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.

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by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 6:15:26 AM
Congrats to 2012 CNN Hero of the Year Pushpa Basnet! She’s the second Nepalese woman to win the honor. Anuradha Koirala was the 2010 CNN Hero of the Year.

"This is for my children, and this is for my country Nepal," she said in her acceptance speech. "Thank you so much everybody who voted for me and who believed in my dream."

Full story from the show
Basnet's profile story: Pulling children out of Nepal's prisons
Photo gallery: Pushpa Basnet

That's a wrap for the CNN Heroes live blog. Thanks to everyone who contributed.

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 6:16:28 AM

Remember, if you want to contribute to any of this year's #CNNHeroes go to http://CNNHeroes.com

by Jack Gray via twitter 12/3/2012 3:46:59 AM
Coming up next - a rarely performed song by Ne-Yo.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:47:15 AM
by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:47:26 AM
Leo is the last of our 10 Heroes to be profiled tonight. Next up is Ne-Yo's musical performance. Then we find out who is the CNN Hero of the Year!

by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:48:01 AM
Ne-Yo is setting up during the commercial break for his performance, happening momentarily. #CNNHeroes p.twimg.com/A9KVAfpCcAAou6x.jpg

by Jack Gray via twitter 12/3/2012 3:48:26 AM
"we can all be better and we can all bring good out of bad" #CNNheroes

by Taylor K via twitter 12/3/2012 3:48:35 AM
Here's some great charity work Ne-Yo has done in the past - last year, around this same time.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:49:35 AM
The story of Mariah and Leo on @CNNHeroes right now is absolutely amazing. Everyone should learn, and take Mariah's Challenge. #CNNHeroes

by MKenney89 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:50:05 AM
Ne-Yo was featured earlier tonight - in our "Sharing the Spotlight" special. Watch some of that here.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:51:23 AM
Wish I had watched #CNNHeroes from the start - powerful stuff.The full list of heroes: http://bit.ly/TFlsES

by DorisGirgis via twitter 12/3/2012 3:51:59 AM
Before we hear who is Hero of the Year - one more look behind the scenes.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:53:00 AM
@NeYoCompound Is performing "Heroes" on #CNNHeroes right now! "Even heroes need heroes- sometimes". @CompoundFDN Amazing...

by MelodyStar84 via twitter 12/3/2012 3:53:23 AM
#CNNHeroes @CNNHeroes Standing Ovation for all the Heroes and to @CNN indeed for grt grt grt initiative all these years :)

by viewyourchoice via twitter 12/3/2012 3:54:18 AM
The big announcement is up next. Who will be CNN Hero of the Year?

Here are the last four winners:

2011 – Robin Lim (Indonesia)
2010 – Anuradha Koirala (Nepal)
2009 – Efren Penaflorida (Philippines)
2008 – Liz McCartney (U.S.)

by Kyle Almond, CNN 12/3/2012 3:54:48 AM
Thank you to all of YOU for your comments tonight - and for watching.
Thank you, CNN for this inspirational program!Clara RicoDec 2, 2012 at 10:53 PM

It has been an inspirational show! Thank you CNN and Anderson Coopercanelita2171Dec 2, 2012 at 10:54 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:55:06 AM
Heroes need Heroes via: @NeyoCompound nicely done. #CNNHeroes

by bundubuduri via twitter 12/3/2012 3:55:17 AM
who do you think will be the Hero of the Year? All so deserving. #CNNHeroes

by Jack Gray via twitter 12/3/2012 3:56:02 AM
Good job Ne-Yo! Bravo to all the #cnnheroes tonight @ pbs.twimg.com/media/A9KWUJdCIAA-CNg.jpg

by MrNiiQuartelai via twitter 12/3/2012 3:56:06 AM
Thank you all CNN Heroes for doing such an incredible workPrakash NepalDec 2, 2012 at 10:55 PM

We need TV show like this every week to change many many mind around the world thump up #CCNHeroesLiseDec 2, 2012 at 10:57 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 3:57:28 AM
The word "hero" is generally overused. But not tonight. #CNNHeroes

by PaulRieckhoff via twitter 12/3/2012 3:57:52 AM
Congratulations, as they are all winners. We must use them as an example and learn from them.EmartinbeckDec 2, 2012 at 10:57 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 3:58:03 AM
Hero of the Year: Pushpa Basnet. Watch her speech live now.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 3:58:28 AM
Announcing the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year: Pushpa Basnet! Congratulations and THANK YOU to all of the #CNNHeroes!

by Anderson Cooper 360° via twitter 12/3/2012 3:59:23 AM
The 2012 #CNN Hero of the Year is Pushpa Basnet! #CNNHereos p.twimg.com/A9KXuGfCIAAmsFS.jpg

by CNN Heroes via twitter 12/3/2012 4:00:17 AM
by Kyle Almond, CNN edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:00:53 AM
Congrats Pushpa! #cnnhero of the year!!! #cnnheroes p.twimg.com/A9KXi2LCQAEFIxj.jpg

by Holly Robinson Peete via twitter edited by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:00:55 AM
2012 hero of the year winner! AMAZING woman and inspiring story! #cnnheroes Photo by @jmalter7
by dorrine.mendoza on Dec 2, 2012 at 11:01 PM

by dorrine.mendoza 12/3/2012 4:01:28 AM
That was some refreshing television right there I needed that. #CNNHeroes

by blamethelabel via twitter 12/3/2012 4:02:40 AM
@HarryBritishLad The people who SHOULD be famous are those on #CNNHeroes tonight. So incredibly deserving! You're really cute though. 😊

by JenniBrayton via twitter 12/3/2012 4:03:21 AM
Thank you all for your comments during this inspiring night.

congratulation Puspa didiSushila AdhikariDec 2, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Congratulations to all the heroes! They are all fueled by love for humanity. Inspirational stories!Clara RicoDec 2, 2012 at 11:01 PM

Congratulations Pushpa Basnet!!! you again made all of us proud....Abhishek UpadhyayaDec 2, 2012 at 11:00 PM

Such a beautiful show. #cnnheroes Karoline140Dec 2, 2012 at 11:00 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:03:35 AM
Just watched the #CNNHeroes show. Makes me wonder what I can do to better the world? Trying to find a bigger purpose in my life!

by smashyourlimits via twitter 12/3/2012 4:04:37 AM
Just watched all of the inspiring CNN Heroes.Done with the tissues..and start to do something good to others... #CNNHeroes @andersoncooper

by leniarif via twitter 12/3/2012 4:05:49 AM
2012 Hero of the year: Pulling children out of Nepal's prisons Pushpa Basnet #Kathmandu #CNNHeroes http://tvh.gs/PushpaBasnet

by Mytweetradio via twitter 12/3/2012 4:06:42 AM
Beautiful week to begin with watching #CNNHeroes! Couldn't ask for more! Damn, I cried while watching! :-)

by akshaya_desai via twitter 12/3/2012 4:08:36 AM
Here's a pic of me & @CNNHeroes Scott Strode. Great guy, great cause - Phoenix Multisport. #CNNHeroes instagr.am/p/SwqNpnMdFu/

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 12/3/2012 4:09:27 AM
Cool to meet @50Cent backstage @CNNHeroes. #CNNHeroes instagr.am/p/Swp05eMdFT/

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 12/3/2012 4:09:31 AM
What an amazing group of extra-ordinary people @CNNHeroes. Proud to be a part of the presentation. #CNNHeroes

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 12/3/2012 4:09:31 AM
An outpouring of support for the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year in the comments section:
congratulation puspa ! you are the proud of Nepal.Humnath BhandariDec 2, 2012 at 11:09 PM

Congratulations to 2012 CNNHero Puspa Basnet..You make us Proud.. :)crazieutsabDec 2, 2012 at 11:09 PM

Congratulations Puspa, It's great achievement what you did for the Nepalese Children.Bharat PariyarDec 2, 2012 at 11:11 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:11:59 AM
What a pleasure spending time backstage with one of my fav actresses Susan Sarandon. p.twimg.com/A9Kb-jbCUAAKj37.jpg

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 12/3/2012 4:18:53 AM
2012 CNN Hero of the Year Pushpa Basnet. Her story: http://on.cnn.com/TCiTWL Watch the broadcast now on #CNN. #CNNHeroes via @CNN

by CNN Heroes via twitter 12/3/2012 4:18:56 AM
Join a Hero, help change the world (via @cnn) http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/18/world/cnnheroes-donate/index.html

by rainnwilson via twitter 12/3/2012 4:19:17 AM
Thank you all for watching and participating tonight.

Congrats to CNN for organizing such a great show...Wonderful way to start a week! Well deserved everyone...You all are awesome!YogeshDec 2, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Congratulations Pusha di! You make Nepal proud... Keep up the good work...........ausnepaliDec 2, 2012 at 11:19 PM

congratulation all the cnn heros and Anderson cooper with entire team of cnn for such outstanding and moving showShanta PradhanDec 2, 2012 at 11:20 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:20:32 AM
2012 CNN Hero of the Year Pushpa Basnet. Her story: http://on.cnn.com/TCiTWL Watch the broadcast now on #CNN. #CNNHeroes via @CNN

by CNN Heroes via twitter 12/3/2012 4:24:36 AM
2012 CNN Hero of the Year Pushpa Basnet. Her story: http://on.cnn.com/TCiTWL Watch the broadcast now on #CNN. #CNNHeroes

by CNN via twitter 12/3/2012 4:24:45 AM
Thanks you to everyone for watching and joining this backstage live blog.

Congratulations to Pushpa Basnet for being CNNHero. Congratulation to all beautiful people doing wonderful work for the less fortuned to create a better world and making diffrences!jbaraDec 2, 2012 at 11:25 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:27:37 AM
Of all celebs we met this was the biggest one. Great inspiration to all young and old. Will Lourcey & little brother. p.twimg.com/A9KeBhvCYAAu2ld.jpg

by Jeff Gordon via twitter 12/3/2012 4:27:50 AM
The Hero of the Year moment.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:29:43 AM
CNN hero's was amazing I had a ball SMSaudio instagr.am/p/SwtQCqML-v/

by 50cent via twitter 12/3/2012 4:33:51 AM
I really enjoyed my self SMSaudio instagr.am/p/SwtwLrML_H/

by 50cent via twitter 12/3/2012 4:36:52 AM
Thanks for watching and participating.

Congrats Pushpa for being recognized as CNN Hero for 2012. And to all who are making a difference in the lives of others, please keep up the great work....Sullayman KamaraDec 2, 2012 at 11:29 PM

congratulation pushpa basnet .you are real hero for child and nepal.Yabindra GurungDec 2, 2012 at 11:36 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:37:18 AM
Earlier tonight: Ne-Yo talks about what CNN Heroes means to him.

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:39:06 AM
The homie NEYO was at CNN hero. SMSaudio instagr.am/p/SwuGIHsL_T/

by 50cent via twitter 12/3/2012 4:39:31 AM
Susan Sarandon on the red carpet from before the show...

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:41:17 AM
Earlier tonight, 50 Cent and his hero gave us a behind-the-scenes video message. I then deleted it by accident - so here it is again!

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:42:51 AM
Thanks to everyone for participating tonight and sharing your thoughts.
Well done Puspha Basnet!!.you really deserved this. Thanks for your benevolent efforts and keep on inspiring millions of people around the world !KarSherpaDec 2, 2012 at 11:43 PM

Congratulations Pushpa Basnet, a real hero! We are proud of you!!!Giri JoshiDec 2, 2012 at 11:38 PM

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:44:47 AM
Give a compliment/Get a compliment: http://bit.ly/SFrMxt

by rainnwilson via twitter 12/3/2012 4:44:47 AM
#CNNHeroes honors Ann Coyle, RN the #JNJ 2012 #AmazingNurses contest winner. Watch her inspiring story here: http://bit.ly/Szr9Fu

by CNN Heroes via twitter 12/3/2012 4:45:05 AM
CNN HERO's was the bomb everybody came out to support. #SK instagr.am/p/SwuhgCsL_l/

by 50cent via twitter 12/3/2012 4:45:48 AM
A look back: "The top 10 Heroes: In their own words"

by Steve Krakauer, CNN 12/3/2012 4:52:31 AM