Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry
BEYONCÉ RELEASES
RENAISSANCE WESTERN GLAMOUR
ICON SWIM MARVEL
DEBUTS TRAILERS FOR
‘BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER’
FRANK GRAVES
Letter From The Editor PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson BOOK EDITORS Jane Ubell-Meyer Meryl Moss ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Hailey Ashley CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alex A. Kecskes Carmelita Pittman LIFE & STYLE EDITOR Niki Shadrow Snyder niki@projectpopdrop.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rouland Medina DESIGN & PRODUCTION Denise Chavez
Welcome readers to a very special issue of Hollywood Weekly Magazine. We are honored to have the talented Frank Graves gracing our cover. In 1985 Frank Graves landed in sunny California. He originated from his hometown of Lexington, the lush Bluegrass area of Kentucky, also known as the “Horse Capital of the World.” His humble musical beginnings originated at the Pilgrim Baptist Church where he became one of the lead singers for the Gospel choir. This developed into performances by the choir to travel from Lexington to other churches over the years. We are also pround to have the marvelous Melba Moore who rode the music charts in the 80s now demonstrates that staying power has never gone out of style. Enjoy!
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VENICE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2022
POSTER AND OPENING SEQUENCE FOR THE BIENNALE CINEMA 2022 A LIONESS WITH CLASSICAL GRACE TO CELEBRATE THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIENNALE CINEMA ITALIAN ILLUSTRATOR and artist Lorenzo Mattotti is, for the fifth consecutive year, the author of the image for the official poster, and for the fourth year, of the opening sequence for the Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia. The image chosen for the poster this year depicts “a Lioness gliding through the air offering us this anniversary – the 90th, explains Lorenzo Mattotti – It has been 90 years since the first Venice International Film Festival and for this reason we wanted the image to be classical in style, just as the choice of a gold background was equally classical. The colour gold is also a reference to the posters of the early decades of the twentieth century. The Venice International Film Festival has always been classical, but provocative as well. Here the Lion, symbol of power and strength, has been transformed into a Lioness who embodies elegance and creativity. After 90 years, the Lion of
Venice, symbol of the Film Festival, has become a Lioness who flies through history with grace and energy, as a symbol of hope, a rejection of aggression and ferocity”. Lorenzo Mattotti lives and works in Paris. He began his career in the late 1970s as a comic artist and in the early 1980s founded the Valvoline group with other illustrators. In 1984 he created Fuochi, which was greeted as an event in the world of comic art, and won important international awards. In cinema, he collaborated in 2004 on Eros by Wong Kar-Wai, Steven Soderbergh and Michelangelo Antonioni, and was responsible for the presentation segments of each episode. He was a creative consultant for Pinocchio by Enzo D'Alò. In Incidenti, Signor Spartaco, Doctor Nefasto, L'uomo alla finestra and many more books, all the way to Stigmate published in Italy by Einaudi, Mattotti's work has evolved following an extremely coherent constant. Today his books
are translated around the world. He publishes in newspapers and magazines such as The New Yorker, Le Monde, Das Magazin, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Nouvel Observateur, Corriere della Sera and la Repubblica. He has illustrated many books for children including Pinocchio and Eugenio, which won the Grand Prix in Bratislava in 1993. He has held many solo exhibitions including an anthological exhibition at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome, at the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem and at the Musei di Porta Romana. He creates posters, covers, advertising campaigns and is the author of the Cannes 2000 poster and the posters for the Estate Romana festival. In May 2019, he presented to great acclaim in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival, his first animated feature-length film as author and director, titled La famosa invasione degli orsi in Sicilia (The Bears' Famous Invasion of Sicily) inspired by the fable/ apologue by Dino Buzzati. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 5
BEYONCÉ RELEASES RENAISSANCE THE SEVENTH STUDIO ALBUM IS NOW AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON ALL MAJOR STREAMING PLATFORMS FROM HER own label Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, RENAISSANCE arrives six years after the globally lauded LEMONADE was released in 2016 as a complete surprise. The originator of the visual album format, and the preeminent visual artist, decided to lead without visuals giving fans the opportunity to be limitless in their expansive listening journey. It is a chance again to be listeners and not viewers, while taking in every gem of the pristine production. While "Break My Soul," the first single, arrived with a minimal atureshifting move from the artist who has defined an era with reinvention. RENAISSANCE has been the most anticipated album of the year as Beyoncé shifted gears and notified her fans of new music on June 15 through an update in her bio on her social handles, "act i RENAISSANCE July 29." She continued the unconventional rollout with the release of the album's first single, "Break My Soul," which arrived at Midnight on the summer solstice. Instantly addicting with a pulsating beat, with lyrics that urge listeners to claim joy and to "release the wiggle." The single, a worldwide hit, has been called the song of the summer and an anthem for this generation. Packed with rousing anthems that resonate with everybody, RENAISSANCE is a culmination of freedom and escape that encourages unimaginable jubilation, agency, and movement with abandon. The singular intent of RENAISSANCE, a reinvention of four on the floor, is to showcase music that stirs you from the soul and encourages your dancing feet. It is a celebration of a club era when anyone who felt like an outsider sought each other 6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
and formed a community of freedom-seekers to express themselves creatively through the rhythm, which we still celebrate today. Welcome to CLUB RENAISSANCE. The magic of RENAISSANCE is also in Beyoncé's soaring vocals, rich, soulful, at times vulnerable and laden with passion and purpose in what could only be described as "SANGING." And it expands over memorable lyrics that are bold, heartened, urgent and categorically timely. While the visuals are scheduled for a later date, the album comes with a robust menu of formats giving music fans and collectors plenty to choose. The music store on Beyoncé's website offers album merch and multiple configurations of RENAISSANCE, listing a CD, digital album, a limited-edition vinyl, launch with a bit of her signature mystery, that is now sold out, and four box sets, Pose 1 to 4, which include a t-shirt and CD in a special box, also all sold out, before fans were given the descriptions of the content. The breakout single, "Break My Soul," comes as a digital single and is also available in a capella and instrumental versions. With the album release also comes a deluxe vinyl. It includes two black vinyl LPs, a 36-page booklet, and a folded collectable (24"x 36") poster. The full shopping experience is here. Beyoncé recorded the album over the course of the pandemic, almost three years in the works, and states that the
RENAISSANCE Album Cover. Photo by Carlijn Jacobs.
stillness of that time allowed her to tap into her most creative self. "Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world," says Beyoncé. "It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration." With a squad of prolific collaborators, including The-Dream, Nile Rodgers, NOVA, NO ID, Raphael Saadiq, Mike Dean, Honey Dijon, Chris Penny, Luke Solomon, Skrillex, Beam, Big Freedia, Grace Jones and Tems, Beyoncé set out "to reinvent music again," as described by The Times of London. RENAISSANCE: A revival of or renewed interest in something. Let the renaissance begin. SOURCE: PRNewswire/Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
THE WEEKND AFTER HOURS TIL DAWN TOUR 2022 THE AFTER Hours Til Dawn stadium tour kicked off up north in The Weeknd’s hometown of Toronto last July 8th at the Rogers Centre, with stops at iconic U.S. stadiums including MetLife Stadium in New York City, Soldier Field in Chicago, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and more, before wrapping Friday, September 2nd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The tour is produced by Live Nation. This is the first leg of The Weeknd’s massive world tour, with additional dates in Mexico, South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa & Middle East to be announced soon. Tickets for the North American dates go on sale via TheWeeknd.com/tour. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting global hunger, has partnered with its Goodwill Ambassador Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye to launch the XO HUMANITARIAN FUND to which he is contributing $1 from each ticket sold in North America from this highly anticipated tour. The Weeknd will also make a donation of $500,000 and $1 million will be contributed by
World Food Program USA to the fund. Fueled by his passion to help those in need, the multi-platinum and diamond certified global superstar established this fund to support the U.N. World Food Programme’s critical food assistance to communities on the brink of starvation, in countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar and Yemen. The Fund is administered by World Food Program USA. This 2022 tour marks the first time The Weeknd will be touring his mammoth album After Hours (it’s hit single “Blinding Lights” was named the
new No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 song of all time, surpassing Chubby Checker’s 1960 hit “The Twist”) as well as the recently released and highly critically acclaimed album DAWN FM. The tour will see his most ambitious production to date reflecting the creative journey that continues to unfold for both these albums, creating worlds within worlds as we have all been watching unfold in various television performances, music videos and short films bringing these first two pieces of his trilogy to life.
BINO RIDEAUX ’S SORRY 4 THA WAIT II, NOW AVAILABLE VIA DEF JAM RECORDINGS BINO RIDEAUX, the South Central L.A. rapper and Nipsey Hussle protege who has become an essential voice for West Coast hip-hop, today releases SORRY 4 THA WAIT II, his new project via Def Jam Recordings. S4TWII is the follow up to Bino Rideaux’s 2019 mixtape SORRY 4 THA WAIT. S4TWII includes the standout single + video “Outta Line”featuring longtime collaborator Ty Dolla $ign, as well as star-studded features by Drakeo, Roddy Ricch and more. With his one-two punch of laidback flows and hypnotic melodies that have amassed over a quarter-billion streams and nearly a half-million followers, 29-year-old Bino Rideaux has not-soquietly been shaping the next era of West Coast hip-hop. His seven year journey to the top tier crystalized during 2021, with a non-stop string of single + video releases that started in June with “Got To Know
It,” which was featured in the Def Jam podcast, Here Comes the Break. After first teaming up with fellow 21st century West Coast force of nature BLXST for the critically acclaimed Sixtape in 2019, the pair returned in 2021 with Sixtape 2, which spun off the “Pop Out” single + video in July. It was the prelude to Bino’s 6-week, 18-city “On My Soul” fall
tour of North America (with special guests BlueBuck$Clan and Coot Corleone), every date sold-out in advance record time. The “On My Soul” tour kicked off in September with a two-night hometown stand at The Novo in downtown Los Angeles. That same weekend, Bino dropped a new single + video, “No Makeup” featuring King Combs. Pegged as one of Rolling Stone’s “Breakthrough 25,” Billboard championed Bino in its tally of “6 LA Rappers to Watch in 2021” and went on to describe him as “the brightest star to emerge from that orbit.” Meanwhile, KAZI christened him “one of the West Coast’s most exciting new talents.” With the release of his upcoming project, SORRY 4 THA WAIT II,Bino Rideaux has clearly come a long way since his first indie project back in 2015, Life Is Like A Movie, recorded out of a D.I.Y. studio in his grandmother’s house. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 7
Marvel Debuts Trailers for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
Beast
SOMETIMES THE rustle in the bushes actually is a monster. Idris Elba (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, The Suicide Squad) stars in a pulse-pounding new thriller about a father and his two teenage daughters who find themselves hunted by a massive rogue lion intent on proving that the savannah has but one apex predator. Elba plays Dr. Nate Daniels, a recently widowed husband who returns to South Africa, where he first met his wife, on a longplanned trip with their daughters to a game reserve managed by Martin Battles (Sharlto Copley, Russian Doll series, Maleficent), an old family friend and wildlife biologist. But what begins as a journey of healing jolts into a fearsome fight for survival when a lion, a survivor of blood-thirsty poachers who now sees all humans as the enemy, begins stalking them. Iyana Halley (The Hate U Give, This is Us series) plays Daniels’ 18-year-old daughter, Meredith, and Leah Sava Jeffries (Rel series, Empire series) plays his 13-year-old, Norah. From visceral, experiential filmmaker Baltasar Kormákur, the director of Everest and Universal Pictures’ 2 Guns and Contraband, Beast is produced by Will Packer, the blockbuster producer of Girls Trip, the Ride Along franchise, and ten movies that have opened No. 1 at the U.S. box office, including Night School, No Good Deed and Think Like a Man, by James Lopez, president of Will Packer Productions, and by Baltasar Kormákur. The film is written by Ryan Engle (Rampage, Non-Stop) from an original story by Jaime Primak Sullivan and is executive produced by Jaime Primak Sullivan and Bernard Bellew. IN THEATERS AUGUST 19, 2022. 8 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
BLACK PANTHER: Wakanda Forever capped San Diego ComicCon presentation to thunderous roars and applause, beginning with a live performance by Baaba Maal (vocals), Massamba Diop (tama), dancers, and drummers. Feige was joined on stage by director Ryan Coogler and cast members Mabel Cadena, Michaela Cole, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta, Florence Kasumba, Alex Livinalli, Lupita Nyong’o, Dominique Thorne, and Letitia Wright for a Q&A and first look at the film’s first trailer (above). In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Wright), M’Baku (Duke), Okoye (Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. The film introduces Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation. Feige also announced Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will end Phase 4 and open in U.S. theaters on November 11, 2022.
Milestone Generations
DOCUMENTARY FILM NOW AVAILABLE AT HBO MAX AT THE San Diego Comic-Con as a part of DC’s Jim Lee and Friends panel, Milestone co-founder Denys Cowan and DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee announced the forthcoming documentary MILESTONE GENERATIONS, a film directed by Justice A. Whitaker. The film is available now to stream on HBO Max. An extended trailer for the film was debuted exclusively to Comic-Con audiences and can be found here. Narrated by award winning actor and musician Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith, MILESTONE GENERATIONS chronicles the relaunch of Milestone Comics and Milestone Media’s mission to address not only the lack of superheroes of color in comics, but also the lack of storytellers of color creating the content. Milestone Media – co-founded in 1993 by artist Denys Cowan, writers Dwayne McDuffie and Michael T. Davis and Black Enterprise EVP/Chief Content Officer Derek T. Dingle – collaborated with DC to create the fictional city of Dakota, and some of the most unique and innovative characters in comics, such as Static, Icon, Hardware, Blood Syndicate and more. Last year Cowan, alongside Milestone Media partner and awardwinning producer Reginald Hudlin, relaunched Milestone Comics with DC to continue the Milestone mission in the future. The film examines the founders’ trajectory throughout the last 30 years, detailing their unwavering commitment, passion and perseverance to rise to the top of the comic book industry as black creators. With tenacity and dynamic artistic expression, the creators of Milestone Media continue to influence culture and ignite revolutionary change through characters that reflect the lived, black experience.
MILESTONE GENERATIONS connects to the present industry need to identify, support and elevate emerging diverse writers and artists within the comic book world, highlighting The Milestone Initiative, a program from DC, Milestone Media, Warner Bros. Discovery and Ally that aims to empower the next generation of Black and diverse comic book creators. Cartoonist and writer Ivan Velez Jr. ("Tales of the Closet,” Blood Syndicate," “Ballad of Wham Kabam”); DC Publisher and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee; writer and widow of Dwayne McDuffie, Charlotte (Fullerton) McDuffie; DC Senior Art Director Curtis King Jr.; voice actor Phil LaMarr ("Static Shock!," "Justice League," "Justice League Unlimited," "Samurai Jack"); former DC President and Publisher Paul Levitz; journalist and author Angélique Roché (“My Super Hero is Black”); Milestone Media artist and color editor Jason Scott Jones; and filmmaker and author Dr. Sheena Howard (“Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation”) are among those interviewed for the project. The film was produced by Courageous Studios – working with DC and Ally, the presenting sponsor – and was directed by Justice A. Whitaker (“Restrictions Apply”/Vice News, Untitled Full Circle Documentary/WestBrook Studios). HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 9
ROUNDUP
MUSIC
ENCUENTROS LA 2022 THE DUDAMEL FOUNDATION AND THE LA PHIL CO-PRESENT ENCUENTROS LA 2022 SUMMER MUSIC EDUCATION AND GLOBAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS UNDER THE leadership of Gustavo Dudamel and María Valverde, the Dudamel Foundation and the LA Phil will co-present Encuentros LA 2022, their first Encuentros (Encounters) in the United States, July 19–August 5, 2022. Encuentros is a global music education program that explores cultural unity and celebrates harmony, equality, dignity, beauty and respect through music, with the goal of inspiring and teaching a new generation of young leaders to work toward building a better world. The young musicians will also participate in community initiatives, mentorship opportunities with the YOLA National Festival and projects throughout Los Angeles, culminating with concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and UC Berkeley. In honor of the Hollywood Bowl’s first 100 seasons, over 100 top-tier young musicians (ages 18–26) from the Americas and around the world—from 34 youth orchestra and El Sistema-inspired programs in 22 countries—will work sideby-side in the Encuentros Orchestra. Capping the two-week orchestral training festival, Gustavo Dudamel, the Encuentros Orchestra including members of YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) are joined by multi-Grammywinning vocalist, bassist and composer esperanza spalding—who recently took home a 2022 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Celebrating the next generation of arts leaders, Musical Encounters with Dudamel and esperanza spalding will include a world premiere LA Phil commission by award-winning composer and El Sistema alum Giancarlo Castro D’Addona, concerts at the Hollywood Bowl on August 2, 2022, and in partnership with Cal Performances at UC Berkeley’s William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre on August 4, 2022. 10 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
LA Phil Chief Executive Officer and David C. Bohnett Chief Executive Officer Chair Chad Smith said, “When Gustavo first joined us more than a decade ago, we never could have predicted that YOLA, the seed he planted at the EXPO Center in South LA with just 80 students, would blossom into this—a completely interconnected and global expression of our shared values of access, inclusion and the sheer power of music to transform the lives of individuals and communities. Every aspect of our organization, from YOLA to YOLA National to our Dudamel Conducting Fellows to our musicians and audiences, is engaged in Encuentros LA
2022, and we couldn’t be more excited to see it all come together on the Hollywood Bowl stage.” During the intensive orchestral global leadership and music training program, workshops and rehearsals will be conducted by Dudamel and LA Phil Dudamel conducting fellows with additional sectionals and masterclasses led by a faculty of musicians from the LA Phil and guest artists from top orchestras from around the globe, including the Berliner Philharmoniker, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Opéra National de Paris, Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta
ROUNDUP
MUSIC Sinfónica Nacional de Chile and SWR Symphonieorchester Stuttgart. LA Phil Music & Artistic Director and Dudamel Foundation Co-Chair Gustavo Dudamel explained, “I have always believed that every child should be given the opportunity to learn at the highest level. And so it is a dream for María and me to be able to create this beautiful Encuentros, where talented young musicians from around the world get the chance to work with some of the most incredible artists in our field. We are trying to build a community together, founded on empathy, discipline, respect and inclusion.” Dudamel Foundation Co-Chair María Valverde added, “This shared experience is not just about making music, it is the cultural, social and spiritual act of creation. Sharing conversations and experiences with these incredible role models will offer all of us a space to experiment and to grow, and together we hope to inspire the leaders of a new generation to build a better world together.” Career training sessions on leadership and social change will explore the power and use of language, how to leverage social and digital media to share stories, and audience education around diversity of experience, and create pathways for a mission-driven career in music. Small group and one-on-one meetings will encourage shared learning and career training for young musicians to delve into a range of important issues: portfolio development, arts management, communications and public relations, and interviewing skills and networking. Focusing on the idea of reciprocal mentorship, each of the Dudamel Foundation artists will be paired with YOLA National students who will serve as mentors, role models and peers. In turn, each of the Dudamel Foundation artists will be mentored by world class teaching artists from the LA Phil and around the world. Cultural exchange and dialogue will be encouraged through a series of public and private talks and discussions hosted by friends and colleagues, with additional details to be announced. The Encuentros Festival is supported by Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen.
Boyz II Men
Ricky Martin
Pentatonix
Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina
TLC
A Summer of Stars at the hollywood bowl
MANY OF the biggest names in entertainment are scheduled to appear at the Hollywood Bowl during its centennial season. The historic line-up will include Kenny Loggins with Jim Messina (July 15-16), Ricky Martin with the LA Phil and Gustavo Dudamel (July 22-23), Boyz II Men and TLC (July 29), John Fogerty (July 30), a-ha with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins (July 31), Sheryl Crow and Keb’ Mo’ (August 3), The Gipsy Kings featuring Nicolas Reyes (August 19-20), Diana Ross (August 26-27), Duran Duran with fireworks (September 9, 10 and 11), Pink Martini (September 14), Lang Lang (September 15), Grace Jones and CHVRCHES (September 25) and Pentatonix (September 29). HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 11
ROUNDUP
TV & FILM
DC League of Super-Pets SUPER HEROES FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS FIGHTS CRIME IN THE METROPOLIS
DWAYNE JOHNSON stars as the voice of Krypto the Super-Dog in Warner Bros. Pictures’ animated action adventure feature film “DC League of Super-Pets,” from director Jared Stern. The film also stars the voices of Kevin Hart (the “Jumanji” and “Secret Life of Pets” films), Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live,” the “Magic School Bus Rides Again” films, “Ferdinand”), John Krasinski (the “Quiet Place” films, “Free Guy”), Vanessa Bayer (“Saturday Night Live,” “Office Christmas Party,” “Trainwreck”), Natasha Lyonne (“Show Dogs,” “Ballmastrz 9009”), Diego Luna (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Maya and the Three”), Marc Maron (“Joker,” “GLOW”), Thomas Middleditch (“Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie”), Ben Schwartz (“Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Duck Tales”), and Keanu Reeves (the “Matrix” and “John Wick” films). In “DC League of Super-Pets,” Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing 12 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the
turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the superheroes. Stern, a veteran writer/consultant on the “LEGO®” movies, makes his animated feature film directorial debut, directing from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator John Photo by Giles from Keyte Whittington, based on characters DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is produced by Patricia Hicks, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Jared Stern. The executive producers are John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Nicholas Stoller, Allison Abbate, Chris Leahy, Sharon Taylor and Courtenay Valenti. Stern’s creative team includes production designer Kim Taylor (“The LEGO® Ninjago Movie”) and editors David Egan (“Game Night,” “Vacation”) and Jhoanne Reyes (“Teen Titans GO!” “Young Justice”). The music is by Steve Jablonsky (the “Transformers” films). Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A Seven Bucks Production, “DC League of SuperPets.” The film will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures in theaters beginning July 2022.
ROUNDUP
TV & FILM
Easter Sunday STAND-UP COMEDY sensation Jo Koy (Jo Koy: In His Elements, Jo Koy: Comin’ in Hot) stars as a man returning home for an Easter celebration with his riotous, bickering, eating, drinking, laughing, loving family, in this love letter to his Filipino-American community. Easter Sunday features an all-star comedic cast that includes Jimmy O. Yang (Silicon Valley series), Tia Carrere (True Lies, Wayne’s World films), Brandon Wardell (Curb Your Enthusiasm series), Tony nominee Eva Noblezada (Broadway’s Hadestown), Lydia Gaston (Broadway’s The King and I), Asif Ali (WandaVision), Rodney To (Parks and
Recreation series), Eugene Cordero (The Good Place series), Jay Chandrasekhar (I Love You, Man), Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip) and Lou Diamond Phillips (Courage Under Fire). Easter Sunday, from DreamWorks Pictures, is directed by Jay Chandrasekhar (Super Troopers, The Dukes of Hazzard), from a script by Ken Cheng (series Wilfred, Betas). The film is produced by Rideback’s Dan Lin (The Lego Movie franchise, It franchise) and Jonathan Eirich (Aladdin, The Two Popes), and is executive produced by Jo Koy, Jessica Gao, Jimmy O. Yang, Ken Cheng, Joe Meloche,
Nick Reynolds and Seth William Meier. The film will be distributed by Universal Pictures domestically. Amblin Partners and Universal will share international distribution rights. Easter Sunday will be in theaters August 5, 2022.
Season Two Of HBO Drama Series 'INDUSTRY Debuts AugusT THE EIGHT-EPISODE second season of HBO drama series INDUSTRY debuts on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max in August. INDUSTRY gives an insider's view of the blackbox of high finance following a group of young bankers as they forge their identities within the pressure cooker environment and sex and drug fueled blitz of international bank Pierpoint & Co's London office. In Season 2, our grads are no longer allowed to hide behind their graduate status. The market is ripping, and Pierpoint's back to work or else mandate has the trading floor more charged up and paranoid than ever. New U.S. management will be gasoline on the flames - an injection of cross Atlantic energy that lights a fire under each and every employee. Now
Harper (Herrold), Yasmin (Abela) and Robert (Lawtey) must drive new business and make new alliances both in and out of the office as Pierpoint and its junior bankers seek to take every advantage in a post-COVID world. After almost all secured positions at Pierpoint & Co., season two of INDUSTRY picks up a year after the height of the pandemic and stars returning “Graduates” Myha’la Herrold (“Bodies, Bodies, Bodies”) as Harper Stern, Marisa Abela (“Cobra”) as Yasmin Kara-Hanani, Harry Lawtey (“The Pale Blue Eye”) as Robert Spearing, and David Jonsson (“Deep State”) as Gus Sackey; and “Management” Ken Leung (“Old” and HBO’s High Maintenance”) as Eric Tao, and Conor MacNeill (“Artemis Fowl”) as Kenny Kilblane.
INDUSTRY is created, written and executive produced by Mickey Down & Konrad Kay; written and executive produced by Jami O’Brien. The series is a Bad Wolf Production for HBO/BBC and is executive produced by Jane Tranter, David P. Davis, Ryan Rasmussen, and by Ben Irving for BBC; produced by Edo Ferretti. Additional writers include Matthew Barry, Zara Meerza, Joseph Charlton and Charly Evon Simpson. Directors include Birgitte Stærmose, Isabella Eklöf and Caleb Femi. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 13
Article by Carmelita Pittman 1985 Frank Graves landed in sunny California. He originated from his hometown of Lexington, the lush Bluegrass area of Kentucky, also known as the “Horse Capital of the World.” His humble musical beginnings originated at the Pilgrim Baptist Church where he became one of the lead singers for the Gospel choir. This developed into performances by the choir to travel from Lexington to other churches over the years. His career actually began when he performed at a number of high school talent shows. The talent shows drew the participation of many aspiring youngsters who had stars in their eyes. During that time Frank played lead trombone for the Dunbar High School Bearcats. After graduating from high school, he joined the military during the Vietnam war. Upon his return from duty he became a member of the Dynamic Soul Seven. He performed with that group throughout Lexington and in Ohio as well. As fate would have it his employment moved him from Lexington, Kentucky to Lawton, Oklahoma where he became a member of the group, Slick Flame and the late Joe Tex road band. Another move came along and sent him to Waterloo, IA where he became the keyboard player for the late Jimmy Holiday, songwriter for Ray Charles, Jackie DeShannon and a number of other artists. Moving 14 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
from Waterloo, IA was when he visited Los Angeles but planted his feet squarely in Lancaster, California which he has made his home. There he became the lead singer for the 562nd USANG band and formed his own Frank Graves with “ChemistrySounds" group. Although music is his first love, being of practical mind, Frank heeded the early guidance of his parents and learned the trade of electronics during his stint at vocational school before venturing out into the musical arena. Equipped with a foundation of raw musical talent, enthusiasm, professional savvy, determination, and an attitude of gratitude, Frank has paved out a course which has propelled him on to much success in his chosen field of music. His early musical influences were the stylings of his favorite R & B recording artists such as Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklyn, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Otis Redding, Al Green. Their sounds gave him inspiration and leverage. Gospel music is also a major part of his world. As a young man with principles, he resisted the temptations waved at him by major record industry individuals. His faith gave him the ability to simply say NO. True to his own path he has managed to amass a stack of credits.
His band, “ ChemistrySounds”, consists of 3 horn players, bass guitar, 2 keyboard players, drums, 4 background singers. The number of musicians can range up to 11 in total and is always ready for the next “gig”. Some of the musicians in the band include the drummer Ronnie Kaufman, who was an original member of the GAP Band, Raymond Johnson, also a drummer, the renown Victor Orlando on percussion, Lexner Stephen on lead guitar, Grammy recipient James Lum, rhythm guitar and former player for the late James Ingram, Richard Turner Jr. on keyboards who also played for Eric Darius. In addition Ron Roseboro, bass player, formerly of Rose Royce, and Michael Hands Wilson on keyboard are members of the group. Frank met Wanda Ray Willis when they both did judging for a church event in Lancaster. He also attended her birthday party recently which included celebrities such as the legendary H.B. Barnum, who is known as a musical conductor and arranger for so many household names such as Aretha Franklyn, Frank Sinatra, Billy and Marilyn McCoo, as well as Wanda Ray Willis. Wanda is best known for her award winning tribute and portrayal of Dorothy Dandridge. She is also the chairperson of the Entertainment Industry Committee of the National Association of Equal Justice (NAEJ). HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 15
Frank is currently signed with Nikki Fuzell CEO FREELANCE ENTERTAINMENT and represented by Lori Ramos, Ella. B Management. His credits include UniSoul Records/ Uni Soul Host Reggae Mix Station. He is a member of the Grammy Recording Academy, Gospel Music Association, L.A. Music Awards, the Hollywood 360.
Motown at the Lobro in Santa Barbara, 2022, an documentary on Netflix with Claudette Robinson, who has been named “First Lady of Motown” by Berry Gordy. And his Gospel roots have produced many performances for Agape Community Church, Lancaster as well as for the Freedom Celebration Concert at the Amphitheater, Palmdale.
The military has played a major role in the life of Frank Graves. Or shall we say he has played a major role in the life of the military. He has served in several branches including the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Air National Guard. He served in the Navy during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. He put his talent to service as well by entertaining the troops and tourists in the Persian Gulf during USO shows aboard the cruise ship, Cunard Princess. His outstanding performances as a solo artist earned him the Gold Plate Award. During the past 12 years of service he was the lead vocalist for the 562nd Air National Guard Band of the Southwest, Channel Islands, California.
The accumulated combination of his R & B, Gospel, Blues performances have delighted audiences several years at various venues up and down the West coast. He has performed alongside such greats as the O’Jays, and for Mr. Stevie Wonder Humanitarian Foundation Concert, L.A. His efforts have been rewarded with musical awards. Frank continues to use his music as a vehicle to drive home love and peace amongst all peoples of the world.
The theatre also beckoned and Frank studied. On stage he performed in the Shakespeare Festival as the Mandarin singer, was in “Exonerated” for the 13th Annual Cultural Historical and Educational Award show. (2006) His numerous performances cover Magical
FOR BOOKINGS Alton Garrett Management Group, LLC 909-725-4525 Email: garrettalton23@yahoo.com Frank Graves Email: f.graves2@aol.com
Photo Credits: Cortez Media • APOK’ of GSD Entertainment • Sheryl Aronson • William Edwards Studio of Lancaster • Ella. B of Ella. B Management 16 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
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12 LGBTQIA+
CREATIVES TO KNOW
Creatively Curated brings some of the best creatives from across our community to your inbox. As Pride month draws to a close, we’re proud to spotlight the LGBTQIA+ artists in our community whose portfolios feature painting, photography, fashion design, documentaries, and more. From Keenan MacWilliams’s high-impact music videos for HAWA to Johnathan Hayden’s eyecatching original fashion prints, these creatives’ work includes visual art, experiential work, and projects that tap into the cultural zeitgeist. Scroll to connect with—and hire!—these incredibly talented LGBTQIA+ artists on Creatively.
KEENAN MACWILLIAM
Director, Creative Director, Multi-disciplinary Artist, New York, NY
ALBIE ALEXANDER
Experiential Creative Director, Los Angeles, CA
VIN SERVILLON
Visual Artist, New York, NY
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NORMA VLT
Photographer, Creative Director, Texas
ONRAÉ LATEAL
Music Producer & Creative Arts Educator, Washington, D.C.
JORGE "GITOO" WRIGHT
Multi-hyphenate Creative, New York, NY
LAKIESHA HERMAN
Designer, Strategist, Creative Director, NY & LA
JACOB HICKS
Painter, Art Educator, Midland, TX
CRYSTAL ANDERSON
Experiential Producer, Creative Director, NY & LA
ASHLEY OSBORN
Photographer, Los Angeles, CA
JOHNATHAN HAYDEN Fashion Designer, New York, NY
CHARLES NICOLA
Fashion Stylist, New York, NY
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The Marvelous
MELBA MOORE! She is timeless... She is unapologetic. She is marvelous.
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he marvelous Melba Moore who rode the music charts in the 80s now demonstrates that staying power has never gone out of style. After four decades of life on stage, her appeal is timeless with a new album - Imagine - which is climbing the charts. She is singing new songs today with a vocal range that has not dimmed with time. Her voice is powerful with purpose and passion. Her multi-octave vocal range continues to wow all who listen. The new album, “Imagine' --marks a return to her R&B roots. With this album, marvelous Melba Moore continues to leave nothing to the imagination because we hear her passion - clear and direct. Her conversations today reflect the struggles of many generations -- from breaking barriers to transcending the waves of time. So In Love, the first release from IMAGINE, her latest offering to the musical landscape, spent 3 weeks atop
The UK Soul Top 30 Chart in November 2021 and returned Moore to airwaves in the United States and around the globe. The world is ready for MARVELOUS MELBA! Melba Moore brings history to her new project IMAGINE and creates a relevance that we all can feel. Melba’s rich and soulful sound harkens back to her charttopping successes the 1970s and 1980s. However, “I have lots of younger people bringing me new music,” Melba says, but stands soundly on his musical history, noting that “we're the foundation of it.” “Since God has given me my good health and ability to continue to do my work, it's my privilege now to say, ‘This is where it came from, this is how it was, and I'm here to pass it on to you.’ It is not only the foundation of Afrocentric culture, but it's part of America and world history.” And Melba Moore is soundly rooted in that history!
Stepping into life - Now The Marvelous Melba Moore has been making new waves in music for some 50 years. While she set many records over the years, her music continues to win the hearts of new generations. Ms. Moore’s 1978 dance classic "You Stepped Into My Life" continues to ignite audiences. Melba is stepping into the life of new generations with her new music and climbing the charts one step at a time. TRACK LISTING OF IMAGINE 1. So In Love 2. Take Me Away 3. Can't Stop The Rain 4. Imagine 5. Since I Took My Heart Back 6. Take Her Picture Down 7. Free 8. The Highest Star 9. Joy & Pain 10. Forever
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UnFiltered Talk UnFiltered Talk is a live hosted show that openly interviews people from all areas of influence. We speak with Celebrities, Influencers, Business Leaders and people that front runners in their space who share their deepest thoughts and experiences on all things love and life! The show is sponsored by the UnFiltered dating app available in all the App stores. Meet UnFiltered. A dating app where you can love in real time. Transparency is the founding reason behind the creation of the UnFiltered Dating app. Co-Founder Butch Chelliah, believes so strongly in the importance of transparency he named the App, UnFiltered. We all live with real hopes and dreams of finding love in a world of overinflated egos and unrealistic expectations that filters provide. But it is this longing for authenticity in an unauthentic world that the creators felt the calling to create an app that is a game changer. The UnFiltered App is the only dating app on the market that only allows for real-time unfiltered profile pictures through the use of the in-app camera. There’s an ability to keep adding as many as you wish going forward, but no looking back. UnFiltered time stamps your photos which allows you to feel at ease in who you are engaging with, and you are able to love in real time.
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Meet Najah Roberts Najah Roberts is the Founder, CEO of Crypto Blockchain Plug located in Inglewood, CA. She has spent 10+ years counseling thousands of inner-city youth, business professionals, athletes, and families. She hosts her daily radio show on Tavis Smiley's KBLA 1580 Talk Radio. She is Co-Founding The Black Wall Street Wallet alongside actor Hill Harper. A highly gifted motivational speaker, educator, philanthropist, author, and leader in her community, Najah has made it her personal goal through her social influence to change narratives, raise bars, and set standards.
We talked to Najah about meeting her partner on a dating app and what that experience was like. Najah also shared in the most UnFiltered way what she was and was not willing to endure when it came down to the relationship between her partner and her kids. Her heartfelt sharing brought so much inclusion to those listening in as she spared no details in those struggles. Najah was asked to on her thoughts about “filtered” profiles as it relates to both image identity as well as personality. Listen in on the interview by following UnFiltered on Instagram @unFiltered.love
Say Hello to Elyse Cizek Elyse Cizek is a Writer, Model-Actress, Singer-Songwriter, Activist and all around inspiring human. In November 2019, she began working on a book called, “One of the Good Ones,” which will tackle the internal struggles, biases, prejudices, fears, and harsh realities of what it was like to grow up Biracial/Black. At the beginning of June 2020, Elyse began publishing articles on Medium on the topics surrounding her personal experiences with racism, White supremacy and learning to embrace her own Blackness. Midwest-raised, LA-based Elyse Cizek got her start as a singer-songwriter sneaking away into practice rooms and coffee shops to write songs about heartbreak far before the years of experience with it that she writes from today. Drawing inspiration from Cat Power, Florence Welch, and Anita Baker, Elyse’s powerhouse vocal range and poetry paint a diverse emotional landscape reminiscent of greats such as Joni Mitchell, Chan Marshall, and Fiona Apple while maintaining simplicity and intimacy that allow audiences to truly
connect to her. She has been performing in the Los Angeles area for two years and released her first EP titled “Afterlife” in September 2018, available on all streaming sites. In 2016, she released a collection of poems in a compelling book called, “Nudity”. Follow Elyse to experience her lifeforms http://instagram.com/elyse_just_elyse So, if you are looking to really date, and you’re done with Matching a few hundred, fumbling and Bumbling your way through first dates, Seeking out false Harmony or
perhaps just done with Fishing in the big sea with plenty of disappointment, then come join us at UnFiltered. Where Real People meet Real People. Join us at our UnFiltered parties too as WE are where YOU are. Follow us on our Socials for details. UnFiltered, where Real Happens!
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TRAY CHANEY
On the acting life and his role as Tango Unchained in We Need to Talk By Alex A. Kecskes
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Best known as "Poot" on HBO's original hit series The Wire, Tray Chaney began his career as a performer at the early age of four. After graduating from high school, Tray caught the acting bug and landed the role of "Poot." He then made his first movie appearance in Head of State with Chris Rock and Bernie Mac. Next came a role in The Salon starring Vivica A. Fox. Tray was also featured on The District. He later starred in Bow Wow's chart-topping video My Baby, featuring the multiplatinum group Jagged Edge. He then released his inspirational autobiography THE TRUTH YOU CAN'T BeTRAY. Tray's newest venture includes stepping into the world of music as a writer, producer, and rapper. This year, Tray stars in the film STREETS with Ving Rhames, James Woods, and Mary Louise Parker, which features Tray's original song Self Made Star. Most recently, Tray starred in and produced the love story 6Hearts 1Beat. In the comedy-drama, We Need to Talk, Tray is Tango Unchained, a gamer who advises Great Scott ( James Maslow), a self-absorbed online video-game influencer. Scott speaks to millions of fans every day, but simply can't seem to communicate with those he loves.
Thank you for taking the time for this interview. What attracted you to this film? Tray: When a friend sent me the script, I said wow, this is a story that really dives into the world of video gamers. I’ve never portrayed a character like Tango Unchained. And then you have James, Emily, my brother Jonathan Fernandez, and the other amazing actors who were attached to this film. I love the script because it’s about balance. The character Great Scott, played by James, can't separate himself from gaming and real-life—his friends and family. I wanted to be a part of this beautiful story. I think people can learn from it, how to maintain a life balance. Did you audition for the role of Tango? If so, what was that like? Tray: Todd actually wrote the role of Tango for me. My lines in the film are like the things I’d say naturally. I’m very close to Tango in the way we speak and act. But unlike Tango, I’m not living in the house with my mom. I’m also close to my wife, like Tango is to the character of Lady Fingers. Are you a gamer? Tray: After We Need to Talk wrapped, I became a part-time gamer. I don't know everything about gaming but my son does. I play Call of Duty now and then whenever I have time. What I know about gaming, I learned from (Director) Todd Wolfe. Tango plays a kind of relationship counselor. What did you draw from in real life to bring life to that role? Did you mediate some relationships? Tray: Speaking of relationships, that’s something I have done. I’m going on 18 years of marriage. A lot of my friends ask for pointers on how to stay in a loving relationship. I tell him communication is everything.
“I represent actors and you lack stage fright. Performing in front of thousands of people appears to be second nature to you.” I told her acting was something that I’ve always wanted to try. I took drama in high school and I always knew I wanted to be an actor. Linda said, “I’m going to start submitting you for TV and film roles.” And the first project she submitted me for was The Wire, which was my first acting job. What have you learned about the entertainment business that surprised you? Tray: For one, it’s very tough. You have to stay relevant, even if you're not on TV or film. To stay relevant, you need to read up on acting and take classes. You have to understand that it's a business and a process. If you can stay consistent and committed to the process without getting emotionally attached to a result, you can win. For me, that was one of the hardest things to learn at first. I used my experience in The Wire as a stepping stone and went the independent route, going to indie producers. And now, 20 years later, I’m working with the same people from The Wire. I play Gordon Hawk, a police officer on the TV miniseries, We Own this City. Any Advice for young actors just starting out? Tray: My advice, just stay the course. And don’t get so wrapped up in the business end of it to where you forget about everything else going on in your personal life. You still have to have a life outside the business. I still spend time with my family. I like to go to the malls, go bowling, and have fun. You just need to have a life because this thing can wrap you up so bad. But at the same time, stay ready. Because a casting director or producer can call anytime.
What was the biggest challenge you faced in this film? Tray: It wasn’t really a challenge but more like me becoming familiar with the video gaming world. So I had to become Tango. What was your favorite scene? Tray: I love James Maslow when everything comes crashing down on him. I also like the scene outside when James and Christel (Khalil) get their feelings out but by that time it was too late. It was a serious moment that gave the film some real drama. It’s something people can relate to if they take this thing called life seriously. It’s what I’ve learned to do. When I come home after a day of shooting on the set, I have to be a father to my kids. When did you first realize you wanted to be an actor? Were you inspired by a film or other actor? Tray: I started as a hip-hop artist and I still am. I remember going back and forth to showtime at the Apollo, performing and winning first place like five times. At that time, I was about 19 years old and discovered by an agent--Linda Townsend in Washington DC. She saw me at the Lincoln Theater and said,
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The Szanto ICON Roland Sands Signature Series The Szanto ICON Roland Sands Signature Series from Time Concepts is a namesake collection meant to reflect his zeal for racing and love for the motorcycling community. Szanto has added a new chronograph series featuring upgrades including thick Swiss superluminova lume (for all-night glow) and a more durable, K1 crystal to resist scratching. Check out timeconcepts.net to purchase for $350 - With the code ‘Avalon’, readers receive 25% off.
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Time Concept’s Hawaiian Lifeguard Association Watches
Time Concept’s Hawaiian Lifeguard Association watches are rugged, high-quality watches designed to take a beating and remain unscathed and watertight, even through the pounding of the massive Hawaiian surf - the inspiration behind the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association watch collection. HLA watches feature a 316L stainless-steel case, case back and 120-click bezel, with screw crowns and case backs to ensure water resistance up to 200 meters (656 feet), with a highly scratch resistant K1 crystal, thick Swiss Superluminova lume on hands and indices for easy reading all night long and powered by a dependable Japanese quartz three-hand and datemovement. Purchase at https://timeconcepts.net/collections/hla/dive-watch for $250 - With the code ‘Avalon’, readers receive 25% off. A percentage of the proceeds of every watch sale is given back to the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 27
ICON SWIM WESTERN GLAMOUR permeated beyond the catwalk at Icon Swim’s iconic runway show in the Paraiso tent today, The Atlanta based swimwear brand modernized western fashion by mixing old with new and introducing unexpected textures like mesh, studs, and rope to their latest collection available now. Colors popped with sexy yet sophisticated silhouettes in brown, orange, cream, rust, black, nude, and silver. Inspired by the gritty style of “old-west” clothing, Icon Swim’s team went beyond the familiar and infused leather and studs with gold and silver metallic trims. The modern dimension created from experimentation evoked something exciting and stylish from something old and familiar. "Traditional western fashion has always intrigued me – the textures, accessories, and colors. However, in recent times the style has evolved and modernized. This transformation is what caught my eye and became the inspiration behind the collection." - Nupur M., Lead Designer for Western Glamour Collection, Icon Swim Influential models who walked the show included X Hernández ( Christine Hernandez), Reginae Carter (Hip-Hop heiresses), Carmen Carrera (Model / Influencer / TV Personality), Charlie Lynch (Love Island, Season 3). The creative runway show had the crowd going wild for the Western Glamour looks and guests were treated to a mesmerizing performance by recording artist, Shenseea. The brand has a large and loyal following with it high quality swimwear with affordable pricing.
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A NEW WAVE OF HEALING MY IV COCKTAILS
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his month we had the opportunity to meet Denise Urtarte MSN, ARNP, FNP-C, and we were introduced to the unique experience she offers at her selfmade establishment, My IV Cocktails. Coming from humble beginnings in Brooklyn, NY, Denise has taken her motivation for helping others, her 4 college degrees and her 13 years of nursing experience and created a one-ofa-kind alternative medicine sanctuary.
root cause of your issues to determine the best way she can help you. She often goes the extra mile of offering to order your most recent lab work to truly understand what each client is going through and look for signs that may be easily missed by our primary care physicians.
Piece by piece, this bi-costal entrepreneur built her dream with the help of her business partner, and graphic designer Salvatore Girone. Through her hard work, and drive to change our view of health care, Denise shifted her focus from ICU nursing to business ownership and created both My IV Cocktails & NOW MedClinic.
After Denise gets a better understanding of your health needs, she creates a customized and personalized IV drip, and it’s time to enter the drip room. The energy in the drip room is truly incredible, and something I would highly recommend everyone get to experience. Some common reasons her patients come in for the drip experience are post COVID-19 relief, weight loss, jetlag, hangover, customized vitamin therapy and peptide therapy.
When you first walk into her office, there is an overwhelming sense of calmness. Her beautiful suite in Canoga Park, CA is welcoming, clean and beautiful. The first step in her new-age healing project is a consultation in her NOW MedClinic, where she goes through a few questions to understand your basic health needs and provides you with a full body scan on her In Body Scan machine. During this process, Denise is looking for the
Once you’ve completed the drip, which takes about 30 minutes, you’re immediately feeling the results. But the treatment doesn’t stop there. Rather than sending you on your way feeling incredible, Denise has found a way to allow us to take a piece of the experience home with her customized take home kits. They are user friendly and allows her patients to keep up with their treatments in between sessions. Some of
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the common take home kit packages include Rejuvenation, Pain Relief, Serenity, Vitality, Cognition, Vaginista, and Amora. What truly sets Denise apart from other IV companies is her true desire to provide personalized treatments for each and every one of her patients. Her passion comes from personal experience dealing with her own health issues, as well as her mothers. When Denise realized there was a better way to heal, without copious amounts of medication, she let her determination drive her, and she never looked back. The experience she provides is truly unique and can absolutely change the way the world views medicine and healing. To get your consultation scheduled, you can call Denise directly at (323) 800-8442.
FOR MORE INFORMATION you can find her websites www.nowmedclinics.com or www.myivcocktails.org, or on IG @myiv_cocktails. I would highly recommend getting on board with Denise, and adopt her motto
- Don’t trip, just drip.
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AWARD WINNING ARTIST Talbum, FOREVER, slated for release on July 8, 2022. ‘Forever’ is a touching tribute to her father. Through this uplifting & TEEN ACTIVIST pop/EDM single, Hitha expresses the beautiful connection his is the first single featured on Hitha’s highly anticipated
HITHA
Forever RELEASED HER NEW SINGLE
she has with her Dad. The lyrics capture the special bond she shares with her father. “‘Forever’ is a message dedicated to my dad, a special person in my life. ‘Forever’ is for all daughters to celebrate and pay tribute to their fathers who have been there for them unconditionally” says HithaProduction of this track is stunning and brings together the pop with EDM/dance. With beautiful messages, collaborating with LA renowned producer Krunk-A-Delic, this single highlights dad-daughter love. Hitha strives to create music focused on teenage issues, Women empowerment, self-respect, and justice for all. Her recently released single ‘WE ARE WHO WE ARE’ sheds light on many issues embedded in society. With many awards for her recently released single ‘We Are Who We Are’, Hitha continues to grab headlines. This 17-yearold California artist is emerging as a powerhouse with her own unique style of music. Hitha has come too far on her own and has complete ownership of her masters, distribution, publishing, and brand direction. With both her incredible talent and caring activism, Hitha is a beautiful role model for all ages with a bright future ahead. Hitha is having conversations regarding future course and is now open for a music label partnership. Visit www.officialhitha.com, and connect with HITHA on Instagram and Spotify for all her latest updates.
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HI
TH
A
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Nisha Varma Makeup Empowering Women One Face at a Time By Hailey Ashley
N
isha Varma has always had a passion for helping people. She moved to the United States from India 7 years ago and has been passionate about using the tools she has, make-up and hair styling, to help uplift and empower women around her. She has loved doing this ever since she was a young girl, and ultimately, that is what has inspired her to create NishVarma Makeup. While she was growing up in India, she was a trained classical dancer, she always loved doing make up on her friends. And eventually, turned it into a career by word of mouth. She got her first job doing bridal makeup 10 years ago, and from there was offered several opportunities to show her talents. When Nisha came to the USA, she followed her dreams and stayed focused on her passion. With hard work and dedication, she received a call from fashion week in 2016, and was thrilled. From this point on, her work spoke for itself, and she was able to get many more opportunities in America.
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Because she was put down most of her life, she found a way, through make up, to feel good and worthy, and she wanted to pass along her newly found self-worth to those around her. With the help of her mother’s endless support of her dreams, she found a way to turn her talents into a tool she now uses to inspire women and help them build confidence within themselves. Now start step in our colorful media family as a Model. And she not stop her self… so welcome to our new girl NANCY on the city. One of Nisha’s best friends, Nancy, who is a single mom and independent woman, has always dreamed of being a model. Due to her upbringing, she was never afforded that opportunity – until now. Nisha has decided to take Nancy’s hand and help make her dreams come true. Nisha believes that God always gifts those who deserve it, and believes that Nancy is one of those people, because of her good soul. Nancy recently completed her MBA, studied IT,
and is now the newest member of Nisha’s colorful media family as a model. New Girls In The City: (Nancy Nancy) Nisha believes that all women are beautiful, inside and out, with or without make up. She wants to send the message that make up is not created to cover up who you are, but to help enhance your beauty to feel more confident, and comfortable in your skin, and to see our pure beauty. Her advice to aspiring, young, entrepreneurs is to find what you love and go for it. She says, “don’t let others negativity, or criticism hold you back, and don’t listen to those who tell you that you cannot succeed because of external factors like looks”. In the future, Nisha hopes to take her skills to the next level, by working in Hollywood on movies, television sets or for runway models. We have no doubt that she will be a huge success and are excited to follow her along her next journey.
Check out her website: www.NishaVarmaMakeup.com find her on Facebook @Nisha Varma Credits Model: @Nancy Nancy Mua: @Nisha Varma Mua
Designer: Nusrat Aysa [ Nusrat Desire Np Collection Photoghraper: Jaiden Torres HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 35
NFTiTs
MARKETPLACE launches with limited Mint Passes, Expands Presence in Multi-Billion Dollar NFT Market
NFTiTs is reimagining the art industry through a unique metaverse based on NFTs, mainly dedicated to support breast disease recovery through the arts, in particular, the NFT marketplace. NFTiTs just launched its Mint Passes with only 2,664 to grab. They are a highly-curated platform for creating, collecting and trading unique Titty-only NFTs. Yes! TittyONLY. This is a place where breasts, titties, tits, tatas, whatever you want to call them are to be embraced! This is a place for your creativity to come to LIFE! Feel beautiful in YOUR skin. All sizes, shapes, and forms of ART are welcomed. Painted, sculpted, sketched, drawn, dazzled, tattooed, taped, pixeled, filtered .... whatever you can imagine, brought it to life.
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NFTiTs Co-Founder Tiffany Hyde, Business Developer, Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur and Mom of 4 was driven to launch a platform that expresses the beauty of women in a whole new way. Joining art and the natural beauty of the human body to rise against body dysmorphia while learning to celebrate and express ourselves in a positive mindset. She has been working extensively with world class artist in curating the best of the breast in forming this marketplace dedicated to showcasing their talents while providing much
needed help to serving the needs of many women around the world. The mission of NFTiTs is to help restore self-esteem, dignity, and confidence to women with various breast diseases by facilitating and funding, as needed, reconstructive surgery. They are committed to supporting organizations where funds will be used to directly support the surgical care expenses for women having breast reconstruction surgery, particularly for uninsured and underinsured women in underserved communities.
They have partnered with The Genesis Foundation which serves to raise public awareness of all breast diseases providing breast reconstruction options including homeopathic or alternative recovery treatments after surgery that are an oftenoverlooked expenses in recovery. They feature a series of breast art showcasing the work of women, and artists, photographers, graphic designers and personal survivors. They have built a global community of well-known artists, together for a series collection in a digital art gallery that would be sold as original NFT’s dedicated to only breasts where proceeds would benefit closely chosen charities through smart contracts for authenticity.
The mint passes are offered in limited allotments. The marketplace at launch will allow for only 18,888 to be minted. The scarcity and selection will provide for an environment to feature the best of the best artist from around the world. As NFTs become more popular and often grab headlines for the wrong reasons, the best projects are those that have a use, and better still if they can support causes, are inclusive, and affect change. This is the plan behind NFTiTs, which donates to The Genesis Foundation on every transaction through the use of smart contracts written into each transaction. The breast is yet to come……
NFTiTs Advisory Contributor Carlos Siqueira, Founder of Disruptors LLC, was so moved by this mission along with watching his own mother and the women that surrounded his life fight through all challenges that he felt called to help drive awareness to this campaign. Carlos has shared and spoken from some of the largest stages and arenas around the world is now lending his voice and reach to help the communities understand the unique opportunity that is being presented with the early release of NFTiTs Mint Passes.
CODY LEBOUEF is hyper-realistic artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. Traditional medias catapulted his career as a very sought-after realism air brush artist, whose work has graced the walls of many public and private collections across the US. His natural talents in hyper-realism digital art allows him to create artistic masterpieces that the eye and mind perceive as realism. This new passion translates seamlessly into the world of NFT’s where his artistic genius can gain recognition in the digital era. 100% digitally created using Procreate, this neon collection of breast art will drop on the NFTiTs Marketplace as 1 of 1. Blurring the lines between digital and realism, this private gallery will be available to mint pass holders with early access.
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Sé Marie On acting, stunt work, and life by Alex A. Kecskes
Photo by Tony Moux
SÉ MARIE began her career as a stunt double for Rachel McAdams and Vinessa Shaw. She soon transitioned into acting full-time, leading several feature films to major film festivals, including the first ever Virtual Reality feature Career Opportunities in Organized Crime (which premiered at South by Southwest Film Festival 2016) and Careful Not to Cry (which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2017). Sé later starred in a live Zoom play titled Water Child, which featured an international cast and was critically praised as the first ever live Zoom theatre production. She subsequently produced, directed, and starred in A Very Covid Christmas, an original web series that won three 2021 Telly Awards for Best Remote Production (actor, director, and producer). A member of SAG-AFTRA and Women in Film, Sé now serves on the Telly Awards Judging Council. She is also in the upcoming feature Unsinkable about the aftermath of the Titanic. In the comedy feature Movers Ultimate, Sé is Susan, the daughter of a recently divorced woman (Annalese Poorman), who hires two reluctant movers (Shawn Knox and Andy J. Carlson), best friends who hate their jobs. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. What drew you to this quirky comedy? Sé: Actually, I’m more of a dramatic actor. But I wanted to get more into comedy, so when I read the script, it struck me as the perfect recipe for me as an actor and where I am right now. In this ensemble of comedic characters, I consider Susan to be the dramatic relief. She’s the person that brings everyone back to reality, that there are real-world consequences at stake. 38 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE
Many actors have a love-hate relationship with auditions. Did you audition for the role of Susan? Sé: I did. There were two or three rounds of auditions. And they were self-taped. But different methods work better for some actors. For me, I love going into the audition room because there’s an impression you can make that you can’t make on a self-tape. But the downside is you usually only get one chance to perform and you can’t decide what you want to present. I did love the self-tape process because there were several rounds of auditions. So having that control over what I put out there was very nice in that instance. But when you go in live, you get that human connection, to show off your ability, to instantly get into character, and to walk into the room as the character. With tape, they don’t know whether you’ve spent three hours getting into character and then pressing “record.” There were some laugh-out-loud scenes in this film. Have you ever encountered movers like Chad and Ryan? Sé: (laughs) I must be one of the rare few that have never hired a moving company. It’s all been with friends and family. But I do know people that have had nightmare moves. And I know people who have worked for moving companies that have complained about their jobs. Yet they won’t leave their jobs. Can you go into some of your favorite scenes? Sé: The bed bugs scene. It’s the only scene where every cast member is in one room at the same time. The way Ben (Rood) directed that scene, we did take after take and it was chaotic and everyone was free to react how they felt their character would react. So there were so many things that were cut out.
But it was so hilarious and so much fun to film. It was the last or second to the last scene we filmed and everyone had been in their character for months so it was just funny to see how they would react. I also really loved the scene at the end of the movie where Susan is talking to Ryan and she gives him her number. One reason she did that was that it was part of the climax of the film where the main character learns a lesson. Another great scene was the pan shot from Susan and Ryan to the moving truck showing Lance and Spooner making inappropriate gestures. The crew was laughing but from my point of view, I couldn't understand it. But our DP, Jeff Kolada said his biggest worry in filming was keeping the camera steady, for he couldn’t stop laughing. Ben was great in letting us improv a lot. We’d do what was on the page and then Ben said, “Ok, now do one as ridiculous as you can think of.” And those were usually the takes that made it into the film (laughs). What made you decide to leave stunt work? Sé: Wow. Well, getting into stunt work wasn’t intentional. It was just being in the right place at the right time and getting attached to the right people. But I’m an adrenalin junkie and I ate it up. I was just starting my career in the industry. And stunt work gave me a front-row seat to the production world where I learned what would be expected of me as an actor. I was doing most of my stunt work for Rachel McAdams but I also did some work for Vinessa Shaw. I got to see the acting world up close and it made me want to be in their shoes. So eventually, I had to rip the Band-aid off because continuing would have kept me in stunt work. All the people I worked with were completely understanding and grateful, helping me get an agent. That said, I continue to train and do many of my own stunts now, which I think has made me a better actor. And doing my own stunts allows me to stay in character. Can you talk about some of your wildest stunts? Sé: I’ve done everything from crashing a car into a tree to wire stunts, which are probably the craziest. In the wire stunt, I had to do sword fighting while being forty feet off the ground. Were you ever seriously injured in a stunt? Sé: There was one time where I had to punch through glass, which in stunt work is really sugar glass. But I was an actor not a stunt performer in a film called Unthinkable. I was so “in character” that I mistakenly punched through a real glass pane, which resulted in a bit of real blood. But I just kept going and didn’t care. It worked in the sense that my face revealed the pain of punching through real glass.
Photo by Jeff Kolada
Is stunt work still a “boy’s club” or are women gaining ground? Sé: It’s definitely women gaining ground. In general, the film industry is finally starting to shift. And it’s a visible shift since it has been a boy’s club for so long. That said, most of the sets that I’ve been on use mostly male stunt people. But lately, there are more projects where stunt people are set ahead of time and they want to focus on diversity or being female-centric or offering people opportunities they've been denied in the past. On those sets, you'll see a wide range of people that can do the job. So, unless the production doesn't focus on that, the stunt work is still very male-dominated. Whenever I'm asked for an opinion on the subject or if I'm given a say, I always push for diversity. Now that you’ve “made your bones” behind and in front of the camera, what have you learned about this business that surprised you? Sé: I did learn so much doing stunt work. I was behind the camera for two years as a producer for a commercial studio. In those two years, I learned a little about every aspect of production—from writing to directing to editing to working with clients. The biggest thing that serves me now as a performer is knowing what’s expected of me. I’ve been told many times on set that I seem to know what’s to come. Some inexperienced actors have come up to me asking why they had to do a scene over and over ten times. They’d ask if they did something wrong, was it their performance? And I’d draw from my experience and tell them it was a technical issue and not them. For me, it’s that peace of mind in knowing what’s going on that helps me tweak my performance. For example, I can see, based on the camera set up what they’re trying to get. So I can give them what they want. I’ve also been on the other side of the casting process, so I don’t take any rejections personally. There are so many reasons why you don’t get the part—everything from hair color to budget. Any advice for aspiring young actors eager to get into acting or stunt work? Sé: Good question. Get as much experience as possible. And be around the people and the environment—no matter what role you're playing. Become a PA or do Extra work that will get you into that environment. The old adage of “it’s who you know” is only ten percent true. You meet the people who can help you along the way by proving yourself first. And just show up. That’s the number one thing. Also, prioritize what’s in your life. Be able and willing to take that first step. What were you like in high school? The girl most likely to…? Sé: Oh my God, I was such a dweeb in high school (laughs). I was not a cliché in any way. I didn’t belong to certain groups. I was in theater and I was also a varsity cheerleader on the dance squad. I was even on the bowling team (laughs). But I did have a moving moment in my senior year. The captain of the cheer squad was this blonde who thought that cheerleading was the world. I showed up for practice late one day because I had a rehearsal for a musical and she said to me in front of everyone, “You can’t be a cheerleader and be in school plays. You have to pick one.” So I laughed, turned around, and walked away (laughs). Movers Ultimate premieres on Amazon Prime and Apple TV, August 19, 2022. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY BLACK CULTURE • 39
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