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Friday’s two-hour Hope For Haiti Now telethon raised roughly $58 million by the following day, which MTV noted is a new record for donations made by the general public through a disaster-relief telethon. That figure, however, only included donations made by telephone, texting and online. Large private donations and money given by corporations have yet to be calculated.
Also yet to be tallied up are the sales figures for the accompanying Hope For Haiti Now digital album of the telethon’s live musical performances. So far the collection has topped the iTunes chart in 18 countries.
Justin Timberlake, who New York magazine’s Vulture Blog labeled “the biggest surprise, and arguably the best performance of the night” indeed does appear to be the clear cut favorite from the event (at least in the U.S.), as his and Matt Morris’ cover of “Hallelujah” has been lodged at #2 on the iTunes singles chart (just behind Taylor Swift’s Valentine’s Day soundtrack tune “Today Was A Fairytale”).
Coming in after JT from the telecast is Sheryl Crow, Kid Rock and Keith Urban’s rendition of “Lean On Me,” at #12, while Swift is at #22 with “Breathless.”
Here’s Justin doing “Hallelujah” at the Hope For Haiti Now benefit with Matt Morris, his onetime co-star on The Mickey Mouse Club:
Re: The Performance of “Hallelujah”
I have never written a comment on a web site, but I have to say, thank you Justin and Matt. You have moved hearts with this most beautiful expression of compassion and love. What a gift-to be able to touch hearts with your voices. You are both truly blessed. Signed, Susan in Mexico City
Also not calculated were direct contributions to UNICEF, Red Cross etc…by those like me who could not get through to the website posted and opted to give directly to an individual organization instead (UNICEF's website worked like a charm)
I also never have commented on these news sites before, but hey there is always a first. I loved the performance as well, Justin, Matt and Dave all were excellent. I am sure I will come by a copy of this wonderful tune soon enough. Thanks to all the artists and performers for their concern and dedication. Maybe next time it will be a Telethon to raise money for paying off the national deficit….. An Americathon!!! Quick someone make a movie!!!
Justin's performance of Hallelujah was so emotional. It was awesome. I can't come up with words to describe it but that it really was beautiful.
Wow! That's all I can say! Amazing!
Amazing performance…. BRAVO to both of them all the way from Europe/Serbia