President’s Star Charity Show- is there a need for artistes to perform stunts to milk the public’s compassion for more generous donations?

For the past decades, we have seen numerous charity shows pleading the public to donate generously, helping organizations such as the NKF and Ren Ci Hospital. They showcase the different stunts performed by the artistes and video clips of those in need. It is undeniable that most of these charity shows achieved success and managed to rake in more than a million for those in needs. But is there a need for artistes to perform stunts to milk the public’s compassion for more generous contributions?

Some people call and donate to show their loyalty for their idol when they are performing stunts. One example was when Ahjie Zoe Tay risked her hand and had to decide which cone had a knife underneath. This particular stunt raked in thirty thousand calls in that short period of fifteen minutes. We cannot deny that such performances helped these charity to attract and increase the viewership, hence the donations. They cause the audience to hold on to their seats, as the artistes perform stunt that seems dangerous and life-threatening. Through this, the audience would feel inspired and play a part by making the calls.

However, others question the need for these stunts. I personally feel that these charity shows do not require the artistes to perform stunts to increase their donations. They are also several reasons why I do not support the stunts. Firstly, it endangers the safety of the artiste, each artiste have a wonderful career ahead of them, by endangering themselves through performing unnecessary stunts, it is absolutely worthless. I believe other less risky performances such as singing and dancing would achieve the same result and hence, prevent injury of the artiste. Secondly, donation from the public comes from within the heart and not as a form of support for the artiste. Even if there was no show whatsoever, an advertisement would achieve the same effect on the public. Also any kind Samaritan or someone with the correct mindset would also donate without any reminder.

Lastly, to help those in need, artistes should start the ball rolling by donating a sum of money to the charity. This would in turn touch the hearts of the public and hence donations would start pouring in. Artistes could also be more proactive in generating funds and promoting the need of the needy to inspire others. I believe their fame would help spread the message further.

In conclusion, the aims of a charity show should be to touch the audience emotionally and appeal to them for donations, and I do not see how artiste performing stunts would help to achieve that.