Why do so many wealthy celebrities urge us to empty our pockets to charity while they bask in virtual luxury?

Answer 1

Bono is the one that gets me - I like a lot of his music, but he spends a lot of time saying how we should give to charity and how we over indulge on convenience, yet he has a private jet and a limo (probably - he certainly lives the rich life one way or another).

Now Michael Schumacher, there's a guy who puts his money where his mouth is - he gets a lot of stick, but after the tsunami, he donated over 10 MILLION dollars, more than most countries (including some noteably wealthy ones, Russia for example). And that wasn't a one off either.

Answer 2

Many celebrities, whilst "basking in luxury" do actually give substantial amounts to charity.

For example, Robbie Williams has his "Give It Sum" fund, which has supported a lot of projects in his home City of Stoke-on-Trent. These have ranged from a sizeable donation to the Treetops children's hospice, to grants to his local school to equip a recording studio as they have become a Specialist Music College and to one of their Years to print a community newspaper. He has also donated towards a community garden in another area of the City.

Other celebrities known for their generosity include Elton John, who as well as giving substantial amounts to his AIDS foundation also funds a scholarship for a student to attend the Royal Academy of Music (where he trained). Michael Parkinson also funds an orphanage in Johannesburg, South Africa, which he visited when he interviewed Nelson Mandela.

These are but a few examples - there are many more. Many celebrities give both their money and their time quietly and without publicity.

Answer 3

Some Celebrities seem to think that because they are in the public eye they deem it their duty to comment on current affairs as they feel necessary.

The truth of this is that they are no more qualified to presume expertise on these matters than you or I are. Perhaps they feel it is their responsibility to change the world, simply because they think they can. Like a superhero suddenly gifted with awesome powers, The problem being that they often come accross as condescending and sometimes way out of their depth I.e. George Cloony speaking at the u.n. summit recently.

The only way to combat this is to blatantly take no notice in the hope that they will resume their day jobs.

Answer 4

Some celebs back charities for pr reasons and some actually care about the cause. Either way giving charity is a good thing and everyone should make contributions that are within their limits.

Answer 5

Because of their monstrous egos. They think just cos they have millions in the bank they can try to make people who don't have much money feel guilty enough to hand money they can barely afford over to charity. They should put their hands in THEIR pockets. Bono, Chris Martin etc can bugger off. Oh, and charity is great for Government when THEY should be paying for hospitals, schools, etc. instead of people who are paying taxes to fund things like this. Makes me angry!!

Answer 6

Because it's easier to tell others what to do than to do it themselves.

I have heard many celebs say that the best thing they can do for charity is raise awareness and by getting their fans to give. Also when they do something to "raise awareness" it is usually all expenses paid by the charity. So who's the winner??

Answer 7

Because they know that the public always defers to celebrities.
They are more likely to give to a charity if asked by a celebrity that by someone unknown.

Answer 8

The charitys are using celebs so they get money. The celebs use the charitys so they look good.

Answer 9

More than likely, they want to be seen to care about whatever causes they're fronting as they probably see this as a way of endearing them to the public.

Answer 10

To help them ease their consciences because they know they have more money than they deserve, and because they know that they're basically bad people. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt being two prime examples.