Help for Haiti Telethon (SOS) Saving Our-selves Brings Applause
Queen Latifah, Sean “Diddy” Combs and Pharrell Williams co-hosted Friday night’s S-O-S: Saving Ourselves, Help for Haiti telethon, which aired live from the Miami Airlines Arena in Miami on B-E-T, Centric and V-H-1. Wyclef Jean kicked off the show with a performance of “Hold On,” and sang part of the verses in his native Patois. He was later joined by Akon on their duet “Sweetest Girl.” Jasmine Sullivan and Mary J. Blige duetted on “I’m Gonna Make It,” then Mary did a solo performance of U-2′s “One.” Robin Thicke performed his song “Dreamworld” as well as a cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me” with India Arie. Nas and Damien Marley performed their collaboration “Only the Strong.” Monica was joined by fellow Atlantan Laducris on her “Still Standing.” Chris Brown did his ballads “Crawl” and “With You.” Gospel favorite Kirk Franklin was joined by Arie, Sullivan and Chrisette Michele on “Are You Listening.” The show’s finale was a Brian McKnight-led rendition of “Lean on Me” featuring all the night’s performers, which also included Busta Rhymes and Keri Hilson. Phone operators included Farnsworth Bentley, Common, Sean Paul, Spike Lee and Mike Tyson. Among those who made introductions on stage were Gabrielle Union, Serena Williams and Bill Clinton. The show was interspersed with footage of the devastation in Haiti as well as the efforts being made to help, such as providing clean water and medical attention.
