Crush: Hollywood’s Next GenerationYoung Hollywood Gives Back
Hollywood gets plenty of criticism for its focus on youth, but the showbiz industry had an excuse on Saturday when Variety's 5th Annual Power of Youth event took place at Paramount Studios to celebrate young famous do-gooders and their charitable work over the past year.
Honorees included "Glee" guy Darren Criss, 24, who was given a nod for his support of the Trevor Project, which provides suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. "I felt that the Trevor Project was a perfect fit for my efforts. It stands for a lot of things that I believe in, as well as falls in line with much of what Glee stands for," he told Variety.
Twenty-two-year-old animal activist Hayden Panettiere -- who brought little brother Jansen as her date -- also received an award for her serious work spreading the word about the Whaleman Foundation, which works to protect dolphins, whales, and porpoises. "I think it's important, you know? I started this when I was 15, and it was just because I was such a lover of animals, and I saw an animal in need," Hayden told omg! earlier this month.
"Two and a Half Men" star Angus T. Jones, 18, was also awarded for his work with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "We have to always give back," he said to the crowd on Saturday.
Rounding out the list of seven honorees were "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" star Chloe Moretz, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, "Modern Family's" Rico Rodriguez, and 12-year-old Bailee Madison, the youngest star to take home an award this year. The "Wizards of Waverly Place" actress has been helping support the childhood cancer-fighting non-profit Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Nice work, kids!
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