Reese Witherspoon Pacts With YouTube For Charitable ‘Shine On’ Series Amid Quarantine

Reese Witherspoon is the latest celebrity to join YouTube’s ongoing #WithMe campaign — a sitewide push that aims to highlight ways to keep busy (while watching videos, of course) and practicing social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress is also the founder of media outfit Hello Sunshine, which is dedicated to female authorship across all storytelling platforms. Witherspoon’s latest YouTube endeavor has been dubbed #ShineOnAtHome, in which she will be joined by some of her favorite lifestyle experts in coming weeks. On the show, Witherspoon and guests — including experts in health, wellness, finance, food, and more — will share advice about how to persist through the pandemic and beyond.

In episode one (below), Witherspoon is joined by author Eve Rodsky to discuss her book, Fair Play, which explores how to divide domestic tasks based on a household’s needs. (Witherspoon also posted another #WithMe-marked video several days ago sharing relaxation techniques, though it’s unclear whether it’s a part of the new #ShineOnAtHome series or not).

In addition to sharing uplifting messages, Hello Sunshine is also raising funds for World Central Kitchen

and its #ChefsForAmerica initiative, which is providing meals for the millions of Americans who will be out of work due to the coronavirus and struggling to put food on the table for their families. Witherspoon is using the YouTube Giving tools (by which the platform covers all transaction fees) so that viewers can tender donations by clicking on a button right next to Witherspoon’s videos. World Central Kitchen, founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has served over 4.8 million meals to victims of natural disasters to date.

YouTube launched its #WithMe campaign to highlight popular video genres — including ‘Cook With Me’, ‘Clean With Me’, and ‘Study With Me’ — that simultaneously promote social distancing and connectedness. In addition to Witherspoon’s new series, YouTube has also hosted a three-day live stream for Dude Perfect that raised over $85,000 for the American Red Cross and Feeding America; a listen-along with Dua Lipa to fete her new album; and content from medical professionals Dr. Mike and Kati Morton.