Fan-favorite and top-selling global brand OPI introduces 12 hot new nail shades for summer, designed to promote empowerment and self-expression.
“Make ’Em Jelly Nail Collection at the OPI ‘Do Hue & Strike A Pose’ Event at Lips NYC. Photo: M.Vizcaino.
OPI kicked off Pride month with a dazzling Do Hue & Strike A Pose event at the legendary Lips restaurant and bar, often referred to as NYC’s mecca destination for nightly longest-running drag queen shows, which also hosts brunch, birthdays, and bachelorette parties. The venue was adorned with shimmering silver and gold disco balls, striped walls, and tables draped with bright sequins and colorful cellophane, capped off with fresh flowers mirroring OPI’s new shades, and befitting of ballroom decor; an a homage to the spirit of ballroom dancing, where dancers express their individuality and joy of self-expression. What better place to encompass the essence of Pride?!
MC Kandy Muse at OPI’s ‘Do Hue Strike A Pose ‘Event at Lips NYC. Photo: M.Vizcaino
Serving as hostess with the mostess for the frenzied, fun-filled evening was Kandy Muse, drag queen extraordinaire, TV personality, and runner-up from RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13. Kandy kept the night lively, cracking jokes and showcasing Lip’s hottest divas to get the audience amped up. Taking to the stage and whipping patrons into submission were Mistress Twiggy, Sophya Medina, and Roxie Chanel:
From L to R: Mistress Twiggy, Sophya Medina, and Roxie Chanel at OPI’s ‘Do Hue Strike A Pose’ event at Lips NYC. Photos Mistress Twiggy and Roxie Chanel, M.Vizcaino, Sophya Media by Madi Goldman.
Keeping the unbridled and unadulterated energy in the room going, OPI provided photo-op activations by NYC Photo Booth (Unique Photo Booth Experiences) and set up nail stations for guests to channel their inner show diva.
Guests at OPI’s ‘Do Hue Strike A Pose’ event at Lips NYC. Photo: NYC Party Booth.
If you think OPI (Odontorium Products, Inc.), co-founded by brand ambassador and “The Queen of Nails,” Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, in the 80s, is capitalizing on the Pride marketing bandwagon, think again. The brand has collaborated with the Trevor Project for four years to address and combat suicide among LGBTQIA+ and young people, contributing $100,000 in support for the nonprofit this year. The Trevor Project connects LGBTQIA+ individuals and youth to counselors who provide support in dealing with this type of crisis. OPI hopes to expand support in the coming years.
OPI “Make ’Em Jelly” Collection. Photo: OPI.com
Check out OPI’s 12 New Make ’Em Jelly shades in Nail Lacquer and GelColor Intell-Gel™ System with inspirational names like: “Blue Them All Away,” “Vogue in Violet,” and “Drop to the Florchid” to unleash your creativity and live your life to the fullest!
Secret operative missions, stand-up comedy, and a who-dun-it; Netflix enthralls viewers with a new batch of titillating entertainment.
From L to R: Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, and Rosalind Eleazar; Photo Credit: Netflix.
Superstars Cameron Diaz (Emily) and Jamie Foxx (Matt) make a splashy comeback with their spy thriller Back in Action. The couple plays a pair of brilliant CIA spies in a clandestine relationship. Once Diaz finds out she’s pregnant with their child, they decide to disappear, assume new identities, marry, and move to the suburbs until their cover is blown. Forced to return to the world of espionage with precocious teens in tow, they battle oligarchs and their henchmen until their family is safe. Glenn Close (Fatal Attraction, The Wife) plays Cameron Diaz’s estranged mother, whose actions allude to being a former spy, and she’s glorious as usual! An actor’s actor.
Both actors are in great shape, and we buy their roles as GenX martial experts who haven’t lost their edge. Back in Action marks Diaz and Foxx’s return to cinema. Diaz hasn’t starred in films since 2014, and in the middle of shooting the action-comedy, Foxx had a medical emergency that left him out of the spotlight for a few years. The two stars have dynamic chemistry and a natural comedic ability. Cameron Diaz’s Emily is reminiscent of Natalie Cook’s graceful fight scenes from the Charlie’s Angel franchise (2000–2003), while Foxx channels his Django character’s stealth moves.
Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx proved their bankable stars as Back in Action remains the top film on Netflix.
Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in ‘Back in Action’; Photo Credit: Netflix.
Clearing the air and setting the record straight on his hiatus from TV and Film, Foxx stars in his poignant and hilarious comedy special What Had Happened Was. Rumors and conspiracies stating that P. Diddy drugged Foxx to him becoming a paraplegic were debunked by Foxx. The truth, as confirmed by the actor, is that he had a brain bleed, leading to a stroke that doctors had a hard time diagnosing, and his sister stepped in to advocate for further analysis. Foxx addresses the severity of his condition and epiphanies, makes jokes, and sings in this hilarious and poignant one-hour show. Foxx still got it, but more importantly, never lost it.
Lastly, Harlan Coben returns with his book adaptation series, Missing You. And use John Waite’s hit 80s song “Missing You” as the musical backdrop.
Rosalind Eleazar (Kat) and Richard Armitage (Stagger) in ‘Missing You’; Photo Credit: Netflix.
Missing You follows Kat Donovan (Rosalind Eleazar, Slow Horses, Deep Water), a detective inspector in the U.K. whose fiance broke off their engagement and went off the grid for 11 years. To make matters worse, Kat learns her father’s murderer is about to die and visits him to find out why he murdered him, a former policeman. In true Harlan Corben fashion, there are more winding twists and turns than the steepest stairwell in a centuries-old European castle in this story. And fans of the suspense-thriller author will love it! Not to mention the diverse multinational cast and Coben favorite and veteran British actor Richard Armitage (Fool Me Once, The Stranger) as Donovan’s boss, Ellis Stagger.
Fluff up your couch and prepare your favorite snacks for a superb TV viewing this weekend or next. Back in Action, directed by Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses, Identity Thief). It’s Netflix’s highest-grossing film to date. Jamie Foxx’s honest Golden Globe-nominated special What Had HappenedWas, detailing his recovery, is ripe with impersonations, storytelling, and singing extravaganza. If you’re looking for more than a contained show or film, check out the 5-episode limited suspenseful series Missing You.
Richly described, flawed characters who, despite their imperfections, come together to serve a bigger purpose than themselves.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store Hardcover book by James McBride; photo: Mercedes Vizcaino
James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store is my first book review on Medium. I felt compelled to write about it because I was still thinking about the novel weeks later, even though I’d started another book. We know books are highly subjective because they tend to follow genres that readers gravitate toward or not. This particular novel weaves multiple genres, and the storytelling is so masterful you barely notice if it’s fiction, horror, or memoir — or all three! I bought the book earlier this year because I was intrigued by it. At the end of last year, I saw two editors on TV from two platforms (Amazon Editors and Barnes & Noble) gush about the story, the writing, and how the characters made them feel afterward, declaring it the best book of 2023.
They were right.
Anyone who asks who I’m currently reading or not, I recommend The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store novel.
So what’s the story about?
The book begins with the discovery of a skeleton with a Jewish mezuzah (a symbol that connects, protects, and unites Jews) in a well excavated by construction workers in Pottstown, PA, in the 1970s and flashbacks to 1936. The author tells the story of the residents of Chicken Hill, made up of African-Americans, Jews, and Christians, who are at odds with each other but find a way to coexist.
The owner of The Heaven & Earth Grocery store is Chona, a Jewish woman married to Moshe, a Jewish-Romanian theater owner who brought artists of all different creeds and religions to his performing arts space. Moshe and Chona Ludlow, although very religious, are accepting of the African-Americans in Chicken Hill, whereas other whites are not. Chona, a disabled woman with striking features and a heart to match, provides unlimited credit to the Black residents of Chicken Hill, often overlooking collecting the debt. She doesn’t subscribe to tenets of Christian nationalism, which many of the other white residents of Chicken Hill are susceptible to. As the white people in Chicken Hill prosper, including their Jewish friends, they move out to more affluent areas, leaving Moshe and Chona as the Jewish outliers who aren’t interested in wealth mobility or status.
Author and musician James McBride; photo courtesy of Riverhead Books. When Moshe’s Black theater worker and best friend, Nate Timblin’s 10-year-old deaf nephew, Dodo, becomes the target of state investigation to send him to a state hospital for people with disabilities and mental illness (which the child does not have), Chona intervenes. She does everything within her power to keep the child safe, to her detriment. I won’t go on so as not to reveal too much so you can bask in McBride’s captivating storytelling. Not since Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking (dealing with the subject of grief) has a book left such a lasting impression on me. The themes of community and helping each other out no matter what background, religion, or walk of life people come from are prevalent and speak to a world we can aspire to live in one day.
Read this book, STAT! Digitally, audibly, or buy the hardcover.
Giamatti, the two-time Oscar nominee, conjures up all the feels from audiences in the film. Disdain. Sympathy. Anger. Revulsion. Laughter.
Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham in ‘The Holdovers’; photo courtesy of Focus Features.
There hasn’t been one Paul Giamatti film that has left me disappointed. And the latest Alexander Payne-directed film is no exception. It’s Paul Giamatti at his best. His brand of know-it-all, feigning righteousness, flawed, non-handsome yet alluring, often funny characters that make terrible decisions but somehow come out on top is on full display. In The Holdovers, it comes in the form of Paul Hunham, a New England classics prep school teacher who’s a misanthrope tasked with babysitting a group of students with no place to go during Christmas break in 1970. Punishment or payback from the school headmaster for Mr. Hunham not passing a legacy student from an influential and powerful family.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb, Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham, and Dominic Sessa as Angus Tully in ‘The Holdovers’; photo courtesy of Focus Features.
When most of the group is rescued by a fellow student’s well-to-do parent, whisking them off to a family winter escapade via helicopter on school grounds, all but one student is left behind. Angus Tully, a smart and troubled 17-year-old, played by Dominic Sessa (debut role), can’t bear his fate and makes the situation unbearable for Mr. Hunham. Rounding out the crew of stragglers at the prep school is Mary Lamb, the head cook who serves as a buffer between teacher and student, played subdued and empathetically by Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Ghost on Broadway, Dolemite), who also received an Oscar nom for Best Supporting Actress in the film.
The Giamatti Effect
I first saw Paul Giamatti as Kenny “Pig Vomit” Rushton on the screen. A nickname unaffectionally bestowed by Howard Stern in his autobiographical 1997 film Private Parts. In the film, Giamatti’s character is the shock jock’s boss at WNBC radio station. He is as annoying as he is entertainingly comical, constantly harassing Stern to watch his language on air and to identify the station’s call letters with more pizzaz. Pig Vomit epitomizes nightmarish, quirky, micromanaging bosses, and Giamatti plays him to insolent perfection. A role believed by critics to upstage Howard Stern’s character in the film, with which I wholeheartedly agree. Giamatti’s “W-NNN-B-C” is one of the most memorable lines from the movie that catapulted his acting career.
Howard Stern as himself and Paul Giamatti as Kenny “Pig Vomit” Rushton in ‘Private Parts’; photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
Other Giamatti Gems
Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti first collaborated on the critically acclaimed Sideways, where Giamatti plays a divorced middle-aged English professor (even though he was 36 at the time) and aspiring writer who takes a road trip through California’s wine country with his actor-best friend (Thomas Haden Church, Wings, Twisted Metal) right before his wedding. Both characters are loathsome as they are loveable and engage in absurd, funny situations. It’s the perfect pair of f@*k-ups you can’t get enough of.
Next up: The Illusionist, where Giamatti plays Inspector Uhl, a curiously skeptical officer and music lover during turn-of-the-century Vienna, who is on the heels of arresting Eisenhem (Edward Norton, Fight Club, American History X), a master magician with abilities to bring back people from the dead and hypnotize audiences while pining for his childhood love, Duchess Sophie (Jessica Biel, Candy, The Sinner), who is out of his economic class. Giamatti brings so much depth to the role and is delightfully enigmatic as the inspector. You can’t imagine any other actor in the role.
3 Fun Facts About Paul Giamatti:
Giamatti wore a prosthetic eye to emphasize The Holdovers’ Paul Hunham character’s lazy eye defect.
Giamatti went to Yale for theatre, and his father, Dr. Bart Giamatti, was president at the Ivy League college before becoming the 7th baseball commissioner for MLB.
Paul Giamatti, Edward Norton, and Ron Livingston went to Yale, studied theater together, and remained good friends.
In theatres, you can watch Paul Giamatti’s latest heartfelt dramedy, The Holdovers, written by David Hemingson (Whiskey Cavalier, Kitchen Confidential), or stream it on Amazon Prime.
Photo: Courtesy of Janessa Rose Perez, Janessa Rose Perez in Coney Island
Although Latinas have been disproportionately affected the most by the economic fallout the pandemic has inflicted, accounting for 45% job loss in the U.S.; there is also good news: as of last October, new data reveals Latinas are more determined than ever to achieve entrepreneurial and financial success in the arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. One such Latina making her mark in her community, driven to make to make an impact for generations to come is Janessa Rose Perez. The first-time author, CEO and founder of the non-profit Motivational Monsters, Inc. is taking a stand and giving voice to the under-served neighborhood that has shaped and transformed her into a pillar of strength and positivity.
We sat down with Janessa Rose to learn more about her decision to self-publish during the throes of the pandemic lockdown, her interest in community activism, and her motivation to pursue entrepreneurship.
When did you launch your nonprofit Motivational Monsters Inc.? Can you walk us through your journey in launching this organization and why you thought it was necessary?
I started the nonprofit in 2018, after I had managed independent entertainers and artists. Working with them triggered something in me – songs about street-life, dealing with situations that I had experienced, growing up in Coney Island and confronting issues that caused me pain. I wanted to start a company and build programs around the community I’m from – addressing overcoming and healing trauma. Initially, I wanted to have a platform for motivational speaking. I’d go to prisons and juvenile detention centers in New York City. I would speak to kids, young adults, and older folks and talk about healing the broken urban mentality that leads us to believe we need to have a certain lifestyle to be happy that ultimately yields undesirable results, and leads to self-loathing, absence of self-love, and in turn, makes us normalize trauma. The nonprofit was born out these thoughts I was grappling with, and motivated me to eventually write my book: HOW TO: STOP BEING A F*CKING B.U.M. (Broken Urban Mentality)
Photo: Courtesy of Janessa Rose Perez, Janessa Rose Perez
So while other people were learning to make bread and picking up other hobbies during the lockdown, you wrote a self-help manuscript. What prompted you to write the book?
It took time to heal my own trauma and do some real deep self-reflection. During the pandemic, I was home, and chose to write and think about my own behavior and how I could change it. I was born in bred in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Many refer to my neighborhood as the ghetto-by-the-sea. It’s a project environment. Watching my grandmother, the matriarch of the family, come from Puerto Rico, uneducated, and take care of 10 of us was incredible. She ran an illegal number-running business, to put food on the table and I’d see her get dragged off to jail. It was rough witnessing that. She was so strong-willed, still is. And I think I inherited her strength; I had to protect myself from harmful circumstances. I became rebellious in my teens, started cutting school, hanging around dangerous men, drug dealers and realized that was the mentality of most people in my surroundings. The consensus was: you become cool and successful in this community making money and endangering your life. And most revered and normalized this fact. I’ve had many friends who’ve been murdered because they fell into this cycle of living this fast life and acquiring material things.
Being in this environment, I had to quickly learn how to provide for myself and become more business-oriented; establish myself as a boss to survive. I founded an escort agency, not where the women slept with anyone; more of a date-for-hire for an evening out or for an important event. I knew many girls and models in the entertainment industry at the time. But, the more involved I became with that scene the more lost I became in that world and a feeling of condemnation overcame me. The business no longer served me. I didn’t feel happy. And I realized I was meant to do something more meaningful with my life.
As I read your book, I found the chapter “The SEXY B.U.M.” interesting. In the sense that, it reminded me of many people I grew up with; turning to material things and the Internet to make themselves feel better. What made you decide to write about this topic? Do you think stars like Cardi B. are detrimental to young urban Latinas or young people in general?
Cardi B. doesn’t realize the people and systems that give her a platform are conditioning her, and she fits into this paradigm. It comes from this conditioned thinking we see with young urban women; they don’t see any women of value in their lives other than being sexy, subscribing to the ideology that your sexiness can make you millions or billions, and nothing else. Cardi B., and people that look up to her are going to jump at that chance! When I became a rapper, the management company representing me liked my look and encouraged me to wear less clothing; to be more seductive, and that’s not the image I wanted to portray. I was writing deep lyrics that were truthful, things that needed to be said. They didn’t think the songs would sell. I had the street and tough factor – but they realized I was too smart for them to control, so I abandoned my rap persona: Gina Montana, temporarily though, she might resurface!
How about the chapter on “The DRUNK B.U.M.” Can you speak to what motivated you to write it —even though it’s not rooted in science?
I respect everyone’s belief system. Not everyone is going to agree with what I’ve written, but these chapters are based on my lived experiences. We are all energies – vessels housing and emitting energies. When you’re drinking alcohol your energy and spirit can be easily manipulated if you’re in a low point in your life, as I’ve been many times. When you’re a person with unhealed trauma, living in fear or anger, you’re susceptible to lower vibrational frequencies, and are easily manipulated. When I used to succumb to liquor, I would get very violent. I’m very spiritual and believe there are entities out there (outside forces, if you will) that look for vulnerable individuals open to being manipulated. While those that have complete domain of their thinking, are in a good place in their lives, and can manage their alcohol without becoming reckless. Those that seek alcohol as a coping mechanism, don’t.
The takeaway I want readers to have from the book is for them to become more self-aware of their behaviors. Break the cultural generational cycle of internalized trauma and constantly searching for things and status that leave them feeling empty. And, finally to be honest about the work they have to do to heal.
Photo: Courtesy Of Janessa Rose Perez, Janessa Rose Perez (Center) With Elected Officials At The Motivational Monster’s Inc. Gala.
What are your plans for the future with Motivational Monsters Inc. and your book?
I have so many plans. I want to make an audio version of the book and eventually go on a book tour. It’s been well received by my community. What I’m most excited about is developing an interactive creative center, where marginalized people in the community can get help with becoming entrepreneuers or having a creative outlet to build something of their own. I’ve been doing lots of work with the community this year, like launching our summer wellness fair, and our first annual Urban Pumpkin Patch event. I recently held my first Motivational Monsters Inc. Gala to promote my community garden project and get support and funding from elected officials. It’s been neglected for so long and I’d like to turn it into an urban farming community and start a daily urban farmers markets. I was recently asked to join the board as vice president. But, it doesn’t stop there. Fidelis, a big healthcare organization, recently became a sponsor and they are looking to establish wellness programs in women’s shelters and LGBTQ organizations.
It’s clear multi-hyphenate, Janessa Rose Perez shows no signs of slowing down. The entrepreneur and community activist is committed to making the same environment that caused her anguish at times – yet taught her to be resilient – a place where everyone can flourish; an inspirational hub the community can feel happy and hopeful about. As Perez meets and organizes with political leaders to get her projects off the ground, we may see political aspirations of her own in the future. Could she be the next A.O.C.? Putting her community’s needs on the political map and claiming her own moniker: J.R.P. Only time will tell for this inspirational Latina.
To learn about the programs offered by Motivational Monsters, Inc., click here and you can find Janessa Rose Perez’s book on Amazon.
Kristen Wiig (L) and Annie Mumolo (R), Photo: Cate Cameron
On the fence of what to watch to keep you entertained, while we collectively, stay home to weather the uncertainty of our existence? Look no further than Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, starring Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo – the dynamic female duo responsible for the hilarious Oscar-nominated comedy, Bridesmaids, deliver a ridiculous and funny film – yet again. With Writer/Actor/Producer credits under their belt, Mumolo and Wiig, bring a whole new meaning to kitsch – they actually make it cool. According to Mumolo, the completed story for the film took many drafts and years to make, and both her and Wiig were thrilled to see these characters come to life.
Jamie Dornan, Photo: Cate Cameron
So who are these memorable characters? The premise: Barb and Star have known each for most of their lives and come from the fictitious Midwestern city of Soft Rock, Nebraska. After recently being laid off from their dream job at Jennifer Convertibles, the delightfully chatty middle-aged best friends embark on journey of self-discovery and freedom from inhibitions at the Vista Del Mar resort in Florida. What ensues is a trippy and colorful story of a friendship tested by an amorous encounter with Edgar, played by the charismatic, Jamie Dornan, from the famed 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. Who knew Mr. Grey had comedic timing? Well, the dramatic actor who’s played him in the last 3 titillating films – that’s who. Dornan is fantastic as he sings, leaps, and rolls around in the sand, professing his love for his boss and villain in the movie, Sharon Gordon Fisherman, also played by Kristen Wiig. Wiig’s Fisherman villain is reminiscent of her kooky character, Alexanya Atoz from Zoolander 2. Fisherman’s zany plot to destroy the made-up Floridian city, where Barb and Star are vacationing, is as nutty as her costume and make up, also nothing short of spectacular.
Kristen Wiig (L) and Annie Mumolo (R), Photo: Cate Cameron
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar serves up the type of escapism and joy a movie should provide. Mumolo and Wiig do a superb job of giving these quirky and enchanting characters, in their late forties, a refreshing narrative injected with marvelous musical numbers. Directed by Josh Greenbaum, and also produced by Will Ferrell and Adam Mckay, the Lionsgate film has a running time of 106 minutes, is currently out on all major streaming platforms, arrives on digitalMarch 26th, and will be out on Blu-ray April 6th. For more information on the Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,click here.
Diana Danelys De los Santos, otherwise known as Amara La Negra, ascent into fame didn’t happen overnight. The singer/songwriter/author and TV host has been in the limelight since age 4 as part of “Sábado Gigante’s” el Clan Infantil (children clan), hosted by Don Francisco. “Sábado Gigante” was the holy grail of entertainment for Latino households across the U.S. – a variety show filled wild performances, comedy skits, games, and lots of models. On for 53 years and acknowledged by the Guinness World Record as the longest-running variety show, it shaped Latino television as we know it. As a teen, if I dared to change the channel – I’d be punished by my parents or encounter a flying chancleta. I remember watching Amara dancing with other little girls – the only Afro-Latina in the group with energy to spare.
I’ve hummed her songs (Ayy and Se Que Soy) and seen her on “Love and Hip Hop: Miami”, but recently watched her on HBO’s “Habla Now” documentary discussing colorism in the Latin community. Out of the 14 celebrities that spoke on Latinidad and their experiences in the U.S., Amara’s words resonated with me: “Colorism and racial issues happen among Latinos as well. We can be very racist amongst Latinos with one aonther. And that’s the truth!” Amara went on to say, “We consistently are trying to see what nationality is better than the other. What race is better? We create this division amongst ourselves. If we don’t see each other as equals we’re never going to be able to grow and feel empowered.” Quite the statement, calling out the hypocrisy in our own cultures, I was drawn to her candor. And reached out for an interview. We chatted about everything from her experience on reality TV, to reinventing herself during the pandemic, to building generational wealth among Latinos.
You’ve accomplished so much before the age of 30. Singer/Author/Actress/TV Host. That’s Quadruple Threat Status. What are you most passionate about and can’t live without doing?
Yes, I guess I am a quadruple-threat (laughs). Being on stage, that’s it. I love performing. I love getting dressed up. I love my dancers and rehearsing with them. I’m a showgirl. I grew up admiring Tina Turner, Janet Jackson. People that put on a show. I love being in contact, in touch with the audience. Feeling that we have a connection. That’s why I appreciate my fans so much.
“Love and Hip Hop: Miami” is in its 3rd season and you are one of the breakout stars that has gained popularity. Has production resumed and do the producers coerce or suggest that you engage in certain situations that are scripted?
“Love and Hip Hop: Miami” isn’t scripted. I would never bad mouth my producers, no matter what my thoughts are, out of respect and gratitude. But I will say some scenarios are not the ones that exist in my day-to-day life. When you’re on a reality TV show, you have to confront certain situations. Me, away from the camera, I don’t have time for these exchanges and I leave. I’m not a fan of the drama. People place artists, celebrities on a pedestal. Thinking it’s impossible for them to get upset. In real life, people have real personalities – no matter how much you admire them, they have good and bad days. Sometimes you might get them on bad day.
Do you find at this point in your career you still have to explain your Afro-Latina heritage to new members on the show or anyone else you encounter?
When it comes to the show, I’ve made my stance known and everybody knows I’m Afro-Latina. I don’t think I’m the most famous Afro-Latina and everyone should know who I am. I don’t see myself that way. Will I continue to answer questions about my ethnicity and background, if people have questions and don’t know? Definitely. As long as it comes from an educational place, not a disrespectful place and they want to learn.
Amara La Negra in Tu Cara Me Suena, Photo: Amara La Negra’s Instagram
You’ve recently been co-hosting “Tú Cara Me Suena” on Univision. What has that experience been like?
I’ve been with Univision with a long time. I basically grew up in Univision. I never thought as an adult I’d see myself hosting with the network. I’m lying. I’m lying. When I was younger that was my dream. When I used to See Lili Estefan on “El Gordo y La Flaca” I said: One day I want to be a host and do what she’s doing. It’s surreal that I’ve been doing it for the last 2 years. I hosted” Premios Juventud,” “Mira Quién Baila” backstage, and “Sal y Pimienta.”I’m doing another awards show in November, legally, I can’t mention it. But it’s big for Latinos. It’s a blessing. Feels good. I’m able to break barriers for others to come. I’m giving young girls and young men that come from the Afro-Latino community, like me, visibility. It wasn’t easy. I’ve been very vocal about it, but I was able to get a spot. And thanks to this spot, I’m able to open doors for others.
Do you feel Afro-Latina celebrities are scrutinized more as opposed to non Afro-Latina celebrities?
It’s really hard. I’m just speaking for myself. I have only but the best intentions. I’ve never wanted to make anyone feel uncomfortable or offend anyone’s culture or religion, etc. A lot of times, people have these really high standards for me because I’ve become one of the most recognizable faces for the Afro-Latino community, not just as an artist, as an activist too. It’s A LOT of pressure because you have to be so careful with what you say, because you may come across as offensive, even if what you say is true to you. I have to think about my career – something I’ve worked so on hard my whole life. A lot of things can be ruined in a second based on my opinions. It’s hard to be real and be yourself, express how you feel, how people view me without jeopardizing my job.
What do you think about cancel culture? Especially if in the past, you’ve made a controversial statement.
People have become very judgmental. It’s very easy to point fingers at everybody else’s mistakes, without pointing fingers at themselves first. I feel we have to give people opportunities, because we’re human. There’s no guidebook to how to live in this world. We learn as we go. In that process, we make mistakes, and we grow. A lot of people make mistakes – that doesn’t mean we should disregard all the hard work they’ve done, their accomplishments, or impact they’ve made for their culture and communities, up until that moment they said something deemed wrong. I don’t think it’s fair.
Photo: Amara La Negra’s Instagram
What are your thoughts on the anti-Black sentiment expressed by certain Dominican communities in Washington Heights, New York?
I’m not 100% informed on the subject, but I heard something. I don’t want to call out Dominicans specifically. Colorism and racism exist all over the world in every single Latin community. The lack of education, the lack of knowledge brings a lot of ignorance to the forefront. The way people react is based off of ignorance. Everyone is trying to find his or her niche. Everyone is trying to find a spot where they belong. It’s also a system that has brainwashed us for hundreds of years – a brainwashed mentality that has been passed down from one generation to the next and so forth, dividing us instead of uniting us. If we united forces, we’d be unstoppable. It’d be crazy. They wouldn’t know how to handle us as a community. Through education, we can press the reset button in our minds and break that cycle for the next generation to come.
Amara La Negra has kept busy during the pandemic, apart from TV hosting, leading on-air radio shows, and partaking in our interview, she’s been buying real estate. The multi-faceted star bought her first home for her mother, Ana Maria Oleaga, last year. Amara said, “She worked so hard for me to become successful. I wanted to give her something in return.” Amara wants to make smart investments as the pandemic has shut down entertainment production across the globe, she, and all of us, have come to realize: you can’t rely solely on just one source of income – a true test in reinvention. She preaches to her fans about generational wealth and leaving future generations with tools and the foundation to becoming successful. She plans on owning 5 properties by the end of 2020; an empowering Latina female artist realizing her potential and leading by example.
From Top Left: Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee, Kamala Harrris, Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, Bottom Left, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph
If you’re like me, you may be experiencing Zoom fatigue. Whether it’s for your job, activism, or getting together with friends and business associates via virtual chat – the novelty of this communication method seems to be waning for many. And with the pandemic, thriving in many states across the U.S. – Zoom or other virtual conferencing platforms seem likely to stay. Yet, the virtual Grassroots Event hosted by Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph with guest speakers Democratic Vice President nominee, Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, this week, made me less sour about the medium and restored some of my faith on its benefits.
There were some hiccups, as there always is on Zoom meetings. Someone’s muted; they keep talking, don’t know they are muted, go off to the side, come back and start speaking again and everyone can hear them. In this case, it happened to Amy Poehler: the host. She carried on with her funny animated gestures while Maya Rudolph stepped in. Rudolph attributed to the glitch to a conspiracy plot, while Hillary Clinton blamed the Russians. It was all done in good fun and the mood was light. These two comediennes, who are known to impersonate their guests, knew how to ask pressing questions without the rigidity of typical political discourse and also make us laugh. We found out some interesting facts about the panelists. Hillary likes to nap during quarantine, Kamala has been cooking the same three meals on rotation, Amy has been teaching her kids sign language and Maya has been immersed in playing new games with her children. The hosts did pose serious questions to Harris and Clinton.
Kamala Harris
They discussed the lack of leadership in the White House, the admission made by Trump on tape, recorded by journalist, Bob Woodward, about how deadly the Coronavirus is, it’s impact, and the near 200,000 Americans left to die because of Trump’s inaction. How Trump projects hostility and can’t take a joke, or make a joke for that matter; a sign, all the speakers agreed is telling of a flawed character. Kamala Harris spoke about Biden’s plans to address climate change with the devastating fires pummeling the West Coast. Joe Biden’s commitment to unite the country. Both Harris and Clinton couldn’t praise the other enough and Clinton assured conference attendees to watch Kamala Harris emerge as the victor during Kamala Harris and Mike Pence’s debate, scheduled in a few weeks. To learn more about future grassroots events and to get Joe Biden and Kamala elected, click here. Also to learn whether you are registered to vote, click here.
By definition, documentaries are meant to educate, shed light, and “document reality” to inspire and move audiences on any given subject they may know nothing about. American Street Kid, by writer/director Michael Leoni, met these criteria – and then some. He pushed the genre further by injecting himself into the story; weary at first, I thought his inclusion would taint the outcome of the film – turns out I was wrong. Leoni begins the film by asking random people – young and old – their perception of homeless youth. Typical responses: lazy, unmotivated, and labeled as undesirable. Disheartening to hear as the absence of empathy reflects society’s lack of interest and understanding of how these youths become entrenched in these unfortunate circumstances.
Ish playing guitar, Photo: Jeff Farkash
Director Michael Leoni gives us a glimpse into the lives of these troubled young people by hanging out in the Los Angeles neighborhoods they frequent. Unsettled by and distrusting of Leoni, it took time for the filmmaker to gain the kids’ trust. Once he did, the audience meets incredibly charismatic and endearing characters like Ish, a talented African-American musician who struggles with childhood abandonment and abuse by a pimp father and prostitute mother, Greenz and Nick, likeable guy-next door types with winning personalities, yet drugged-addicted with abusive parents that led them to run away and seek a better life in the streets of Los Angeles. Bublez and Kiki, two of the younger kids, the filmmaker encounters, with so much promise, likely destined for tragedy. Although post-film release, Marquesha “Kiki” Babers has launched a successful career as a poet, touring nationwide and speaking about her experiences in conferences.
Bublez on the streets of Los Angeles, Photo: Jeff Farkash
For many of these kids, their fates are sealed in death or imprisonment. It’s inevitable. Failed bureaucratic agencies doing the minimum to assist these kids and overworked staff unable to meet the influx of homeless teens in overcrowded facilities, as Leoni experiences when reaching out to them. But, the filmmaker doesn’t solely rely on the mishaps and the negative circumstances these young people endure to tell the story, he incorporates narrative elements to build storylines with these real-life characters – to not just keep you engaged and sympathize with their abysmal situations, but root for them as you’d be inclined for protagonists in any narrative drama or comedy. It’s a refreshing spin. And it works.
Homeless kids on the streets of Los Angeles, Photo: Jeff Farkash
What started as an assignment to produce a 2-minute PSA on America’s homeless youth turned into an 8-year journey for director, Michael Leoni. Compelled to document the struggles and hardship of America’s 1.8 million forgotten homeless youth, after struggling with financial hardship in New York City at the age of 19, became more than a passion project for him. Leoni launched the Spare Some Change nonprofit to engage and empower homeless youth to change their lives and create a stable future. The film earned the Social Impact Award at the Hollywood Film Festival and Excellence Award at the Impact Doc Awards! The film has a run time of 104 minutes. American Street Kid begins streaming worldwide today on Apple, Amazon Prime, Spectrum, and another popular services. To learn more about more the American Street Kid documentary, click here.
Festival of Cinema NYC has wrapped its 3rd season – and it was a season replete with films tackling trauma, love, and hope with authenticity. Cinema fanatics from not just Queens (host location), but all over the world were treated to more than 125 films, relentlessly holding audiences’ emotions hostage and settling up well-deserved ransoms at the end of each screening with sensational works of art.
Photo: Courtesy of Red Dress. Red Straps film
This years’ roster of indie shorts held their own and commanded as much attention as their full-length narrative features and documentary counterparts. The films that merit mention: Red Dress, Red Straps, Keylight, and Coffee and a Donut – brief in presentation, robust with long-lasting, heart-felt and controversial themes that permeated well after their screenings. Red Dress. Red Straps by director Maryam Mohajer follows the story of a young girl in her grandparents’ home in the midst of Iran-Iraq war in 1985. She’s enamored by a pretty pop star’s red dress she sees on television all the while listening to her grandfather’s favorite radio program spouting “Death to America” chants. The child is nonetheless consumed with how the dress her grandmother is making for her will turn out during this upheaval in her life. The whimsical animation touching upon war, coupled with a child’s perception of the world she lives in is bittersweet and enchanting. Red Dress. No Straps was produced in the U.K. and won the Best Animation award from the 11th annual NYC Independent Film Festival. To learn more about Red Dress. Red Straps, click here.
Photo: Courtesy of Keylight film
Keylight by director Simon Kay begins with former child star Sarah, (Samantha Strelitz) about to audition when she’s suddenly confronted with what seems like stage fright but turns out to be thoughts of a traumatic incident in her past she’s incapable of letting go. Sarah finds a way to channel this experience to bring forth her best stage performance – but via dark introspective means. Winning the Festival of Cinema NYC’s Best Cinematography Award, Keylight offers a fresh perspective on how people can address past trauma to release cathartic enlightening and rise above it. To learn more about Keylight, click here.
Photo: Courtesy of Coffee and a Donut film
Finally, the last narrative short that resonated with me was Coffee and a Donut by director Cary Patrick Martin. The story is about a young Spanish-speaking immigrant (Memo), whom after hearing a patron request a coffee and a donut at a local diner, perpetually asks for the same order because it’s the only English phrase he’s learned. He suffers in silence as he watches others order mouth-watering pancakes and the like – until he meets a fellow Spanish-speaking customer (Rocio Mendez) that helps him learn English, but not without some hiccups. This short film has resonated with audiences as it explores the universal immigrant experience of adapting to a new country they now call home; it’s sweet, funny and empathetic; a film so vital in today’s current political climate, particularly with the current administration’s animosity towards immigrants. Actress Rocio Mendez received this year’s Festival of Cinema NYC Best Supporting Actress Award. To learn more about Coffee and a Donut, click here.
Photo: Courtesy of Over 18: A Documentary About Porn film
Documentaries must be given their spotlight too. After all they focus on topics that are rarely covered in mainstream films. This year’s standouts: Over 18: A Documentary About Porn and The Queens. Over 18 by directors Jared Brock and Michelle Brock chronicle the life of Joseph, a 13 year-old boy recovering from a porn addiction since age 9. Shocking? Absolutely. As the film progresses and shares eye-opening data, the more disturbing it becomes. The filmmakers examine the correlation between the Internet and the easy accessibility children have to porn sites with inadequate, limited restrictions; the male porn stars and companies who’ve profited and continue to make money from pornography, the female stars exploited and left to pick up the pieces – post porn work, and most importantly, the devastating effects and consequences porn addiction can have on children and adults. The directors did a fantastic job of interviewing subjects to discuss their roles in porn culture – specifically content, distribution and consumption; and what ultimately needs to change to safeguard children’s accessibility. To learn more about Over 18: A Documentary About Porn, click here.
Photo: Courtesy of The Queens film
The Queens documentary introduces audiences to a whirlwind of female impersonators and female illusionists around the country vying for the coveted title of Miss Continental. The national pageant, founded by Jim Flint in 1980, is held annually in Chicago and has preliminary qualifying Miss Continental contests around the country and the world. Forget everything you’ve heard or know about traditional pageants. The true super stars are the contestants in this documentary. Filmmaker Mark Saxenmeyer follows contestants that have invested tens of thousands in becoming Miss Continental; the dance routines they create and practice; the lavish costumes and makeup they spend money on; the perseverance they posses is immeasurable. Saxenmeyer delves into the culture of female impersonators and what’s at stake for them to follow their dreams with grace and integrity. To learn more about The Queens, click here.
Photo: Courtesy of Quest: The Truth Always Rises film. L to R, Dash Mihok as Tim and Greg Kasyan as Mills.
In a film festival, more often than not, there’s a film that makes you stop, reflect and ponder for a while what you just saw. For me, this film was: Quest: The Truth Always Rises. Quest, written and directed by Santiago Rizzo, is autobiographical. Rizzo’s character Mills is played by Greg Kasyan. Kasyan (Netflix’s “Daybreak”) portrays a troubled teen in Los Angeles from an abusive home that seems destined for doom with tremendous grit and vulnerability. The teen is a graffiti artist and is talented in his tagging pursuits and expresses interest in school, but lashes out, as he internalizes the consistent physical and verbal abuse his stepfather (Lou Diamond Phillips) bestows on him. There’s a teacher and football coach that takes notice of his behavior and attempts to befriend the youth, albeit with resistance, but ultimately changes his life. The educator played by Dash Mihok (Showtime’s “Ray Donovan”) shows a display of compassion and lack of judgment so admirable and mirrors Rizzo’s true-life mentor, Tim Moellering. Mihok interprets the character with great stoicism and sincerity and the audience can’t help but root for both student and teacher. Receiving Best Feature Narrative at this year’s Festival of Cinema NYC, I can’t recommend this film enough. We need more stories like these to be told and raise awareness of troubled youth, the good these films can do to improve their lives and impact change. I impart Santiago Rizzo’s words from his emotional post-film Q&A: “Trust Your Struggle.” To learn more about Quest: The Truth Always Rises, click here.
Festival of Cinema NYC’s name was recently changed from Kew Gardens Film Festival to promote film submissions globally. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and Governor Andrew Cuomo recently acknowledged the tremendous strides the festival is making to promote filmmakers and their work, and the free programming film panels and workshops events they sponsored in New York City. To learn more about Festival of Cinema NYC, click here.
Don't Suck My Collagen 