More often than not, many are
not aware of the famous people in the Western world who have helped put
Sri Lanka on the map. In a bid to enlighten our readers, we reveal three
popular stars. Namely, popular talk show host and billionaire Oprah
Winfrey who has made America think about Sri Lanka when it came to
tsunami funds, soul singer Sade who was inspired by Sri Lanka when she
created her album ‘Promises’ and Nigel Barker, the cute judge for
‘America’s Next Top Model’ who has a Sri Lankan mother and also has
helped Sri Lanka after the tsunami.
Oprah Winfrey
America’s first ever black bllionaire Oprah Gail Winfrey gained
popularity by hosting America’s popular talk show `The Oprah Winfrey
Show’ that earned her Emmy awards.
 Being
a media mogul and a philanthropist, Oprah’s heart is made of gold and
she has been instrumental in helping Sri Lanka by channelling tsunami
funds when her designer Nate Berkus lost his partner while holidaying
here on December 26, 2004.
As a result of her constant efforts to steer tsunami aid to Sri
Lanka, Oprah interviewed Nate to talk about his loss and how much Sri
Lanka was in dire need of funds.
Nate Berkus was holidaying with his partner photographer Fernando
Bengoechea at a resort when the tsunami struck and related the tale to
Oprah on January 17, 2005 to talk about the loss and to thank the people
who helped him right after says Suren De Silva, the Director of Video
Image who went to shoot the tsunami-affected location when Nate came
back for a visit to Sri Lanka, “He came back to Sri Lanka to thank the
people who gave him just a few clothes after he survived the tsunami and
through Oprah’s efforts USA has given us tsunami funds to develop Arugam
Bay and the rest of the coast including the harbour”.
Suren and his team together with Nate went to shoot the location
where Nate was washed away to air the aftermath of the tsunami on the
Oprah Winfrey show in a bid to open the eyes of the American
people.Oprah Winfrey is no stranger to suffering herself and her own
tales is of a `rags to riches’ story. She has been a pillar of strength
to Americans and has shown the world how you can shine against all odds.
Sade
Sade Adu Helen Folasade Adu, better known as Sade is a British
singer-songwriter, composer and producer. She first achieved success in
the 1980s as the front-woman and lead vocalist of the popular Grammy
award winning English group `Sade’.When you picture the beautiful and
sensual soul singer Sade treading barefoot on the golden sandy Hikkaduwa.
 Sade
Adu Helen Folasade Adu, better known as Sade is a British
singer-songwriter, composer and producer. She first achieved success in
the 1980s as the front-woman and lead vocalist of the popular Grammy
award winning English group `Sade’.
When you picture the beautiful and sensual soul singer Sade treading
barefoot on the golden sandy Hikkaduwa beach while crooning a number
from her Promises album where she just made the song.
“Sade is extremely beautiful and she had many friends”, a close Sri
Lankan friend of Sade’s mentions. Attending the St. Martin’s College of
Design with her, he spoke of how much she was inspired by the gorgeous
country of Sri Lanka after he told her that he was from here.
He implied that Sade was inspired by the gorgeous places like Galle
and Hikkaduwa to produce her Promises album.
This made me think about how many people don’t actually know about
Sade and her true life because of her very private life especially
considering she wants to have a good family life with minimal attention.
It has been proved true that Sade was indeed inspired to produce the
whole Promises album while she was a tourist to our Paradise Isle. She
was here in 1981-1982 with her then boyfriend trekking and discovering
Sri Lanka for herself while she generated interest for her wonderful
songs.
She went to Galle and Matara journeying frequently near the beaches
and gazed at the stars under the starry velvet Sri Lankan sky. The
untapped beauty and joyous splendour of the place brought amazing drive
and passion to her that saw `Promises’ unfold.
Yet Sri Lanka remains a firm favourite in her soul and it has been
rumoured that she might come on and off without a single soul knowing
she walked in the Paradise moonlight. Maybe she knew Sri Lanka for the
Paradise it was known to be.
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