Celebrity Speaker Secrets

Celebrity speaker secrets: Matthew McConaughey's big money fee from UH isn't shocking — it's standard

Back in January, the University of Houston announced that actor Matthew McConaughey would address graduating students at the school's spring commencement ceremonies in May to great fanfare.

After keeping silent about the fee McConaughey was to receive for the speech — in spite of inquiries from numerous media outlets over the past few months — UH has finally revealed that the Academy Award winner will be paid $135,000 for his speech and the university would also cover the Austin native's travel costs.

UH officials say McConaughey will donate the money to the Just Keep Livin Foundation, a nonprofit founded by the actor and his wife that is dedicated to empowering high school students. The foundation serves more than 2,000 students at 24 programs in California, Texas, Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

The booking agency which helped UH decide on McConaughey, Celebrity Talent International, initially asked UH to keep the actor's pay a secret. The agency argued that if the university told the public how much it plans to pay McConaughey, a "reporter or someone" might create "unfair negatives online," according to the Chronicle.

While McConaughey's fee may seem exorbitant, universities regularly spend big money to draw A-list speakers.

The school will also pay the booking agency $20,250 — 15 percent of McConaughey's fee — even though the agency has no apparent ties to the actor and does not represent him.

UH will pay McConaughey with revenue generated by its continuing education program, which offers certificate programs, online courses, workshops and more to non-UH students.

Almost 5,000 students will attend the May 15 ceremony at the school's new TDECU Stadium.

While McConaughey's fee may seem exorbitant, universities regularly spend big money to draw A-list speakers.

Last June, students at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas held protests following the school's announcement that the institution planned to pay Hillary Clinton $225,000 to speak at an invitation-only event.

According to Bloomberg News, California universities paid more than $7.5 million for speeches and performances between 2012 and 2014. Fees included $110,000 to singer Tony Bennett and $75,000 to actor William Shatner.

McConaughey's alma mater, The University of Texas at Austin, does not pay commencement speakers.

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Flood Relief News

Houston company gives back with free cleanings for Hill County families

Photo courtesy of Cotton Holdings

Cotton Holdings Restoration Station team helping residents in Central Texas.

Cotton Holdings, a Houston-based disaster relief company, has been on the ground daily in Central Texas since the July 4 floods, clearing debris and cleaning up spaces. The company has deployed two "Restoration Station" vans, fully equipped with cleaning teams and professional-grade supplies, to help people recover and preserve their belongings.

For residents of Kerrville, Hunt, and Comfort, this service is being offered free of charge through July 19.

Residents in these areas can schedule a free two-hour appointment to have family heirlooms, jewelry, collectibles, or other keepsakes and valuables that may have been damaged by the floods professionally cleaned and restored.

The website notes that Cotton Holdings is currently only accepting "hard, nonporous items," and recommends throwing away soft belongings that were damaged in the floods. Some of the items they'll accept include:

Wood furniture
Sculptures
Mirrors
Jewelry
Dinnerware
Musical instruments
TVs
Gaming devices

Cotton Holdings item cleaning Most items can be cleaned within 15 minutes, a press release says.Photo courtesy of Cotton Holdings

Each home visit includes two hours of cleaning, plus a dedicated team member to offer emotional support, according to a press release.

"This effort aims to preserve treasured memories and renew hope within the community during this challenging time," says the release.

Aside from its work in Central Texas, Cotton Holdings has been at the forefront of disaster relief across the country since its founding in 1996. They've recently helped residents in the California wildfires and in Asheville, North Carolina, post-Hurricane Helene.

natural disaster charity free