An eight-hour global music event called "One World: Together at Home" got underway on Saturday with celebrities performing from their homes in support of health workers.

The online party, which was backed by the international advocacy organization Global Citizen in partnership with the World Health Organization, kicked off with a six-hour preshow, with stars across the globe making appearances via video from their homes, that segued into a two-hour concert broadcast.

The two-hour prime time event was rife with A-listers, including Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. It began at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time (0000 GMT Sunday).

Global Citizen intends for the event, which is not a fundraiser, to both entertain and act as a "rallying cry" to support health workers and action for charities on a local level, after raising 35 million U.S. dollars to help fight the coronavirus. 

"Let's remind ourselves here in these trying times there is still so much kindness, hope and joy in the world," said actor Matthew McConaughey, who was among the celebrities who participated in the show. 

Chinese musician Lang Lang, singer Eason Chan and Jacky Cheung also joined the global concert. "We both know music is without borders, so I do think good music can unite the world and give people power," said Lang.

In addition to celebrity appearances, the streamed show highlighted the efforts of essential workers worldwide, including medical personnel and those delivering food and sanitary products to vulnerable populations. 

Dressed in scrubs, hospital worker Aisha al Muntheri spoke from Paris to say she was proud to serve "on the front lines with my colleagues."

"It's part of our value in medicine to serve humanity," she said.  

"The humanity is our common language." 

(With input from AFP)