STARWORLD

Shila Amzah on her Greater China story

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 02:59:00 +0000

The Greater China market vs the Malaysia/Indonesia market, language aside, what are the key differences in the music landscape for these markets?

We spoke to Shila Amzah, the Malaysian singer whose rise to fame came when she participated in “I Am A Singer” (Season 2) in 2014. She eventually finished third overall in the Chinese reality TV competition and is currently based in Hong Kong.

Shila Amzah has her sights set on Taiwan

Shila Amzah: The beauty of music is that it has no geographic and language boundaries. We do often listen to music even we do not understand the lyrics, as long as they are pleasant to the ears. If I really need to compare, I guess China has a wider acceptance of different genres of music. Apart from the pop culture, the folk culture is equally strong, which I personally find very interesting. I was recently appeared in a folk music TV programme, and during the film I got the chance to speak and work with some remarkable veteran folk song singers in China. They are so friendly and inspiring and we got so carried away with our conversation in preserving this type of music and singing techniques, which I found equally important and relevant to the countries of South East Asia.

How about the audience, any fundamental difference?

Shila Amzah: The Chinese fans are very passionate indeed, whenever I go in China I seem to bump into fans who would like to take a snap with me or just to say hi and show their love to my songs. Back home in Hong Kong and Malaysia, fans are more casual and welcoming with my presence. They usually giving me space to do my personal activities and gather with my families and friends. Of course, there will still be a few who will politely approach me for photos and I’m generally are happy to fulfil their wish. I must say I enjoy both part of the worlds. One thing they are in common is that whenever I am on stage, they become so crazy and passionate of my live performance. This really gives me the power to SING!

Besides Mainland China and Hong Kong, are you also setting your sights on Taiwan?

Shila Amzah: Taiwan most definitely! The music scene in Taiwan is also very developed, producing a lot of remarkable singers and musicians over the years. I cannot wait to work with them if possible. My passion to the work of Leehom Wang has been well documented in the media so I guess I don’t need to repeat myself here. Recently, I have a song produced by famous singer songwriter Khalil Fong and we have plans to feature this song in Taiwan, my Hong Kong team is currently planning for this in conjunction with my upcoming first Mandarin album. Stay tuned!

source: http://www.music-asia.com/

PSY - IT'S ART AND LYRICS

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:36:00 +0000

Neo wa na duri jeongshimeobshi ganeun gos
Jeongcheo eobshi ganeun gos jeonghaejiji anheun gos
Geogi seo uri seororeul jaeweojugo
Seororeul ggaeweojugo seororeul chaeweo jugo

Excuse me jamshiman ajikggajin urin nam
Hajiman jomanjan jungdokseongeul jaranghaneun jangnangam
Jigeumi neuggimjeokin neuggim tonghaneun neuggi
Nokabeoril aiseukeurim

*chorus*
Jigeumi uriegeneun ggumiya
Neowa na doriseo chuneun chumiya
Gibuneun michindeushi yesuriya
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh
Haneureul nalaganeun gibuniya
Jugeodo sanggwaneobneun jigeumiya
Shimjangeun teojil deushi yesuriya
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh

[x3] Yesuriya (Yesuriya)
Ireon nari ol juriya
[x2] Yesuriya (Yesuriya)
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh

Neowa na duri bamsae janeul budishyeo
Bamsae bbyameul bubimyeo bamsaedorog duriseo

Nuni jeomjeom pullinda nido ddara pullinda
Ggeullinda neoe daehan susuggega pullinda
Jigeumi chume neoui gabbajin some sujubeume
You know what I mean

*chorus*
Jigeumi muriegeneun ggumiya
Neowa na duriseo chuneun chumiya
Gibuneun michin deushi yesuriya
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh
Haneureul naraganeun gibuniya
Chugeodo sanggwan eobneun jigeumiya
Shimjaneun teojil deushi yesuriya
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh

Yeogiseo uri kateun geoseul jeulgigo
Gateun geoseul neuggigo utdaga heuneuggigo

Agasshi managi jeonen nan geondal
Minyeo managi jeonen yasuyeossdeon nal
Baggweo beoryeosseo naega chatdeon saram neoyeosseo yesuriyeosseo

[x3] Yesuriya (Yesuriya)
Ireon nari ol juriya
[x2] Yesuriya (Yesuriya)
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh

Neowa na eonjeggajina
Till the end of time
P.S.Y

TRANSLATION

The place where you and I goes in hurry
The place where we goes with out goal, aimless place
We put to sleep each other at there
We awake each other at there

Excuse me give me a second, we don’t know each other
But soon we’ll be a toy that addict to each other
Right now I can feel this sentimental feeling
Like a ice cream that will melt soon

*chorus*
This moment is a dream for us
It is dance that you and I dancing
I feel my feeling is insanely artistic
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh
It feels like flying on the sky
I don’t care even if I die with this moment
The heart is art that about to be blown up
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh

*hook*
It’s art (It’s art) [x3]
Never thought this day would come
It’s art (It’s art) [x3]
Woo whe oh woo whe oh woo whe oh

You and I two of us hit the glass all night long
Rub our cheek all night together

And the eyelid become loose, heavy
The misteries about you are solving
With this dance, and your heavy bearth, and shy
You know what I mean

*chorus*

From here, we enjoy the same thing
Feel the same thing, laugh, and cry

Hey lady, before I met you I was a beast
Then I met the beautiful lady
You changed me, a beast
A person I was looking for was you, an art

*chorus*

*hook*

PSY - ENTERTAINER AND LYRICS

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:27:00 +0000

naui geudaega wonhandamyeon eodideun mudaeya
yumeoreoseuhan namjaga yojeum-en chuseya
namjadaun namjaneun nangjareul gippeuge hal jul arayahae
gat-i nolgo gajigo nolgo jal nol jul araya hae
oneulburo neoui yeon-yein-i doegi wihae hae debwi mudae
komig,mello,aegsyeon,ero mam-e deuneun geol jjig-eusijyo
jigeumbuteo syus deureogabnida yeonghwahanpyeon jjig-eusijyo
ending-e kiseussin itda chamgo hasijyo

geudaeui yeon-yein-i doeeo hangsang jeulgeobge hae julgeyo
yeongiwa nolae komedikkaji da haejulge
geudaeui yeon-yein-i doeeo pyeongsaeng-eul utge hae julgeyo
eonjena cheoeum gat-eun ma-eum-euro

neoreul seulpeuge haneun saram nuguya
uneun moseubdo ippeo mwoya wae uneundegeureoja geunyeoga unneunde
hangsang gaeingiwa singihan ibenteu syosyosyo
junbi da kkeutnass-euni uulhan nal-en malsseumhasyeosyeosyeo
bun-wigi ttuiulttaen daenseu myujig han gog ttaeligo
mudeu jab-eul ttaen balladeu han gog ppobgo
rideum tagopeulttaen hibhab hibhibhibhab
haneul nop-i ttwigopeulttaen rag-enrol

geudaeui yeon-yein-i doeeo hangsang jeulgeobge hae julgeyo
yeongiwa nolae komedikkaji da haejulge
geudaeui yeon-yein-i doeeo pyeongsaeng-eul utge hae julgeyo
eonjena cheoeum gat-eun ma-eum-euro

nan geudaeui yeon-yein
nan geudaeui yeon-yein
nan dangsin-ui yeon-yein
nan dangsin-ui
nan dangsin-ui daenseu gasu

ttaeroneun yeonghwabaeu gat-a ttaeroneun komidieon gat-a
ttaeroneun taelleonteu gat-a ttaeroneun gasu gat-a
neoui gibun-e ttara nan nan (nan geudaeui yeon-yein)

geudaeui yeon-yein-i doeeo pyeongsaeng-eul utge hae julgeyo
eonjena cheoeum gat-eun ma-eum-euro

nan geudaeui yeon-yein

English Translation Lyrics

My dear, if you want, I can make a stage out of anywhere
Humorous guys are the trend these days
A true man must know how to please his maiden
He must know how to play together, how to play her and how to play well
Starting from today, in order to become your celebrity, I’ll have my debut stage
Comedy, melodrama, action, erotica – shoot your pick
We’re gonna shoot now, shoot a movie
There’s gonna be a kiss scene at the end, keep in mind

* I’ll be your celebrity and always entertain you
Acting, singing and even comedy – I’ll do it all
I’ll be your celebrity and make you laugh for all your life
Always with the same heart as the beginning

Who is making you so sad?
You look pretty even when you cry
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
As soon as I say that, she is smiling
I’ll always have my own tricks and cool events for you in a show, show, show
It’s all ready now so just tell me when you’re feeling blue
To make the mood go up, I’ll put on a dance track
To make a romantic mood, I’ll sing a ballad for you
When you wanna dance, turn on some hip-hop, hip-hip-hip-hip-hop
When you wanna jump to the sky, rock n’ roll

* Repeat

I’m your celebrity
I’m your celebrity
I’m your celebrity
I’m your
I’m your
I’m your dance artist

Sometimes like a movie actor, sometimes like a comedian
Sometimes like a talent, sometimes like a singer
Whatever you feel like, I’ll be (I’ll be your celebrity)

I’ll be your celebrity and make you laugh for all your life
Always with the same heart as the beginning

I’m your celebrity

SOURCE: http://beautifulsonglyrics.blogspot.com

Lindsay Lohan Car Crash Details Revealed by Police.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 01:44:00 +0000

Law enforcement officers ruled on the sobriety of the "Liz and Dick" actress but are still unsure of the cause of the accident.

Details about Lindsay Lohan's car accident have been released by the Santa Monica Police Department.

The report confirms a crash on the Pacific Coast Highway involving a black black Porsche occupied by Lohan and an unidentified adult male and a large dump truck at 11:42 a.m on Friday, June 8.

The preliminary investigation revealed that both vehicles were driving northbound on the Pacific Coast Highway when the Porsche struck the rear end of the dump truck. The police still have not determined a cause.

PHOTOS: Lifetime's 'Liz & Dick': New Images of Lindsay Lohan, Grant Bowler

The report also notes that Lohan and the man with her were determined to be not impaired and were transported to a hospital with minor injuries. The police did not reveal who was driving the Porsche. The driver of the dump truck was also uninjured.

Later in the day, Lohan returned to the set of the currently filming Lifetime TV movie Liz & Dick, in which she is portraying Elizabeth Taylor (opposite Grant Bowler's Richard Burton).

Lifetime issued a statement to The Hollywood Reporter expressing concern for Lohan and did not immediately comment on whether production of Liz & Dick, which is being shot at an undisclosed location in Los Angeles, would be impacted by the actress' accident.

"First and foremost, we're concerned about the well being of Lindsay and anyone else involved in the accident," Lifetime said. "Lindsay has been doing fantastic work on the set of Liz & Dick and we have no further details."

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lindsay-lohan-car-crash-police-report-335427

K-Pop, South Korean Entertainers Sex Scandal.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 02:09:00 +0000

According to a report in the Korea Times, Web sites across China released images this week of popular Korean “entertainers” prostituting themselves to wealthy Chinese. In the image, a man of supposed Chinese origin is shown in his underwear surrounded by “women, in various states of undress,” all looking up at him.

The article notes there are 37 women in total that appear in a series of photos that were reportedly taken without the women’s knowledge. It says that while one Chinese site claims to have identified one of the women, neither the authenticity of the images or the identity of the women in them has been verified.

“It is doubtful that Korean female entertainers are really engaging in prostitution,” the piece concludes.

Such claims, however, haven’t stopped Chinese netizens from trying to spot their favorite Korean actress. An article on Jinghua.com partially titled, “How many do you recognize” says the images have “exploded” across the Chinese Internet. There are claims that these celebrities are participating in the well-known “casting couch,” which is trading sexual favors for career opportunities. The previous Korean scandal involved Jang Ja-Yeon, whom died at age 29 in 2009 where she had apparently committed suicide when she could no long cope with what was going on. Several reports claimed that she apparently left letters claiming that she had been forced to have sex with more than 30 industry people more than a hundred times.

Now Tansu make a new research, after our long long hours of research and getting information from a very reliable source, Tansu came to the conclusion that all those accusations from China was not true at all. Tansu spent countless hours watching the same Japanese guy that could not speak Korean pay Korean prostitute. In the more than 30 video clips of 20 minutes, Tansu saw some of the same call girl over and over again.

There is no Korean female celebrities in the videos. It was rather boring and the guy seems to have some clothes changing fetish, where he would make the girls change into clothes he brought with him. Overall the video leaks have nothing to do with the South Korean entertainment industry and the sources and information pouring out of China was all false accusations.

source: Thanks to WHAT A GENIUS.

BELL NUNTITA TRANSEKSUAL IDOLA OF THAILAND..

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:46:00 +0000

With smooth white, glossy black hair, and nose bangir, Bell Nuntita looks beautiful like a model. When he sings, his voice melodious, making the audience and judges stunned Thailand's Got Talent

Nuntita Khampriranon. Nanthita Khamphiranon; December 20, 1983, or nicknamed Bell, or usually known as Bell Nuntita, is a Thai transgender singer, entertainer and radio DJ. She became popular after a performance during her audition on Thailand's Got Talent which took place on March 13, 2011. During the audition Nuntita showed her ability to switch her voice from feminine soprano to male baritone.

Nuntita was convinced to audition for Thailand's Got Talent by a talent scout by the name of Anucha "Chi" Lanprasert. It was Nuntita's idea to surprise the crowd by first singing in a feminine voice before switching to a masculine baritone midway through the audition. As of 1 May 2011, she had won popular vote and high compliments from the judges, granting her entrance to the finals of the show Thailand's Got Talent. Her first remixed song on the show's audition stage was a combination of "Yahk Roo Tae Mai Yahk Taam" by Calories Blah Blah and "Unlovable" by MILD, two popular Thai tunes. The three-minute song displayed Nuntita's style of song choice on Thailand's Got Talent, mixing different genres and vocal ranges.

After Nuntita's audition video appeared on YouTube and other sites, the video quickly went viral. Nuntita appeared on multiple Thai talk shows and had many nationally televised performances. She has appeared in TV shows such as "Mum Show" hosted by Petchtai Wongkamlaowhere she spoke of her transgender process. She said she participated in the army conscription lottery but did not draw the commission to enlist in Thailand's army. Nuntita also performed the full versions of "Yahk Roo Tae Mai Yahk Taam" and "Unloveable" at a promotional event for Miss Tiffany Universe, Thailand's transsexual beauty pageant.

TV shows and other publicity outlets commonly interviewed her about her reaction to the sudden fame.

Nuntita was also featured on the front cover of the Who Weekly Magazine, Volume 3 No. 89.

In an April episode of Thailand's Got Talent, the show judges admitted Nuntita to be one of 48 semifinalists. Although she did not receive the most votes in the semifinal round, Nuntita received the second most, and was thus subject to the three judges' determining votes. She then passed to Thailand's Got Talent's final round after receiving two "yes"s from two of the three judges.

Melanie Amaro Will Spend Her X Factor Winnings on a New House – and Chicken!.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:12:00 +0000

A foot massage, a house for her mom – and a lifetime supply of chicken.

With an hour to think about it, Melanie Amaro has already tallied up her dream purchases with the $5 million she earned Thursday night after being named the The X Factor's first winner.

"Life will change a lot," she tells PEOPLE. "The most I have ever had before was $200, if I was lucky."

The college freshman and piano teacher from Sunrise, Fla., plans to buy her mother a new house because, as she deadpans, "The one we live in now sucks."

But the chicken is for her. "I can't live without it," she says. "It's my favorite food.

Backstage, Amaro laughed as she recalled the moment she won and how she forgot the lyrics to her final song, "Listen."

"I couldn't remember any of the words," she says. "I was so overwhelmed; it was such a surprise to me."

On Thursday, after 40 million votes were tabulated, Amaro, 19, defeated burrito slinger and second place finisher Josh Krajcik, 30, and third place finisher Chris Rene, 28, a former garbage man and recovering addict.

A Deserving Winner"It was a relief when it was over," says Krajcik, who will return home to Ohio Saturday to "decompress" for a week with his family before returning to Los Angeles next week to get back to work.

"I felt pride for Melanie and pride for myself," he tells PEOPLE. "She deserved to win; America decided, and she's got an amazing voice."

Rene, meanwhile, hopes to sign a deal with his mentor L.A. Reid, but for the near term, Rene says he will celebrate the night "with a Red Bull. Everyone who knows my music and my story, a lot more people have accepted me than I thought, and that's really beautiful."

Amaro is celebrating her win with family and friends – but she's already thinking about that next step: her debut record.

"I can do ballads," she says, "but I want to show people there is more. I can do anything if I put my mind to it."

After the show, her mentor, Simon Cowell, was beaming with pride.

"She was a good contestant because she thought long and hard about how she would interpret songs," says Cowell. "Every week we were discovering something new in her."

Cowell adds that four labels are interested in signing Amaro – and they plan to make their decision on Friday.

"America got it right," adds Reid. "My advice to Melanie is save some of that money and don't turn down a song."

SOURCE: http://www.people.com

Simon Says: Three More X Factor U.S. Contestants Will Get Sony Record Deals

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:23:00 +0000

Looks like X Factor US winner Melanie Amaro will be getting some company at Sony Music!

Simon Cowell confirmed that Josh Krajcik, Chris Rene, and Astro will get their own deals in 2012.

Sony Music has a nice thing going with Simon through Sony's co-owned Syco Music. It will be Syco Music that will promote, record, and market anyone that Simon signs, including these three dudes. Indeed, even though Melanie is Simon's priority, he explained to sources that he would "mad" to let the three male contestants go.

As we previously reported, Astro has already hooked up with X Factor UK's Cher Lloyd on one of her tracks and Rene's Young Home will reportedly drop in January 2012. But what's next for these brightstars? Will any other contestants join them?

Who do U want to see from X Factor US make it big?

P.S. - Just as a refresher, check out performances from all four incredible X Factor artists AFTER THE JUMP

continue reading CLICK: X FACTOR AND SEE VIDEO.

Source: http://perezhilton.com/

SUNG BONG CHOI - SUSAN BOYLE OF SOUTH KOREA

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:30:00 +0000

Choi Sungbong, born 18 February, 1990, in South Korea) is a vocalist who became famous after his appearance on Korea's Got Talent was picked up by the worldwide news media. He finished second in the competition.

Abandoned in an orphanage at three years old, Choi ran away from the abusive institution when he was five years old, because he was beaten up. Choi sold chewing gum and energy drinks from five years of age. He delivered milk and newspapers in addition to working as a laborer to survive, beginning at age eight. Choi later met a woman who ran the food cart outside of night clubs, who gave him the name Ji-Sung. Choi did not have a name prior to their encounter. She also encouraged Choi to take the Korean equivalent of a GED to complete his elementary and junior high curricula in order to enter high school. Choi tracked his official record with the name Sungbong Choi at the orphanage; however, this was not his given name by his parents. Instead, it was the name given to him at the orphanage; as a result, Choi preferred the name Ji-Sung over Sungbong.

On 6 June, 2011, Choi's outstanding performance of "Nella Fantasia" moved judges and audience members to tears. Choi took to the stage appearing unfit for the part, sporting a bowl haircut and a flannel shirt. He introduced himself as a manual laborer, who had made a living selling gum and energy drinks for ten years. All the judges, including Kolleen Park, were impressed with his vocal talent. Choi advanced to the finals of the competition, finishing second by 280 votes.

its not about win or lose..but we really knew that music has massive effect to our life...strengthen our spirit..that we should never give up in life...so music is part of life itself...

NELLA FANTASIA LYRIC

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo giusto,

Lì tutti vivono in pace e in onestà.

Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,

Come le nuvole che volano,

Pien' d'umanità in fondo all'anima.

Nella fantasia io vedo un mondo chiaro,

Lì anche la notte è meno oscura.

Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,

Come le nuvole che volano.

Nella fantasia esiste un vento caldo,

Che soffia sulle città, come amico.

Io sogno d'anime che sono sempre libere,

Come le nuvole che volano,

Pien' d'umanità in fondo all'anima

Kolleen Park turns out to have been Rain’s first vocal training teacher.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 23:58:00 +0000

Rain, a globally well-known singer and actor, tweeted a link to a photo of himself taken with Kolleen Park, a popular music director, with the comment that she was his first vocal-training teacher. This is his first time to see her in 12 years.

In the photo, they look very friendly, with Rain’s hand put on her shoulder. He wanted to convey his personal appreciation to her for training him hard 12 years ago. Fans who have seen the photo responded: “We didn’t know of the old bond between you two.” “That’s why Rain has grown up to be such a good singer.” “It’s very moving to see you two meeting again after 12 years.”

Source: http://en.korea.com/

I MET THIS GIRL, SHE IS SO TALENTED AND AMAZING - CHARICE

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:26:00 +0000

salamat sa iyo para sa pagbabasa ang aking N3,

I was quite happy with Whitney Houston songs ever since. In search of her hits songs and among them "1 will alway love you" and I have nothing. A great singer though vocal, diva Whitney Houston we will forever love you.

I met this amazing girl, she is so talented. Charice from the Philippines. she is her great vocals most of the her songs is mind blowing.

Congratulation! Charice because your amazing vocal is so fantastic. Hope one day you will become Asia Diva. May god bless you and Whitney.

Salamat...

JACK VIDGEN - AUSTRALIA'S GOT TALENT

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:38:00 +0000

Having picked up a prize of $250,000 with his spectacular win in the latest Australia's Got Talent, 14 year old Jack Vidgen has been revealing how he plans to spend some of the money.

A new Audi is on the cards- for Mum ( Jack has 2 more years to go before he gets his P plates) but Jack also wants to donate to charity and he has heart set on Youth Of The Streets, YOTS the charity started and run by Catholic priest Father Chris Riley . YOTS provides services to assist homeless and disadvantaged, abused and neglected youth.

And Jack joins some high profile names- actor Eric Bana is the charities patron and publisher Matt Handbury, nephew of Rupert Murdoch has been a patron of YOTS for decades. Handbury donated a farm to YOTS in NSW to be used as a rural retreat for deprived city kids.

It's music like this that makes me feel life's worth living!

I HAVE NOTHING

Share my life,

Take me for what I am.

'Cause I'll never change

All my colors for you.

Take my love,

I'll never ask for too much,

Just all that you are

And everything that you do.

I don't really need to look

Very much further/farther,

I don't want to have to go

Where you don't follow.

I will hold it back again,

This passion inside.

Can't run from myself,

There's nowhere to hide.

(Your love I'll remember forever.)

[Chorus:]

Don't make me close one more door,

I don't want to hurt anymore.

Stay in my arms if you dare,

Or must I imagine you there.

Don't walk away from me.

(No, don't walk away from me. Don't

you dare walk away from me.)

I have nothing, nothing, nothing

If I don't have you, you (you, you,

you./If I don't have you, oh, oo.)

You see through,

Right to the heart of me.

You break down my walls

With the strength of your love.

I never knew

Love like I've known it with you.

Will a memory survive,

One I can hold on to?

I don't really need to look

Very much further/farther,

I don't want to have to go

Where you don't follow.

I will hold it back again,

This passion inside.

Can't run from myself,

There's nowhere to hide.

(Your love I'll remember forever.)

[Chorus: x2]

Whitney Houston Dead: Pastor Is Heartbroken.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:18:00 +0000

Whitney Houston's death is affecting people all over the world. From those who were her biggest fans to people who knew her personally, millions were saddened to hear of her passing over the weekend. The pastor from the church she attended back in her home state of New Jersey is also mourning her loss and shared some memories of her during his mass sermon on Sunday.

"Our hearts are broken. How saddened we are at the death of one of the greatest voices of the modern age. I'll never forget her right here standing at the New Hope Church, hearing her sing, 'He Would Not Come Down,' hearing her sing the praises of Jesus Christ," said pastor Joe A. Carter during Sunday's mass at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J.

What amazing memories pastor Joe must have of the incomparable Whitney Houston. She was devoted to the church and her voice touched so many people—even when singing from the pews with other parishioners. It's nice to hear that she wasn't forgotten at the Sunday mass that she used to attend.

There is something uplifting about pastor Joe's words. You get a sense that Whitney belonged in a world that worked against her in so many ways.

Source: http://celebs.gather.com/

Whitney Houston Cause of Death Was 'Drugs and Show Business' Says Celine Dion

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Whitney Houston died suddenly over the weekend, leaving the world wondering the cause. Many people have their own opinions about the tragedy, many believing that drugs were the ultimate reason that Whitney was taken from this earth so soon. Even celebrities are sharing their opinions of what happened to Houston, the latest being Celine Dion.

"It's just really unfortunate that drugs, bad people, bad influences took over her dreams, her motherhood... What happens when you have everything? Love, support, motherhood... Something happens that I don't understand. That's why I'm scared of show business, of drugs and hanging out. That's why I don't go to parties," Dion said while talking via phone on Good Morning America.

Do you think that Celine Dion is right? Was Whitney Houston simply overwhelmed by the stresses of Hollywood? There are a lot of people who feel this way. Whitney's death was not only unfortunate but also absolutely tragic. Perhaps she did get mixed up with the wrong people or took a few wrong steps in her life, but she seemed to want to get better. But a higher power had different plans for her. Perhaps Celina Dion is right. Something unexplainable happens when you have it all.

source: http://celebs.gather.com/

Susan Boyle’s Story.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:36:00 +0000

January 21st 2009 is not a date that Susan Boyle is ever likely to forget. ‘I will never forget it,’ she clarifies, in her unmistakeably Scottish brogue. It was the day that the shy, devout 48 year old stepped onto the stage of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow for an audition on Britain’s Got Talent. Or to put it another way, the day her world turned 180 degrees on its head. In front of the three-strong panel of judges charged with divining which of this year’s British hopefuls really did have talent, the singing voice of Susan Boyle turned out to be a watershed moment neither she nor anyone involved in the show could possibly have foreseen. It is now both her and the show’s defining moment.

In her own haphazard fashion, during three and a half minutes of television airtime, later aired to slack-jawed intakes of breath in May of this year, Susan Boyle fashioned a new kind of fame. She elicited a moment of pure, molten zeitgeist. She broke every rule of the talent show book and tore up a considerable number of the pages of popular music marketing into the bargain. She symbolized an astonishing variety of the little-people’s revenge, quite by accident. Ms Boyle describes her own astonishing 2009 in refreshingly frank and simple terms. ‘All I did was to apply for a talent show. I was lucky enough to be chosen. That’s it in a nutshell.’ But something deeper was going on in the collective public consciousness. If the two watchwords of the 21st century have been ‘reality’ and ‘celebrity’, Susan Boyle had accidentally located a brand new point on the graph where they both intersected. One of Britain’s forgotten characters had rarely, if ever, been so memorable.

After her one audition for Britain’s Got Talent, in which she confounded the judges, the audience and then anyone with access to Youtube’s expectations by dazzling her way through a version of the song I Dreamed A Dream, from the musical Les Miserables, a tornado of opinionated column inches, speculation, rumination and conjecture around Susan Boyle grew feverishly. 300 Million You Tube hits and counting. She became the subject of op-ed newspaper columns, a front cover sensation in her own right. This unlikely candidate for the melting pot of the new star machine in 21st century Britain caused computer crashes, miles of newsprint and the sophisticated approval of Hollywood’s well-heeled and super-groomed A-list. Though the content differed wildly, everyone proffering their thoughts on the self-confessed ‘wee wifey’ seemed agreed on one point. That in 2009, to be free of an opinion on Susan Boyle was to be free of opinion itself.

For one brief moment, vanity itself collapsed. As that ancient old maxim – ‘Never judge a book by its cover’ – clanked around the globe with speedy viral intensity, it was as if the world was about to offer its first unspoken apology for prizing beauty above all else. Perhaps it would temporarily forget its grotesquely accentuated new heights of judgement. Or perhaps Susan Boyle was just a fleeting icon by which a microscope was shone on our more fickle presumptions. Whatever history gifts the Susan Boyle story in the long term, it is now her time to prove that there is more to this incredible woman than being the symbol for a moment of international reflection. She will do it in the exact same way she entered our consciousness in the first place. With the raw combination of strength and fragility, beauty and solitude that is her singing voice.

In some ways, Ms Boyle’s story is just the same as any woman with a voice in any choir up and down the UK. In her home town of Blackburn, she had been schooled in singing in churches and choral societies. She says now that, as a shy young woman with some learning difficulties, being hidden in the blanket of a collective singing arrangement offered her comfort. So in one other, crucial way, her story is entirely her own. The most unlikely chorister in the sea of voices stepped out of line and put her head above the parapet to be noticed. For Susan Boyle, though she would never deign to say so much herself, this was an act of personal heroism, the like of which she had never contemplated before.

The speed with which reaction to her performance picked up gravitas proved an incendiary media hotbed. But it was most surprising for the woman at the centre of it. ‘It started off with the [Scottish newspaper] Daily Record visiting my door. And it ended up with TV stations from all over the world camping out on my street waiting for interviews and stories. I’d peek behind the curtains in the house, saying ‘what in God’s name is going on here?’ Then the phone calls started. My number was still in the book at that particular time, so anybody could get it and the phone was ringing 24 hours a day. It was constant. People were ringing me who I couldn’t understand because of their accents. All sorts of nationalities. Lots of Americans. It was absolutely unbelievable if I’m being honest.’ She is self-deprecating about why she should have caused such a furore. ‘A woman who went on with mad hair, bushy eyebrows and the frock I was wearing had to be noticed. Come on!’

Such is the quick nature of today’s star system, in September, just four months after her TV debut, Susan Boyle made her live TV comeback. She performed a rarefied take on The Rolling Stones Wild Horses, re-orchestrated to gently clasp the exact timbre of her natural talent, on the show’s US cousin, America’s Got Talent. An unprompted standing ovation followed. Outside of the unruly cyclone of her fame, there is something within the voice of Susan Boyle that is absolutely perfect for our times. At a moment when Dame Vera Lynn and Barbra Streisand are topping the album charts, there is something peculiarly modern about her improbably status as holding the international record for most pre-ordered album of all time. As the dust settles on the sheer wattage of conversation that she has prompted, it is time – as they say – to face the music.

Ms Boyle’s debut album was put together during the summer of this year. She first entered a recording studio in July, to test how her vocals would respond to tape. The results shocked both her and veteran producer Steve Mac. Decamping to London, she fashioned the record over two months, picking songs that resonated with her, that pricked something within that she felt ready to unleash through music. ‘It was important that I could feel everything I was singing,’ she says, cutting straight to the core of why music can be such a useful release, an escape valve from the everyday.

A disarming mix of the sacred (‘My faith is my backbone,’ she says) and the secular, there is not a moment on it that is not moving. It is pitched exactly within the framework of the year she has enjoyed and, at well-documented times, endured. It is a collection of covers and original material that cuts a swathe into the interior life of the woman who is arguably the most intriguing, not to mention instantly recognisable character yet to be produced by the reality talent medium, the decade’s defining TV genre.

When she hurts, it hurts. Her rousing rendition of Madonna’s You’ll See is a riposte to the children that picked on her in the playground. The new composition Who I Was Born To Be is an astonishing testament to self-belief against some startling odds. Yet when she dreams, we dream too. Because of her uncanny knack of picking a song so perfect for her tale at that very first audition, Ms Boyle has become synonymous with the word ‘dream’. Her flawless album rendition of I Dreamed A Dream may come as no surprise, but it still manages to pick every individual hair from the back of your neck and yank them to attention. A country ballad version of Daydream Believer delicately seals the deal of her being synonymous with the concept of dreaming.

For this is Susan Boyle’s tale. The fearlessness to dream about something other than the lot life has handed you. The chance to escape. The pivotal role of music as a conduit to go to another place, sometimes lodged at the outer recesses of your imagination, and to allow that new place to blossom. Yes, this is Susan Boyle’s tale. It is why it connected with so many unsuspecting people across the world. In another nutshell? If she can dare to dream, so can you.

Source: http://www.susanboylemusic.com/

Chunky Chinese Kid Sings Better than Whitney Houston! - I Will Always Love You by Lin Yu Chun

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 23:05:00 +0000

WATCH THIS VIDEO....

Competitor Lin Yu Chun blew away judges on the Taiwanese singing show 'Super Star Avenue' with his version of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You."

He won the $1M prize for his performance and a recording contract and has become a YouTube sensation.

British papers have even crowned him the next Susan Boyle.

Inside or outside the hotel where Houston died, the famous and the fans mourn.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000

Beverly Hills, California (CNN) -- Whether inside or outside the Beverly Hilton hotel where singer Whitney Houston died Saturday afternoon, the grief and shock were the same.

Whitney Houston was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton in California on Saturday, February 12

They were just expressed differently -- by the famous indoors and by the everyday fan outdoors.

Inside the hotel that occupies a full block, the music industry's biggest names gathered in elegant attire for an annual pre-Grammy party that had been long planned by Houston's mentor, Clive Davis.

But a party just didn't seem right, participants said as they walked down the red carpet.

Some, like songwriter David Foster, thought twice about attending a gala at the same hotel where 48-year-old Houston died in her room just hours earlier.

"We debated whether to come tonight and we realized it was going to continue and it was going to be a memorial," Foster said.

"It's just shocking," he said of the death.

When the party started, legend Tony Bennett listed the names of great entertainments who recently died: Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, and now "the magnificent Whitney Houston," he said.

Bennett then made a well-understood reference to Houston's past problems with drugs, and he called on "everyone to get our government to legalize drugs" so persons don't have to get it from "gangs" under the table, he said.

The country needs to "legalize drugs like they did in Amsterdam," Bennett added.

He then sang "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" and received a standing ovation with the last line: "Hope the music never ends."

Davis opened his remarks about the "unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney's passing." Davis has long hosted a party the day before the Grammy Awards, the music industry's most celebrated event.

"I do have a heavy heart, and I am personally devastated by someone so close to me for so many years," Davis told the gathering of artists and entertainers.

"My heart goes out to her daughter Bobbi Kristina and her mother, Cissy," Davis said.

Houston's mentor then asked for a moment of silence, saying, "We dedicate this evening to her."

Outside, as a coastal chill settled over people who gathered until the small hours of Sunday morning, fans and media flocked to two places: the front and back entrances of the sprawling hotel complex. In between, they laid roses and flickering candles.

At the front entrance, a Beverly Hills police officer pushed back mourners and journalists from the entryway and said that they had to stand on the public sidewalk, pointing to the line dividing public space and private property.

Many of the 100 persons carried the flame of a candle. Singing accompanied the vigil, including such Houston standards as "The Greatest Love of All."

One singer, Pepper Mashay, who met Houston once about 10 years ago, started singing "My Love is Your Love" in memory of Houston. Mourners, as well as journalists, immediately started recording video of the sidewalk performance on their cameras or smart phones.

Mashay remarked how Houston struggled with drug problems.

"Pain -- they're carrying a lot of pain," Mashay said about Houston's drug woes. "It could be relationships from the past. All we can say is that she's at peace now."

Then Mashay added, remembering that Houston has a teenaged daughter: "There's a teenager out here who's lost her mother."

But it was at the back of the hotel -- at the service entrance -- where the largest group of fans, mourners, media and paparazzi gathered. About 200 persons assembled on the ficus-tree-lined sidewalk.

Everyone was waiting for whether Houston's body was going to taken away by authorities through the service door. A police vehicle marked "Crime Lab" was parked at the door, also joined by a large truck marked "rental" -- which conveniently shielded off spectators from the best view of the entrance.

The rear door was also being used by artists such as Tony Bennett and Jennifer Hudson attending Davis' party. The entertainers apparently were seeking to avoid the public, but it hardly worked Saturday night.

At one point, a woman in the crowd shouted: "Alicia!" as singer Alicia Keys walked by.

The throng surged. Paparazzi and fans with cameras pushed the hardest to get to the front of the line, where the public sidewalk met the private driveway.

Keys entered the back of the hotel, and then the pack of spectators eased and resumed friendly conversation in the cool night air beside the seven-foot tall bushes.

Some fans wept, as they played Houston's music videos on their smartphones.

One fan, Tya Conerly, 31, just had to stop by the hotel, even tough she, her girlfriend and Conerly's daughter should have been making the two-hour drive back home to San Diego.

Conerly's daughter, Isreal, turned 11 years old on Saturday, and the group of three drove to Los Angeles to do some shopping and have a celebratory dinner for Isreal's birthday. It was also a celebration of Conerly's 31st birthday on Friday.

But when Conerly's girlfriend, Crystal James, 26, received a phone call from her father saying that Houston had died, none of the three could believe it.

Conerly thought it was another Twitter rumor of a celebrity's death, and she used her phone to check it out the information.

She found that Houston had indeed died -- at the Beverly Hilton.

The day become a birthday that Isreal will never forget, she said.

So the two women and girl visited the hotel -- and decided to join the crowd at the back door, wondering when the coroner or police would remove Houston's body.

Source: CNN NEWS

"We just wanted to come by and show some support," Conerly said under a towering ficus tree by the rear driveway.

"It's just so sad," she added.

Then she referred to Houston's history of drug abuse.

"Everyone has their own demons, and some overcome them and some never do," Conerly stated. "Sometimes life gets the best of us."

INTERVIEW 2PM AND 2AM HANCHU INTERVIEW!

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:32:00 +0000

Hanchu

-2AM interview-

Q. Did 2PM give you any piece of advice about Japanese debut?

Seulong: Yes, they gave us a lot of advice because they have already gone through the way we are now going. It’s been very helpful because they advised us on what to do and how to do in Japan. It also gives us power and we can work harder.

Changmin: I think the schedule is really hectic.

Kwon: Today, Wooyoung told me “Gambatte- kudasai (=Good luck)”

-2PM interview-

Q. Do you have any piece of advice for 2AM?

Taecyeon: Since we are likely to have a very tight schedule in Japan, I just told them “Good luck, you can do it”, it’s not really a piece of advice though.

Junho: We, 2PM are also a new group in Japan, so I told them that each of us has to work hard.

Q. What do you think is 2AM’s good point?

Chansung: The harmony they make is just fabulous.

Junho: They have good personality.

Junsu: And they are funny and unique, right?

Junho: Above all. 2AM is very close with 2PM. We are like brothers.

Q. So you all have good relationship with 2AM members?

2PM: Of course.

Taecyeon: We always stay in touch. Although we are very busy and cannot see each other often, we talk a lot and joke around when we have time together.

Chansung: We all like working out, so we often bump into each other at gym.

Junho: Sometimes I call and ask them to get together.

-2AM-

Q. What is 2PM for you?

Kwon: It’s the best performance group, and 2AM’s brothers.

Seulong: They are so free-spirited.

Kwon: 2PM’s stage performance is the coolest one in Korea.

Q. How is the relationship with 2PM members?

Seulong: We often go out for dinner, movies and shopping. They are good friends to spend time with.

Q. What do you think about “Hot Blood” now?

Kwon: The shooting was terribly hard.

Seulong: He lost consciousness once.

Kwon: We had army training, as we had to wake up early for running. There was a competition too. The rules were so strict and only the winners could get their meals. There was this training to hold a huge boat above our heads and run. Only I was on the boat because I fainted on that day. I was so sorry about that.

Jinwoon: We had to pick the one who got hurt and let him be on the boat, so we let Kwon be on the boat.

Kwon: We are finally coming to Japan to make our debut. We are working so hard for the Japanese debut, so please give us your warm support.

Seulong: We worked hard and got prepared for those who waited for us to come. We will show you better stages. Thank you very much.

Jinwoon: I love you!

Source: http://www.dkpopnews.net

TVXQ’s Yunho visits Rain in the army.

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:58:00 +0000

Recently, TVXQ‘s Yunho paid a visit to his sunbae Rain, who is currently serving in the army.

An online community board shared this photo of the two stars and an unidentified third person. Rain’s fans were happy to see that their favorite star was looking well, and expressed gratitude towards Yunho for paying a visit despite his busy schedule.

As for Yunho, it looks like he got a new hairstyle; he grew out his hair and dyed it a caramel blond color.

Netizens commented, “Yunho has loyalty”, “It’s so cute to see a soldier holding up a peace sign”, and “I hope to see more celebrities visit their sunbae soon!”

source: http://www.allkpop.com/

Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt Arrive At The Golden Globes!

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:03:00 +0000

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie looked stunning while arriving on the red carpet yesterday at the Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills CA.! Angelina is also prepping for her new film “Maleficent” which is the story of Sleeping Beauty told from the perspective of the wicked witch!

Photo:David Aguilera/Buzzfoto.com

KIM KARDASHIAN I Heard What Ricky Gervais Said About Me ...

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:05:00 +0000

Kim Kardashian was watching when Ricky Gervais unloaded on her at the Golden Globes last night -- and KK thought it was "hilarious."

Ricky called Kim a trashier version of Kate Middleton -- someone who can be more easily bought.

Kim is telling friends she gets the joke. As for joking about her 72-day marriage -- that he's sat through longer James Cameron acceptance speeches -- Kim simply said she has a sense of humor, and she "thought it was funny."

And when Ricky used Kim to explain how the Golden Globes were a little bit "drunker" than the Oscars ... Kim said it was funny but inaccurate, because she hardly drinks.

source: http://www.tmz.com

Brad Pitt Found Angelina Jolie 'Crying in the Shower'

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:06:00 +0000

Angelina Jolie may be one of the biggest actresses of our generation, but that doesn't mean she's immune from insecurities and doubts. In fact, during a live video web chat with Marie Claire on Thursday, the actress-turned-director revealed that she had a "complete meltdown" before production began on her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey. In fact, it even got so bad that her husband Brad Pitt even found her crying in the shower.

The star explained that she felt under a lot of pressure to do the storyline justice and said, "I had a complete emotional breakdown in the shower and Brad [Pitt] found me crying. I felt this huge responsibility and I felt very small. 'Who am I to take this on?'" And even in light of the film's debut, Jolie admits she's still somewhat uncomfortable with her sudden career change, saying, "I didn't plan to become a director, and I still have trouble saying I'm a director." She goes on to say, "I just wanted to tell this story and I ended up by default being the director," adding, "It was a pleasure, but I wonder if it would be a pleasure with another cast and crew, and a subject matter that wasn't so special."

However, it seems like the Oscar winner's worries are for naught. The film is already nominated for a Golden Globe and it may pick up some honors at the Oscars as well. Looks like her career in directing could become just as successful as her career in acting.

Source:

Hollywood's irrational allergy to 'black' films

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:24:00 +0000

(CNN) -- Who knew that 70 years after African-American pilots had to work hard to overcome the prejudices of whites in the U.S. armed services, and the nation having its first black commander-in-chief, the men known as the Tuskegee Airmen would still be doing battle with an entrenched institution of white power brokers, all based on the color of their skin.

Many of you may have seen the flashy commercials advertising "Red Tails," the major motion picture that chronicles the amazing and true story of true American heroes: black pilots who went overseas in World War II to fight for the freedom and democracy that they could not enjoy at home.

The film opens January 20 in theaters nationwide, and for its producer, George Lucas, it has been a 23-year odyssey.

You would think that someone considered one of the most powerful players in Hollywood, a man who has made billions with blockbusters such as the "Indiana Jones" and "Star Wars" franchises, would have been able to get "Red Tails" approved without any hesitation. Yet many African-Americans have long known that in Tinseltown, the color of your skin -- or that of the people in the story you want to tell -- often falls victim to racial pigeonholing.

Oh, sure, Hollywood is seen as a liberal bastion where folks talk about equality and supporting civil rights, but when it comes to telling stories that have mostly black casts, Hollywood might as well return to the '50s and '60s and erect signs that say "Whites Only."

When Lucas approached the major Hollywood studios about backing "Red Tails," he was told: Thanks, but no thanks.

"There's no major white roles in it at all ... I showed it to all of them and they said no, we don't know how to market a movie like this," Lucas told Jon Stewart on The Daily Show.

Let's juxtapose that against some other facts:

-- In 2008, 69 million people voted for Barack Hussein Obama as president of the United States;

-- The most talked-about woman in America over the past 25 years was Oprah Winfrey, who redefined the talk show genre;

-- Which athlete has the top-selling jersey in the NBA? LeBron James;

-- Who is considered the top-grossing actor? Samuel L. Jackson;

-- Arguably the greatest entertainer of all time is Michael Jackson;

-- The greatest golfer in the world? Tiger Woods;

-- The most dominating players in women's tennis? Venus and Serena Williams;

-- The top singer today? Beyonce;

-- And hip-hop, an outgrowth of black culture, is a worldwide phenemonon. And 80% of the consumers of hip-hop music in America are white kids.

So whites all across America have come to accept African-Americans in a variety of public media, but Hollywood continues to want to tell us that somehow seeing blacks on the big screen is anathema to their values.

Maybe what no one in Hollywood wants to own up to is that in many ways, it is a close-minded society where it's hard to find African-Americans in positions of true power.

In the history of Hollywood, no African-American has ever headed a major studio. Yes, we've seen Black CEOs at American Express, Time Warner, Xerox, Merrill Lynch, Symantec and other major companies, but the doors of opportunity are closed in Hollywood.

Does this mean African-Americans aren't hired? No. But those are low-level positions where they desperately fight the good fight, knowing full well they will never ascend to the top of the food chain in Hollywood.

Part of Hollywood's problem is that when looking at a movie that has, like "Red Tails," a mostly black cast, it is cast as a "black" film.

"Red Tails" isn't a black movie. It's a war movie. It's an action movie. It's a story of true American heroes overcoming great odds to succeed. That was the conclusion of Alabama head football coach, Nick Saban, who showed the film to his team the night before they demolished LSU for the BCS national title.

Did Saban conclude it was a black film? Not at all, and he gave it a resounding endorsement.

This racial fight may be new to George Lucas, but to African-Americans, this has been a long and painful battle.

A few months ago on my TV One Cable Network Sunday show, Washington Watch, I talked with actor Brian White, who has starred in "Stomp the Yard," "Fighting" and the critically-acclaimed TV show, "Men of a Certain Age."

He told a stunning story that shows the ignorance of Hollywood regarding an independent movie he starred in with Zoe Saldana, "The Heart Specialist."

"Dennis Cooper, the writer, director and producer, is a Caucasian man who had some friends," White said. "His friend David was the inspiration for Dr. Z and Dr. Howard -- a Harvard-educated doctor that was involved with the film. And Dennis sold this great script to the studios, but he left the character descriptions out.

"When the studios found out the leads were black, they didn't want to make the movie anymore, and Dennis had to go take his own money and his friends' money and make this movie himself and then start the long road to getting a distribution deal."

This isn't just the big studios.

The Weinstein Co. produced "The Hurricane Season," a basketball film about two teams coming together in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to win the Louisiana state championship. Yet the movie went straight to DVD, angering lead actor Forest Whitaker, and others in the film, including Taraji Henson, Courtney B. Vance, Isaiah Washington and the rapper Bow Wow.

The excuse given the actors? The Weinstein Co. said they didn't know how to market the film. Really. A movie with basketball at the center of the story? Folks, come on!

Hollywood defenders will be quick to say, what about Will Smith? Denzel Washington? Halle Berry?

What's interesting in Hollywood is that if you're Will Smith, Denzel Washington or a handful of others, you really aren't seen as "black." For them, they have crossed the post-racial threshold, and in Hollywood's eyes, white America will watch them.

But if you talk to them and so many other top Hollywood actors, they will also tell you stories of having doors slammed in their faces, and trying to get movies made featuring mostly blacks and were told, "Can't you make the characters white?"

What is also at play is that for Hollywood, having one black guy in a film that has mostly whites is never called a white film. But if it's one or two white guys in a film with mostly blacks -- uh oh, black film!

The latest excuse offered up by the Hollywood studios is that "black films" don't sell well overseas. What that means is that foreigners also don't want to see African-Americans. Again, I believe the problem is how the movies are categorized.

Let's take two black men dressing up as women. When Martin Lawrence does it in "Big Momma's House," that isn't marketed as a "black film." As a result, it grossed $117.5 million in the United States and $56.4 million worldwide.

Yet Tyler Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail," another movie featuring a black guy dressed as a grandmother, did $90 million in the U.S., and they didn't even bother to show it overseas. Maybe that's because Tyler Perry's "Madea's Family Vacation" only did $50,000 in ticket sales worldwide three years earlier, and $63.2 million in the U.S.

Now, if Hollywood knows how to sell white men dressed as women (Robin Williams in "Mrs. Doubtfire" and Dustin Hoffman in "Tootsie") along with largely white casts, they can't figure out how to do the same for a Tyler Perry?

George Lucas has clearly expressed his fears with "Red Tails," hoping it opens huge so it will send a message to Hollywood that a big-budget action film with lots of black folks can be successful. The downside? If it fails, it will be seen as a failure of ALL black action films.

Several Hollywood executives told me that when the Queen Latifah-Common helmed film, "Just Wright," didn't meet expectations and only grossed $21.5 million -- it was marketed as a black film -- the result was a virtual shutdown of all romantic comedies featuring African-Americans. Yet Jennifer Aniston can put out failed romantic comedy after failed romantic comedy, and no one says "white" romantic comedies should end.

Have we returned to the days of Jackie Robinson when he couldn't fail because if he did, the whole race would be set back? That's essentially what Hollywood is saying.

I want you to go and see "Red Tails" not because it is an historical depiction of a true period in America, but because it's one helluva film. The action scenes are first rate and the storytelling is superb. Are the main characters black? Yep. Just do as I do when I go and see a movie that features an all-white cast, which is most of the time: go for the enjoyment.

If so, maybe the libs in Hollywood will finally realize that great stories, when sold as such, and not as a "black" film, can bring people of all stripes to the movie theater.

There used to be a time when whites could sit downstairs, and if blacks were allowed in the movie theater, had to sit upstairs. Today, it's clear that such a racial divide is no longer in place in the seats, but now on the screen, and that's a damn shame.

Source: CNN NEWS

Justin Bieber gets advice from Will Smith

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:09:00 +0000

Singer Justin Bieber arriving at BBC Live Lounge surrounded by his entourage. Justin was being interviewed on Fearne Cotton show and was wrapped up warm against the cold and snowing weather - London, UK. - Splash

Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber has said Will Smith has become like a father figure to him.

The U Smile singer, whose new film Never Say Never premiered in Los Angeles last night, says he looks up to the star and his family - wife Jada Pinkett Smith and kids Jaden and Willow.

Bieber, 16, told Access Hollywood: 'The Smith family has been really amazing to me and really supportive in everything I'm doing. The family are just really nice and they are really good people.'

He added: 'Will's definitely looking at different scripts for me and trying to develop stuff.'

Aishwarya refused to dance with Shahrukh?

noreply@blogger.com (Captain) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:00:00 +0000

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is in the news again for all the wrong reasons. Now, the grapevine is abuzz with the news that she refused to dance with Shahrukh Khan at an award function.

It is reported that Shahrukh wanted to move to the tunes of the song “Kajra Re” with Aishwarya but the plan was scrapped after the actress turned down the offer. “Shahrukh had planned a gig around Bollywood heroines over the years and he wanted it to conclude with Aishwarya's performance,” Mumbai Mirror quoted a source as saying.

“He had planned to dance with her to “Kajra Re”. But Ash refused. Her argument was that Kajre re was a family song and that she performed the number in Bunty aur Babli only with her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan and husband Abhishek and that she will not dance to that song with anyone else. No amount of persuasion from the organisers helped her change her mind. Finally, Shahrukh had to scrap this plan,” it added.

Well, we are yet to hear from Shahrukh and Aishwarya!

source: http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/