Watch Justin Bieber, J Balvin and Miley Cyrus In New Global Citizen Event

Over the weekend, Global Citizen presented a new special, Global Goal: Unite For Our Future, which featured a high-profile lineup of actors, politicians and philanthropists, as well as an impressive variety of pre-recorded musical performances – many in unique settings. Justin Bieber and Quavo, J Balvin, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Coldplay and Miley Cyrus were among the artists who appeared during the two-hour broadcast. Hosted by Dwayne Johnson, the benefit placed a special focus on raising funds for marginalised and vulnerable communities who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Among the many musical highlights was Miley Cyrus performing The Beatles’ 1965 hit, ‘Help’, from an empty Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. Ahead of the song, a message appeared, dedicating the performance to “those who are tirelessly working on testing, treatment and vaccines so all of us can come together in places like this empty stadium again”. Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson opened the broadcast with ‘Where Peaceful Waters Flow’, off Gladys Knight & The Pips’ 1973 LP Imagination. Fittingly, Hudson and an accompanying band performed the song on a boat which slowly moved through the waters of downtown Chicago.

Justin Bieber and Quavo offered a bluesy rendition of their hit single ‘Intentions’, off Bieber’s best-selling new album, Changes. The stripped-down song, recorded in a studio, was backed by only by a piano helmed by Bieber.

Combining live-action with animation, Coldplay shared a moving rendition of their single ‘Paradise’, which they dedicated to the memory of Elijah McClain. J Balvin’s performance (a medley of ‘Que Calor’ and ‘Mi Gente’) was also presented in a vibrant, 3-D animated world, with additional backup from Nigerian youth dance troupe, The Dreamcatchers.

Performances were also shared by the likes of Christine And The Queens, Chloe X Halle as well as Lin-Manuel Miranda and members of the Original Broadway Production of Hamilton, who joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots on Zoom. Kerry Washington, Billy Porter, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Charlize Theron and David Beckham, among others, also made appearances.

Earlier this year, Global Citizen and Lady Gaga curated the eight-hour One World: Together At Home concert, which raised nearly $128 million from viewers around the world, and featured remote performances from the likes of The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney and Taylor Swift. ‘Global Goal: Unite For Our Future’, meanwhile, raised nearly $7 billion in pledges from governments, corporations and philanthropists.

For more information, visit Global Citizen’s official website.

Format: UK English