Eleven-Year-Old Joins Celebrity Artists to Sing "Let's Talk About Love" and Celebrate the Love. Hugs. Peace. Movement 

WESTPORT, Conn. (June 29, 2009) — Eleven-year-old Itzel Figueroa Jacinto of San Juan, Puerto Rico delighted a panel of celebrity and music industry judges including Debbie Allen, Chaka Khan, Kevin Gore, executive vice president of Rhino Records, and Tena Clark founder of DMI Music & Media Solutions to win the "Let's Talk About Love" Singing Contest sponsored by Build-A-Bear Workshop® at the Hollywood & Highland Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 24. 

Proceeds from Itzel's version of the song will benefit Save the Children.

Impressing judges with her incredible voice and stage presence, Itzel wins $10,000 and the opportunity of a lifetime to join the ranks of David Archuleta of American Idol fame, GRAMMY® award winner, Natalie Cole, Camp Rock's Meaghan Martin, and Jamia Nash of August Rush acclaim by becoming the next artist to professionally record "Let's Talk About Love," the signature song for the Love. Hugs. Peace.™ movement.  Watch YouTube video of David Archuleta, Meaghan Martin, Natalie Cole and Jamia Nash singing "Let's Talk About Love." Just like these singing sensations before her, Itzel is now part of the Love. Hugs. Peace.™ campaign that encourages young people like herself to be kind and helps raise money for Save the Children. 

"When I sing 'Let's Talk About Love,' and record it, I am happy because I can help the Save the Children organization assist kids," said Itzel.  "It is really great to be able to help."

Itzel's version of "Let's Talk About Love" will be featured online at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace and buildabearville.com. Guests can visit either website or any participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store and receive a free download card of "Let's Talk About Love" performed by Itzel or any one of the other artists as a thank you for a $1 donation to Save the Children. Each participating artist brings a unique style and rhythm to the song so, while the message of sharing, love and kindness remains the same, the tune appeals to fans of all ages and musical tastes. Additional artists are set to jump on-board as the movement continues throughout the remainder of the year.

David Archuleta's version of the song was released in February, 2009.

Itzel was one of five finalists selected by public vote on buildabear.com and buildabearville.com to advance to the live auditions in Los Angeles. Other contestants included Leah Kolchinsky, age 12, San Jose, California; Claire Piorkowski, age 11, Cincinnati, Ohio; Sean Sonego, age 16, Edmonton, Canada and Melissa Vega, age 18, Roosevelt, NY. In addition to the contest finalists showcasing their talents before the judging panel, event highlights included dance and song performances by the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Troop, Jamia Nash, and boy band Menudo, plus entertainment by hosts from Radio Disney. 

Raising Funds and Awareness  

Natalie Cole supports the Peace. Love. Hugs. movement. Credit: Matthew Rolston

The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement empowers young people to make the world a better place one small act of kindness at a time. Whether pledging to volunteer at an animal shelter, recycle, do something nice for friends or family, raise money for a special cause, or pick up litter in their communities, young people are accepting the challenge to make a difference. Since the program launched in January, nearly 200,000 kids from around the world have made a Love, Hugs or Peace pledge and more than $120,000 has been raised for Save the Children. 

Stiff Competition

Singers were encouraged to enter the "Let's Talk About Love" Singing Contest from March 16 through April 14, 2009, by submitting a solo video audition of the song. Video submissions were accepted online or via mail and contestants were judged on vocal abilities, talent, performance, and creativity. Ten semi-finalists were selected and the public was asked to vote for their favorites online. Five finalists advanced and each won a trip to the live auditions in Los Angeles to perform before the public and a panel of celebrity and music industry judges who decided which talented Grand Prize Winner received $10,000 and got to be the next artist to professionally record "Let's Talk About Love" at DMI's Firehouse Recording Studios in Los Angeles. The winner also will make an appearance on The Chloe Show, the celebrity interview segment featured in buildabearville.com®,
the Build-A-Bear Workshop virtual world. 

Save the Children is the leading independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Save the Children USA is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, a global network of 27 independent Save the Children organizations working to ensure the well-being and protection of children in more than 120 countries. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.