I mean how can I not? I have to support Celebrity Apprentice contestant and Ecorazzi reader Melissa Rivers, right?

Anyway, this week I noticed something pretty cool in the board room. NFL superstar Herschel Walker announced that even though his group cooked chicken for the challenge, he didn’t taste it because he’s a vegetarian! Who knew?

We’re happy to hear that Walker makes the green choice with each meal.

Check out the clip below to hear it with your own two ears!

Stars like Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Michele Williams, and Naomi Watts have come together to create a $10,000 acting scholarship in Heath Ledger’s name. The award will be given annually to a rising young Australian actor or actress looking to pursue a career in the United States. The scholarship award will be run by the L.A.-based non profit, Australians in Film.[Read more...]

Donald Trump’s The Apprentice continues to have a heartbeat on television with its 2009 celebrity edition. Last year’s first incarnation brought millions to charity, with Piers Morgan eventually winning and securing $250,000 for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. This year, the celebrity participants are much-more recognizable — with Clint Black, Andrew Dice Clay, Annie Duke, Tom Green, Natalie Gulbis, Scott Hamilton, Jesse James, Claudia Jordan, Khloe Kardashian, Brian McKnight, Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Brande Roderick, Dennis Rodman, Herschel Walker and Tionne Watkins all competing for charity. [Read more...]

How does Cloris Leachman, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant, manage to keep all that bubbly energy flowing at 82 years of age? One might chalk it up to the fact that she’s been a vegetarian for more than 50 years. [Read more...]

Lindsay Lohan would love to do more for charity, but the paparazzi just makes it too difficult. She tells Interview magazine, “You know what’s hard? I want to give back. I want to do all the things that will make me feel fulfilled. But whenever I do those things, people think it’s a press stunt or something. Because they (paparazzi) do find me, and there’s really no way of hiding from that.” That’s what’s stopping you from “giving back”? Cry me a river — the paps are a bitch, but if you really want to help, just get out there. [Read more...]

Photo credit: PR photos

You gotta love it when celebrities are on game shows! OK, well even if you don’t, you gotta love the fact that when celebrities are on game shows all the money goes toward charity, right? 

In a recent episode of Celebrity Family Feud, a few famous families battled it out for some serious cash, and all for the sake of charity. In the first half, Joan and Melissa Rivers — who were playing for a guide-dog charity – were pitted against hip-hop and television star, Ice T, who played for Unity Two, a gang intervention organization. And in the second half, Disney star and former Cosby kid, Raven Symone was up against the family of Las Vegas legend, Wayne Newton.

Long story short — by the end of the game Team Rivers had won the $50,000 (which I was kind of rooting for anyway since they’re regular Ecorazzi readers) and the Ravon-Symone team were runners-up, earning a $10,000 donation for their charity.

To catch more of Celebrity Family Feud watch NBC on Tuesdays at 8/7c. 

 
via: seacoastonline.com

- Television personality and regular Ecorazzi reader, Melissa Rivers, on her involvement with Soles4Souls. The organization’s goal is to impact as many lives as possible with the gift of shoes. Got a few extra pairs lying around? Visit Soles4souls.org and help out! 

This week Joan Rivers put down her Boston Terrier Lulu after cancer invaded her body. Lulu previously had her rear leg amputated and even underwent chemotherapy to try and stop the cancer spreading to its lungs, but nothing seemed to work. Joan was so desperate to save her pup that she claims to have tried to heal the dog herself. “When I was alone in my apartment I spent 10 minutes laying on hands the way healers do. I would touch Lulu all over and say ‘heal’ and ‘feel the heat’. I must have looked like a total loony tune.”

As Melissa Rivers told us herself, “We’ve always been animal people — my whole family”. So it’s not surprising that Joan did everything she could — including play doggy healer — to try and help her companion of 12 years.

Across the country Tatum O’Neal has blamed her recent drug bust on the death of HER dog. She recently told the New York Post, “There’s no excuse for what I did. (But) I lost my Scottish terrier, Lena. That seemed to set me off. She got old. She got cancer. She was the fabric of our family. We had to let her go to heaven. My daughter and I had to put her down. It was too horrible for words. I couldn’t get out of it. I was going to my psychiatrist. I was doing everything I could do.” Let’s hope the judge has a soft spot for pets.

So from everyone here at Ecorazzi a mournful tear and a big old Rest In Peace to Lulu Rivers and Lena O’Neal. You will be missed!

Besides being a music mogul, Russell is well known for his work with animals — participating in programs with PETA, Farm Sanctuary and other organizations that help shed light on the cruelty of the food animal business. He was a popular guest at the event, but I managed to get a few words in.

Parrish: Hey Russell. I work for Ecorazzi. Have you been to our site before?

Russell Simmons: Oh yeah, I’ve read you guys. Do you ever go to Global Grind?

P: I’ve been before, yeah.

RS: You guys are one of the RSS Feeds.

P: Oh great! So tell me about your work with the Sanctuary.

RS: I get involved anytime I get called. Any group that makes an effort to commit to consciousness, if I have time I like to show. And these guys call me. I’ve chaired events to raise money and awareness for them. I love what they do. There’s 10 billion farm animals and no representation. They get abused. And these companies are abusing Mother Earth and that’s important to stop. If we keep it up we won’t be here. We need groups that are aware and conscious and pay attention. And this group is special. They’re the number one advocate for farm animals. The work that they’re doing — the legislative work and the other work — it’s inspiring. They’re honoring my gurus today [ Sharon Gannon and David Life from Jivamukti Yoga School ] so I couldn’t miss it for the world.

P: I’ve followed your career and I know you’ve done a lot of  really great work for animals including appearing in a PETA public service announcement to speak out against dog fighting.

RS: Oh yeah I’ve worked for PETA. I’ve worked for PETA in negotiations for corporations too.

P: And you’re vegan?

RS: Yeah, I’ve been vegan for 8 years.

P: And what made you decide to do that?

RS: What started it? I just don’t want to eat the animals. I don’t want to ingest the poison. I don’t want to ingest bad feelings. Karmically I think it’s bad.

P: I agree. Well listen there’s about 5 people behind me who all want to say hello so I’ll let you go, but thanks for taking a minute to speak with me and thanks for all the great work you do.

Swoosie had so much passion when she spoke and really radiated this positive, sparkling energy. At one point while telling a story she reached out and touched my shoulder, which was just a very human and genuine action that you don’t necessarily see a lot at these kind of things. Anyway, I found her absolutely charming and I hope you do to.

Parrish: So tell me about your involvement with Farm Sanctuary.

Swoosie Kurtz: Well you know I got involved with them about 2 years ago and I’m just so blown away by what they do. It’s just amazing! I mean I was ignorant just like everyone else is when their eyes aren’t open to what goes on. I mean I knew some of it, but they just so specific in what they do and their goals they go after and they do it in a very organized, and in a kind of step by step way and so they really get there. I mean they don’t just go wild. They know that to change government, to change big business, to change factory farming — it’s not gonna happen overnight to say the least. So they go about it step by baby step and they do these amazing undercover things where they get footage on how the animals are treated and I just think they’re great. I’m just so impressed with them.

P: Now I was ease dropping on your last interview and I heard you say that animals have been a big part of your life. Tell me more about that.

SK: Yeah! My grandaddy in Omaha, Nebraska — where I grew up — was president of the livestock commission company. So I use to heard cattle around for him when I was little. And he always loved his cattle and his pigs and all of that even though they were eventually, well you know what they were used for, but they were treated beautifully and he instilled in me a great love and respect for animals.

P: Which makes perfect sense why you support Farm Sanctuary. Let’s talk about the environment for a second. How green would you say you are?

SK: Ha! Well I could definitely be more green. You know I recycle and all, I always have, but I use far to many tissues and things like that. You know a friend of mine is Ed Begley Jr. and he’s always asking me things like, ‘Swoosie why are you using those paper cups?’ I worked with him in 1990 and he was driving an electric car to the theater. Now in 1990 an electric car was unheard of! It went about 15 miles an hour. And then I’d be driving around LA and see him standing at the bus stop. I mean the bus stop in LA is not like the bus stop in New York. I mean that’s a guy who puts his money where his mouth is. He really lives the life.

P: That’s a great story! Anyway, I don’t want to keep you, but thanks so much for saying hello and don’t forget to check out the site.

SK: I absolutely will. I have your card.

P: Great! Thanks again and enjoy tonight!

You might know Melissa from the many red carpet events that she hosted along side her mother, Joan. Melissa is a huge Farm Sanctuary supporter and a regular Ecorazzi blog reader (hey, Melissa). I got the chance to catch up with her on Saturday and say hello.

Parrish: So how long have you been involved with Farm Sanctuary?

Melissa Rivers: I believe it’s been four or five years now. My first real involvement was with the foie gras initiative in California.

P: Is that where your work with animals started?

MR: Oh no. I’ve worked with animals before. We’ve always been animal people — my whole family. We’ve always had dogs and fish and turtles, and I rode show jumpers since I was six. So we’ve always been very much animal people. But really once I had my son it really started. You get really interested in what you’re feeding your child.

P: Are you a vegetarian?

MR: You know I’m not, I have been, but when I was pregnant my doctor pretty much insisted I keep certain things in my diet. But if I’m gonna eat a steak it’s gonna be a good one. I eat a very sensible diet.

(Later in the ceremony Melissa announced, perhaps half jokingly, that she was done eating meat.)

P: Farm Sanctuary is all about rescued animals. Do you have animals of your own?

MR: I have two dogs that are rescued, and my mom’s dogs are all rescued, and all my retired show jumpers lead wonderful lives. You know my business manager asked me the other day, ‘Why are we still feeding this thing? What does it do? What’s it’s purpose?’ And I said, ‘It’s purpose right now is to lead a really nice life. They served me well — they can go hang out. They deserve a nice retirement in a big field eating grass and having little kids go and climb all over them and pet them and love them’.

P: Awesome! Now these days everyone’s going green. Do you consider yourself very green?

MR: I do very much. My new car is the Chevy Tahoe Flex Fuel. And you know we recycle, we’ve changed our light bulbs, I turn off the water when I brush my teeth. People don’t realize it’s not that hard. I mean we’re just very, very conscious. We do a lot of our shopping at our local farmers market. And my mother’s very green too. My mother was actually looking into putting windmills on her property in Connecticut and solar panels, and she got actually got in contact with Al Gore’s office. And again once I had my son she got very, very concerned about the environment.

P: We love to hear that! Well thanks so much for stopping by and have a great time tonight. It was nice meeting you.

MR: It was nice meeting you too. Thanks!

I enjoy a lot of things: really good margaritas, paid vacation time, that noise bubble wrap makes when it’s popped, but none of those compare to how much I love the annual Farm Sanctuary Gala. In case you’re late to the party, Farm Sanctuary was started in 1986 with the rescue of Hilda, a “downer” cow left for dead in a stockpile. Today they are considered to be the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization and work tirelessly to expose and stop cruel practices in the food animal industry. After over 20 successful years they now have 2 fully running sanctuaries in New York and California that are home to hundreds of animals, tons of staff and plenty of curious visitors.

Each year the organization holds a ritzy, celebrity-packed gala to help raise money for their many noble causes. Two yeas ago, before my Ecorazzi days, I volunteered at the event and was truly inspired by a room full of like-minded people all coming together to celebrate those that are so rarely even thought about. This year I got to attend with a full access, fancy-pancy press pass and pick the brains of those very famous VIP’s I once so fondly cooed over.

I arrived at 4:30, signed in and was told I had “full-access” to the event. Score! After getting my photographer Andrew Ford set up on the red carpet I headed inside for some investigative work (and perhaps a little appetizer munching). The space was pure elegance with beautifully decorated tables, a silent auction area and, of course, the second floor VIP loft. I started slowly and perused some of the items on the silent auction tables. There were signed photographs, paintings, jewelry and plenty of eager volunteers to help answer any questions I might have.

Next I headed upstairs to the VIP lounge where I had the chance to speak with Melissa Rivers (a regular Ecorazzi reader), Emily Deschanel, Rory Freedman, Dennis Kucinich, Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Nealon, Victoria Moran, Ally Sheedy, Loretta Swit, Russell Simmons and Farm Sanctuary president and co-founder Gene Baur. The celebs were kind, well-spoken and all agreed on one thing: Farm Sanctuary is pretty damn incredible. FYI — throughout the week Ecorazzi will feature The Farm Sanctuary Gala Interviews, a series of exclusive one on ones with the many celebrity guests in attendance.

After celeb-time, the ceremony began with host Heather Mills admitting that she wanted to “convert all the meat-eaters in the house.” Awesome! The dinner came a bit later and was partially designed by Mills herself. Now even though I had “full-access”, I didn’t have “full-access” to dinner!! However, you better believe those years of waiting tables taught me a thing or two about getting on the good side of servers. I quickly befriended a waiter and made sure I got a plate of vegan lasagna with bechamel sauce. Sadly, I must admit that I was far from impressed. The plate appeared rather sloppy, adversely juxtaposing the elegance of the evening, and the overly sweet bechamel sauce left much to be desired. Luckily I filled up on delicious appetizers like fresh guacamole, vegan chicken and green tomato soup.

The ceremony continued with awards given to many, including Karen Dawn for her outstanding activism and the Jivamukti Yoga School for their leadership in compassionate living. As the evening began to wind down Susie Essman got on stage and auctioned off a few pretty incredible gifts — my favorite being a portrait sitting with world-renown painter Peter Max. The ceremony closed with a twilight reception and a musical performance by Grammy Award winner Shawn Colvin.

As I chowed down on my out of the this world vegan brownie cheesecake, care of Vegan Treats, I looked around the room at a group of people who were all spending their time and money on a cause they truly believed in and I felt so proud to be among them. It was getting late and my feet were tired so I headed for the exit and was offered a remarkably heavy gift-bag with enough vegan products to last me for the next month!

A big thanks to the folks at Farm Sanctuary for pulling off such a lovely event and for inviting your beloved Ecorazzi team to take part in the festivities. If you’d like to visit the farm or learn how you can get involved, visit FarmSanctuary.org. Also, don’t forget to check Ecorazzi all week long for the Farm Sanctuary Gala exclusive interviews!

Photo Credit: Andrew Ford

What’s more fun than spending a fancy schmancy evening in downtown New York City eating classy vegan fare with some of today’s hottest celebrities? Um, nothing! 

On May 17th from 6pm-midnight Farm Sanctuary will hold it’s annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC — and trust me, you don’t want to miss it! Farm Sanctuary was founded in 1986 and aims to expose and stop cruel practices that take place in the “food animal” industry. They now have two shelters — one in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and the other in Orland, Calif. — where they provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals. 

This year the Farm Sanctuary Gala will be hosted by Heather Mills, emceed by Melissa Rivers and will feature a delicious three course vegan dinner, an awards ceremony, a silent auction and a musical performance by Shawn Colvin. And the guest list is just as exclusive with celebrities like Kristen Bell, Rachel Leigh Cook, Jennifer Coolidge, Emily Deschanel, Christine Ebersole, Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Nealon, Loretta Swit, Persia White and Debra Wilson Skelton scheduled to attend, as well as many others.  

Tickets may sound a bit pricey at 400 dollars a pop, but save those pennies because this evening is totally worth it. Last time I went I heard an incredible speech by Loretta Swit, said hello to James Cromwell and pointed Alicia Silverstone to the restroom. 

To find out more visit FarmSanctuary.org and get those tickets before they run out! I’ll be covering the event this year so make sure you find me and say hello!