Celebrities: May 2009 Archives

Nigel Barker, Rep. Nita Lowey and Pam Barnes.  Photo credit: Nigel Barker, LLC  

When it comes to helping children and families with AIDS, Nigel Barker is a "top model" advocate.  Barker, who is best known as a photographer and judge on America's Top Model, is a longtime supporter on the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and champion for public policies that help children with AIDS. 

Barker recently accompanied  the foundation's president and CEO, Pam Barnes, to Capitol Hill for an advocacy visit with Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY).  Barker and Barnes spoke with the congresswoman about the foundation's policy work; programs in Africa preventing HIV transmission from mothers to infants; and treating children, mothers, and families living with the virus.

Barker was also shooting material for an upcoming documentary about the foundation's history and current efforts to eradicate pediatric AIDS. He recently traveled to Tanzania filming clinics suppoted by the foundation and talking to mothers and children with AIDS. The documentary is scheduled to have its premiere at an event in DC sometime in the fall.

The Candies Foundation announced Tuesday that Bristol Palin is their new ambassador.  Candies, a popular teen apparel company, started the foundation in 2001 to fight teen pregnancy.  Palin became preganant with her son Tripp when she was seventeen years old.

As ambassador, Bristol will promote abstinence as a means of teen pregnancy prevention, although she has said in the past that abstinence is "not realistic" for teens. "I am so happy to have this opportunity to work with The Candie's Foundation on spreading the message of teen pregnancy prevention. I feel that I could be a living example of the consequences of teen pregnancy," Palin said in a statement released by the foundation.  "If I can prevent even one girl from getting pregnant, I will feel a sense of accomplishment."

Last year, the Candies Foundation ran a public service announcement that warned about the teen pregancy "epidemic" and featured pictures of Palin and Jamie Lynn Spears, who is also a teen mother.   

First Lady Michelle Obama was a hit at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala, receiving a standing ovation even though she never appeared on stage.  She enjoyed the event with her mother and longtime girlfriends Valerie Jarrett (Special Advisor to President Obama)  and Desiree Rogers (White House Social Secretary).  Gala guests included Vera Wang and Paris Hilton.