Entertainment

From Miley Cyrus To John Legend, Celebs Are Using IG Live To Entertain Isolated Fans

by Allyson Koerner
Emma McIntyre /VF20/WireImage/Getty Images

With people stuck at home and restless, celebrities are doing whatever they can to ease fans' minds during this scary time of COVID-19. Some celebs are even entertaining fans on Instagram Live, helping make social distancing a little less mundane. Many actors and musicians are playing concerts at home and others are coming up with creative ways that serve as welcome distractions. Some artists have even pledged to sign on every day so fans have something entertaining to look forward to. And it's exactly the positivity and distraction many need right now.

From Miley Cyrus, to John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, to Lizzo, a variety of celebrities are doing what they can during self-quarantine to unite their fans. As Legend wrote on Instagram on March 17, "Social distancing is important, but that doesn't mean it has to be boring." Not only has the Grammy winner decided to make isolation less boring, he's also transformed his efforts into charity. Legend, along with other artists like Chris Martin and Charlie Puth (he'll perform on Wednesday, March 18 at 4 p.m. EST), partnered with Global Citizen and the World Health Organization for a virtual concert series called #TogetherAtHome. The partnership hopes to spread unity and raise COVID-19 awareness, all while giving fans something fun to look forward to. There will be a new performance every day.

And that's just one effort from celebrities using Instagram Live to entertain and connect with fans during COVID-19 social distancing. Here are some others that might be worth a look.

1Miley Cyrus

Starting on Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20 at 11:30 a.m. PST, Miley Cyrus is going live on Instagram in a series she has titled "Bright Minded." She and special guests, like Demi Lovato, are sharing "bright minded stories" in order to help fans feel good. She's also giving advice to fans on how to stay calm during this time, and even giving some yoga lessons.

2John Legend & Chrissy Teigen

As previously mentioned, Legend held a #TogetherAtHome concert on Tuesday, March 17. And he had his family's full support. Even Chrissy Teigen showed up in her towel and their daughter Luna made a cameo. The family then switched over to Teigen's Instagram to do a cooking livestream.

3Chris Martin

Before Legend performed his virtual concert series, Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay, sang his heart out for fans for his #TogetherAtHome concert. It was only a mini-gig, but it was well worth it.

4The Jonas Brothers

Minus their brother Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas went live together on March 17, where they went through their old discography. Jonas Brothers fans were pleased, to say the least.

5Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman

Now, Keith Urban did all of the singing during his at-home concert on March 16, but Nicole Kingdom contributed by gifting viewers with her very own dance performance.

6Josh Gad

Josh Gad isn't technically going live on Instagram, but he has been going live on Twitter. Every day since March 13, the Frozen 2 star has read a book to kids to help them fall asleep. He's appropriately titled this series the #GadBookClub. Gad first proposed the idea on March 13, when he tweeted, "Thinking about LIVE reading at night for all of you who have kids out there or are just weird and want to hear a grown man read and are stuck at home. What say you?"

7Lizzo

On March 13, Lizzo held group meditation to promote "healing during this global crisis." The session even included crystals and flute playing by Lizzo herself.

8Katharine McPhee & David Foster

On March 16, Katharine McPhee and David Foster performed live on Instagram. They loved doing it so much that they are now holding virtual concerts every day at 5:30 p.m. PST. On day two, Legend even joined them. And McPhee teased that more special guests are expected to show up in the future.

9Ben Platt

Ben Platt, along with Noah Galvin and Kathryn Gallagher, hosted a #QuaranTunes virtual dance party, where they, and whoever else wanted to participate, could all dance together from the safety of their own homes. The Tony winner also encouraged fans to donate to the NYC Food Bank, since many are without food during this scary time.

10Charli XCX & Guests

According to Variety, Charli XCX is hosting a new daily show called "Self-Isolation IG Livestream," a series of "daily online events, aimed at providing support to those currently self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic." The Instagram series began on March 18 with Christine and the Queens, where they had an "open conversation about the current situation and how it can affect creativity and their mental health." Charli XCX will host a different segment every day with a variety of guests. Here's the schedule as of March 18:

  • March 19, 10 a.m. PST: Personal Training with Diplo
  • March 20, time TBD: Girls Night In with Rita Ora
  • March 21, time TBD: Would U Rather with Kim Petras
  • March 22, 12 p.m. PST: Art Class with Clairo

More guests are expected to be announced in the future.

11Pink

On March 16, Pink went live on Instagram, where she shared a mini-concert now that she's finally learning the piano, playing "Make You Feel My Love."

We may all be isolating ourselves, but it's comforting to note that entertainers, at least, aren't going to leave us to fend for ourselves. At least not where content is concerned.

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