Etheridge, Blige, Spielberg, Streisand & More Raise $3.9M For No On Prop 8

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars turned out Tuesday night for a benefit in the fight against California’s Proposition 8 – which, if passed, would alter the state’s constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman. They raised almost 4 million dollars in the fight for marriage equality, the Advocate reported.

The event was hosted at Ron Burkle’s Green Acres Estate in Beverly Hills and included headline performers, Mary J. Blige and Melissa Etheridge.

“Milk” producer Bruce Cohen, San Francisco mayor Gavin Newson, Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg also helped host the benefit.

Big spending donors, including Barbra Streisand, were treated to a private dinner before the event.

Following the dinner, guests that included “Hairspray” director Adam Shankman, “Swingtown” creator Alan Poul, “Pushing Daisies” producer Dan Jinks and his partner Matt Whitney, and Jared Leto, filled the back of Burkle’s estate to see Mary J. Blige and Melissa Etheridge perform.

Melissa sang “Mary Me Bill” by the Fifth Dimension, switching “Bill” to “Jill.” She also treated the crowd to “Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin.

Melissa also reportedly offered to sing any song for a $50,000 donation, which one couple took her up on, asking if she would play their wedding in December — she kindly agreed.

Mary lead the crowd in rousing renditions of “Real Love,” “No More Drama” and concluded her set with an ethereal and emotional “One.”