celebrities

Are You Ready For What This Industry Will Bring?

My posts mainly focus on the positive side of the industry and the journey it takes to get to the top.  However, there is an ugly side that many fall victim to.  We’ve seen stars like Lindsay Lohan, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse and Charlie Sheen get so deep into this business that they completely lost themselves and a couple from this list even lost their lives.  So, what inspired me to address this issue?

Well, you can say that I’m watching someone (who thinks they are in this industry already) lose themselves completely.  What happens when you look around and you have no more friends left? What happens when all you can think about is getting rich, but you forget to live life?  What happens when the people closest to you are the ones that can’t be trusted?  I can’t answer any of these questions, but I can tell you this…I know some people who are able to give you the answers based off of their experiences and lifestyle.  As pretty as this “industry” may seem, I think it makes sense to build your foundation up so strong, that it can’t be shaken and you can remain humble and grounded.

Take a second to let the Dreamworld know what you think is the leading downfall for stars nowadays by clicking below:

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What Women on the Come-Up Can Learn About Beyoncé in GQ!

Source: GQ.com

Source: GQ.com

Sure, it’s easy to see such a beautiful icon, such as Beyoncé, and only see the surface.  If that’s all you can take away from such a power house and success story, I encourage you to dig a little deeper folks.  No matter what mainstream qualms you may have for Beyoncé, one thing you can admit to is that she has built an empire with an unshakable foundation.  Ladies, pay attention!  If you want to learn how to make it in this industry and have the ability to shape your success, take some notes and check out what she has to tell GQ.  She’s more humble than you may think!

While touring, she critiques the show each night by watching the DVD and providing pages of notes to each member of her on-stage staff (dancers, musicians, cameramen, etc.):

“One of the reasons I connect to the Super Bowl is that I approach my shows like an athlete…You know how they sit down and watch whoever they’re going to play and study themselves? That’s how I treat this. I watch my performances, and I wish I could just enjoy them, but I see the light that was late. I see, ‘Oh God, that hair did not work.’ Or ‘I should never do that again.’ I try to perfect myself. I want to grow, and I’m always eager for new information.”

She speaks on her passion for what she does:

“I love my job, but it’s more than that: I need it,” she says. “Because before I gave birth, it was the only time in my life, all throughout my life, that I was lost…It’s like a blackout. When I’m onstage, I don’t know what the crap happens. I am gone.”

Beyoncé explains how being an independent women in this industry is critical:

“You know, equality is a myth, and for some reason, everyone accepts the fact that women don’t make as much money as men do. I don’t understand that. Why do we have to take a backseat?” she says in her film, which begins with her 2011 decision to sever her business relationship with her father. “I truly believe that women should be financially independent from their men. And let’s face it, money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define value. They define what’s sexy. And men define what’s feminine. It’s ridiculous.”

What Beyoncé things of her power:

“I now know that, yes, I am powerful…I’m more powerful than my mind can even digest and understand.”

How she describes her journey of success:

“I worked so hard during my childhood to meet this goal: By the time I was 30 years old, I could do what I want,” she says. “I’ve reached that. I feel very fortunate to be in that position. But I’ve sacrificed a lot of things, and I’ve worked harder than probably anyone I know, at least in the music industry. So I just have to remind myself that I deserve it.”

EVERY interview that she ever does is recorded and taped for her own personal archive (smart business move, everyone):

And this room—she calls it her “crazy archive”—is a key part of that, she will explain, so, “you know, I can always say, ‘I want that interview I did for GQ,‘ and we can find it.” And indeed, she will be able to find it, because the room in which you are sitting is rigged with a camera and microphone that is capturing not just her every utterance but yours as well. These are the ground rules: Before you get to see Beyoncé, you must first agree to live forever in her archive, too.

I absolutely love this woman and not just because of what’s on the exterior, but because she truly embodies what a role model should be.  As a fellow female trying to pave my own way, there’s so much learn from someone who is so willing to share how she created her success within a male dominated industry.  Check out more photos from her GQ shoot and to read the full article, visit: http://www.gq.com/women/photos/201301/beyonce-cover-story-interview-gq-february-2013?currentPage=1

Source: GQ.com

Source: GQ.com

Source: GQ.com

Source: GQ.com

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Celebrities Can Dream Too!

Hello, world!  Thank you, once again, for visiting my Dreamworld.  I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Christmas with family and friends (and lots of food)!  In keeping with the holiday spirit a.k.a. the warm and fuzzies,  I want to highlight something that makes me warm to the core…babies!  Ok, so have you ever wondered what happens AFTER a celebrity makes it or what their new set of goals might be once they actually reach celebrity status?!  I do all the time!  So, when I see women on the come-up or already in the business who are starting families, I loooove it!  To think that they have the fame, the money, the world at their fingertips and it comes back to the basics of starting a family…that’s what it’s all about.  Here’s something to just make you smile and for me to say congrats to the new mommies in the spotlight and the mommies-to-be!  Enjoy 🙂

Parents-to-be Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose, Source: US Magazine

Parents-to-be Wiz Khalifa and Amber Rose, Source: US Magazine

Lola Monroe and Los Unveil Pregnancy, Source: Instagram

Lola Monroe and Los Unveil Pregnancy, Source: Instagram

Tamera Mowry-Housley and Husband Adam Housley, Source: People

Tamera Mowry-Housley and Husband Adam Housley recently welcomed their new baby son to the world. Source: People

Daniella Sig

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Mari Morrow Catches Us Up on Life After “How to Be a Player”

Source: Craig Mac Tumblr

Source: Craig Mac Tumblr

Of course, we all saw this beautiful specimen in the hit movie, How to Be a Player, which starred Bill Bellamy and Lark Voorhies.  She’s carved a path throughout Hollywood with appearances in Family Matters, Baywatch, Living Single, Soul Food, The Parkers, and  One Life to Live, to name a few.  Growing up in Miami, FL, Mari made her way to the Big Apple where she perfected her acting skills, before setting off for the City of Angels (L.A.).  I was lucky enough to grab a few moments of her time and pick her brain about her journey thus far.  Check out what she had to say about the current state of acting, what she’s been up to and how she decided to make that big move to Los Angeles.

Source: Cuts Central

Source: Cuts Central

You’re originally from Miami, what made you move to the West Coast?

I live in L.A., but right after high school I went to NYU and studied theater.  From there, I moved straight to L.A. when I finished.

What was the deciding factor to get you to move to the West Coast?

Well, New York is more theater and I really wanted to make money.  I figured T.V. and film were where I was going to make money, as opposed to hard work in the theater.  Theater is nice, but I figured I needed to get my fame while I was young and L.A. was the best place.  All of the shows were shot in L.A…back them we had a bunch of black shows so that was the place to be.  Back then I think the only thing that New York had was The Cosby Show.  Plus I was tired of the cold and me being from Miami, I wanted the warmth and I wanted to be able to drive.  While I was in New York, NYU sent me out to an actual theater school so I was in Stella Adler Studio of Acting and I didn’t really like it…I didn’t care for the kids in there.  So, I checked out some of the other ones and this one school, Circle of the Square was more like me…less smoking (lol).

With all of your training and relocating, what do you think has been the hardest part about having fame and succeeding in the industry?

The hardest part is maintaining.  I got out here and I did pretty good!  When I think about how hard it is, there’s so many actors trying to make it and I was pretty lucky to get my foot in the door and hang around a bit.  But then, once the reality shows came in, it just knocked all of the little T.V. shows and the black T.V. shows out…a lot less work.  But, luckily I was able to make some money and let my money make money!  I try to instill that in people.  If you do get a job where you make some good money, you have to use that money to try and make more.  In this business, you just never know where your next job is gonna come from.  I used my money to develop properties.  That helps me to where I don’t really have to get out there and try to find so many jobs because I’m actually covered, which is a good thing.  I try to tell people, don’t go out there and spend money on cars, try to invest it somewhere…actually, what I do now is sell real estate as well. My mom always said to have a back-up plan, so that’s my back-up plan that I actually enjoy.

Do you still pursue acting?  Do you have any upcoming projects?

I have some projects, but I haven’t been focusing all or putting all of my energies in it.  Luckily since I’ve been in the business for a while, I have people come after me and ask me to be in this or that.  I’ve been lucky in that way.  I just did a pilot; hopefully that will get picked up!  I also did an independent film called The Good Life.  Social networking has helped me too.  I’m not really into it, but it helps.  I have a Twitter account (@Mari_Morrow) so people can get in touch with me.

I think it’s great that you had a back-up plan, but do you think it takes away from why you went to L.A. in the first place?

I don’t think it takes away.  I think it’s good because, as an actor, we do have a lot of down time when there’s no auditions going on.  So, that gives me a chance to do something else.  Other people may have other creative outlets or they take acting classes.  I’m older and I have a kid and I don’t have time to go with my son, but every now and then I take an improv class.  That’s a new trend that people are looking for if you’re good at it.

A lot of people remember you from How to Be a Player, what do you consider to be your big break?

A lot of people remember me from How to Be a Player, but then again not a lot of people knew my name back then.  I think they learned my name from the T.V. show called Oh Drama!.  They got to see me everyday and I got to say my name everyday so it resonated.  I think after that, it helped me out a lot.  I was also on One Life to Live, that was my first show where I was a regular so that helped me out a lot also.

When you go on auditions, what techniques do you use to prepare for a role?

I have to go over and over because my memory is not the greatest.  I have friends come over and run lines with me or I’ll tape my lines at night and I’ll put it on a tape recorder and I’ll play it as I sleep.  The more I know my lines, I can just drop it and I can actually be the character and play with it.  For me, it’s rehearsing over and over.

Outside of saving money and techniques, what other advice can you offer actors trying to make it?

Try to always be learning.  Take different classes because in acting, the more that you know, the better actor you will be.  There was one time I started taking sign language classes, I want to take spanish classes, I want to take juggling classes also.  I saw Zoe Saldana in Colombiana and I was like “alright now!” she brought the black girls back and it made me want to go and take some martial arts.  It’s all about being ready; you just never know what’s going to come up or what you’ll need for a role so it’s always good to be prepared as opposed to trying to get prepared.  So, training and always look to try something new.

What is your ultimate goal for your career?

I would still like to do some acting, but I would like to do some producing.  I don’t mind stepping in back of the camera.  That would be pretty nice and fulfilling.  I don’t have to do the job and I can actually critique it or help the actor.

What’s one funny/quirky thing that fans may not know about you?

I can be a little weird.  I will wash dishes and then put them in the dishwasher and then wash them again because I want them in hot, hot water!  What’s it called? OCD? I’m a little weird like that (lol)!  I have to have it clean, I don’t trust everything.  I’ll come over your house and you tell me “oh no, it’s OK don’t wash it…” and I’m like “OK” and then try to sneak and wash it (lol)!  I don’t want to offend anybody, but I’ll ask, “Can I please clean it?!”

Source: Cuts Central

Source: Cuts Central

 

It was such a pleasure speaking with Mari and I can’t wait to meet her in person.  You can tell she has a great spirit!  She gives some good advice for up-and-coming actors; I hope everyone took notes!  Thanks for visiting the Dreamworld!

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What Are You Doing to Make the World a Better Place?!

Around the holidays people tend to forget that there are many who don’t have the option to celebrate.  There are so many people who are less fortunate in this world and I often believe that it is our obligation to look out for them when we can.  So, this holiday season, try to give back to at least one person.  It may be $5 to a homeless person on the street or it may be volunteering at your local shelter, but whatever it is MAKE IT COUNT! I don’t just talk about, I am about it as well.  I will be sponsoring 2 children this year for the Holiday Gift Drive at the James G. Blaine Academic Plus school in Philadelphia.  Each child in my friend’s class gets to pick 3 items that they want for Christmas and, those who are gracious enough to give, will buy the items for the child so that they can have a special Christmas!  I don’t live locally so I will be making my contribution financially for this event.  If you are interested and/or need something to give towards this holiday please let me know and I can pass you the information.  If you think it’s just us normal folks who give back, check out a few of the top celebrity philanthropists; this should get you in the spirit!

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah has donated more than $41 million through the Oprah Winfrey Foundation which helps women and children gain access to education programs.

Meryl Streep-AES-063724

Meryl Streep has contributed over $2 million to the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts, which she and her husband established.

Mel Gibson-AES-047287

Mel Gibson, as crazy as some may think he is, has given over $6.85 million to the A.P. Reilly foundation to support the Holy Family Church!

Give what you can to help those less fortunate!

Daniella Sig

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*Update* Corey Grant: The Lost Coast Tapes

Movie Cover

A while back, I did an interview with up-and-coming movie director, Corey Grant.  He’s still making his way through Hollywood and picking up talent along the way.  He saw much success with the release of Dysfunctional Friends and is enjoying the success of his latest project, Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes.  Check out what Corey says about his current film and how you can show your support!

Just looking at the trailer, we can assume that this movie will be a thriller, suspense, “scary” film, but what is the basic plot/storyline that will make it stand out from other films within the same genre?

It’s about a disgraced television host who was hoaxed by a fictional UFO story on a previous show, and it killed his career.  He stages his comeback when he finds out there is a Bigfoot hunter who supposedly has a body of Bigfoot. He believes it’s a hoax so he figures he can do a show, but this time do it about people who pull hoaxes, then he can bring his career back. So, of course, they travel up to Northern California to find this Bigfoot hunter, but when they get up there…(he can’t reveal too much, you have to see the film!).  This is a POV film and it’s a thriller/horror film.  However, we blended the styles of traditional movies and POV movies and came up with hybrid, then I put my touch on it.. Its a fun movie to watch, but can be very disturbing and entertaining at the same time!

This movie is strikingly different from Dysfunctional Friends, how did you come up with the concept?

My producing partner, Chevez Frazier, and I are good friends, along with two writers, Bryan O’cain and Brian Kelsey.  We wanted to work with them and told them to give us 5 concepts; Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes was one.  It was a no brainer because I’m a fan of the Bigfoot legend!  All over the world, each continent has their own form or name for this creature.   We wanted to switch gears and do something completely different from Dysfunctional Friends and you can’t get any more different than this.  I gave them notes and ideas and they gave us a wonderful script! We raised the money and here we are!

What do you say to the critic who compares “The Lost Coast Tapes” to the “Blair Witch Project”?

All found footage/POV movies are compared to The Blair Witch Project, as it was one of the first to use this style in a fictional movie.  It was a trend-setting movie!  However, other than its POV and in the forest, it’s completely different.. The story is stronger and the camera, acting and effects are on a much bigger scale than what they were doing at the time.  I love Blair Witch [though];truly scary when first saw it.

When is the movie slated for release?

It opens in Los Angeles at the Lamele Theater in Beverly Hills on October 19th.  On the 26th it opens in SanDiego, then moving on to San Francisco, Seattle, Portland and Austin…  It’s also available right now on Premium VOD from your local cable or satellite  provider. It will be out on Blu Ray the second week in November.  The movie was released last month in JAPAN, GERMANY, SCANDANAVIA, NETHERLANDS, JAPAN and ALL over the UK and has been a big hit over there… It’s my first worldwide release!

You wasted no time getting right into production for this film so soon after the release of “Dysfunctional Friends”; how do you manage to keep sane with everything that’s going on?

Im driven…I have to make movies to live. I die when I’m not on set or writing a new script or preparing a new movie to shoot…I live for this.  I’m the happiest when I’m on set.

What breakout actors should everyone be paying attention to in “The Lost Coast Tapes”?

Drew Rausch, our lead, gives a great performance as “Sean”.  The ladies will love Rich Mac Donald as well and veteran, Frank Ashmore, gives a great performance as the Bigfoot Hunter “Drybeck”.  I was in awe working with him!  Great acting in this piece!  Ashley Wood, our lone female, is also going to raise some eyebrows.  She’s gonna be big real soon.

As always, how can fans show their support and/or get updates on any current/future projects you’re working on?

Follow me on Twitter @Corey_Grant and hit me on Facebook.  For all the fans of Dysfunctional Friends, I’m gonna be revisiting that world and style with my new romantic comedy, The Next Ex, which will have an all-star cast. If you liked Dysfunctional Friends you will love this.  My company, New Breed Entertainment, is co-producing it with Tri-Destined Studios and producer, ND Brown.  They have a new movie out called, Note To Self, starring my boy, Christian Keyes and directed by Trey Haley.  Great people and a great company to work with.  More quality black films to come!

Lastly, which of your projects is your favorite…and why (putting you on the spot with this one lol)?

LOL…Hard question to answer… I would have to say Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes because nobody expected this type of movie from me, let alone for it to be good. The fact that it is worldwide is major for a filmmaker of color and I want to be known as just a storyteller who isn’t boxed into any one genre..just good movies!

***

Well, there you have it!  Corey Grant is doing well and seeing so much success!  He is bringing so much attention and positivity to black films; something that is still long overdue. Please be sure to support this young man and check out Dysfunctional Friends and Bigfoot: The Lost Coast Tapes!  Here’s the trailer:

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*New Music* World (Shyne’s New Artist) “Angel of Death” (Game Diss Record)

Source: SheBloggin.com

There’s been much talk about Shyne’s recent release from prison and the unfinished business he’s had with certain members of the hip-hop community.  His most recent mixtape, Gangland, was dropped on the anniversary of his debut album on Bad Boy.  Shyne has taken a new artist under his wing, who goes by the name of “World” and he’s come with a banger!  Check out Angel of Death which is a heavy diss record aimed at The Game (click the link below).

 

http://soundcloud.com/worldgangland/angel-of-death-game-diss?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter&utm_content=http://

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Jonathas, from NBC’s, “The Voice”, Tells All to the Dreamworld!

If you are a fan of NBC’s The Voice, then the name Jonathas will certainly ring some bells.  He was the soulful powerhouse from Season 2 who was cut in the final battle round, just before the ultimate live competition.  Jonathas was a fan favorite, bringing something new to the competition…a Brazilian who could sing Usher’s U Got it Bad better than Usher himself (yes, I said it!).  For those that aren’t as familiar, Jonathas migrated to the United States on a boat for over a month with his mother at the age of four.  Growing up poor, music is what he turned to at a young age and it has become the one thing that could help provide for his family.  Now living in Texas at the age of 24, he has a wife and two kids and drops his debut album, Numb, which is slated to be something that the R&B game needs.  Check out my interview with Jonathas and see what he has to say about his upcoming album, his migration to the U.S. and choosing team Christina on The Voice.

Tell me about your journey from Brazil to the U.S.

I came to the States when I was about 4 or 5 years old.  I was on a cruise ship with me and my older brother and my mom was pregnant with my younger brother.  We came to the States super young and Austin was one of the first stops we made.  Singing was always a part of my life…I tried to enter as many things as I could; we grew up really poor so money was always a situation and we tried to scramble around and get into as many free things and contests as we could.

At what point did you know that singing was a passion and something that you were going to follow for the long haul?

I gotta say when I was probably in Middle School, there was a big show that I did and I lead the choir and had these big solos and I knew from there exactly what I wanted to do. I had to grow up and learn everything on my own [including] all the studio stuff, so I just started taking it to the next level.  Middle School was really it…not only was I like, “I can do this” but I love to do it and I love to hear the fans yell. It was what I wanted ever since I was young.

Even though this is your passion, it’s obviously a way for you to provide for your family.  Given the struggle that you’ve had early on in life, does that add any extra pressure to succeed?

Yes, absolutely!  I make a little money here and there, but I also work part-time.  I’m 24 hours, fully committed to this music thing because that’s what I do and that’s what I love to do and it’s what I’m gonna do until I’m where I want to be, but even now it’s tough.  You go onto a show like The Voice and you get cut where you did and you get back home and people had all these expectations, family as well.  It was tough.  Having to pick it up from there, it was tough.  I had to search deep and find myself and that’s where Numb came from.

What can fans expect from your upcoming album, Numb?

Numb is real, it’s something that I had to step out of where I was and I had to find myself and I had to do my own soul searching.  It was the first time I was dealing with another writer that was writing something for me and that was big because I’m real picky when it comes to my music and I like things a certain style.  I really opened up for this project.  I had a writer for my first single, Written in Stone, who was Karen Rodriguez.  It’s me thinking, it’s me searching and I’m still finding my voice.

You have an amazing voice!  Where do you get your main inspiration from?

That’s a good question!  I never grew up with any vocal coaching, but I did grow up with my heros like Usher.  When Ne-Yo first broke out as an artist, that’s when it struck me.  Ne-Yo was one of my biggest inspirations and not just as an artist, but as a songwriter and having to work behind the scenes and see everybody else get the fame and high accolades.  Then he comes out and BOOM, he’s the man!  I really kept that in mind and stayed focus.  I really follow up on the artists that I have a lot of respect for and it keeps me in line with my music.  Nowadays, a lot of things are going Pop and it’s rare that you hear R&B on the radio.  What I don’t want to do is reject what I have now and where my voice is best at and go do the Pop; I want to stick with what I love and what I do best and that’s R&B.

Did you get a chance to work with Ne-Yo?

I didn’t and it kinda sucks because I ended up going with team Christina and Ne-Yo was a mentor on Cee-Lo’s team.  But, everything happens for a reason and hopefully things come up after this project is released.

You chose team Christina, was that something that you did on your own and if so, what was the ultimate deciding factor?

I did choose her on my own, but I didn’t have intentions of choosing her…I don’t even think they give you more than a minute to decide.  I went into the competition saying I wanted to go with team Cee-Lo.  He’s another artist that I have a lot of respect for.  I felt like Christina wanted to fight for me more and when she was looking at me and talking to me I just really felt like she wanted to connect with me as a artist and elevate what I had to the next level.

Were you happy with your decision at the end of it?

That’s a tough question to ask.  I can say yes and I’m really thankful for everything she’s done for me, but at the same time did I make the right decision? That’s a question I ask myself all of the time.  Everything does happen for a reason and maybe it just wasn’t meant to be quite yet and maybe there’s something bigger for me out there.

What advice can you offer up-and-coming artists who are hustling just like you in this industry?

The best thing that I can say is, if you have a dream, never throw it away just because someone tells you that you can’t do it or someone tries to bring your down.  You can do anything that you put your mind to, you just have to go out there and do it and take chances.  You have to leave it all on the line and try your best every single time.  Your work ethic is one of the most important things.  This music business, it sucks to say, but it’s grimy.  You have to hustle to get into where you need to…when you’re hustling, you have to have a work ethic and you have to put in work.

How can fans support you?

You can go anywhere from iTunes to Amazon or my website, IknowJonathas.com.

Any last words for your fans?

I hope everyone is on board; I’ve been working really hard on this project.  I’m here for them and I hope they’re here for me!

Thank you for visiting the Dreamworld and I hope that Jonathas’ story has inspired everyone to keep pushing!  Check out this video of Jonathas singing Usher’s U Got it Bad onNBC’s The Voice and be sure to buy his new album, Numb!

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