'American Idol': Bringing Hope to Africa

Posted on April 5, 2007

They are the faces you won’t forget and the stories that Simon Cowell wants you to remember.

Only “Extra’s” Terri Seymour traveled to Africa with Simon and Ryan Seacrest to one of the most impoverished villages in the world to witness the pain and the promise of some brave children.

“It’s just unbelievable, it’s just wrong,” Simon professed, admitting that he didn’t expect conditions to be as bad as they were.

Terri’s video diary captured every emotional moment of “Idol Gives Back,” the show’s crusade against worldwide poverty.

“It’s hard to believe these smiling children live in such horrific conditions,” Simon said astonishingly. “This is quite literally hell on Earth; I have never seen anything like it in my life.”

It was in the children’s village where we witnessed Simon’s most emotional moment.

“We just went into a house with one mother who is HIV positive,” Simon told us. “She has 13 children in there and she gets up at 6 in the morning and if there's no work, there's no food… and they are the nicest, sweetest kids you've ever seen in your life.”

“Idol Gives Back” will turn viewer votes into donations from sponsors, with the money helping poor children in Africa as well as here in the U.S.

Organizer Richard Curtis told “Extra” that witnessing the desperate conditions was a real wake up call.

“I think that's what particularly got to Simon, that he just couldn't believe the reality of the situation,” Curtis said.

Fortunately, this is a situation that viewers will be able to change, when “Idol Gives Back” starts on FOX April 24.

For more information on "Idol Gives Back," log on to http://www.americanidol.com/idolgivesback/.

NEXT: Playboy King Mourns Loss of Anna Nicole Smith

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Comments (10) | Filed Under: American Idol

Simon really suprised me here.
He actually cried! i’d never seen him do that, he really broke down and wept.
Who knew Mr. Mean had a soft side?

- i'm not gonna tell you!

Posted 06/14/07 05:05 PM

simon really showed emotion! i was impressed!

- like i'd tell u.

Posted 06/12/07 02:30 PM

I agree with Erin S. of Boston. It is a shame that the media makes reference to “Africa” as if Africa were some small country somewhere on the globe. Is the media not informed that Africa is a huge continent? It would be nice if references could be made to specific cities and countries within the continent when discussing issues that pertain to “Africa”.

- C. C.

Posted 05/09/07 07:12 PM

I hope someday someone will realize, that, while it’s important to help feed children already born, it’s that much more important to educate those having them about BIRTH CONTROL. Why is this not obvious? Whether it’s here or wherever, why would anyone have a child if they KNEW they couldn’t afford one? Certain groups are well aware of this concept; other groups, not so much. There has to be a way to appeal to whomever isn’t getting this message, because it’s literally a life or death decision for some.

- anon

Posted 04/25/07 08:00 PM

Good for them , But give back to AMERICA first!!!!!!!!!

- Alyssa

Posted 04/09/07 01:57 PM

And to Erin - they travelled to Kenya.

- Barnsinger

Posted 04/09/07 06:58 AM

God bless Simon, Ryan, and Terri for making this brave journey and giving hope to these precious children. Simon really does have a heart, and I hope everyone who thinks he is mean realizes that this is who he is underneath it all. We are seeing a whole other kind, compassionate side of him.

Posted 04/09/07 06:57 AM

Maybe now Ryan will be more understanding of Angelina and her trasformation.

- Mrs. Smith

Posted 04/08/07 05:56 PM

Seeing this piece was nice indeed, but it might be good to mention WHERE in “AFRICA” they traveled to.

It’s always so frustrating to see stories about events/people/issues in Africa that aren’t recognized for where they are. They way you portray it, all of the continent of Africa is the same, with the same issues and concerns.

Take out a map and read the newspaper and you’ll see that there are very individual countries within Africa, with individual issues and people, who I’m sure would like to be recognized for their differences.

The only distinctive thing I got from your piece was they were traveling in an English speaking country. But there’s a big difference between a county like Ghana and a country like Uganda.

I realize that this is a Hollywood entertainment show, but more people watch this stuff than read the newpaper, and if this is where they get the bulk of their knowledge about the world, then I am definitely concerned.

Thanks.

Erin S., Boston

- Erin

Posted 04/05/07 08:16 PM

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