CNN Heroes Backstage live blog

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CNN Heroes Backstage live blog

The top 10 CNN Heroes of the year were honored December 2 during a star-studded gala at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. See how the night unfolded, from the red carpet arrivals to the much-anticipated announcement of the CNN Hero of the Year.

Blog curated by Steve Krakauer, Kyle Almond and Dorrine Mendoza, with help from JD Cargill on the red carpet.

Two performers coming up tonight - Kyle, are you a Phillip Phillips and Ne-Yo fan?

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:27:35 AM
Hello to all and very happy to celebrate the heroes of our lives. Hello Holly, miss you on TV everyday. Sending good energy to all.Sandi AnayaDec 2, 2012 at 8:24 PM

Love #CNNHeroes, an award show to honor those who do truly rewarding work!egeek84Dec 2, 2012 at 8:23 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 1:27:59 AM
by CNN Backstage 12/3/2012 1:28:34 AM
I'm more Ne-Yo than Phillip Phillips, Steve. But that "Home" song is catchy!

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:29:35 AM
Viola Davis - interviewed below by Holly Robinson Pete - is a presenter early in the show. Just a half hour until we're live with CNN Heroes 2012.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:30:00 AM
...Kyle, I'm with you. But I'm liking that song too. The Ne-Yo song tonight is fantastic too.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:30:16 AM
You are given a blessing to be a blessing. -Neyo

by FashionOffice via twitter 12/3/2012 1:30:18 AM
Ehmahgerd, Susan Sarandon. Legend. "Bull Durham" one of my favorite movies of all time.

by CNN Backstage edited by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:31:05 AM
Wow Susan Sarandon! Another major superstar, who will be presenting an award tonight. Check out her behind-the-scenes interview here.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:31:44 AM
I unlocked the CNN Heroes: Sharing the Spotlight Red Carpet Special 2012 sticker on #GetGlue! http://is.gd/XHXi3J

by Swahilimom via twitter 12/3/2012 1:33:11 AM
The stage @CNNHeroes is looking awesome! #CNNHeroes @ CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute instagr.am/p/SwYq2rydcX/

by etanowitz via twitter 12/3/2012 1:33:45 AM
Just shook 50 cents hand....OMG..he said it was a pleasure to meet me.. #CNNHeroes

by Lisa'Anne Ivey via twitter 12/3/2012 1:33:49 AM
From our seats inside the theater pbs.twimg.com/media/A9J197SCAAA3oCw.jpg

by OFP via twitter 12/3/2012 1:34:34 AM
One of our CNN Heroes tonight:

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:34:43 AM
Look who I ran into at #CNNheroes these are the stories that should be making news! #inspiration instagr.am/p/SwY6wNKlg0/

by CPascucci3 via twitter 12/3/2012 1:35:24 AM
Here are the cool awards that our Heroes will get tonight.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:37:05 AM
#CNNHeroes shoutout to #Neyo for being such a #gentlemen

by Haitian_Passion via twitter 12/3/2012 1:38:04 AM
My favorite awards show starts at 9p ET! Follow @jackgraycnn and @CNNHeroes to see what's happening behind the scenes. #CNNHeroes

by Ella Chick via twitter 12/3/2012 1:38:54 AM
Janina Gavankar plays Luna Garza on "True Blood."

by CNN Backstage edited by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:39:33 AM
Coming up next on CNN Heroes: Sharing The Spotlight: Ben Stiller...

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:39:38 AM
Watch the stage come together over four days of production. Awesome time-lapse video.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:40:05 AM
I can't believe "Wind Beneath My Wings" is winning my Heroes playlist poll.

OK, well, I can believe it. But I don't have to like it.

No love for Queen? C'mon folks.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:42:54 AM
This began the start of his blinking boycott lol silly baby @njxlove all set to watch gram on tv! #CNNHeroes Photo by @amanda7128
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 8:40 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 1:43:37 AM
A sad day for Nickelback fans too, Kyle.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:43:49 AM
An Oscar winner in the social media suite...

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:44:01 AM
#CNNHeroes starts in 25 minutes. You'll meet some incredible people who are helping change the world in ways large and small. So inspiring!

by Anderson Cooper via twitter edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:44:55 AM
So honored to be here at the #CNNHeroes awards show tonight so many remarkable human beings making a difference in the world!!!!Kwame_boatengDec 2, 2012 at 8:40 PM

This is one of the most important roles CNN could have--to highlight and thus encourage/proliferate a ripple effect of even more good works by all of us...MixhalisDec 2, 2012 at 8:29 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 1:44:55 AM
So excited to be celebrating Razia Jan and all the other #CNNHeroes tonight. Go, Everyone! (but especially Razia.)

by MarthaPlimpton via twitter 12/3/2012 1:44:59 AM
.@CNNHeroes is about the begin. Turn it on. Who wants to watch the Eagles and Cowboys anyway!?! #GoGiants pbs.twimg.com/media/A9J5apUCQAA7pbr.jpg

by PaulRieckhoff via twitter 12/3/2012 1:48:43 AM
The stunning roof inside The Shrine. Gorgeous setting for @CNNHeroes. #IAVA instagr.am/p/SwYkz3kJKd/

by PaulRieckhoff via twitter 12/3/2012 1:49:23 AM
The #CNNHeroes event hosted by @AndersonCooper with @crimsonlimits #ShrineAuditorium Photo by @natjarv (Natalie Jarvey
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 8:47 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 1:50:01 AM
Before we get started tonight, one more look at the Top 10 Heroes.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:50:34 AM
Who do you want to see named CNN Hero of the Year tonight? Let us know who you like the most and why.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:51:48 AM
Who will be CNN Hero of the Year?

Here are some interesting stats to keep in mind.

* Three of the past four have been women.
* Three of the past four have been based out of Asian countries.

2011: Robin Lim (Indonesia)
2010: Anuradha Koirala (Nepal)
2009: Efren Penaflorida (Philippines)
2008: Liz McCartney (USA)

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:53:17 AM
Sorry, Anuradha Koirala is from Nepal. My apologies, thanks for the catch!

We've got another Nepalese Hero tonight... Pushpa Basnet. Will she follow in Koirala's footsteps?

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:53:47 AM
Tune into #CNNHeroes at 9pmET. Always such an uplifting, inspiring show.

by Piers Morgan via twitter 12/3/2012 1:54:39 AM
My #cnnheroes #cnnheroes2012 #kliptownyouthprogram true winners. #Kliptown Soweto South Africa warmest place on earth. Miss u. Photo by @momluvsjosh
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 8:54 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 1:56:56 AM
Regarding my song playlist (see poll below) ... I think David Bowie has to be the No. 1 seed. Can we get Bowie to perform next year? I'll start an email campaign to the powers that be.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 1:57:21 AM
#CNNHeroes let's go!

by Holly Robinson Peete via twitter 12/3/2012 1:57:47 AM
Three minutes until CNN Heroes 2012....

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 1:58:04 AM
by CNN Backstage 12/3/2012 1:58:29 AM
Ne-Yo (video below) will perform a song he rarely performs tonight.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:00:05 AM
Show's under way! Harvey Keitel opens.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 2:00:24 AM
#CNNHeroes The most important show on TV tonight. Will move your heart to action @CNN @andersoncooper

by Kim Krueger via twitter 12/3/2012 2:00:29 AM
Harvey Keitel kicks off the show tonight. Watch it LIVE on CNN now.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:00:29 AM