for Good is an open-source application that provides a single search interface for service activities across many major volunteering organizations. All for Good helps people instantly find simple ways to get involved in their community, from being a mentor to helping design a website for a nonprofit.

For more information or to find volunteer opportunities in your neighborhood, please visit www.Serve.MTV.com.

Source: Hip Hop Press