Jared Leto Leads Silence for Typhoon Haiyan Victims

Jared Leto led a minute's silence at the MTV EMAs for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

The rocker - whose band 30 Seconds To Mars won the award for Best Alternative act - asked for the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam to be quiet for 60 seconds in remembrance of the estimated 10,000 people killed by the devastating storm which swept across the islands on Friday.

"If we can be part of the solution rather than the problem then that's a wonderful thing and there's a terrible tragedy just affected a great number of people, many people have died, many people are displaced and they are in turmoil right now. So as we celebrate in one part of the world its completely legitimate and appropriate to send an acknowledgement their way. We're in a very fortunate situation right now and the tables can be turned very quickly."

When asked if there should be a benefit for those affected, he added, "I'm not in charge of anything, but if I had my way of course. You help if you can. Obviously we are fortunate to be here and not in some incredible giant storm that's gonna rip our houses and lives away from us. It's nice when people do that, it's solidarity."

Jared Leto Doesn’t Want to Be Your Role Model

Jared Leto insists that he isn’t a role model to his fans - and doesn’t want to be.

The musician-and-actor thinks it’s absurd that artists are automatically expected to set standards for their young followers and he insists he doesn’t feel any pressure to behave in a certain way. Instead, he thinks it should be enough for his fans to be inspired by the success he and his brother Shannon Leto have achieved with their band 30 Seconds to Mars, despite their poor upbringing.

“I can do whatever the f**k I want. I have no responsibility to uphold an image. I don’t subscribe to the notion the artist is a role model by default. Look to the idea that you could be a poor white-trash kid and along with your brother put one foot in front of the other and make your dream come true. That’s the lesson. It’s not if I failed here and there with my life, or made mistakes. To have to keep secrets would be pointless.”

Although he spends a lot of time with his brother on the road, he insists they have a fantastic relationship, unlike other music-making siblings. “It’s not an Oasis situation, it’s great! Me and my brother were just two poor, white-trash kids from Louisiana and clawed our way up the muddy banks of the Mississippi with food stamps in one hand and our instruments in the other,” Jared, 38, explained to Elle.