Another picture of Debra in Zimbabwe. Loving this picture it’s just so sweet!

Emmy Award winning actress and PSI (Population Services International) Ambassador Debra Messing is in Zimbabwe celebrating organizations, donors and individuals who have contributed to the substantial decline in HIV prevalence rates in the country. Over the past six years Zimbabwe has seen a dramatic reduction in the adult HIV prevalence rate, from approximately 25 percent in 2003 to 14 percent today. Messing expressed hope that her visit would draw attention to the ongoing need for resources and support to continue the positive trend.

“In a region ravaged by HIV, Zimbabwe has made extensive strides to stem the spread of this disease,” said Messing. “Though I am deeply saddened to see the devastation the disease has caused, I am filled with hope when I see the incredible team of people – local leaders, NGOs, the donor community and the people of Zimbabwe themselves – who are joining together in the fight against HIV and AIDS.”

Messing, along with a representative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), is concluding a week-long trip in the country, where she is visiting HIV programs funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and run by implementing partner PSI.

Of particular note was Messing’s trip to a hair salon where the hairdressers offered HIV education to customers in the shop. In Zimbabwe, women are disproportionately affected by HIV. Through a program funded by DFID and USAID, PSI is able to reach this vulnerable population by training hairdressers as peer educators, teaching them about PSI’s care female condom, common misconceptions about the disease, and how to answer client questions about HIV and HIV prevention. There are now 1,500 hairdressers that are part of the peer education network in Zimbabwe and are also the subject of a short film produced by DFID, Braids not AIDS.

“Hairdressing salons across the world are known as places of straight-talking advice, and these Zimbabwean hairdressers are doing a great job at stopping the rise of HIV and AIDS,” said UK Minister for International Development Mike Foster. “Thanks in part to them telling their customers about the importance of safe sex, there has been a sharp drop in the number of new HIV infections in Zimbabwe.”

In addition to the salons, Messing also visited a male circumcision pilot clinic in Harare, which has already shown promising and impressive results. Male circumcision is more effective at reducing HIV infections than any vaccine currently in development. In collaboration with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and funding from DFID and USAID, PSI has trained 120 health care workers in male circumcision delivery and helped them perform the procedure on more than 2,500 men who had requested the operation. Following that visit, Messing went to PSI’s New Start center for HIV testing and counseling, talking with individuals and couples who were being tested before choosing to undergo the HIV test herself.

Messing returns to the United States early next week to raise awareness about the need for additional support to further reduce HIV rates in Zimbabwe and, more specifically, Messing will urge for scale up of male circumcision; for reduction in concurrent sexual partnerships – a key driver in HIV transmission in Zimbabwe – and to encourage testing and counseling and post-test support services.

I’ve added some great pictures of Debra visting members of the gay community in Harare yesterday.

I’ve added some new HQ promotional stills from Mothman Prophecies and McHale’s Navy.

The Emmy Award winning actress and Population Services International (PSI) Ambassador, Debra Messing, will grace this year’s annual Auxillia Chimusoro HIV and AIDS Awards which are scheduled to be held in Harare on December 10.

“I am honored to be invited to speak at the Auxillia Chimusoro Awards ceremony, honoring Auxillia’s legacy and recognizing those making such direct progress against this devastating disease,” said Messing who is arriving in the country next week. “USAID’s ongoing support has made such success possible and I’m grateful to them for their commitment, generosity, and partnership.”

While in Zimbabwe, Messing will take the opportunity to visit a variety of HIV prevention and treatment programmes and will meet with local officials and researchers.

The awards, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrate organisations and individuals who have demonstrated commitment and courage in breaking the silence around the infection, reducing stigma and discrimination, and caring for infected and affected people.

The awards are named after Auxillia Chimusoro, one of the first people in Zimbabwe to openly disclose their HIV positive status in 1987 when the disease was shrouded in silence.

“We are excited to have Debra Messing speak to Zimbabwean HIV and AIDS activists during the Auxillia Chimusoro Awards,” says Tim Gerhardson, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Harare. “The fight against AIDS is a central piece of the foreign policy and global health agenda outlined by the United States. Artists can play an important role in both spreading the message and fundraising, which makes Messing’s experience with PSI a positive model for all Zimbabweans.”

Internationally, Messing is best known for her role on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning comedy series “Will & Grace.” She captivated television audiences worldwide for eight seasons with her comedic brilliance as Grace Adler. For her work on the popular sitcom, Messing won the 2003 Emmy Award and has earned numerous accolades, including several Golden Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild nominations. In 2001, Messing collected the TV Guide’s Actress of the Year in a Comedy Series honor and was awarded a Screen Actors Guild award with the cast of “Will & Grace.”

She also portrayed Mary Magdalene in the four-hour CBS miniseries, “Jesus,” and starred in the USA miniseries “The Starter Wife” with Joe Mantegna. Messing’s recent film work includes several romantic comedies, including The Wedding Date, box office hit Along Came Polly, with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston, and The Women, alongside Annette Benning and Meg Ryan.

Added some movie stills and on set pictures from Hollywood Ending. Thanks to Sam for some of these.

I’ve added some pictures of Debra at LA Healing and Wellness Kit Service Event earlier this month, thanks to A-M for pointing me to the pictures.

Added another video of Debra on Sesame Street, where she explains the meaning of “nature”.

Over the past 15 years, stylist James Corbett has not only amassed an impressive list of celebrity clients, but he’s also trained with the best in the industry, including Beth Minardi, Warren Tricomi, and José Eber. Two years ago, he opened his own shop, the James Corbett Studio in New York, and now, he has some great ideas for fabulous hair color this season. You’ve already seen a few haircut trends for Fall, and now, it’s all about perking your locks up with the right hues.

“Few ever remember Debra Messing as a brunette, and now she always wears her signature red,” Corbett says. Can you imagine her any other way? “Most importantly — and above trends — the color needs to suit the person,” he adds.

You can watch a promo video of the 40th season of ‘Sesame Street’ featuring Debra Messing among others.