MAY 2014
R
FAN’S BEST DRESSED at the 2014
Exclusive conversation with
Cannes Film Festival
ZACHARY SCHORR
The 41st ANNUAL EMMY AWARDS NOMINATIONS
GWEN STEFANI
Coach season seven of NBC’S ‘THE VOICE’
Studio City In-Depth Review
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Dear Readers,
I’
ve written many articles for Hollywood Weekly Magazine, but I can’t remember being this excited about a collection of stories as I am with this May Issue of HWM. Clearly it has something to do with the theme of dreams flowing through these pages, but not dreams in the Sigmund Freud sense of the word -- these are dreams in the “Follow The Yellow Brick Road” sense of the word, and in Dorothy’s dreams of life “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Real Estate Attorney Zachary Schorr deals with Hollywood Dream Homes -- he’s either helping celebrities stay in them or get rid of them. In any event he’s guarding their dreams or doing his best to mend broken ones...but he’s surrounded by people who’ve already reached their dreams. In Michelle Anderson’s incredibly entertaining Pilot “Studio City,” directed by her father, Arthur Anderson, and filled with the raw energy of young, talented actors, we follow the lives of six artists living in that famed city and still searching for their own path “over the rainbow.” Then there is Kaliph Hassan; an actor, comedian and amazing impressionist from Chicago who’s being guided to Hollywood by the sound of our laughter to reach his dreams. Now, since I’m already guilty of exceeding the allotted quota of “Wizard of Oz” references one can make in one reading, I’ll end with this: on the soundtrack to The Wizard of Oz there’s a song called “Optimistic Voices,” and it’s sung when Dorothy reaches Emerald City; maybe that’s the real common denominator threading through this May issue -Optimistic Voices. Enjoy. ...and may you all find and follow your dreams. Sincerely,
Anthony Ewart
Associate Editor, Hollywood Weekly Magazine
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ZACHARY SCHORR
HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN BOY FOR PROPERTY DISPUTES
M AY
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2 0 1 4
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STUDIO CITY A reality filled with the energy of hope and inspiration...
KALIPH HASSAN Comedian/Impersonator/ Writer
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ANDREA N. CARR Family Tree The Novel: Family Tree”
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GWEN STEFANI
Named coach on season seven of NBC’S “The Voice“
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The 41st ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS
The Daytime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards gala, which honors the crafts behind the many shows that grace the Daytime genre...
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Real Estate Attorney
Zachary Schorr “HOLLYWOOD’S GOLDEN BOY FOR PROPERTY DISPUTES”
T
Written by Anthony Ewart
he old maxim “there’s no such thing as bad publicity” was written before the age of the internet and amateur, freelance paparazzi – if you’ve got a name in the business and you’re involved in a roperty dispute the last thing you want is someone videotaping you at 1AM on your front lawn arguing with the co-owner of the property, then seeing it broadcast that night on TMZ. This is exactly why you want a real estate attorney like Zachary Schorr. He gets it. You don’t want your real estate problems discussed on Access Hollywood; you’ve got a movie coming out, or a new series, or a memoir – that’s what you want people talking about.
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There’s a reason Zachary Schorr is so successful in the field of real estate law; we talked about it in Hollywood Weekly’s first article on him – his powerful debating skills, honed throughout his life and refined in the courts of Los Angeles – but this second visit with Zachary gives us much more: how he does it… Opposing Counsel, pay attention. Zachary sees things differently, and this has nothing to do with having an idealistic or optimistic outlook or point of view – he literally considers things from every perspective possible. Call it mental squinting, but no case that comes to Schorr’s office is above (or below) the drill of being reimagined in countless ways, always searching for that one angle in which his client will receive the most benefit. It’s his personally-constructed kaleidoscope for arguments – or, if you’re more inclined to favor Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” as an analogy, it’s his prism for separating the facts of a case and finding that one strand, that one beam of light that no one else sees, and that one luminescent ray is how he’ll win your case. Zachary has built such a reputation for his unique ability of unearthing facts overlooked and completely transforming cases and turning them around, that people often hire Schorr just months or weeks before trial. While many lawyers would shudder at the thought of taking a case to trial on such short notice, Schorr relishes the challenge of finding what others missed and winning cases that seemed unwinnable. “It is never too late to win your case” Schorr says. In one of his most recent seemingly unwinnable wins, Schorr invoked a rarely cited law from the 1800s to secure his client’s rights in a multi-million dollar Hancock Park home.
Schorr represented a defendant who was being sued by the defendant’s co-owner to force a sale of property they had purchased together in the mid-1980s. The plaintiff alleged that Schorr’s client had a fight with the plaintiff and had kicked him out of the property years ago, denying the plaintiff hundreds of thousands of dollars in the rental value of the property. There was even an allegation that Schorr’s client hit the plaintiff with a lamp during the initial altercation – an allegation the defendant had denied in the years of litigation that pre-dated Schorr’s involvement in the matter. Once again, Schorr was brought in to the case late in the game, but his process remained the same: look at everything through his prism and find a color no one else is seeing. Schorr decided to flip the entire case around: instead of his client denying the physical altercation, he had his client embrace the accusations and admit to everything the plaintiff alleged. He even used the opposing party’s exhibits at trial to prove their theory and that the altercation had occurred. Why? HO LL Y W O O D WE E K L Y - 9
It turns out that the obscure law coming from the mid-1800s that he found said if you own property with someone and you kick them out – in dramatic fashion – and they stay out of the home for a certain number of years, and you pay the property taxes, then you own the home as a matter
of law. Suffice it to say that Schorr’s client’s fight with the plaintiff was dramatic enough to qualify under this law. As a result, Schorr’s client obtained 100% ownership of this multimillion-dollar home despite only having title to 50% of it. Schorr says “By looking at the case through a different perspective and literally reversing the parties’ respective positions in the case, we achieved the result our client sought.” The only paved paths in law are the ones you create… Although Schorr is uniquely capable of finding the hidden winning facts and arguments, he knows that facts and arguments alone are not enough. Just as important (or sometimes more important) are the presentation of the facts and arguments. According to Schorr, “Presenting a case to a judge or jury is a well-rehearsed performance without a script.” He analogizes his courtroom skills to sports and not being caught up in the process: “When you’re a kid on a bas10 - HO LL Y W O O D WE E K L Y
ketball team you have practiced a play a thousand times. You want the ball and you know exactly what you’re going to do when you get the ball. Then you get the ball and the pressure is on. You get so concerned about just dribbling the ball, something you have done countless times, that instead of looking around at your teammates to see who’s open, you’re staring at your hand and making sure you don’t bounce the ball on your feet and off the court – you get caught up in the pressure and the process. With experience you come to understand that you have to always keep your head up and look for your open teammate or the open lane to drive if you’re going to win. In court, I am comfortable enough with the process and that I can keep my head up and look for the open pass or the lane to score, rather than get bogged down in the process. I know all the facts of my case, but I understand that everything changes in court and I have to keep on my toes, looking around, hearing what’s going on instead of clutching to a script.” Schorr says being comfortable with the process allows him to focus on the facts and law withoutbeing bogged down by courtroom procedure. He says, “Know your facts, but lose the script”.
Schorr’s clients love winning, but, they also appreciate the sensitivity Schorr brings to his cases. One of Schorr’s studio clients (who he represents in real estate disputes) commented “What I love is his caring nature mixed in with his straightforward ‘no holds barred’ opinions, which is rare with most attorneys. He’s upfront, honest and won’t ever lead you down a road that he feels is not to your benefit.” There’s no shortage of work for Schorr. After all, this is Los Angeles – one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world and home to cut-throat real estate litigation. With stakes this high, clients want all that Schorr has to offer... and just as all roads once led to Rome, all roads in Los Angeles lead to television and film production companies, where Schorr has already worked as a commentator on a Nationally televised talk show – this can only mean one thing: Schorr’s “prism” is about to go “Technicolor,” which is great, because Hollywood can use a fresh perspective...
Call: (310) 954-1877 Email: info@schorr-law.com www.schorr-law.com
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Kaliph Hassan Comedic Brilliance Written by Anthony Ewart
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oni Morrison once said everything she writes comes from love. Every novel she’s published is a story steeped in love. Her characters may struggle and suffer, but the goal they all want to achieve, and the things they do, the sacrifices they make, all come from love – whether her characters are aware of this fact or not.
Comedian/Impersonator/Writer Kaliph Hassan is also motivated by love. Making people happy has been a love of his since he was a young boy performing for relatives at family gatherings.
Being funny came natural to him, and his amazing impersonations developed when Kaliph would provide voices for his action figures. He provided so many different voices for his G.I. Joe the toy was bordering on becoming schizophrenic.
Lisa-Lisa Photos “Captured Memories by Lisa”
When Kaliph grew older and started watching movies, Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor were his heroes. He created an incredible impersonation of Eddie Murphy based on Murphy’s dazzling performance in “Trading Places.” This impersonation was the reason so many relatives always wanted him performing at their parties.
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Throughout school Kaliph enjoyed hearing the laughter of friends and family awed by his comedic and impressionistic talent – but that’s where it stopped with his parents. Kaliph’s mother and father are both educators so comedy was fine, wonderful, at family parties and afterschool with friends, but College was the only parent-approved “gig” in Kaliph’s future as far as they were concerned..
In 1992, when Kaliph was 24 and teaching high school physical education, he decided to take a chance on comedy. During the transition of working as a high school teacher to teaching physical education for the Chicago Park District, Kaliph began transforming a very popular hobby into a career in the entertainment industry. Kaliph’s big break came while performing in a talent contest at All Jokes Aside in Chicago, where he was living. The Great Bernie Mac was hosting the show, and the prize was $50. Kaliph talked his way into the contest with very little experience – Bernie Mac even half-jokingly warned Kaliph, “If you ain’t funny we’re taking you out back!”
Kaliph does a “Training Day” impersonation of Denzel Washington putting his kids to bed that will literally have you crying with laughter. The first Kaliph Hassan impression I ever heard was his Chris Tucker, and it is the best ever done – I guarantee you’ll never here one better. I wasn’t surprised to learn during my interview with Kaliph that he has aspirations to write and direct one day. I can only imagine how funny he would be as a director giving notes to actors who are part of his comedic repertoire – he can actually show Denzel exactly how he’d like him to say a line. It would be a surreal conversation to watch, to say the least.
I began Kaliph’s story with the concept of doing something you love: creating art out of love. Little did Bernie Mac know that Making people happy; bringthe highlight of Kaliph’s act was “Kaliph does a ‘Train- ing them joy...but for Kaliph, a Bernie Mac impression. The the real strength of his love ing Day’ impersoncrowd erupted when Kaliph unstarts at home. A loving wife ation of Denzel Washleashed his impressions on them, who supports his career, as he and when he started imitating ington putting his kids supports hers. She’s a teachBernie Mac – with Bernie Mac to bed that will liter- er – who would have guessed watching – the room was electric. that a former teacher, whose ally have you crying It was an incredible, unforgettable parents were teachers, would with laughter” night. Kaliph won the $50 and an marry a teacher. Then there enormous amount of respect from are his loving children, who ineveryone in the comedy commuspire him, but one of his chilnity, including Bernie Mac. dren, his seven year old daughter, takes things a step further: she’s his stylist. Well, if you had Kaliph found another person to mentor him over three hundred voices swirling around in and champion his talent to the world in the your head a little help from a daughter telling form of Timothy Rand, a successful businessyou which tie goes best with which suit would man for over thirty years, Midway Airport Conbe a welcome relief, and, besides, It’s better for cessionaires LLC. Rand is also the founder of all of us – much better – if Kaliph keeps his the Chicago Football Classic held in Soldier mind on his comedy and those incredible imField, which has been providing scholarships pressions... for students in the Chicago area for over twenty years. A powerful friend, but the truth is Kaliph’s brilliance is undeniable, Rand’s gift was helping him reach a broader audience. The total count of Kaliph’s impressions are over three hundred. From Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole to Samuel L. Jackson, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman – and before I go too far, I want to circle back to Denzel Washington:
Launy Rhem, Manager, UEM (310) 461-7049 E-Mail: Launy@ueminc.net www.twitter.com/launyrhem www.facebook.com/kaliph.hassan
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GRAMMY AWARD WINNER
GWEN STEFANI
NAMED COACH on SEASON SEVEN of ‘THE VOICE’
A
dam Levine, Blake Shelton Also Return Alongside Pharrell Williams for Star-Studded Coach’s Lineup; Christina Aguilera Back for Season Eight Stefani and Pharrell Each Set to Perform on Monday, May 5 Live Telecast Internationally acclaimed solo artist and No Doubt singer and songwriter Gwen Stefani has been named a coach for the upcoming seventh season of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning musical competition series “The Voice.” A singer and songwriter since childhood, Gwen has sold close to 30 Million records worldwide as the front woman for the band No Doubt and as a multi-platinum solo artist. No Doubt’s five genre-blending albums have showcased Gwen’s adept songwriting and poignant lyrics with number one hits in-
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cluding “Don’t Speak”, “Just a Girl”, “Hey Baby” and “Underneath It All”. After No Doubt’s double-platinum retrospective singles collection The Singles 1992-2003, featuring the hit single “It’s My Life,” Gwen released two multi-platinum selling solo albums. Love.Angel.Music.Baby was released in 2004 with the number one single “Hollaback Girl” which was also the first digital download to sell over one million copies in the United States. The album also spawned the hit single “Cool.” Gwen’s second multi-platinum solo record The Sweet Escape was released in 2006 and featured the hit single of the same name. In 2009, Gwen returned to No Doubt for a 50-plus city North American tour and in 2012, the band released their sixth album Push and Shove which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart.
Gwen has sold close to 30 Million records worldwide as the front woman in the band No Doubt and as a multi-platinum solo artist HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY - 15
Gwen is widely recognized as a trendsetter and accomplished designer within the fashion industry 16 - HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY
In addition to her singing-songwriting career, Gwen is widely recognized as a trendsetter and accomplished designer within the fashion industry. Gwen’s first fashion line L.A.M.B., launched in 2003, is a luxurious collection of clothing, handbags and shoes, defined by Gwen’s innate sense of style which often features a playful juxtaposition between classic Hollywood movie star glamour and more modern street influences. In 2005, Gwen launched cult brand Harajuku Lovers, a playful and pop art inspired line that reflects Gwen’s love of Japanese culture and fashion. Gwen’s most recent fashion projects include DWP (Design With Purpose) the already sold out casual yet luxurious ready-to-wear line that launched in February 2014 and Gx - a line of affordably priced fashion forward accessories that launched in March 2014.
“The Voice” is a presentation of Mark Burnett’s One Three Inc., Talpa Media USA Inc. and Warner Horizon Television. The series was created by John de Mol, who serves as executive producer along with Burnett, Audrey Morrissey, Stijn Bakkers and Lee Metzger. As a way to introduce the two new coaches to viewers, Pharrell — a Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee — will perform his new single “Come Get It Bae” from his current album “Girl” and Stefani will perform her No.1 single “Hollaback Girl” from her debut solo album, “Love. Angel. Music. Baby” on a live telecast of “The Voice..
Please visit: NBC.com
Official show site: www.nbc.com/TheVoice
Gwen is also actively involved in her charitable efforts, namely the EB Medical Research Foundation and Save the Children.
Photo by OPI
www.opi.com
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In-Depth Review:
STUDIO CITY Written & Created by Michelle Anderson Directed by Arthur Anderson Review by Anthony Ewart
A
sarcastic woman is an honest woman. That’s
retain their golden teenage dreams (all of our golden
the best way I can describe Michelle Ander-
dreams), of success and happiness in this world.
son’s perfect portrait of honesty in her accu-
rately drawn, Fashion Designer Extraordinaire, “An-
Funny women are the smartest people you’ll
gie,” played with the right balance of strength and
meet, and this is the best way I can describe Michelle
charm by Tabitha Ellis.
Anderson. Like the strong female characters she creates, her intelligence and humor are intertwined like a
Michelle has created the perfect world for us to
escape into. Six adult characters who’ve managed to
TAWNEY AND ARTHUR ANDERSON 24 - HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 24 - HO LL Y W O O D WE E K L Y
DNA double helix.
CAST OF STUDIO CITY
STUDIO CITY is a reality filled with the en-
woven throughout her storyline. Don’t listen to what
ergy of hope and inspiration. You could say the city
people say or think about you, your story should al-
is powered by it, regardless of the obstacles it seems
ways be greater than your generation’s impression of
to throw at Michelle’s six main characters – but even
you.
Michelle’s side characters, like the neighbors who live in their condo, are equally layered with comedic char-
Arthur Anderson and Tawney Anderson, Mi-
acter traits.
chelle’s parents, have converted their pride of Michelle into action. It was Tawney who gave Michelle
The people you call weird are happier than
the ultimate mom ultimatum: “Do something with
you. This is, perhaps, the greatest lesson of Michelle’s
your Studio City script or I will.” Arthur Anderson,
Studio City. She’s not afraid of writing characters who
the Director of Studio City, has an IMDB page so
are quirky. Quirky is funny. Funny is real. It’s this in-
impressive I was humbled when we spoke about his
timate understanding of comedy that makes Studio
love for this project and the opportunity to work with
City so appealing.
his daughter. My DVD shelf is filled with movies he’s worked on as a Producer, Director and Assistant Di-
You’re probably better than people make you
rector.
feel; this is another diamond of truth Michelle has HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY - 25 HO LL Y W O O D WE E K L Y - 25
The casting of Studio City was par-
amount; Michelle and Arthur needed actors who could do more than just deliver great lines – Michelle’s comedy is based on human truths. Beneath the humor of her characters there’s an awareness that they’ve all got a real fight ahead of them in the entertainment industry. Michelle and Arthur have given us stories that will resonate with adults and teach our teens, with dialogue and plots coated in humor.
I once had a rare sighting of polite-
ness, I remained silent to not scare it away – one thing I love about the character of Studio City is throughout their crazy antics they all have a sense of decency: beginning with the character Michelle plays herself, “Maddie.”
SAM MARRA
A woman believing in you is a big
deal, and Maddie is the anchor that holds the other five characters together. She has aspirations of becoming a professional singer, which mirrors her own life: Michelle is an accomplished singer whose first album, “The Lost,” will be out soon. Her first single, “Alone,” has already been heard by people in the music industry and its release is highly anticipated.
Jessica Kemejuk has the unique
honor of having her character, “Raina,” written specifically for her by Michelle. Raina is a yoga guru working towards a modelling career. She gives a new meaning to sexy and cool. I believe a woman knows you love her before you do, but Raina would know before you ever met – her instincts and intuition are off the charts.
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Sam Marra plays Berret, a former college bas-
it reflects our digital age, so documenting their entire
ketball star who now has aspirations of becoming a
journey with hilarious intensity is comedic actor and
writer in Hollywood. Playwright August Wilson said
writer, Kenyon Long, whose character, “J.T.,” who
when he turned twenty he bought a typewriter and de-
dreams of being a Hollywood Director, is never without
clared himself a writer – good, bad or indifferent he
his digital camera, despite the potential awkwardness
was a writer. Berret has that same youthful, optimistic
of the situation or how uncomfortable it makes the oth-
outlook on his writing career. In the Pilot for Studio
er five characters feel... It’s a condo of pure joy.
City Berret gets a job at a Café writing the daily specials on a small chalkboard placed outside in front of the
entrance – only Berret would consider that a “writing
with characters who can enrich our world with hope
gig,” and that’s what makes his character so likable.
and empathy and laughter and love. We’re all fragile,
stitched with loose thread – Studio City is a comedy
Anthony Bergeron plays “Colin,” who’s more
Michelle and Arthur’s Studio City Pilot is filled
that shows compassion...and has a lot of fun doing it.
of a “celebrity actor” than actual celebrity actors. Anthony’s comedic timing is brilliant, and whether he’s aware of it or not his humor is reminiscent of comedy giants like Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder.
Above all Studio City is a modern comedy, and
CAST OF STUDIO CITY
Please visit: mylifesmagic.wix.com/studio-city-website
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JASPER SUSI HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY - 27 HO LL Y W O O D WE E K L Y - 27
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“Family Tree The Novel: Family Tree” Andrea N. Carr, Author Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA—Andrea N. Carr is a born storyteller. Her soul carries the passions and disappointments of a nation and her writing bares faultless witness to the truths of our time. Her debut release Family Tree The Novel is a gripping ride into the heart of the average dysfunctional family. Her profound insights into the human condition echo Alice Munroe’s The Color Purple and J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye.
Please visit:
familytreethenovel.com
Order book:
www.amazon.com HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY - 33
THE STRUGGLE FOR EXCELLENCE Maya Iman Anderson Spelman College, Graduate Cum Laude. Class of 2017. Comparative Women’s Studies.
I
t was not until I entered college that I realized what it means to be a Black woman in America. Even with all the Black women that I knew and was surrounded by, it was not until recent years that I was able to identify with many experiences that unite Black women in this country, and also analyze, and question what this experience means and looks like. Throughout our history in this country, we as a group have consistently fought for basic human rights and to abolish the ideologies that we deserve to be treated as second-class citizens. Reading about the history of women of color, particular Black women, and their part in the women’s health movement, both nationally and internationally, has enabled me to connect my personal desires to effect changes in the ways in which those women were able to do so. Learning how important Black women’s efforts in reproductive justice allowed me to see how much of a catalyst for global change they were. What was also astonishing was how much social and cultural influences and expectations negatively impacted the health status of Black women. The staggering affects that societal constructs and gender roles have on us as a group of people was alarming. I could instantly associate almost all the Black women I knew with some of the topics discussed in many of our course readings. Whether they are career women, mothers, wives, or all three, each and every one of the women I could think of was a statistic in my book. This made
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the problem that more real for me, and also gave me a compelling determination not to be one of those statistics. Learning about the indirect ways women’s health is impacted, such as in the workplace or even via relationships in our lives, made me more aware of how my life may be affected by subliminal structures that serve to disadvantage me and my health. Reading the personal stories and accounts of women on a myriad of topics, proved to be the most beneficial to me because it really allowed me to connect the personal and private parts of my life to that of other women and gave me the opportunity to connect the dots of my own experiences, which aided in some much needed personal growth. I am a very cerebral person, and having acknowledged that, sometimes I am plagued with implementing knowledge into my personal life to help me make the changes I feel I need to make. A major issue I have come to realize that I really struggled with these past few months, was becoming so focused on what I did not want to become, I lost sight in embracing all the aspects about myself that I had come to enjoy. I took some of the readings and topics discussed so personal, that it was though my personal mission was not to become like any of these oppressed and miserable women I was reading about. Doing so hindered my ability to relish in all that was wonderful and amazing, and happening to me. One thing that I have learned about myself is that I view myself as my only competition, and that I am my biggest critic. While I am motivated by my own passions and aspirations, and use them as fuel to light my own flames, I am the last person to ever fully acknowledge and praise the fact that I have actually obtained things that I have set out to do. It is customary for me to place a large amount of pressure on myself to achieve my goals in fear of not wanting to disappoint myself; that pressure is usually accompanied with high expectations (sometimes unrealistic), which often led to mental exhaustion. It was not until this semester however, that learned how I could be the antagonist in my own life and my own actions are at the root of my problems. If I were to be honest about my outlook on the semester in January, I would describe it as looking at a huge wall that I had to climb; alone and with no assistance, I could not fathom how I was ever going to make it to the other side. I had a preconceived agenda about how would get over the wall, and that if I did not comply with the agenda 100%, that there was no way that I could successfully get over the wall. For almost the first two months of school, my focus was so narrowed I began to isolate myself, and did nothing that did not pertain to the tasks at hand. Every part of my efforts was directed at my plan for success. Unfortunately for me, this tunnel vision often resulted in a dark and lonely space, for all I saw was all of the challenges that lay ahead of me. It was never the challenges that feared me though; it was always how I would conquer them that were unnerving. My determination to prevail became an obsession. This obsession led to insomnia, stress, and a tremendous amount of anxiety; I could not escape my own thoughts. As these negative occurrences began to persist, I eventually had what
I felt was several mini-mental breakdowns (the spiritual side of me however, can now recognize this as an opportunity for awakening and enlightenment). It was not until about sometime in March where I was able assess my current status with myself, and negotiate a new plan that I could not only accept, but that could be proud of, and did not force me to compromise my health in pursuit of my mission. I realized that part of the reason I was feeling so defeated was that I felt like my relentless efforts were not yielding the results that I wanted. I had grown so accustomed to being rewarded for working hard, that I failed to see that growth is not always exponential. It had not occurred to me that I was not entitled to receive the benefits of my work at consistent rate. I had to learn that a single failure does not mean a final defeat. I feel as though all of the mental dilemmas I had to overtake this semester were a necessary step in the final stages of my college life. The skills required to defeat those challenges, were all ones that I needed to develop to give me the mental strength and ability to enable myself to be at peace with wherever I am in my life. Being forced to confront my personal limitations and transforming them into attributes that work in my favor has been the most liberating experience. One feat that led to mental clarity was realizing that it is okay to take breaks; just simply take a break. Thinking that I could continually ascend such a huge wall without taking a pause did me a great disservice. The root of restoration is rest. To rest, means to refresh oneself, to have tranquility or peace, it is the relief or freedom from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs. My inability to acknowledge that resting is just as an important part of my journey as the climb truly made half of the journey more challenging and draining. I was so concerned with being productive and making progress, that I was not able to see that just because I take a break, does not mean that I would not make it to the top. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It is now clear to me that I have to allow myself the chance to restore, so that I can be just as, if not even more productive and effective at proceeding on my journey than I was the day before. Secondly, I was able to confirm my belief in the old adage that to whom much is given, much is expected. How could I expect to devote myself to such a journey without expecting to encounter all the battles that came with it? Although I had recognized that I embodied fundamental characteristics required to actualize what I had set out to do, I was not exempt from having to use those traits in my pursuit. In fact, the challenges enhanced all of those characteristics about me that I take the most pride in. A major aspect of my growth has been being able to admit to myself that sometimes I look to others to validate my capabilities, when the truth of the matter was that I lacked the self-confidence in my own abilities. I looked to a lot of people that were supporting and encouraging me to assure me that I had what it took to make it to the top; I was searching outside of myself for SELFconfidence. It wasn’t that I did not think I was capable, but I was not fully confident in my own abilities. I doubted the possibility that what I was doing would suffice to get me to where I wanted to me. That doubt and the ability to acknowledge and understand what it was led me to the most essential element of growth for my professional/ academic life this semester, faith. The most imperative part of my professional transformation (which of course carries into my personal life as well) is to have faith. Even with all of knowledge, mental fortitude, rest, and confidence, if I did not truly have faith
in all that I believed in, none of what I believed mattered. My spiritual beliefs are such a fundamental part of my life and are the basis of essentially everything I do. It was then that I realized what’s the point of having a belief system if I didn’t use it? If I didn’t have faith that it would all work out? And though faith was such a crucial part of my growth, it underscores the pinnacle component of my growth, and that is learning to be vulnerable. Vulnerability and the willingness to embrace it, has been the most important concept I have learned, accepted, and deemed as necessary components of my life. Through the course of this semester, this class in tandem with my life’s events has proven to me that this concept was a vital component of my life; one that I needed in order to transition into the next phase of my life, and the person I wish to become. Embracing vulnerability has been the solution to many inner conflicts, as well as those I was outwardly combating. The ability for me to relinquish control, fear, and anxiety, and openly rely on faith, and allow peace and tranquility to infiltrate my mind has stemmed from allowing myself to be vulnerable. I quote author Brené Brown when I say, “faith minus vulnerability equals extremism; faith is the vulnerability that flows between the shores of certainty.” This speaks to the very essence of my life since the beginning of 2014. I would so often identify with being an extremist, part of it is due to my dramatic, energetic personality, the obsessive parts of me however, was a consequence of my invulnerability. I can now say that having recognized these things about myself, I can make conscious efforts to do better. After all the peaks and valleys I’ve experienced these past few months, there are certain things I now know for sure. To be willing to envision what we need is necessary and powerful, and equally as crucial is the confident spirit to be certain that it will work, even when we have yet to reach our intended destination. Perseverance in finding what will work is just as important as when you discover what will. A single failure does not mean a final defeat, and are often times necessary parts of the journey. Above all else, the most important part of reaching our goal is the journey there. The journey is where we learn, build character, and experience all that will strengthen us to get us where we need to be. My vision for myself is that I hope that in the future when I encounter a hurdle, I will remember the reason life’s challenges are referred to as hurdles is because we can get over them. In the midst of my pursuit, I hope to remember all these lessons that I have currently learned and use them as a foundation to continually aid me in constant progress and ascension. I challenge myself to surrender to vulnerability and live whole-heartily, to be unshaken by what I deem as defeat, as use it as a tool to correct my steps. I hope that I am not paralyzed by an obsession, not to become victim to what many others are experiencing that I miss out on life’s joys and bliss. I vow to have my life be an example and inspiration to others to have the courage to live at their heart’s content. I want to show them that it is possible to break societal and cultural norms, while unapologetically living your truth. As I prepare to end an important chapter of my life, and commence toward a new one, I knowingly bring all the lessons I learned that have shaped me into the person I am now, and have grown to love, and will use all of the experiences to help me ascend this new wall, less anxious, and more confident, at peace, and open to whatever the new climb has to offer.
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The 41st ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES
T
he Daytime Emmy® Awards recognize out-
the Daytime television community!”
standing achievement in all fields of daytime television production and are presented to in-
dividuals and programs broadcast from 2:00
41st Annual Daytime Emmy® Awards,” said David Mi-
a.m.-6:00 p.m. during the 2013 calendar year.
“These exciting nominations officially launch the
This
chaels, Senior Executive Director, Daytime. “This will be
year’s gala will be held the prestigious Beverly Hilton Ho-
a true celebration of Daytime Television focusing on those
tel in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, June 22, 2014.
behind the scenes that make so much of the great quality and innovation we see every day and those on-screen
The Daytime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards gala,
that invite us into the worlds of daytime drama, talk, legal
which honors the crafts behind the many shows that grace
courtroom, culinary, game shows, animation and chil-
the Daytime genre, will be held at the Westin Bonaventure
dren’s programming we enjoy throughout the year. Con-
Hotel in Los Angeles on Friday, June 20, 2014.
gratulations to all the nominees!”
“With over 1,400 entries this year, the National
In addition to our esteemed nominees, the follow-
Academy is again excited to welcome more than 350
ing individuals were chosen from over 100 entries by a
nominees to this year’s Daytime Emmy Awards,” said,
juried live panel in Los Angeles and will be awarded the
Malachy Wienges, Chairman, NATAS. “We are happy to
prestigious Emmy® Award at our Daytime Creative Arts
return to both the Beverly Hilton and the Westin Bonaven-
Emmy® Awards on June 20th, 2014.
ture for what I’m sure will be two very exciting nights for 36 - HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 36 - HO LL Y W O O D WE E K L Y
NETWORK TOTALS CBS 60 SYNDICATED 52 PBS 44 NICKELODEON 37 ABC 29 HUB NETWORK 24 NBC 18 TOLN.com 11 CARTOON NETWORK 10 DISNEY CHANNEL 8 Univision 6 Youtube.com 6 ABC Family 5 FOOD NETWORK 5 Cooking Channel 4 CNNE 4 Game Show Network 3 OWN 3 MeTV 3 MTV 2 Netflix 2 www.devanity.com 1 Blueworldtv.com 1 Here TV 1 Hallmark Channel 1 MTVU 1 www.mlpromise.com 1 www.venicetheseries.com 1 DisneyXD 1 HGTV 1 Fusion 1 E! 1 mun2 1 CNN 1 Sprout 1 Telemundo 1 HBO 1
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MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS (Program) The Young and the Restless 26 The Bold and the Beautiful 18 General Hospital 16 Sesame Street 15 Days of Our Lives 14 The Ellen DeGeneres Show 9 Peter Rabbit 8 The Mind of a Chef 7 One Life To Live 7 Disney Sofia the First 6 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade 6 Spooksville 6 The Aquabats! Super Show! 5 El Gordo y la Flaca 5 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness 5 Rachael Ray 5 R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour The Series 5 The Talk 5 All My Children 4 Peg+Cat 4 Star Wars: The Clone Wars 4 Beware the Batman – “Secrets” 3 Born to Explore with Richard Wiese 3 CBS Sunday Morning 3 The Dr. Oz Show 3 Giada In Paradise 3 Green Screen Adventures 3 Joseph Rosendo’s Travelscope 3 Let’s Make a Deal 3
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Made in Israel Monsters Vs Aliens Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin The View The Wonder Pets! This Old House The American Bible Challenge America Now Arthur Bobby Flay’s Barbecue Addiction Bubble Guppies The Chew Curious George Dan Vs. The Fresh Beat Band Giada At Home Good Morning America Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild The Price Is Right The Queen Latifah Show Sabrina Secrets of a Teenage Witch The Scarecrow Steve Harvey Superbook Super Soul Sunday Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Today Show Turbo FAST Wheel of Fortune
3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
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CANNES 2014 RED CARPET BEST DRESSED
Blake Lively in Gucci
Jane Fonda in Elie Saab
Nicole Kidman in Armani Prive
Laetitia Casta in Christian Dior
Zoe Saldana in Victoria Beckham Paz Vega in Elie Saab
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