In the midst of a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, we are shining a spotlight on the Hollywood celebrities using their platform to stand with Ukraine.
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher matching up to $3 million in donations
Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis launched a GoFundMe site to raise funds for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Along with hubby Ashton Kutcher, they aim to raise $30 million with a plan to match $3 million in donations:
“Today, I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian,” Mila says in a video posted on the GoFundMe site. “The events that have unfolded in Ukraine are devastating. There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity.”
Mila Kunis was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, coming with her family to the United States in 1991.
As of Monday morning, the site has raised nearly $17 million to benefit Flexport.org, which is coordinating the shipment of relief supplies to neighboring countries, and Airbnb.org, providing free short-term housing to refugees fleeing Ukraine.
“The people of Ukraine are strong and brave, but being strong and brave doesn’t mean you’re not worthy of support,” Mila goes on to say. “We need to support the people of Ukraine.”
You can contribute here.
Former professional boxer Wladimir Klitschko urges us to act now
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Known as “Dr. Steelhammer” to his fans, former professional boxer and Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko urges everyone worldwide to act now to stop Russian aggression.
“We must face reality and have the courage to draw the conclusions for our future and that of our children,” he says in an Instagram post shared while in Kyiv.
Wladimir has a link in his Instagram bio with an extensive list of organizations seeking donations, initiatives to support, and demonstrations.
Regina Spektor shares a heartfelt wish for peace
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Russian-American singer/songwriter/pianist Regina Spektor is known for music that speaks to her immigrant upbringing. Born in the Soviet Union, Regina’s family immigrated to the Bronx when she was 9 due to the discrimination that Jews faced in Moscow at the time.
When news spread of the conflict in Ukraine, the artist turned to Instagram to share a heartfelt wish for peace.
“My Jewish family is from everywhere. Most of my grandparents are from Ukraine,” she says. Regina goes on to recount how Russians, Ukrainians, and many others came together to fight Nazis in World War II.
“People can love both cultures and be grateful for both cultures and respect each other,” Regina continues to say. “All of us are mutts anyhow… flying around like seeds in the wind, landing where we land after the world shakes her hair out. And all of us go floating in search of one thing: Peace.”
Actress Vera Farmiga shares a touching piano performance of the Ukrainian national anthem
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Vera Farmiga, known most for her role as Lorraine Warren in the Conjuring horror movie franchise, is from a family of Ukrainian immigrants. Raised in a largely Ukrainian American community in New Jersey, went to a Ukrainian Catholic school and toured with a Ukrainian folk-dancing group.
“I consider myself to be 100% Ukrainian-American,” Vera said in a 2017 interview with The Guardian.
Vera has been outspoken about Ukraine, sharing resources and organizations to support, as well as a beautiful piano performance of the Ukrainian national anthem.
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“I pray for the Russian firehose of falsehood and propaganda to stop, for illumination of the Russian people, for their courage to speak truth to power,” Vera says in an Instagram post. “I stand with Ukraine, I stand with my family in Ukraine.”
Dancing With the Stars alum Maksim Chmerkovskiy gets emotional about his escape
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Born in Ukraine, Maksim immigrated with his family to the United States in the 1990s. Before Russia’s invasion, Maksim was in Kyiv to film a dance show. He was unable to fly back to the U.S. due to the attack.
While saying he isn’t usually big on social media, Maksim used his platform to share what was going on in Kyiv.
Last week, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, ballroom dancer and Dancing With the Stars pro shared his story with Good Morning America of escaping Ukraine amid Russia’s attack.
“At the time of war, I realize you do what you can,” Maksim says to Good Morning America. “This was not me trying to publicize the situation, this was me trying to cry for help.”
“I’m emotional, I can’t control it. I cried all the way from the airport.”
‘DWTS’ alum and Ukrainian dancer @MaksimC describes to @tjholmes his emotional journey home from Kyiv and what he says it was like on the ground as Russia invaded Ukraine. https://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/NJog5v9Iin
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 4, 2022
“I’m still in a very much in that fight-or-flight,” he explained to Good Morning America. “I’m a big boy, but I know for a fact that I’m going through something mentally…because I get into these cry moments, I’m emotional, I can’t control it.”
Sting pleas for “our common humanity” with a song
In 1985, Sting released a song called “Russians” as a response to the Cold War:
“There is no monopoly on common sense/On either side of the political fence/We share the same biology, regardless of ideology/Believe me when I say to you/I hope the Russians love their children too”
The message of this song rings true today.
“I’ve only rarely sung this song in the many years since it was written, because I never thought it would be relevant again,” Sting says before performing the song, saying how it is “once again, a plea for our common humanity.”
Sting dedicates the song to “the brave Ukrainians fighting against this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians who are protesting this outrage despite the threat of arrest and imprisonment – We, all of us, love our children. Stop the war.”
Sting goes on to share resources to help support Ukrainians. Watch the performance here:
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There are so many ways you can join Hollywood in standing with Ukraine. Find out how you can help here.
