Coronavirus: Celebrities, Musicians Posting Concerts, Reading To Fans Online
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Celebrities observing social distancing are doing what they can to help their fans stay entertained at home.
On Monday, Coldplay frontman Chris Martin did a Instagram Live concert from his home, playing the piano, chatting and taking requests from viewers. He included the post with the hashtag #TogetherAtHome.
"I was supposed to be with the band Coldplay today, from which I come, but they're stuck in different countries, so we can't play together. So I thought what would be nice would be to check in with some of you out there and see how you're doing, and where you are, and what I could do for you," Martin said.
Martin tagged musician John Legend in the post, who took the cue and announced he would do a similar performance at home Tuesday at 1 p.m. Pacific time — with an appearance by his wife, Twitter queen Chrissy Teigen.
The coronavirus outbreak has most Americans hunkering down at home, observing the CDC recommended practice of avoiding crowds and travel. Most of California's schools have been shut down, restaurants were ordered to stop serving food in dining rooms, and clubs, gyms, bars, bowling alleys, theaters, museums, theme parks, and other landmarks that draw crowds have been closed.
Actresses Amy Adams and Jennifer Garner have joined forces to read to children via their Instagram accounts and raise money to feed children during the outbreak.
Authors are also getting into the spirit of entertaining and connecting with fans on social media. Author and illustrator Mo Willems, who is the Education Artist-In-Residence with the Kennedy Center, is inviting children into his studio to learn how to draw his popular character, the cantankerous Pigeon.
"Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems" takes place all week at 1 p.m. ET.
