Lady Gaga kicked off the One World: Together At Home Special concert on Saturday night – with other stars including Celine Dion, Beyonce, Sir Elton John and Taylor Swift taking part.
The star-studded event was organised by 34-year-old Lady Gaga in partnership with Global Citizen movement and the World Health Organisation to offer hope and a reprieve as the world continues to battle coronavirus.
The two-hour concert included an epic six-hour warm-up concert with stars including Ellie Goulding, Jessie J and Niall Horan ahead of the two-hour final event.
Addressing viewers as the main concert began, Gaga said she wanted to lift sprits as people around the world continued to fight the global pandemic.
“Today I am so happy we are one world together, at home,” the singer said.
“I feel very honoured to be a part of the World Health Organisation and Global Citizen and the fight against Covid-19 and raising money for the solidarity response fund,” she continued.
“I care so much about all of the medical workers that are putting their lives at risk for us right now. I think of them every day. I pray for them every day,” she went on.
“And I’m also thinking of all of you that are at home who are wondering when this is all going to be different. What I’d like to do tonight, if I can is just give you the permission to, for a moment… smile,” she added before bursting into the Nat King Cole song.
Music legend Stevie Wonder brought viewers to tears as he performed the Bill Withers song Lean On Me – paying tribute to the musician who died last month.
Sir Paul McCartney followed soon after, paying tribute to healthcare workers around the world, while also highlighting the fact that his mother worked as a nurse and midwife.
He sang a rendition of Lady Madonna while sat at a piano.
Fellow Brits, David and Victoria Beckham were on screens shortly after to pay tribute to healthcare workers and reflect on the positive facts they had found amid the pandemic.
“If there is any silver lining to come out of this situation, it has meant lots of time together as a family and to this, we are grateful,” Dave said.
The couple then introduced Sir Elton John who gave a vibrant performance of I’m Still Standing.
Lockdown lovers Shawn Mendes and Camilla Capello took to a piano together to sing a rendition of What A Wonderful World in a touching duet.
While superstar Beyonce made a surprise appearance to discuss some of the horrifying statistics of coronavirus deaths in America.
The Destiny’s Child legend explained that African Americans are disproportionately being affected by the virus and urged the community to stay safe.
“We continue to pray for [essential workers’] safety. African-Americans at large have been severely affected by this crisis. Please protect yourself, we are one family, and we need you,” she said.
Chart favourite Lizzo performed a stunning rendition of A Change Is Gonna Come while also paying tribute to healthcare workers battling the deadly virus.
First Ladies Laura Bush and Michelle Obama also featured in the show to give thanks to those fighting against coronavirus.
Jennifer Lopez showed off her stripped back vocals in a powerful rendition of the song People, The Rolling Stones sang You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Keith Urban sang Higher Love, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day sang Wake Me Up When September Ends and Chris Martin briefly appeared to sing the Coldplay smash Yellow.
A duet between John Legend and Sam Smith proved to be a hit with viewers as they took on the song Stand By Me together – singing verses and choruses from their respective homes.
While Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas featured from their home to sing Sunny.
Later in the show, Taylor Swift featured in front of a piano and against floral wallpaper to perform her own track Soon You’ll Get Better.
While special surprise performers were brought together for a spine-tingling performance to close out the show as Lady Gaga returned to sing with Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli.
The singers were joined by John Legend who also joined the stars in belting out the 1999 Celine and Andrea duet The Prayer.
The evening was presided over by North American comedians Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
As of Sunday 19 April, more than 2.5 million people have tested positive for coronavirus, with more than 154,000 deaths being recorded worldwide.
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