During the telethon, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban appeared via satellite to announce their donation of $500,000 to the communities of Victoria. 

“As Australians, I think the biggest thing is that no matter where you are in the world we support each other,” Kidman said on camera. “We’re Aussies, and we support each other and we rally. We would like to donate a half a million dollars on behalf of our family to the families that need it now.”

“For us it’s been gut wrenching as Aussies watching this and in particular to be so far away at the moment,” said Urban. “Our hearts go out tonight to all the families that are dealing with the loss of loved ones and having to rebuild their lives again too, which is really what this whole telethon has been about.”

Other Australian stars like Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe also made generous donations to the telethon that ended up raising over $19 million. 

If you’d like to help out, visit RedCross.org.au and get involved! 

via: looktothestars.org
photo credit: prphotos.com

Some of the biggest names in music are donating their names and talent to support (RED)WIRE – a new digital magazine aimed at helping fight the spread of AIDS in Africa.

If that RED names sounds a little familiar, it’s because (RED)WIRE is an offshoot of the activist organization RED founded by U2 frontman Bono last year. Not only will the magazine be digital (thus SUPER green), but all proceeds will benefit HIV-infected people in Africa.

For only 5 dollars a year you can subscribe to (RED)WIRE and receive a new issue every Wednesday, featuring an exclusive song from a major musician, a song from a new performer and a multimedia presentation about how the organization is helping Africans in need. SIGN ME UP!

Oh and you better believe the music is gonna rock, because about a bazillion stars are getting involved like: U2, Coldplay, the Dixie Chicks, John Legend, REM, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, the Police, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Elton John and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys.

To find out more and get YOUR subscription, visit RedWire.com!

More Kidman/Urban news! Real estate buffs down under are confirming that the couple are matching their Tennessee ranch stateside with a 110-acre, $6.5 million version outside Sydney, Australia. Called “Bunya Hill”, the property was originally built in 1878 and features 10 fireplaces, 5 bedrooms, and 5 ensuites. Whoa.

Even better for Kidman, the Georgian Colonial estate is flanked by massive gardens — so she should have no problems putting her new green thumb to work. As this place is naturally setup as a cattle ranch, it requires its fair share of water. We’re not sure if Kidman and Urban are keen to carry on that tradition, but based on specs, this residence is thirsty. According to the listing, Bunya Hill has a high-capacity irrigation system connected to the house gardens, lake, and five dams. In addition, it’s also hooked into the town water system as a backup for the grounds and gardens.

We’re not saying that Kidman will experience any of the water backlash recently splashed onto Celine Dion and Tommy Lee Jones — after all, this is a ranch and not just a residence; but water consumption is going to continue to be a problem in the future for everyone — especially if climate change predictions come to pass and populations rise.

Check out additional photos of Nicole and Keith’s new Australian retreat here.

We suspect Sunday will have a childhood filled with plenty of exposure to nature — especially growing up on Kidman and Ubran’s Tennessee farm. In a recent issue of Vogue, Nicole expressed her love for organic gardening and a great appreciation of the wild environment around her. “There’s a softness to the Tennessee landscape that I just love,” she said. “It’s very beautiful out there. We have deer and wild turkeys.”

Keith Urban’s green habits are also worth noting. The country singer is taking steps to reduce the footprint of his tours — particularly with running all of his buses on biodiesel — and also debuted a new line of tees partially made from recycled plastic bottles.

So congrats to Keith and Nicole on their new daughter! We hope her green surroundings influence her throughout life.

“One in three women will encounter violence in some way, shape or form against them in their lifetime,” the 40-year-old Kidman said. “That’s an extraordinary statistic. Yet do we ever hear it? What we’re trying to do is say this is not something that has a stigma attached to it. This is something we can talk about in communities, in countries, that we can help, that we can get laws implemented.”

“I’m seven months pregnant so I’m sort of lying low at the moment, but if there were certain parliaments that would do these public signings, then I would be willing to get on a plane and go and say thank you – and bring whatever attention I can bring … within my own health restraint.”

Nicole is expecting her first child with country singer Keith Urban sometime in June. Since becoming a goodwill ambassador, the UN Trust Fund’s resources has more than tripled to $15 million. That some serious star power bringing in the cash for a great cause.

To join Nicole in her fight against violence towards women, visit SayNoToViolence.org.

It turns out Keith Urban is a pretty green conscious dude after all! In fact, during his upcoming tour, Urban will be taking some very eco-conscious steps towards sustainability. First off, his tour bus will run entirely on biodiesel fuel. While I know there are a few of you out there that feel like biodiesel isn’t the answer, I say, you have to crawl to walk and walk to run.  Also, Keith has teamed up will the environmental T-shirt firm, Chaser Merchandise, to ensure all the t-shirts offered to the fans are made from partially recycled material…including plastic bottles.

Keith said, “While I am far from the greenest guy on the block, I do look for situations where I can make even a small difference. And so the idea that our concert tees could retain the same look and feel, but be partly made from recycled materials appealed greatly to me”.

Ok, put me in a corner-give me a timeout-call my mother! Perhaps I was a little, tiny, baby amount out of line with the first “burn Keith Urban at the stake” post.  Hell, between Dolly Parton’s boob donation and Urban’s recycled tee’s, it looks like country music stars are helping to lead the way on the long path to sustainability! So, YEE-HAW!!!! 

thanks: femalefirst.com

The people of New Orleans have many heroes to thank for their efforts in helping post-Katrina, but few may be as giving as former native Ellen DeGeneres. The comedian/talk show host has helped raise more than $10 million for various charities focusing on rebuilding the city; most recently $800,000 for Brad Pitt’s Make It Right NOLA campaign. Website Muckety helps map out DeGeneres’s sphere of influence. Have a look here.

Nicole Kidman is getting ready for her first child with country singer Keith Urban. In preparation, she recently ordered a range of organic linen, clothing and plush toys from Sydney’s Double Bay baby boutique, Bay Bee Cino. Said Kidman of her pregnancy, “I’ll have bigger boobs. That’s one of the many good things I can think of that will come of it.” For a look at Bay Bee Cino’s products, jump here.

Prince Charles’s plan to develop an eco-friendly home from only natural materials (like stone and timber) is being given low marks for green home status according to some codes setup by the British government. Ironically, building naturally — as opposed to incorporating plastics or man-made insulation materials — is not airtight enough to meet the definition of a zero-carbon home. So while the Prince is saving the world from pollution in the creation of these materials, he’s still not doing enough to combat Global Warming with his ‘natural’ home. You can’t win. [via environmental grafitti]

Unfortunately, Hedi Fleiss’s plans to open the world’s first wind-powered brothel may have to wait a bit longer. The famous Hollywood Madame was arrested last week for “driving without a license, possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription, under the influence of a controlled substance and driving under the influence of a controlled substance.” Sorry ladies — that eco-friendly stud farm will be along in a bit. Till then, I’d encourage you to contact Parrish. [via styledash]

It’s been reported that this week Keith Urban flew a whopping 8,000 miles just to record a single track with pop star, Nellie Furtado. As of late, Urban has been spending a lot more time in Australia as he looks after a very prego Nicole Kidman (aka Mrs. Urban).

No word yet on if he flew commercial or private, but either way 8,000 miles of air travel for one afternoon is quite the waste. In fact, that kind of mileage releases over 3,000 pounds of dangerous C02 into the environment. And unfortunately, it looks like this won’t be an isolated incident. Keith has said, “I’m going to be doing quite a bit more songwriting and bringing some people down to Sydney actually”.

Ok, listen celebrities: I get that part of your business is flying around the world to promote and/or work on various projects, but there must be a way to be more efficient with your itineraries. If not, you should at least offset your emissions by doing something wonderfully green, like using wind power or solar energy. So Keith, I’m afraid I’m gonna have to whack you with Ecorazzi’s third generation, recycled, biodegradable, vegan slapping stick, signed by Alicia Silverstone and Darryl Hannah. Ready? 1-2-3 WHACK!!! I hope you know that hurt me a lot more than it hurt you!

Wall intends to build upon his influence in orchestrating every government of the world to come together, negotiate and ratify a treaty for environmental change by 2010. Go get ‘em, Kevin!

In the meantime, a Live Earth DVD and a Live Earth CD will be available for sale in two weeks worldwide. The DVD has three parts: onstage performances, a behind-the-scenes documentary of creating and greening the show, and a collection of 20 short films that were made for the event. The CD/DVD package will feature Linkin Park, Metallica, Madonna, Smashing Pumpkins, The Police, Kelly Clarkson, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, John Mayer, Beastie Boys, Keith Urban, Rihanna and many more. Sounds like the perfect ecorazzi holiday gift!