Any which way you look at it, if "We Are the World" was going to be redone, there was no better time than now.
Not only is it the 25th anniversary of the seminal all-star recording, but now all the proceeds from sales of the single and eventual music video are going to Haiti earthquake relief. And it's another chance to honor the late Michael Jackson, who cowrote and produced the original with Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones back in 1985.
"Excited to be here," Jennifer Hudson, fresh from last night's Grammy tribute to M.J., stopped to tell the cameras this afternoon on her way into the Jim Henson Co.'s recording complex in Los Angeles.
"It was a very awkward feeling, to be honest," Céline Dion said, referring to singing Jackson's "Earth Song" without him. But she was delighted about the "amazing opportunity" to recreate what Jackson, Richie, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Paul Simon and fellow artists did 25 years ago.
Also spotted today:
Kanye West, Tony Bennett, Beach Boy Brian Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, Jeff Bridges, LL Cool J, lucky 15-year-old Justin Bieber, producer Sean Garrett, Wyclef Jean, Jason Mraz, Enrique Iglesias, Vince Vaughn (not yet entirely sure of his role), Robin Thicke, Akon, Enrique Iglesias, will.i.am, Reba McEntire, Brandy, Josh Groban, Rob Thomas, T-Pain and the Zac Brown Band.
And heard, from the street, none other than Barbra Streisand.
"I'm honored Q [Quincy Jones] asked me to be a part of it and I hope people enjoy it," LL Cool J said outside.
Aside from those mentioned above, here's a complete list of the other artists participating:
- Carlos Santana
- Sugarland
- Natalie Cole
- India.Arie
- Mary Mary
- Bebe Winans
- Tyrese Gibson
- Raphael Saadiq
- Keri Hilson
- Heart
- Pink
- Miley Cyrus
- Jordin Sparks
- Katharine McPhee
- Patti Austin
- Usher
- The Fray
- Nicole Richie
- Ethan Bortnick (9-year-old prodigy pianist)
- Taj Jackson
- Freda Payne
- Lil Wayne
- Harry Connick Jr.
- Bizzy Bones (Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
- Orianthi (This Is It guitarist)
- Rickey Minor (American Idol music director)
- Adam Levine
- Earth Wind & Fire
- Jonas Brothers
- Nicole Scherzinger
- Julianne Hough
- Melanie Fiona
- Mya
- Anthony Hamilton
- Gladys Knight
- Joel Madden
- Benji Madden
- Musiq Soulchild
- Randy Jackson
- Kid Cudi
- Trey Songz
- Taryll Jackson
- T.J. Jackson
- Drake
- Faith Evans
- Rashida Jones
- Al Jardine
- A.R. Rahman (Oscar winner, "Jai Ho")
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A lot of these folks, both the veteran stars and the up-and-comers, were at the Grammys last night. Check out all of our Red Carpet coverage, including our 2010 Grammys: Winners! gallery to see who took home the top prizes.