Singer Taylor Swift and actor Selena Gomez were in attendance at a stand-up comedy show in New York on December 8, as reported by Vogue. The proceeds from the event were dedicated to humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza.
The show, part of comedian Ramy Youssef’s “More Feelings” stand-up tour, took place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York and featured other shows in cities like Philadelphia, Washington DC, and San Francisco.
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Various celebrities, including British model Cara Delevingne and actors Anya Taylor-Joy and Zoe Kravitz, were also present. However, media coverage from publications like People Magazine and Vogue focused more on the celebrities’ fashion choices than the event’s purpose.
On November 15, Youssef announced on Instagram that all remaining tour proceeds would be donated to ANERA, a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing humanitarian relief in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, and Lebanon. Established after the 1967 Six-Day War, ANERA focuses on addressing the needs of Palestinian refugees through investments in education, agriculture, water, sanitation, and health programs.
Swift and Gomez had previously faced criticism for their silence on Israeli attacks in Gaza. Gomez’s post on Instagram expressing concern for global violence had not been well-received, with fans initiating a global boycott of her brand Rare Beauty.
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The brand later announced donations to various organizations, including the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies, Israeli Magen David Adom, and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. Despite this, Gomez faced further criticism for supporting an Israeli organization.