Actress, multiplatinum recording artist, and fashion designer Selena Gomez hosted a concert benefiting the U.S. Fund for UNICEF on Saturday, January 19 at the Best Buy Theater in New York City.
The third annual Acoustic Charity Concert hosted by Gomez, a UNICEF Ambassador and avid supporter of the organization, raised more than $150,000 to support UNICEF’s programs that provide nutrition, clean water, medicine, education and more to children worldwide.
“I have worked with UNICEF since I was 17 years old, and I’ve seen first-hand the results of their critical support for children all over the world,” she said. “When I first started with the organization, 24,000 children died every day of causes we can prevent, and that number has now been reduced to 19,000. It’s amazing to see the progress and I’m thrilled to help bring awareness to UNICEF’s lifesaving work.”
During her show, Gomez performed hits including “Love You Like A Love Song,” “Naturally,” and “Who Says” as well as fan favorite cover songs such as Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.” The concert also featured performers Bridgit Mendler, Noah Guthrie, and Nat and Alex Wolff.
Gomez was appointed a UNICEF Ambassador in September 2009, and she has enthusiastically used her talents to advocate for the world’s most vulnerable children. In total, Gomez’s three Acoustic Charity Concerts for UNICEF have raised nearly $400,000 for UNICEF programs worldwide.
Gomez recently attended the annual UNICEF Snowflake Ball in New York City where she auctioned off two backstage packages to her benefit concert for the highest bidders, raising $40,000 for UNICEF.
