I'm sure Taylor Swift is charitable. I'm also sure that there are many celebrities who are just as philanthropic as Swift -- and more sincere about it.
I am a grown woman and even I got on the Swift bandwagon a few years ago, back when her red lipstick was on point, her songs were sassy, and she recorded videos in animal-themed onesies. But she lost me after the holiday known as Swiftmas in 2014.
Most of us know the lore: Swift went out to secretly buy presents for a few lucky fans, wrapped the presents herself with her adorable cats in tow, and mailed said presents to her loving faithful for a holly jolly surprise. She somehow managed to capture this outpouring of generosity on video and then posted it on YouTube, where it has since garnered more than 17 million views. Outlets like People, BuzzFeed, MTV, and Billboard rained praise and unadulterated love on the pop star for being, like for real, the world's sweetest pop star.
As soon as I saw the video -- adorably edited and strategically scored with her 1989 track "You Are In Love" playing in the background -- I realized that the recording, posting, and presentation of the video mostly benefitted Swift... and less so the crying and grateful fans shown later in the clip.
Being truly generous means not needing recognition for the good you do for others. The fact that the video existed at all and was quickly posted on YouTube for free and repeated viewings made Swiftmas ring false. It was just free advertising that kept momentum moving on the groundswell that Taylor Swift was every fan's best friend. I've worked in marketing, politics, and philanthropy, and, truly, Swiftmas was a masterful and cost-effective strategy that accomplished goals in all three pillars. She's earned approximately $80 million in 2015; clearly, whatever she and her team are doing works.
But to ward off what is inevitably being planned for this year's Swiftmas Redux and the media frenzy of adoration that will follow, let's recognize a few celebrities who do just as much (or more) than Swift. They do it quietly, they don't record it, and they don't post it on YouTube for continued free press.
Imagine that.
Beyonce. $7 million dollars. Without fanfare, that's what Beyonce has given over the past several years to the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, a housing project Beyonce first launched in her hometown of Houston in 2007. The center has 43 units for individuals who would otherwise be homeless and also provides meals, jobs readiness training, and HIV/AIDS screenings.
Justin Bieber. While the Canadian teen idol is known more for his embarrassing outbursts and public hijinks, Bieber has also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant over 250 wishes and pledged $545,000 last year to AIDS research.
John Cena. We may not see Cena's name in regular issues of Us Weekly, but in 2015, the WWE wrestling superstar became the first celebrity to have granted 500 wishes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cena began granting wishes in 2004 and has been increasingly involved with the foundation since then.
Laverne Cox. American actress and LGBT advocate Cox has been recognized as a vital leader for the transgender and LGBT community, representing and creating public awareness around transgender issues, race and identity. Amidst raising charity funds and other awards, Cox was named as one of Time Magazine's Most Influential People in 2015.
Rihanna. In 2012, Rihanna started the Clara Lionel Foundation (named after her grandparents), which uses its funds globally to support programs in health, education, arts, and culture. That same year, she also donated $1.75 million to a Barbados hospital in memory of her grandmother.
Emma Watson. In a year when celebrities still distance themselves from using the dread word "feminist," Watson not only supports UN Women as a Global Goodwill Ambassador, but also launched the #heforshe campaign on gender equality that went viral and inspired both men and women worldwide to speak up for feminism.
I am a grown woman and even I got on the Swift bandwagon a few years ago, back when her red lipstick was on point, her songs were sassy, and she recorded videos in animal-themed onesies. But she lost me after the holiday known as Swiftmas in 2014.
Most of us know the lore: Swift went out to secretly buy presents for a few lucky fans, wrapped the presents herself with her adorable cats in tow, and mailed said presents to her loving faithful for a holly jolly surprise. She somehow managed to capture this outpouring of generosity on video and then posted it on YouTube, where it has since garnered more than 17 million views. Outlets like People, BuzzFeed, MTV, and Billboard rained praise and unadulterated love on the pop star for being, like for real, the world's sweetest pop star.
As soon as I saw the video -- adorably edited and strategically scored with her 1989 track "You Are In Love" playing in the background -- I realized that the recording, posting, and presentation of the video mostly benefitted Swift... and less so the crying and grateful fans shown later in the clip.
Being truly generous means not needing recognition for the good you do for others. The fact that the video existed at all and was quickly posted on YouTube for free and repeated viewings made Swiftmas ring false. It was just free advertising that kept momentum moving on the groundswell that Taylor Swift was every fan's best friend. I've worked in marketing, politics, and philanthropy, and, truly, Swiftmas was a masterful and cost-effective strategy that accomplished goals in all three pillars. She's earned approximately $80 million in 2015; clearly, whatever she and her team are doing works.
But to ward off what is inevitably being planned for this year's Swiftmas Redux and the media frenzy of adoration that will follow, let's recognize a few celebrities who do just as much (or more) than Swift. They do it quietly, they don't record it, and they don't post it on YouTube for continued free press.
Imagine that.
Beyonce. $7 million dollars. Without fanfare, that's what Beyonce has given over the past several years to the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, a housing project Beyonce first launched in her hometown of Houston in 2007. The center has 43 units for individuals who would otherwise be homeless and also provides meals, jobs readiness training, and HIV/AIDS screenings.
Justin Bieber. While the Canadian teen idol is known more for his embarrassing outbursts and public hijinks, Bieber has also worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant over 250 wishes and pledged $545,000 last year to AIDS research.
John Cena. We may not see Cena's name in regular issues of Us Weekly, but in 2015, the WWE wrestling superstar became the first celebrity to have granted 500 wishes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cena began granting wishes in 2004 and has been increasingly involved with the foundation since then.
Laverne Cox. American actress and LGBT advocate Cox has been recognized as a vital leader for the transgender and LGBT community, representing and creating public awareness around transgender issues, race and identity. Amidst raising charity funds and other awards, Cox was named as one of Time Magazine's Most Influential People in 2015.
Rihanna. In 2012, Rihanna started the Clara Lionel Foundation (named after her grandparents), which uses its funds globally to support programs in health, education, arts, and culture. That same year, she also donated $1.75 million to a Barbados hospital in memory of her grandmother.
Emma Watson. In a year when celebrities still distance themselves from using the dread word "feminist," Watson not only supports UN Women as a Global Goodwill Ambassador, but also launched the #heforshe campaign on gender equality that went viral and inspired both men and women worldwide to speak up for feminism.
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