Well, that’s everybody, isn’t it? Usher has given his profits from a Muammar Gaddafi-funded concert in St. Bart’s to charity, telling the Associated Press he’s “sincerely troubled” by the association. “I am sincerely troubled to learn about the circumstances surrounding the Nikki Beach St. Bart’s event that took place on New Year’s Eve 2009,” he said in a statement. “I will be donating all of my personal proceeds from that event to various human rights organizations.” Amnesty International confirmed they received a donation from Usher, though the amount was undisclosed.
Usher’s penance follows Beyonce’s donation to Haiti and apologies from Mariah Carey and Nelly Furtado for playing concerts sponsored by family of the Libyan dictator—with WikiLeaks bringing new light to the long-brewing controversy. Considering stars usually sate their philanthropic urges by recording charity singles and asking us to buy expensive “part of the proceeds” profits, maybe having singers perform for despots and then guilting them into giving away their cut would bring even more money in for good causes. Take from the war criminal, give to the poor!
[Photo: Splash News Online]
