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WEB SITE

The Look to the Stars Web site, as mentioned in Mark Harris's article "How to Train Your Celebrity: Five Hollywood Charity Myths," catalogs over 2,500 celebrities with charities and causes they support. Created in 2006 for fans and nonprofit organizations alike, the site cross-references charities and causes with their affiliated celebrities and provides brief information about each celebrity. The Web site is recognized as a reliable source for celebrity charity affiliations, and the Associated Press, BBC News, and E!Online are among the news and entertainment organizations that look to it for information.

Look to the Stars Web site

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Question 23.4

1. In the box below, brainstorm for a few minutes about each of the following celebrities: Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton, LeBron James, Kanye West, and Michael J. Fox. What do you know about any of these celebrities? What are they primarily famous for? In addition to acting, music, or sports, what else are they known for? Then, click on each of the celebrities below, and read each celebrity's biography on the Look to the Stars site. Their biography pages also list the charities and causes they support.

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Question 23.5

2. What values do these stars' chosen charities and causes represent? Based on their bios and what you know of these celebrities, do the charities and causes they are affiliated with match their values and celebrity personas? Why or why not?

Question 23.6

3. Click on the various charity links and read a bit about the organizations. Based on the criteria in the article "How to Train Your Celebrity: Five Hollywood Charity Myths," do you think the charities benefit from these celebrity associations? Explain.

Question 23.7

4. After exploring the various celebrities and their affiliated charities, pick two to compare. How similar or different are the kinds of causes they support? How invested do the celebrities seem in their charitable work? What evidence from the Look to the Stars Web site provides clues about their dedication? Would you say one or both of the celebrities you selected are good role models for their charitable work? Why or why not?