US President Barack Obama and superstar Katy Perry teamed up Sunday to turn the Grammys -- for a few minutes -- into a campaign against domestic violence.
Toward the final hour of the music industry's biggest night, Obama appeared unexpectedly on an overhead screen at a Los Angeles arena to urge fans to speak out against violence against women.
"Right now, nearly one in five women in America has been a victim of rape or attempted rape. And more than one in four women has experienced some form of domestic violence," Obama said.
"It's not okay. And it has to stop," Obama said.
Soon afterwards, domestic violence survivor and activist Brooke Axtell took to the stage and told her harrowing story.
"After a year of passionate romance with a handsome, charismatic man, I was stunned when he began to abuse me," Axtell said.
"I believed he was lashing out because he was in pain and needed help. I believed my compassion could restore him and our relationship. My empathy was used against me.
"I was terrified of him and ashamed I was in this position," Axtell said.
Perry -- usually known for her elaborate performances including during halftime of last week's Super Bowl -- then proceeded to sing one of her more unadorned songs, the ballad "By the Grace of God."
Attention to domestic violence has been growing in the United States in part due to abuse cases involving prominent athletes.
Obama said that artists "have a unique power to change minds and attitudes."
Moments beforehand, Pharrell Williams performed a rendition of his viral hit "Happy" with the pianist Lang Lang that paid a quiet tribute to a movement to stop police brutality against African Americans.
Williams, one of the most nominated stars of the evening, made a "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" gesture with his dancers, who were wearing black hoodies.
Source: AFP
GMT 06:01 2018 Saturday ,20 January
How to take a bullet, by 'Den of Thieves' star 50 CentGMT 08:40 2018 Thursday ,18 January
Brigitte Bardot slams #MeToo 'publicity-seeking' actressesGMT 09:52 2018 Tuesday ,16 January
The Cranberries singer Dolores O'Riordan dies aged 46GMT 06:46 2018 Friday ,12 January
Elvis fans all shook up on Australia party trainGMT 10:19 2018 Wednesday ,10 January
And maybe Oprah, US celebrity politicians aboundGMT 09:45 2018 Monday ,08 January
As Globes mark cinema's successes, audiences shy awayGMT 10:39 2018 Sunday ,07 January
Golden Globes celebrate the year of the genre movieGMT 10:15 2018 Friday ,05 January
Men in black mocked for flimsy #MeToo supportMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor