Latest news with #OneFoundation
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Jet Li on gaining fame: 'I became a bit of a recluse'
HONG KONG: Martial arts action hero Jet Li recently revealed that achieving fame early in life led him to lose himself, resulting in an unwillingness to visit crowded places or interact with people. In a recent report by AsiaOne, Li, 62, stated, "I think I may be a bit of a recluse." Li, who made his show business debut in 1982 and became a Singaporean citizen in 2009, added that after gaining popularity, he was frequently approached by fans for autographs. "I realised I had lost myself. I couldn't even eat a meal outside because everyone would crowd around me to have a chat. If I didn't smile, they would say I wasn't courteous." Featured Videos Li further explained, "I realised that I couldn't satisfy everyone. When I saw others unhappy, I felt a sense of fear and worry. I became unwilling to interact with others, attend gatherings, or go to crowded places." He once felt he should have been an athlete rather than an actor, as he would only have had to focus on his performance. "Because of this, I wasn't willing to do media interviews or go to crowded places, other than for filming," Li said. He also shared that to overcome his reclusive tendencies, he turned to charity work. One Foundation is a charity Li founded in 2007, which focuses on disaster relief, children's welfare, and funding grassroots charities. "Doing charity work isn't about me wanting to gain something from it. I was thinking about what I should do for society, so I had to go and communicate with people and encourage them to donate. "Sometimes I think, when I'm helping others, I'm also helping myself to become someone who is more open to communicating with others," he said.
AsiaOne
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
'I wasn't happy having to act even in real life': Jet Li explains his absence from public eye, Entertainment News
While being a successful celebrity brings fame, wealth and attention, there are some who prefer to keep a low profile, such as Jet Li. The 62-year-old China-born action star, who has been a Singaporean since 2009, explained his disappearance from the public eye in a Douyin Reel uploaded on June 20. "I think I may be a bit of a recluse. As to whether it's serious to the extent that it has become a health condition, I don't know, but I do believe I may have some slight mental health issues," he said. Jet, who debuted in showbiz in 1982, shared that he gained fame too early in his life. He said: "After gaining popularity, wherever I go, people would want to get my autograph, and I realised I had lost myself. I can't even eat a meal outside because everyone would crowd around me to have a chat. If I don't smile, they would say I am not courteous. "Eventually, I grew to be afraid of crowds. I didn't want to go outside, I didn't want to meet anyone." He added that if someone wants his autograph or to take a photo with him, he must oblige, even though he had already fulfilled many of them and when he wasn't able to meet the requests, they would be unhappy. "I can't satisfy everyone. When I see others unhappy, I feel a sense of fear and worry. I was unwilling to interact with others, go to gatherings or crowded places." Jet felt that he should have been an athlete instead of an actor, as he would only have to focus on his performance. As an actor and public figure, there would be people who take care of his appearance and he would have to take the centre position on stage and be everyone's focus. He said: "I especially dislike things like these. I feel that as an athlete, I just need to show my results. It's good enough as long as someone watches my movies, why do I have to act as someone who is not my usual self? I am already acting (in my career), I wasn't happy having to act even in real life." Jet added that because of this, he wasn't willing to do media interviews and go to crowded places other than for filming. He also shared that to get out of being a recluse, he turned to doing charity work. "Doing charity work and setting up One Foundation is not about me wanting to gain something out of it. I was thinking about what I should do for society, so I had to go and communicate with people and get them to donate. "At the time, I spoke to all my friends in the entertainment and sports industry as well as people I didn't know... Because of that, I didn't have any struggles about my ego, I just felt it was something that I should do." One Foundation is a charity founded by Jet in 2007 in China and focuses on disaster relief, children's welfare, training of public welfare professionals and funding grassroots charities. He believed because he got himself to step out of his shell, it helped him to improve his social skills in public. "Sometimes I think, when I am helping others, I am also helping myself to become someone who is more open to communicate with others," he said. [[nid:719439]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
Scoop
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Aronui Hosts Thousands On The Rotorua Lakefront For Matariki Drone Show
Press Release – ARONUI Indigenous Arts Festival Painting a story across the night sky in a mesmerising performance, manuhiri [visitors] and residents of Rotorua were treated to a story of Matariki, told by Ngti Whakaue/ Te Arawa artists. The stars aligned on Friday and Saturday for the Aronui Drone Show above Kouramāwhitiwhiti (Rotorua Lakefront) for captivating Matariki storytelling experiences featuring drones, light and sound displays. Part of a wider offering from the Aronui Arts Festival, this was the second year of hosting Matariki events in Rotorua. Painting a story across the night sky in a mesmerising performance, manuhiri [visitors] and residents of Rotorua were treated to a story of Matariki, told by Ngāti Whakaue/ Te Arawa artists. Funded by One Foundation, Rotorua Trust, Rotorua Lakes Council, DIA Lotteries and Rotorua NZ, the free outdoor event is a world-first performance and New Zealand's largest drone show. that pays tribute to the Māori New Year, telling the story of Matariki using drones as the medium. The show has been recognised as a combination of cutting-edge technology, rooted in ancient knowledge. It tells a story of honouring those who passed in the year since the rising and setting of Matariki the previous year; focussing on the lifting of their memory to the stars, where they will be forever remembered by their loved ones. June Grant ONZM, one of Aronui's Board of Trustees said the fusion of tech, culture and the arts shows the relevance of mātauranga Māori [knowledge, wisdom] in contemporary arts: ' The movement of drones can represent the stars of the Matariki cluster, the flight of manu, or the journey of souls returning to the heavens. Each shape can hold deep meaning combining ancient knowledge with futuristic tools. This fusion shows the world that mātauranga Māori is alive, relevant, and adaptable, grounded in the wisdoms of our Tūpuna and open to new ways of expression.' The festival transformed Rotorua's nightlife at the Village Green into a scene of energy and new beginnings as Rotorua's residents and visitors herald in the Māori New Year over the long weekend. Organisers say thousands came to see the show, with some people video calling loved ones in, from all over the world. For its second year, additions were made to the performance which included tohunga reo/ taonga puoro artist Dr. Anaha Hiini. He joined the team, crafting a live soundscape using traditional Māori instruments to accompany the visual storytelling alongside taonga puoro artist Riki Bennett. This year the entire performance- narrative and music- was broadcast live on Te Arawa FM, for the first time, expanding its reach across the region. Dr. Hiini said: 'I want it to illuminate the stories, meanings, and traditions behind this sacred time. The show should offer both education and inspiration, helping people not only to understand Matariki, but to feel its presence, history and relevance in our lives today.' Aronui Chief Executive and Artistic Director Cian Elyse White says the positive response from the community inspired a bolder return; 'The energy last year was electric- there was such a positive vibe in the city, with people travelling from across the motu to see the show. Matariki holds deep meaning for Māori, and it's wonderful to see the new year being embraced by the wider community.' During the 2024 Tompkins Wake Rotorua Business Awards, Aronui won the Mountain Jade award for Creative Arts and Design. They were also a finalist in Scion's Innovation and Technology category. The Rotorua Matariki celebrations also included an Exhibition of Light at the Arts Village and an expanded Rotorua Night Market that showcased food, crafts, and stalls from past Aronui Māori Market vendors, it ran on June Friday 20 and Saturday 21 – turning the lakefront into a vibrant place to spend the Matariki long weekend. Aronui Chairwoman, Mercia-Dawn Yates said the drone show is a powerful way to share mātauranga Māor i: 'I'm incredibly excited to be showcasing our stories in such a powerful and innovative way. Using modern technology as a vessel to share mātauranga Matariki allows us to honour our traditions while reaching new audiences, ensuring our knowledge continues to shine brightly into the future. Mānawatia a Matariki.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Regional child care task force gets funding boost
The One Foundation has awarded Phase II of strategic grant funding to expand child care access in Fayette County, building on a growing movement for community-driven solutions to a lingering problem. The funding is critical because affordable, quality child care availability is showing no improvement, proponents say. According to a press release, the next phase of funding is also expected to pave the way for broader impact across neighboring counties in southern West Virginia. The funding will be distributed over the next three years to a regional task force launched in late 2024. The Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force is led by Melissa Colagrosso, owner of Lochgelly-based A Place To Grow Children's Center and founder of Together We Grow. The task force was established to address the growing child care crisis in the region, in which thousands of children are at risk of losing access to essential early learning opportunities, according to a press release. By coalescing community leaders, educators, business owners and residents, the task force's aim is to develop 'long-term, community-based solutions to strengthen the region's child care infrastructure and ensure a brighter future for West Virginia's children,' the release read in part. The initiative is led by Together We Grow, in partnership with national child care consulting firm Child Care Biz Help, with fiscal support provided by the Fayette County Family Resource Network. Organizers extended special thanks to Diane Callison, the FRN executive director, for her leadership in securing funding that paved the way for the initiative. 'Child care is the foundation of a thriving community,' said Colagrosso, the project lead for Together We Grow. 'It enables parents to work, contributes to economic stability and nurtures the next generation. 'Providers are facing serious challenges — such as staffing shortages, limited access and underfunded programs — that require bold, united action. That's what the Together We Grow initiative is all about.' The grant, provided by the Beckley-based One Foundation, which was founded by Marz Attar, will allow the task force to pursue several key goals, including: • Expanding child care access in Fayette and neighboring counties • Engaging local employers as partners in building child care solutions that support working families • Raising public awareness of the critical role early childhood education plays in social and economic outcomes • Strengthening policy and legislative advocacy for child care investment across the state • Building a sustainable infrastructure to deliver lasting improvements to the region's child care system. The press release referred to a recent report by West Virginia Watch that highlighted the absence of a concrete state plan to address the looming child care crisis. To that end, the Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force aims to step in to help fill the void and offer actionable recommendations to local and state policymakers, representatives say. The task force welcomes individuals and organizations committed to addressing the region's child care crisis. Community leaders, employers, educators, human resources professionals and concerned citizens are encouraged to lend their voices, ideas and expertise to the effort. Colagrosso on Thursday said the deficit of affordable child care that is accessible for families is still a major hindrance to success in the region. 'Where's your child care infrastructure?' she asked. 'If you don't have child care, how can people work? 'If we can't get people to work, we can't get businesses to come here.' Figures supplied by Colagrosso indicate that over 150 child care providers in West Virginia have closed since January 2023. New ones of substantial size have not been forthcoming, she pointed out. 'The problem is still the same; the subsidy system is still broken.' That, she said, creates a 'no-win situation.' The One Foundation grant will provide seed money, and outreach will be ongoing to attempt to secure other funding avenues. The task force will share findings and recommendations publicly. To get involved by joining the task force, visit Individuals can also volunteer to assist with outreach to local businesses and community partners. 'Together We Grow' yard signs are available to display, and campaign materials are available to distribute to increase visibility of the issue, according to the release. 'We're really, really working hard to get employers involved,' Colagrosso said. In the most recent legislation session, Colagrosso said, 'We did manage to hold our own,' adding, 'We need West Virginia to prioritize it. It has to become a priority for the State of West Virginia.' Potential cuts to Head Start could worsen the outcomes even more, Colagrosso said. 'Head Start serves child care for working families in a lot of communities,' she said. 'It's going to worsen this crisis in child care. 'We are advocating strongly that our rural communities have to continue with their Head Start programs.' A series of conversations on child care is scheduled for eight locations around the state, beginning with an event May 13 at the Lively Family Amphitheater in Oak Hill. It will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will offer 'a chance for everybody in the community' to get involved, said Colagrosso. Other stops will include Lewisburg (Hollowell Park, May 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.), as well as events in Bridgeport, Morgantown, Wheeling, Barboursville, Scott Depot and Martinsburg.
