Prince William Teams Up with Matthew McConaughey, Kylie Minogue, and More for a Star-Studded Earthshot Prize in Brazil.HL

The Earthshot Prize is heading to Brazil for its highly anticipated awards ceremony on November 5th, and the star-studded lineup promises to make this year’s event in Rio de Janeiro truly unforgettable. Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey has lent his star power by narrating an action-packed trailer for the event, showcasing the remarkable work of the 15 finalists. These innovators are competing for a life-changing $1.3 million prize each to scale their solutions aimed at tackling the most pressing environmental challenges. As McConaughey poignantly says in his voiceover, “When the stakes are highest, that’s when heroes rise,” emphasizing the gravity of the moment and the groundbreaking work being done to protect our planet.

Matthew McConaughey; Prince William; Kylie Minogue.

The Earthshot Prize, founded by Prince William, continues to be a platform for environmental solutions, and this year’s ceremony in Rio will be a culmination of three days filled with events celebrating environmental innovations. Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue and Canadian singer Shawn Mendes will join Prince William on stage, lending their voices and talents to the occasion. In her statement about the upcoming event, Minogue expressed her excitement, saying, “Brazil — I’m coming back. It’s a privilege and honor to be part of the Earthshot Prize in Rio, on stage with the people and the ideas that could save our planet.”

The evening will feature an array of global musical talent, with Brazilian icons such as Gilberto Gil and Grammy nominee Anitta set to perform. Brazilian broadcaster Luciano Huck will host the ceremony, and former soccer star Cafu will also make a special appearance, adding to the celebration of Brazilian culture and the global effort to save the planet.

Prince William.

As the event draws closer, Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, expressed his enthusiasm for the growing support from both international stars and Brazilian talent. “With two weeks to go, we are thrilled to announce the support of global artists, performers, and exceptional Brazilian talent, joining us in Rio,” Knauf said. “We will welcome to Brazil a host of global leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and young people from around the world, who share our ambition and optimism, and we can’t wait to reveal our winners on 5 November in what is set to be the greatest Earthshot yet.”

Gisele Bundchen in March 2024.

In addition to the musical performances and star-studded lineup, Gisele Bündchen has been announced as a judge for the next cohort of Earthshot Prize winners. The Brazilian supermodel, a passionate advocate for environmental causes, will play an integral role in selecting the next generation of change-makers dedicated to solving the planet’s most urgent environmental issues.

The Earthshot Prize awards, which were established to recognize and reward groundbreaking ideas in the fields of environmental sustainability, cover five key categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean Our Air, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix Our Climate. Each winner receives $1.3 million to help fund and scale their ideas, providing them with the tools and resources needed to bring their solutions to a global scale.

Prince William at the Earthshot Prize awards in Cape Town on Nov. 6, 2024

This year’s event marks the fifth anniversary of the Earthshot Prize, making it a crucial milestone in Prince William’s vision for the future. With only a decade remaining to address the most severe impacts of climate change, the Earthshot Prize continues to push for innovative solutions that can help preserve the planet for future generations. Previous awards have taken place in cities like London, Boston, Singapore, and Cape Town, with the 2023 event in South Africa featuring celebrities such as model Heidi Klum, conservationist Robert Irwin, and actor Billy Porter.

On October 4, Prince William unveiled the list of 15 finalists who will compete for this year’s prestigious awards. The event will be a powerful reminder of the importance of collective action in tackling the climate crisis, as these finalists represent the very best in global innovation and environmental leadership.

Prince William will arrive in Rio on November 3 and attend several events surrounding the awards ceremony before heading to the United Nations climate conference in Belém, Brazil, on November 6. While his wife, Kate Middleton, will not be attending this year’s ceremony, the Earthshot Prize will undoubtedly continue to shine as a beacon of hope for a sustainable future, bringing together some of the brightest minds and most influential voices in the fight against climate change.

As the Earthshot Prize awards approach, the excitement continues to build. The event will showcase the resilience, creativity, and optimism needed to create a better world for future generations. Through the stories and innovations of the finalists, we are reminded that, despite the enormity of the challenge, solutions are possible, and when heroes rise, the world can change.