HOLLYWOOD, California (CNN) -- Singer Christina Aguilera joins fellow Grammy Award winners Alicia Keys and John Legend for "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute," airing Thanksgiving night on CNN.



Christina Aguilera performed her hit single "Beautiful" at "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute."



The show, taped before an audience of more than 2,000 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, pays tribute to the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008.



Liz McCartney, dedicated to helping survivors of Hurricane Katrina rebuild their homes, has been named the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year.



McCartney, of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, received the honor at Saturday night's taping of "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute." The telecast airs at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Thanksgiving on the global networks of CNN.



McCartney, who will receive $100,000 to continue her work just outside New Orleans, was selected from among the top 10 CNN Heroes after six weeks of online voting at CNN.com. More than 1 million votes were cast.



"To the country and the world, I ask you to please join us," McCartney said. "Together we can continue to rebuild families' homes and lives. ... If you join us, we'll be unstoppable."



Hosted by CNN's Anderson Cooper, "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" features moving musical performances by Aguilera, Keys and Legend.  Watch a preview of the show, including Aguilera's performance »



Aguilera performed her hit single "Beautiful." Legend, backed by the world-renowned Agape Choir, brought the audience of more than 2,000 to their feet with his powerful call to personal action, "If You're Out There," from his just-released album, "Evolver." Keys sang "Superwoman," her tribute to women around the world, from her hit album "As I Am."



All three performances echoed the spirit of the CNN Heroes campaign, which salutes everyday people accomplishing extraordinary things in their communities and beyond.



"In this time of economic turmoil, it is such a relief to know that there are people like these heroes, people who care more for others than they do for themselves," Cooper said.



The top 10 CNN Heroes, chosen by a blue-ribbon panel from an initial pool of more than 3,700 viewer nominations, were each honored with a documentary tribute and introduced by a celebrity presenter. Each of the top 10 Heroes receives $25,000.  Watch a close-up look at the CNN Hero Award »



Actors Cameron Diaz, Salma Hayek, John Krasinski, Forest Whitaker, Meg Ryan, Terrence Howard, Lucy Liu, Jessica Biel, Kate Beckinsale and Selena Gomez were among the stars joining in CNN's tribute to the top 10.  See photos of the presenters »



In addition, actor Hugh Jackman presented People magazine's 2008 Heroes Among Us award to six recipients honored by the magazine.



Award-winning producer-director Joel Gallen returned to executive produce this year's program. Among his credits, Gallen produced telethon events supporting victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina, winning an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award for "America: A Tribute to Heroes."



The Kodak Theatre is best known as the first permanent home of the Academy Awards.



In addition to its airing on CNN, the second annual "CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute" will air simultaneously on CNN International and CNN en Español at 9 p.m. ET Thursday (0200 GMT Friday).



In alphabetical order, the top 10 CNN Heroes of 2008 as chosen by the blue-ribbon panel are:  Watch the members of the blue ribbon panel »



Tad Agoglia, Houston, Texas: Agoglia's First Response Team provides immediate help to areas hit by natural disasters. In a little over a year, he and his crew have helped thousands of victims at more than 15 sites across the United States, free of charge.



Yohannes Gebregeorgis, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Moved by the lack of children's books and
When does the show air? Who was the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year? When will it air globally? What did Alicia Keys win? Where is Liz from?
at 9 p.m. ET Thursday (0200 GMT Friday). Liz McCartney, 9 p.m. ET/PT on Thanksgiving Grammy Award St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana,
question: When does the show air?, answer: at 9 p.m. ET Thursday (0200 GMT Friday). | question: Who was the 2008 CNN Hero of the Year?, answer: Liz McCartney, | question: When will it air globally?, answer: 9 p.m. ET/PT on Thanksgiving | question: What did Alicia Keys win?, answer: Grammy Award | question: Where is Liz from?, answer: St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana,