Grimes has chosen not to perform the ALS ice bucket challenge because of the “California drought” and will not donate money to the ALS Association due to “their record of testing on animals”.
Instead, the ‘Oblivion’ singer has donated to The Malala Fund, an organisation that helps girls go to school and raise their voices for the right to education.
Grimes – real name Claire Elise Boucher – had been nominated to take up the challenge by Richie Hawtin after the DJ performed the stunt alongside Skrillex and Dubfire. However, in a blog post, Boucher outlined her reasons for refusing.
“Richie is probably the nicest and coolest person I’ve ever met so i can’t really refuse him. however, I would like to say that I don’t feel great about wasting water in this california drought, but i will donate money. However I will not donate money to this foundation because of their record of testing on animals, but I will donate money to the Malala fund because education is the key to ending almost every issue that faces humanity and our world today.”
Grimes later posted a screen grab of her donation to the charity.
ALS is a terminal illness that causes muscles to weaken and stiffen. Artists including Eminem, Rihanna, Liam Gallagher, Arcade Fire and Drake – as well as many members of the public – have joined in with the campaign.
Boucher, however, is not the first person to refuse the challenge on the grounds of animal testing. The Independent has reported that ex-Baywatch star Pamela Anderson also declined to participate.
“I can’t bring myself to do your Ice bucket challenge,” wrote Anderson on her Facebook page. “I thought Instead I’d challenge ALS to stop Animal testing. Recent experiments funded by the ALS Association, mice had holes drilled into their skulls, were inflicted with crippling illnesses, and were forced to run on an inclined treadmill until they collapsed from exhaustion. Monkeys had chemicals injected into their brains and backs and were later killed and dissected.”