Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry
EXCLUSIVE KOBE MOMENTS
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ACADEMY AWARDS
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HW’S FAVORITE AUTHORS ND EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS
92 ACADEMY AWARDS Photo Credit: Allen Cabs
MULTI-AWARDED AND EMPOWERED WOMAN:
AVON V. MORALES
® LETTER FROM THE EDITOR W
PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson
elcome readers to a very special issue of Hollywood Weekly Magazine. We are honored to have Avon Morales gracing our cover. There are many wonderful attributes to Avon Morales, and her interests cover a wide variety of social activism, but I think at her core she honestly and sincerely doesn’t want to see anyone suffer. I won’t say ‘needlessly suffer’ because it’s a ridiculous phrase. There is never a need to suffer. But that is the truth with Avon. She wants people to be happy. A lot of people say that, I know, but how many people who say that have gone into rural areas in the country to teach people how to sustain themselves and enjoy their lives by plugging into modern resources. The short list of people who can back that up? Oprah, Bill Gates and his Wife, Kanye West and Avon Morales. We hope you enjoy her story. As always, readers, we thank you. We are who we are because of YOU.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Ewart DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES & ASST TO THE PUBLISHER Jordan O'Quinn-Campbell MARKETING & SALES Launy Rhem CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anthony Ewart Alex A. Kecskes Jordan O’Quinn-Campbell ART DIRECTOR Damian Aragon PRODUCTION DESIGNER Denise Chavez VIDEO EDITOR/ PRODUCER Israel Aleman CHINA OPERATIONS Victor Migalchan victor@hollywoodweeklymagazine.com (213) 220-3052 (424) 371-9900
Wishing you all Peace & Happiness!
Anthony Ewart Associate Editor
Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry
EXCLUSIVE KOBE MOMENTS
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HW’S FAVORITE AUTHORS ND EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS
92 ACADEMY AWARDS Photo Credit: Allen Cabs
MULTI-AWARDED AND EMPOWERED WOMAN:
AVON V. MORALES
INDIA OPERATION Ike Sinha Country Director Art4Peace Awards Hollywood Weekly Magazine B1/1565 Vasantkunj New Delhi-110 070 Mobile +919599068592 ASIA OPERATION Bench Bello HWM Asia Operations hollywoodmagazineusa@gmail.com Mobile +639273895559
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4 Multi-Awarded and Empowered Woman KOBE BRYANT 12 Tribute HITHA 18 Social Media-Good or Bad for Teenagers 92 ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS 20 YANCY BUTLER 22 HW SPOTLIGHT 24 Dylan Nuttall annd B.V.M BEDSIDE READING 28 HW’s Favorite Authors JACK LEE 32 Hollywood Chef NATALIE BLANCARDI 36 Putting the “REAL” Back Into Real Estate AVON MORALES
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Exclusive Photos ‘ Emerald Run’’
MS. AVON MORALES Photo Credit: Allen Cabs
4 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
MULTI-AWARDED AND EMPOWERED WOMAN
AVON MORALES IS MRS. ASIA PACIFIC GLOBAL 2019 GRAND WINNER Full name: Avon Viray Morales Title: Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019 Grand Winner Other Titles: Mrs. Asia Pacific 2019 Elegance Mrs. Asia Pacific 2019 Photogenic Mrs. Asia Pacific 2019 Special Queen Award 2019 Ambassador Mrs. Asia Pacific 2019 Social Media Queen Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific Global 2019 Grand Winner Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific 2019 Best in Smile Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific 2019 Photogenic Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific 2019 Queen of Hearts Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific 2019 Social Media Queen Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific 2019 Innerwheel WHO IS AVON MORALES? On May 18, 2019, a prestigious, international beauty pageant, The Mrs. Asia Pacific Beauty Pageant, was held at the Forest City Phoenix International Marina Hotel in Johor, Malaysia. This is an international beauty pageant for married and single women which focuses on Advocacy and Women Empowerment. Thirty delegates from different countries took part in the said event and our very own Avon Morales emerged as the grand winner. Aside from the main title, she also bagged the following special awards: Special Queen Ambassador 2019, Mrs. Elegance, Mrs. Photogenic and Mrs. Social Media, where she was the highest in Public Online Voting. She was also part of the top 5 in the Best in Talent where she sang and danced the mashed-up songs “Come Together” by The Beatles and “Royals” by Lorde.
These were all the winners of that momentous event: a. Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019 Grand Winner: Mrs. Philippines - Avon Morales -----------------------b. Mrs. Asia Pacific All Nations 2019: Mrs. Singapore c. Mrs. Asia Pacific Tourism 2019: Mrs. Malaysia d. Mrs. Asia Pacific Intercontinental 2019: Mrs. Myanmar e. Mrs. Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan 2019: Mrs. Russia HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 5
Avon Morales’ victory parties were held at the following dates and venues: a. Pulai Springs Resort, Johor Malaysia on May 19, 2019, attended by the fellow queens/contestants from different countries. b. Party and PressCon in Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila on June 2, 2019, attended by her family members, close friends, fellow Mrs. Philippines-Asia Pacific winners and contestants, selected members of the media. Indeed, Avon has made the whole Philippines proud by bringing home the most coveted title that night. She is one beautiful person, and her accomplishments are a manifestation of how inspiring her life story is. SO LET’S GET TO KNOW AVON MORALES, DEEPER. Ever since, Avon has dreamt of a quality of life that she can hold on to, that she can share with her 2 children and the community, and that she can be proud of as self-achievement. Avon’s propensity to drive herself to higher heights began during her school days where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was recognized as the Outstanding Student Council Leader at one of the top Universities in the Philippines. She also has grown as a person, professionally. Right now, she is the Human Resources Head in a Conglomerate. Her value and her efforts at work are continuously being recognized and rewarded. In addition, she has been awarded the following titles from 2017: • Images Asia’s 2017 Woman of Substance and Purpose • Outstanding Woman in Commerce and Leadership 2017 Awardee • Rotary International Outstanding Leadership Awardee for 2 consecutive terms 2018, 2019 • Manila’s Best Dressed 2017 Awardee • Rupert Jacinto’s Portrait of a Woman 6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Fabulous in Career 2017 Awardee • Bobby Castro’s Outstanding Talent and Empowered Woman 2017 Awardee • Philippine Empowered Woman 2017 Awardee • Panama USA’s Outstanding Woman of Style and Community Civic Leader - 2018 Awardee
• Philippines’ Face of Success 2018 Awardee • Philippines’ Best Dressed: Ambassador for Life 2018 Awardee • Pamana USA’s Ambassador of Style for Life 2018 Awardee • Philippines’ Elite 2018 Awardee • Outstanding Woman 2019 Awardee • International Pageant Pinoy Achiever 2019 • Fabulous Global HR Leader of the World Awardee 2020 On May 19, 2020, she will be recognized by Asia’s Top Luminary Award Giving Body as the Most Inspiring Woman of Asia, in Vietnam. She wants to share all of these achievements with her two children, who are her sources of inspiration. They are the reason why she gives her best in all of her endeavors. With all the blessings, it is time to give back. Her involvement in an international organization that does charity work/outreach programs/service missions, being the President for two consecutive terms intensifies her advocacy, which is Empowerment of Underprivileged Communities. To date, she has led the adoption and transformation of 2 underprivileged communities- The first one was Barangay San Martin de Porres, Quezon City. She and her fellow volunteers started to adopt the community in 2015. They provided them livelihood opportunities such as baking, motor cycle repair, hair cut livelihood. They came up with mini-jobfair, coaching program, school-to-job bridging program and a reading program for them. They held several healthcare caravans where they taught them how to deal with common illnesses. The community started to be independent and empowered.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7
Crowned as the Mrs. Asia Pacific Global 2019 Grand Winner during the Mrs. Asia Pacific Beauty Pageant Coronation Night at Forest City Phoenix International Marina Hotel Johor, Malaysia on May 18, 2019 8 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Awarded as the Outstanding Civic Leader during the Rotary International Awarding Ceremony in Manila Marriott Hotel Philippines on June 4, 2018
Awarded as the Fabulous Global HR Leader of the World during the World HRD Congress held at Taj Lands End Hotel, Mumbai, India on February 15, 2020 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 9
Now they are currently adopting and empowering the Community of Indigenous People in Culao, Claveria Cagayan. Before they started their mission, this community was highly dependent, no decent dwellings (they lived in huts with no walls or floors), no toothbrush, no appropriate clothes to wear, not enough sources for livelihood. They started to rebuild their houses which made the people feel safe and sound as their basic survival needs were met. They constructed and donated a Community Learning Center, and the people started to effectively communicate their needs. They provided them livelihood opportunities such as weaving, handicraft and farming which made the people more inspired to push for their empowerment. They are set to adopt the Community of Indigenous People in Bacsay Mapula-Pula, Claveria Cagayan this 2020. Winning the Mrs. Asia Pacific Pageant further strengthens Avon’s advocacy. She is grabbing the opportunity of having a voice that can go beyond the Aeta Community in Cagayan, the Philippines, the Asia Pacific and the world. She firmly believes that an inspired voice that’s in sync with the heart will not only attract attention, but will encourage everyone to act and fight against the imbalance of the world and to become part of the solution in the alleviation of poverty and the empowerment of communities. As she builds her credibility and earns respect, she has been requested to appear in several TV commercials and print ads. When asked during the pageant how she would like to be remembered this was exactly what she said: “I have lived my life bearing in mind that whatever I do will someday be used as a measure for judging me. I’d like to be remembered as an individual with character strength and unwavering determination and courage to stand by her faith in God whatever the circumstances may be. More importantly, I’d like to be remembered as a caring mother, responsible daughter, dependable friend, empowering career leader and inspiring civic leader who made a difference in the lives of many, in the community and the world.” Coming from her heart, her answer garnered the highest score in the Q&A portion of the pageant. Another question that was asked during the contest which left an impressive mark on the judges and the audience was this: “Name one quality you have which will outshine you from your fellow contestants?” Her answer: “That one quality is that- I’m very much grounded with my purpose in life or reason for being. That is- I live to help, inspire and empower others especially those in
need. And being the president of an international organization that does humanitarian service missions provides me with more opportunities to live a life of purpose. And for one to outshine the other contestants, and to be deserving of the crown, one has to have a purpose and has to be in tune with that purpose.”
Avon’s purpose and ‘WHYs’ got at the deep reasons for competing beyond the crown and the sash, and that made her perform and speak genuinely from the heart, and at her peak. But Avon’s dreams and goals don’t stop here. Ten years from now she sees herself nearing the state of self-mastery. For her, a beauty queen with self-mastery meets and wins every challenge with confidence. She also sees herself having an intensified advocacy by then, especially since her voice can now be heard internationally. She envisions herself as a beauty queen who loves and lives a life of stewardship…, as a beauty queen with a heart and purpose through and through.
10 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
MULTI-AWARDED AND EMPOWERED WOMAN: MS. AVON V. MORALES
Fashion Designer/Stylist: John Guarnes
Photos by Allen Cabs
Fashion Accessories by: NUDA Philippines by ATSG
Video by Chester Chua
HMUA: Maria Conchita Viray Crisostomo
Location: OKADA Manila
Organized by Bench Bello of BBM Concepts
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 11
“
The Sun Rises In The East And Sets... with Kobe Bryant
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“
By Anthony Ewart
If only we could live our lives in sports. In the safety of sports. The safety of a game that can elicit the same kind of visceral emotions we experience in the “outside world.” But unlike the outside world it is free of the challenges that come living with capitalism, materialism and narcissism. Of the poisonous trifecta created by these three variables only capitalism is neutral in its affect on society. The metaphoric “tool” for good or bad. The many talents of Oprah Winfrey enabled her to flourish in a capitalistic society like butterflies in Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest. But there is an underbelly to capitalism. Sometimes it seeps into sports. There is nothing worse than seeing your sports hero undone by their own undoing because of the seduction of money. But the Siren Song of capitalism, notwithstanding, sports is insulated from the harshness of life. I mean sports on the field. Or on the court -- all courts: either Laker Hot or L.A. Kings Cold. When athletes are competing against each other there is no outside world. When fans are screaming with excitement and frenzy in the Staples Center or arenas and stadiums around the globe there is no outside world. That is the insulation from our “reality” that sports provides. The greatest social accomplishment Kobe Bryant gave the world is maintaining his childlike fascination and love for the game of basketball and for sports in general. That exuberance. That passion. It never left him. I remember seeing a clip of Kobe Bryant in attendance at the Olympics to witness Michael Phelps collect gold like an Egyptian Pharaoh. Kobe said he wanted to be there in person to witness this “cool moment.” Kobe was very aware of the impact a “cool moment” in sports can have around the world. The impact those “moments” have on fans.
Kobe Bryant was a student of sports. All sports. He loved the drama of the game -- the drama of fierce, athletic competition. That’s the kind of drama that captivates children and turns them into sports fans -- creating them like Stars forming in Nebulas. The safety of that Nebulous sports womb. That is where Kobe Bryant excelled. When the outside world tried to pull him away, as it does with all great athletes -- in one direction or another -- Kobe’s focus saved him. It was all about the game. His passion for the game. His sense of fun for the game. Kobe Bryant may well be the Patron Saint of “Children everywhere who dream of becoming Sports Heroes.” Beard or no beard Kobe Bryant had a baby face and most people will always remember the excitement and buzz when he was “that new kid who could be the next Magic or Jordan!” And Kobe really was the Chosen One who fulfilled that promise. He was living our fantasy and we lived it vicariously through him. You could tell with Kobe, more than any other player, that he was living his childhood dream. The child in Kobe never left his heart. Always smiling. He even won his Academy Award for an animated film. It was impossible not to love Kobe Bryant. He represented the joy and fun of sports like no one else has done before or ever will. There will always only be One Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles is “the place in the West the Sun sets,” and we’re known for our beautiful sunsets. Kobe Bryant has now attached himself and immortalized himself with both. Every California sunset, from this day forward, will be a time to remember the love and happiness Kobe Bryant brought this world.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13
EXCLUSIVE KOBE MOMENTS
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Photo: Terence Patrick ©2017 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 17
Hitha 18 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Social Media
Good or Bad for Teenagers? M
any teenagers survive on social media, whether by contacting friends, finding out what is going on in the world or following the newest social media celebrity. Teens learn to enhance social interactions through involvement in social media. Many times, friendships on social media are extensions of existing relationships. Social media allows teens to cultivate new friendships and provides greater learning and social opportunities. Other benefits for teens engaged in social media include increased social confidence, more social support and high media. Recently, there have been global issues creating havoc that many people have information about through social media such as the CoronaVirus. Gaining this knowledge has certain benefits and disadvantages such as being aware and taking extra steps for protection, but it can have negative effects such as making us believe that we have no control. Social media helps us recognize problems and work together to take steps of precaution. Although social media raises awareness, if it is misinterpreted, it causes people to be paranoid. Lately, teens are exposed to harmful concepts such as drugs & weapons via social media. Being a teenager myself, I must say that younger generations should be making the right choices with the abundance of information on social media. Many teenagers use social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat to spread rumors and hateful comments resulting in Cyberbullying. Currently, enough is going on around the world to bring us down, the last thing we need to do is turn on each other. A lot of people avoid social media to stay away from the hate that many users experience. There have been multiple cases where nothing is said in the open, but on social media, everything spills out. This is because social media users sometimes believe that their screen gives them protection and what they say online does not affiliate with who they are. However, this is false. Things said
on social media can almost always be tracked down to the sender. Posting a criticizing comment on someone’s feed is acceptable if it is constructive criticism. When the criticism starts moving away from the skill being displayed and more towards the person, it can be viewed as cyberbullying. People use social media to display things and moments that they are proud of. We should all be working on motivating instead of discouraging each other. The users who post are not the only people who can be harmed by social media, viewers can be too. Especially viewers who follow and like multiple celebrities. Many times, people of fame are seen in a world of fantasy, where everything goes their way and they have no problems. These idealistic scenarios are not possible. Everyone has issues going on in their life, whether they be smaller or bigger compared to others’. It wouldn’t help anyone to fantasize over the perfect life. A large number of social media users try to replicate someone else’s life by putting all their energy into unnecessary & unwanted things. In these instances, it is important to remember that we are all different. Certain conditions are better suited for certain people and we cannot live to be someone else. It may be hard to be thankful for the things we have when others have more but being able to have a roof over our heads and read this article ourselves should show how lucky we are. Social media is a huge platform, and its size is still growing. Social media allows us to connect with people all over the world. Recently, awareness has spread on social media programs about different global issues. Some problems can be avoided, but others may not be. In times of crises like these, we need to join forces and leave behind practices that can split us apart, like cyberbullying. Instead of filling the conversations with hate, we should fill them with love and kind words. Social media affects everyone, so why can’t the effect be a positive one? HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 19
92 Annual Academy Awards nd
Photos by oscars.org
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HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 21
Yancy BUTLER
On the thriller ‘Emerald Run’ and her many tough action roles
BY ALEX A. KECSKES
Born and raised in Greenwich Village, Yancy Butler is best known for her role as Detective Sara ‘Pez’ Pezzini in the TV series ‘Witchblade’ and as Detective Anne-Marie Kersey in ‘Brooklyn South.’ At 13, Butler entered the prestigious HB Studios in New York and later attended Sarah Lawrence College. She made her major motion picture debut in John Woo’s action thriller ‘Hard Target’ with Jean-Claude Van Damme. Her television debut in ‘Law & Order’ landed her the series lead in ‘Mann and Machine,’ which led to a starring role in ‘South Beach.’ She also co-starred with Wesley Snipes in the skydiving suspense, ‘Drop Zone.’ In the crime adventure, ‘Emerald Run,’ Butler is Anna Thomas, wife of a desperate man trying to smuggle emeralds across the Mexican border to save his daughter’s life.
22 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Thank you for taking the time for this interview. ‘Emerald Run’ is an action thriller that pulls no punches. What drew you to the role of Anna and this film? Yancy Butler: It’s action-packed but I love the idea of a man struggling with his faith. The internal journey he’s taking and what lengths he’ll go to for his family. It’s about his morals and ethics, and that drew me to the film. What did you find most challenging about this role and being in this film? Yancy: My character is so into her faith—so God-driven. That’s very unlike me because I consider myself a spiritual person and not a religious one. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. What was hard was that religion for this character kind of overshadowed everything else. What I mean by that is her daughter is suffering and possibly dying from some unknown illness. And my character thinks that her belief in God will solve everything. Not just take her through it, which I understand, but make it go away. That was a struggle for me because it almost felt un-empathetic. Not that my character wasn’t but I think she kind of ignored her daughter in a certain way. And that part was challenging. Every actor has a favorite scene. What was yours in this film and why? Yancy: I think in the end when Michael prays. I like the scene in the church because she’s just so oblivious to everything else. She‘s just punching her daughter, and as long as her daughter confesses, she’ll miraculously and medically be okay and absolved of all her sins.
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 23
Yancy: (laughs) It’s funny, in one of the horror films coming out—called ‘Dembanger’—I play a detective. I love playing cops. What did you like about being in ‘Witchblade’? And were you ever injured in doing those stunts?
David Chokachi & Yancy Butler You play the wife of a man desperately trying to do the right thing and the mother to a troubled daughter. What did you draw from to so convincingly play this complex role? Yancy: Thank you. With every character I play, you have to believe in that character. No matter what it is. Like when you’re playing a crazy person, you can’t play crazy, you have to convince yourself you’re as sane as everyone else. I just drew from the things that I believe in my own life. What my morals are. You seem to be attracted to thrillers and crime dramas. Any romantic comedies on the horizon for you? Yancy: Don’t I wish. From your lips to the casting god’s ears. It’s so funny, I fell into action because Dick Wolf cast me in this series called ‘Man & Machine.’ Your career could only go downhill from there. I played this beautifully created robot. So I just fell into these action roles and these thrillers have just followed me. And I love them. I have two horror films coming out, which is different for me. It’s a genre that everyone is coveting now. In your many detective roles, how did you prepare for the mental and physical demands of being a cop? Yancy: My hats off to the police. My cousin is a cop and I’ve done a lot of ride-arounds with him and other officers. Our jobs are similar in some respects. While ours isn’t life and death, it’s similar in the sense of we have to ‘hurry up and wait.’ There’s just a lot of downtime, which is what happens on set. Sometimes we work 19 hours a day. I’ve actually worked a 24-hour day once. It gets more difficult with each passing year. I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, but I’ll figure it out (laughs). That explains why you’re always so at home playing a detective. You’ve got the jargon and moves down. 24 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Yancy: OMG it’s so funny you asked me that. When we were doing ‘Witchblade,’ the movie—I never dreamed it would be a TV series— there’s a scene where I’m running after someone. This background player zigged when they should’ve zagged and I ran right into some construction scaffolding and broke my toe. We had about a week more to film and they were going to shut down production because I couldn’t walk. But like an injured football player, I was given cortisone shots to keep going—six shots every three hours on my toe. And that was more painful than breaking my toe. What have you learned about acting and being in show business that surprised you? Yancy: Good question. Actually, how much hard work it was. My mom was a company manager for a Broadway show so I grew up around the theater. I thought there would be a lot more rehearsals and that the hours would be different. I was used to the curtain going up at 8 o’clock and coming down at 10:30. But there are no rehearsals in this industry and the hours are really something. What were you like in high school? The girl most likely to…? Yancy: OMG. The girl most likely to…well at first, getting in trouble (laughs). But then I turned myself around and became a straight-A student. I think it was the girl most likely to get into the business I’m in now. I’ve always loved being around the arts. So I think people won’t be surprised that I chose that for a career.
dylan nuttall HW ACTOR SPOTLIGHT First Look!
PHONES: + 610 430 915 449N / (818) 385-9886 EMAIL: nutalldylan@gmail.com INSTAGRAM: dylan_nuttall WEBSITE: www.dylannuttall.com IMDB: www.imdb.com/name/nm7624167/
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 25
HW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Hip Hop Artist B.V.M (BLACK.VMERICAN.MALE)
The Most Dangerous Poet In America:
So Listen To His Music! BY ANTHONY EWART Call me John the Baptist for spreading my message so passionately about our Hollywood Weekly Artist Spotlight, B.V.M (pronounced “BAM” BLACK.VMERICAN.MALE), but I truly believe that first comes the Poet, then the Revolution. BAM is the Poet. The Revolution is coming. Life is cyclical. If you live long enough you’ll experience that (and hopefully learn) through osmosis. Or you could just read history. Poets, writers and philosophical thinkers have always been persecuted. The ability to sway public opinion or perspective through poetry or prose is a powerful weapon in the eyes of governments. Things haven’t changed. It’s so bad now that the Estates of Dashiell Hammett (writer of “The Maltese Falcon”) and Lillian Hellman (author of “The Little Foxes” and “The Children’s Hour”) give out Grants every spring to persecuted writers around the world. And why are writers and poets still persecuted? For the same reason they’ve always been. To suppress information. To hide the truth. To stop the flow of freedom and happiness. Just ask George Orwell, Aldous Huxley or Philip K. Dick. If you write poetry, you’re a writer. But...if your originality and unique perspective and voice shines through your poetry to the point that you are capable of creating a cultural paradigm shift, you are a Poet. Thus the historical danger of Poets to governments. Where do you think the line “The Pen is Mightier than the Sword” came from? BAM is a Poet. His Rhymes are Mightier than the Sword.
HW ARTIST SPOTLIGHT CONTACT: 424-371-9900 26 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
B.V.M
L.A. RAPPER BORN IN WATTS / L.A. BORN. L.A. RAISED
instagram: BLACK.VMERICAN.MALE Email: BLACK.VMERICAN.MALE@GMAIL.COM ALL MUSIC APPS B.V.M
NEW EP:
12TH YEAR
HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 27
Books Curated for Our Readers A Spy with Scruples by Gary Dickson The unintended consequences of acing a test . . . or when all else fails, try blackmail. In July of 1964, after marrying in Paris, Desirée and Scott Stoddard are honeymooning in the South of France when their idyll is interrupted by a notice from Scott’s draft board advising him that his status is being reviewed. Desirée, the former French countess who is already three months pregnant, doesn’t understand why her new husband, an American, must traipse off to some military base in Germany to be tested. Scott’s remarkable scores on the tests attract the attention of the CIA, and Scott, much to his dismay, becomes part of their world of intrigue and deceit. How can he get back to the life that he and Desirée had envisioned? When all else fails, blackmail is the answer. A Spy with Scruples plunges readers into the complicated political world of Cold War Europe. From neutral Switzerland to the aristocratic salons of Paris to bombed-out Berlin, Scott ingratiates some and offends more. But he has a plan.
Live True by Ora Nadrich Vividly illustrates and breaks down the philosophy of Mindfulness, and what it means to live in the present moment; authentically. Live True provides practical, tangible information and meditations to help us connect with our authentic selves, and keep us connected. Ora, who adheres to the Buddhist principle, “What we believe, we become,” has helped awaken hundreds with her Mindfulness Meditation techniques to overcome the obstacles that hold us back, and keep us from achieving the many benefits of being mindful.
Never Sit If You Can Dance By Jo Giese Jo’s mother, Babe, liked to drink, dance, and stay up very late. When the husband she adored went on sales calls, she waited for him in the parking lot, embroidering pillowcases. Jo grew up thinking that the last thing she wanted was to be like her mother. Then it dawned on her that her own happiness was derived in large part from lessons Babe had taught her. Her mother might have had tomato aspic and stewed rhubarb in her fridge, while Jo had organic kale and almond milk in hers, but in more important ways they were much closer in spirit than Jo had once thought. At a turbulent time in America, Never Sit If You Can Dance offers uplifting lessons in old-fashioned civility that will ring true with mothers, daughters, and their families. Told with lighthearted good humor, it’s a charming tale of the way things used to be― and probably still should be. 28 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
Vanishing Girls by Lisa Regan When Isabelle Coleman, a blonde, beautiful young girl goes missing, everyone from the small town of Denton joins the search. They can find no trace of the town’s darling, but Detective Josie Quinn finds another girl they didn’t even know was missing. Mute and unresponsive, it’s clear this mysterious girl has been damaged beyond repair. All Josie can get from her is the name of a third girl and a flash of a neon tongue piercing that matches Isabelle’s. The race is on to find Isabelle alive, and Josie fears there may be other girls in terrible danger. When the trail leads her to a cold case labelled a hoax by authorities, Josie begins to wonder is there anyone left she can trust? Someone in this close-knit town is committing unspeakable crime.
The Mindful Day by Laurie J.Cameron Designed for over-scheduled professionals looking to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives, this enriching, stepby-step guide draws on contemplative traditions, modern neuroscience, and leading psychology to bring peace and focus to the home, workplace, and beyond. International teacher Laurie J. Cameron creates a roadmap for finding deeper purpose and joy.
The Art of Dying by Derik Cavignano When the bizarre death of a mob foot soldier sparks an escalating war between Boston’s Irish and Italian mafia, Detective Ray Hanley’s relentless search for the truth uncovers evidence of a serial killer obsessed with the art of human suffering. As the body count rises, Detective Hanley must navigate a minefield of crime families, dirty politicians, and crooked cops, while matching wits with a deranged serial killer. But temptation, betrayal, and death threaten to derail the investigation… and justice doesn’t come without a price.
Staying Bothered by Jamie C. Amelio “When’s the last time you were bothered?” When activist and philanthropist Jamie Amelio poses this question, she’s not talking about being bothered about traffic, spilled coffee, or work deadlines. She’s talking about the BIG BOTHERS, like how you feel when you learn that every day 1,600 children die from diseases directly linked to unsafe water or a lack of basic sanitation facilities. Or the staggering statistics for suicidal children. What did you do with that feeling? In Staying Bothered, Amelio shows readers that every one of us is capable of affecting real, positive change in our communities and around the world if we just do ONE thing.
Bulwark by Brit Lunden Sheriff Clay Finnes has to admit that the fantastical stories, told by an accident victim as well as unusual sightings of wolves, things are getting a bit strange. A visit to the ominous Gingerbread House makes him realize that his life as he knows it will never be the same.
When We Found Home by Susan Mallery Life is meant to be savored, but that’s not easy with no family, limited prospects and a past you’d rather not talk about. Callie Smith doesn’t know how to feel when she discovers she has a brother and a sister—Malcolm, who grew up with affection, wealth and privilege, and Keira, a streetwise twelve-year-old. Despite her trepidation, she moves into the grand family home with her siblings and grandfather on the shores of Lake Washington, hoping just maybe this will be the start of a whole new life. But starting over can be messy. Callie and Keira fit in with each other, but not with their posh new lifestyle, leaving Malcolm feeling like the odd man out in his own home. Becoming a family will take patience, humor, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of love. But love isn’t Malcolm’s strong suit…until he learns that an open heart, like the family table, can always make room for more. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 29
Grace In The Wings by Kari Bovee New York City, 1920. Grace Michelle has everything she wants: a home, a family, and a future career as a costume designer for famed showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.’s Ziegfeld Follies. Pretty good for a girl who once lived on the streets of New York City. But when her sister, Sophia, the star of the show, is murdered, Grace’s safe and protected life is shattered.Battle-scarred by the war and emotionally scarred by his past, Chet Riker has made it a practice to keep his distance from others; love, after all, leads only to pain. But Chet has a problem—a big one: he’s become indebted to mob-boss Joe Marciano in an attempt to save his estranged mother’s life, and Marciano wants him to pay up or else. Desperate to get the money, he contacts former client Florenz Ziegfeld for work.
Challenge Everything by Scott Cullather & Kristina McCoober In Challenge Everything™: The Battle Cry That Blew Sh*t Up and INVNTd Live Brand Storytelling™ Scott Cullather and Kristina McCoobery the husband and wife co-founders of INVNT™, the global live brand storytelling agency™ share their story of launching a scrappy start-up – at the beginning of a global recession – and evolving it into a fully fledged global agency business, discuss the power of live brand storytelling and provide tactics for incorporating it into wider marketing strategies, and reveal the next frontier of business success: predictive analytics. So whether you’re a budding entrepreneur considering going out on your own, a business leader looking to take your company to the next level, or CMO eager to build your brand, this book will help you blow sh*t up and take your projects, partnerships, and performance to the next level.
The Changemaker by Deke Copenhave Leadership is never easy. Almost all leaders deal with both triumph and tragedy, oftentimes in equal measure. The fact of the matter is that leadership insists on constant rejection of the status quo. True leaders demand continuous reflection and improvement of those around them, and even more importantly, of themselves. True leaders are Changemakers. You will learn to become unafraid of doing something different in the service of a good cause and how to spark a movement that others can’t help but rally around. The Changemaker is a roadmap of sorts, designed to deliver comprehensive, common sense leadership strategies to people from all walks of life. 30 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
The Golf Course Millionaire by Robin Richter When properly applied, golf has the amazing power to introduce you to interesting and influential people; to establish lasting relationships with movers and shakers; and to help you reach your full potential in your career and in your social circles. In short, golf has the incredible power to improve your life! Robin Richter, former golf pro, has been playing golf for over four decades. She has built her successful promotional products company, Wearable Imaging, Inc., through the many meaningful relationships that were developed on the golf course. In her book, The Golf Course Millionaire, Robin shares how a great hobby can lead to fulfillment both on the course and off; in business and developing lasting friendships and alliances. If you’re an avid golfer, this book will help you to use the sport to improve your life. If you don’t play golf, she provides ways to use golf to connect with influencers too!
BOOKS & CONVERSATIONS PATRICK JAMES BOEN, THEOCRACY Q: What is “Theocracy” about? A: “Theocracy“ follows the path of a zealous young man, his journey leads him to ambitions for the highest office in the land- the presidency. Along the way he encounters others who see a dark side to his ambitions.
Q: Why did you set “Theocracy” in the near future? A: Because, though “Billy Waters’ “ future is far fetched, I believe the world needs to see what can happen if we are not careful in who we choose to follow.
Q: What inspired you to be an author? A: The easy answer is I read “Of Mice and Men“ at the right time in my life. As a high school Freshman I was told by my favorite English that if I wanted to be a writer I needed to read more and perhaps given my love of dialogue to begin with this classic. I wanted to be a screenwriter. But the work of John Steinbeck turned me into a novelist at heart. The infinite possibilities of Prose was a turning point in my journey.
Q: What is in store for your next work? A: I am working on a novel now entitled, “Lo, A Tilted Tree” that follows the balance of life and death, as well as the balance of Good and Evil in the heart of every human.
CAMERON HEROLD,
VIVID VISION
Cameron Herold, Vivid Vision - Many corporations have slick, flashy mission statements that ultimately do little to motivate employees and less to impress customers, investors, and partners. But there is a way to share your excitement for the future of your company in a clear, compelling, and powerful way and entrepreneur and business growth expert Cameron Herold can show you how. Q: What is a Vivid Vision? A: A vivid vision is a four or five page written document that describes your company in complete detail, three years from today. It describes every interaction you have with customers, suppliers, and
employees. It describes each business area in vivid detail. It describes your company culture, your meeting rhythms your leadership. It’s almost as if you were walking around your company and you describe what you see in such detail that anyone reading the document can see exactly what you can see, and then from that document they can figure out how to make it come true. Q: Who can use a vivid vision? A: A vivid vision can be used by companies and individuals and families. Companies can use the Vivid Vision to align all of the employees, suppliers and customers with the vision that the CEO has for the company. Doing this allows everyone to see what the CEO can see. Families can use a Vivid Vision to align all of the siblings, parents, and even the extended family, so that everyone can see where a family is headed and how a family wants to become and grow. Individuals can use a personal Vivid Vision to think about their life and their future and how they want to grow as an individual and all facets of their life. So their friends and family can support them in that growth. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 31
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JORDAN O’QUINN-CAMPBELL
HW Magazine threw its annual Pre-Grammy Party on January 25, 2020 at the Penthouse Headquarters of the NFL Los Angeles Chargers. The Penthouse was located inside of the brand new SoFi Stadium Premiere Center in Playa Vista, California. Inside of this highly modern building, attendees were able to get first glimpses of the interactive L.A. Stadium that will be built in Inglewood by Summer 2020. It is said that the Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 will take place in the actual stadium. The LA Stadium also has plans to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2028 Summer Olympics. The party itself featured performances from emerging pop sensation HITHA, singer-songwriting legend John Michael Ferrari, Russian pianist Oksana, Krunchtime Productions, and many other incredible acts. HITHA performed her new song, “Got me liking you” along with several other hits. John Michael Ferrari also debuted new music during his performance and overall had a great connection with the crowd. Each performer was supported by a live band and brought incredible energy to the stage. In attendance was Hollywood Weekly VIPs and Grammy stars that performed and/or attended the Grammys the following day. Stars came from all over the world with some travelling as far as from India and Vietnam.
looking at the futuristic interactions and displays. There was even a VR experience that showed the vision for the new stadium. After guests walked in the penthouse, they could see a $500,000 piano on display, which was donated by Steinway & sons for the event. As you walked further into the venue, people could see the red carpet. All the celebrities and VIPs walked across the red carpet and photographers and attendees surrounded them and took pictures. Some stars and celebrities that previously were on the cover of Hollywood Weekly Magazine were interviewed on the red carpet and you can find their interviews online. Once people crossed the red carpet, they were greeted by guides that directed guests upstairs. People then went through a grand tour of the penthouse. Guests also had the opportunity to buy season tickets for the new stadium. After the grand tour, guests were free to walk around the enormous penthouse that had an indoor and outdoor area. Inside, guests could grab a bite and they were able to listen to a live DJ while enjoying a large variety of food from Chef Jack. Outside, guests could checkout our vendors, which included Sculptures by Stella and the Charles & CompanyBeverage Services.
Attendees walked around the Penthouse in awe, HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33
The highlight of the night was the food catered by Vietnamese American celebrity chef, Jack Lee, who is famous for catering for A-list celebrities in Hollywood. People in Hollywood and Vietnam fondly refer to him as đầu bếp Hollywood, which translates to the Hollywood Chef. He has experience in catering to large celebrity parties to private catering for celebrities. Some of the celebrities he has catered for includes Angelina Jolie, Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Oprah Winfrey, Patti Labelle, Quincy Jones, and Barbara Streisand. He received his training from the California School of Culinary Arts and the Le Cordon Blue program. His career really started taking off once he received the position as Banquet Chef at the Hotel Bel-Air. Chef Jack has worldly experience and has experience cooking in restaurants across the globe. Chef Jack creates a menu to is unique to the event he’s catering based on the “personality and appetite” of his clients. For the Hollywood Weekly Pre-Grammy Party, he presented a Asian and French fusion cuisine that consisted of New Year’s Golden Crispy Seafood Roll with Red Caviars, Asian Free Range Chicken Gyoza with Ginger and Sesame Chili ,Korean Short Ribs Taco with Sweet Remoulade Coleslaws, Jumbo Prawn with Honey Soy Glaze & Crispy Coconut Flakes, Grilled Chicken and Roasted Eggplant Quesadilla with Mango Salsa, and Thai Style Wild Mushroom Mini Pizza with Coriander . He was supported by his culinary team consisting of Tino Martinez, Nick Ambrosio, Jason Ambrosio, Patrick Pham, Bill Chow, Angelica Ramos, and Salma Ramirez. There was a pastry team that was run by his daughters, Angela
Angela Lee Instagram:_angeluhh_lee_
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Lee and Liza Abella Lee. Angela Lee is following in the steps of her father in becoming a chef. She baked the pastries with her sister. Angela began baking at the young age of 8 and now at the age of 13, she’s baking for celebrities at our exclusive event. Chef Jack Lee describes his daughter as adventurous and a quick learner. She uses the kitchen as her personal playground, and she specializes in making cakes and cookies. Angela has also experimented in the cooking world by serving the turkey for her family’s Thanksgiving. When she’s not in the kitchen, she enjoys playing volleyball, tennis, and clarinet. Chef Jack Lee is a well-known chef in both the United States and Vietnam. Some of his shows he has been featured in include, MasterChef Junior Vietnam, Celebrity MasterChef Vietnam, Cutthroat Kitchen, and Rachael vs Guy: Kids Cook-off. Chef Jack also has famous food collections, such as Beyond the Seven Seas, My True Colors, Chinoises Tapas, and many more. Chef Jack is also known for his $100 egg roll. His signature dishes include Salmon Napoleon with Sea Urchin Sauce, Jumbo Prawn, Chilean Sea Bass with Orange Marmalade, and Lobster Beignet with Curry Sauce.
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Putting the “Real” BackInto Real Estate
For Los Angeles-based realtor extraordinaire Natalie Blancardi, leading the burgeoning L.A. housing market, overcoming formidable family-related challenges and continuing to grow a proven sales record is all in a day’s work.
BY SCOTT A. ARUTI Mention the term “real estate” to most people and immediately images of “For Sale” signs, infinite rows of tract housing as far as the eye can see, endless freshly-manicured yards and white picket fences are immediately conjured up, and for good reason – after all, these elements have been baked into our subconscious as a prerequisite for achieving “the American dream.” But for Natalie Blancardi, a professional real estate consultant with Coldwell Banker Quality Properties in Porter Ranch, the idea of putting the “real” back into real estate isn’t just a clever moniker designed to attract new clients – it is a passion-fueled effort to change the public’s perception about what it means to buy and sell real estate. “The primary lesson I have learned in my nearly 20 years of being a realtor is that what clients see, and who the agent helping them buy or sell a home really is, are two very different things,” Blancardi explains. “But regardless of the façade some people believe the real estate profession naturally exudes, I have made the conscious decision to continue giving it everything I have…looking the part through a professional, polished appearance and taking a unique approach when it comes to real estate. To me, helping someone find his or her perfect home – where memories are made, families are created and new life is born – is truly investing in the American dream.” 36 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
And that’s merely scratching the surface of this multitalented businesswoman’s extraordinary life experiences story. As a realtor for Coldwell Banker Quality Properties, Blancardi brings an overt friendliness and professionalism to the Los Angeles area realty circuit not commonly seen anymore – especially in the cutthroat Southern California market. Fluent in Italian and highly proficient in Spanish, French and Arabic, she has stretched her geographical expertise to encompass the representation of homes in Antelope Valley, San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and as far as Malibu, having just finished her second term on the coveted Stonehurst Historical Preservation Board, and nominated by none other than the Mayor of Los Angeles. Because of her impeccable history of cementing approvals, Blancardi has been dubbed the “Short Sale Queen” by those in the know amidst L.A.’s uber-competitive scene, a testament to the myriad of short sale clients she has been able to assist by restoring their credit and finding their new forever homes. Still, it’s her reputation for placing clients’ needs, goals and objectives at the forefront of every transaction, as well as her uncanny ability to fuse proficient communication, negotiation and management skills, that has placed her within the rankings of some of the most respected real estate professionals in Los Angeles today.
What’s more, her achievements and accomplishments in the real estate sector read like a proverbial who’s who of accolades, ranging from being a “Top Producer” since 2012 and “Multi-Million-Dollar Producer” since 2002 to being a respected member of the California Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors and more. She is also heavily invested in the local art community, consulting and representing notable neighborhood artists such as Shlomo Tuvia. Transcending the Glamour Beyond the chic hairstyles, stylish suits and stilettos and the luxurious cars – to say nothing of the thousands of dollars spent on advertising and marketing as demanded by LA’s realty scene – Blancardi enthusiastically describes herself as a real person with real life challenges, citing a recent particular hardship that pushed her endurance and life-balancing abilities to the extreme.
not alone.
“My life took a turn for the worse when my daughter, Mitch, succumbed to addiction,” she explains. “Needless to say, my life as I thought I knew it had stopped, turning into an existence of sleepless nights and wondering what the morning would bring. Between calls, listing presentations, showing properties and handling open houses, I was balancing these responsibilities with taking my daughter to doctor’s appointments and countless rehab centers. As parents we have dreams for our kids, which are suddenly shattered when drugs walk into our home and are replaced with prayers that our child lives to see another day. Unreal, yet so very real!”
In the shadow of these personal challenges, Blancardi has managed to branch out into other inspirational ventures, beginning with her Serata Italiana program, operated in conjunction with the Oksana Management Group of Los Angeles. Every Monday evening, she invites eager participants into her home for two hours of Italian language instruction, adding delicious food and wine to the equation for a funfilled foray into one of the most romantic dialects in the world.
After 3 long years and several attempts here in LA, Mitch is now finally working on her sobriety in San Patrigano, a world-renowned recovery community in Italy. Blancardi has found the time to reflect on this entire experience and how it has changed her from within. “The stigma alone”, she says, “Of coping with a child with an addiction can be crushing, toppled with the judgement of others coming in heavy doses. If only a mother’s love could cure addiction, it would have been eradicated a long time ago!” Now getting to a point where she understands that she, as a mom, has genuinely given everything to the situation, and is eager to pass on what she has learned to other parents who may find themselves on a similar dark journey to let them know they are
SHLOMO TUVIA
ROME - ITALY “Hands and Soul” Opens, March 12th, at 18:30
Other Inspirational Ventures
Additionally, she has begun preparations for an art show in Rome for her aforementioned LA-based client, Shlomo Tuvia, scheduled to take place in March. A video featuring Blancardi’s interview with the artist is now up on YouTube. “All of these additional endeavors are an attempt to fill the void of not having my daughter close by, and to try to make every single day count!” says Blancardi. “I am very much looking forward to seeing all my friends in the art community in Rome come March, and especially excited to see my daughter!” In the meanwhile, those parties interested in buying or selling a Southern California property are encouraged to call or email Blancardi, as they will not find a more dedicated “real” realtor that her.
For more information about Natalie Blancardi and her philosophies, experience and approach,, visit www.ReSellingLA.com. Natalie can be reached by calling (818) 445-9848, or by emailing NatalieBlancardi@gmail.com. HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 37
oscars’ after party
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