Red Silk Carpet #93 February 2024

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On The Cover

Jen Principe

A SOUL STYLIST WITH A SOUL PURPOSE

Celebrity and Entrepreneur Success Stories

Changing Lives Through the Power of Clothing

SZA

Lizzo

Taylor Swift Boygenius

Dede Cox Jimmy Diele

Dua Lipa

Amber Acosta

Lainey Wilson

Edgardo Cintron

Jennifer Lawrence

Fat Bottomed Boys

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Jen Principe Changing Lives Through the Power of Clothing

By Jules Lavallee

Jen Principe is a soul stylist with a sole purpose: to change lives through the power of clothing.

Her empowering work in fashion has been featured on Hallmark’s Home & Family, the Associated Press, and Inside Edition. In 2021, she was featured as a top celebrity LA stylist on Inside Beverly Hills (BBC Network).

She hosts the KTLA segment “How to Be Your Own Personal Stylist” and has styled for Focus, JMG, Calabasas Style, Ventura Blvd, and Sherwood Life magazines. Jen is the founder and owner of the nonprofit The Phoenix Effect, where she raises funds and curate’s photoshoots for people suffering from lifedebilitating diseases and trauma.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and two boys and is the author of A Common Thread: A Fashion for the Soul Book.

How are you changing lives through the power of clothing?

On a personal level, I do this by educating my clients on how to understand and dress for their body type, utilize more of their own clothing while creating personalized digital look-books that help alleviate time, money, and frustration. My clients feel more self-confident and selfassured when stepping out into the world to do what it is that they do best.

On a broader scale, I founded my nonprofit “The Phoenix Effect” where my team curates personalized photo shoot experiences for those suffering from life-debilitating diseases and trauma.

This experience provides a day to feel pampered and special while reigniting parts of their identity that may have been lost during illness. Everyone deserves a joyful day in their life to remember.

Transformations can be found on my website https://www.jpstyles.com/giving -back/

You have been featured as a Top Celebrity LA Stylist. Take us through working with you.

Every client’s needs are different. My job when I begin working with a client is to interview and thoroughly understand their needs, budget, and lifestyle. If we are a match, an in-home or skype interview is scheduled to determine skin-tone and what colors and cuts are most flattering. In addition, I will identify the missing links in the wardrobe, create a plan and a timeline to begin the process.

With my newest digital styling platform, I can now work with anyone in the United States. My digital clients will receive styling mood boards, with an attached video with completed outfits start to finish. Each board contains clickable links to purchase items that are sent directly to their homes. It’s incredibly innovative and works well for clients that want to work with me but are geographically unable to see me in person. The most enjoyable aspect of my job is watching the transformations unfold and witnessing a shift in self-esteem and confidence.

Every detail about your personal presentation communicates something without even saying a word.

Explain.

Clothing is a very powerful tool in your toolbox. What we wear can influence others more than we think. Our clothing choices can open doors for us, or conversely, close them. First impressions are made within the first 7-17 seconds of meeting someone and 55% of that is based on visual appearance alone. We can use clothes to attract attention when networking. Try wearing a “What’s that” article of clothing

or an interesting piece of jewelry.

By simply looking our best and feeling more confident we carry ourselves differently. Our energy shifts and we can attract more people to us. Whether you’re looking for a significant other or trying to create a business opportunity, what we wear can make all the difference. People might not remember your name at a networking event, but they may remember what you wore.

Don’t be afraid to stand out!!

What will people notice when working with you?

That I am honest and truly care.

If you ask my opinion on an

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article of clothing or an outfit, I will tell you the truth. That’s what you hired me for. I want my clients to know that I respect their time and money. I never pressure my clients into purchasing anything. I want my clients to love everything they invest their money in and get compliments on their wardrobe pieces for years to come.

My clients also notice that I know how to mix in high end and lower end pieces. It’s not about labels, it’s about how you put things together.

International Women’s Day is around the corner. Many women want to make a powerful statement for their speaking engagements. Tell us about your innovative “Wardrobe Wisdom Club.”

audience, and self -confidence. Now when I’m getting dressed in the morning or choosing outfits for TV or speaking, I channel what Jen taught me to look, feel and be the best I can!

I too am a public speaker. I speak about my book “A Common Thread” and “Finding Your Purpose Through Being of Service” as well as the “Power of Personal Presentation.” So, I know that in addition to overcoming the fear of presenting in front of thousands of people, deciding what to wear on stage can cause a lot of anxiety. I’ve developed a free styling platform called the “Wardrobe Wisdom Club” that can be found on my website for those that can’t afford the luxury of a personal stylist. The club is filled with styling tutorials, free downloads, and styling tips. It helps break down the fundamentals of styling and educates the members on how to find their own unique style vibe to help alleviate the stress.

I met Jen Principe 25 years ago and have been impressed with her attention to detail and always making me look good. In my business, my clients want to make sure they are working with someone that they can trust and puts their interest first. My appearance is of utmost importance to me since it must convey trust and professionalism. Jen is passionate about both your professional and personal success. A rare trait for a stylist. If you want to take your business to the next level, you must look the part! Look no further than Jen Principe!!

Testimonials from clients: Jen changed my life. I have zillions of clothes but never had anything to wear (sound familiar?) until Jen came into my life. Not only was she organized, fun, inspiring, creative, and thorough, Jen created looks for me that I wear over and over and always feel great!

She has a flair for making you look and feel your best, which is a true gift!

Ellen Rakieten I met Jen Principe as I was launching a new book and needed outfits for several national talk shows and news programs—Live with Kelly, GMA, Dr. Oz and more. I never dreamed that I was hiring so much more than just a personal shopper or stylist. Working with Jen over the past few years has taught me the importance of clothing, style, and image for my brand,

Dr. Tanya Altmann

Mike Phefferman Jen Is a Genius. Thank you so much for referring me to her. I’ve never received so many compliments in my life.

I can’t thank you enough.

How has listening to your inner voice and whispers of the universe led you to your success?

assignment. I was given this gift to give away.

Tell us about A Common Thread: A Fashion for the Soul Book. Can you share a few stylish tips?

“A Common Thread” is a memoir of my personal journey from wardrobe to wisdom and the universal threads that connect us all. It’s a reminder to not judge a book by its cover and to dive a little deeper into the serendipitous events in your life to uncover and find your own unique purpose. It’s my story of trauma to triumph and its raw, vulnerable, and real. The book weaves fashion and faith together in a very unexpected way. It’s not your typical fashion book and will inspire the readers to look at their life and their wardrobe from an entirely new perspective.

One unique aspect of my book is that it contains a QR code that leads the reader from each chapter to fashion video tutorials.

It’s a little “Chicken soup for the Soul” and a little bit fashion.

Fashion tips Style start to finish. Don’t forget accessories.

I call listening to your inner voice- “God-shots.” The God shots are a creative urge, a deep intuition, a gut feeling, a Devine download, whispers of the universe that urge you to listen.

I’ve been blessed with so many of them and they have led me to finding my career, writing my book “A Common Thread” and ultimately being of service through my non-profit “The Phoenix Effect.” I don’t know who I would be today if I had ignored my inner voice. I ultimately discovered through listening to the “God shots” that I don’t have a job, I have an

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Invest in classics first. Basic button downs, loafers, a simple black dress, leather jacket and the perfect blazer will take you a long way.

Learn what looks best on your body type. You can look 10 lbs. slimmer or heavier just by choosing the right/wrong cuts and fabrics. www.jpstyles.com Instagram jenprincipestyles

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R E D S I L K C AR P ET E X E C U T I VE D I VI S I O N

S H EL L E Y P E K AL A E DI T O RIAL DI RE C TO R G RAP H I C DES I G N

MIKAYLA P EK ALA E D I T O R - IN - C H I E F

C R Y S T A L GILLEY AS S IS T AN T E DI T O R IN C H IE F

S AI F RAH M AN S O ZI B I NT E RNA T IO NAL J O URNAL I S T

S EP EH R N I K P O URI P H O TO J O URNALI S T

S EP EH R N I K P O URI RE D S I LK C ARP E T U S A B RAND AMB A S S ADO R

N A T A C H A C O S TA RE D S I LK C ARP E T I NT E RNA T IO NAL B RAND A MB A S S ADO R

S P EC I A L G U ES T C EL EB R I TY W R I TER J U L ES L A V A L L EE

www. re ds i l k c a r pe t l l c . c o m s he lle y @ re ds ilk c a rpe tllc . c o m

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R E D SILK CARPET VIP LIST February 2024 COVER STORY

Jen Principe Taylor Swift SZA Lizzo Dua Lipa Lainey Wilson boygenius Jack Antonoff Curtis C. Brown Robert Craighead Michael Gier de de Cox Patty Shukla Amber Acosta Robert Craighead Kimberly Dawnly's Edgardo Cintron Jimmy Diele Fat Bottomed Boys Joe Hanson, and Chris Ray Shaneen Bonner Margarita Pinhas Daisy Demay PORSCHE AG Oliver Blume GETTY IMAGES NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC STARS in DIOR Jennifer Lawrence Rachel Zegler Maya Hawke Tracee Ellis Ross Nina Dobrev Lola Tung Ashley Park Leyna Bloom ©Red Silk Carpet

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96TH OSCARS® NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

96th OSCARS® NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE, MARCH 10, ON ABC LOS ANGELES, CA – Actors Zazie Beetz and Jack Quaid announced the 96th Oscars® nominations today (January 23), live from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater via a global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org and the Academy’s digital platforms, an international satellite feed and broadcast media.

Beetz and Quaid announced the nominees in 8 categories at 5:30 a.m. PT, followed by the remaining 15 categories at 5:41 a.m. PT, at the live event attended by international media and industry guests. For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com.

Academy members from each of the 18 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film, International Feature Film and Live Action Short Film categories, nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees. This year, voter participation was at an all-time high, with members submitting ballots from a record 93 countries.

Active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all 23 categories beginning Thursday, February 22, through Tuesday, February 27.

To access the complete nominations, press kit, visit press.oscars.org.

The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.

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N om in a tion s for th e 9 6 th A c a d e m y A wa r d s Performance by an actor in a leading role •Bradley Cooper in "Maestro" •Colman Domingo in "Rustin" •Paul Giamatti in "The Holdovers" •Cillian Murphy in "Oppenheimer" •Jeffrey Wright in "American Fiction" Performance by an actor in a supporting role •Sterling K. Brown in "American Fiction" •Robert De Niro in "Killers of the Flower Moon" •Robert Downey Jr. in "Oppenheimer" •Ryan Gosling in "Barbie" •Mark Ruffalo in "Poor Things" Performance by an actress in a leading role •Annette Bening in "Nyad" •Lily Gladstone in "Killers of the Flower Moon" •Sandra Hüller in "Anatomy of a Fall" •Carey Mulligan in "Maestro" •Emma Stone in "Poor Things" Performance by an actress in a supporting role •Emily Blunt in "Oppenheimer" •Danielle Brooks in "The Color Purple" •America Ferrera in "Barbie" •Jodie Foster in "Nyad" •Da'Vine Joy Randolph in "The Holdovers“ Best animated

feature film of the year

"The Boy and the Heron" Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki •"Elemental" Peter Sohn and Denise Ream •"Nimona" Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan and Julie Zackary •"Robot Dreams" Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé and Sandra Tapia Díaz •"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal Achievement

in cinematography

•"El Conde" Edward Lachman •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Rodrigo Prieto •"Maestro" Matthew Libatique •"Oppenheimer" Hoyte van Hoytema •"Poor Things" Robbie Ryan Achievement

in costume design

•"Barbie" Jacqueline Durran •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Jacqueline West •"Napoleon" Janty Yates and Dave Crossman •"Oppenheimer" Ellen Mirojnick •"Poor Things" Holly Waddington

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Achievement in directing

•"Anatomy of a Fall" Justine Triet •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Martin Scorsese •"Oppenheimer" Christopher Nolan •"Poor Things" Yorgos Lanthimos •"The Zone of Interest" Jonathan Glazer Best documentary feature film •"Bobi Wine: The People's President" Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp and John Battsek •"The Eternal Memory" Nominees to be determined •"Four Daughters" Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha •"To Kill a Tiger" Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim •"20 Days in Mariupol" Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath Best documentary short film •"The ABCs of Book Banning" Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic •"The Barber of Little Rock" John Hoffman and Christine Turner •"Island in Between" S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien •"The Last Repair Shop" Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers •"Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó" Sean Wang and Sam Davis

Achievement in film editing •"Anatomy of a Fall" Laurent Sénéchal •"The Holdovers" Kevin Tent •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Thelma Schoonmaker •"Oppenheimer" Jennifer Lame •"Poor Things" Yorgos Mavropsaridis Best international feature film of the year •"Io Capitano" Italy •"Perfect Days" Japan •"Society of the Snow" Spain •"The Teachers' Lounge" Germany •"The Zone of Interest" United Kingdom Achievement in makeup and hairstyling •"Golda" Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby and Ashra Kelly-Blue •"Maestro" Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou and Lori McCoy-Bell •"Oppenheimer" Luisa Abel •"Poor Things" Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston •"Society of the Snow" Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score) •"American Fiction" Laura Karpman •"Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" John Williams •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Robbie Robertson •"Oppenheimer" Ludwig Göransson •"Poor Things" Jerskin Fendrix

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Achievement song)

in music written for motion pictures (Original

•"The Fire Inside" from "Flamin' Hot" Music and Lyric by Diane Warren •"I'm Just Ken" from "Barbie" Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt •"It Never Went Away" from "American Symphony" Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson •"Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)" from "Killers of the Flower Moon" Music and Lyric by Scott George •"What Was I Made For?" from "Barbie" Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell Best motion picture of the year

•"American Fiction" Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson, Producers •"Anatomy of a Fall" Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, Producers •"Barbie" David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, Producers •"The Holdovers" Mark Johnson, Producer •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, Producers •"Maestro" Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, Producers •"Oppenheimer" Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, Producers •"Past Lives" David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, Producers •"Poor Things" Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, Producers •"The Zone of Interest" James Wilson, Producer Achievement

in production design

•"Barbie" Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer •"Killers of the Flower Moon" Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis •"Napoleon" Production Design: Arthur Max; Set Decoration: Elli Griff •"Oppenheimer" Production Design: Ruth De Jong; Set Decoration: Claire Kaufman •"Poor Things" Production Design: James Price and Shona Heath; Set Decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek Best animated

short film

•"Letter to a Pig" Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter •"Ninety-Five Senses" Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess •"Our Uniform" Yegane Moghaddam •"Pachyderme" Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius •"WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko" Dave Mullins and Brad Booker Best live action short film

•"The After" Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham •"Invincible" Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron •"Knight of Fortune" Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk •"Red, White and Blue" Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane •"The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" Wes Anderson and Steven Rales

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Achievement

in sound

•"The Creator" Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic •"Maestro" Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic •"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor •"Oppenheimer" Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O'Connell •"The Zone of Interest" Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn Achievement

in visual effects

•"The Creator" Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts and Neil Corbould •"Godzilla Minus One" Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima •"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams and Theo Bialek •"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland and Neil Corbould •"Napoleon" Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco and Neil Corbould

Adapted screenplay •"American Fiction" Written for the screen by Cord Jefferson •"Barbie" Written by Greta Gerwig & Noah Baumbach •"Oppenheimer" Written for the screen by Christopher Nolan •"Poor Things" Screenplay by Tony McNamara •"The Zone of Interest" Written by Jonathan Glazer Original screenplay •"Anatomy of a Fall” Screenplay - Justine Triet and Arthur Harari •"The Holdovers” Written by David Hemingson •"Maestro“ Written by Bradley Cooper & Josh Singer •"May December” Screenplay by Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch & Alex Mechanik •"Past Lives” Written by Celine Song

### ABOUT THE ACADEMY The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is home to a global membership of more than 10,500 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy recognizes and celebrates all aspects of the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars®.

With the world’s largest film museum and collection, the Academy preserves our cinematic history and presents honest and powerful programs about cinema’s past, present, and future. Across all initiatives, the Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films.

FOLLOW THE ACADEMY www.oscars.org www.facebook.com/TheAcademy www.youtube.com/Oscars www.twitter.com/TheAcademy www.instagram.com/TheAcademy www.tiktok.com/@Oscars

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TAGS: •PRESS RELEASE •NEWS •96TH OSCARS •OSCARS

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DIOR by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks

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JENNIFER LAWRENCE The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Jennifer Lawrence wore a Dior Spring-Summer 2024 black wool coat, white cotton shirt, and a black silk skirt. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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RACHEL ZEGLER The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Rachel Zegler wore a Dior Spring-Summer 2024 black tulle embroidered dress, black shoes, black Lady D-Joy bag, and jewelry. Makeup by Dior Beauty

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MAYA HAWKE The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Maya Hawke wore a Dior Fall-Winter 2023 silk printed dress. She also wore a Dior bag and shoes. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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TRACEE ELLIS ROSS The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Tracee Ellis Ross wore a Dior Cruise 2024 black silk shirt and skirt. She also wore a black matte Lady D-Joy bag, Dior boots and jewelry.

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NINA DOBREV The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Nina Dobrev wore a Dior Fall-Winter 2023 silk taffeta dress and coat. She also wore a Dior bag, shoes, and jewelry. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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LOLA TUNG The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Lola Tung wore a Dior Spring-Summer 2024 black lace dress. She also wore a Dior bag, shoes, and jewelry.

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ASHLEY PARK The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Ashley Park wore a Dior Spring-Summer 2024 black wool dress. She also wore a Dior bag, shoes, and jewelry. Makeup by Dior Beauty.

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LEYNA BLOOM The celebrities wearing Dior by Maria Grazia Chiuri for Dior’s Carousel Of Dreams at Saks Leyna Bloom wore a white silk dress and wool coat. She also wore a white Miss Dior bag and Dior shoes

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PHOTO BY JOHNNY NUNEZ/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY

Ta y lor Swift , SZ A a n d Liz z o a t t e n d t h e 6 6 t h G RA M M Y Awards at Cr ypto.com Arena on Febr uary 04, 2024 in Los A n g e le s , C a lifor n ia .

9 Ways Women Dominated The 2024 GRAMMYs From Taylor Swift and Tyla's historic wins, to Miley Cyrus' first GRAMMYs and Joni Mitchell's first performance, the 66th GRAMMY Awards put ladies first.

LIOR PHILLIPS Women shined particularly bright at Music's Biggest Night this year. As Trevor Noah put it in his monologue: "There’s a band that has already won today called boygenius, it’s three women. That’s how good a year it is for women.“ Beyond boygenius' first GRAMMY wins, the conversation about female artists' legacy at the 2024 GRAMMYs had been building since the nominations were announced, when it was revealed that seven of the eight nominees for Album Of The Year were women. The majority of the performers for the 66th GRAMMY Awards were also women, including the legendary Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilish, SZA, and Dua Lipa. And several female artists were on the precipice of making history (chief among them, Taylor Swift, who later became the first ever four-time winner of Album Of The Year.

The results of the ceremony were no less centered on the ladies. At the Premiere Ceremony, Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus won three of the six Rock Categories for their work as boygenius. Lainey Wilson nabbed Best Country Album, Joni Mitchell won Best Folk Album, and Victoria Monét won Best R&B Album and Best New Artist. Gaby Moreno, Karol G and Tyla nabbed trophies as well.

As the night went on, that tally continued. In fact, other than Producer Of The Year and Songwriter Of Year, a woman won every category in the General Field, including Billie Eilish's "What Was I Made For?" winning Song of the Year and Taylor Swift's Midnights pulling off the big fourth Album Of The Year win.

From every corner of the room, Music’s Biggest Night was filled with powerful women taking the spotlight. Here are eight moments where women ruled the 2024 GRAMMYs — with no sign of this reign ending.

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GRAPHIC COURTESY OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY

Whi l e it’s true that Taylor Swift’s name has been a t the center of what feels like 98 percent about music i n the past year, a nd that continued at the 2024 GRAMMYs . Much speculation ahead of the 66th GRAMMY Awards came down to whether s he would make history by wi nning her fourth Album Of The Year award.

Addi ng to the excitement, the i conic Celine Dion surprised the world and took the s tage to announce the winner for the ni ght’s final award, and it happened: "Tayl or Swift.“ Ra ther than bask i n her own glory, Swift seemed shocked, fumbling to get a high -five a nd hug connected with close fri end a nd uber-producer Jack Antonoff. And her a cceptance s peech made it cl ear that while s he appreciated and was honored by the a ward, s he wasn’t about to rest on any laurels, no matter how massive they ma y be.

"I would love to tell you that this i s the best moment of my l ife, but I feel this happy when I fi nish a song, or when I crack to code to a bridge I love, or when I'm shortlisting a music vi deo, or when I'm rehearsing with my da ncers or my ba nd, or getti ng ready to go to Tokyo to play a show," s he said. "For me the award is the work. Al l I wanna do is keep being a bl e to do this. I l ove it so much, it makes me so happy.“ True to tha t word, the evening also featured Swift a nnouncing a new album — after Midnights won Best Pop Vocal Al bum (her lucky number 13th GRAMMY) earlier i n the night, Swift made the surprise a nnouncement that she’d be rel easing her 11th s tudio a lbum, The Tortured Poets Department, on Apri l 19.

There was something i nspiring, too, a bout the way Swift got to the stage — pra ctically ya nking Lana Del Rey from her s eat a t the same ta ble, demanding she join her onstage. "I think so many female artists would not be where they are a nd would not have the inspiration they have i f it weren’t for the work that s he’s done," Swift told the assembly. "She’s a l egacy a rtist, a l egend i n her prime right now.“

Al wa ys a booster of other women in the i ndustry, of course she had to share the s potlight even with her history-making fourth Al bum Of The Year award i n hand.

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PHOTO: KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY

( L-R) b oy g e n iu s , Ta y lor Swift a n d Ja c k A n t on off the 2024 GRAMMYs.

at

10 Must-See Moments From The 2024 GRAMMYs: Taylor Swift Makes History, Billy Joel & Tracy Chapman Return, Boygenius Manifest Childhood Dreams The 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards wrote another monumental chapter in music history with returns from legends like Celine Dion and wins by a promising new generation of artists like Victoria Monét.

D. MARIAH Just like that, another GRAMMYs has come and gone — but the 2024 telecast brought many moments that will be immortalized in pop culture history.

It was the evening of legends, as Billy Joel and Tracy Chapman returned to the stage for the first time in decades and Joni Mitchell made her debut with a performance of her 1966 classic, "Both Sides, Now." Stevie Wonder and Celine Dion honored greats, both those we've lost and those who are dominating today. And Meryl Streep had two memorable moments at the show, making a fashionably late entrance and getting a hilarious GRAMMY lesson from Mark Ronson.

But it was the younger generation of artists who ultimately dominated the show. Boygenius — the supergroup of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker — won numerous awards in the Rock, Metal & Alternative Music Field. Billie Eilish and SZA scooped up a couple more golden gramophones, respectively, and Best New Artist winner Victoria Monét celebrated three wins in total, also winning Best R&B Album and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

Taylor Swift built on the momentum of her colossal year with more GRAMMY records and an unexpected announcement of her next studio album.

Check out the full list of winners here, and take a look at our top 10 highlights from another show-stopping installment of the GRAMMYs below.

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Photo: Lester Cohen/Getty Images For The Recording Academy

Dua Lipa

Relive The 2024 GRAMMYs Red Carpet: Interviews With Dua Lipa, Ice Spice & More It's a wrap on the 2024 GRAMMYs, which brought the leading lights of the music industry together for historic wins and incredible performances. On the red carpet, artists spoke with the Recording Academy about their nominations, wins and next steps.

JESSICA LIPSKY

At the 2024 GRAMMYs, the stars were out indeed — and it all began on the red carpet.

With Music’s Biggest Night in the rearview, enjoy some captivating conversations with music’s best and brightest.

When you’re through, check out the full list of 2024 GRAMMY winners and nominees.

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PHOTO: ALBERTO E. RODRIGUEZ/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY

Lainey Wilson at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

Big First Wins At The 2024 GRAMMYs: Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Victoria Monét & More The 2024 GRAMMYs were momentous in a myriad of ways, including major firsts. Here's a rundown of big first wins by Paramore, Zach Bryan, Tyla and others.

MORGAN ENOS |GRAMMYS/FEB 5, 2024 - 08:07 PM That's a wrap for Music's Biggest Night! The 2024 GRAMMYs were extraordinarily stuffed with incredible moments, from performances to wins to extemporaneous (yet unforgettable) moments.

But amid the post-ceremony buzz, let's pause to consider big first wins. A diverse set of artists — from Colombian songstress Karol G to indie rock supergroup boygenius and country singer Brandy Clark — took home their very first golden gramophones.

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World premiere of the new Porsche Macan in Singapore: Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG.

Porsche Macan

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Curtis C. Brown, Jr. Chairman and Founder of Tier 1 Level Consulting, LLC, Releases M e m oir C on fe s s ion s of a Wa ll Str e e t Wa r r ior

By Jules Lavallee

Curtis Brown is a visionary, strategic and outcome-focused C-suite leader, business. consultant, and distinguished leadership coach. He leverages the value of more than 30 years in the financial services industry to unleash individual and organizational capabilities.

Curtis’ experience offers individuals and companies his deep expertise in turning around operations, developing teams, driving revenue growth, enhancing consumer capture/retention, and accelerating profitable sales and revenue. Today, he is the President and Senior Managing Partner of Tier 1 Level Consultants, LLC a firm he founded in 2022; the firm offers a comprehensive suite of solutions for transformation in this new reality—where financial services leaders must harness the power of multicultural team dynamics for lasting change in an era of constant change.

As a coach to financial executives, advisers, and

managers, he is an inspiring mentor and discerning business adviser. Curtis has consistently coached leaders, teams, and entire enterprises through a partnership approach. His strategic insights always empower, transform, and achieve next-level success, whether engaging leaders from a startup, mid-market, private equity/venture capital, or a publicly held company, including Fortune 500 companies.

Curtis deploys ingenuity and modern strategies, which allows him to advise executives of diverse companies to align coaching programs with business initiatives for long-term value creation. He enables leaders to thrive amid today’s workplace and economic challenges, by refocusing strategic plans to harness maximum business and human potential—seeding greater organizational strength.

What inspired you to write Confessions of a Wall Street Warrior?

I had several personal friends and colleagues tell me that I needed to author a book and share my story and my journey about what led me to a thirty plus year career with the Investment firm of Merrill Lynch. They were intrigued about how an African American could get hired let alone succeed in an industry that was not open to African Americans. As you go through life’s trials and tribulations you have no idea what you might

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encounter or may need to overcome on your personal journey. In other words, you might see someone in a position of power and prestige, but you have no idea how they arrived at a certain position in life. The book discusses how growing up as a military brat under the tutelage of a twice Vietnam Veteran Father helped me acquire a warrior’s mindset. The warrior’s ethos was noticeably clear to me growing up. Never accept defeat, so strive to do your best. Focus on the accomplishment of the mission, your goals, and responsibilities.

While the memoir is set in the financial world, its themes of ambition, resilience, and ethical decision-making are universal.

Readers from various backgrounds can relate to the pursuit of success, facing challenges, and the internal struggles we all go through.

This book is written for a variety of audiences. There is this intersection of capitalism, race, and the desire for achievement.

It is a blend of history, economics, sociology, and philosophy during turmoil, survival, and resilience. It is about perseverance and endurance. Those who might be facing challenges in their personal lives need hope. Life is never as bad as it may seem. The book is for those who strive to get better.

You discuss a very riveting story about dealing with personal loss and tragedy. Please share with our readers this part of your life’s journey.

Throughout the book my editor kept sending me messages saying, “go deeper, go deeper.” I am thinking OMG! This is hard. So, I wrote a chapter called 12 months of Crises and Pain. I discuss a period starting in April 2019 with my unexpected heart attack resulting in a triple by-pass surgery, followed by the death of my wife of 40 years, four ½ months later due to metastatic colon cancer, and to be followed by my diagnosis and battle with prostate cancer 3 months later. Going through these experiences once again tested my perseverance. I had to get back to my warrior roots as these battles came one after the other.

In an era that is constantly changing, how is Tier 1 Level Consultants, LLC helping companies with universal insights on resilience and honesty?

Tell me what role did Martial Arts play in your overall development as a person?

I studied and practiced martial arts for over 20 years. In fact, while doing my undergraduate studies at San Diego State University, one of my part-time jobs was teaching martial arts. It helped me pay for my education. Martial Arts training provided discipline, attention to goals and accomplishment while striving for each belt rank.

Tier 1 does executive coaching, diversity, equity, and inclusion consulting, and Consulting and advisory services. We are a small firm, which means we might call on a partner firm when necessary to support our consulting efforts. So, collaboration and teamwork is important to us.

The rate of change is happening at an incredible pace. We are in a sea of permanent white water. Often unpredictable yet the environment is highly competitive. Many people are stressed with their work and their careers. I was speaking to someone who had fifteen or more management objectives. I needed him to focus on 4 or 5 things that could have the most substantial performance impact.

What will people notice when working with you?

I help them extract and refine solutions to their challenges. Most have the answers to their problems. Sometimes they need a confidant, a listener, or someone to provide affirmation for a solution to a problem. People sometimes lose sight of the mission or vision. I bring a direct operational perspective from middle management to C-suite.

How has your perspective on success and fulfillment evolved throughout your career, and how is that reflected in your memoir?

Initially, success for me was defined solely by professional achievements. However, as my career progressed, I realized the importance of a comprehensive approach to success, including personal fulfillment, ethical conduct, and a sense of purpose. This evolution is a central theme in the memoir. Throughout the book I reflect on the lessons learned throughout my journey. In the closing chapter of my memoir, I provide a summary of fifteen lessons I have learned during my journey of both highs and lows as seen through the eyes of an African American.

More information about Curtis will be found on his LinkedIn profile, his author website, the authorcurtisbrown.com, or his business website tier1levelconsulting.com.

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Award-winning Actor, Writer, and Producer

Robert Craighead in A SIMPLE PAYDAY COMEDY CRIME SHORT FILM Directed by James Kondelik Starring: Brianna Kellum,

Kyle Louis, and Katie Cleese

By Jules Lavallee

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When a couple of bumbling kidnappers snatch an heiress to the great Don Honcho's used car empire and hold her for ransom, what should've been a simple payday turns into a dark comedy of errors, riddled with murder and betrayal.

James Kondelik is a writer/director who began his career as a film editor in 2011, having worked on 86 projects. He then transitioned into Directing and Writing in 2013.

He has since Directed 12 feature films, shorts, and tv episodes.

Including Syfy channel films Airplane vs Volcano, Dam Sharks, and the indie horror film Behind The Walls. With many more films and scripts on the horizon, the future looks very bright for this young filmmaker.

Robert Craighead is an awardwinning actor, writer, producer, and country singer. An alumni of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, he is respected as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood. Craighead is known for his recent roles in Seth Rogen's Hulu TV series, 'Future Man', as Detective Vincent Skarsgaard and as Tyler Perry's "go-to" country sheriff. He was series regular, Sheriff Mobley, on Perry's 'Too Close to Home' and currently stars in his 4th Season as Sheriff Conley in Perry's 'Ruthless' on BET Plus.

In April of 2023 Robert is proud to have wrapped on a new Netflix film produced and starring Academy Award winner Regina King and Directed by Oscar winner, John Ridley. The film is titled "Shirley" about Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman ever elected to Congress and subsequently the first to also run for President of The United States.

Robert also recently completed another feature film with his old AADA classmate and fellow alumni, Nick Cassavetes in Mexico City titled "God Is A Bullet" to be released in theatres June 23, 2023. Starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Maika Monroe and Jamie Foxx. It marks the first time they had been reunited since their days at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in the early '80's.

Also to be released in 2023, Robert appears in the new action filled, dark comedy "Redville", written and directed by Isacc Eaton and starring Jake Manley and Chris Elliott as well as a thriller titled "Winterset" opposite Kirk Fox that was completed in January 2023. Red Silk Carpet spoke with director, James Kondelik and actor, Robert Craighead about A Simple Payday.

James: What attracted you to this project?

It was born out of pure frustration. I was craving to write and direct again. It's been a while since I have worked on something of my own. When I presented the script to my wife (who acts and has produced the film with me), friends and ultimately Robert Craighead, I got a lot of great feedback.

Everybody was taken by it and really inspired me to see this through.

Share some of your influences.

This idea came to mind of doing a short in the vein of the films I grew up loving. I loved the Coen Brothers' whole filmography, mixing dark, criminal themes and zany, over the top humor. I wanted to see if I could make my

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very own pure comedy, not a syfy channel movie with sharks, dinosaurs, or aliens. This has a great combination of a comedy with dark crime films. One second, you're being introduced to a couple of dimwitted criminals who are funny to watch, but then things take a dark turn, which nobody can predict how it'll end.

Robert, What intrigued you about "A Simple Payday?"

I had worked with James a few years ago on a Syfy Movie called "DAM SHARKS!" which was a tongue in cheek shark week movie. I had a fantastic time working with this young filmmaker on that, so when he asked me to consider doing this film, it was a no brainer, I said "of course!" I had been wanting to do a comedy because it had been a while since I had, and this role gave me the opportunity to really let loose and have fun with it.

Robert, Tell us about your character and what you enjoyed most about playing the role?

My character Don Honcho seemed to be tailor made for me, literally. I've often been told I should have been a used car salesman, (LOL, in case this acting thing doesn't work out.) I have played them in several movies and television guest stars such as "911: Lone Star", etc...

However, this character, although loud and boisterous, has a dark sinister side with a twinge of ignorance that I really reveled in.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing The Don, from the wardrobe that was selected to the car I drove, it all fit like a glove, and I was easily able to slip right into the role!

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James, Who is the film for?

A Simple Payday IndieGoGo:

Anybody who likes to be entertained, laugh, especially lovers of dark comedies. I was not only trying to attract the crowds Coen Brothers' films attract, but hopefully younger audiences who are taken by the humorous characters, situations and then surprised by the darker twists and ultimate outcome.

https://igg.me/at/SimplePayday /x/36192201#/

I would love to build enough attention and buzz around it to present it to producers as a pitch for the full-length film which would depict a larger story in a whole town of crazy characters and schemes, with the same characters crossing paths with each other. The events taking place before and after the events of the short film. The cast, crew and I had so much fun making this, so much so, that we cannot wait to get back on set to shoot the feature.

Tell us about your Indiegogo campaign.

We've been raising finishing funds on indieGoGo for the short film. Last year during the union strikes really halted any work I had going on.

So, all the personal funds I was supposed to make on multiple jobs were ultimately delayed for months on end, from May to the end of the year. Plus, my wife and I just had our first baby in October. So, life has been crazy and interesting this past year.

Now we're asking for donations to help us finish. Although, our first campaign is ending shortly as of February 10th. If we're short, we're going to take the funds raised so far, keep working on post-production and we'll start a new campaign for the remainder.

Every little bit helps.

James and Robert: What is next?

James: Hopefully, A SIMPLE PAYDAY - the feature length film with my pal Robert Craighead depicting the Great Don Honcho once again. Robert is just too cool, talented and funny to be away from him for too long.

Regarding other projects, I have sold a treatment for a shark film called CHUM, which should be entering production shortly. I also have a few other projects in various stages of development, but it's all a bit early still to write home about. But 2024 is looking very promising and I hope to be there with all of my film friends and partners on set once again.

See you at the movies!

Robert: What's next for me?

In March I have a role in a new film for Netflix that I worked on with Academy Award winners Regina King ("If Beale Street Could Talk") and John Ridley ("Twelve Years A Slave") titled "SHIRLEY". It's a docudrama about Shirley Chisolm, the first female black congressman elected to office and the first woman to run for President of the United States. Set to be released March 22nd. I also have an action thriller that I worked on with an up-and-coming filmmaker Michael Blevins titled "WINTERSET" that will be released by the end of the year, also starring Kirk Fox, Gigi Gustin, Benjamin Gavin, and Bruce Socia. Of course, I also have Season 5 of Tyler Perry's "RUTHLESS" that will be coming out later this year on BETplus, where I continue in my role as Sheriff Walker Conley in which I recently won a World Entertainment Award for Best Supporting Actor.

I'm also looking to write/produce/direct and perform in a new psychological thriller that I am bouncing ideas around about. (Always looking for "What's Next!")

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Amber Acosta (L. Rinehart Art) Popular Rock & Roll Series to Showcase at the Creative Inspiration Event F u n d r a is e r for th e A r t & M u s ic Sc h ola r s h ip s , B u c k County Community College.

By Jules Lavallee

"Since I was a young child, I have always had an appreciation for art. I would spend time observing my mother skillfully creating portraits with oil paint. As I grew older, my passion for art continued to grow, and I began to enjoy sketching with charcoal. I found a passion for painting musicians and have now created a guitar series of great guitar legends such as Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton.”

Your talent for art began by drawing in charcoal and painting with oil. Share your background.

Since I was a young child, I have always had an appreciation for art. I would spend time observing my mother skillfully creating portraits with oil paint. As I grew older, my passion for art continued to grow, and I began to enjoy sketching with charcoal. Eventually, I decided to enroll at Razza Art School to further my education in oil painting. Al Razza, the owner of Razza Art School, continues to be my mentor and advisor in the art industry.

Your Rock & Roll series is garnering global attention. Take us through your featured work.

I am grateful for the incredible talent each artist showcases through their guitar playing. The skill and passion for the instrument has been a true inspiration to me. The way each artist with their own style effortlessly weave emotions into their music is nothing short of magical. Each note seems to tell a story, and it has left a lasting impact on me such that I apply the same goal to my art, tell a story and have an impact on others.

Tell us about the piece of Santana to raise funds for the Danny DeGennaro Foundation.

My Carlos Santana painting was part

of a fundraiser for The Danny DeGennaro Foundation founded by family and friends, which aims to raise funds to provide music and art scholarships, as well as mentoring young, aspiring musicians who want to fulfill their musical dreams. When I learned about this foundation through Ed Mero of Prestige Fine Art and Modern Art Gallerie, I immediately knew I had to be a part of it. The story of Danny DeGennaro and how he inspired other musicians and helped others is truly remarkable.

You will be exhibiting at the Creative Inspiration Event for the Art & Music Scholarships Buck County Community College.

What will you be exhibiting?

I will be showcasing my guitar series, featuring Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and B.B. King.

Additionally, I will also be presenting some new pieces that I am currently working on.

I am excited to participate in the Creative Inspiration Event for the Art & Music Scholarships once more.

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This year’s event is April 20 th, 2024. https://dannydegennaro.ticketleap.c om/creative-inspiration-buckscounty-has-talent/details

What are you currently working on? Are their celebrities that you plan on painting in 2024?

Currently, I am painting Cindy Blackman Santana, who happens to be the wife of Carlos Santana. She serves as a great inspiration to me due to her dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent. Additionally, I am compiling a list of drummers who motivate me and may potentially be featured in my drummer series.

I am also currently working on portraits of Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars, both widely recognized as prominent artists among today's youth. Although these new pieces do not fall within the scope of the guitar series, they draw inspiration from the musical influences of both past and present musicians.

Where can we see your work in 2024?

I’m excited to be working with Ed Mero of Modern Art Gallerie, Mero & She Gallerie and my Instagram page L.Rinehart_art. www.prestigefineart.com/modernart gallerie/2/

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E d g a r d o C i n t ro n

Hispanic Achievement Award Winner Releases Hit Music & Video by Danny DeGennaro DDF JAM

By Jules Lavallee

DDF Jam releases hit song “Standing on the Moon” Spanish Video by Hispanic Award Winner The Danny DeGennaro Foundation has been busy recording and releasing new versions of Danny “RIO” DeGennaro’s catalog of over 100 songs.

“Standing on the Moon” by Edgardo Cintron and the Inca Band along with (Kyle Maack of FM Band English Version) and (AJ Anthony Ferrer Inca Spanish version) are lead vocalists that perform in the videos and breathe new life into this hit song. The song is a compilation of musicians from Inca and the FM Band Edgardo Cintron, a lifelong percussionist, is the recipient of the Hispanic Achievement Award. Edgardo has been busy with authoring a cookbook and performing with Inca Band which is a Santana Celebration Band performing original music along with Santana songs. The Inca band consists of several very talented seasoned professionals with John Tiberi arranger and keyboardist / Billy Vespe Drums /Robert Cabanas bass/Mike Ian from the FM Band lays down amazing guitar work on these recordings.

Edgardo Cintron the Maestro of Latin / American music

hits this song out of the park for a Homerun. "Standing on the Moon" is a true masterpiece. The band's talent is truly amazing!”

— Edward Mero You have been a musician all of your life from a family line of great percussionists. Share your incredible background.

Since I was a child growing up as an army brat, I would watch my dad rehearsing his band wanting to sit in with the band, not even knowing how to play an instrument knowing someday, I was going to play an instrument.

At the time I thought I was going to be a guitar player. I ended up playing percussion. As I got older, I performed with my dad’s Latin orchestra from 13 years old till I was 17, and then I joined the army after high school.

You just received the Hispanic Achievement Award and released your hit music & video by Danny DeGennaro DDF JAM. What does this award mean to you?

The award I received from the Hispanic Leadership of New Jersey, was amazing being recognized as a musician and band leader and all that I accomplished throughout the

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years. I performed for the President Bush Inauguration, recording over 13 CD’s, and touring and performing with some of the greatest musical acts.

Recording the CD and making the videos for the Danny DeGennaro project, it’s an honor being asked to take this project producing and arranging Danny's music for the Danny DeGennaro Foundation. I just want to make it the best I can. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I feel like I knew him for years just by words written in his music.

Danny's vocals and musicianship was outstanding. He made his guitar sing.

The Danny D Foundation has changed the lives of hundreds of music and art students.

Tell us about the excitement around the Creative Inspiration Concert at Bucks County Community College on April 20th.

It's an amazing event helping students with scholarships Through the Danny DeGennaro Foundation, keeping Danny's memory and music Alive. This year will be extra special being able to perform music from the Danny DeGennaro tribute CD. I am very excited.

This year’s event is April 20th, 2024. https://dannydegennaro.ticketlea p.com/creative-inspirationbucks-county-has-talent/details

Your song, “Standing on the Moon” with the Inca Band has been described as a true masterpiece by Edward Mero.

What makes this song a global sensation?

There is always a surprise when you take someone else’s music and make your own, changing certain elements of the song, if it’s a chord change, a rhythm change or just adding an amazing vocal and cool percussion.

Tell us about the Inca Band.

For me, the Inca Band shines because of the incredible musicianship we have in the band, we perform the music of Santana. Sometimes agents will hire us because I don’t have a guitar player that looks like Santana. My guitar player is African American, I tell them I care about the music being played correctly then someone looking like Carlos Santana.

Will you be going on tour with the Inca Band? Tell us about “Soul Searching.” What was your inspiration?

Yes, we will take the Inca Band

on tour performing the music of Danny DeGennaro. I think the world should experience this beautiful music. I wanted to record Souls searching, because of the beautiful words from the song, it reminded me of my family, growing up with (6) Sisters and (5) Brothers. I wanted to be dedicated to Danny's Family.

Andrew Neu, Roosevelt Walker Jr, the amazing Ingram Brothers, just a few.

Here is link to Edgardo Cintron and Inca Band doing SOUL SEARCHING by Danny DeGennaro and John Austin Mulhern for Tribute album.

My favorite dishes in my cookbook? Hard to say I have so many. One of them is my Lemon Shrimp & Jumbo Lump Crab Meat, in a Mango sauce over angel Hair pasta With Sweet Cherry tomatoes. Another dish would be, Arroz Con Gandules (Puerto Rican Rice with Pigeon Peas) My Mothers, Mama Flor Roasted Pernil. My favorite desert Tre’s Laches Cake. My cookbook will be available on Amazon in the next couple of weeks.

DOWNLOAD LINK TO MUSIC https://dannydegennaro.hearno w.com/soul-seaching What can people expect when they see you play live?

The audience can expect high energy performance and excellent musicianship on stage.

What a clever way to share your passion for jazz and your love for Puerto Rican and Italian food by offering your “Bon Appetit” cookbook. Tell us about a few of your favorite dishes?

https://www.facebook.com/edga rdo.a.cintron?mibextid=9R9pXO

Tell us about Bon Appetit and your amazing guests featured.

My last CD, I recorded Bon Appétit, was inspired by my love of cooking and my new cookbook. I always wanted to record a smooth jazz CD and write a cookbook with it, so you can cook my recipes and listen to my music. The musicians I used on the CD were musicians I have worked with for so many amazing years, people I have toured with, Michael Pedicin Jr,

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https://www.facebook.com/Edg ardo5359?mibextid=ZbWKwL

https://www.facebook.com/Inca bandtributetosantana?mibextid= ZbWKwL

https://www.instagram.com/acin t452?igsh=MTg4bm9oZXMxMX FjdA==

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Best-Sellin g Ken tu cky Roman ce Au th or, d e d e Releases A Bridled Affair – When Love is a Gamble on April 13, 2024: Ju s t in T im e f o r t h e 1 5 0 t h K e n t u c k y D e r b y

By Jules Lavallee

de de began pursuing her dream of becoming a romance author at the age of 30. Born and raised on the farm in Rooster Run, Kentucky, de de was raised on the core values of the 3Cs (kindness, caring, and compassion). Throughout her young adulthood, de de volunteered in the community with her family, and specifically, her grandmother, Bea. Growing up in the country, romance novels were her escape to another world. de de knew that one day, her dream of writing a romance novel would come true.

Fast forward to 2018, when de de picked the book back up that she had begun in her early 30s. As in life, circumstances and direction change the course, BUT never the ending goal. Learning the industry and working with her publisher, Beyond Global Publishing, God opened many doors and many connections, and de de has never looked back. de de became a published Kentucky romance author in 2018. She is the #1 best-selling Kentucky romance author of the Two Degrees Series, which features her son, Bo, as the male model. Little did de de know that her child would become the next FabiBo.

She has now completed twelve (12) romance books and lucky #13 is ready to debut. A Bridled Affair – When Love is a Gamble debuts April 13, 2024 (just in time for the 150th Kentucky Derby). de de has served as a board member of The Dream Factory of Louisville, KY, Opal’s Dream Foundation, Spalding University – Athletic Board, as well as volunteered with other charitable entities. de de received the coveted 2018 Spirit of Louisville Foundation - WLKY Bell Award for her volunteerism within her community and now serves on the board as trustee. She is active within the pageant industry. She is the co-director of the Miss Hillview, Miss Buttermilk, Miss Bullitt Blast Festival and Miss Rolling Fork Iron Horse Festival prelims (Kentucky State Festival).

Tell us about the day you go from romance junkie to #1 best-selling Kentucky Romance Author.

When I was in High school, Fabio was the "big" romance cover model. I always dreamed of sitting on the beach and watching Fabio ride upon a horse

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and smile and serve me sweet tea.

He was so incredibly handsome.

That was it, just him riding bareback on a horse and serving me sweet tea. I read all of the books that he was featured on.

Then eventually, Harlequin and Silhoutte became a household name for the "books of love" to read. I read as many as I could.

What made the difference for me was my English teacher, Mrs. Jones. She told me I had a gift for writing. But in the 70s, women were either secretaries or nurses or stay at home domestic goddesses - that was what the world envisioned for us, as our careers. I had started writing my first romance book when I was in my 20s. I married and then it took a bit for us to have our firstborn son. Of course, a baby makes big changes in your life. I waited until I was 56 to pick the book back up and actually finish it. I am now on #13. I am considered an "#hea" author happily ever after.

You are the author of Two Degrees Series, which features your son, Bo, as the male model. Tell us about what inspired your series.

Scooter Minyard

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My publisher, Michael D. Butler of Beyond Publishing Global, based in Dallas, TX spoke about the fact that I was a "newbie,” and we wanted the first book to sell well. He told me that when I produced a "series" that meant that folk / followers / supporters had to buy the next book because the ending of the previous book would lead them to the next book. You couldn't just purchase one, you had to purchase the series.

My male cover model for the first 11 books is my true son.

My publisher and I did a campaign, because of my son's long flowing mane, called "IS IT FABIO OR IS IT FABIBO?" My son's middle name is truly "Bo". Another interesting fact is that the books are based on my upbringing with my grandparents and country life along with the fact that I am actively involved in the rescue of our fur babies, particularly, bulldogs. The FURternity Leave cover bulldog is the true fur baby of China Lacy (a well-known singer who performed on America's Got Talent).

You have completed twelve (12) romance books and lucky #13 is ready to debut. A Bridled Affair – When Love is a Gamble debuts April 13, 2024 (just in time for the 150th Kentucky Derby). What makes this story so special?

This story actually is based on my male cover model's upbringing and his dad. The male cover model, Scooter Ray Minyard, who portrays my hero / Callan Duncan was raised at the racetrack.. His dad would take him to the restaurant where we actually did our photoshoot / Wagner's Pharmacy. This is the restaurant where Secretariat was

filmed. The infamous scene where Penny, the trainer and the jockey are having breakfast, and the secretary comes through those doors to tell Penny that her father has passed. The connections are what I called GOD winks. Wagner's Pharmacy owner and crew were unbelievable. All so kind. All excited.

How much fun have you had writing? Do you have a favorite book?

I do have a favorite book. It is Stolen Roses (the rose, the journey, the song). This was the first book that my son was featured on all by himself. The picture you see was a "fluke" with my hair and makeup artist (Scooter Ray Minyard AND yes, this is the same model that will be on this 13th book) along with the assistant, Jeanette Moore and the photographer, Austin Ozier of Medici Creative. Everything just fell into place. The female model is Savannah Dean Reeves.

She is a singer / songwriter in the country music industry and wrote the song for the book.

Not only is there a song, but there is a country music video to the song / to the book. This one also has a reference to my husband's band - Daybreak. My husband was on the road during the first early years of our marriage. So much of the book, Stolen Roses, is me. It's my dream.

When you aren’t writing your romance novels, what inspires you?

Inspiration comes from what I was raised on - the bible verse: Acts 20:35 (I quote this in my books; I write this scripture when I sign my books; I live it,

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eat it, and breathe it) - it's better to give than to receive. A young woman, who I admire, gave a speech. She said: "I may not have a lot of money or be rich in your eyes, but I do have time and I can give that." It's too bad that folk feel pressured to think that the dollar rules and their time in volunteering doesn't matter. It does. Time makes a difference in folk’s lives.

What’s next for you?

Two of the books are in screenplay (Stolen Roses and The Perfect Chrystmas) - I want a movie or movies . I have so many good folks believing in me: Jeff Day from Lucky Day Studios, Jenna Day, Andrew Fultz (actress/actor and screenwriter / producer / director) along with Tane McClure Arendts and the best part is I have the GOOD LORD. I can do nothing without the LORD, but I can do EVERYTHING with the LORD. I say the Jabez prayer daily. AND I leave you with what my grandma told me.

Always share the 3Cs (kindness, caring and compassion). The first time she told me, I looked at her and stated that "kindness" did not begin with a "C". She said you are correct, but I have CAPTURED your attention and that's what you are to do capture folks' attention.

Romance Author www.dedecox.weebly.com www.kentuckyromanceauthor.co m

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A u th or D a is y D e m a y F in a lis t for th e Literar y Global Books Awards with “The Cost of Living”

By Jules Lavallee

Daisy DeMay lives in Illinois with her children and husband of 25 years. She loves sitting and watching the storms roll in. She enjoys reading outside in the warmth of the sun. When she’s not working, she creates stories to share. She has a fascination with the macabre. She approaches everything in life with a mix of passion and logic.

Who would you become if you lost everything that defined you?

Sarah knows the answer all too well. Lied to, manipulated, and abused her entire marriage, she has become a shell of her former self. But when she meets Adam and Sam, she is offered a chance to rediscover herself and reclaim her life.

The Cost of Living, a heartwrenching novel by Daisy DeMay, takes us on a journey of love and awakening amidst destruction, death, and loss. As Sarah navigates her way through the darkness of her past, she discovers a glimmer of hope in the form of two unexpected allies. Will they help her find the clarity and strength she needs to break free from the chains of her abusive past? Or will they be her ultimate demise, leading her down a path of destruction?

When did you discover your love for storytelling?

I still possess a short story I wrote when I was 11. I would love to say it started then, but before that, I had a great-uncle who used to tell the most unbelievable stories,

swearing they were true. I attribute my wildly active imagination and my love of storytelling to him. He showed me at a young age how engaging a well-told story could be. I have written hundreds of short stories and a few novels since then.

How do you approach life?

I like to approach life with a mix of logic and passion. I have someone in my life who spent many years locked in a state of black-or-white thinking. This individual taught me how to see the world not only from my perspective but from others as well.

Your book, “The Cost of Living” recently was a finalist with the Literary Global Awards Global is about selfdiscovery. Tell us about the main character, Sarah.

Sarah tells herself she has been living a good life for years. She believes she is doing what is right for her family by keeping them together. In reality, she is exposing her kids to an emotionally abusive husband and father. It takes losing everything she once held dear to see the world as it is. This new revelation leaves Sara lost and floundering.

She hits rock bottom before finding the strength to continue.

strong people who have been through the worst and still keep moving forward.

How is your novel the story about resilience and courage?

The characters within the book all have something they are running from. They each have their reasons for doing what they are doing. What they all have in common is their ability to keep going even when all they want to do is give up.

Why do you think “The Cost of Living” is resonating with readers?

I think it resonates with readers because the characters could be any of them. An underappreciated spouse, a person lost to their grief, someone looking for love. All are trying to navigate life while the world is being torn apart around them.

What’s next for you?

I am currently working on a new book. The main character, Leigh, experiences a moment of death, after which she wakes with paranormal abilities. She is trying to navigate the world, but she is not sure yet if the new abilities are a gift or a curse. My goal is for it to be available this year.

What was your inspiration for Sarah?

www.DaisyDemay.com

Sara is an amalgamation of multiple people I have had the privilege of knowing—brave,

The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Thrift Books.

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Artist Kimberly Dawnly's Chromesthesia Series: A Visual Ode to Classic Rock at Intersect Palm Springs and LA Art Fairs

By Jules Lavallee

Artist's Journey: From Economics to Art

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Born in Dallas, Texas, Kimberly Dawnly's early life was a blend of local culture and academic pursuits. Her journey from studying International Economics at Georgetown University to a thriving career in New York's fi/nance sector laid the foundation for an unexpected twist: a full-time career in the arts.

Dawnly's life is a testament to the power of embracing one's true calling, regardless of its unexpected nature.

A Global Palette: Influences from Around the World Dawnly's art is deeply influenced by her extensive travels and studies in Impressionism, Tribal, and Buddhist art. Having visited over 40 countries, her exposure to diverse cultures, politics, music, and sociology is vividly reflected in her work. Now residing in Greenwich, Connecticut, Dawnly's art studio is a crucible of global influences, churning out pieces that speak a universal language of color and emotion.

Music paints my world with color.

I look forward to sharing my vision of Classic Rock music as vibrant color. I am thrilled to debut 'Chromesthesia' at these 2 CA Art Fairs represented by bG Gallery.”- Kimberly Dawnly What was your inspiration for “Chromesthesia?”

As a New York City-based artist, my abstract oil paintings serve as a canvas for the synesthetic translation of sound into color.

Chromesthesia, defined as a

condition in which nonvisual stimuli, such as sound or smell, cause the perception of color, becomes the guiding force behind this exploration, offering viewers a sensory journey through vibrant and dynamic hues. My creative process is inseparable from the sonic landscape that fuels it. Each painting within the "Chromesthesia'' series is a visual manifestation of the energy, emotion, and spontaneity inherent in classic Rock and Roll music. Immersed in the rhythms and melodies, I translate the auditory experience into a visual language, capturing the essence of each beat, riff, and lyric on the canvas. Vibrancy is the heartbeat of "Chromesthesia" ~ "chroma" (color) and "aesthesis" (sensation). Through intentional and bold use of color, I invite viewers to experience the music through their eyes. The canvases pulsate with vivid reds, electrifying blues, and pulsating yellows, creating a visual symphony that mirrors the intensity of Rock and Roll. This deliberate infusion of color serves not only as an aesthetic choice but as a direct translation of the auditory experience. Light and form play essential roles in enhancing the visual impact of my paintings. The interplay of light and shadow accentuates the depth and texture within each piece, allowing the colors to radiate with a luminous quality.

Mastery of form captures the dynamic movements of music through bold and expressive shapes that dance across the canvas, inviting the viewer into a visual journey of rhythm and

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harmony. Abstract expression is at the core of "Chromesthesia."

By embracing the absence of representational forms, I create a direct and visceral connection between the viewer and the essence of music translated into visual language. The abstract compositions encourage interpretation, inviting the audience to explore their synesthetic responses and forge personal connections to the music. "Chromesthesia" is more than a collection of paintings; it is a harmonious blend of auditory and visual stimuli, offering a unique and vibrant perspective on the intersection of music and art.

My hope is that this series not only engages the senses but also invites viewers to embark on their own synesthetic journey, finding resonance and connection in the marriage of sound and color. @KimbelyDawnly www.kimberlydawnly.com KimberlyDawnly@gmail.com Intersect Palm Springs 2024 Art and Design Fair Opening Night Preview: Thursday, February 8 General Admission: February 9 11 Location: Palm Springs Convention Center bG Gallery Booth at Intersect Palm Springs: www.bgartdealings.com

LA Art Show - Modern + Contemporary Dates: February 14-18 Location: LA Convention Center, West Hall bG Gallery Booth #1314 at LA Art Fair: www.bgartdealings.com

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Pat t y Sh u kla Kids TV is Winning the Hearts of Parents, Teachers, & Kids With its Catchy Children’s Songs

By Jules Lavallee

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Patty Shukla is a renowned musician, performer, author, and composer dedicated to transforming early childhood education through engaging and educational music on YouTube.

Along with over 3 million subscribers on her main channel YouTube@pattyshukla, she also has a second YouTube channel, YouTube@pattysmommyandme, which has over 650K subscribers.

Combining both channels, she has over 700 videos.

You have captivated the hearts and minds of children worldwide. Please share your background.

I embarked on my musical journey at the age of 4, singing alongside my twin sister. By 13, I began crafting original compositions. After earning a degree in theater and music from Florida State University, I pursued a full-time music career in Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York. Upon becoming a parent, I returned to Florida, where I discovered the transformative power of music for my nonverbal son's development. As I shared these songs on YouTube, they gained widespread attention, prompting requests from educators and parents worldwide.

This led me to create a comprehensive curriculum of music for the past 15 years with 2.6 million subscribers now. My music spans ages 0-8, designed to nurture all essential learning domains during these formative years.

Where do you draw your inspiration from for your fun and educational videos?

My inspiration springs from my children. When my son was two years old and non-verbal, I relied on play and singing to aid his development. Witnessing how effectively he responded to this approach, I began creating songs to support his academic journey through elementary school.

Observing the topics taught during their formative years, I composed songs covering various subjects such as the life stages of butterflies, telling time, days of the week, colors, shapes, phases of the moon, and more. As educators started incorporating my music into their classrooms, I sought guidance from academic specialists, therapists, and educators to ensure my songs aligned with their curriculum and addressed all necessary learning domains. With educational standards evolving annually, I remain committed to keeping pace with the needs of today's children. My dedication is fueled by both my own children and the broader requirements of early childhood literacy and learning.

You created "Musical PE For You & Me," a music program aimed at nurturing interactive developmental skills.

Tell us more!

Songwriting and performing are my passions. When I'm not crafting new music videos for YouTube and my website, I engage with thousands of children weekly through performances. Additionally, I travel across the country as a keynote speaker for early childhood conferences, entertaining audiences at performing arts centers, libraries, and museums. Having performed in all 50 states of the

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US, I find joy in photography, biking, volleyball, admiring sunrises and sunsets, and cherishing moments with my children.

"MUSICAL PE FOR YOU AND ME" is my live performance show where I visit schools and auditoriums weekly, engaging thousands of children in dynamic activities. Through music and movement, we dance, count, rhyme, learn sign language, identify key body parts, follow directions, practice bilingual skills, and understand the importance of responsibility, safety, and respect. The 45-minute show is a non-stop blend of movement and learning, designed to align with curriculum standards. My music is interactive and engaging, inviting children to dance while learning educational concepts.

We twist, play musical chairs, dance to colors, stretch, count to 100, and sing phonics words—all seamlessly integrated into the fun-filled experience.

I aim for my listeners to effortlessly absorb lessons through music and movement.

Play stands as the most effective method for imparting developmental skills to young children, and they thoroughly enjoy the experience.

What have you learned over the years?

Through my years of experience, I've discovered that regardless of diversity, culture, ability, or financial circumstances, children thrive in learning through play, dance, and movement. They particularly enjoy incorporating sign language for enhanced literacy and engaging in interactive learning experiences that develop various skills.

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You are releasing a children’s television series titled "Music Time with Miss Patty.” Tell us about your upcoming projects.

The "Music Time with Miss Patty" television series is a project I've long dreamed of bringing to life. My goal is to provide educational content for children at home who may not have access to such teaching in traditional classrooms or are not yet of school age but eager to begin learning early.

I've recently partnered with the esteemed educator and YouTuber, Jack Hartmann, who boasts millions of subscribers and a background in education. Together, we danced to the alphabet, garnering half a million views in just days. Our collaboration is ongoing, and I'm eager to work with other renowned children's musicians like Raffi, Laurie Berkner, Bounce Patrol, and the Wiggles in the future.

At the moment, I'm composing a song centered on words of affirmation, acknowledging their vital role in imparting essential life skills to young children. This upcoming video will celebrate diversity and inclusivity, highlighting the richness of our global community. Alongside this, I'm crafting a rhyming song designed to boost reading skills, offering children engaging and effective learning experiences.

Stay tuned as I eagerly anticipate sharing these creations with the world! Additionally, I'm dedicated to translating more of my songs into Spanish. With my parents originating from South America, I have a personal connection to the language, reflected in both my Spanish songs and album.

You are a much sought-after keynote speaker. Where can we see you next?

In April, I'll deliver the keynote address at the Ohio AEYC Teachers Conference.

Additionally, this summer marks my 14th consecutive tour across the country, with performances scheduled in Iowa, Illinois, Florida, and the Florida Keys.

For tour updates and schedules, visit my website, Facebook, or Instagram pages.

My keynote presentation is centered on offering teachers’ innovative strategies to integrate music and movement into their lesson plans effectively.

Covering topics such as gross motor skills, fine motor skills, and literacy skills through music and movement, I engage

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educators by getting them up and dancing. The overwhelmingly positive feedback I typically receive underscores the enthusiasm and appreciation for these dynamic teaching methods.

Children learn in myriad ways, and my aspiration is to provide teachers and parents with a wealth of educational resources through music and movement.

This dynamic approach not only fosters enjoyable connections with children but also yields lifelong, impactful results.

Additionally, I am committed to ensuring that my music is readily available to them for free on platforms like YouTube, as well as on safe devices through my iOS app or website.

Find out more here: https://linktr.ee/pattysprimaryso ngs

Jimmy Diele S u c c e s s w i t h t h e P o p u l a r S h o w, “Celebrity Spotlight”

By Jules Lavallee

Here is the link to my Facebook page. It is broadcast here on Monday's at 7pm Eastern time. https://www.facebook.com/jimvin26?sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f My social networks Jimmy Diele on Facebook, Jimmy Diele on X -formerly Twitter Jimmy Diele on Instagram and Tik Tok.

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What led you to entertainment?

I started my career as a DJ back in 1982. I was a DJ at the Holy Family School in Canarsie, Brooklyn. I was a DJ and host for the student dances for about five years. After I graduated from High school, I decided I would like to work in radio.

I attended ATS, a well-known Broadcasting School in New York City. After putting together an on-air tape to send to Radio stations, I was hired to work at an Oldies radio station in Sparta New Jersey WNNJ. I worked the weekend shows there on Sunday mornings for about six months and was stolen away by another New Jersey radio station, WSUS. I would be on-air there for about five years.

I was always a big fan of the television show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. I randomly sent a resume to their office and was called in to interview for an assistant position to Robin Leach and the producers of the show. I worked with Robin, doing personal errands for about seven months. I really wanted to still pursue my desire to be a Radio personality. I was then called

by New York City Radio Station WPLJ. I was asked to work in their research department. So, after that I became assistant producer of the morning show. I soon became a morning show Radio personality there on the morning show. I worked with Rocky Allen where we developed my radio show Celebrity Spotlight. I would also go on to work with Scott Shannon. I was on air at WPLJ for about five years. I then went to a cross town station WKTU, I became an assistant producer of the Rupul radio morning show. I then was offered a position as a Radio personality at New York City and New Jersey’s New Country Y-107. I was then hosting a radio show there for about another five years.

From there, I would host a Country radio show at K - 98.5 Jersey Kountry on the Jersey Shore. I then decided to work on my Celebrity Spotlight radio show and bring it back to radio. I then had an

opportunity to host the show again for iHeart Radio. I still continue to host this fun Celebrity radio show. It is also broadcast on the internet; Facebook live and You tube. I have interviewed hundreds of Celebrities over the years and developed many great friendships with them as well.

So, I guess I am pretty much following in the footsteps of my friend and former boss Robin Leach.

It has been a wild ride over the years.

I have been in the business now for more than thirty years. The show goes on!

I grew up in Brooklyn, New York. I have always been fascinated with the world of entertainment. Listening to the radio and television was a big part of my life. The Radio personality's, television hosts and Actors of that time, were very intriguing to me. I knew from a very early age, I wanted to be a part of that world.

You have worked with some of the best in the industry. What did you learn?

Working alongside some of the biggest Radio personalities in the country, also one of the most popular television hosts Robin Leach. I learned that no matter what you do in this business, always be prepared, and give it your 100 percent effort every time. There are no bad days and small mistakes in the world of entertainment.

Tell us about your popular show, “The Jimmy Diele Celebrity Spotlight.”

The Celebrity Spotlight show was developed while I was working on the morning show at WPLJ New York. The opportunity arose to interview the legendary rock group ZZ- Top. I was chosen to do the interview. That was the first of many music, television, and movie celebrities I have interviewed over the years. The show Celebrity Spotlight was a short segment during the morning broadcast. I continue to broadcast the show on the radio and it's also a podcast. It is also broadcast on the internet, Facebook Live and YouTube. It's a fun show where we get to know a lot of entertainment’s

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most fascinating stars from music, television, and movies. We also interview a lot of great authors as well.

Who have you enjoyed the most?

I enjoy interviewing a lot of my favorite celebrities I grew up with listening to on the radio and watching on television. The people who intrigued you growing up, a lot of those are my personal favorite interviews. Some of the classic television stars like Randy Mantooth from Emergency and Butch Patrick from the Munster’s. Also, music artists like Tom Jones, ZZ- Top, Johnny Cash, Engelbert Humperdinck, Wayne Newton, I also had encounters with Leann Rimes, Shania Twain, and Miranda Lambert.

I guess my personal favorite entertainment personality’s, I have interviewed and encountered are the ones I enjoy the most. It is rewarding when I can produce a great interview and make the listening audience just as excited about my guest as I am.

Some of our guests coming up include Legendary radio Personality, Actor, Screenwriter and producer Al Bandiero, Legendary New York City television news reporter Marvin Scott, also famous Travel Host, Radio Host, Journalist and Author Pauline Frommer. Also set to come on our show, later this year we have spoken with Actor Eric Roberts and some of the stars of the Sopranos. I look forward to having a lot of entertainments most fascinating stars in the Celebrity Spotlight.

What is the key to building relationships in the entertainment business?

The key to building relationships in the Entertainment business is - first and foremost is being honest and polite. Also having Respect for the Celebrities, you are interviewing or encountering. Being nice and polite can go a long way in this business.

Fat Bot t omed Boys : Foot s t ep s of Q u een

By Jules Lavallee

Photo credit: Alexandre Marouzé

Dive into the bold universe of the Fat Bottomed Boys, the most British of French rock bands, formed in 2020. Their mission?

To perpetuate the legendary legacy of Queen by infusing it with new life through original compositions bearing the royal DNA.

This daring challenge has been brilliantly met! The band's 4 albums Let's Do It! (2020), Too Much Is Not Enough (2021), The King Of Rhye (2022) and Haters Gonna Hate (2023) have been hailed by the critics and won over the hearts of their fans, who were seduced by this hitherto unheardof concept.

Through these different opuses, the Fat Bottomed Boys explore the multiple facets of Rock, from Pop Rock to Progressive Rock, from Hard Rock to Funk Rock, via New Wave, reinventing themselves with each new song.

The band has forged international collaborations, contributing to the soundtracks of the FrancoAmerican film Borrowed Time 3 and the Australian novel The King Of Rhye, and forming an unexpected duet on their latest album with the bluegrass band Secret Garden and The Dusty Man. But it was above all their virtual duet with Freddie Mercury on

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the song New York in 2021 that took the world by storm, leaving an indelible mark on fans' memories.

Since 2022, Elash and The Sgt. have been honored as official artists by Brian May Guitars, the brand founded by the legendary Queen guitarist.

Where the energy of the Fat Bottomed Boys truly unleashes is on stage. Powerful sound, flamboyant outfits, and a spectacular stage performance transport the audience into a whirlwind of emotions, creating an intensely captivating, timeless moment.

Photo credit: Alexandre Marouzé

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Photo credit: Alexandre Marouzé

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How spectacular 2023 has been for you?

Oh, you know, 2023 has been pretty routine for us: a new album, a tour in several European countries, release parties in Paris and London, some great collaborations with Australian, American, and Belgian artists, the front page of several international magazines, TV, and radio appearances. We hope that 2024 will be a little less monotonous…

You have been reinventing yourselves with each song.

Take us through your album.

Well, we try never to repeat ourselves, either on an album or throughout our whole career.

Our latest album, 'Haters Gonna Hate', is no exception: it's made up of 10 songs, which all have a rock base, but are influenced by many other styles.

The album opens with the eponymous song 'Haters Gonna Hate', which is a high-energy funk-rock song aimed directly at our detractors.

Rock of Ages' retains that energy, it's a classic rock song. Our friend Craig Mulhall, an Australian songwriter, wrote the lyrics of this one. We had already collaborated with him on the two previous albums, and who knows, maybe on the next one.

We calm things down with 'I'm Not The One', a gentle, melancholy ballad with a Mercury-ish touch.

'It Girl' is a mix of funk and gospel, and is totally in tune with the times, evoking feminism and the woke spirit.

The album also features our first duet, with friends of ours called

Secret Garden and the Dusty Man. This duo plays blues'n'roots, a style quite different from ours. And yet the song that comes out of this collaboration is an explosive blues rocker that tackles the theme of racist segregation, in a tribute to Ruby Bridges, called 'Get Away'.

The B-side of our album opens with a sensual, sexual song: 'You Want It’. The music and lyrics are raw, almost disturbing.

To add a little levity, we wrote 'I Don't Care’. It's a song full of humor and sarcasm, aimed at anyone you've ever felt like saying “shut the _____ up!“ to!

Here comes the second love song of this album. 'Moonlight Serenade' is a Rock-Tango (yes, it's possible!), a fiery declaration of love, ideal for your Valentine's Day playlist.

We're already at the end of our album with the two singles. The first is 'La La La', a critic of the music industry’s tendency to create ephemeral, disposable stars by favoring image over musical quality.

The last song is an ode to joy.

'Feeling Happy' is a feel-good song, with a frenzied rhythm that makes you want to dance, sing, jump and drive with open windows, with your hair blowing in the wind. Pretty cool, hum?

Tell us about your collaborations. Who would you like to work with in 2024?

Well, as we mentioned earlier, we collaborated with this great band Secret Garden and the Dusty Man on the song 'Get Away’. We actually got the chance to perform the song live with them during a fabulous concert in

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January.

Several of our songs are on the soundtrack of the movie ‘The Shepherd Code’ by Alan Delabie and LH Chambat. The film has just been released on VOD platforms. It’s a great action movie, we are very proud of having taken part in it. We previously had the chance to be featured in the soundtrack of another film: our song 'Stronger Than Life' was the closing credits of the movie ‘Borrowed Time 3’, in 2021.

Finally, our Australian friend Craig Mulhall is currently writing his second novel 'Metropolis’.

It's a sequel to his first book, 'The King Of Rhye’. We composed the soundtrack to the first book in 2022, and rumor has it that our fifth album will be the soundtrack of 'Metropolis'. The style should be more 80es electro-pop!

What can we expect to see from you in 2024?

Since 2020, we've released an album every year. It looks like 2024 will be no exception: the Metropolis album should be released in autumn 2024. That said, we haven't started work on the songs yet.

We're planning a tour in Canada in April/May 2024. It hasn't been confirmed yet, but things are progressing well.

And it's not official yet (shhh!) but you should be able to see us in Montreux in early September, at the world's biggest event dedicated to Queen and Freddie Mercury! It's a dream come true for us, and we're really excited about this opportunity! https://fatbottomedboys.fr/en/

Meet Rising Country Stars, Joe Hanson, and Chris Ray of 2 Lane Summer

By Jules Lavallee

There are at least a hundred country lanes between Illinois and Mississippi. But when it comes to country music, the ones that led Joe Hanson and Chris Ray to Nashville and to each other are the only ones that matter.

Hanson's migration from the Chicago suburbs down to Nashville happened in 2018, after mastering his craft on the openmic circuit in and around the Windy City. "I went to college for about a year. I always joke with people that technically, I'm still on winter break," he laughs.

"Because I never went back. I started pursuing music full time."

Ray's journey on that path was similar, but he had a head start on Hanson. He moved from

Jackson, Mississippi in 2015, straight out of college. "I dropped out so that I could give this crazy dream a shot," he says. "I moved to Nashville and was living in a house with six other guys. We slept on the floor." Ray took a job at Cracker Barrel, which gave him time between shifts to work on making music. Then came the epiphany that together, they could have a more distinctive sound as a duo. One that was rich with the harmonies and vocals that come so naturally to both Hanson and Ray. "I give all the credit to God, because I went from playing for empty bar stools to this," Hanson says. And Ray says "We knew

this was something special. Once we started getting into the same writing rooms, we just clicked as friends and as singersongwriters.“ How did your journey’s lead you to meet in the country roads of Nashville?

I grew up in Naperville IL and was born with a love for music. I was raised in a big family who also enjoyed music and so I was listening to a lot of Country, Christian and Rock music. In the country world for me it was artists like: Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Randy Travis, and Alan Jackson.

My older brother Nick was the musician and singer of the family and so I always aspired to follow his lead. When I was sixteen, I picked up the drums, guitar and singing and started a worship band with my older brother Nick and one of our friends. From there the love for performing and connecting with an audience grew and I realized I wanted to be an artist. After spending a good bit of time playing music with my older brother in a duo we started, I branched off to pursue country music. I spent the next few years playing as many open mic nights as I could and writing original music. Eventually I dropped out of college to pursue music full time and I moved to Nashville.

From there God continued to open doors and help me make industry connections which led to me growing my inner circle of cowriters and I spent the next five years writing a catalog of songs, playing as many shows as possible and working on my songwriting and artist craft. It wasn’t until June of 2022 that an industry friend, who is now our manager, came to me and asked if I was open to the idea of being in a duo with another artist. After meeting Chris, we just genuinely got along and worked really well together in writing rooms. It wasn't long until we realized that although we both had great solo careers at the time, there was something different and special about what we brought to the table as a duo. From there we decided to run together as 2 Lane Summer and haven’t looked back since.

Tell us about your collaboration on “Eyes That Aint Yours.”

Eyes That Ain’t Yours is a really special song that Chris and I co-

wrote with our buddies.

Dustin James, and John Marlin.

Believe it or not, this co-write was our very first “official” co-write that got scheduled for us together as a duo. I remember God gave me the title and concept “Eyes That Ain’t Yours” and I had kept it in my phone for a while and when I threw the idea out people started playing stuff on their guitars and spitting out really awesome melodies that eventually turned into the chorus. After writing the chorus, the rest of the song pretty much just fell out and wrote itself rather quickly. The inspiration for the song was my wife Macey and how beautiful she is. She’s very humble and sometimes doesn’t know how beautiful she really is so I felt inspired from that feeling of wishing she could see herself from my eyes to see how beautiful she really is.

Share a few verses.

“Yeah, you’d quit calling me crazy, cause you’d see what I’m crazy for if you could just see you through eyes that ain’t yours” This line is the heartbeat of the song to me and the lyric that really captures how I felt toward my wife Macey.

Take a look on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@2lanesumm er Why do you think this song is making an impact on fans?

I believe this song is making an impact on listeners because everybody struggles with insecurities. Sometimes it takes that outside perspective to help you see the beauty and value in yourself. Lyrically I think it’s unique because it’s one of those songs that is real with relatable

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real-life insecurities but also is very uplifting at the same time.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I think people would be surprised to know that I didn’t grow up in the “small town country life.” I grew up in a suburb outside of Chicago.

Who have been your musical influences?

My musical influences are: Keith Urban Rascal Flatts Randy Travis Alan Jackson Casting Crowns Skillet Daughtry

How do you see 2 Lane Summer driving to superstardom?

For me it goes back to my faith.

I really believe God has been leading the charge for the music career since it began back in Illinois and opening the right doors at the right time. I see him doing it for 2 Lane Summer and if it’s his will. I believe he will continue to elevate the platform as big as he wants it to be. Of course, Chris, our team and I are working as hard as we can to grow the social media fan base through our content and releasing original music once a month. We want to begin touring as soon as possible.

Share your vision for 2024.

My vision for 2024 is for 2 Lane Summer to reach as many people as possible. I’d like to be out playing shows on a tour and be on radio with our music to keep the platform growing.

Tik Tok @2LaneSummer

Screenwriter Shaneen Bonner Un ve ils H e r M u lti-A wa r d -Win n in g Life Stor y “From Homeless to Hollywood” Film Script

By Jules Lavallee

Shaneen Bonner is a multi-award screenwriter, two-time Grammy-considered artist, author of two books, and owns Decree Records, Decree Radio, and Decree

Entertainment Magazine.

Shaneen’s new film script, “From Homeless To Hollywood,” is a biopic of her life journey from Michigan to Los Angeles becoming homeless and being redeemed as a businesswoman. The script has won over thirty film festival awards worldwide and has been selected to be screened in over fifty film festivals globally. Shaneen has won over ten script writing competitions in several film festivals.

The soundtrack single " Great God Live" from the film script " From Homeless To Hollywood" has won three film festival awards from Florida, London, and the India Film Festivals as the "Best Movie Music Soundtrack."

Shaneen is the owner of Decree Records which was established in 2021. She’s also added two more entertainment businesses over her belt Decree Radio La, and Decree Entertainment Magazine.

Your multi-award film script "From Homeless To Hollywood" has won over thirty film festival

awards and has been screened in over fifty film festivals worldwide. Take us through your journey.

The raw emotion of reliving this portion was very traumatic. Tears began to roll down my face when writing the script because one person experienced this hardship. One day, a friend told me it’s time to tell the world your story. I started writing my biopic.

I entered my script into several film festivals, and the winning process started from there.

Before you judge a book by its

cover, open it up and read the whole chapter first.” What chapter do you want people to know the most about you?

God has always been a vital part of my life. Through my struggles, he has made me successful.

Through my pain, I have gained a sense of faith that has made me unstoppable.

"Best Movie Trailer" award.

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fCsOQTE8Bps ?si=f_jkSAhzf6p30sEH

Tell us about The soundtrack single "Great God Live.”

The soundtrack single “Great God Live” has a story behind it. I was in my homeless state when I wrote Great God. I was on the couch. I started to pray, and as I was praying, I heard what a great God we serve. I grabbed my phone and started to record myself. That’s how Great God came about. When I came out of homelessness, I went to the studio to record the song. I pitched the song to the music firm, and the music firm “Big Noise” loved it so much that they submitted it to the Grammy. The Grammy selects the song. Great God, my song is placed on the 64th Grammy ballots. Great God made the “Billboard” indicator chart top 100.

What did the streets teach you about trusting your instincts and persevering?

The best thing about my homelessness is that I never lived on the streets. I lived in an abandoned house with no heat or water. My instinct kicked in to keep a watch around my surroundings.

What do you want to share about being homeless?

What I want to share about living in a homeless state is that I didn’t have clothes to wear. I had to go to the homeless mission to get clothes. I didn’t have running water to shower or bathe. I had to use baby wipes, the neighbor's water hose, or gallons of water I

bought for twenty-five cents from the water dispensers in the grocery store parking lot.

You have paved the way for upcoming artists and filmmakers to use their creativity and story to create generational impact unapologetically. Tell us about the Decree Brand.

The Decree Brand has been established since 2021. The brand focuses on entertainment, such as a record label, radio stations, and magazines.

Our Record label has an artist development department with artist charting on “Media Base” and different charting services.

Decree Radio is a nationally nominated radio station.

Share your vision for 2024.

The vision is to make a global impact on the entertainment industry. Shaneen is collaborating with Boom Brothers Media on a documentary called From Mud To Mogul.

www.decreerecords.com

www.facebook.com/shaneen.bon ner/

www.instagram.com/shaneenbon n/

Margarita Pinhas, a Success Coach, Speaker, and Entrepreneur Hosts Women’s Empowerment Event: Identity Breakthrough & Alignment Women's Retreat April 12-14 at a Private Villa with Pool and Jacuzzi in Palm Springs

By Jules Lavallee

Margarita, is an internationally inspirational award-winning speaker, a Yoga Master, and an entrepreneur. Margarita's impactful work touches the hearts of audiences worldwide, as she effortlessly communicates her message in three languages. Through her coaching, she empowers individuals and groups to develop unwavering confidence in public settings, fostering strong mental resilience. Margarita's guidance paves the way to personal freedom and success, whether on stage or in the world of business.

With a collection of Master Yoga Diplomas, various advanced certificates in Success Coaching, and an advanced green belt in karate, she deeply holds the belief that one can stretch their mind to elevated levels. She is a proud founder of ‘Success Yoga Center’ (Business Success Retreat Center) and leading a podcast ‘The Margarita Way to Success’ with psychologists all over the world.

You have made it your life’s mission to empower individuals to step into their full potential and achieve

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confidence and success in their public speaking endeavors. Share your journey and what led you to become a Certified Success Coach.

Thank you for this question. I've had a long journey of overcoming obstacles throughout my life. At times, I felt unseen, unheard, and voiceless.

However, once I discovered a deep connection to myself and learned powerful techniques to amplify my voice over my doubts, I've been able to share my journey worldwide.

My mission is to empower more connections to the self, deepen connections to our messages, and foster a sense of belonging to our purpose and meaning.

synergy between combining yoga, mental strength training, and strategy to gain confidence and be ready for public speaking.

“The Dream is not too Big, The Fear is.” Explain

Utilizing breath as a relaxation tool to infuse the body with oxygen and positivity is a powerful technique for becoming a proficient public speaker. For instance, during a workshop I conducted for a TEDx speakers’ group, we transformed insecurities into impactful messages and learned a few grounding techniques. Participants shared that these techniques were invaluable when they experienced a momentary freeze on stage but were able to regain their composure using the learned methods. It's gratifying to receive such positive feedback. Another method we employ to cultivate self-confidence in public speaking is energy manipulation. Drawing from ancient yoga practices, we integrate various techniques to align our intentions with our impact, enabling us to convey messages with clarity and confidence.

When we envision our dreams and desires, we often encounter fears along the way. Many people succumb to these fears, allowing them to dominate their emotions and dictate their actions. I aim to demonstrate that my achievements stem not only from acquiring the right techniques and learning from the right people but more importantly, from my decision to distance myself from individuals who instill negativity or impose limitations on me in any way. It is essential to remember that fear serves a purpose in protecting us.

However, it's crucial to recognize that certain fears may hinder our growth, keeping us confined to a small and safe space rather than breaking through to achieve greatness and success.

Tell us about the Success Yoga Center.

Success Yoga Center emerged from my advanced Yoga studies at Miramar College in San Diego.

When tasked with a business project, this concept felt the most organic and immediate. It integrates success principles with Yoga and Mindfulness, offering a space dedicated to achieving sustained results while nurturing the connection between mind, body, and soul. In essence, it assists individuals in aligning with their desires and finding the balance necessary for a fulfilling and successful life. We take time to create small steps to great results.

In your experience, share the

The power of a sense of belonging | Margarita Pinhas | TEDxTaftAvenue www.youtube.com/watch?v=3m4 ndfv3gQA

Tell us about your “Identity Breakthrough & Alignment Women's Retreat” on April 1214. How will it be a soulenriching journey of selfdiscovery and rejuvenation for individuals?

During the retreat, participants undergo a transformative process where we identify and address the barriers holding them back, allowing them to step into a new identity. Through intensive inner

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work such as journaling and utilizing ancient Yoga techniques, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Success Coaching, we guide individuals in cultivating their new identity while recognizing and harnessing their strengths. Many testimonials from past events attest to the profound changes experienced by participants, with many emerging as entirely new individuals, reaching new heights in personal growth. Witnessing individuals evolve and align with their dreams, often surpassing their initial aspirations, has been deeply fulfilling. We collaborate with various professionals, each specializing in different areas, such as emotional release, therapy, frequency practices, abundance rituals, Reiki, massages, self-care, and more, to provide comprehensive support tailored to the needs of each participant.

Share the beauty of the 2-days.

What will you offer?

The retreat spans over two nights, beginning on Friday and concluding on Sunday morning.

Participants arrive on Friday evening and spend the entirety of Saturday engaged in transformative activities. The focus of Saturday is on deep inner work, allowing participants to explore and address emotional blocks and barriers.

Typically, emotional release occurs during the latter part of Saturday.

On Sunday, we bring together the insights gained from Saturday's work, facilitating integration, and providing a sense of closure to the retreat experience. Throughout the weekend, participants are encouraged to relax and refrain from external stresses, immersing themselves fully in the transformative journey.

www.margaritaypinhas.com

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Getty Images Announced as Official Photographer of 2024 Fall/Winter NYFW: The Shows

Getty Images (NYSE: GETY), a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, has once again been named as the Official Photographer for the 2024 Fall/Winter Season of IMG’s New York Fashion Week (NYFW): The Shows.

As the Official Photographer, Getty Images’ award-winning entertainment photographers will be delivering high-quality content throughout New York Fashion Week (February 9-14) in New York City, all to be distributed exclusively through gettyimages.com. This includes covering all shows at RXR’s Starrett-Lehigh building and Fashion Alliance runway shows and presentations, as well as all off-site IMG FOCUS. produced shows, and the first-ever NYFW

consumer venue at 21Greene, home to official NYFW programming and merchandise.

“As a premier event, New York Fashion Week embodies the pinnacle of fashion, providing leading designers with a global platform to showcase their collections and trends for the upcoming season,” said Getty Images Vice President of Global Entertainment Kirstin Benson. “We are thrilled to build on our longstanding partnership with IMG and be at the forefront of capturing all the fashion, runway shows and behind the scenes moments happening throughout the week. Through special access, our unparalleled distribution reach and unmatched expertise, our best-in-class team will deliver differentiated content ©Red Silk Carpet

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that our global customer base won’t find anywhere else.”

For over 25 years, Getty Images’ team of content creators have worked tirelessly to create award-winning imagery and video that allows customers to set themselves apart from their competition, while including a diverse set of experiences and perspectives throughout the content creation process. In addition to the partnership with IMG, Getty Images content creators are at every major entertainment event globally, from awards ceremonies to fashion weeks to film festivals, covering almost 70,000 entertainment events a year and partnering with major brands on creative content strategy.

NEWS

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC REVEALS TRAILER FOR GROUNDBREAKING NATURAL HISTORY SERIES QUEENS, NARRATED BY ANGELA BASSETT Seven-Part Series Premieres March 4 on National Geographic; Streams Next Day on Disney+ and Hulu

(LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Feb. 7, 2024) National Geographic today revealed the breathtaking new trailer for the female-led docu-series QUEENS, premiering March 4 on National Geographic and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu the next day. Set to Billie Eilish’s hit electropop track “you should see me in a crown,” the trailer introduces viewers to six iconic worlds ruled by the fierce and formidable matriarchs of the animal QUEENdom, setting the stage for a series that transcends everything viewers know about natural history programming.

Helmed by a female-led production team from around the world — groundbreaking in the natural history space — and guided by powerful narration from award-winning actress Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “The Flood,” “Good Night Oppy”), QUEENS is bringing the natural world into focus through the female lens for the very first time. The series features matriarchies and female leaders from around the world to tell stories of sacrifice and resilience but also friendship and love. Each episode showcases matriarchs, from the peace-loving bonobos of the Congo basin to the ruthless jewel bees of Costa Rica to the powerful elephants of the Savanna. Through watching their struggles, successes and heartbreaks, we see the importance of intergenerational love and protection, the fierce lengths a mother will go to to have her children succeed, how the thirst for power can rip families apart, and how even in the face of tragedy, a mother must selflessly persevere.

Four years in the making, QUEENS leverages cutting-edge technology to reveal surprising insights into how females in the natural world rise to power, often relying on cooperation and wisdom over brute strength to get ahead. The intimate production captured many staggering moments within the animal kingdom for the first time, including rarely seen hyena infanticide, the first filming of bonobos in the canopy from tree platforms, color documentation of the Ngorongoro Crater through the night, and a development time-lapse of the Orchid bee brood. The final episode of the series celebrates the women who have gone to the ends of the Earth and dedicated their lives to documenting and protecting animal queens.

QUEENS is produced by Wildstar Films for National Geographic. For Wildstar Films, Vanessa Berlowitz is executive producer, and Chloe Sarosh serves as showrunner and writer. Sophie Darlington and Justine Evans are the series’ directors of photography. For National Geographic, Pamela Caragol is executive producer, and Janet Han Vissering is senior vice president of Development and Production. #

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About National Geographic Content Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, the content studio reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy® Award-winning franchise Genius, series Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar®- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo. In 2022, National Geographic Content was awarded eight News and Documentary Emmys, in addition to Life Below Zero’s Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Michael Gier, Award -winning Director, and Producer

By Jules Lavallee

Michael Gier is an awardwinning director & producer. He has Directed/Produced hundreds of projects including TV Commercials, Internet Videos, Corporate Videos, Short Films, Feature Films, Documentaries, and more through Gier Productions, LLC. In 2021 Michael released two award winning films, "Wounded Heroes" and "Healing the Heroes of 9-11."

How did you end up in the entertainment business?

I grew up in San Diego, CA and I loved to sing as a kid. When I was in Jr. High School, I had many friends that were entertainers, and they talked me into changing from a Spanish class and taking an acting class

instead. That was the beginning into the world of entertainment.

The great thing about San Diego is that they had a performing arts center for teens called Jr. Theater.

I not only took dance, acting, and voice lessons, but I also auditioned and performed in their musical theater productions in a large, beautiful theater in Balboa Park.

Then, at the age of 17, I got hired for my first professional paying job touring as a singer/dancer in a group called “The Brightside.”

We performed all over the western part of the United States, including Las Vegas.

When you went into the entertainment business what was your goal?

I loved performing onstage, and my goal was to make a living doing it. I worked as a resident actor in a wonder theater company in San Diego called “Lamb’s Players” performing in many musical productions.

Later, I also starred in many other theater productions in the San Diego area.

In my mid 20’s I auditioned and was hired to star in four musical productions in Utah one summer. After that summer, I decided to move to Los Angeles.

Once there I’d audition for musical productions all over the country. I’d fly out, perform until the job ended, and then I’d come back to LA, and repeat. I spent over 20 years starring in Broadway musicals all over the country.

How did you transition from stage work to working as a TV/Film actor?

I was starring in a show in Los Angeles, I had my days free, and I had two understudies to work when I was unavailable, so I got an agent, auditioned for TV and film projects, and was hired, not only as an actor, but also as a dancer once in a while.

A few of my favorite credits are “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “Baskets” with Zach Galifianakis and Louie Anderson, “Suddenly Susan” with Brooke Shields, and “Mrs. Harris” with Ben Kingsley and Annette Bening, and I’ve had principal and recurring roles in every soap opera filmed in Los Angeles.

You spent your life as an entertainer, how did Gier Productions come about?

I’ve always been an entrepreneur and loved starting businesses on the side. In 2009, I decided to create Gier Productions to direct and produce my own video/film projects. I was used to being in front of the camera, but I knew nothing about being behind the camera, and so I had to take some time to learn everything needed. Now 15 years later, we’re a full-service production

company with clients all over the world. We produce nonprofit and corporate videos, TV commercials, music videos, feature films, documentaries, and more.

Your recent award-winning documentary films "Wounded Heroes" and "Healing the Heroes of 9-11 have pulled at the heartstrings of so many Americans. Tell us about your films.

I was planning to produce a feature film, and the screenplay was about veterans and posttraumatic stress (PTS). I didn’t know anything about the subject, and as the director/producer, I wanted to learn as much as possible. I interviewed a veteran in San Diego, and he had been on 18 different prescription medications, some black labeled.

He said it was an awful way to live, that it didn’t solve the underlying problem, that it just pushed back symptoms, and he said the side effects were horrific.

I thought that there had to be better options out there, and so I decided to put the feature film on hold and produce a documentary instead. It was a three-year project that I called “Wounded Heroes.” After doing a lot of research, I was able to find amazing successful alternative

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options that not only make a significant difference in the lives of those battling PTS, but they were also able to get off all, if not most, of their medications.

After producing Wounded Heroes, I was contacted by the 22zero.org nonprofit, and they asked me to produce a film for them titled “Healing the Heroes of 9/11” featuring the successful treatment they used. It’s a powerful film as we hear from five 9/11 first responders, what they experienced, their battle with PTS, and then the changes that took place in their lives after going through the option featured in the film.

What surprised you the most?

I was surprised at how many veterans and 1st responders had given up. They were on medications with serious side effects, some were suicidal, and some had tried to take their lives by suicide. They had tried things in hopes it would be beneficial, but nothing seemed to help.

They thought they had to live a miserable life for the rest of their lives. But then, they tried one of the options featured in Wounded Heroes, and it changed their lives forever.

Your success with these powerful and inspirational films have led you to speaking engagements. Tell us about your work as a speaker.

After spending three years learning about PTS and the many successful options out there, I became an expert on the topic.

Different organizations, and veteran and 1st responder nonprofits asked me to speak.

My message is a message of hope as I share the successful options featured in the films, and how they have changed the lives of so many.

What do you want the world to know about battling PTS? I want people to know that they do not need to live a miserable life, that they can live a happy and fulfilling life instead. Many people get irritated when I make that statement because they’ve been disappointed over and over again. But the fact remains, I’ve seen and talked to hundreds who have seen their lives change. Here are just a few of the statements I’ve been told, “Life’s worth living again,” “I’ve never been happier in my entire life,” “I didn't even know that this kind of happiness was possible.”

Tell us about your new documentary about the Fatboy Slim “Praise You” song and

music video that was a huge worldwide success back in 1999.

Back in 1999, Fatboy Slim released a song called “Praise You” along with the music video; both became huge worldwide hits.

Spike Jonze directed the musical video and decided to pull a prank on the entire world. He created the fictional dance group called the “Torrance Community Dancers.” This small group of dancers from a local community got their big break by being in the Praise You music video. I was one of the performers in the music video, and so was Spike Jonze; he called himself Richard Koufey.

In reality, everyone involved with the group were professional actors and dancers. We were all hired by Spike to be part of this fictional dance group. When we did press interviews all over the world, we were always in character. No one in the world knew our secret for a very long time.

MTV nominated the video for 4 MTV Music Video Awards, and we were asked to perform live at the awards show in New York City on 9/9/99. We won 3 of the 4 awards we were nominated for.

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In 2001, the music video was voted number one of the 100 best videos of all time, in a poll marking the 20th anniversary of MTV.

Now it’s 2024, and I thought it would be great to do a documentary for the 25th anniversary; Spike Jonze and Fatboy Slim agreed. The song and music video are still incredibly popular and there are millions of fans all over the world, and so I’m excited to get this produced and released later this year.

What else do you have coming up next?

My company is always working on many different projects at once. I have another documentary that’s currently private, but it will have a huge release when it’s ready, I’m working on a project to help prevent sex trafficking, I’m doing a number of videos for the United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM), we also have our usual corporate and nonprofit video projects we do, and I still work as an actor in TV/Film projects. There’s a lot going on, and I love it all.

Website: www.MichaelGier.com

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