Ashley Judd was honored last night as part of USA TODAY’s fourth annual Hollywood Hero Awards for her work as a Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS. The 41-year-old actress was modest in her acceptance of the award, telling USA TODAY’s Ann Oldenburg, “I’m just the front woman. I was just lucky that this wonderful organization was put in my lap and I had the opportunity to be involved with them.”

Joining the celebration in honor of Judd were Morgan Freeman, Mandy Moore, Molly Sims, Eva Amurri, Omar Miller, Debra Messing, and last year’s recipient Magic Johnson. “After I received the award last year,” said Johnson, “I said, ‘The next person has to be beautiful.’ They have to care about the community, give back to the community, do it with passion, love and a big heart. When I found out it was Ashley Judd, it couldn’t have been a better person. The only thing I don’t like about her is she’s a Kentucky Wildcat fan. Sometimes they play against my Michigan Spartans.”

Another revealing tidbit from the evening? Judd is currently pursuing a masters in public policy from Harvard University. Might we one day see her in politics?

Pictures from the evening below!

Neither are the celebs featured in the book. The PR company that represents Tea Leoni, Kate Walsh, Felicity Huffman, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Melissa George has asked for their names to not be associated with the Leviev, and Oxfam Ambassador Kristin Davis has had her photo removed from Leviev’s website. New York rights coalition Adalah-NY has contacted others and asked them to renounce the company as well, including Susan Sarandon (who wrote the book’s introduction), Vanessa Williams, Kate Hudson, Molly Sims, and Gina Gershon.

An Oxfam America spokesperson, Adrienne Smith, said, “Oxfam reiterates our policy that we are not and never will be partners or beneficiaries of Leviev because of both his mining practices and his support of Israeli settlements on Occupied Palestinian Lands which is in contravention of International Law and a major obstacle in the road to peace… Oxfam is disturbed to find ourselves used in this way and we intend to be proactive in informing those in our community about the deliberate strategy of Leviev Diamonds to connect itself with unwitting charities and celebrities.”

What do you think? Did Leviev redeem himself at all by trying to work with Oxfam? Or is everyone right to continue denouncing this corruption?

This week a bevy of famous faces came out to support the re-opening of Burberry’s store in Beverly Hills. Not to be a Debby Downer, but Burberry is one of the least eco-aware fashion lines out there, and still stubbornly insist on using fur – a material that most A-list designers have agreed to stop selling.

And yet still, stars like Mishca Barton, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, Kate Beckinsale, Maria Bello, Molly Sims and Mena Suvari showed their support for Burberry and helped contribute to the cruel company’s 13 percent rise in first half revenue. What I’m most surprised at, is that Proposition 2 supporter and one of our favorite green gals, Amy Smart, also attended — even after she publicly declared her commitment to living a fur free life! Ames, you’re breaking my heart here!

I know it’s not always easy to avoid suffering in this world, but to stop wearing fur is an easy decision that we all can make, and I certainly hope these public figures will reconsider what companies they support in the future.

To find out about all the lovely designers who care about both fashion AND the planet, visit PETA’s Guide To Compassionate Shopping!

via: justjared.com

Celeb parents Matthew McConaughey, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Kerri Russell all like to tote their wee ones around in Native Baby Pouches. These soft, organic baby carriers are available here.

Larry King, Kristin Chenoweth, Marg Helgenberger, Dayna Devon, Lisa Rinna, Denise Richards, Molly Sims, and several other celebrities are teaming up for the 2nd annual virtual walk to benefit the Gal to Gal Foundation. The walk, sponsored by Design-her Gals, will run October 1-31.

The second annual Middle East International Film Festival (MEIFF) in Abu Dhabi is going green this year. Festival director Nashwa al-Ruwaini says, “This programme showcases films whose themes are about the environment and humanity’s place in the world.” The festival will run October 10-19.

Google, which essentially has the economy of a small country, has answered Al Gore’s call to come up with a plan to reduce the United State’s dependence on fossil fuels. Google says the plan would cost about $4.4 trillion but over a 22-year period would save a net of about $1 trillion and create new jobs. Highlights include vehicle mileage being raised from 31mpg to 45mpg, complete replacement of electricity generation using coal and oil in favor or renewables, and Increasing use of plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars. [Read more...]

Photo credit: INFphoto.com

Singer/Actress Miley Cyrus is joining celebrties such as Jessica Alba, Brittany Murphy, Vanessa Hudgens, Molly Sims and others in designing a new line of t-shirts for charities benefitting women. Called the 2LoveCollection, the tees feature expressions of love with unique creations supposedly crafted by the participating artists. We’re not exactly sure what percentage of the sale ($50) goes towards the charity named in each profile (Miley’s benefits the 1736 Family Crisis Center), but at that price, hopefully it’s somewhere around 40%-50%.

Interested to see them all? Check out the official site here.

Brittany Spears is auctioning off her naked self–her naked self-portrait, that is. The painting, which the singer has also autographed, is being sold on eBay to raise funds for L.A.’s the Promises Foundation, which provides women and children with low-income with behavioral health services. Wait. Behavioral health services? Now there’s the ironic moment of the day. To bid, click here.

Though the lawsuit hasn’t been settled (or dismissed) yet, Kate Hudson is still promoting her new hair-care line, David Babaii for WildAid. Not only is the actress actually using herself to test the products (Go Kate!), she’s also filming ads out in the bush with WildAid workers. “There was a black rhino right in front of our hut. It is one of the top on the endangered species list. It was so sad. It was all alone,” she said.

While the Atkins meat frenzy hasn’t completely left the planet yet, there are plenty of celebs who use veggie means when they’re dieting. Joan Lunden digs fresh fruit, Kelly Preston chows on oatmeal and bagels, Claudia Schiffer munches on salad and steamed vegetables, and Heidi Klum uses a salad with vinegar as an appetizer going out to restrain her appetite.

Molly Sims and Jennifer Jason Leigh are fans of Vert, L.A.’s first eco beauty boutique. Vert’s products are all chemical-free, mostly organic, and the store even holds makeup seminars and workshops to help customers lead more eco-friendly lifestyles.

Last night, Global Green USA’s 5th Annual Pre-Oscar Party rocked out in grand style with a bevy of celebrities, performers such as Michelle Branch and Damien Rice, and a focus on the environment and sustainable design. While we had spies all over, we sent our main duo Pleasant Wayne and Damien Somserset to cover the action on the red carpet. That video is to follow shortly, but right now, here are some highlights from Pleasant:

1. Tate Donovan would ride his bike to the moon to work with Jennifer Aniston again. (old Friends co-star) He brought his bike on the “green” grass carpet and is a huge advocate for biking in the city.

2. Dana Delany had a non-eco PRADA purse, but said she recylces her scripts on the set.

3. Jason Lewis jetted past the press line and we think he was with his Mom. Aww…

4. Salma Hayek wore a Stella McCartney pantsuit because she said she is trying to lose the baby weight – “I’m not Nicole Richie, ha ha!”

6. Molly Sims was gushing about how Eco her boyfriend, Justin Chatwin, (from War of the Worlds) is….didn’t get her to speak as she was rushing into the party.

7. Sofia Bush would never date someone who isn’t into GREEN living. She was wearing earrings made of crystal stone and diamonds.

8. Taylor Dane was cool – she’s been taking her kids camping and teaching them how to live a softer-on-the-earth life even though she’s a New Yorker at heart. She has her heart set on a hybrid SUV.

9. Josie Maran was promoting her new all-natural cosmetic line – “Josie Maran Cosmetics”. She said her biggest passion was using eco-friendly diapers and gave some interesting facts about disposable diapers and landfills. She was with her friend, Rainbow, who was wearing a vintage dress and works with Adidas – they are working on developing some eco-gear.

10. Adrian Grenier whizzed past the “tabloid” section.

11. There was some speculation that Michelle Branch had a baby bump from our neighbor Press friends! She wasn’t interviewing as she had to perform.

12. Bill Mahr arrived very late and was driving a hybrid SUV.

13. Ian Somerhalder from “Lost” and many other projects eats organically and practices Yoga…what a cutie!

14. Thomas Ian Nicholas from American Pie etc. donates his time to children’s charities in addition to being active with Global Green.

More to come on this fantastic evening shortly!

Actress Kate Walsh spent her Thursday afternoon helping the folks at Pedigree kick off the Pedigree Dogstore in Times Square! I know, I know-all the animal rights people just totally flipped out when I said, “Dogstore.”  You’re probably thinking: abused pets, dirty cages, lazy employees…no, no no!! Trust me, this is not your typical pet store!

The Pedigree Dogstore will act as a short-term adoption center where visitors can learn about dog adoption, meet adoptable dogs and make donations to support various shelters across the country.  This is all part of the Pedigree Adoption Drive, Pedigree’s non-profit organization that helps provide funding to select animal shelters and breed rescues nationwide.  And with over 4 million dogs in shelters across the country, Pedigree’s Adoption Drive couldn’t come at a better time!

Other stars like Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Molly Sims, and Kelly Ripa have stepped up to the plate by signing memorabilia which will be auctioned on eBAY to also benefit Pedigree.  So head on over to Dogsrule.com and learn how you can get involved and help make a difference. Because like singer/activist Nellie Mckay says in The Dog Song, “If you want a companion, well just go right to the pound, and find yourself a hound, and make that doggie proud. Cause that’s what it’s all about.”

photo credit: justjared.com