By Arienne Thompson, USA TODAY
Although the charitable response to the disaster left in the wake of Japan's magnitude-9.0 earthquake and subsequent tsunami March 11 has paled in comparison to the outpouring of relief for Haiti last year and New Orleans in 2005, celebs are still doing their part to help. USA TODAY rounds up who's doing what to help the island nation get back on its feet.
By Larry Busacca, Getty Images For The Recording Academy
Justin Bieber and Rihanna are two of the artists to be featured on a digital album put out by Universal Music in support of Japan relief efforts.
By Larry Busacca, Getty Images For The Recording Academy
Justin Bieber and Rihanna are two of the artists to be featured on a digital album put out by Universal Music in support of Japan relief efforts.
Music
?Rihanna, Justin Bieber, U2, Bon Jovi and Nicki Minaj have joined forces for a digital charity album, with all proceeds going to disaster relief in Japan. "We are doing it only digitally because it is faster, and this will be a worldwide release. The plan is to have it available later this week," Universal Music said in a statement Tuesday. The profits will go to the Japanese Red Cross.
?Lady Gaga managed to raise more than $250,000 in donations for Japan in just 48 hours through the sale of a rubber wristband she designed and is selling on her website, LadyGaga.com. The bracelet reads "We Pray for Japan" in English and Japanese, with a silhouette of the singer's iconic clawing hand gesture. The wristband costs $5, with the option to add an additional contribution up to $100.
?Ne-Yo made sure the show would go on, performing in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday. He created special wristbands and collected donations at the concert. "I don't think people understand how powerful music actually is," he said in a video before the show. "You can spread all kinds of messages through music. You can spread hatred through music, you can spread prejudice through music, but you can also and absolutely spread love through music, and I think that's what's absolutely called for in this time of crisis. So that being said, spread love through music."
?Snoop Dogg designed a T-shirt to support Japan relief for skate and snowboarding retailer Neff. The tee features a cartoon dog flashing the peace sign and urging Japan to "Keep Ya Head Up" in English and Japanese. "I got so much love for Japan ... and I hope that this tee that I'm doing with my Neff family will help make a difference," the rapper said in a statement on the NeffHeadwear.com site, where the shirt is available for $21.95.
? Singer Katy Perry asked fans for cash donations at her show Tuesday in Manchester, England. "Red Cross is here taking any donations for Japan! We've raised 10's of thousands of pounds already! Go Us!" she tweeted the before the show.
?Blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus set up an eBay auction shortly after the disaster to sell exclusive memorabilia from the band's career, including handwritten lyrics, a sweater he wore in a music video and old backstage passes. "So sad for what's happening in Japan. Gonna dig in the bins & find some old blink-182 items to auction for the Red Cross," he tweeted shortly after the quake hit.
?Linkin Park singer Mike Shinoda, whose father is Japanese-American, designed T-shirts in support of Japan, which will benefit the band's Music for Relief charity and Save the Children. One of the black shirts features an origami butterfly, and the other is emblazoned with the words "Not Alone." The charity tees, priced at $25, are available at LinkinPark.com.
Movies
?Sandra Bullock donated $1 million of her own cash to Japan on March 17, earmarking it for use by the American Red Cross.
Television
? Former Two and a Half Menstar Charlie Sheen says he'll donate $1 from each ticket sold for his upcoming My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not an Option tour. The money will go to the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake Relief Fund.
? Last Wednesday, American Idol donated the profits from downloads of that night's songs to the American Red Cross. The reality competition also solicited $10 text-message donations for the American Red Cross during Thursday's results show.
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