Glee star Monteith and billionaire Branson don aprons to feed Montreal street kids
MONTREAL - Glee star Cory Monteith, who was once a street kid himself, came to Montreal on Friday and donned an apron to help feed other young people who have been living off the streets.
Monteith joined billionaire Sir Richard Branson and Quebec singer IMA to help serve hot dogs, salad and treats to more than 100 street kids.
Rap music also echoed through the neighbourhood at the afternoon outdoor barbecue, which took place in the backyard of "Dans La Rue" - a youth shelter in the city's east end.
Branson says there are 65,000 kids on the streets in Canada and he praised organizations that have done everything they can to get them back on their feet.
He noted that while many had drug problems or problems at home, they were all "basically good kids who needed help getting a leg up."
The billionaire entrepreneur pointed to the famous actor that he brought along - Monteith - who had gone on to do wonderful things.
The Glee star admits he had a lot of problems when he was young, which he blamed on instability and not knowing what he wanted out of life.
"I didn't know where I was going," he told The Canadian Press. "I couldn't go to school." "I think a lot of kids struggle with that identity crisis . . and that was really the root of my problems."
The tall, soft-spoken actor, who was born in Calgary and grew up in Victoria, says it was when he got inspired by the arts that things turned around: "It was directing my energy into something else that was wonderful." He had the same advice for young people and for any young Glee fans having trouble finding their way. "It doesn't matter what it is ... it doesn't matter if it's acting, if it's theatre, painting or academics or anything ... going to school, whatever," he said. "You just need to be inspired - you need to be motivated to change your life situation.
"That's all it took for me. It just happened to be theatre at the time."
He offered more advice. "Find somebody who believes in you, find somebody who's going to help you," he said. "And start thinking about what you want. Start thinking about where you see yourself in a year - where you see yourself in two years," he added. "Start thinking about what leads you forward and what holds you back."
Monteith, 29, says the popular TV show Glee has found its own specific audience. "I feel blessed to be on a show like that, that inspires and motivates people like that," he said. Monteith was evasive when asked if he took drugs regularly when he was young. "There was a period of exploration when I was a kid, but it's good that I get to stand here today and to be able to do this," he said.
Monteith and the young cast of Glee are in Toronto this weekend for four sold-out performances. It's the first and only Canadian appearance for the cast.
Radio Interview with Virgin Radio96 Montreal
source: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/123659374.html
Monteith joined billionaire Sir Richard Branson and Quebec singer IMA to help serve hot dogs, salad and treats to more than 100 street kids.
Rap music also echoed through the neighbourhood at the afternoon outdoor barbecue, which took place in the backyard of "Dans La Rue" - a youth shelter in the city's east end.
Branson says there are 65,000 kids on the streets in Canada and he praised organizations that have done everything they can to get them back on their feet.
He noted that while many had drug problems or problems at home, they were all "basically good kids who needed help getting a leg up."
The billionaire entrepreneur pointed to the famous actor that he brought along - Monteith - who had gone on to do wonderful things.
The Glee star admits he had a lot of problems when he was young, which he blamed on instability and not knowing what he wanted out of life.
"I didn't know where I was going," he told The Canadian Press. "I couldn't go to school." "I think a lot of kids struggle with that identity crisis . . and that was really the root of my problems."
The tall, soft-spoken actor, who was born in Calgary and grew up in Victoria, says it was when he got inspired by the arts that things turned around: "It was directing my energy into something else that was wonderful." He had the same advice for young people and for any young Glee fans having trouble finding their way. "It doesn't matter what it is ... it doesn't matter if it's acting, if it's theatre, painting or academics or anything ... going to school, whatever," he said. "You just need to be inspired - you need to be motivated to change your life situation.
"That's all it took for me. It just happened to be theatre at the time."
He offered more advice. "Find somebody who believes in you, find somebody who's going to help you," he said. "And start thinking about what you want. Start thinking about where you see yourself in a year - where you see yourself in two years," he added. "Start thinking about what leads you forward and what holds you back."
Monteith, 29, says the popular TV show Glee has found its own specific audience. "I feel blessed to be on a show like that, that inspires and motivates people like that," he said. Monteith was evasive when asked if he took drugs regularly when he was young. "There was a period of exploration when I was a kid, but it's good that I get to stand here today and to be able to do this," he said.
Monteith and the young cast of Glee are in Toronto this weekend for four sold-out performances. It's the first and only Canadian appearance for the cast.
Radio Interview with Virgin Radio96 Montreal
Click to viewsource: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/123659374.html