'Idol Gives Back' Backstage Report

A plethora of stars (including Snoop Dogg, Miley Cyrus and Brad Pitt) stepped up for charity in this season's 'Idol Gives Back,' which airs Wednesday, April 9 at 7:30 pm ET. AOL TV's Mike Maloney had backstage access during the taping from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, and offers up the scoop.

<A HREF=' http://music.aol.com/artist/carrie-underwood/2238561' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Carrie Underwood</font></a>, why did you choose to perform <A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/george-michael/1004206' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>George Michael</font></a>'s "Praying for Time"?

Tonight's not about singing your latest single. It's about getting people to call in and do something. I've always loved the message of that song. It took me forever to be able to sing [it] all the way through without crying. I know if that song makes me feel that way, then maybe it will make a few other people feel strongly enough about doing something [positive].

<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/snoop-dogg/1033028' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Snoop Dogg</font></a>, people don't normally associate you with <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/american-idol/65307/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'American Idol'</font></a> ...

Why not? I am. How could being on this show hurt me? We're on this show to represent positivity. We're trying to give back. Sometimes you find you're getting older and wiser and you don't worry about your image. This is reality right here.

Snoop, was there anyone here tonight you were excited to meet?

My daughter [Cori] thinks that Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana are two separate people. She took a picture with Miley. I said, "What about Hannah Montana?" And my daughter, who's 9, said, "She's not here yet."

<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/annie-lennox/1019864' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Annie [Lennox]</font></a>, how were you affected by your participation in 'Idol Gives Back'?

It touched me very much because the medium of television is very powerful, and this [show] is going into the homes of millions of people. I think people are hungry for a kind of consciousness shift. Human rights should be fundamental. When you come to the issues of chronic and endemic poverty, you're really talking about issues of human rights.

<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/john-legend/2138058' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>John [Legend]</font></a>, how did it come about that you and <A HREF=' http://music.aol.com/artist/fergie/1694107' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Fergie</font></a> would perform together?

We've known each other for quite a while. We toured together; we had the same management. I've known Fergie since before the rest of the world has known her -- I love Fergie. She's a great girl.

Miley [Cyrus], what would you say to younger fans who may not have a lot of money to donate to 'Idol Gives Back'?

I think it doesn't matter if it's a penny or a dollar -- it's a penny more than they had before. To have that self power to say, "Okay, no matter how much I'm putting in, I'm making a difference."

Annie, did you want to adopt the brothers you met during your trip to Africa?

I have tremendous concern about those kids. The best way that I can [help them] is to get on board with Treatment Action Campaign, a South African grassroots network. I think the solution is not to take children out of the country. [Instead] you give them a sustainable future for the rest of their lives. It needs to be done through advocacy and political change.

<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/gloria-estefan/1003568' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Gloria [Estefan]</font></a>, who encouraged you to "give back"?

For me, it was my grandmother. She helped everyone who came across her path. I think you learn by example. I think one of the best privileges is to help someone else. It was a great privilege to be invited here tonight.

Mark [Shriver], what does your Save the Children charity address and which celebrities are involved with it?

One in six kids in the United States lives in poverty. Save the Children has been working with those children for over 75 years. <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/billy-ray-cyrus/16392' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Billy Ray</font></a> and <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/miley-cyrus/474330' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Miley Cyrus</font></a> came to Eastern Kentucky, where the Cyrus family is from, to see our after-school programs. [Their participation] makes it easier for us to raise funds and affect public policy.

Miley, you and <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/billy-crystal/86318' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Billy Crystal</font></a> did a funny bit about how you didn't know who he was. Do you?

It was pretty funny. When [the producers] came in and said, "Billy wants to see you" I was like, "Who?" I know who he is. (Beat) Not well. But I know who he is! I know <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/when-harry-met-sally/15005/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'When Harry Met Sally'</font></a> and Mike [the character he voiced in <A HREF='http://movies.aol.com/movie/cars/18763/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Cars'</font></a>].

<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/nancy-wilson/1181772' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Nancy Wilson</font></a> [of Heart], how did it feel to perform on 'Idol Gives Back'?

We saw the judges out there and I thought -- don't judge us! We're off the scale! We worked with <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/celebrity/paula-abdul/78920' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Paula Abdul</font></a> once back in the '80s.

Gloria, do you watch 'Idol'? Who's your favorite?

Oh, yeah. My daughter [Emily, 13] and I are hardcore followers. It's hard to have just one favorite. Every one of them does something special. I think they're more used to the criticism [from the judges] by now. I used to cringe [when I'd watch the judges critique the singers]. I don't anymore. [Laughs] I guess that's a bad sign.

<A HREF='http://music.aol.com/artist/sheila-e/1056955' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>Sheila E.</font></a>, who encouraged you to "give back"?

My parents -- my mom and dad. When I was growing up, they'd take me to facilities where foster kids stayed. We'd perform and give back to them. My dad was raised for many years in an orphanage. He knew what it was like. He'd say that there are people worse off than we were. It was a great way to give back.

Carrie, Simon said his prediction that you'd sell more records than any other 'Idol' contestant has come true. Has it? How do you feel about Simon?

It depends -- in the U.S., yes. Outside the U.S., not so much. As far Simon goes, he's not really the bad guy. It drives me nuts when contestants stand there and argue with him. That's what he's paid to do. I took it! You stand up there and take it like a man! [Laughs]

Carrie, do you have any advice for this season's contestants? And do you have a favorite?

Just put it all out there and do the best you can. They already know that. I don't think there's anything that anyone could have said to me that could have prepared me. I watch this season as much as I can -- I'm on tour now. I think it's a great season, a lot of great people. I'm not going to say a favorite.

Miley, do you watch 'American Idol'? Are you a fan of the show?

The funniest thing is I'm here and I'm so excited, but I've never ever seen an episode. I think it's something that you really have to get into and watch weekly. I never have time to do that. But I read about it in the magazines and I know the people who came from 'American Idol,' but the only thing I got involved with was <A HREF='http://television.aol.com/show/dancing-with-the-stars/419134/main' target='_blank'><FONT COLOR='#2864B4'>'Dancing With the Stars.'</font></a>