Jamie Foxx to Host Houston Telethon to Benefit Hurricane Harvey Victims

While sending “love, prayers, and finance” in the wake of the recent events in Houston following Hurricane Harvey, Jamie Foxx announced another initiative made possible by Bun B. The singer/actor announced on Instagram that he along with other celebrity friends would be involved in a telethon benefiting Hurricane Harvey victims. The televised fundraising event will be happening September 12.

The entertainer has special ties to the natural disaster, as a Texas native himself. “From a fellow Texan, my heart goes out. My prayers go out,” Foxx revealed in his Instagram post. “September 12, we have a telethon that we’re doing. We’ll give you more details, so we can raise as much money as we can for everybody down there.”

According to TMZ, the Houston telethon will feature some big name stars as hosts with one thing in common – their Houston roots. It will also be held in three major cities. The telethon’s organizer, Houston rapper Bun B, told the entertainment news site exclusively that the September 12 telethon will occur in New York, Nashville, and LA.

The telethon itself is being organized by the rapper in conjunction with entertainment manager Scooter Braun and his team (who helped organize Ariana Grande’s One Love Manchester concert). According to Bun B, Braun has been at the reins and, given what he accomplished with his previous benefit concert, the Houston telethon is sure to be a success.

So far, actress Reese Witherspoon and country singer/The Voice coach Blake Shelton are set to host the September 12 telethon from Nashville. Foxx, who is from Terrel, Texas, will host the LA portion of the benefit function, alongside Houston native Hilary Duff – who has not yet been confirmed. The New York portion will be hosted by retired athlete-turned-media personality Michael Strahan (also Houston-born). There are hopes that his co-host will be another Houston native, singer Kelly Rowland, but she has yet to be officially locked down.

The telethon will be run by major networks in their primetime slot, but networks are limiting the broadcasts to an hour. So every minute, just like every penny, will count.

As CNN Money reports, the storm is expected to leave behind billions of dollars in damages and is expected to be a multi-year recovery project. As of now, millions have been raised towards the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. JJ Watt’s fundraiser has surpassed $14 million in donations. Big businesses have contributed over $113 million. And that does not include the millions being raised by other organizations and celebrities, like those who have donated to Kevin Hart’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Challenge.

Texas and the displaced Hurricane Harvey victims need all the help they can get. This telethon will be another step forward in relief efforts.

Photo Credit: PR Photos

Sheriden Chanel is a twenty-something writer, Beyoncé enthusiast, and lover of all things visual art. Keep up with her and her musings on social via @indiebyline.