Lelia Broussard Live

I interviewed Lelia Broussard not too long ago and I got the chance to see her perform live today in Century City, CA. She sang about 6 songs I would say, it was a great set. I recorded 3 of her songs, those videos I uploaded to Myspace here and here and during the last 2/3 songs, I took a ton of pictures, but here are my 2 favorite and of course me with Lelia. Wow, that was a long run on sentence.

Def Poetry Jam Poets

As a writer who fell in love with poetry years ago, it was quite easy to notice that not until Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam started on HBO did society truly look at poetry as more than the classics of Edgar Allan Poe, TS Eliot, etc… Def Poetry Jam introduced the world to poets who had been around for awhile but the style of poetry was not recognized until then. I had the chance to sit down with one of the Def Poets, Shihan and I also had the chance to talk with the Def Poet, Poetri.




Melody: What was is it like the first time you were on Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam on HBO?
Shihan: It was exciting! There were a lot of nerves and at first I was going to do all serious stuff but IN-Q and Poetri were both yelling from the audience, “Do the ‘Love’ poem!” and so I winded up doing that. That winded up being the right choice.
Poetri: It was incredible! It was the first time poetry was put on a major scale and I was really proud because poetry is like my child.

Melody: What was it like winning a Tony Award for Def Poetry Jam?
Poetri: We got a Tony Award for poetry which had never been done. No one has ever won a Tony Award for writing and performing their own poetry so I was proud of poetry in general and excited for the future of poetry.

Melody: How do you think poetry has changed over the years personally and in society?
Shihan: Personally I’m more mature now so the writing is so more mature. When Def Poetry came out and the Slam started getting some notoriety I saw the influx of a lot of spoken word artists and people who just wrote to get scores and be on TV. There’s a lot of that now, people who do not really have an attachment to what they are saying, more just how cool they can make stuff sound.

Melody: So what do you have to say to those who call themselves poets but do it for the act not the passion of poetry?
Shihan: You know what I’m totally against it. When people come for the testimony of people’s stories and when they believe in something and find out it’s bull, it’s kind of a hard thing to continue to believe in when there is that inconsistency. Although I do think that in certain forums and stages, there is a place for that because some people tell really good stories even though the story behind it isn’t real. Sometimes people just need the story.

Melody: How old were you when you started writing poetry and who or what influenced you to start writing?
Shihan: I started writing when I was in junior high school. I had a language arts teacher who gave me an assignment to read the NY Times everyday. The words I didn’t know, I stopped before I continue reading, looked them up to comprehend what I was reading and then he started giving me books to read. The first book he gave me was an autobiography of Malcolm X. From there I started writing. Then he took me to one of those city wide talent shows and I wound up reading a poem.
Poetri: When I was little kid instead of watching television or going outside to play, I would go in my room and write. I never read poetry when I was a little kid so I did not have influences then, I just went in my room and wrote out my frustrations. That led me to write more. As far as influences, of course the Lord Savior Jesus Christ, Denzel Washington - I know it’s crazy, and Michael Jackson.

Melody: Poetri, can you explain “What if Jesus Was A Poet?”
Poetri: That was just putting Jesus in today’s society. I actually have a series of those, If Jesus Was A Poet, If Jesus Was A Basketball Player, If Jesus Was A Comedian. I just thought of one last night, If Jesus Was Running For President. Some people think of Jesus over 20 thousand years ago but he is present in our lives today, so I wanted to write about him today‘s world.

Melody: How do your spiritual beliefs affect your writing? Is there anything you would not write about or perform?
Poetri: I write about everything that goes on with my life. I wouldn’t write about drinking beer, because I don’t drink beer. With some poets, why they don’t write about certain things…they are not all writing from their heart. They may just be writing to please the crowd, but if you are a poet, you are a poet. Write about what’s going on in your life and what you are feeling.

Melody: You have written, produced and arranged over 150 commercials for radio and television, how did you get into producing?
Poetri: My brother had been working for a major advertising company so he asked me if I wanted to write a poem for a commercial and that is how I started off.

Melody: Shihan, my favorites are “Love Like” and “Sick & Tired” but do you have a topic that you always seem to come back to writing about?
Shihan: Now it’s a lot of family oriented pieces. “Love Like” at the time that’s where I was in my life. The love that I have now, I still have those elements of that but it’s more mature now. As much as I love the piece, it’s very simple, here’s a list of things that I’d like. With “Sick & Tired” I only wrote that in response to something and I only memorized it for the purpose of Def Poetry and that was it.

Melody: Through spoken word, the variations of tone in poetry is made known so people understand where you are coming from. But without it, is there any certain poem you think really sticks out as far as having multiple meanings without using spoken word?
Shihan: Yeah, in the sense of writing something abstract that people don’t get. Also, if I looked at “Love Like” on paper, it’s not really this super dope piece. It’s kind of very, very basic. Seeing it performed changed what it was and how it was accepted. There are some serious pieces that I think make the art form of spoken word so important. When you are reading poetry, it’s always in your own voice so spoken word gives the opportunity to hear the emotion that’s attached to the voice that wrote it in the first place. It brings so much more to the table.

Melody: What do you do about writer‘s block, not being inspired?
Shihan: That’s hard. I force myself to write because writing is an exercise and you have to keep doing it to make something happen. Inspiration comes to the hand doing this (waves hand in writing motion) not doing nothing. So it’s really important to at least keep trying, even if it’s shit, it’s still writing and getting yourself prepped.

Melody: What do you have planned for the future?
Shihan: I’m going to teach but I’m still going to write. I want to write a novel, a screenplay and I’m writing a play so there’s a lot in the future it’s just about making time for it, putting it together, and executing. There’s a fear that goes along with it I guess that kind of stalls you. I like Stephen King a lot and he had a quote, “Fear is the enemy of execution.”
Poetri: Besides being a mega star (laughs), my wife is pregnant with our second child so I’m trying to keep a stable environment for my family and also do some acting. I’m in an upcoming movie with Jim Carrey called Yes, Man.

Melody: What’s a night like at Da Poetry Lounge and a night like at Spoken Funk?
Poetri: Da poetry lounge has been going on for 10 years with hardly any promotion. It’s been word of mouth, the best kind of promotion. People are really excited when they wait in line and as they are waiting it’s building up anticipation for when they get inside. Every night is open mic so you don’t know what you are going to get. It’s exciting to know what the next person is going to say.
At Spoken Funk it is all clean comedy and poetry which is something that is not going on anywhere right now. It’s refreshing for everybody to come where they can bring their mother, brother, anybody they want to bring and still laugh and have a great time without hearing negative words. A lot of people think that you can’t have a good time when it is clean comedy but Spoken Funk is breaking that barrier down.

Da Poetry Lounge are Tuesdays from 9pm - Midnight at GreenWay Court Theater 544 N. Fairfax Blvd Los Angeles, CA and Spoken Funk are Sundays at 9pm at the The MBar Bar at 1253 N. Vine Street in Hollywood, Ca.

Year of the Fish Discussion With An Nguyen

Funny Cry Happy LLC Presents
In Association with Gigantic Pictures
Year of the Fish



I had the opportunity to talk with An Nguyen - an actress who I believe is an upcoming star - about the new David Kaplan film, Year of the Fish. An moved to the United States at three years old from Vietnam but you may know An from The Brave One (2007) and Definitely, Maybe (2008). Year of the Fish is the modern day Chinese version of Cinderella set in New York’s China Town. The film was shot on location and An told me that the cast shot 12 - 14 hour days, six days a week, for four weeks.

Also starring in the film are Tsai Chin (Memoirs of a Geisha, The Joy Luck Club), Ken Leung (Lost, X-Men The Last Stand), and Randall Duk Kim (Kung Fu Panda, The Matrix Reloaded).

“Working with Randall, Tsai, and Ken was priceless. I take away so many wonderful shared moments between us during the production of the film, most of them being off-set.” An says. She also mentions that overall, there was a small cast for the film, noting that it made it easier to get to know everyone well and move locations during shooting.

In 2007, Year of the Fish was selected to play at the Sundance Film Festival. An explains, “We had a lot of support from the Sundance Institute (including receiving the Annenberg Grant) while working on the film so we knew there was a very real chance the film would be accepted.” She also adds, “I had a lot of friends come to Park City to be a part of the unveiling and that was very special. I went to a lot of parties and screenings while promoting Fish and it was extremely well- received which was such a relief.”

An shares that the one thing she wants the audience to remember from the film is that, “Cinderella goes on to live a humble life and get an education.”

What would you say that the audience gets more out of the fish than a fairy godmother?
For me the fish is more intimate than a fairy godmother that just appears once or twice and only then when life seems completely hopeless. That fish was by my bedside and was always watching over me; It was nice to know that.

As a modern-day adaptation of Cinderella, how could you relate to your character’s emotions for this film?
There is always that mother figure one is trying to please. Mrs. Su is the mother Ye Xian never had.

Having previously appeared in The Brave One (2007) and Definitely, Maybe (2008), what would you say you have learned from those film sets as well as Year of The Fish film set?
I worked on "Year of Fish" prior to the "The Brave One" and "Definitely Maybe" and I think because of my responsibility working on "Fish" in such a large role I became very confident in my abilities as an actress and was able to parlay that success onto subsequent films. Its not everyday you get invited to set with Jodie Foster for a violent smack down! I got to do my own stunts in "The Brave One" which was uber cool. I was tied up with explosives and squibs and there was some controversy surrounding how my character should die. They rewrote it so I got shot in the torso instead of the face - how nice! It was a lot of fun and very different from working on "Fish" where we were filming 8-10 pages a day and working very, very hard. We were a little more pampered on "The Brave One" with the most delicious platters of food floating around, Robert Downey Jr. came to visit, and the fans would show up in droves to watch during all hours of the night. Working with Adam Brooks on "Definitely, Maybe" was such a joy. He was so infectiously happy to be directing his labor of love and I got to be in something more light-hearted and romantic and I got to wear pretty clothes.

When was the moment that you knew you wanted to be an actress and who inspires you?
I had always had a gift for storytelling when I was little because my family immigrated here when I was three so everyone was always curious about that story. I grew up with a very beautiful and dramatic Auntie who had people captivated in her wake. She was definitely a force in my life and a role model. Other than her, an actress I'm really excited about right now is Olga Kurylenko, next up in "Quantum Solace." She made "Hitman" worth watching in a role that could have been entirely forgettable and not taken seriously.

What types of acting roles would you like to explore and why?
I like playing strong female characters, so perhaps a villainess? Or the woman who everyone thinks is the villainess, but isn't. It can be more fun to be wicked sometimes.

Year of the Fish opens in limited theaters on August 29, 2008. The film is in English and is unrated with a running time of 96 minutes.

A Few Treats

Out here in LA, cupcakes and yogurt seem to be the big thing. I love yogurt but I’ve never been crazy over cupcakes. Although I have tried what are known as the best places out here right now, Pinkberry and Sprinkles.

I have tried Pinkberry a couple of times and it’s very good. The three flavors are original, green tea, and coffee. I have to say that green tea is my favorite…I forgot to take a picture of the time I had green tea but there will be plenty more times for that! You can try various fruits and such as toppings. However I must say that the most fresh fruit I’ve had with my yogurt at Pinkberry was at the location in San Diego in Gaslamp. That’s what makes it good. It’s one thing to have room temperature yogurt and fruit but it is so much more delicious when the yogurt and fruit is fresh!



As for Sprinkles…I was not a huge cupcake fan until I tried Sprinkles. Oh My Goodness. If you want a good cupcake you need to go here. Today I tried Banana and Carrot. I almost threw my back out going crazy over how amazing these cupcakes are. I plan to try Chai Latte, Strawberry, Mocha, Peanut Butter Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate, Pumpkin, and of course Red Velvet on the days that they are available as soon as I can.




I also got the chance to visit something old and something new as far as television filming locations. I visited 1329 Prescott Street aka The Manor which is the house on The WB show, Charmed. It is actually 1329 Carrol Ave and it is 10 minutes away from where I live. I wanted to just sit down and stare at the house all day and think about all that went on in the Manor and think about every single episode of Charmed but it is a private property and I did not want to look like a stalker. I know that the show actually filmed on set and it may just seem like a house but it represents so much more to me as a huge Charmed fan.



The other place I visited was The Peach Pit for the new 90210 which is actually Kokomo Café on Beverly Blvd. I ran into a 90210 Crew Member who was picking up a few things from the Café because they had to re-shoot some things where they mainly film on Manhattan Beach. The food is great there as well, so you should stop by and sit down if you visit.

Lelia Broussard, Alexa Wilkinson

As part of the Never Stop Dreaming Interviews for the month of August 2008, I had the pleasure of talking to two solo singer/songwriters, Lelia Broussard and Alexa Wilkinson.

You may have heard Lelia songs, "Secrets” and "Should Have Known" on Joan of Arcadia (CBS), “Rise” on The Hills (MTV), or even “Smile” on Men In Trees (ABC). You may have heard Alexa’s songs, “Just Gone“ and “Miles Away” on The Hills (MTV). If you haven't you are in for a treat!

Lelia Broussard

Lelia Broussard hails from Louisiana, hence the title of her debut album, Louisiana Soul which was written and recorded at just 15 years old. Lelia grew up in Philadelphia and has since lived in both New York and Los Angeles to broaden her music career. It’s hard to tell but until she picked up the guitar as a young girl, Lelia had no professional interest in songwriting and singing.
“It was pretty out of the blue actually,” Lelia says, “One day I thought I might like to play guitar and after some hassling, my mom got me a guitar and it never stopped from there.” She also plays the piano but admits she needs to learn how to seriously play different instruments. “I need to get on that!”
Her second LP, (lil-ya) has no limits in terms of sound. There is such a variety of soul, pop, jazz, blues, hip hop, and lots more.
“The real reason I did the hip hop, besides the fact that I had always wanted to try doing that and really love it was because someone told me it would be an awful idea. So I did it to prove them wrong.”
In 2007, Lelia re-released (lil-ya) as Rise. You may have heard the title song, “Rise” on The Hills (MTV). You may have also heard Lelia songs "Secrets” and "Should Have Known" on Joan of Arcadia (CBS) and “Smile” on Men In Trees (ABC). Lelia’s DJ friend from Philadelphia helped her meet with the music supervisor for Joan of Arcadia and MTV spotted Lelia at a gig in New York. As for her song appearing on ABC, Lelia says, “I'm actually not too sure how that one happened,” but adds, “It's always really cool to hear your music on TV, especially if it's a good spot and they use the music well with the story line."
As for her upcoming record The Grass Is Greener, Lelia says, “Right now it's really been about finding the truest representation of me, and I feel like I've done that.”

1. How do you think your writing has changed over the years since your first album, Louisiana Soul to now?
I feel like it's really been a huge evolution for me. When I first started writing it was more of a frenetic burst of creative energy spilling out. Everything just came out at once, I didn't think as much about song structure. It was just an innate thing. Which is wonderful, but now I feel a lot more like a writer. I have learned so much about the art of writing a good song. I have also worked with a lot of different people and learned something from everyone. I have really evolved.

2. What have you discovered about the differences in musical culture between Louisiana, Philadelphia New York, and Los Angeles and which suits you best?
Each place I've been has played a huge part in shaping who I am today.

I spent most of my childhood in Louisiana, there is really a cultural richness to southern Louisiana that I've found nowhere else.

Philly was a good place to start out for me. I was able to play gigs and sort of cut my teeth in a place that isn't so overwhelmingly huge as NYC or LA but still was a great town musically.

New York was amazing. The city has a real energy to it and kind of a glow, when you first move there anyhow. There's always something going on...no matter what time it is. I was able to do a lot, and I enjoyed every minute of being there.

I moved to Los Angeles when I was signed by Rondor/Universal publishing. I was really skeptical at first but I've never been involved with such an amazing network of musicians. Everyone is so welcoming. Places like The Hotel Cafe' really nurture that environment. Plus, you really can't beat the beach, the mountains, and this gorgeous weather!

3. What can you tell us about your upcoming LP, The Grass Is Greener?
I can tell you that it's going to be amazing! Seriously though, I am really, really excited for this record. I'm proud of it. I want everyone to hear it.

4. Who would you love to sing a duet with?
Paul Mcartney. Because he's Paul.

5. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Still touring, but with a few Grammys in my pocket...and you know...world domination. I don't know it's just a thought.

Lelia Broussard’s album, RISE is now available on I-Tunes.

______________________________________________________

Alexa Wilkinson

Alexa Wilkinson first got into music because of a boy. In elementary school, her crush played the trumpet, so she did too. Then Alexa began to have an interest in guitar, so her mother bought her one for her birthday. Not too long after that, Alexa realized that she could sing and today she has released 2 albums and has toured with Vanessa Carlton, Kate Voegele, and Josh Kelley among others. Not bad for 21.
A native of Cherry Hill, NJ, Alexa moved to Utah at 12 years old, but has since lived in both Los Angeles and New York. Her songs, “Just Gone“ and “Miles Away” have both appeared on The Hills (MTV). “It really helped establish me as a credible artist” Alexa says.
Singer/songwriter, Josh Kelley helped produce and co-write many songs on Alexa’s debut album, Lullaby Appetite (along with Alexa, her friend, Ben Carter, who was her guitarist at the time, and many others in Los Angeles.) Touring with Josh was Alexa’s first tour ever. She had so many good things to say about Josh Kelley.
“Josh is a very magnetic human being, he’s very supportive of everyone he brings on the road. He really made me feel at home. He really kind of set the standard of how touring in my opinion should be.”
Another unforgettable moment in Alexa’s life was recently touring with Vanessa Carlton, which Alexa says was very surreal. Alexa shared a bus with Vanessa and ended up playing trumpet in one of her songs. Talk about a huge honor. “It was really great getting to know her” says Alexa,
“It was weird because you listen to people and become a fan and you rarely end up finding yourself working with these people.”

One thing you many not already know about Alexa is that she is also talented in graphic design, which Alexa calls her creative calling, other than music of course. Alexa has designed t-shirts for Ingrid Michaelson among other artists.

Back to the music, take a look at what Alexa has to say:

1. What does Lullaby Appetite mean?
It is kind of a very crude way of saying you need someone, you need a song to put you to sleep. It is like having an appetite for anything but an over exaggeration of having a craving for something bigger.

2. Which song on Lullaby Appetite best represents you?
I would have to say “Of Graves” because it was the song where I started to fall into a niche musically and so I carried that over to my current album.

3. What would you say are the differences between your new album Lions and Lullaby Appetite?
Lullaby Appetite was a public piece of a bunch of different songs that were produced and written at different times in my life. We needed something to put together and tour with and it seemed to be at the right moment.

The reason I recorded Lions so quickly after Lullaby Appetite was because I wanted the same production sell and I wanted it to be a little more conceptual. I spent months writing Lions, instead of the whole purpose being just one full length album.

They are two completely different albums but I love them both.

4. Do you find yourself writing more songs or more poetry?
I write more songs than more poetry now. I haven’t written poetry in a long time because I think once you start writing songs the poetic nature of it gets more deluded and you try and confine melody and it’s more about the song then the element.

5. What is the best part about touring the country?
The coolest part about touring is that you really get a good handle on the world and how this country is shaped and what people make up. You find yourself meeting very interesting people. I gained perspective on how different parts of the country are so vastly different from everywhere else. It’s really cool finding where you fall into place in this country.

Alexa’s debut album, Lullaby Appetite is available at select FYE and Sam Goody stores, amongst some independent stores, and Barnes and Nobles as well as I-Tunes.

Alexa’s new album, Lions is available on I-Tunes now.

The Everlife Interview

On August 12, 2008 I had the chance to interview sisters, Sarah, Julia, and Amber, who make up the band, Everlife.



Melody: So, what’s in the name, Everlife? Where did this come from?

Sarah: Well, we actually had a different name when we started 11 years go. And then when we moved to Nashville 5 years ago we decided to change it. It was a crazy long time before we thought of it, about 6 months. It was actually our mom that thought of Everlife. We were sitting there thinking of something that would really describe the three of us. Mom goes ' how about Everlife. It’s another word for “eternity” and then it stuck!

Melody: Tell me, how would each of you describe each other‘s personalities?

Amber: I would say Julia is our comedic relief. She always knows exactly what to say to make us laugh when we're tired or just down in general. She also can be really serious though, and determined and focused. Sarah is definitely the business one of the three of us. She's really good with people, has a strong personality. She's stubborn (smiles) but most times is pretty happy.

Sarah: Amber is very creative, funny and she keeps me and Julia in line. (smiles) We tend to do crazy things at times and Amber is our voice of reason. Julia is, like Amber said, the funny one. She really knows exactly what to say and do to make me crack up! I love it. She is extremely creative as well and loves to help people.

Julia: I think Sarah and Amber both are funny too. They have their moments and its hilarious. Amber is always taking care of us but there are times that Sarah and I get to take care of her too and it’s nice. She's supportive and loving and full of life. Sarah is assertive and stubborn (smiles) and also carefree and eccentric!

Melody: Now as far as musical culture and having lived in both PA and TN, which would you say is a better fit for each of you?

Amber: Pennsylvania honestly doesn't have a lot to offer as far as music is involved. There is an amazing symphony in Pittsburgh and also a lot of oldies doo wop singers, but as far as rock n' roll, not so much. So I'd have to say that Nashville was definitely a great place for us to move. We learned so much about the music industry and songwriters and producers. There are just so many opportunities here.

Melody: Okay, so here’s where we get deep. As Christians, how do you stay on top in such a business that can break you just as fast as it can make you? How has being a Christian helped you stay true to yourselves?

Sarah: I can't imagine where we'd be if it weren't for our faith in Christ. We have gone through so many hard times and good times, but knew through it all that God was controlling our steps and leading the way. He is our breath, our song, the reason we sing. Without Him we wouldn't be where we are today, or where we'll be in 10 years! Loving our Jesus has kept us alive.

Melody: Okay, now what would you say is the most important aspect of being a songwriter?

Julia: We have always worked hard as far as songwriting is concerned, but recently we have been exploring songwriting on our own as individuals and I think it has been amazing for us! Because then we can come together and show each other what we wrote and then work on it from there. There is something so passionate about words that you have penned on paper. It's like we're writing our deepest thoughts and desires on paper and sharing them with the world! Songwriting can be a scary thing, but its amazing!

Melody: We all know you have covered The Veronicas with “I Could Get Used To This,“ but what others songs would you like to cover?

Sarah: We also cover “What I Like About You” by The Romantics and “Wheel in the Sky” by Journey. We are always looking for new ideas as far as covers are concerned, so write us and let us know what you think we should sing!

Melody: Cool! Speaking of cool…what was the best part about being on the Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds Tour?

Julia: The best part about being on that tour was being able to hang out with Miley. She's like our little sister, the whole Cyrus family is amazing! So just being able to spend time with her was awesome. And also, it was incredible to get back up on those stages in the sold out arenas!! After the Cheetah Girls tour in 06, 07, we didn't know if we would have a chance to tour arenas again. So we were extremely blessed!

Melody: Out of all of your Disney star peers, who would you say each of you have become the closest to?

All: I think for all of us it would be B5, Jump5 and Miley Cyrus. They have been amazing friends and now are like our family. We love them all more than words.

Melody: That’s so nice! So when can we expect to hear new music and what can you say about the sounds of what you are recording now?

All: We just posted a new demo real on our Myspace, so check it out! We're excited about the new songs. They're more real, more raw than before. Really us, Amber, Sarah and Julia. We're stoked!!

Melody: Sounds awesome. Now I noticed Sarah, your nickname is "Sarita" so Amber & Julia, what are yours?

Sarah: Amber hasn't really ever had a nickname (laughs) and we call Julia “Jewels.” Mine came from a mission trip we took to Costa Rica. The translators called “Sarita,” which means 'little Sarah' and it stuck (smiles).

Melody: Do each of you have a safe haven where you are at your most creative point?

Amber: I love being alone in my house, in my husband and I's music room, with my acoustic guitar and a notebook. That's my safe place.
Sarah: I am most creative when I'm outside, with nature. On a hill or under the stars. I love it
Julia: My room has always been my safe haven.

Olympics Opening Ceremony Lie

I knew that young girl wasn't the one singing. I knew it. Tisk tisk.

Check it out here.

Rest in Peace Isaac Hayes

Academy and Grammy Award winner, Isaac Hayes passed away earlier today at the age of 65. Umm...wow. First Bernie Mac, now Isaac Hayes...we all know the saying how this kind of thing comes in threes but I'm hoping that's it for awhile. I know you can't prevent these kinds of things from happening but it's just like, BAM! It hasn't even sunken in that Bernie Mac is gone, now this. Wow. My prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Rest in Peace Bernie Mac

Rest in Peace comedian and actor, Bernie Mac, who passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 50 due to his complications with pneumonia. He leaves behind his wife Rhonda McCullough, their daughter, Je'Niece, granddaughter, Jasmine, and so many more.

I did not really watch The Bernie Mac Show, but I enjoyed watching him in Oceans 11, 12, and 13, Charlie's Angels 2, Guess Who, Pride, and Transformers.

So many prayers and thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Escape Review

So I finished reading, Escape by Carolyn Jessop earlier this week and definitely wanted to share my thoughts.

I usually do not read the Preface in beginning of books but there was something about Escape that made me read it and it really reeled me in. Now about the book...

All throughout the book, Carolyn holds your attention with such great detail of everything she writes about. This book is definitely a page turner and did not leave my hands until I finished it all.

I've heard that many who have enjoyed this book also felt it had too much history and not enough of the present. Although I love that Carolyn really brings the reader to the core, the basic signs that her polygamist culture was screwed up that she could not see as a child and later on through life. It is also important to know the history of polygamy to know how it has evolved, to see just where it all went wrong. There is no doubt that this true story is extremely depressing and terribly frustrating to read about, but I am so glad that I have read this book. Carolyn exposes not only her husband, but Warren Jeffs, both of which are an example of hundreds of evil men in the polygamist community just like them. Back to the detail, because of the horrifying experience Carolyn was in, those details (big and small) will never die and that is what really brings this book to life. There is so much, there are so many memories from not only her marriage but childhood and even after the escape, it will blow your mind. Just when you think you have been disturbed by one practice, belief, and memory Carolyn shares of the polygamist cult she was part of, she shares something else that is worse.

Before her escape, she writes about her struggles with childbirth, and her 2 youngest who needed special care and needed to get better before the escape which only makes the reader think "God had I known about her struggle I would have been there in a heartbeat." Towards the end, she does talk about the custody battle and the aftermath of the escape. There are also a few pictures shared in the book of her family which was great to have, to see who these people are. There was too much repetition when it came to the role of the wives, the unwritten rules, competition, and relationships among them, but other than that, this book deserves 5 Stars.

Red Mango + Teen Choice

I had the chance to meet Kristen Bell at Red Mango on Westwood in Los Angeles this past Saturday and Jamie King stopped by to say hello to Kristen so I got to see her again (I saw her at Comic Con a few weeks back where she was at the panel for Frank Miller's The Spirit).





Later that day, I went to Hollywood Blvd. to see celebrities arrive for the Teen Choice Awards Pre Party. Some of the photos are below. Good times!