With a captive audience, today’s pop stars have in their power the ability to bring attention to causes and ignite change. Knowing with great power comes great responsibility, Canada’s own Avril Lavigne is on her way to make the world better for kids living with disabilities.
Performing Thursday at the Halifax Metro Centre at 8 p.m. as part of her Black Star tour, to promote her fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby, Lavigne is proving she’s not just a pretty voice. “I’ve worked with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and it was something that really touched me so I really wanted to give back,” Lavigne said by phone.
Created in early 2010, The Avril Lavigne Foundation gives support to youth with disabilities.
“I’m getting it off the ground and creating after school programs for kids with disabilities,” Lavigne says of her R.O.C.K. Stars. Respect, Opportunity, Choices, Knowledge, and Strength, the pillars on which Lavigne is bringing happiness back to kids who may have forgotten how to be kids. Lavigne’s maturity in her personal life has also allowed her to grow musically.
Stripped down to raw emotion with songs like Wish You Were Here, Lavigne says that this, her fourth album, is exposing her most vulnerable self. “Experiencing life both personally and developing myself as an artist has made me stronger as a performer,” she said. “I didn’t want to keep making the same record and these songs have a different tone.”
Multi-talented: Philanthropist and entrepreneur, Avril Lavigne launched her clothing line, Abbey Dawn, in 2008. Designed by Lavigne, the line showed at the 2009 and 2011 New York fashion weeks. “I realized how much fashion was involved in my musical career,” she said.
Furthering her brand, Lavigne has created three perfumes: Black Star, Forbidden Rose and Wild Rose. “There is no fear and I am in control of everything. I’ve worked really hard to get to this position so I don’t take it for granted.”