Justin Bieber Named Champ Of Charity, Gives It To Make-A-Wish Girl At Young Hollywood Awards
Justin Bieber was presented with the Champ of Charity Award at last night’s Young Hollywood Awards by pal and fellow singer Cody Simpson. The Canadian superstar generously donated his award onstage to Grace Kesablak, a little girl who is part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s outreach program.
Justin Bieber was presented with a Champ of Charity award by pal, teen star Cody Simpson at the Young Hollywood Awards last night to a rapturous reception, in recognition of his five years work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Make-A-Wish is a worldwide organization that operates in 47 countries, and is dedicated to carrying out the one expressed wish of terminally and chronically sick children.
The casually dressed Canadian and Australian were just two of the young stars honored and celebrated for their accomplishments at the Kelly Osbourne-hosted, non-black tie event held at The Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Hollywood Life’s editor Bonnie Fuller, who was at the Young Hollywood Awards, tweeted that Cody introduced Justin as his “mate” shortly after a video of the “Confident” singer’s work with Make-A-Wish played on a giant screen.
An aerial video of Bieber’s entrance shows some of the audience even gave the 20-year-old a standing ovation as he walked out on stage to receive his accolade.
In his acceptance speech, the often controversial but charitable star accepted his award and said he works with kids and the foundation to “make children smile,” not for positive press.
After Simpson’s presentation, Bieber invited little Grace Kesablak onstage. The singer then kissed the young girl and gave her his Champ of Charity Award to keep. He then hugged her carried her off the stage.
Kesablak later described Bieber’s gifting of the award to her as the “Most magical moment. EVER.”
11-year-old Grace – who shared a table with Bieber at the event – reportedly suffers from rhabdomyosarcoma, cancerous tumors of muscles that are attached to the bone, typically requiring chemotherapy, radiation, and sometimes surgery — and is in the Make-A-Wish program.
(Photo: After he was presented with his Champ of Charity award at the Young Hollywood Awards, Justin Bieber invited 11-year-old Grace Kesablak to the stage, where he gave her his award to keep.)
Grace’s one wish was to be a celebrity, which she got to be for three days.
No doubt to remember her Young Hollywood Awards experience, she chronicled her journey from start to finish at her Instagram account, which shows photos of her meeting paparazzi, Bieber, her escort Simpson and other stars.
The celebrity treatment also included an interview at E! News, a makeover and professional photo shoot, dinner with “Pretty Little Liars” star Keegan Allen, and a red carpet appearance with Simpson.
(Photo: Grace with singer Colbie Caillat below.)
Post-show, Justin Instagrammed and tweeted photographs of himself with Grace.
He also and asked his over 53 million Twitter followers to follow the little girl on the photo-sharing site.
Bieber’s Instagram caption declared:”This is what I live for,” while his tweet read:
Great night. Happy for Grace pic.twitter.com/tnEJ27DCAf
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 28, 2014
For her part, Grace reposted Braun’s Instagram photo below, thanking him and Bieber for “making me feel so amazingly special tonight.”
Among others, she also included the hashtag “celebritygrace,” which trended on Twitter at one point on Sunday.
Grace also posted a picture of Justin cuddling her onstage declaring: “This MOMENT on stage with @justinbieber… is something I will NEVER forget,” alongside hashtags.
Joining the online action, Braun posted an Instagram, captioning it:
“A lot of things can be said but when it counts @justinbieber always steps up.”
The 32-year-old added: “Proud of him and @celebritygrace tonight #yhawards #makeawish #grantedmorewishesthananymusicianever!!! #proud.”
Last August, Bieber set a record with Make-A-Wish, carrying out more requests than any musician in the foundations’s history.
The singer granted his 200th “wish” meeting then eight-year-old Annalysha Brown-Rafanan before a Believe tour show in Atlanta, Georgia. Brown-Rafanan is reportedly still living with a life-threatening liver condition. Since then, the singer has granted 26 more wishes and will continue to.
Other names the 2014 Young Hollywood Awards included Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Bella Thorne, Kat Graham, Ansel Elgort, Nina Dobrev, Kellan Lutz, Chloe Moretz, a loved-up Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder, Nick Jonas, James Maslow and China Anne McClain and many more.
And for the after-party?
According to their social media postings, Justin and Cody hit the studio and got back to the special music project they have been working on since June, which sounds as if it’s coming together.
studio flow with @justinbieber @Andrew50Watt @YeshuaTheGudwin @scooterbraun @JStir @allisimpson
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) July 28, 2014
Back in the studio finishing something special with my mate @CodySimpson #myaustralianaccent
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 28, 2014
For the complete winner’s list at the Young Hollywood Awards click the highlight.
Bieber fans who want to see the singer receive the Champ of Charity award, or any of the other stars honored on Sunday can watch the fun tonight at 8/7c on The CW Network.
Last word goes to Grace. Instagramming a photo, the happy girl blissed: “Still on cloud 9… most incredible evening (sic).”
(Photo: A grateful moment for Bieber as the appreciative crowd cheered.)
[Images via Getty Images for Variety/Just Jared ].
