CNN Heroes Tomorrow

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'CNN Heroes': Go Behind the Scenes with Anderson Cooper (EXCLUSIVE)

by Crystal Bell , posted Dec 10th 2011 12:40PM

Most televised award shows celebrate accomplished actors and performers, but for one very special night, CNN will honor everyday people, who are making extraordinary strides in their communities to make the world a better place, during their fifth annual 'CNN Heroes' broadcast.

"I've never gone through a whole show without tearing up backstage somewhere," host Anderson Cooper revealed in this exclusive behind the scenes clip. "When you tune in to watch 'Heroes,' you really are transported and transformed in a way."

Joining Cooper will be 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 13 winner, J.R. Martinez, who will co-host the pre-show of 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute' on Dec. 11. Before joining the cast of ABC's 'All My Children,' Martinez, an United States Army infantryman, was badly injured when his Humvee truck ran over a landmine in Iraq. He suffered a coma and intense burns on over 40 percent of his body, lost most of the hair on his head and one of his ears.

Following his accident, Martinez spent over two years in the hospital, undergoing 33 surgeries in just 34 months, including skin grafts and tissue expansions, to repair the damage to his body.

Participating in this year's tribute include comedians Jerry Seinfeld and George Lopez; actors J.R. Martinez and Chris Colfer; musicians Ice Cube and will.i.am; model Christy Turlington Burns; former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner; and actresses Laura Dern, Mary-Louise Parker and Sofia Vergara. In addition, Kid Rock will perform his song 'Care,' while Miley Cyrus will perform her multi-platinum hit ballad, 'The Climb.'

Go behind the scenes with Anderson Cooper as he explains the ups and downs of hosting a live show, in the clip below. 'CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute,' will air on Dec. 11 at 8PM ET on CNN.