American Idol '07

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Mar. 09, 2007 | 05:00 PM EST

Borat & Gwen Stefani Make Good on Idol

By Stephen M. Silverman

Borat & Gwen Stefani to Appear on Idol Benefit | Gwen Stefani, Sacha Baron Cohen

Photo by: Wireimage; JPI

Who says Simon Cowell is heartless? He'll show off his softer side when American Idol airs a two-night special called Idol Gives Back aimed at raising awareness and money for organizations that provide relief programs to help youngsters living in extreme poverty in America and Africa. The all-star event – featuring Gwen Stefani, Borat Sagdiyev (Sacha Baron Cohen), Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Bublé, Annie Lennox and Il Divo – will be broadcast on April 24 and 25.

On the Tuesday show that week, the Top 6 finalists will sing "life anthems" – songs about compassion and hope. After the performance show, viewers will vote for their favorite contestants but for every vote cast, show sponsors Coca-Cola and AT&T, among other partners, will donate money to the nonprofit Charity Projects Entertainment Fund.

"Having witnessed some of the appalling conditions in Africa firsthand, I'm especially proud that our show is offering Americans the chance to help those most in need," Cowell, who traveled to Africa with host Ryan Seacrest and personally witnessed the poverty and disease there, said in a statement. "Ensuring that American charities will equally benefit from these efforts was one of my priorities."

Click here for more news, photos and a full bio of Gwen Stefani.