CNN has announced the lineup for its sixth-annual CNN Heroes event, which takes place on December 2. As in past years, Anderson Cooper will host the event.
This year, celebrity presenters include Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Jane Lynch, David Spade and 50 Cent. Each of the 10 CNN Heroes finalists will have their story told by a celebrity presenter. The show will also feature a musical performance by NE-YO.
The live event will be preceded by “CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight.” Cooper interviews Ben Stiller, Christy Turlington Burns and NE-YO about their passions and service. The hour will feature live red-carpet updates with Nischelle Turner.
More in CNN’s release after the jump.
Susan Sarandon, Viola Davis, Jane Lynch, Rico Rodriguez, Miranda Cosgrove, David Spade, Cullen Jones and 50 Cent Among Celebrities Participating in Sixth Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute Airing Live Sunday, December 2 at 9pm ET
Three-Time Grammy Winning Singer/Songwriter NE-YO Performs as Musical Guest and Joins Ben Stiller and Christy Turlington Burns on Pre-Show Interview Special CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight Airing at 8pm ET
Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, two-time Academy Award nominee Viola Davis, Glee’s Jane Lynch, Modern Family’s Rico Rodriguez, iCarly star Miranda Cosgrove, Rules of Engagement star David Spade, Olympic Gold Medalist Cullen Jones and hip-hop star 50 Cent join host Anderson Cooper for CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute airing LIVE Sunday, December 2 at 9pm ET. Three-time Grammy Award winning singer songwriter NE-YO is set to perform as the musical guest. Additional celebrity presenters will be announced in coming days.
Each of the 2012 Top 10 CNN Heroes will have his or her story told by celebrities at the live event, which takes place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, CA.
Airing just prior to CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute will be a one-hour presentation, CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight at 8pm ET, hosted by Cooper. The special features exclusive interviews with NE-YO (conducted by HLN’s Showbiz Tonight host A.J. Hammer), Ben Stiller, and Christy Turlington Burns, who talk about their passions, foster care, Haiti, and maternal health, respectively. The special will feature live cut-ins from CNN’s Nischelle Turner, providing red carpet coverage and interviews with luminaries in attendance.
“As we enter the season of giving thanks, we are grateful to these talented and caring entertainers who are joining us in this celebration of the human spirit. We appreciate the time they’re taking to raise awareness for the life-changing work of this year’s CNN Heroes,” said Kelly Flynn, Senior Executive Producer for the “CNN Heroes” initiative, CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight and CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute.
Now in its sixth year, the CNN Heroes initiative has received more than 45,000 nominations from more than 100 countries and profiled over 180 everyday heroes doing extraordinary work.
For the latest info about the Top 10 CNN Heroes, viewers and online users are encouraged to visit the CNN Heroes page on Facebook, follow @CNN Heroes on Twitter and use the hashtag #CNNHeroes. Additionally, behind-the-scenes CNN Heroes images can be viewed on CNN Heroes’ Instagram account. GetGlue users can check-in to CNN Heroes for exclusive limited-edition CNN Heroes stickers.
To learn about the Top 10 CNN Heroes who will be honored on Dec. 2, visit CNNHeroes.com. On social media visit the CNN Heroes page on Facebook and follow @CNN Heroes on Twitter, the hashtag #CNNHeroes. Additionally, behind-the-scenes CNN Heroes images can be viewed on CNN Heroes’ Instagram account. GetGlue users can “check-in” to CNN Heroes for exclusive limited-edition CNN Heroes stickers.
Fans are encouraged to vote up to 10 times a day, every day, for this year’s “CNN Hero of the Year.” Voting continues through Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at midnight PT, and the “CNN Hero of the Year” will be announced live at this year’s CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute. Fans can also make a direct charitable donation to their favorite Top 10 CNN Heroes’ designated nonprofit using Google Wallet through December 31, 2012. Google is waiving all transaction fees enabling 100% of the donations to go directly to the Heroes’ nonprofit organizations. Visit CNNHeroes.com online or on your mobile device to learn more about the 2012 honorees, cast your vote and donate.
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