Clintons to honor Leonardo DiCaprio

The Clinton Global Initiative will launch their annual meeting this month with an awards ceremony honoring actor Leonardo DiCaprio for his environmental work and featuring comedian Seth Meyers.

The 8th annual Clinton Global Citizen Awards ceremony will take place in New York City on Sept. 21 and feature musical performances from Aloe Blacc, Natalie Merchant and Jason Mraz, the Clinton Global Initiative announced on Wednesday.

{mosads}It will be a star-studded opening to a conference that Former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and their daughter Chelsea have built up into a forum for discussing ideas on climate change, education and women’s rights.

Republicans have long criticized the Clintons, and Democrats in general, as being too close to Hollywood, but the former first family have never shied from their entertainment industry ties.

“Hollywood, likewise, relies on collaboration to bring creative visions to life and has been an excellent partner to the foundation across a number of our efforts,” Chelsea Clinton told The Hollywood Reporter, which exclusively reported details of the awards show on Wednesday. 

“My family is grateful that some of the most talented, caring and engaged artists in entertainment will help us shine a light on this year’s Clinton Global Citizen Award honorees and their extraordinary commitments and work to strengthen communities around the world,” she added.

With Hillary Clinton weighing a 2016 presidential bid, the support of Hollywood could provide her with a fundraising advantage.

President Obama will also be speaking at the annual meeting, placing his relationship with Hillary Clinton under scrutiny. Obama has praised his former secretary of State, but Clinton has, in recent weeks, attempted to distance herself from some of the president’s policies.

Other speakers include Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, who has had to deal with controversy over deaths linked to a faulty ignition switch in GM cars. Actor Matt Damon, co-founder of water.org, will also be speaking.

DiCaprio is being honored for launching the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, an environmental organization.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, actress Eva Longoria and former American Idol judge Randy Jackson, who will serve as music director, will also attend the opening awards ceremony.