to another issue of Hollywood Weekly International!
On the cover of this month’s issue, we've feature Tiffany Chang, who has been crowned this year's Miss Asia USA! Tiffany is currently studying at Stanford University, pursuing a degree in Management Science & Engineering. Her current mission is to advocate for more women to pursue careers in STEM majors; she also uses her platforms to be a role model and ambassador for cultural diversity and inclusion, as well as demonstrate her philanthropic efforts.
Also featured is the brilliance behind the Miss Asia USA pagent, Virgelia Productions. We dive into the journey of their President and CEO, Virgelia Villegas, a prominent figure in the pagent community.
Missed the Grammys? We’ve got the highlights for you, as well as the nominations for this year’s Oscars!
Like keeping busy? Whether you want to stay home and read the newest book, or spend a night out and sing your heart out at a concert, this month's ROUNDUP has something for everyone!
Need something new to watch? We’ve got you covered! We’ve highlighted some new movies and TV shows coming out in the next month; you can find these in theaters or on some of your favorite streaming platforms.
We also feature some other incredible people: Tommy Le, Z LaLa, Lee A. Archer, Mathew Knowles, Julia Reilly, Beatriz Frazão, Dr. Emily Letran, The Uncle Earl, and Missy Sunseri.
Thank you, readers, for once again supporting Hollywood Weekly Magazine. We are nothing without you.
Prather Jackson Prather Jackson Publisher
Based on the best-selling non-fiction book, “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer,” new seven-part series premieres globally Friday, March 15 on Apple TV+
Today at the 2024 Winter Television Critics Association press tour, Apple TV+ revealed the trailer for “Manhunt,” the upcoming seven-part, true crime limited series starring Emmy Award-winning actor Tobias Menzies (“The Crown,” “Game of Thrones”), and created by Emmy nominee Monica Beletsky (“Fargo,” “The Leftovers,” “Friday Night Lights”), who also serves as showrunner and executive producer. “Manhunt” makes its global debut on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes on Friday, March 15, 2024, and new episodes will debut Fridays, culminating in the finale on April 19, 2024.
Based on The New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award-winning non-fiction book from author James L. Swanson, “Manhunt” is a conspiracy thriller about one of the best known but least understood crimes in history, the astonishing story of the hunt for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Starring alongside Menzies are Anthony Boyle (“Masters of the Air,” “Tetris”), Lovie
Simone (“Greenleaf”), Will Harrison (“Daisy Jones & The Six”), Brandon Flynn (“13 Reasons Why”), Damian O’Hare (“Hatfields & McCoys”), Glenn Morshower (“The Resident”), Patton Oswalt (“A.P. Bio”), Matt Walsh (“Veep”), and Hamish Linklater (“The Big Short”).
“Manhunt” is produced by Apple Studios and co-produced by Lionsgate Television, in association with POV Entertainment, Walden Media, 3 Arts Entertainment, Dovetale Productions and Monarch Pictures. Beletsky, Emmy nominee Carl Franklin, Layne Eskridge, and Kate Barry executive produce. Swanson, author of “Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer” also serves as executive producer alongside Michael Rotenberg, Richard Abate, Frank Smith and Naia Cucukov. Franklin, (“Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,” “One False Move,” “Devil in a Blue Dress”) also directed the first two episodes.
Apple TV+ offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films,
groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all your favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 452 wins and 2,057 award nominations and counting, including multi-Emmy Award-winning comedy “Ted Lasso” and historic Oscar Best Picture winner “CODA.”
Apple TV+ is available on the Apple TV app in over 100 countries and regions, on over 1 billion screens, including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac, popular smart TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, VIZIO, TCL, and others, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast with Google TV, PlayStation and Xbox gaming consoles, and at tv.apple.com, for $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV or Mac can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.* For more information, visit apple.com/tvpr and see the full list of supported devices.
Mariah Carey, the elusive chanteuse and best-selling female artist of all time with over 200 million records sold, is returning to Las Vegas with a new exclusive engagement, Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas. The performances will be held April 12 – 27, 2024 at Dolby Live at Park MGM.
In celebration of the anniversary of Mariah’s iconic album, The Emancipation of Mimi, one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century, the Las Vegas shows will feature fan favorites from that album as well as other hits from her unparalleled illustrious career.
Citi is the official pre-sale credit card of Mariah’s exclusive Las Vegas engagement at Park MGM. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. PT until Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 p.m. PT through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.
Members of MGM Rewards, MGM Resorts’ loyalty rewards program, as well as SiriusXM, Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers, will receive access to a pre-sale running Thursday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m. PT until Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 p.m. PT.
Tickets can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/MariahVegas. All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
The eight performances going on sale are: April 2024: 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24, 26 & 27
Mariah and Live Nation Las Vegas are donating $1 of every ticket purchased to Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas at Dolby Live at Park MGM to The Fresh Air Fund’s Camp Mariah. Camp Mariah is the summer component of the year round Career Awareness Program. Children, ages 11-15, attend Camp Mariah for three
Tickets for Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas go on sale Saturday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. PT
weeks each summer. Campers explore their interests in classes like film, photography, fashion, culinary arts, debate and international relations. A careers class helps campers create resumes and cover letters and conduct mock interviews. Campers also play team sports, swim every day and explore the outdoors in environmental science class. Camp Mariah is named in honor of Board member Mariah Carey for her generous support. For more information, visit https://freshair.org/career-awarenessprogram-mariah-carey-support/.
Mariah Carey is an author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, producer and multiple award-winning artist and songwriter. She is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to-date and 19 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles (18 of which are self-penned) - more than any solo artist in history. With her distinct fiveoctave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Carey is truly the template of the modern pop performance. Mariah is also an inductee to the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been recognized with multiple Grammy Awards, numerous American Music Awards, three Guinness World Record titles, both Billboard’s “Artist of the Decade” and “Icon” awards, the World Music Award for “World’s Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium,” the Ivor Novello Award for “PRS for Music Special International Award,” and BMI’s “Icon Award” for her outstanding achievements in songwriting, to name a few.
Carey’s cultural impact has transcended the music industry to leave an indelible imprint upon the world at large. In 2009, Carey was recognized with the Breakthrough Performance Award at the Palm Spring International Film Festival for
her critically acclaimed role in Lee Daniels’ “Precious.” A Congressional Award recipient, Carey has selflessly donated her time and energy to a range of philanthropic causes near to her heart including Save the Music, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, World Hunger Relief, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, among many others. A tremendous supporter of children’s charities, both domestic and international, Carey founded Camp Mariah in partnership with the Fresh Air Fund, a retreat for inner city children to explore career development. In 2020, Mariah’s riveting memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey was recognized as a New York Times #1 bestseller upon release. For additional information, visit www.mariahcarey.com
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. Live Nation Las Vegas produces residency shows from Los Bukis, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars at Dolby Live at Park MGM; Jodeci and Santana at House of Blues; Garth Brooks and Rod Stewart at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace; The B-52s, Earth, Wind & Fire, Foreigner, Styx and Chicago at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas; and Scorpions, Shania Twain and Miranda Lambert at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Live Nation Las Vegas also brings other world-famous artists to many of the city’s other premier concert venues including Allegiant Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, MGM Grand Garden Arena, Michelob ULTRA Arena, the Pearl at Palms Casino Resort, Downtown Las Vegas Events Center and more. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
MULTI-PLATINUM GRAMMY AWARD WINNING GLOBAL
ENTERTAINMENT ICON USHER
ANNOUNCES USHER: PAST
PRESENT FUTURE INTUIT DOME LOS ANGELES, CA
SEPTEMBER 21 & 22, 2024
CITI CARD MEMBER AND VERIZON CUSTOMER PRESALE
STARTS FEBRUARY 7 AT 10AM
LOCAL TIME
GENERAL TICKETS ON SALE
FEBRUARY 12 AT 10AM LOCAL
TIME AT LIVENATION.COM
Following his incredibly successful two year My Way: The Las Vegas Residency run culminating in 100 sold out shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM, multi-platinum, 8-time Grammy award-winning global entertainment icon USHER is bringing his smooth R&B tracks, infectious smile and slick moves to fans all across the globe. USHER will be traveling across the country performing in celebration of his 30-year storied career including songs from Coming Home, his ninth studio album slated for release on February 9, via mega/gamma.
Produced by Live Nation, USHER: Past Present Future 24-city tour will visit arenas across North America starting August 20 at Capital One Arena in Washington DC making stops in Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta and more, before wrapping up in Chicago at United Center on October 29.
About Usher
USHER has changed music, culture, and countless lives. The multiple Grammy Award-winning diamond-selling international megastar, actor, dancer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist inspires change yet again.
Beyond selling over 80 million records worldwide and collecting dozens of awards, he has simultaneously lit up the small screen on NBC’s The Voice and the big screen in blockbusters such as Hustlers. He has also tirelessly distinguished himself as a devout humanitarian, raising tens of millions of dollars for various causes and uplifting youth via his New Look Foundation. Since 1999 he has been providing opportunities for young people in underserved communities and enabling them to flourish and achieve seemingly impossible dreams. A long-time supporter and Global Citizen Ambassador, USHER has performed at events since 2015 raising awareness to defeat poverty, defend the planet, and demand equity. A true outlier, he was equally at home on the stage of his sold-out My Way Las Vegas Residency as he was on a 2016 government cultural mission to Cuba as part of President Barack Obama’s Presidential Committee for Arts and Humanities. In 2024 he will be celebrating 30 years as an entertainer, releasing his highly-anticipated ninth studio album, Coming Home.
The tour will stop in Los Angeles for two nights at Intuit Dome on September 21 and 22, 2024.
USHER: Past Present Future NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES:
Aug 20 | Washington, DC | Capital One Arena
Aug 24 | Baltimore, MD | CFG Bank Arena
Aug 27 | Boston, MA | TD Garden
Aug 30 | Philadelphia, PA | Wells Fargo Center
Sep 2 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena
Sep 3 | Toronto, ON | Scotiabank Arena
Sep 6 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center
Sep 7 | Brooklyn, NY | Barclays Center
Sep 12 | Detroit, MI | Little Caesars Arena
Sep 17 | Denver, CO | Ball Arena
Sep 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Intuit Dome
Sep 22 | Los Angeles, CA | Intuit Dome
Sep 28 | Oakland, CA | Oakland Arena
Sep 29 | Oakland, CA | Oakland Arena
Oct 4 | Dallas, TX | American Airlines Center
Oct 7 | Austin, TX | Moody Center ATX
Oct 11 | Miami, FL | Kaseya Center
Oct 12 | Miami, FL | Kaseya Center
Oct 17 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena
Oct 18 | Atlanta, GA | State Farm Arena
Oct 22 | Charlotte, NC | Spectrum Center
Oct 26 | St. Louis, MO | Enterprise Center
Oct 28 | Chicago, IL | United Center
Oct 29 | Chicago, IL | United Center
As he wraps up another successful run at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino this past weekend, Carlos Santana is excited to announce additional performances of An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live: Presented by SiriusXM, scheduled to take place in September, October and November 2024. The residency is in its 12th year at the intimate House of Blues, featuring unparalleled dynamic energy from Carlos and his band. The concert is a mustsee live experience for fans of the awardwinning artist.
The popular VIP packages will be available for purchase with customizable experiences that include limited edition photos and specialty food and beverage packages featuring stage-side dining.
A portion of proceeds from all tickets sold benefits The Milagro Foundation. Milagro (“Miracle”) is a charitable foundation supporting underrepresented and vulnerable children and youth in the areas of arts, education and health. The Milagro Foundation was created in 1998 by Carlos Santana and his family to benefit children worldwide.
Another contribution goes to the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation. Founded in 1993, Music Forward Foundation accelerates real-life skills for youth using music as the bridge to success. By channeling the power of music, the foundation helps kids create pathways to productive, sustainable and fulfilling lives. Through music industry mentorships and access to music education, Music Forward Foundation removes the barriers between need and success.
For more than five decades - from Santana’s earliest days as a groundbreaking AfroLatin-blues-rock fusion outfit in San Francisco - Carlos Santana has been
2024 Performances (all shows scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.):
May 2024: 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 19, 22, 23 - on sale now
Sept. 2024: 25, 26, 28, 29 - just added!
Oct. 2024: 2, 3, 5, 6, 30, 31 - just added!
Nov. 2024: 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 - just added!
Tickets for the newly added dates go on sale to the public Friday, Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. PT.
the visionary force behind artistry that transcends musical genres and generational, cultural, and geographical boundaries.
To date, Santana has won ten Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy Awards, with a record-tying nine Grammy Awards for a single project for 1999’s Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Smooth”). He has received the Billboard Century Award (1996), was ushered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1998), received the Billboard Latin Music Awards’ Lifetime Achievement honor (2009), and was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors Award (2013). Among many other distinctions, Carlos Santana has been cited by Rolling Stone as #11 on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time;” and has joined the Rolling Stones as one of only two bands to have an album reach the Top 10 in every decade since the 1960s. In
2018, he released his first MasterClass, and recently celebrated three epic milestonesthe 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking album Supernatural, the 50th anniversary of his legendary performance at Woodstock, and the 50th anniversary of his masterpiece Abraxas. His most recent album, the powerful, energy-infused Blessings and Miracles (2021) features collaborations with Rob Thomas, Chris Stapleton, Steve Winwood, and many others. Carlos, a feature-length documentary film produced by Sony Music Entertainment and Imagine Documentaries celebrating his life and career had its World Premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival and is now available to stream. Santana has been in residency in Las Vegas for over 15 years and will continue to perform at House of Blues Las Vegas where he recently celebrated his 10th anniversary in the intimate venue.
Patryk Vega, one of Poland’s most renowned film directors, set up a screen in Borodyanka, near Kyiv, on which he projected sections of a biopic movie hitting out at Vladimir Putin. The broadcast of this event was watched by Ukrainian viewers, experiencing intense emotions when shown.
The director placed a screen in Borodyanka, amid the war-damaged blocks. “In front of it, we positioned hundreds of mannequins, representing war victims. Projected scene shows Putin in a vulnerable state, wearing a diaper in a hospital. A general visits him, briefing him on the situation in Russia and Ukraine,” explained Patryk Vega.
The broadcast from the Borodyanka was displayed in Kyiv’s most recognizable locations, such as Maidan. The film was also shown to veterans in Irpin and soldiers fighting on the Kyiv Front. Ukrainian heroes like Vladyslav Zhaivoronok, who defended Azovstal, also watched it. “These people allowed us into their lives for a moment, sharing their most intimate experiences from the brutal war. I’m presenting this film to journalists because I believe the whole world needs to hear about it,” said Vega.
The controversial material targeting the President of the Russian Federation is a
part of the feature film “Putin,” an Englishlanguage biography of the Russian dictator.
“Our film portrays Putin’s life, starting at the age of 10 when he was maltreated by his stepfather, through the Chechen war, terrorist attacks in Dubrovka and Beslan, to the war in Ukraine and events like Bucha,” Vega explained.
The film’s creators utilized deep fake technology to superimpose Putin’s face onto an actor. “This was challenging because we couldn’t bring Putin to the studio. It took us a year to develop our own technology and achieve the desired effect,” said Vega. “Putin” provides Western audiences with
a key to understanding the dictator’s disturbed psyche. The production’s trailer was showcased during the American Film Market and garnered interest from international distributors. “The Hollywood Reporter” described it as one of the important upcoming premieres.
“For Putin, Ukraine is just a battleground with the West. Russians believe they are saving people of Russian origin from Ukrainian territory, which they consider a quasi-state. My film is an appeal for the mobilization of the West because the only path for all of us is to collectively defeat Putin in this war,” Vega concluded.
“A timely, disarmingly honest, and thoughtprovoking investigation into antisemitism, Acho and Tishby connect the dots between the tropes and hatred of the past to our current complicated moment in this important new title.”
Being acknowledged as a timely, disarmingly honest, and thoughtprovoking investigation into antisemitism, Acho and Tishby connect the dots between the tropes and hatred of the past to our current complicated moment in this important new title.
Emmanuel Acho is the New York Times bestselling author of “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” He is the host/producer of the Emmy Award–winning YouTube series of the same name, and its mission is to promote dialogue around racial insensitivity and ignorance. Noa Tishby is the New York Times bestselling author of “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth” and one of the most visible activists on social media. She is the founder of several non-profit organizations, including Act for Israel and Eighteen, which combats antisemitism and inspires Jewish pride.
For Acho and Tishby no question about Jews is off-limits in “Uncomfortable
Conversations with a Jew.” They go there: They cover Jews and money. Jews and power. Jews and privilege. Jews and white privilege. Israel. October 7th.The Black and Jewish struggle. Emmanuel asks, Did Jews kill Jesus? To which Noa responds, “Why are Jewish people history’s favorite scapegoat?” They unpack Judaism itself: Is it a religion, culture, a peoplehood, or a race? And: Are you antisemitic if you’re anti-Zionist?
The questions--and answers--might make you squirm, but together, they explain the tropes, stereotypes, and catalysts of antisemitism in America today.
The topics are complicated and Acho and Tishby bring vastly different perspectives. Tishby is an outspoken Israeli American. Acho is a mild-mannered son of a Nigerian American pastor. But they share a superpower: an uncanny ability to make complicated ideas easy to understand so anyone can follow the straight line from the past to our immediate moment—and then see around corners. Acho and Tishby are
united by the core belief that hatred toward one group is never isolated: if you see the smoke of bigotry in one place, expect that we will all be in the fire.
“They go there: They cover Jews and money. Jews and power. Jews and privilege. Jews and white privilege. Israel. October 7th. The Black and Jewish struggle.”
Things truly heated up this month, as many Demon Slayer fans and influencers gathered around and lined up for the fateful and dramatic premiere event for the film “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba -To The Hashira Training-”. Aniplex of America and Crunchyroll hosted the special one-day-only world tour red carpet premiere event of the highly anticipated blockbuster experience for fans.
Event attendees included Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- Japanese voice actors Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro Kamado), and Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu Agatsuma), English voice actor Aleks Le (Zenitsu Agatsuma), Demon Slayer Producer Yuma Takahashi; New York City ambassadors Mikio Mori, the Ambassador and Consul General of Japan, and Kazuya Mori, Deputy Consul General, and Tomoe Sato, Consulate General; as well as well-known Hollywood actor and performer Channing Tatum along with his
daughter, Everly. With this amazing lineup, fans went wild to show their appreciation for this popular series, along with many influecers such as Zelina Vega, King Chris, Rinnegoddess, Lena Lemon, Nicque Marina, Miles Reza, HippyPotter, Japanese Carlos and Francis Dominic, who all showed up to support the film as well.
About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
The story begins when Tanjiro Kamado, a boy whose family is killed by a demon, joins the Demon Slayer Corps to turn his younger sister Nezuko back into a human after she is transformed into a demon.
In April 2019, the television anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba first premiered with the Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc, followed by the release of the feature film Mugen Train in October 2020, and the television series Mugen Train Arc and Entertainment District Arc from October 2021, and the Swordsmith Village Arc from April 2023.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will feature “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” (Episode 11) from the Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring the conclusion of the fierce battle between Tanjiro and Upper Four demon Hantengu, as well as Nezuko’s triumph over the sun. Seamlessly followed by Episode 1 of the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc, featuring the start of training conducted by the Hashira in preparation for the forthcoming final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, an episode never before seen by audiences.
Crunchyroll connects anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories with the content and experiences they love. In addition to free ad-supported and subscription premium content, Crunchyroll serves the anime community across events, theatrical, games, consumer products, collectibles, and manga publishing.
Anime fans have access to one of the largest collections of licensed anime through Crunchyroll and translated in multiple languages for viewers worldwide. Viewers can also access simulcasts —
top series available immediately after Japanese broadcast. The Crunchyroll app is available on over 15 platforms, including all current gaming consoles. Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan’s Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyobased Sony Group Corporation.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- debuts on February 23 in North American theaters, including in IMAX and premium large formats (PLFs). Audiences wanting to take part in Tanjiro’s next epic adventure can now purchase tickets at: tickets.demonslayer-movie.com.
Dune: Part Two March 1
Only In Movie Theaters
Road House (2024) March 21
Only On Prime Video
Imaginary March 8
Only In Movie Theaters
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire March 28
Only In Movie Theaters
Kung Fu Panda 4 March 8
Only In Movie Theaters
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire March 29
Only In Movie Theaters
Midnights
Midnights
Flowers
Flowers
Album of the Year
Taylor Swift
Best Pop Vocal Album
Taylor Swift
Record of the Year
Miley Cyrus
Best Pop Solo Perfomance
Miley Cyrus
Best R&B Song Snooze SZA
Best Progressive R&B Album SOS SZA
Best Pop Duo/Group Perfomance
Best New Artist
JAGUAR II
Victoria Monét
Best R&B Album
JAGUAR II
Victoria Monét
Padam Padam
Kylie Minogue
Victoria Monét
Best
Best
What Was I Made For?
Billie Eilish O'Connell and Fineas O'Connell
Best Song Written For Visual Media
What Was I Made For?
Billie Eilish O'Connell and Fineas O'Connell
SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS
Killer
SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS
Killer Mike feat. André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane
Best Alternative Music Album
The Record boygenius
Not Strong Enough boygenius
Best Música Urbana Album
MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO Karol G
Best Rock Song
Not Strong Enough boygenius
Best Melodic Rap Perfomance
All My Life
For the rest of the nominations, visit https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-grammys-nominations-full-winners-nominees-list
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole Best Rock PerformanceACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
BRADLEY COOPER
Maestro
COLMAN DOMINGO
Rustin
PAUL GIAMATTI
The Holdovers
CILLIAN MURPHY
Oppenheimer
JEFFREY WRIGHT
American Fiction
ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
STERLING K. BROWN
American Fiction
ROBERT DE NIRO
Killers of the Flower Moon
ROBERT DOWNEY JR. Oppenheimer
RYAN GOSLING
Barbie
MARK RUFFALO
Poor Things
ACTRESS IN LEADING ROLE
ANNETTE BENING
Nyad
NIMONA
LILY GLADSTONE
Killers of the Flower Moon
SANDRA HÜLLER
Anatomy of a Fall
CAREY MULLIGAN
Maestro
EMMA STONE
Poor Things
ACTRESS IN SUPPORTING ROLE
EMILY BLUNT
Oppenheimer
DANIELLE BROOKS
The Color Purple
AMERICA FERRERA
Barbie
JODIE FOSTER
Nyad
DA’VINE JOY RANDOLPH
The Holdovers
ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
THE BOY AND THE HERON
Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki
ELEMENTAL
Peter Sohn and Denise Ream
Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan and Julie Zackary
ROBOT DREAMS
Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé and Sandra Tapia Díaz
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE
Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal
CINAMATOGRAPHY
EL CONDE
Edward Lachman
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Rodrigo Prieto
MAESTRO
Matthew Libatique
OPPENHEIMER
Hoyte van Hoytema
POOR THINGS
Robbie Ryan
COSTUME DESIGN
BARBIE
Jacqueline Durran
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Jacqueline West
NAPOLEON
Janty Yates and Dave Crossman
OPPENHEIMER
Ellen Mirojnick
POOR THINGS
Holly Waddington
DIRECTING
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Justine Triet
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Martin Scorsese
OPPENHEIMER
Christopher Nolan
POOR THINGS
Yorgos Lanthimos
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Jonathan Glazer
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
BOBI WINE: THE PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT
Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp and John Battsek
THE ETERNAL MEMORY
Maite Alberdi
FOUR DAUGHTERS
Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha
TO KILL A TIGER
Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim
20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL
Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath
DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
THE ABCS OF BOOK BANNING
Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic
THE BARBER OF LITTLE ROCK
John Hoffman and Christine Turner
ISLAND IN BETWEEN
S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien
THE LAST REPAIR SHOP
Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
NAI NAI & WÀI PÓ
Sean Wang and Sam Davis
FILM EDITING
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Laurent Sénéchal
THE HOLDOVERS
Kevin Tent
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Thelma Schoonmaker
OPPENHEIMER
Jennifer Lame
POOR THINGS
Yorgos Mavropsaridis
INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
IO CAPITANO
Italy
PERFECT DAYS
Japan
SOCIETY OF THE SNOW
Spain
THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE
Germany
THE ZONE OF INTEREST United Kingdom
MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING GOLDA
Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby and Ashra Kelly-Blue
MAESTRO
Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou and Lori McCoyBell
OPPENHEIMER
Luisa Abel
POOR THINGS
Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston
SOCIETY OF THE SNOW
Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé
MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
AMERICAN FICTION
Laura Karpman
INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY
John Williams
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Robbie Robertson
OPPENHEIMER
Ludwig Göransson
POOR THINGS
Jerskin Fendrix
MUSIC
THE FIRE INSIDE from Flamin’ Hot; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
I’M JUST KEN from Barbie; Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
IT NEVER WENT AWAY from American Symphony; Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson
WAHZHAZHE (A SONG FOR MY PEOPLE) from Killers of the Flower Moon; Music and Lyric by Scott George
WHAT WAS I MADE FOR?
from Barbie; Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
AMERICAN FICTION
Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson, Producers
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, Producers
BARBIE
David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, Producers
THE HOLDOVERS
Mark Johnson, Producer
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, Producers
MAESTRO
Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers
OPPENHEIMER
Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, Producers
PAST LIVES
David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Producers
POOR THINGS
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, Producers
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
James Wilson, Producer
PRODUCTION DESIGN
BARBIE
Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set
Decoration: Katie Spencer
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set
Decoration: Adam Willis
NAPOLEON
Production Design: Arthur Max; Set
Decoration: Elli Griff
OPPENHEIMER
Production Design: Ruth De Jong; Set
Decoration: Claire Kaufman
POOR THINGS
Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek
LIVE-ACTION SHORT FILM THE AFTER
Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham
INVINCIBLE
Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron
KNIGHT OF FORTUNE
Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk
RED, WHITE AND BLUE
Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane
THE WONDERFUL STORY OF HENRY SUGAR
Wes Anderson and Steven Rales
ANIMATED SHORT FILM LETTER TO A PIG
Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter
NINETY-FIVE SENSES
Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess
OUR UNIFORM
Yegane Moghaddam
PACHYDERME
Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius
WAR IS OVER! INSPIRED BY THE MUSIC OF JOHN & YOKO
Dave Mullins and Brad Booker
VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CREATOR
Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts and Neil Corbould
GODZILLA MINUS ONE
Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3
Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams and Theo Bialek
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING
PART ONE
Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland and Neil Corbould
NAPOLEON
Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco and Neil Corbould
SOUND
THE CREATOR
Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
MAESTRO
Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING
PART ONE
Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor
OPPENHEIMER
Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn
AMERICAN FICTION
Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson
BARBIE
Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach
OPPENHEIMER
Written for the screen by Christopher Nolan
POOR THINGS
Screenplay by Tony McNamara
THE ZONE OF INTEREST
Written by Jonathan Glazer
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Screenplay - Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
THE HOLDOVERS
Written by David Hemingson
MAESTRO
Written by Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer
MAY DECEMBER
Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik
PAST LIVES
Written by Celine Song
For More Information About The Upcoming Awards Ceremony, Go To:
https://www.oscars.org/oscars
In the dazzling realm of Miss Asia USA, a new queen has ascended the throne, and her reign promises not just glamour, but a tapestry woven with purpose and inspiration. Tiffany Chang, the newly reigned Miss Asia USA, steps into her role with a heart brimming with enthusiasm and a vision that extends far beyond the runway. Chang is a remarkable young woman who is forging new paths in both the worlds of pageantry, academia and philanthropy. Her journey is a captivating narrative of ambition, compassion, and leadership.
Studying at Stanford University, Tiffany is pursuing a degree in Management Science & Engineering. Tiffany’s advocacy for women in STEM fields is not just a passion but a mission. She recognizes the critical need for more female representation in these areas: “As I’ve grown up, I’ve become acutely aware of the stark female underrepresentation prevalent within the STEM landscape. It’s definitely intimidating to go into a more male-dominated area, especially if you’re the only woman there. I aspire to use this platform as a means of inspiring other young girls to venture into fields that might appear daunting, challenging, or traditionally dominated by males.” Her efforts extend beyond mere advocacy; she serves as a mentor and role model, showing by example that women can excel in STEM fields.
Her journey through this platform is marked by an earnest pursuit of self-discovery and a quest to inspire others. In her previous role as the 2022 Miss Taiwanese American, Tiffany went through a profound journey of self-discovery and growth. It allowed her to delve deeper into her cultural roots and identity, fostering a greater understanding of her heritage. This exploration has been instrumental in shaping her values and goals, enabling her to become a source of
Tiffany Chang, Miss Asia USA 2024
inspiration and empowerment for others, especially those who often feel unheard or marginalized.
Now, with an even larger platform as Miss Asia USA, she continues to leverage her influence to bring attention to important social issues. As Miss Asia USA, Tiffany embraces the responsibility of being a role model and an ambassador of cultural diversity and inclusion. Her role goes beyond mere representation but about initiating change: “This platform has provided me with an opportunity to explore and affirm my identity, value, and goals. More importantly, it has become a means to inspire others, empowering those who are often lacking a voice.”
Within the pages of Tiffany’s reign unfolds a story of meaningful events that shines through the shimmering tiara adorning her. Tiffany’s extensive philanthropic endeavors underscore her profound commitment to making a meaningful impact on the community and her dedication is admirable. Tiffany founded a
501(c)3 international nonprofit organization, Madhatter Knits, dedicated to improving child and maternal health around the world. Moreover, Tiffany’s dedication to pageantry is driven by her genuine desire to make a positive difference. In her reign, Chang says she is set to support the Lighthouse Inc., an organization dedicated to aiding domestic violence victims and children. Additionally, her advocacy extends to mental health wellness, particularly for seniors. In the first week of her reign, Tiffany immerses herself in serving elders, initiating her journey with a heartfelt visit to the Olympic Convalescent Hospital in the Korean community, exemplifying her dedication to impactful engagement.
Further, Tiffany anticipates a visit to the Instituto Madre Asunta, an orphanage in Mexico, building on the impactful initiatives already undertaken by Virgelia Productions in December. During their previous visit, they not only showered the children with a truckload of gifts and a generous cash donation but also unveiled the opening chapters of limitless possibilities in which a symphony of altruism has only just begun. Beyond the immediate community, she eagerly anticipates attending the Women’s Inspiration Awards Gala, where the celebration of women empowerment becomes a shared experience that transcends borders.
the stage, becoming an icon of elegance and style.
Tiffany embraces the extra opportunities her title brings, adding excitement to her reign. A highlight in her calendar includes the Oscars Luxury Gala, where she looks forward to rubbing shoulders with celebrities. Other than being a lead character in the production “Once Upon the T m Cám” by Tommy Le, LA Fashion Week and NY Fashion Week beckons, and Tiffany, not just a queen but also a runway model, graces
Eagerly anticipating her late spring trip to Taiwan as the proud representative in the Miss Asia USA pageant, Tiffany is drawn to the allure of international prominence. Her intention is to express gratitude to her passionate fans in Taiwan, whose unwavering support resulted in an impressive 1.3 million views upon hearing of her victory in the Miss Asia USA pageant. Looking ahead, Tiffany is also excited about her upcoming trip to Japan in the fall. As a model and special guest of Miss Asia USA, she embraces the global stage, symbolizing not only beauty but also a dedication to unity and the celebration of diverse cultures.
As we follow Tiffany’s journey, we find a story of purposeful events that transcend the glittering tiara she wears. As she continues to weave her narrative of compassion and purpose, her reign is a testament to the transformative power of compassion and dedication, reflecting a queen who actively embraces opportunities to make a lasting difference. Tiffany is crafting a legacy at Miss Asia USA that transcends mere beauty; hers is a legacy of inspiration, illuminating a path for others to emulate, not just for the runway, but for hearts and minds around the globe.
I first met Lee A. Archer in September of 1952 when he was a Captain in the US Air Force. Our instructor for Navigation and Air Tactics took his place at the head of the class and wondered which of us would make it through or fall by the wayside. We in turn stared admiringly at the pilot's 'wings' and decorations on his chest. You could sense immediately that this was no ordinary officer. He had what is known as a 'command presence'.
In 1952 there were not too many people who were privy to the Tuskegee Experiment that took place during WWII. There was a prior Tuskegee Experiment that took place years earlier, in which indigent blacks were injected with the syphilis virus to see what the effect would be and if there was a cure. The earlier of these two experiments is a whole other story unto itself. Most people never heard of Tuskegee and knew nothing of either experiment. Lee A. Archer was a product of the second of the Tuskegee Experiments. This is his story.
In 1940 President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave in to the black press and asked Congress to authorize the establishment of an Army Air Corp Pursuit Squadron exclusively for blacks or as they were referred to at that time, colored. Why a Pursuit Squadron (later changed to Fighter Squadron)? Because a Pursuit or Fighter aircraft has a crew of only one, the pilot, and as a result would not require any integration. Even the
ground crew members which could be as many as three hundred per squadron were to be all black or colored. This was indeed an 'experiment' that everyone thought would fail.
The first class of cadets was formed in 1941, prior to the entrance of the US in WWII. There were thirteen applicants, of which five completed the intensive training and graduated as pilots and 2nd Lieutenants in the Army Air Corp, all except one. That 'one' was Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who was already a 2nd Lieutenant, having previously graduated from West Point in 1936. During his four years at West Point he was totally segregated by having his own room and was also subjected to the silent treatment by all of his classmates which meant that he was never spoken to unless he was given a specific order.
Since Davis was the senior officer of the first class of US Army Air Corp pilots, as well as being a West Point graduate, he was made the commanding officer of the newly activated 99th Pursuit Squadron and promoted to Captain. Because of the racial discrimination and prejudice
that was prevalent at that time, all of their training took place at the Tuskegee Army Air Field, an adjunct to Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, a segregated base in the middle of the deep south, complete with separate drinking fountains and other facilities for white personnel and blacks.
So far, the experiment did not fail. Over the coming months, additional graduate pilots brought the 99th Fighter Squadron up to full strength at which time they expected to receive orders to be transferred overseas. The powers that be were not yet ready for that and so the 99th had no choice but to wait until that time came and to continue their training. In April of 1943 they finally received their orders to go overseas, at which time Captain Davis was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, as befitting the CO of a front line Fighter Squadron.
To any fighter pilot, the most important thing is the number of victories he or she can achieve. I say 'she' because during WWII, the Soviet Union had two squadrons of female fighter pilots and today
in our own country we now have female fighter pilots in the Air Force and the Navy. It was the objective of the 99th to obtain these victories but because of the prevailing attitudes the 99th was intentionally kept out of harms way, thereby limiting the opportunities to achieve victories. Finally, at the end of June, 1943, while escorting B-25 Bombers on a raid over Sicily, Lt. Charles B. Hall scored the first victory for the 99th by downing an FW-190.
In spite of this first victory the hierarchy of the US Army Air Corp still sought to assign the 99th to such duties as coastal patrol and inferred that they were not only inexperienced but also lacked the resoluteness required of a fighter pilot. Pushing segregation to the extreme, while assigned to all-white units, the pilots of the 99th had to take off in opposite direction of the white pilots and could meet up only when in the air.
Due to the continual success of graduating more and more black or colored pilots, Lt. Col. Davis was ordered back to the US to oversee the training of the newly activated 332nd Fighter Group, comprising the 100th, 301st and 302nd Fighter Squadrons.
Lee A. Archer, 2nd Lt., was one of the pilots of the 302nd Fighter Squadron.
Up until January of 1944, it was an uphill battle for the 99th Fighter Squadron. Strange as it may seem, the insidious forces of discrimination and prejudice were just about everywhere with two exceptions, our allies and the enemy. Lt. Col. Davis, while stateside overseeing the completion of the training of the 332nd Fighter Group, had his hands full with the incessant bigotry that only served to harm the war effort because of the continual obstacles put in his way. By December of 1943 they were ready to be transferred overseas.
One month later, some 10,000 miles away, American troops landed at Anzio on the west coast of Italy where their objective was Rome. They met stiff resistance, which was unexpected and their beachhead was in doubt. The American forces were being clobbered. In order to reverse this untenable situation, every available Air Corp unit in the Mediterranean was called in, including the 99th Fighter
Squadron. The 99th formally entered battle on January 27th. During that critical week, the 99th shot down seventeen of the enemy, had two probables and damaged four more.
Although the 332nd Fighter Group, which consisted of the 101st, 301st and 302nd Fighter Squadrons, was too late to participate in that auspicious occasion, they did enter combat within days of their arrival. What's more, Lt. Col. Davis was promoted to full Colonel and the 99th was transferred over to the 332nd Fighter Group. Normally, such a group will consist of only three squadrons but Davis now had four squadrons in his group, thereby making it the largest of all the Fighter Groups. In order to distinguish between the different Fighter Groups, each Group had their tails painted a certain color. The 332nd had their tails painted red.
The unqualified success of the 99th during the Anzio campaign led to Col. Davis and his four squadrons of black fighter pilots being given the prestigious assignments of long range bomber protection, albeit gradually. At first the bomber crews, which were all white, objected to their being escorted by black or colored pilots. It was not until they came to realize that the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group would not leave their side to go off in chase of a German fighter plane, hoping to chalk up a victory, that they began to officially request, "the ones with the red tails." Col. Davis always knew what they had to do and hammered away at his pilots that a bomber has a crew of ten and was therefore more valuable than a plane with a crew of only one. The 332nd was soon transferred to the 15th Air Force which meant that their primary assignment would now be long range bomber escort. And, with this new assignment they would get the P-51D, the best fighter aircraft of WWII, with the exception of the ME-262 of the Luftwaffe, the worlds first jet fighter to become operational that was 125 miler per hour faster than the P-51D.
At Ramitelli Air Force Base, a former Italian Air Base on the Adriatic, Col. Davis and the 332nd set up their headquarters, from which most of their missions were flown until the end of hostilities, taking them all over the European continent, including Berlin and the fabled Ploesti oil fields of Romania.
Of the 992 pilots that graduated from Tuskegee, 450 went overseas to take
part in over 15,000 sorties in over 1,500 missions. They destroyed or damaged 136 enemy aircraft in the skies and destroyed or damaged 273 on the ground. Of those pilots that were shot down, two dozen were captured and interned in Stalag Luft III and Stalag 7-A where they remained until the end of the war. Two others were shot down that were picked up by Partisan groups, one by the Greek Partisans and the other by the Yugoslav Partisans where they fought alongside their rescuers until they were returned to their own units. In addition to feats of glory, they also had an Honor Roll that listed 123 deaths from combat, some of them never to be seen again, or from training accidents, from Pearl Harbor up until VE Day.
Fast forward to 1974. There was a small article in one of the papers about a documentary that was being planned about the black pilots of WWII and that Lee Archer, an executive with General Foods in White Plains, NY, was to be interviewed for the project. I decided to write to him, and after receiving a reply, I called him whereupon we met in his office and had lunch in the company cafeteria. Wondering if he would remember me caused some apprehension on my part. Not only did he remember me but I was elated when he commented that I was one of his best students. As I looked around his office I was completely astonished that there was no indication of who he was or what he had accomplished. No photographs. No artifacts. Nothing. Before I could ask the question, he said, "....all that stuff was of a prior life". I then asked him about the planned documentary to which he replied, "......those guys are just a bunch of turkeys and I have no intention of signing off on anything".
Following our visit, I was intrigued and I decided to learn all that I could about Tuskegee. I tried to locate a book, any book, about their exploits - but there were none to be found. Gradually, over the next few years, there would be some textbooks or historical accounts of the Tuskegee Airmen, as they would become to be known - but no novels. Histories are usually cut and dried, but I wanted to read a novel that included the human element about how and what they went through. By 1984 there were still no novels written about the Tuskegee Airmen. It was then that I decided to tackle the project and write one myself.
Write a novel? What was I thinking? I didn't even know where to begin but I was determined. Back to school I went, taking classes at UCLA, learning how to get started when staring at a blank sheet of paper. While I was back in school I did research, lots and lots of research, for a total of ten years, before I began to write the story. Not only did I collect all of the textbooks and historical accounts, I was able to obtain from the Air Force six rolls of the invaluable micro-film records of the day to day operations of the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group.
The final story line of "A KILLER OF LIONS" is based on the actual facts, with the exception of only one element that I decided to include. Over the next few years, I had a number of meetings with Lee Archer not only to show him where the story was going and that I was true to the memory of the Tuskegee pilots, but also, for myself, to get his approval. During these meetings, he stressed that I call him, "Lee", and not, "Mister", and certainly not, "Colonel". When I first confided in him what I was doing, he asked me, "Why are you doing this?", to which I replied, "Because no one has ever written a story about what you guys did and had to put up with. It's a story that has to be told."
These meetings were extremely beneficial to me. As he viewed the progress that I was making he would share with me some of his own experiences, a number of them so visual and real that I included them in "A KILLER OF LIONS."
One of the items that he shared with me has been a point of contention for a number of years, whether or not Lee Archer is in fact an 'ace'. The coveted title of 'ace' is conferred upon a pilot who shoots down five or more of his enemy in aerial combat. While all of the official records give Archer only four victories, this is what he told me during one of our meetings: "I did have five victories, but somehow, the gun camera film for the last one was either lost or misplaced, and it was only my word. To compensate for the disappointment, they gave me four and a half victories, but I was pissed. Col. Davis said to me, 'We have to go on and so let's make the next victory a clean one.' I had no choice in the matter but to go along. Years later, the gun camera film that was 'missing', miraculously re-appeared and so the Air Force was now ready to extend the title of 'ace' to me. I had enough of
their bullshit ,and so I told them to shove it." That’s what he said to me.
His confrontations with the Air Force did not end there. After WWII, he enrolled in a program to obtain a doctorate degree whereupon the topic to be tackled was the integration of the Air Force, a subject with which he was thoroughly familiar with. Protocol required that he submit to his superior officers the final draft for official approval prior to actual submission. It was his only copy and naturally, no one knew or admitted what happened to it. It wasn't clear whether it was subsequently found or if he had to reconstruct it based on his notes.
One of the items that he was proud of was that he was the first black pilot to have flown in combat during the Korean War. During the Viet Nam, conflict he was a Combat Instructor. He also mentioned that at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, there is a statue commemorating the contributions of the Tuskegee pilots during WWII, and that it was his image that was used to create the statue. This, I had to see for myself ,and so I made the trip to Colorado Springs and sure enough, it was as he said.
When I asked him about Wendell Pruitt, he was sad for a moment as they had flown many missions together during the war. They were known as the 'gruesome twosome', a title which they earned following a mission during which they each scored a victory. They decided to do a double victory roll over the field in their P-47's that, unbeknownst to them, was witnessed by a Republic Aviation representative on an official visit to see how their aircraft performed in combat. The company representative was shocked by the display and all that he could say was, "You can't do that in a P-47", to which one of the ground crew responded, "Well, they just did." In the final months of the war, Pruitt was transferred to stateside and was taking one of his ground crew for an 'introductory' flight, in a dual control trainer which included an inverted pass over the field. Not used to flying upside down, the hapless passenger thought that they were going to crash and pulled up on the stick when he should have pushed forward. Pruitt did not have enough time to correct the error, and they plowed into the tarmac.
In 1995, HBO came out with a made for TV movie about the Tuskegee pilots that
contained a paltry story line and was rife with a number of technical inaccuracies such as the pilots flying the P-51D two years before they began to roll off the assembly line. But, it was better than nothing.
When I first started to work on the story, Archer told me that George Lucas was interested in making a film about them. Archer referred to the movie executives as “a bunch of turkeys." In 2012 ,Lucas came out with "Red Tails" by using $58 million of his own money, because he supposedly could not get studio backing, as it was considered to be a risky project. Because of my knowledge on the subject, I was interviewed on a number of radio programs to offer my comments on the movie. To be honest, the Lucas version had as many technical inaccuracies as the HBO version, and the story line was somewhat hokey, but I did not say that on the air.
Lee A. Archer, Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, passed away in 2011 at age 90. In January of 2009, he was invited to the swearing in ceremony of President Barack Obama. Lee Archer was never a professional basketball player nor a baseball or football player. He was certainly not a music scene rapper. He was an 'ace' fighter pilot and a true American Hero.
Renowned for her unparalleled talent in vocalizing in an impressive array of 21 languages, including sign language, Z LaLa stands as a beacon of diversity and innovation in the realm of music. Coupled with her fearless exploration of avant-garde fashion, which consistently pushes boundaries on prominent red carpets, Z LaLa’s artistic essence captivates audiences worldwide.
In an exclusive interview, we delved into Z LaLa’s forthcoming project, uncovering the intricacies of her artistic journey. Hailing from a rich heritage with Phoenician and Caribbean roots, Z LaLa embodies a fusion of exoticism and American culture, resonating deeply with a diverse global audience. Her innate ability to connect with individuals from various corners of the world underscores her universal appeal.
At the forefront of her genre-defying music is the self-fashioned World-Pop genre, seamlessly blending eclectic international sounds with mainstream pop sensibilities. Notably, since 2014, Z LaLa has embarked on a compelling exploration into the realms of dancehall and reggae, marking a dynamic evolution in her sonic repertoire. Collaborating with esteemed artists, her upcoming release, “Warriors,” featuring Jamaican luminary Anthony B, promises a mesmerizing fusion of reggae rhythms intertwined with hip-hop nuances. With both artists boasting unparalleled artistry, the track emanates a distinct and compelling resonance, poised to captivate audiences worldwide.
Z LaLa, known for your unique ability to sing in 21 languages and your bold sense of fashion, you’ve always been ahead of your time. How do you feel about the global recognition and admiration for your avant-garde looks on major red carpets?
Z LaLa: For me, I see fashion, like music, as means for both self-expression and for connecting with people across the globe. At a time, when the world may seem divided, I want to prove that music can be a unifier across different cultures, including those that speak different languages. Being able to sing in 21 different languages, while expressing my individuality through fashion, helps me connect with fans across the world and empowers them to express themselves as well.
Your upcoming single, "Warriors," with Jamaican artist Anthony B, is generating a lot of buzz. Can you share with us the inspiration and effort it took to create this reggae sensation?
Z LaLa: Anthony B is nothing short of a legend.. someone who has spent his career as a reggae artist uplifting people in Jamaica and across the world. When we were working on Warriors, Anthony and I wanted to create an anthem that would speak to fans across the globe, be it in Jamaica, the United States, or in Africa, where parts of the music video were filmed. Warriors is the kind of song I see people listening to ten, twenty years from now.
What was it like collaborating with Anthony B, and will you both have any future projects together?
Z LaLa: Well, not only is Anthony a seasoned and deeply loved musical artist, but his humbleness, authenticity, and genuinity made the collaborative experience that much more of a pleasant one. I am positive that we will be working together again in the future. As for now, we are just getting started with the kick off of this bad bwoy!!!!
You mentioned that the visuals of the "Warriors" music video were the most time-consuming. Can you share some insights into the concept and the challenges faced
during the shooting in parts of Africa and the States?
Z LaLa: Well the cast was brilliant, and we had such a creative and diverse team, but as you know, it can be a challenge when you’re filming in a different environment than your own. But once we got settled into the location, and got past the language barriers with members of the crew, we were able to create the kind of visual we envisioned for this song.
Your relationship with Charlie Sheen has been a topic of interest. Can you tell us about his support and role in your life, especially amidst your ongoing projects and releases?
Charlie is a very powerful man who has never followed the norm; someone who has always done what he wanted to, respectfully. A rebel not without a cause; and as a bold woman myself, that's one of
...I see fashion, like music, as means for both self-expression and for connecting with people across the globe.
the main characteristics about him that I find very attractive. He has a huge effect on both my mind, and body. I also pay ode to him in several parts of the "Warriors" music video. Charlie's non-judgemental, and open minded nature, is one of the many reasons he is loved by so many. He's the cool cat at the end of the bar that both celebrities and infamous persons can walk up to and vibe with. I am grateful for his light in my life, and I am excited for what is coming with the "LaSheen Revolution," a phrase coined by our fans.
Left: "Warriors" single cover by Z LaLa & Anthony B.
Below: Z LaLa and Clan Africa on set of the Warriors music video.
With each release, you aim to surpass your previous accomplishments. What are your hopes and aspirations for the future, both in terms of your music and your impact on the industry?
Z LaLa: I have always wanted to inspire other artists to seek new sounds and directions, as to the ones that they’re used to; to further colorize their musical profile so that they’re not stuck in one corner. When an artist adjourns from the norm, not only do they reach a broader audience, but they also stretch their creative jaws, and most of the time even learn about a side of themselves they did not yet know existed. As my motto from my first album "Zilosophy" always held, the sky is NOT the limit.
As a seasoned and influential artist with a global fan base, what message do you want to convey to aspiring individuals looking up to you in the entertainment industry?
Z LaLa: Believe in yourself, and always keep pushing forward. Never take no for an answer. Continue on your path with laser focus, and don’t astray. Be unapologetically yourself, and never give up.
Lacy Darryl Phillips, known affectionately as The Uncle Earl, has traversed a remarkable path through the realms of music, theater, and radio, leaving an indelible mark on each domain. In a candid discussion, Phillips generously shared insights into his journey, motivations, and profound experiences.
Phillips' upbringing was steeped in music, with his mother's soulful tunes providing the soundtrack to his early years. From a tender age, he found himself immersed in a rich musical tapestry spanning genres from soul to jazz, laying the foundation for his own artistic pursuits. Despite initially gravitating towards theater, Phillips' foray into electronic music came unexpectedly in the mid-2000s when a friend recognized his vocal prowess for dance music—a revelation that would shape his future trajectory. The road to success, however, was not without its challenges. Phillips encountered skepticism from naysayers who questioned his late entry into the music industry. Undeterred, he persevered, drawing strength from his passion and innate talent. His journey is punctuated by moments of triumph, from sharing the stage with legendary figures like Betty Davis to receiving accolades, such as induction into the Akademia Music Hall of Fame in Los Angeles.
Central to Phillips' narrative is his dedication to uplifting aspiring artists through his radio show, The Ultimate Underground. Initially born out of a serendipitous encounter, the show burgeoned into a platform for showcasing unsigned and independent talent—a testament to Phillips' unwavering commitment to nurturing artistic voices. Beyond his musical endeavors, Phillips is a multifaceted creative force, delving into theatrical productions with projects like "New School the Musical." His boundless enthusiasm for exploration and collaboration undersores his philosophy of contributing positively to the artistic community. As Phillips reflects on his journey, one sentiment rings
clear: his mission transcends personal accolades. For him, it's about fostering connection, spreading joy, and amplifying voices that often go unheard. His message resonates with a profound sense of unity and empathy—a call to harness the transformative power of music to make the world a better place.
In the tapestry of Lacy Darryl Phillips' life, each thread represents a testament to resilience, creativity, and unwavering passion. Through his music, his words, and his actions, Phillips continues to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible legacy that reverberates far beyond the realms of entertainment.
First off, I was curious... how did you come up with your name, The Uncle Earl?
Lacy: The Uncle Earl was given to me by my grandmother, when I was a young man. When I was about seven or eight years old, I had this little swagger. I had a pot belly, a sway back and bow legs and pigeon toes. She said I had an old soul, I thought you were probably an Uncle Earl. When I was a kid, I had to wear the little metal bar with the special shoes to straighten up my legs as well. It just resonated with me. And then, when I went into my music and had a radio show, it was The Uncle Earl and the Heir and my company's Royal Productions. So, it just stuck with me.
What led you to the radio industry?
Lacy: That was sort of a fluke, because I'd never thought to do a radio show, but I felt when I was living in LA. It was about 2009, 2010. I saw a little teeny ad in the LA Times and they were looking for people to do voice overs. So, I went to this audition, and they gave me a copy degree and they were like oh wow, you did that really well. Have you been talking about doing your radio show? I was like no. They gave me five minutes. My first radio show was like five minutes to see my tester. And then they're like, oh, that was great, so you could be able to give you a half hour one day a week. I was like cool So, I did that for a couple of months. They said, look, why don't you try an hour? I was like okay, even they gave me an hour one day a week and then after that that went well for like six more months. They said, well, why don't you do it like two or three times a week? So, then it went up to three times a week, and then that went great. And they said, well, you know you're doing so well, why don't you just do it every day? So, then I was on six days a week and then it went up to two hour shows twice a day. So, by the time I finished, I was at six days a week, two hours a show twice a day, and that was a big schedule. One great thing too is I had a really good sponsor when I first started, they loved what I was doing and how I was doing it. The show is called the Ultimate Underground.
What's going on in your life right now, are there any projects that you're working on that you have in store for the future?
Lacy: Yes, yes, so at the end of the year before my mom passed, I was working on a
Above: Lacy Darryl Phillips, aka The Uncle Earl
Right: Earl Hitz Records logo
new project. It's a musical, a stage musical and it's called “New School the Musical.” It was a film project that I was working on while I was living in LA, and this was back in the mid 2000s when I started working on it. My buddy asked me to be a lyricist for this film that he was working on. I said, okay, sure. He gave me some tracks and showed me the script and said you know, within the story, give me some lyrics and put some songs in it. So that went well. So I wrote half the soundtrack for the film, then fast forward. During the pandemic I called him and I said hey, man, what's going on with that film we were working on? He said, oh man, that's in the drawer. I said well, can I
have the right to adapt it for the stage and make it a musical? He said sure, so then I got a writing partner and we restructured it for the stage, did a psychozool read and last November we did a stage reading of the first act and it went absolutely fantastic and I reached out to some people. So that's a project that's on hold right now, but that's a possibility for 2024 coming up. Some other projects that are in development are a few music projects that will be released on Earl Hicks records coming out soon in my stuff and other artists and I'll start putting out all the artists blog on my legal page this year and I'm going to be inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in May.
Virgelia Productions' float for the TET Parade, designed by Tommy Le.
In this momentous stride into the Year of the Dragon, Virgelia Productions stands as a beacon of cultural celebration, embodying strength, prosperity, and good fortune in participating in an unprecedented two back-to-back distinguished Lunar New Year parades, infusing the festivities with an unparalleled touch.
As they proudly announce their participation, Virgelia Productions takes pride in weaving a narrative of cultural richness. The TET Parade that occurred on February 10 is nestled in the vibrant heart of Westminster. It is a dynamic celebration of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, TET. It features captivating performances, traditional cultural displays, and show-stopping floats that eloquently showcase the rich heritage of the community.
Simultaneously, the Golden Dragon Parade in Los Angeles that is happening on February 17 is now celebrating its historic 125th year anniversary. It stands as an iconic celebration, uniting diverse communities with grandeur. Renowned for its dazzling dragon and lion dances, cultural performances, and awe-inspiring floats, this parade becomes the stage for Virgelia Productions to shine brightly in the fabric of cultural harmony and inclusivity within the city.
As we march into the Year of the Dragon, Virgelia Productions finds resonance in the spirit of these parades. As the float designer, Tommy Le of 3T Fabulous & Co. masterfully brings the dragon to life on the float—a symbol of power and success—it becomes not just
a visual spectacle but a canvas of inspiration.
Le's concept, marrying simplicity and elegance, reflects the float's role as a representation of Virgelia Productions' commitment to fostering cultural understanding and appreciation within the community. Le says, “the intricate decorations and symbolic elements showcase the dedication to weaving a narrative of unity and diversity”.
The grandeur is further elevated by the presence of the Queens from the Miss Asia USA pageant, Queen Tiffany Chang (Miss Asia USA), Queen Lily Feller (Miss Teen Asia USA), Queen Srey Kong Michael (Mrs. Asia USA), Queen Bichlien Nguyen (Mrs. Asia USA International), Queen Corazon Ugalde Yellen (Mrs. Asia USA California), Queen Sindee Ngô (Mrs. Asia USA Glamour) and Queen Violeta Martin (Mrs. Latina Global). Their regal presence adds a touch of elegance, intelligence, and diversity,
echoing the values proudly championed by Virgelia Productions.
Participating in these consecutive Lunar New Year parades holds profound importance for Virgelia Productions. Virgelia Villegas, President of the Virgelia Productions says “It is more than a display of visual splendor; it is an active engagement with and a sincere honoring of the cultural tapestry of our community. This unprecedented commitment echoes our mission of promoting unity and the harmonious coexistence of different cultures.” As the parades unfold, Virgelia Productions invites everyone to join in this vibrant celebration. In the grand arena of cultural harmony, Virgelia Productions shines brightly, leaving an indelible mark on the historic 125th year anniversary of the Golden Dragon Parade and the dynamic TET Parade, setting a new standard for cultural engagement in Southern California and beyond.
We are extremely grateful here at Hollywood Weekly to have been able to speak with Mr. Mathew Knowles and rediscover his story—as well as give insight to what is going on currently in his journey today. The mountain of achievements Knowles has earned is truly commendable and inspiring. Most of the world may know Mr. Knowles for his fatherhood and entrepreneurial geniusness—but we are here to shed light to the world that Mathew Knowles adds even more to that table.
Mr. Knowles grew up with the spirit of entrepreneurship from a young age, he explained a fun fact about how this spirit runs deep within the family tree and he was among the third generation of entrepreneurs within his lineage. His parents both were entrepreneurs and lived by the principles of integrity. Always helping those out in need within the small town of Gadsden, Alabama they resided in. He shared that he did not live in the wealthiest of homes but his loving and supportive parents instilled into him at a young age that the sky is not the limit and he can achieve anything that resonates deeply in his soul. His mother was a huge advocate for education and encouraged the importance of curiosity to young Knowles. She took up the torch to protest alongside those fighting against segregation during the Civil Rights Movement. This led to young Knowles being one of the very few black people to attend all-white schools from elementary through his years in college at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He expressed the difficulties of this experience but also shed light on the lessons and advantages he gained from it as well. He shared that it allowed him to understand another culture other than his own and this advantage opened many doors for him in the future.
Mr. Knowles would then venture into corporate America for twenty years. His early career at Xerox Medical Systems catapult
ed him to global recognition as the number one salesperson across the organization. Knowles not only excelled in sales but also initiated. groundbreaking efforts within Xerox, earning the organization recognition from Forbes as the number one workplace for minority professionals— decades ahead of corporate America’s focus on inclusivity. Knowles reflected on a crucial juncture in his corporate career when a neurosurgeon informed him that the medical instruments he marketed were not suitable for their intended use anymore due to new technological advances. This realization marked a turning point, prompting him to exit corporate America and search for his true passion. Simultaneously, he received requests to manage a young rapper named Lil’ O and a budding group named Girls Time, later known as Destiny’s Child. The convergence of these opportunities led him to the music industry, requiring a deep dive into knowledge acquisition.
Transitioning into the role of both a father and a manager presented its challenges. Knowles candidly shared the difficulties of balancing familial dynamics with the demands of the music industry. His early focus on managing Lil’ O allowed him to lay the foundation for Destiny’s Child’s success without compromising the family bond. Reflecting on his proudest moments as a father, Knowles emphasized the pure joy of seeing his daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, achieve their goals and find happiness in their passions. He acknowledged the importance of learning from mistakes and the significance of family moments beyond industry accomplishments.
As Knowles boldly ventured into the film industry, he highlighted his experience with soundtracks and unveiled ongoing projects with Music World Music Film & Television, LLC. While details remained confidential, he expressed enthusiasm for upcoming ventures that span film and television. In a profound revelation, Knowles shared his journey as a male breast cancer survivor. Drawing on his background in the medical field, he under
scored the significance of early detection and how a course on male breast cancer saved his life. Advocating for awareness, he emphasized the need for uncomfortable conversations about racism, health, and wellness. The conversation also touched upon Knowles’ impact as an educator, holding professorships at Pepperdine University and the London College of Creative Media. His sought-after status as a speaker, consultant, and educator in various fields, including sales, marketing, leadership, mindset, entrepreneurship, mental health, and wellness, highlighted the breadth of his expertise. He spoke passionately about motivating and educating young minds. Knowles instills in his students the importance of finding their passion, building confidence, and embracing life lessons beyond the course curriculum. And invites those interested in booking him for speaking engagements to visit MathewKnowles.com.
In a final, reflective note, Knowles emphasized the transformative power of passion, confidence, and life lessons. The interview provided a profound glimpse into the life of a multifaceted individual whose journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to making a meaningful impact in various spheres.
I always tell my students, I want to teach and leave a legacy that I taught people and gave them tools that they can use in life lessons and, having that confidence in themselves.
HW: “What are some of the proudest moments you have experienced as a father?”
MK: “One of the proudest moments as a father is just seeing my kids happy. Kelly lived with us when she was ten to twenty. She was like a daughter to me. Seeing them happy, that’s just a father’s love, seeing his kids happy and seeing them accomplish what they worked very hard for to pursue their passions. We all make mistakes. You get up, brush yourself off and learn from it. Seeing Solange and Beyoncé become amazing mothers is also something great that I cherish. I’m taking my manager and music executive hat off. I’m speaking as a dad.”
HW: “Your impact on a multitude of industries is undeniable. Are there any principles that you believe contribute to building such an enduring legacy?”
MK: “Understanding distribution, sales, marketing, and realizing that the world is bigger than North America. Knowing that there’s seven plus billion people in the world and not putting all of your focus just on America, but rather globally is key. As well as having trust in a team, because it’s not just I, it’s we. I have been fortunate to build some great teams over the years; marketing teams, street teams, all sorts of teams. It still boils down to the talent and passion of the artists. It really starts there, because you need both. You need the passion and the artistry.”
HW: “Are there any upcoming projects that you would like to speak about or highlight?”
MK: “I have a number of projects that will hopefully come to light in the next 12 to 24 months. It’s a long lead time in the film and TV industry versus music. That’s something that I have to get comfortable with because I’m so used to having it happen right away. Sometimes it could be three, four years for a film that we are involved in. So we’re working on my story, “The Mathew Knowles Story.” We are also invested in some Destiny’s Child products and a multitude of other projects for film and T V. Although, it looks too early to bring those out to light. Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to speak with you in a year or so. Then we can be more specific. But yes, we are working on some incredible film projects with
February comes around, and people save one day to celebrate their “special someone.” I remember watching the market in awe one year: a super long line of men waiting to buy flowers for their loved ones at the very last minute.
Should we choose just one day of the year to celebrate LOVE?
There is love between husband and wife, love between partners, love among friends, and love for humanity.
I believe loving yourself is the greatest gift you can give to yourself.
Love is very special for each one of us. It is the precious emotion that allows us to connect with each other. It is the feeling
that we are needed and contribute to a relationship. It is unique to each person, because it is often influenced by past life experiences.
Loving yourself is giving time to yourself.
I was visiting a friend from college a few weeks ago. We have known each other for almost four decades. On a beautiful Sunday morning, she invited her close friends to her hillside residence overlooking Los Angeles. We hugged each other and settled in for a yoga lesson. The sound of soft music, the melodious voice leading the meditation, and the cheerful laughter at the end… all make up an unforgettable memory.
I actually didn’t know most of the ladies, yet I feel grateful to be able to experience their
love. They love themselves enough to take time to gather and bond. In the busy world of modern technology and AI, the moments we can spend for ourselves should really be acknowledged. Too often we respond to challenges at work but neglect to take selfcare to the next level.
Loving yourself is understanding yourself.
People often ask me where I get all my energy. They wonder if I have a stressful life with multiple dental offices, traveling to international speaking engagements, and coaching clients globally. They ask me how I manage crazy schedules and difficult time zones.
The answer is quite simple: I thrive with challenges. And I understand that about myself. Being extremely busy does not stress me out. Having an easy schedule
does. I enjoy being “stretched” to achieve what I want. I find fulfillment in learning, improvising, and reaching milestones. The idea of conformity, to be similar to others, to fit the mold, etc. may be a safe haven for many people.
For people like me, who “think outside the box”, I enjoy being different. I am comfortable in my own skin whereas others share their “impostor syndrome” as a coping mechanism. I believe when you understand yourself, and you allow yourself the freedom to express yourself, you will actually love yourself more.
I remember coaching a client years ago and asking her what she would do in her upcoming vacation, a total time away from work – well deserved and long overdue. She
paused and had no clear idea. It had been a long time since she actually gave herself the time off as a typical busy entrepreneur. I often advise my clients to find a hobby besides work – work as a business owner, parent, or spouse. The hobby will allow creativity and inner peace. The hobby will help you find yourself - whether it is your old self or the discovered new self.
When you understand that loving yourself is selfishly taking care of yourself, allowing yourself grace in times of challenge, and learning to connect with your inner self, you will probably look at celebrating love in an entirely new way: one day at a time, all year round.
To discover your best self, take the high performance quiz at BestYouBestBusiness.com
Dr. Emily Letran is a serial entrepreneur, CEO of several multi-specialty dental practices, and private coach to many professionals. As an international speaker, she has been on TEDx and shared stages with countless business leaders including Sharon Lechter (Co-Author Rich Dad Poor Dad) and Kevin Harrington (Shark Tank). She has been featured in several magazines as well as the media, including Yahoo! Finance, Forbes, USA Today, and FOX. She is a contributing writer for industry magazines and the author of several books. She hosts her signature events, ACTION To WIN seminar, in several countries. Dr. Letran has been knighted as a Lady of The Royal Order of Constantine The Great and Saint Helen for her work in philanthropy and currently enjoys practicing dentistry with her daughter in Huntington Beach, CA. www.HuntingtonBeachCosmeticDentist.com
VIRGELIA VILLEGAS is a prominent figure in the entertainment and pageantry industry, known for her role as the accomplished President and CEO of Virgelia Productions. With a background in marketing, event planning, and entertainment, she has established herself as a key figure in producing and managing high quality pageants and fashion shows in the U.S. and Asia. She emerged as a trailblazing figure in the pageant industry and cultural event landscape. Her dedication and passion for providing opportunities for pageant contestants to express their cultural heritage, advocate for causes, enhance their confidence, personal branding and great exposure have been the hallmark of the pageants produced by Virgelia Productions. Her commitment to celebrating diversity, empowering women through these pageants and promoting cultural awareness have garnered attention and acclaim within the industry. Villegas is driven by an inspiring background and a fervent commitment to diversity, empowerment, and cultural celebration.
Born with an innate passion for showcasing culture, talent and beauty in all its forms, Virgelia embarked on a transformative journey to America at the tender age of 16, marking the commencement of an odyssey that would lead her to become a luminary in the realm of event planning. Hailing from a family that embraced a rich tapestry of traditions, she developed a deep appreciation for the beauty found in the uniqueness of every individual.
At 21, Virgelia graced the legendary halls of the Beverly Hills Hotel, laying the foundation for a remarkable career. Her trajectory soared as she ascended the ranks, becoming the Senior Catering Sales Manager at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in 1988. Subsequently, she continued her dazzling tenure at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel, accumulating 25 glorious years in the hospitality industry.
In a moment that would alter her destiny in 2003, she was bestowed with the "gift" of Miss Asia USA. Undeterred by challenges, Virgelia birthed Virgelia Productions, Inc. to house the burgeoning pageants. Juggling a demanding full-time business, her role in the hotel industry, and the responsibilities of a single mother of three, Virgelia's tenacity became the bedrock of her success.
The turning point arrived in 2010 when her pageants were attacked by the Miss Universe organization and its owner, Donald Trump. With an unwavering determination, and an insatiable desire to succeed, she mortgaged her home to pay a team of lawyers to defend herself and her pageants. Despite all the risks she faced, she ultimately secured a historic victory in this five-year trademark lawsuit and preserved the continued performance of her cultural pageants. This triumph not only cemented her legacy, but also underscored her fearless pursuit of justice.
Her foray into the world of pageantry
marked a pivotal moment in her career. Recognizing the potential of these platforms to transcend mere aesthetics, Virgelia transformed pageants into powerful mediums for empowerment and cross-cultural dialogue. Under her leadership, the Miss Asia USA, Mrs. Asia USA, Miss Europe Global, Mrs. Europe Global, Miss Latina Global and Mrs. Latina Global pageants, embodiments of her vision, became synonymous with celebrating intelligence, diversity, and the strength found in the convergence of various cultural backgrounds.
Virgelia's entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to philanthropy have distinguished her as more than a producer—she is a cultural ambassador who fosters unity through her events. Her leadership, marked by grace and purpose, has elevated the pageants to new heights and set industry standards for inclusivity.
Beyond the spotlight, Virgelia Villegas remains grounded, carrying the wisdom of her diverse experiences. Her background not only defines her, but also fuels her mission to create a world where beauty is a reflection of the richness inherent in the diverse tapestry of humanity. In every event she orchestrates, Virgelia continues to craft a narrative that inspires, uplifts, and unites people from all walks of life.
From the picturesque coastal city of Malibu, Missy Sunseri has carved out a niche for herself in the field of psychological healing and sports performance. With her innovative approach and unwavering dedication, she is redefining what it means to unlock the potential of the human mind. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Missy’s journey began on the fields, where she quickly distinguished herself as a star athlete. However, life took an unexpected turn following a family tragedy that shook her to the core. It was during this tumultuous period that Missy’s path veered towards a deeper understanding of the human psyche, leading her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Robert Morris University. But it wasn’t just academic curiosity that drove Missy; it was a personal quest for healing. Struggling with chronic PTSD and anxiety, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery that would ultimately shape her future and her career.
In her darkest moments, she found solace and salvation in the transformative power of hypnotherapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). These modalities not only saved her life but ignited a passion within her to help others navigate their own inner landscapes. With a newfound sense of purpose, Missy set her sights on California, the land of endless possibilities. There, she immersed herself in studies at the Hypnosis Motivation Institute (HMI), graduating with honors and laying the foundation for her groundbreaking practice, “The Natural Mind.”
“The Natural Mind” isn’t just another therapy practice; it’s a sanctuary for healing and growth. Combining her extensive certifications in NLP, hypnotherapy, sports psychology, and more, Missy offers a holistic approach to wellness that transcends traditional methods. Her sessions go beyond mere conversation; they are immersive experiences that tap into the subconscious mind, unlocking hidden
potentials and reshaping lives.
Missy’s impact extends far beyond the walls of her practice. She has become a pillar of support and inspiration in the Malibu community, garnering attention for her innovative techniques and compassionate approach. Features in local publications like the Malibu Surfside News and Malibu Patch have brought her work to a broader audience, shining a spotlight on the transformative work she is doing.
One area where Missy has made significant strides is in the realm of sports psychology. Drawing upon her own experiences as a former athlete, she has developed unique methods to enhance athletic performance and instill confidence in her clients. Whether working with elite athletes or aspiring amateurs, Missy’s goal remains the same: to unlock their full potential and help them achieve their goals on and off the field.
But perhaps one of Missy’s most impactful initiatives is the establishment of The Missy Sunseri Scholarship. This scholarship serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring athletes, providing financial support and mentorship to help them pursue their dreams. It’s a testament to Missy’s commitment to giving back to the community and empowering the next generation of athletes. Looking to the future, Missy’s vision for “The Natural Mind” is one of continued growth and impact. She envisions her practice as a hub for transformation and empowerment, where individuals from all walks of life can find solace, support, and healing. Her ultimate goal is to reshape lives and futures, one session at a time.
In a world where mental health and wellness are more important than ever, Missy Sunseri and her story of resilience, dedication, and transformation serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit. Through “The Natural Mind,” she is not just changing lives; she is changing the world, one session at a time.
“My goal is to help people reframe their past, help change their present and live a positive timeline. My company is called “The Natural Mind”, because the mission is to release any limiting belief, anything that society has brought down on you, any past trauma, and get you to your natural state of being... your natural mind.”
Can you tell us a little about your background?
Missy: I am from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. When I was younger I was always the one who was helping everybody around me and aware of how people were feeling. It was during college that my brother passed away and I decided to switch majors to psychology. Soon after that I came out here on my own healing journey in which hypnotherapy and NLP helped save my life. So I went to school for it and wanted other people to feel the relief I felt from hypnosis and NLP.
Can you share any key lessons or insights you’ve gained during your training with Audrey Hope?
Missy: She’s just so awesome. With Audrey, there’s no excuses, there’s no victimhood. It’s taking responsibility and taking the power from that trauma and turning it into your own. You don’t have to sit around with your trauma. You can go in, reframe it, release it and get it out. Looking at it with her, I learned to just get to the root and get rid of it. Your trauma is not you and it doesn’t have to be talked about. For years, I learned from her how to get to the source fast.
What’s a memorable story you’ve experienced working as a hypnotherapist?
Missy: Yes, I had a client who went to trauma facilities, they had severe depression and literally had no reactions to anything. I started working with him and I saw the shift. This was a young man in his early 20s, and to see the shift in somebody at that time of their life, in such a hard position. It is the most beautiful thing to see that person’s release and smile on their face. And now I don’t even see him anymore and he is living his best life without depression or medication.
How do you approach your practices? Are you just having the patients recall specific memories that caused them trauma in the first place?
Missy: So with that client’s therapy we worked with the 95% of our brain. So for instance, our conscious brain is only 5%. So by going into the subconscious brain, it can tell us what age something stemmed from and when it happened. Who told them that and etcetera. Then what I do is bring that age out and we heal the age of when that thing happened and that brings the healing to now.
Do you perform any past life regressions during your sessions?
Missy: Yes, I can do past life regression. Sometimes our trauma is from another life, so we have to go back and figure out what was going on there. We must reframe and release that, because sometimes we’re not even sure where that trauma is coming from. We talked about that problem and it’s interesting. A lot of times you find out that your anxiety was there to protect you. It came to protect you at a young age, or your anger came to protect you at a young age as well because you were sad about something and you needed strength. It’s very fascinating to realize that my anxiety wasn’t there to hurt me, but rather it was actually there to protect me. So we reframe that picture and then decide to release it or transform it into something new.
I thought that was very interesting how your services deal with sports. What are you exactly doing with your practices to benefit athletes?
Missy: So I was personally a big athlete myself growing up and I was always a team leader, helping people with confidence, getting everybody ready for the game, pumped out things like that and I decided to take my private practice into the sports world too. I did this because at certain ages you can change a kid’s life by coming in and helping them. If they’re in high
school, even if they’re in college, if they’re in middle school, by giving them that tool of confidence they’re able to walk through their life with an ability that is irreplaceable. Athletes are already in hypnosis when they play. So I created a method called the “Flow State Method”, and what it does is it gives you access to your flow state so you could use it in sports or in performances, you could use it for test taking anything that you need confidence in. What I do is take them in hypnosis and we release any old negative thought patterns that have gotten into their head then release it and replace it with a positive reinforcement. Now with a consistent practice of hypnosis, they could imagine a picture and have instant access to their flow state. So with athletes, it’s about releasing those false beliefs and empowering the confidence in that natural flow state inside of them.”
Do you have any upcoming projects or workshops that you’d like the audience to know about?
Missy: "The Flow State Message” will be coming out soon. It will be tailored for individual life, sports and performance. It’s a great tool to have for everyday life, to release limiting beliefs, really any self doubt that you may have and helps build this confidence inside you that you have always known was there but just needed somebody else to help point it out.
“When you’re in class, it’s all about the acting. When you’re on set, you’re just one component of the bigger picture. So it’s been cool to learn more aspects of creating a show or film and meeting some wonderfully talented people.”
Best known for her role as Tammy Thompson in Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things, Julia Reilly has also appeared in the TV series Dead Silent, Amazon’s God of Dreams, Apple TV’s The Giant, Lifetime’s A View to Kill For, and Lifetime’s The Secrets She Keeps
Julia honed her skills in The Groundlings, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, the Creative Studios Film Academy, and Mornell Studios. Growing up in Atlanta, GA, Julia started dance classes when she was three years old and began voice lessons shortly after. Throughout high school, Julia interned with a film agent, learning the ropes behind the scenes. She attended the University of Arizona to get her Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. After Covid hit during her sophomore year of college, Julia transferred to the University of Georgia where she earned a degree in Film Studies with a minor in Theatre.
In the action-adventure medical drama, County Rescue, Julia delivers a riveting performance as Dani Miller. The original 5-episode miniseries, premiered February 17th on Great American Family. Julia’s breakout lead balances the intensity of life-saving moments with the emotional depth of her character caught in a love triangle. A series regular, the young actress brings authenticity, passion, and a fresh perspective to the world of emergency responders. In one paramedic opening, Dani Miller (Julia) must set aside her recent heartbreak and prove herself worthy of the job while competing against the fire chief’s impulsive son and an over-qualified rookie.
Thanks for taking the time for this interview. What drew you to the role of Dani in this riveting new series?
Julia Reilly: I got the audition from my agent and I really loved the material when I read it. I thought Brian Baugh did a great job writing
the show. And I really connected with Dani. We’re both in our twenties trying to figure out our paths in this crazy world. So I related to her a lot and naturally gravitated towards her character. But it was very exciting.
How did you prepare for the physical challenges of a life-saving paramedic?
Julia: There wasn’t much preparation time. I got the role a week before I left to start filming. I’m a pretty active person. I love to work out and do a lot of pilates and cycling. So I was excited to confront the physical challenges of the role. We were lifting gurneys and people on them. That was challenging and I was eager to do more training for those tasks if we were to do another season of the show.
EMTs have an entire medical vocabulary that’s focused on speed and life-saving procedures. Was there a learning curve for you? Did you have on-set medical advisors to help?
Julia: In terms of the medical jargon, I went to YouTube and watched several “Day in the Life of an EMT” videos. So that was
really helpful and insightful. And on set, we always had an actual EMT, which was a game changer. They would answer all our questions—like how do you pronounce this word or how do I make this look the most realistic.
Can you go into the love triangle Dani had to face? What were the challenges there?
Julia: (laughs). Yeah, there’s a little bit of a love triangle romance. I really can’t say too much about it but I’m excited for the audience to see what they think of those characters in those situations.
What’s the most challenging part of being in this series?
Julia: It was challenging. This was my first series role in a TV show. It really taught me a lot of discipline. You wrap a day’s work and then go home eat shower and prepare for the next day’s scene. It’s work, rest, repeat, so I was very disciplined to get the most rest I could, especially since we had some really early call times. There was a lot of material to learn but I was really excited to be in the show.
Do you have a favorite scene or scenes?
Julia: I do. It was in the last episode of Season One. It was amazing to film and to work with the other actors in the scene. It was regarding EMT work.
So this is your first full-time acting gig in a television series. What was it like for you?
Julia: It was so much fun and an absolute dream come true. It’s exciting to finally talk about the show. I’ve been auditioning for a long time. So to get an opportunity like this after years of work and hundreds of “no’s” later to get to a “yes.”
Most actors I know have a love-hate relationship with auditions. Where do you stand?
Julia: I like auditioning. With Covid, that’s been stripped away. But it’s starting to come back. I love the energy of being in the room. I work best in that environment.
Was there a film or actor that inspired you to get into acting?
Julia: OMG. As a kid, I did a lot of singing and musical theater. So I was obsessed with Julie Andrews and the Sound of Music. I was five years old, I also loved Annie, the original and the first remake, and The Wizard of Oz. I
had my own pair of ruby slippers and watched those movies hundreds of times.
So you tapped your ruby slippers and here you are, a full-time actress now.
Julia: Yes, that’s exactly what happened.
You have an accomplished body of work in both TV and film. What have you learned about acting and show business that truly surprised you?
Julia: That’s a great question. I think that being on set is the best class or workshop you can get. There are a lot of moving pieces and everyone’s there to do their job and make everything come together. When you’re in class, it’s all about the acting. When you’re on set, you’re just one component of the bigger picture. So it’s been cool to learn more aspects of creating a show or film and meeting some wonderfully talented people.
So had you not gone into acting, what career path would you have chosen?
Julia: (laughs) I love that question. I always say I would have been a lawyer or a dermatologist. I love skincare and think that would have been cool.
Any advice for young actors struggling to get into this business?
Julia: I have to give credit to my parents for being extremely supportive. No one else in
my family is in the entertainment industry. It just takes a lot of passion. You have to love it. Because there is a lot of rejection. But if you’re persistent, you never know when you’re going to get that “yes.” I’m a firm believer that if you were meant for the role, you’ll get the role and nothing will get in the way of that. So many reasons we don’t get a role are totally out of our control. Be prepared and do the work. You need to view it as a long haul and not a short race. Everyone’s path is different.
So what do you do to relax and unwind?
Julia: I love binge-watching a good TV show. I have a mini Dachshund puppy that I love to take on walks and play with. Spending time with loved ones is how I relax. I also love pilates and yoga.
What were you like in high school? The girl most likely to…?
Julia: (laughs) Goodness. I went to a really small high school. My graduating class was about 35 people. We were all friends with each other so it was not the traditional high school experience. I was a good student and a bit of a perfectionist. And because there were only 35 of us, we all got senior superlatives. And my superlative was most likely to wear Converse every day. I did community theater, music lessons, and dance outside of school because it was such a small school. I was very involved in the arts throughout high school.
Known for her portrayal of Madalena in the horror film Lullaby; as in the comedy/crime drama, Amor Maior; and as Alice in the romance film My Mum’s Letters, Beatriz Frazão was 11 years old when she appeared in the sequel to the TVI soap opera Jardins Proibidos. In 2016, she made her theater debut starring in the play The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett through the Animarte Children’s Theater Group. That same year, she returned to soap operas as Daniela Borges in the comedy/crime/drama Amor Maior, which earned her a Golden Globe. In 2018, she made her debut at the Teatro Nacional D. Maria II as the protagonist of the play Alice in Wonderland directed by Maria João Luís and Ricardo Neves-Neves. She appeared in several soap operas and series, including Conta-me como Foi and Quarenteens. She also starred in the short films As Cartas da Minha Mãe and Canção de Embalar for which she won the award for Best Young Actress at the IndieX Festival in Los Angeles.
In the heartfelt family drama Autumn, Beatriz is Belinha, daughter and sister in a family of four struggling with life’s challenges in a small Portuguese town. Here, the family’s dynamic is thrown into turmoil when her brother (Salvador Gil) leaves to study in London. Focusing only on school breaks when he returns home (Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn), we observe snapshots of Belinha’s coming of age, her father’s mid-life crisis, a son’s emancipation, and a mother learning to cope with her empty nest. Autumn is an intimate and nuanced portrayal of family relationships, offering a poignant reflection on how we all struggle to move on, grow up, and grow old.
Thank you for taking the time for this interview. What attracted you to this film and the role of Belinha?
Beatriz Frazão: I had previously worked with director Antonio Sequeira and was looking forward to working with him again. So when he called me and asked if I wanted to
be in his next film, it was a no-brainer. I was excited, I said yes without reading the script. When I read the script, I found it to be the most relatable story I’d ever read.
How did you prepare for the role?
Did you draw a bit from your family dynamic to so convincingly play Belinha?
Beatriz: Thank you. To play Belinha was easy because she was going through something that I could really understand, the struggle to leave home. She and I are very similar. Another thing is that Miguel Frazão, who plays my father is my father in real life.
Do you have a favorite scene? And why do you like it?
Beatriz: The scene with my brother, played by Salvador Gil, where he’s unafraid and so peaceful about leaving home and studying abroad. He’s going to a place where they speak a different language and he’ll have no friends. So I asked him, “Aren’t you afraid, how can you do this?” In that scene, I don’t show it but I’m terrified. It’s kind of like watching a duck: on the surface, they swim calmly; but underneath, they’re peddling furiously. In a way, we’re like that, struggling but not showing what’s going on underneath.
What did you find most challenging about this film and playing Belinha?
Beatriz: I think it was the changes she went through. Plus, we shot the film out of sequence. We’d shoot in one season, take a three-month break then return to shoot other scenes. Antonio said he wanted to capture not only the seasons but how we changed and grew as characters.
The scene where Belinha saw her brother’s new girlfriend wearing the special shirt she had made for him. That really hurt her and it brought to mind their fragile sisterbrother dynamic.
Beatriz: That scene was very hurtful for Belinha. It hurt so much that I cried when I read it in the script. Her brother was everything to her, her best friend, and her role model. So when he left, she went through a bit of depression. Then when he returned with his girlfriend, everything changed and she had to learn how to cope. It hurts to even think about the scene.
You’ve done plays, soap operas, and films. What have you learned about show business that really surprised you?
Beatriz: That’s a really interesting question. Doing plays, then TV and movies—they’re all so different. For example, when I was in the play Anne Frank, it was a big responsibility to play her. I felt so grateful to play her and to depict things in her story that were and still are important to remember.
Autumn is at times funny, sad, and uplifting. What do you see as the core message in Autumn?
Beatriz: I feel the film will make people feel less alone. It’s about family. And everyone who has a family, I believe, will love this film. It’s so relatable in showing how we all struggle to enter the real world and to grow old. You spend your entire life fighting for your kids’ dreams and then they leave.
How did your father react when you decided to go into acting?
Beatriz: He was very supportive and always there for me. When I first told him I wanted to be an actress, he thought it was just a
child’s dream. But when he realized that I’d taken acting seriously, he provided everything I needed.
What do you like about acting in American films versus foreign films?
Beatriz: I like movies and characters that heal me. Some American movies have really moved me. I love movies about strong emotions and strong feelings.
What were you like in high school? Did you even have time to study with your acting career taking off?
Beatriz: When I was younger, I did gymnastics. I was a good student and very shy.
