Paramount Pauses Operations in Russia, Makes $1 Million Donation for Ukraine Relief

Camila Cabello and Ed Sheeran helped bring in help for those in Ukraine.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWhen Sting first released the song “Russians” in 1985, the Cold War had been raging for nearly 40 years, and the song aimed to strike a humanizing tone on the people actually behind that Iron Curtain. Just weeks earlier, the Soviet Union had gotten a young new leader named Mikhail Gorbachev who ultimately would end that war and change the world in the process, for the better, it seemed at the time.Sadly, four decades later, Russia has launched the most devastating ground war in Europe since World War II with its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and it’s necessary to strike a humanizing tone again, and Sting has released a re-recorded version of the song to benefit www.helpukraine.center — a volunteer storage center established by Ukrainian business owners where humanitarian and medical aid can be sent from all over the world – with funds being processed through the German charity foundation, Ernst Prost, People for Peace – Peace for People.

Jonathan Cohen Arcade Fire raised more than $100,000 for PLUS1’s Ukraine Relief Fund through five surprise club shows — one in New Orleans and four in New York — in the course of a week, the group announced on Instagram.A post shared by Arcade Fire (@arcadefire)Wristbands for the gigs at New Orleans’ Toulouse Theatre (March 14) and New York’s Bowery Ballroom (March 18-21) were distributed at random locations throughout both cities, and fans were invited to pay whatever they could afford for entry. They represented Arcade Fire’s first full live shows since February 2020, ahead of the May 6 release of their new Columbia album, “We.”At them, the group debuted five songs from the album, including the two-part first single “The Lightning,” “Age of Anxiety I” and its companion “Age of Anxiety II (Rabbit Hole)” and “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid).”The group’s first show in New York culminated with the entire band and much of the audience marching out onto Delancey Street in front of the Bowery Ballroom, singing the final song of the set — and the song that introduced them to most of the world — “Wake Up,” the opening track from their 2004 debut album, “Funeral.” Arcade Fire brought arena spectacle to their surprise Bowery Ballroom show on Friday night that spilled out onto the street and into the subway.

NEW YORK -- Bethenny Frankel has a keen understanding that raising money is a dance, even in the biggest fundraising efforts.As the entrepreneur and podcast host spearheads a massive campaign for Ukrainian relief with her BStrong initiative, in partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, she is balancing plenty — getting their message out and asking for donations, informing people without overwhelming them and turning them off.“My partner, Michael Capponi, is knee-deep in it," Frankel said. “He's on the ground in Poland and wants to post all day long about what he’s doing and he’s seeing, I have to temper that and say, ‘We need to give them a break, a palate cleanser.'"Even though Frankel sold Skinnygirl, the cocktail brand she created, for a reported $100 million in 2011, she still controls the brand, expanding it to include everything from popcorn to jeans to sunglasses.

This is one of the best weekends for new indie releases in some time — a bit of space in theaters to run and audiences slowly, but increasingly, willing to return.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have donated to a number of organizations to provide support to Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing invasion. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation announced on Friday that the couple has made donations to several organizations working "on the ground to support the people of Ukraine." The organizations include HIAS, The HALO Trust, and Are We Europe.

That 70’s Show pair were able to collect funds that, according to Kutcher’s Instagram, “will continue to be delivered to Flexport.org and Airbnb.org so they can act now.” Mila Kunis was born in Ukraine when it was still the Soviet Union and left the country in 1983 with her family as they immigrated to the United States.Alongside her husband, Kunis and Kutcher expressed their immense gratitude for everyone who has helped them so far and will be continuing their fundraising as they raise their goal to $40 million. “Our work is not done," Kutcher wrote in his Instagram caption.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are thanking fans for reaching a major milestone.

Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw have donated $1 million to relief organizations working on the humanitarian crisis from the war in Ukraine.

Mila Kunis, 38, and her husband Ashton Kutcher, 44, were proud to announce that they’d reached their goal of raising $30 million to aid Ukraine, as Russian forces attack the country. The couple were extremely thankful in the video message, pledging to dedicate whatever further support they get on the GoFundMe to continue helping Ukrainians tweeted out on Thursday March 17.

Naman Ramachandran Paramount president and CEO Bob Bakish has revealed further steps to pause operations in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine and has announced a $1 million donation to support humanitarian relief. In an internal memo to staff on Tuesday, Bakish wrote: “Like many of you, I am closely following the devastating, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

Belle And Sebastian have released new single ‘If They’re Shooting At You’ in support of those affected by the war in Ukraine.The band will donate all income from sales and streams of the song to the Red Cross. Money raised through sales on Bandcamp up to 18 Mar will also be matched by the UK government as part of the joint appeal with the Disasters Emergency Committee.“When the situation in Ukraine first started to happen it became clear that the lives of the people there, and probably ‘ours’ too, were never going to be the same”, says the band’s Stuart Murdoch.

Bella Hadid is taking a note from her sister Gigi Hadid.

Leonardo DiCaprio has donated to humanitarian organizations supporting Ukraine, though an earlier widely circulated report was inaccurate. In recent days, reports have circulated online that DiCaprio donated $10 million to an organization to benefit Ukraine, which those reports said was his grandmother's native country.  Neither the donation nor DiCaprio's heritage was accurate, a person close to the actor said on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

Ukraine, though an earlier widely circulated report was inaccurate.In recent days, reports have circulated online that DiCaprio donated $10 million to an organization to benefit Ukraine, which those reports said was his grandmother's native country. Neither the donation nor DiCaprio's heritage was accurate, a person close to the actor said on the condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak publicly about the matter.DiCaprio has, however, donated to the humanitarian groups CARE, International Rescue Committee, the United Nation's High Commissioner for Refugees and Save the Children in support of Ukraine, the person close to DiCaprio said.

defending Ukraine, amid the conflict caused by Russia’s invasion in the Easter European country.The 32-year-old actress, who shares a 7-year-old daughter from her previous relationship with Ukrainian former professional boxer Wladimir Kitschko, announced she would help raise donations for medical supplies and protective gear.Hayden posted a video on YouTube sharing her thoughts about the tragic conflict and talked about her organization Hoplon International, “There are no words to describe what it’s been like to watch the war in Ukraine unfold.”She continued, “It’s gut-wrenching knowing that the people of Ukraine, the people I call my friends and family are desperately trying to defend their way of life in the country that they love.”The Hollywood star says she “created Hoplon International to bring relief and aid directly to Ukrainians on the frontlines,” declaring that she “can’t continue sitting on the sidelines as this disaster rages on.”Hayden urged everyone to donate and explained that the organization will ensure direct aid to the people affected, “Please, please don’t sit by idly. Help me by donating any amount that you can.

Discovery and WarnerMedia are ceasing operations in Russia amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, the latest in a string of media and entertainment companies along with retail, tech and other businesses that are pulling out.

In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, sources tell Deadline that WME will not be hosting its agency’s Oscar party this year, and instead will be donating $1 million  to UNICEF to support families in Ukraine and other areas displaced by war.