Thalía on the cover of 'Social Affairs' magazine June/July 2009 issue
For Thalía, the famed international singer and actress, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has always represented a beacon of hope, research, and compassion. “When I arrived in the U.S., one of my earliest memories was the announcements for St. Jude,” she says, in a recent interview with Social Affairs.
“Their ad campaigns always moved me, and being so close to this organization is really fascinating for me.” Now, her indoctrination into the world of philanthropy has come full circle when she and her husband, the music mogul Tommy Mottola, were honored at the 7th Annual FedEx St. Jude Angels & Stars Gala last May for their generous support of children in need and their contributions to the entertainment industry.
“The birth of my daughter definitely changed my life,” she adds, when talking about her new philanthropic commitment. “She is my biggest source of love and inspiration, and when I think about the parents of the children of St. Jude and the suffering they are undergoing, plus their lack of resources to face this tragedy, I appreciate even more this opportunity to help. As a public figure, I am able to bring attention to this cause in order to create something beautiful and positive. My fans are very passionate, and I am making a call to bring awareness to this institution. I am inviting all of them to get involved with St. Jude however they can. During times of deep economic crisis, we find the perfect moment to turn our lives around and focus on our mission as human beings.”
Back in 2000, Thalía and Tommy Mottola tied the knot with a lavish wedding that filled 5th Avenue and Saint Patrick’s Cathedral with legions of devoted fans and well-wishers. The Mottolas are certainly one of the most solid power couples in the entertainment industry. She is one of the most recognizable faces in the world, and he is a star-making machine responsible for the success of some of the most ubiquitous acts of this generation. Tommy Mottola has also expressed his serious commitment to St. Jude and philanthropy. “St. Jude has been in my life for many years, and I always admired the work [founder] Danny Thomas did for the organization. It is important to notice the involvement of the Hispanic community with St. Jude, and we are very proud to make this contribution to help children in need. It is a connection for helping people and it does not matter how much you contribute. Just doing it gives you a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Material things are fleeting, but how you care for others is what is important.”
Known for his many philanthropic activities, Mottola has served on the board of directors for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Police Athletic League, the T. J. Martell Foundation for Cancer, Leukemia and AIDS Research, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation. “Thalía and I were extremely delighted when we got the call from St. Jude,” he says. “In the past, our dear friends Gloria and Emilio Estefan were the honorees, and we were able to discuss the issue and become inspired to get involved. We realized this is a cause that is very close to our hearts.”
“It is a very exciting time in our lives,” adds Thalía. “There are a lot of people working and volunteering for just causes, but I’d like to help influence even more patrons to contribute to life-saving organizations like St. Jude. I want to do more. My spirit needs to do more. I have always had a compassionate side. I remember, when [my siblings and I] were little, we would fill a truck with toys at Christmastime and deliver them with my mother to poor neighborhoods in Mexico. Those magic moments shaped my interest in philanthropy for years to come.”
Of Mexican origin, Thalía was actually in front of a TV camera before she could even speak. She appeared in TV commercials when she was only a wee child. By 1986, she had joined Timbiriche, a successful teen band that served as a starting platform for some of today’s most recognized Latin pop stars. But it was in the 1990s that Thalía became the undisputed queen of telenovelas (Spanish soap operas), commanding top salaries and breaking audience records. Her telenovelas traveled the world and made her an international sensation. She fluently speaks Spanish, French and English, and she plays the piano, guitar and saxophone. In collaboration with music producer Emilio Estefan, Thalía exploded into the pop music scene and established herself as a Latin pop diva. Her albums have received critical praise, fan approval, and a succession of awards, including the Latin Grammy and the Latin Billboard.
In 2003, she launched a clothing line, the Thalía Sodi Collection, exclusively available at Kmart. Also with Kmart, Thalía has released several successful eyewear collections. She is on the radio with Conexión Thalía, where she talks about music, fashion and news. Her first book, Thalía: !Belleza!: Lessons in Lip Gloss and Happiness, is the ultimate guide for Latin beauty. She even released a new book, Thalía Radiante, which is a pregnancy guide. Her latest album is called Lunada, a record that reflects on the sounds, smells and carefree attitude of a day or night by a beach bonfire, under a moonlit sky. If that’s not enough, the pop queen has also endorsed a new line of chocolates for Hershey’s called La Dulcería Thalía. And amidst all her commitments, Thalía is the proud mother of a beautiful two-yearold girl named Sabrina.
Meantime, Tommy Mottola has become one of the music industry’s most prolific producers. Currently, he is co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with Universal Music Group. Before that, he headed Sony Music Entertainment. He is also known as a mentor and talent manager. Among his most famous protégés were Hall & Oates, Carly Simon, John Mellencamp, Taylor Dayne, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Beyoncé, Shakira, Dixie Chicks, Marc Anthony, and Jennifer Lopez, to name just a few. During his tenure at Sony Music, he transformed the company into one of the most successful global music businesses, expanding its reach to more than 60 countries. His new entertainment company is also involved in the production of television shows, theater, and fashion. He is presently working to relaunch the careers of superstars like Usher, Marc Anthony, and Lindsay Lohan.
The Mottolas are sentient of the importance of giving back and see themselves as role models for millions of young men and women all over the world. In addition to St. Jude, they are also actively involved with other charitable organizations, such as Casita Maria, March of Dimes, Robin Hood, and UNICEF.
“Not only people in the entertainment industry, but everyone should somehow become involved with philanthropy,” Mottola insists. “If you are healthy and have food on your table, you should be thankful for what you have and go out of your way to be helpful to others. We have an obligation to help our fellow human beings because, who knows, we may need that help tomorrow.”
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Source: Social Affairs website
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