Check out our interview highlights from the past year, showcasing celebrities doing good. And make sure to subscribe to the Good Celebrity YouTube page to stay up-to-date with our latest clips!  

Christina Grimmie

In December of last year, we had the pleasure of hosting The Voice contestant Christina Grimmie inside our headquarters. This talented soul chatted with us about her amazing charity work and performed an exclusive version of her hit, “With Love.”

Christina tragically passed away this year after she was shot while signing autographs outside of a concert in Florida. Our thoughts and prayers remain with her and her family. We are so honored to have had the pleasure of getting to know Christina.

Larry Bakman

Judge Larry Bakman leaves his seat on the syndicated television series, “Hot Bench,” to educate children and teens in Los Angeles about the dangers of gangs and drug addiction through the organization, New Directions for Youth.

“Recognizing the problem allows you to get inside the minds of the parents and the children who you think you can save, who you can educate and at least give them options on what they can do to avoid falling into that culture.”

Danielle Moinet AKA Summer Rae

She’s a ray of arrogant sunshine in the WWE ring but when she’s not body slamming opponents, Danielle Moinet (aka Summer Rae) is actively involved in charity, specifically her family’s organization, the Dean Thomas Moinet Foundation.

Moinet also works with the USO, Special Olympics and the WWE’s Be a STAR anti-bullying campaign.

Subscribe to the Good Celebrity YouTube page to find more interviews with people who love to do good!

Susan Holmes McKagan

We caught up with the lovely Susan Holmes McKagan backstage at Style Fashion Week Los Angeles 2016. The blonde beauty, who is married to Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses, walked the runway for couture designer Farah Angsana in support of her Life Foundation, which advocates for the homeless and orphans in Indonesia.

In addition, Susan talked about her swimwear line, which she uses to raise money for various causes.

“I have a creative outlet while bringing awareness to various causes that are near and dear to my heart,” she said.

Case Keenum

Fresh off their return to Los Angeles the NFL’s Rams are already scoring with residents of the city of angels thanks to their charity work.

Starting quarterback Case Keenum and his teammates suited up and took to the red carpet in support for Make-A-Wish Greater Los Angeles as part of the Inaugural Los Angeles Rams Night for Wishes.

For Keenum, his charitable work doesn’t end with Make-A-Wish.

“A big part of my life and my story growing up was Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” Keenum said. “I do sports camps in the summer…it’s a big part of what I do and I think there’s a lot of good people out there that could use your support,” he added.

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley is one of the most talented running backs in the National Football League but his skills extend far beyond the field of play.

Thanks to the relocation of the Rams, Gurley is now a member of the Los Angeles community and he’s giving back with his teammates through the Greater Los Angeles chapter of Make-A-Wish.

Eastwood Ranch Foundation

Alison Eastwood’s father, legendary actor and director Clint Eastwood, made a name for himself starring in some of the greatest westerns of all time and now the actress is making her mark by hitting the ranch.

A staunch advocate for animal rights, Alison co-founded the Eastwood Ranch Foundation, which assists in the welfare and rescue of animals through campaigns, events and education.

Good Celebrity caught up with Eastwood at the 2nd Annual Art for Animals event in June 2016.

“I am inspired by the fact there is such a need to help animals out there,” Eastwood said.

Joanna Krupa

When she’s not walking the runways, Poland-born model Joanna Krupa is lending her support for animal rights. Good Celebrity caught up with Krupa at Alison Eastwood’s 2nd Annual Art for Animals fundraiser in June 2016.

“All the animal people have to stick together,” Krupa said. “Whenever I’m in town and there’s an animal related event of course I’m going to come support it.”

Krupa also dished on her animal rescue, Angels for Animal Rescue.

“We try to do whatever we can, one animal at a time,” she said.

Bojana Novakovic

If there is an actress whose name matches her personality it’s, Bojana Novakovic. Pronounced BOY-YANA, her name is just fun to say!

Always good for an interview, the Serbian-born actress stopped for a chat on the red carpet of the Eastwood Ranch Foundation’s 2nd Annual Art for Animals fundraiser.

Among the topics were her faux fur attire, goat photography skills, and her next visit to Nepal (which may or may not include a climb of Mt. Everest…at least to the base camp).

Stay up-to-date with celebrities doing good by subscribing to the Good Celebrity YouTube page!

The post Good Celebrity 2016 Highlights: Showcasing People Doing Good appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

New Directions for Youth strives to change that mentality. This incredible organization invited the Good Celebrity team inside their North Hollywood headquarters to view the life-changing work it performs. The NDY team has been actively helping Los Angeles youth stay off the streets and live violence-free lives since the mid-seventies.

Larry Bakman, a criminal defense attorney and judge on the television series “Hot Bench,” is using his celebrity to bring awareness to this Good Organization. He recently sat down with us to explain why NDY’s work means so much to him.

“This has been an incredible experience for me because what it did, is it took me out of my role as a criminal defense attorney,” he explained. “It has given me a platform to try and reach people in different ways and one of the best ways I have been able to reach other people is to get involved with New Directions for Youth. “

Bakman explained that reaching out to young people is the key to less violence on the streets. He said that we need to reach them when they’re young to have a chance at making a meaningful difference.

“If we don’t save them at this point in time from the dangers of gangs, the dangers of drug abuse, the dangers of physical or sexual abuse, then we’re lost,” he added.

Unfortunately, many of the children that get involved with gangs come from broken homes. They see this type of activity all around them and they may not realize that there other options. Plus, they may be downright fearful for their lives.

“These children are afraid not to become a gang member,” Bakman said.

During our visit to NDY, we were fortunate to talk with members of the organization who were formerly involved with gangs. Time and time again, these members expressed how NDY saved their lives and showed them a concrete path out of their gang.

NDY not only helps youth, it also helps their families. A mother of an NDY member told Good Celebrity that she almost lost her job because her son kept getting in trouble. His life on the streets was trickling into his attitude at school, she said. He didn’t believe in authority and he would just walk out of the classroom. NDY paved a way for a new life for both her and her son.

Paul Gross, Chairman of the Board for NDY, told us that it’s very difficult for these young people to avoid the traps of gang life. Once you’re exposed, it’s easy to get sucked in, he said.

Before you know it, these kids are involved with bad stuff like drugs, violence and prostitution, Gross added.

NDY targets children ages eight to 21 and currently helps more than 7,000 youth in the Los Angeles-area. The organization’s prime demographic is young people that are involved with gang activity, abuse in their homes, teen pregnancy, poor performance at school and violent crimes.

Its North Hollywood headquarters acts as a safe haven for these kids to simply, act like kids. They can practice art, learn valuable computer skills, and socialize with people their age. This is all under the supervision of licensed social workers and therapists.

“Everything is to make them think,” Bakman said. “Recognizing the problem allows you to get inside the minds of the parents and the children who you think you can save.”

John, a member of NDY, told us that without the program, he would probably “be in jail or worse.”

Meanwhile, another member named Samira said, “they pushed me to do better.”

“The most satisfying part about doing this type of work is knowing that you have changed a life,” said Monica Jackson, Executive Director of NDY.

All of NDY’s services are provided to the youth and their families for free. It’s able to make such a huge impact on the community through donations, with 90% of funds going directly towards its services.

To support the New Directions for Youth organization, visit NDFY.org.

The post GC Exclusive – Larry Bakman Strives to End Los Angeles Gang Violence with the Help of ‘New Directions for Youth’ appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.