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Do Celebrities Make a Difference?

Posted: Monday, December 03, 2007 8:32 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

Celebs, celebs, celebs. Our culture is obsessed with celebs.

Right now, we've got Oprah campaigning for Obama, making everyone wonder if her celebrity endorsement can actually have an impact on the presidential race.

Barbra Streisand's backing of Hillary Clinton has received a lot less publicity, but she's out there now as well.

And as Ann reported this morning, Brad Pitt continues to lend his Hollywood profile to bringing affordable housing to the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans. WATCH VIDEO

These are just three examples of celebrities championing causes, whether political, humanitarian or otherwise.

There's no doubt that stars bring publicity and attention to their causes, but do they make a personal connection with you? Do you want to hear from celebrities about politics? When they champion a humanitarian cause, does it make you want to help or does it turn you off?

For me, a celebrity endorsement isn't going to do much to convince me to support a political candidate. But I think the right celebrity with the right issue can sway me to support a cause.

As I wrote in September, reading President Clinton's book inspired me to make microloans to small businesses in the third world.

And at this point, I'm not sure anyone would be talking about New Orleans on the national level if Brad Pitt weren't doing so. Are you listening?

Got a question about TODAY? Send it to us HERE and check back on Friday for our allDAY Mailbag.

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Brad Pitts heart is in the right place and with NO political comments allowed about whether should he or you support this we should all help our neighbors. People in dire straights need help. Period. We are Americans and this is what we do. But I think he is going about it in the wrong way. He mentions green in his intentions and that's also good but there is an even greener way of replacing ALL of the houses New Orleans and the Gulf Coast need and Brad Pitt or even anyone of the MSNBC on air hosts could afford to do it. Recycle entire houses that others are throwing away everyday. Everyone of you reading this can do it too. If anyone reading this will put up a million dollars or 100,000 of you contribute $10 I'll set up crews to bring hundreds of houses to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and yes this is a self supporting non-profit. No administration costs either. If you are interested in doing a great deal of good for this county then visit The Benefactor Project.com. It's free, no sign ins, no passwords, we have nothing to sell you. Tom Canavan, tcanavan@aol.com. www.thebenefactorproject.com  

Tom Canavan (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 8:52 AM)

I think it's great that a respected Hollywood star is concerned enough to take time to help New Orleans. I am concerned as to why our government has not done something for these people. The U.S. government is first to help forgein countries when they have a natural disaster. I also feel that the people who want to live in these homes need to participate in the rebuilding of their communities and not just wait for handouts. The Today Show needs to have a followup on these homes in a 5 years to see what state these homes are in. Are the homes being taken care of by the residents? Many times when help is given in this way, the residents trash out the homes. Just the same way they trashed out the government mobile homes that were given to them to use right after the Katrina disaster.

Nancy R., San Antonio Tx (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 9:15 AM)

Brad Pitt is doing his part and bring attention to the problem in New Orleans. He is shining the spotlight on a situation. I would rather hear about ways to help New Orleans, than about Britney, Paris and Lindsay. This is what celebs should be in the news for. Unlike Clooney and other who seem to love attention, Mr. Pitt always comes across as humble.

Natasha, New Jersey (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 9:55 AM)

Dear Ann , watched  your piece with Brad Pitt but nothing was said about the levies. what is the point of building houses if they can get flooded again .. why
doesn't he reinforce the levies first. gabe

Gabriel Zsiros (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 10:48 AM)

I find it interesting that the media has ignored efforts of the Jehovah's Witnesses who have been in the area (of Katrina)since the very beginning, rebuilding houses non-stop with all-volunteer crews, even helping those not of their faith. These people leave there own jobs and families to help others. They haven't asked for attention and they sure haven't gotten it.

Karen Thomas (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 11:16 AM)

I agree with Karen...there ARE many people down in New Orleans, continuing to clean up and rebuild, not just JW's, as well. But being Brad Pitt obviously has an impact with the cameras. I think what Brad is doing is great, no doubt, but other people who are volunteering their time and effort need to get credited too. So here's my thanks to them!!!
Also, I agree with Gabe too! Levy's need to be built to help protect the city, otherwise any form of design for any house isn't going to withstand a hurricane similar to Katrina.
And with any money donated, it needs to get put away towards a levy, not bridges, which is how the N.O gov't decided to spend it's money designated specifically for levy's.

hannah, minneapolis (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 11:28 AM)

While I think this is an amazing thing that Brad Pitt is doing, I'm a little disappointed in the design of the homes.  I'm from New Orleans and the new homes he proposes to put up will look like spaceships landed in the middle of a historical community.  I hate to sound unappreciative, but this is New Orleans - not L.A.  My husband and I built a brand new home in an historical New Orleans neighborhood for less than the price that these homes are costing and the house "fits" the neighborhood.  I guess my point is that if you're going to help rebuild the city...you can do so without changing what makes it unique.  The same home that we built can also be built on stilts so that it is raised and it also has other key elements which makes it more "hurricane protected", but it doesn't look like it came from NASA. With that said, I'd like to reiterate that I think this is a great thing that Brad Pitt is doing and appreciate his work.

PS - To Gabe re "what is the point of rebuilding houses if they can get flooded again"...to that I ask you this, why build homes in Kansas if a tornado can come and blow it away?  Everywhere you go there is a possibility of a natural disaster, so you just have to take your chances.  Regarding your great question about the levees.  The levees are strictly in the governments hands...unfortunately, not even Brad Pitt can touch them.

Native New Orleanian (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 2:09 PM)

I am from Mississippi and think it is great that Brad Pitt wants to help New Orleans, but Hurricane Katrina also left thousands homeless on the MS GulfCoast. I think if he was to come to the Gulf Coast and look around, he would find many people who need help also.  People seem to forget that Mississippi, especially the Gulf Coast was devasted by the Hurricane too.

Dawn Rainey (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 2:23 PM)

Why was New Orleans being referred to by Ann as Ground Zero for Katrina? From all other articles I have read it was in Mississippi.
I am glad Brad Pitt is bringing the issue back to the forefront of the news. there are a lot of people without houses and living in trailers due to the storm, but not all damage was done in Louisiana.

Pat Larue, Slidell, LA (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 3:05 PM)

Finally, a celebrity who is devoting their time to a cause in the United States. This is one that I will support.

Deb Crowley, Des Moines Iowa (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 3:18 PM)

I appreciate the work he is trying to do in New Orleans.  I have a home there that is partically fixed with FEMA and some inssurance money but I don't have a job there, since my place of employment did not reopen.  I am working in another city however, and the cost of living is expensive here and I cannot afford to pay a mortgage on a house I cannot live in and rent where my job is.  My ex husband does not want to have anything to do with the house and has left everything for me to deal with.  The road home will not give me enough to pay off the mortgage and I will be facing foreclouser very soon.  I would love it if Mr. Pitt would buy my home.  It needs only to be filled in.  I am just trying to move on with my life after facing Katrina and a divorce...I don't even want any profit from it...I just want to be rid of it.  Many persons are like me that are from New Orleans and if these homes were bought, repaired and given/sold to persons I'm sure that would help a lot more folks!

LTD (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 5:55 PM)

As voiced by others, it's a great thing that Brad Pitt is doing for the community in New Orleans.   He must know that there will always be people who think he should do more, in a different area, in a different way, etc.  But at least he is doing something.   It's better than nothing.  But I have to agree with other comments as well - the houses he is building certainly don't seem to fit in.  I guess if I had lost everything I would be happy to get one of those houses, but otherwise I find them really unattractive.

S. Smith, Alberta Canada (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 6:37 PM)

I think it's self serving for many of the celebrities, it seems they do it for the publicity only. Other than to getting their name out in the public conscience, how many celebrities actually do the charity work? Like stuffing envelopes, registering people for a benefit walk/run, help on telethon phone lines, those type of mundane but necessary jobs. You don't hear about those stories because they probably don't exist. The only exceptions I know of are the two telethons held immediately following the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and after Hurricane Katrina. Celebrities elevate themselves and wouldn't volunteer unless they can get some publicity.

I'd like to hear of stories about people giving from their heart and not holding a press conference to pat themselves on the back for lending their name to a pet project.

ka (Sent Monday, December 03, 2007 8:23 PM)

Hail,Hail to Brad Pitt- doing something positive w/ his resources ($$) - if every politician running for office would give 10% of the $1,000.00 per plate dinners they attend - the 9th Ward would already be rebuilt! Shame on this political icons-jetting around- we KNOW who they are-put their names on the ballot and send the money to ALL the Katrina victims!

Barb Wilkins, New Castle,Pa (Sent Tuesday, December 04, 2007 10:55 AM)

When I was heading out for work yesterday, I saw that Ann was going to be interviewing Brad Pitt in New Orleans so I set it to record and watched it when I got home last night.  It was a good story and I applaud Brad's on-going work in the recovery effort in New Orleans.  However, Ann stated twice in that interview that New Orleans was the "ground-zero" for Katrina.  I beg to differ.  Hancock County, Mississippi was (Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Waveland, Pearlington, etc.).  We all know that assistance is needed both in Mississippi and Louisiana, so I have no problem with Brad for helping in New Orleans, or with Ann for reporting on it.  But please don't change history by continuing to state that New Orleans was ground-zero when it wasn't.  Too often, something is repeated so much that it replaces the actual facts.

Sarah, Jackson, MS (Sent Tuesday, December 04, 2007 2:04 PM)

My appreciation for what Brad Pitt is doing for New Orleans. The thing that stuck out in my mind, though, is all the pink covering everything. Could the money spent to produce this wonderful PR event in pink, have been actually spent to build, maybe, one more house. Why was everything in the same point in the construction process. Nobody working, Everything perfectly fitted in pink TARPS. What did that cost to put into place, and am I the only one asking this question.

Todd Garrettson, Milwaukee Wisconsin (Sent Tuesday, December 04, 2007 8:00 PM)

I do believe that Mr Pitts heart is in the right place. With that said, I am concerned about the up keep of the homes.  How will the homeowners keep up with the maintaince, taxes,utilities,etc.  As they say, you can give someone fish or teach someone to fish.  I do realize people need some help now.  With 5 million being donated, and Mr Pitt wanting corportions involved,instead of just giving the money why not invest in manufacturing, new bussiness,    trade schools, for the area.  I would hope that some bussiness could be brought in, help with jobs and education. Then the residents could  "pay it forward " and extend help to other in need, gaining self respect and pride in their community.  

Pam, Parkersburg, WV (Sent Tuesday, December 04, 2007 10:17 PM)

I admire and support Brad Pitt's efforts. regardless of whether or not it is wise to place these homes back in harms way, or to entrust them completely to those who trashed their trailers.
BUT I wish he would have challenged more celebrities to " adopt " other areas of the gulf coast, and to encourage this nation to take more action to keep new constructions an peoples homes OUT of areas that are likely to re-flood.

If not for the need to have people close to the gulf for shrimping, fishing, shipping and oil exploration work, I;d say the whole place should be left to ro and moved to higher ground.

ON THE other hand, ( this thread included more than just Brad Pretty Boy )  

  Oprah's backing of O'Bama has forced me to move him from my second to my fourth choice in the coming caucuses.   In the style of Iowa's caucuses a second or even third choice of candidates can be a vital position to be in.

  In my opinion, Oprah has done a lot to encourage the " feminization " of our culture, and I resent that.  In her support of O'Bama, I must infer that he also supports issues and programs that tend to make the feminine prospective the only percieved "RIGHT one " , and this scares and dismays me .
 

Doug Eden , hills Iowa (Sent Thursday, December 06, 2007 12:28 PM)

Brad is doing his part.  Oprah did her part.  Harry Connick, Jr. did his part.  This is exactly a good example why the government should butt out of our business and stop trying to come up with projects that are a huge failure.  These individuals are actually moving heaven and earth to save people and their lives.  The government didn't secure the levies, handed out money to fraudulent people and put people in trailers that should have been condemned before they reached the south.

Julie Springfield, IL (Sent Saturday, December 08, 2007 9:31 PM)

I just wanted to comment about celebs and politics.  A lot is being made of Oprah comimg out to support Obama.  BUT... in the end it will be HIM in the White House and we can only vote for him with that fact remembered.  I haven't decided yet who I'll vote for, but celeb endorsements should only be taken with a grain of salt.  I would've went to his rally too, just to see Oprah!!!

D. McDonald, Astoria, OR. (Sent Monday, December 10, 2007 1:00 PM)

To answer the question, yes, celebrities do make a difference.  Celebrities attract the media and depending on the celebrity OR the subject of the media attention, the response from the public will vary.  Look at Denzel Washington visiting wounded soldiers at the Brooks Army Medical Center in Texas... It made the local news, but not national news.  Brad Pitt is doing something to serve a community that he feels is in need (which obviously it is).  I think I remember him and Angelina had recently purchased a home in Louisiana just before the floods, so maybe that is why this cause is of interest to him more so than Mississippi. As for the comments on the levee repairs, sure, that is in the hands of the government, but the government is "supposed" to work for the people, so if you aren't happy with your government, don't tell the bloggers about it, visit your council members, legislators, and other politicians.  Strength in numbers usually produces results; and in the U.S.A. the majority still rules when it comes to elections, so start the process with your local government to see that these levees are being repaired, ask questions, volunteer time, attend the public meetings and participate in public comments. Express you right to vote and thank God that someone is doing something to help rebuild your community, even if it isn't the way You would do it, see if there is something YOU can do to get the results you want.

EML Wasilla, Alaska (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 3:13 PM)



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