p2pnet news | Celebrity News:- Scientology spokesman Tom Cruise and wife Kathy were among celebrities schmoozing it up at the $2,500-a-plate United Nations dinner, said to have raised $3.7 million.

Also there were Madonna, Chris Rock and, “dozens of other celebrities,” says Associated Press.

Gucci paid the costs and used it as a PR event, strategically locating its logo and UNICEF’s, “behind the walkway where celebrities were photographed,” says AP, continuing:

The United Nations Children’s Fund relies on $1 billion in private sector donations for its $3.5 billion global budget, but the U.N. had never before granted permission to a company to erect tents on the north lawn of the U.N. for such a lavish event with a commercial tie-in.

The red-carpet reception drew stars such as Drew Barrymore, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Amy Adams, Brooke Shields, Salma Hayek, Djimon Hounsou, Dita Von Teese and UNICEF Ambassadors Tea Leoni and Lucy Liu, followed by a cocktail party with the likes of Donald Trump and media mogul Barry Diller.

Cruise, whose highly memorable Scientiology insider video is still causing the cult mega problems, “bid $100,000 for a sports package that included the privilege of hanging out at Yankee Stadium with Alex Rodriguez and a private hour playing soccer with David Beckham, but lost out to a bidder who ponied up $350,000,” says the story.

He and others, “paid $2,500 to $10,000 each to dine on grappa-cured salmon, wild striped bass, tart of goat cheese, foraged mushrooms, truffled mashed potatoes and sticky toffee pudding with creme fraiche,” says AP, going on:

“Madonna played videos of Malawi and introduced children from the southern African country. Rihanna, Timbaland and Alicia Keys played music afterward.”

But the UN is taking heat over claims that it was used to promote not only Gucci, but also the controversial Kabbalah Centre.

“The project, fronted by Madonna, is predominantly run by staff from the centre’s educational arm, Spirituality for Kids (SPK), which teaches a curriculum based on the fashionable faith, which has its roots in Jewish mysticism,” says Guardian Unlimited.

How much of the $3.7 million will actually reach the kids?

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon was “confident there would be no problems,” says AP, quoting him as saying, “I understand that the main purpose of this event will raise funds for a humanitarian purpose, and I am sure that the proceeds will go to the purpose of this event.”

That’s OK, then.

Ban, “wanted to distance himself from the event due to questions about the commercialism and his unfamiliarity with Raising Malawi, according to officials,” says Guardian Unlimited.

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Also See:
Associated Press - UN Benefit Draws Madonna, Other Celebs, February 7, 2008
Guardian Unlimited - Madonna hosts controversial UN fundraiser, February 7, 2008
mega problems - Beware February 10, Anonymous warns Scientologists, February 7, 2008

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This entry was posted on Thursday, February 7th, 2008 at 1:07 pm and is filed under Celebrity News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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