Artists, celebrities, and influencers have always been a major part of pop culture, using their platforms to share things people find interesting and entertaining, but now they are also using their platforms to raise awareness of political issues happening around the world. On January 10, 2026, Pedro Pascal and Bella Hadid co-hosted a concert, “Artists for Aid”, with around 20 artists to support and raise funds for Sudan and Palestine. The entire thing was organized by Mustafa the Poet in Los Angeles.
This event was first announced on December 26, 2025, by Pedro Pascal and Mustafa on their Instagram pages, giving fans time to purchase tickets and make plans to attend the concert. Artists Alex G, Blood Orange, Clairo, Daniel Caesar, Faye Webster, Geese, Jasmine Sullivan, Lucy Dacus, Mustafa, Noname, Noor Hindi, Omar Apollo, Raphael Saadiq, Ravyn Lenae, Rex Orange County, Sofia Elihillo, Shawn Mendez, Snoh Aalegra, Tamino, Chappell Roan, and 070 Shake all performed in the span of a couple of hours.
Mustafa opened the night by saying, “I always knew an artist’s power came from the expansion of their empathy. Each artist here today—that answered my call, that answered my text—are all heroes of empathy”. Together, they raised $5.5 million, which went to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) and the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA).
Pedro Pascal had been speaking out in support of Palestine for years. On September 21, 2025, Pascal made a post stating, “Humanitarian aid to Gaza is just a few miles away. The roads are right there. The trucks are right there. The food and medicine are right there. LET. AID. IN.” He immediately faced backlash from Israeli citizens. Most of his supporters believed he had done nothing wrong and publicly defended him. Pedro Pascal did not back down after the backlash he received. He continued to use his platform to draw attention to the ongoing crisis. In later interviews, Pascal made it clear that his stance and views were not about politics but instead about basic human rights. He emphasized that speaking up for people who need aid should not be controversial, especially when it comes to food, water, shelter, and other resources. His refusal to be silent stuck with many of his fans.
Bella Hadid has also been very open about her stance and opinions on the issues in Palestine. Hadid, as a Palestinian American woman, has repeatedly used her platform to draw attention to this crisis, even when it drew criticism. In past interviews, she spoke about her family’s history and the importance of being aware of issues outside your country. Because of this, her involvement with the concert felt like a personal experience rather than just a performance. Many of her fans were shocked by her appearance and involvement in the whole experience.
What made the concert stand out from other charitable events was the diversity of its artists. This mix helped attract a wide range of fans who were eager to support what the concert stood for. Overall, the concert showed how art and activism can go hand in hand to attract more people. Pedro Pascal and Bella Hadid stand up for their countries whenever they can and encourage others to do the same, even if it’s something small, like a social media post. While backlash was inevitable, the support and money they received simply show that their fans want the same peace they do.
