FIRST PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008 2:26 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: March 27, 2008 2:37 PM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

A host of A-list stars are joining the "Idol Gives Back" fold, it was announced earlier toady.

Singing sensation Celine Dion, box office busting funnyman Robin Williams, Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker, Yankee-for-a-day Billy Crystal, funnyman Dane Cook and "High School Musical" stars Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens were just some of the names Fox added to "American Idol’s" charity night, set to air April 9.

For years "American Idol" has ruled television screens as the biggest ratings juggernaut in primetime. And last year, in their sixth season, they decided to change the focus of the competition for one week – bringing in a host of stars, including Gwen Stefani and Bono, who helped them raise awareness and funds, which have supported charities across the globe.

This year will be no different and even more stars are flocking to the "Idol" stage.

Oscar winner Jennifer Connoly, "24" star Kiefer Sutherland, "Enchanted" actress Amy Adams, former "Idol" alumni Eliott Yamin (Season 5) and "Idol" Season 3 winner Fantasia, will also turn up for the 2008 installment of "Idol Gives Back."

The two-and-a-half-hour show will be broadcast from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, the location the Academy Awards are held every year.

Last year the event raised over $76 million for charity.

This year, monies raised will go to the Children’s Defense Fund, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Make It Right, Malaria No More, Save The Children, and the Children's Health Fund.

The newly announced stars join a cast which already includes U2’s Bono, Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Miley Cyrus, Mariah Carey, Eli and Peyton Manning, Fergie, Chris Daughtry, Carrie Underwood, Annie Lennox, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Maroon 5, Heart and Gloria Estefan.

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