Archived // Cover Story
CHARLIZE THERON:
Fearless Beauty
By: Mimi Makabi
By: Mimi Makabi
Growing up an only child on a farm in rural South Africa, where her first language was Afrikaans, awarded her with a lifelong sense of respect and caring for creatures great and small. In an upbringing so far-removed from Hollywood, Theron credits her mother Gerda, for teaching her compassion for all life and for gaining an earthy sympathy for the animals who surrounded her.
Though living in South Africa gave Charlize the opportunity to help foster some of the most exotic animals and has given her what she calls “an equal admiration and respect for all wildlife,” Charlize has confessed that she especially has a soft spot for dogs. With that love and her strong belief regarding adoption led to her involvement in a multi-faceted campaign against puppy mills. Initiated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the ongoing effort includes an undercover investigation into the abuse of animals at a puppy mill in Kansas. After seeing the video footage, which shows injured and sick dogs in deplorable living conditions, Charlize felt compelled to help and then agreed to narrate the video.
Lisa Lange, PETA’s Senior Vice President of Communications shares, “Charlize is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside—and that’s saying something! As busy as her schedule is, she has always taken time out to speak up for animals. As a fashion icon who refuses to wear fur, she is a living example of how you can have a look that kills without killing anyone. Whereas some celebrities use purebred dogs as accessories, for a long time she has promoted adoption from animal shelters instead of buying from pet stores. PETA loves Charlize!”
Theron has also used her fame and fortune to help some of the most needy people in her poverty-stricken homeland of South Africa. “During my recent visit, I had the privilege of spending time with students as they shared their hopes and dreams for a better, healthier life. As a native South African, I am totally committed to helping them achieve those dreams,” stated Theron.
In 2006, Theron, in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, established the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The Project’s goal was to create a safer, healthier and better life for impoverished children and their families in South Africa, especially those suffering from HIV/AIDS. As its first mission, Theron and EIF joined forces with Oprah’s Angel Network to provide lead funding to create the Mpilonhle Mobile Health and Computer Unit designed to improve the health and social development of youth in Umkhanyakude District in South Africa. Approximately 3,000 students at four high schools now have access to onsite nursing services, have regular visits with a health and HIV counselor who also offer voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, computer education and go through four 90-minute workshops on health education, with a special focus on preventing HIV.
At a recent visit to the continent, Charlize empathized with the children realizing that she was lucky not to suffer the same fate as they. "To see kids be able to talk that way with each other, with an adult, with a counselor, that never happened when I grew up in this country." She continued, "It's hard because part of me feels incredibly blessed in my life and then you come here and you see people struggling, and then you see this beautiful thing which is the spirit of these people and how resilient they are and that's the miracle."
From the simple girl on a small farm in South Africa, to the world-famous actress and humanitarian she is today, Charlize Theron has come a long way. For all her talents, beauty, efforts and subsequent recognition, Charlize Theron is as modest as they come. It's testament to Theron's true “Star Power” that with courage, dedication, concern, and conviction — she is a natural force using her intelligence and influence to improve the world. "I've always been very proud to be a South African and I've always been very honest to people about that. And whatever I can do in my power, I promise you I will do. I don't think it's too much pressure. I think it's our duty as citizens of this country. You don't have to win an Oscar to do something good for your country. We all can do that. If I can be an encouragement for that, I'll be glad to be that."
But even though Theron has adapted thoroughly to her new world in Hollywood, she has retained one of the most important principles: social change begins with oneself—and embodying it, is the most powerful way to inspire it in others. And that we can say, Charlize Theron has surely done!
Photo caption
1. For Peta Humanitarian award in hand: The stunning star, who regularly tops Hollywood's "Best Dressed" lists, says, "Fur isn't necessary. It doesn't make sense to me to let these animals suffer for fashion." Charlize Theron
2. Use this quote for another photo caption:
“ALL HEARTS BEAT AS ONE.” Charlize Theron
Though living in South Africa gave Charlize the opportunity to help foster some of the most exotic animals and has given her what she calls “an equal admiration and respect for all wildlife,” Charlize has confessed that she especially has a soft spot for dogs. With that love and her strong belief regarding adoption led to her involvement in a multi-faceted campaign against puppy mills. Initiated by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the ongoing effort includes an undercover investigation into the abuse of animals at a puppy mill in Kansas. After seeing the video footage, which shows injured and sick dogs in deplorable living conditions, Charlize felt compelled to help and then agreed to narrate the video.
Lisa Lange, PETA’s Senior Vice President of Communications shares, “Charlize is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside—and that’s saying something! As busy as her schedule is, she has always taken time out to speak up for animals. As a fashion icon who refuses to wear fur, she is a living example of how you can have a look that kills without killing anyone. Whereas some celebrities use purebred dogs as accessories, for a long time she has promoted adoption from animal shelters instead of buying from pet stores. PETA loves Charlize!”
Theron has also used her fame and fortune to help some of the most needy people in her poverty-stricken homeland of South Africa. “During my recent visit, I had the privilege of spending time with students as they shared their hopes and dreams for a better, healthier life. As a native South African, I am totally committed to helping them achieve those dreams,” stated Theron.
In 2006, Theron, in partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation, established the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The Project’s goal was to create a safer, healthier and better life for impoverished children and their families in South Africa, especially those suffering from HIV/AIDS. As its first mission, Theron and EIF joined forces with Oprah’s Angel Network to provide lead funding to create the Mpilonhle Mobile Health and Computer Unit designed to improve the health and social development of youth in Umkhanyakude District in South Africa. Approximately 3,000 students at four high schools now have access to onsite nursing services, have regular visits with a health and HIV counselor who also offer voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, computer education and go through four 90-minute workshops on health education, with a special focus on preventing HIV.
At a recent visit to the continent, Charlize empathized with the children realizing that she was lucky not to suffer the same fate as they. "To see kids be able to talk that way with each other, with an adult, with a counselor, that never happened when I grew up in this country." She continued, "It's hard because part of me feels incredibly blessed in my life and then you come here and you see people struggling, and then you see this beautiful thing which is the spirit of these people and how resilient they are and that's the miracle."
From the simple girl on a small farm in South Africa, to the world-famous actress and humanitarian she is today, Charlize Theron has come a long way. For all her talents, beauty, efforts and subsequent recognition, Charlize Theron is as modest as they come. It's testament to Theron's true “Star Power” that with courage, dedication, concern, and conviction — she is a natural force using her intelligence and influence to improve the world. "I've always been very proud to be a South African and I've always been very honest to people about that. And whatever I can do in my power, I promise you I will do. I don't think it's too much pressure. I think it's our duty as citizens of this country. You don't have to win an Oscar to do something good for your country. We all can do that. If I can be an encouragement for that, I'll be glad to be that."
But even though Theron has adapted thoroughly to her new world in Hollywood, she has retained one of the most important principles: social change begins with oneself—and embodying it, is the most powerful way to inspire it in others. And that we can say, Charlize Theron has surely done!
Photo caption
1. For Peta Humanitarian award in hand: The stunning star, who regularly tops Hollywood's "Best Dressed" lists, says, "Fur isn't necessary. It doesn't make sense to me to let these animals suffer for fashion." Charlize Theron
2. Use this quote for another photo caption:
“ALL HEARTS BEAT AS ONE.” Charlize Theron
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CONTACT@CELEBRITYSOCIETY.COM | 310.859.6654