CNN Heroes Backstage live blog

Part of complete coverage on

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.

#CNNHeroes Photo by @bgivorg
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 9:25 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 2:26:01 AM
The first Young Wonder has raised more than $20,000. See his story live on CNN now.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:26:11 AM
Anderson Cooper just gave a shout out here to CNN.com/Backstage - welcome to everyone who is watching on TV.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:27:38 AM
I DIDN'T GET A SHOUTOUT FROM ANDERSON. THIS IS A TRAVESTY.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 2:28:15 AM
If you have TV Everywhere you can watch it online, otherwise, you can follow along here (and watch on TV if you can).

can we see it live in computer? samDec 2, 2012 at 9:22 PM

Is there a link to watch this thing online?herocnnDec 2, 2012 at 9:18 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:28:16 AM
@cnn Watching #cnnheroes w/ my son who encouraged me to vote daily for Malya Villard Appolon who is helping rape victims in Haiti.

by RaisingGreatMen via twitter 12/3/2012 2:28:55 AM
Jeff Gordon, legendary NASCAR driver, is speaking now. He has his own children's charity - find out about it here.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:29:30 AM
#CNNHeroes Young Wonder Will is just adorable. Shows age doesn't prevent you from doing amazing things

by natjarv via twitter 12/3/2012 2:31:11 AM
Follow Scott Strode, the CNN Hero being honored now, on Twitter.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:31:34 AM
In 2008, the National Institute on Drug Abuse pledged $4 million to research the effect of physical activity on drug use. Preclinical research has provided evidence that exercise can help treat -- and even possibly prevent -- addiction, and now human trials are taking place.

Psychology professor Mark Smith researches the effects of exercise on addiction in laboratory rats. One of his first preclinical studies on the subject showed lab rats that had access to an exercise wheel in their cage were much less likely to self-administer cocaine than their sedentary counterparts. What does it all mean? More on this fascinating work, from CNN's Jacque Wilson

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 2:32:35 AM
Next Hero up: Scott Strode, whose nonprofit provides free athletic activities and a sober support community to more than 6,000 participants in Colorado.

Full story here from CNN's Kathleen Toner

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:32:42 AM
American Idol winner Phillip Phillips is performing next - tune in now to watch it.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:33:44 AM
Scott Strode #CNNHeroes #bGiv Photo by @bgivorg
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 9:33 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 2:34:12 AM
Addiction is real but drive and perseverance prevails...ask Scott Strode #CNNHeroes

by nng618 via twitter 12/3/2012 2:35:16 AM
Phillip Phillips is about to perform - recently he gave a charity performance, which raised money for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:36:18 AM
A backstage video with Viola Davis and her hero...

by CNN Backstage edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:36:35 AM
"Service is the rent you pay for living" - #cnnheroes

by henny_hen via twitter 12/3/2012 2:37:32 AM
Just said @cnnheroes 'service is the rent you pay for living'. Well said. #inspiring

by Randi Kaye via twitter 12/3/2012 2:39:00 AM
Hope you're watching @cnnheroes @andersoncooper pbs.twimg.com/media/A9J_gkECAAEJPRz.jpg

by Randi Kaye via twitter 12/3/2012 2:39:11 AM
About to go on #CNNHeroes. I look amazing.

by rainnwilson via twitter 12/3/2012 2:39:14 AM
Thanks for watching!
This song always gives me chills #CNNHeroes He sounds amazing!jkehleDec 2, 2012 at 9:38 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:39:35 AM
CNN's @AndersonCooper with the lovely #cnnheroes social suite host @hollyrpeete. pbs.twimg.com/media/A9KFSHZCUAQX0Db.jpg

by CNNPR via twitter 12/3/2012 2:40:17 AM
A model for the New World, this is how we can move forward.ONELUKE22Dec 2, 2012 at 9:37 PM

watching live 9:30am in Thailand on iPad ... CNN Heroes .. Brilliant to showcase optimism on a global stageshamblesguruDec 2, 2012 at 9:36 PM

As the mother of 3 grown sons: 1 ex-drug addict, 1 ex-alcoholic, and 1 trying very hard to become an ex-alcoholic.I SALUTE YOU!gudcookerDec 2, 2012 at 9:39 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 2:40:24 AM
TRIVIA: Who did Phillip Phillips defeat in the American Idol finale to win?

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:40:30 AM
Thank you for watching and participating...

Thank you Cnn for a job well done!Ghanaba MbuyeseniDec 2, 2012 at 9:37 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:41:13 AM
Rainn Wilson is presenting the next CNN Hero award now, live on CNN. He is involved in many charities himself. He actually spoke about one on CNN recently, on "AC360."

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:43:56 AM
After the commercial break, our next Hero is Catalina Escobar, who is helping young moms in Colombia. Since 2002, her foundation has provided counseling, education and job training to more than 2,000 teenage mothers.

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:43:58 AM
@Phillips great performance on #CNNHeroes! :)

by kacieanne09 via twitter 12/3/2012 2:44:29 AM
Great acoustic performance of Home by Phillip @Phillips on #CNNHeroes @CNNHeroes #CNN pbs.twimg.com/media/A9KGeVrCEAA91Nl.jpg

by Eric Weisbrod, CNN via twitter 12/3/2012 2:45:17 AM
There is no program like #cnnheroes. We at #cnn are so proud of this program and most importantly, so proud of the #heroes.

by Gary Tuchman via twitter 12/3/2012 2:45:46 AM
Vamos Catalina! A sacar la cara bonita de Colombia! No lo superficial. @CNNEE #cnn #cnnheroes #AhoraenCNN

by julipoveda via twitter 12/3/2012 2:45:54 AM
About to go on #CNNHeroes. I look amazing.

by rainnwilson via twitter 12/3/2012 2:46:02 AM
Amazing images from the slums of Cartagena, Colombia, where Catalina Escobar is trying to end the cycle of poverty. Full photo gallery here

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:46:16 AM
Me & the amazing hero I get to introduce tonight on @CNNHeroes, Catalina Escobar from Colombia. instagr.am/p/SwdyafnLPn/

by rainnwilson via twitter edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:47:43 AM
“No hay nada tan poderoso como una madre con una misión”. #CNNHeroes sobre @Cataescobarr

by juanmunozCNN via twitter 12/3/2012 2:47:45 AM
I love watching #CNNHeroes ~ inspiring. @CNN @andersoncooper

by alovey via twitter 12/3/2012 2:48:00 AM
Catalina Escobar gives hope to teen moms and their babies in #Colombia. Many of the girls have been sexually abused. #CNNHeroes

by Anderson Cooper 360° via twitter 12/3/2012 2:48:15 AM
#cnnheroes is seriously restoring my faith in humanity.

by cromeyy via twitter 12/3/2012 2:48:21 AM
@cataescobar: "I cannot be successful if I cannot make other people happy." #CNNHeroes

by mebrahimjicnn via twitter 12/3/2012 2:49:04 AM
Escobar: "For the thousands of teenage moms in the poor slums in Cartagena, they are the real heroes. And the little fighters -- the babies -- whose lives we have saved. I am only the person who helps them on their path from misery to dignity. Thank you so much."

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 2:49:15 AM
Some Miranda Cosgrove fans here? She's about to present the next Young Wonder award.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:49:25 AM
First time in my life I'm watching #CNNHeroes.I am so impressed from how people can make a difference in other people's life if they want it

by sereperfetto via twitter 12/3/2012 2:49:42 AM
Cosgrove is also involved with several charities herself.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:49:44 AM
Thank you @CNNHeroes for showing people at their best. I only wish the show was on every week instead of once a year. #CNNHeroes

by MimsyYamaguchi via twitter 12/3/2012 2:50:20 AM
Presenters coming up soon: Jane Lynch and 50 Cent.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 2:50:58 AM