Hollywood Weekly Magazine Celebrates Black History

Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry

Isabel

Oyana

Artist, Lawyer & Author

ALICE BROOKS

Interview

HITHA

We Are Who We Are

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PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson SENIOR BOOK CURATOR Jane Ubell-Meyer ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Hailey Ashley CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alex A. Kecskes Elyce Hastings CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rouland Medina DESIGN & PRODUCTION Denise Chavez AFRICA OPERATIONS Egor Efiok Egorefiok@gmail.com BRAZIL OPERATIONS Fabio Glingani Rico@lapenda.net (310) 567-3333 INDIA OPERATION Ike Sinha Mobile +919599068592 LATIN AMERICA Karla Silva Karla@monarks.Biz 818.254.5505 Jose Beltran wpsevents@gmail.com 562.546.2840 DISTRIBUTORS CoMag MADER NEWS

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This issue

OUR COVER story is about Isabel Oyana, a gospel artist, author and attorney. She is from Equatorial Guinea, which is on the West Coast of Central Africa and is one of the wealthiest parts of the country based on the lucrative oil businesses. This multi-talented woman shared with us her true calling in life. She found her purpose from God. She uses her talent and music to inspire people from all over the world.

It seems as though Isabel Oyana has found her calling, heard her message, and is very clear on her path and purpose in life. She is here to praise God, advocate for causes she believes in, and make her country proud. If only we could all bottle up her spirit, and spread it around the world, I believe the world would become a more peaceful, and loving place to be.

Inside, you can read our special feature courtesy of Hollywood Weekly's Africa Correspondent & Ambassador Egor Efiok. During the Hollywood Weekly Magazine Film Festival & Awards Ceremony we honored the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Nigeria, His Excellency RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL, CFR (Mutawallen Sokoto), with a "Most Outstanding Philanthropy Award".

Enjoy!

Prather Jackson Publisher

4

12

Entertainment, Music & Sports

Peace, Love & Gospel

Hollywood Weekly News

Isabel Oyana

16

18

We Are Who We Are

Alice Brooks

Hitha

Interview

22

34

HW's Egor Efiok Visits Nigeria

HW's Favorite Authors

The Seat of Caliphate

Bedside Reading

Hollywood WEEKLY is a publication wholly owned by Prather Jackson HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY MAGAZINE LLC. © 2021 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permisssion of the publisher is expressly prohibited.

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For advertising inquiries call: (424) 371-9900 HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 3

ROUNDUP

TV & FILM

NAACP and BET announced that the “53rd NAACP Image Awards”

NOMINEES WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022.

TODAY, the NAACP and BET announced that the “53rd NAACP Image Awards” will broadcast Saturday, February 26, 2022 (at 8:00 PM, live ET/5:00 PM, live PT) on BET. Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised Image Awards categories February 21- February 23, which will stream on www.naacpimageawards.net and during the NAACP Image Awards Dinner, which will be held February 25 in Los Angeles.

Recognized as the nation’s preeminent multicultural awards show from an African American perspective, the “53rd NAACP Image Awards,” presented by Wells Fargo and sponsored by FedEx, celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television + streaming, music, literature, and podcasts. The “53rd NAACP Image Awards” will also include four new podcast categories: Outstanding News and Information Podcast; Outstanding Lifestyle / SelfHelp Podcast; Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast; and Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast.

“Black artists over the past year have not only showcased our history and uplifted values of progressive change, but have also redefined genres and brought our stories to the screen in so many creative ways,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “Now more than ever, we need Black voices to push the envelope, educate, and inspire audiences around the world. We’re proud to once again provide a space that both elevates and celebrates these voices through the 53rd NAACP Image Awards.”

“BET is proud to continue our long4 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Photo by Giles Keyte

standing partnership with the NAACP and amplify their efforts to honor the extraordinary contributions made by the Black community,” said BET President Scott Mills. “We look forward to recognizing Black excellence at this year’s Image Awards on all of our platforms, celebrating those who help tell our distinctive stories in empowering and engaging ways.”

Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committees, which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents, and others) and NAACP Board members, NAACP Foundation Trustees, staff, partners and others. The submission deadline is November 22, 2021.

One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest

and brightest stars in Hollywood.

Previous years’ attendees and winners include Rihanna, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Jamie Foxx, Chloe x Halle, Regé-Jean Page, Michaela Coel, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Blair Underwood, Will Smith, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Viola Davis, Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington, Anthony Anderson, Sterling K. Brown, Loni Love, Sheryl Underwood, Mandy Moore, Halle Berry, Common, Dwayne Johnson, Audra Day, John Legend, Lena Waithe, Tracee Ellis Ross, David Oyelowo, Laverne Cox, Octavia Spencer, Issa Rae, Trevor Noah, Yara Shahidi, Danai Gurira, Jacob Latimore, Jill Scott, H.E.R., Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Sylvester Stallone, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Ava DuVernay, the late Chadwick Boseman, and many more.

ROUNDUP

TV & FILM

Adventure Time: Distant Lands OH MY GLOB! Get ready embark on a magical journey through the Land of Ooo and beyond when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment brings the Emmy-nominated Max Original, Adventure Time: Distant Lands to Blu-ray and DVD on March 8, 2022.

Binge all four specials from the limited series and explore the unseen corners of their world with characters both familiar and brand-new. Adventure Time: Distant Lands is priced to own on Blu-ray for $19.98 SRP ($24.98 in Canada) and on DVD for $14.98 SRP ($19.98 in Canada).

Based on the Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning animated series, Adventure Time, created by Pendleton Ward and executive produced by Adam Muto, Adventure Time is a critically acclaimed series that garnered numerous accolades over its 10 season run on Cartoon Network. Originally airing on HBO Max, Adventure Time: Distant Lands is among the streamer’s most popular original animated series/ specials. Adventure Time: Distant Lands is

produced by Cartoon Network Studios.

With Blu-ray’s unsurpassed picture and sound, Adventure Time: Distant Lands Blu-ray release will include 1080p Full HD Video with DTS-HD Master Audio for English 5.1. Featuring all 4 episodes in high definition.

FOUR SPECIALS BMO - follows the lovable little robot from Adventure Time. When there's a deadly space emergency in the farthest reaches of the galaxy, there's only one hero to call, and it's probably not BMO. Except that this time it is!

Obsidian - features Marceline & Princess Bubblegum as they journey to the imposing, beautiful Glass Kingdom—and deep into their tumultuous past—to prevent an earthshaking catastrophe.

Together Again – brings best buds Finn and Jake together again to rediscover their brotherly bond and embark on the most important adventure of their lives.

Wizard City - follows Peppermint Butler,

starting over at the beginning, as just another inexperienced Wizard School student. When mysterious events at the campus cast suspicion on Pep, and his checkered past, can he master the mystic arts in time to prove his innocence?

STREAMING Produced by Cartoon Network Studios, all seasons of Adventure Time are now available exclusively on HBO Max.

"The 355" IN THEATERS january 2022 A DREAM team of formidable female stars come together in a hard-driving original approach to the globe-trotting espionage genre in The 355.

When a top-secret weapon falls into mercenary hands, wild card CIA agent Mason “Mace” Brown (Oscar®-nominated actress Jessica Chastain) will need to join forces with rival badass German agent Marie (Diane Kruger, In the Fade), former MI6 ally and cutting-edge computer specialist Khadijah (Oscar® winner Lupita Nyong’o), and skilled Colombian psychologist Graciela (Oscar® winner Penélope Cruz) on a lethal, breakneck mission to retrieve it, while also staying onestep ahead of a mysterious woman, Lin Mi Sheng (Bingbing Fan, X-Men: Days of Future Past), who is tracking their every move.

As the action rockets around the globe from the cafes of Paris to the markets of Morocco to the opulent auction houses of

Shanghai, the quartet of women will forge a tenuous loyalty that could protect the world—or get them killed.

The film also stars Édgar Ramirez (The Girl on the Train) and Sebastian Stan (Avengers: Endgame).

The 355 is directed by genre-defying filmmaker Simon Kinberg (writerdirector-producer of Dark Phoenix, producer of Deadpool and The Martian and writer-producer of the X-Men films). The screenplay is by Theresa Rebeck (NBC’s Smash, Trouble) and Kinberg, from a story

by Rebeck. The 355, presented by Universal Pictures in association with FilmNation Entertainment, is produced by Chastain and Kelly Carmichael for Chastain’s Freckle Films and by Kinberg for his Kinberg Genre Films. The film is executive produced by Richard Hewitt (Bohemian Rhapsody), Esmond Ren (Chinese Zodiac) and Wang Rui Huan.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 5

ROUNDUP

MUSIC

Must-Hear Albums In 2022:

Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, Rosalía, Machine Gun Kelly, Charli XCX, Saweetie & More 2022 has no shortage of new albums to keep your shuffle hard at work. GRAMMY.com compiled a list of 30 upcoming releases — from Kid Cudi, Earl Sweatshirt, Combo Chimbita, Dolly Parton, and Guns N' Roses — to keep you moving in the new year.

WHILE it may feel like there's not much to look forward to during yet another wave of COVID-19, music fans around the world are eagerly waiting to load their playlists with new releases as 2022 gets underway.

THE WEEKND, DAWN FM Only a year removed from his incendiary Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, the crowned pop prince of Canada returns with the semi-surprise Dawn FM, a hotly anticipated follow-up to his recordbreaking 2020 release, After Hours (you know, the one with "Blinding Lights" and "Save Your Tears" on it).

As The Weeknd's album teasers promised, Dawn FM delivered sinister synthesizers, a vocal appearance from Jim Carrey, and old-man makeup that's arguably only slightly less distressing than his wax-faced. Max Martin is back (on lead single "Take My Breath"), and other guests include Tyler, the Creator and Oneohtrix Point Never.

As for what the three-time GRAMMY winner wants his listeners to take away from his latest work? "Picture the album being like the listener is dead," The Weeknd told Billboard. Capisce?

— Brennan Carley KENDRICK LAMAR, TBA One of our most celebrated artists of his generation may make his triumphant return this year. Although it's been nearly five years since Kendrick Lamar released his GRAMMY- and Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN, Lamar has remained busy. In 2018, Lamar curated the Black Panther soundtrack and he's also made guest appearances on tracks by artists 6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

(L - R): RICH FURY/GETTY IMAGES FOR DCP; JASON KOERNER/GETTY IMAGES; TASOS KATOPODIS/GETTY IMAGES FOR IHEARTRADIO; MARC GRIMWADE/WIREIMAGE; EMMA MCINTYRE/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY

as varied as Nipsey Hussle, Anderson .Paak, U2 and his cousin, Baby Keem. But Lamar has been mostly mum about his own music, save for an August blog post titled "nu thoughts." "Love, loss, and grief have disturbed my comfort zone, but the glimmers of God speak through my music and family," he wrote, adding that his next album will be his last with Top Dawg Entertainment. It's the sort of thoughtful, precise announcement (and perhaps a hint to his album's content) that fans have come to expect from the notoriously private rapper. Lamar will thankfully make an appearance at this year's Super Bowl in February. — Britt Julious SAWEETIE, PRETTY BITCH MUSIC Saweetie is set to finally release her debut album, Pretty Bitch Music, this year. After first announcing the project in 2020, the Bay Area native's star power has exploded, reaching new heights last

year with major endorsements, her first GRAMMY nominations and a "Saturday Night Live" debut. Pretty Bitch Music was initially slated to arrive in 2021, but Saweetie postponed the effort for some additional fine-tuning.

Pretty Bitch Music is expected to include Saweetie's 2x Platinum-certified collaboration with Doja Cat, "Best Friend" and her single "Tap In" with production

by Timbaland, Lil Jon and Murda Beatz, among other heavy-hitters. — V.M. CHARLI XCX, CRASH Pop polymorph Charli XCX has been promising fans her sellout era for months now ("tip for new artists: sell your soul for money and fame," she tweeted last July, ushered in with last summer's "Good Ones" and buoyed into the holidays with "New Shapes," a powerhouse team-up with Caroline Polachek and Christine and the Queens.

ROUNDUP

MUSIC CRASH is the fifth and final album she owes Atlantic Records — a benchmark not lost on fans or Charli herself. For it, Charli promises edge-of-your-seat appearances from Rina Sawayama, frequent collaborator A. G. Cook, and frequent Weeknd cohort Oneohtrix Point Never.

Come for the bloody album artwork, stay for the cheeky, self-aware pop concoctions contained within. — B.C. MACHINE GUN KELLY, BORN WITH HORNS The upcoming sixth studio album from enigmatic rocker Machine Gun Kelly, ominously titled Born with Horns, was rumored to drop on New Year's Eve 2021, but it seems Kelly had a change of heart tweeting "See you in 2022." While the release date continues to be murky, there is some solid information about the highly anticipated fresh slate of music from the multi-hyphenate rockstar.

For one, the album is produced by fellow rock luminary Travis Barker and includes the decidedly dark single "Papercuts." "It feels more guitarheavy for sure, lyrically it definitely goes deeper, but I never like to do anything the same," Kelly said in an interview with Sunday TODAY, noting it'll also mark a personal evolution. "I'm not scared anymore, there's nothing holding me back from being my true self — and my true self can't be silenced, can't be restrained." — R.L. ROSALÍA, MOTOMAMI In 2018, Rosalía's cinematic El Mal Querer signified a before-and-after for the music of Spain and Latin America.

A visionary blend of flamenco, hiphop and confessional torch song, the album introduced her to the world as an intellectual, musicologist and pop diva wrapped up into one slick sonic package.

Subsequent singles (2019's "Haute Couture" was a gorgeous slice of electropop) demonstrated that Rosalía's path to global domination relies on a voracious curiosity for disparate styles and highprofile collaborators such as Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny. w2Titled MOTOMAMI, Rosalía's much anticipated release includes "LA FAMA," a deliciously distorted bachata duet with The Weeknd. — E.L.

CAMILA CABELLO, FAMILIA There's perhaps never been a better advertisement for an album than Camila Cabello's edition of NPR's Tiny Desk.

Released last fall, the session begins with three old songs and ends with two Familia cuts strong enough to bowl you over. In just 20 minutes, the former Fifth Harmony singer genuflects at the altar of pop's past while steering its ship into the future.

"Don't Go Yet" brims with the promise of comfort as it opens with a warm flamenco guitar. "La Buena Vida" is a Mariachi-based explosion of emotion and evocation, anchored by Cabello's arresting vocals. Whereas her prior albums sought to cement the 24-year-old amidst her contemporaries, the uber-personal Familia seems likely to propel her into a whole new pedigree of artistry. — B.C. KID CUDI, ENTERGALACTIC Three years after it was announced, Kid Cudi's animated music adventure for Netflix is set to arrive this summer, as the rapper declared during his set at Rolling Loud California in December. "I got some tasty surprises," he told fans before offering a snippet of unreleased music that may be on the soundtrack.

Not much else is known about the project, which takes its title from a song on Cudi's 2009 debut Man on the Moon: The End of Day, and which co-creator Kenya Barris referred to as "the most ambitious thing" in a 2019 interview with Complex.

Entergalactic might not be where Kid Cudi stops in 2022, either: Amid his Rolling Loud teases, he said, "I want to drop another album before [Entergalactic]... I really am excited about all this new s***, this new music to give to you guys. So that's why I'm teasing this s*** now, 'cause it's comin' out soon." — M.R

KID CUDI

NICK CANNON PRESENTS: WILD 'N OUT IS GOING ON TOUR IN 2022 WILD 'N OUT is about to hit the road Nick Cannon announced Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out Live Tour is coming in 2022, a live run that will bring Cannon’s series across the U.S. and will mix up comedy, variety and game show elements all in one for fans of the improv/competition show on each stop. But there's more: Each night, Nick Cannon and the Wild 'N Out cast members will also invite members of the audience to join them for Wild 'N Out’s most popular games. Only the wild survive...on stage!

Produced by Live Nation and Laugh Out Loud, the 23-city tour kicks off on May 20 in Atlanta at the Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood making stops across the U.S. in Charlotte, New York, Chicago and more before wrapping up in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall on July 2.

Citi is the official presale credit card of the Wild ‘N Out Live Tour and Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, Dec 14 at 10am local time until Thursday, Dec 16 at 10pm local time through Citi Entertainment. For complete presale details visit www. citientertainment.com. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, December 17 at 10am only at LiveNation.com.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7

ROUNDUP

SPORTS

NHL players will not participate in Winter Olympics in Beijing Olympic officials confirmed the National Hockey League players will sit out Beijing 2022 THE COMING Olympic Games Beijing 2022, set for February, will be without National Hockey League players.

The NHL, based in the U.S., announced the move on Tuesday (21 December), with Olympic officials confirming the decision on Wednesday.

"The National Hockey League respects and admires the desire of NHL players to represent their countries and participate in a ‘best on best’ tournament.

Accordingly, we have waited as long as possible to make this decision while exploring every available option to enable our players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games," the NHL's commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule caused by recent COVID-related events — 50 games already have been postponed through Dec. 23 — Olympic participation is no longer feasible," the statement went on.

The league paused games for an extended holiday break, 22-25 December, citing a number of positive Covid-19 cases due to the omicron variant.

NHL players also did not participate in the Games at PyeongChang 2018.

League officials and players agreed on the withdrawal, which the IOC responded to with the following: “The IOC regrets that the NHL’s schedule has been so heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic that they will no longer be able to release their players to attend the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. We know that the players were desperately keen to participate in the Beijing Games, having missed out on PyeongChang 2018, as they were the driving force behind the participation agreement that was reached in September 8 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images

between the league and the NHL Players’ Association. We are naturally disappointed for them that they will miss another opportunity to become Olympians.

"Nevertheless, we continue to look forward to the participation of the world’s best hockey players from the other elite ice hockey leagues around the world in Beijing. Their performances in PyeongChang achieved a large international broadcast audience and demonstrated the exciting, passionate ice hockey that we can expect, which, as in 2018, will be followed by fans from all around the world.”

NHL players participated in five straight Olympics from 1998-2014 and did not play at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. The NHL position has been that Olympic participation disrupts its season, particularly when the Games are not held in North America.

However, the players highly valued returning to the Olympics, and when the NHL/NHLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement was extended through the 2025-26 season, they agreed to go to the

2022 Beijing Olympics and 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics if they could reach an agreement with the IIHF. But that agreement said the NHL could withdraw from the Olympics if COVID-19 disruptions required games to be rescheduled during the planned break.

"Since the CBA extension was reached 17 months ago, NHL players have looked forward with great anticipation to once again participating in the Winter Olympics," NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said in a separate statement.

"Until very recently, we seemed to be on a clear path to go to Beijing. COVID-19 has unfortunately intervened, forcing dozens of games to be postponed this month alone. No matter how much we wish it were not the case, we need to utilize the Olympic period to reschedule these games. Certainly, the players and hockey fans are quite disappointed. But playing a full 82-game season this year, something the pandemic has prevented us from doing since the 2018-19 season, is very important. We expect that NHL players will return to the Olympics in 2026."

ROUNDUP

SPORTS

Football Announces Hiring of Ikaika Malloe UCLA HEAD football coach Chip Kelly announced Wednesday the hiring of Ikaika Malloe (ee-KY-kuh mull-OY), who will serve as a defensive assistant coach for the Bruins. Malloe, a former standout defensive player at the University of Washington, guided his alma mater's defensive line from 2016-2020 before shifting to the outside linebackers in 2021. He also served as UW's codefensive coordinator for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Malloe will work as an analyst for the Bruins through the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl. He joins the Bruins staff with 20 years of coaching experience, including three as a defensive coordinator and six as a special teams coordinator, under his belt.

The previous two years, Malloe coached the winner of the Pac-12's Morris Trophy, given to the top offensive and defensive lineman in the conference, as voted on by the conference's opposing linemen.

Vita Vea, now in the NFL with Tampa Bay, won the award in 2017 and the Huskies

repeated in 2018 as Greg Gaines took home the honor. Gaines, who is a member of the Los Angeles Rams, was also a firstteam All-Pac-12 selection, while senior lineman Jaylen Johnson also earned honorable mention All-Conference.

Prior to UTEP, Malloe began his

full-time coaching career as special teams coordinator and d-line coach at Western Illinois. The Leathernecks won the Gateway Conference title in 2002 and made the NCAA Division I-AA playoff quarterfinals twice.

Malloe began his career as a student assistant, program coordinator and, eventually, a graduate assistant, at Washington. He earned his degree in sociology from the UW in 1997.

A graduate of Kamehameha School in Hawai'i, Malloe came to the UW from his home in Waimanalo and went on to earn four varsity letters as a safety and outside linebacker. He started 11 games in 1995, when the Huskies won a share of the Pac10 championship. Malloe led the UW in interceptions that season, with five.

In 1993, he won the Bob Jarvis Most Inspirational Walk-On Award after having won the Brian Stapp Defensive Scout of the Year Award in 1992.

Malloe and his wife, Tara, have two daughters, Taylor and Sloane, and two sons, Jordan and Isaiah.

LA Sparks Announce 2022 Schedule THE THREE-TIME WNBA Champion The Sparks are excited to Los Angeles Sparks are excited return to their long-time to announce their 2022 home Staples Center, regular season schedule. which will become Entering his fourth season, Crypto.com Arena on General Manager and Head Dec. 25, 2021. The team Coach Derek Fisher and the will battle the rival Sparks will open the season Minnesota Lynx in their Nneka Ogwumike on a four-game road trip, Home Opener on Tuesday, Photo: NBAE via tipping off against the reigning May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Getty Images champion Chicago Sky on Friday, This season, the Sparks May 6 at 5 p.m. PT. The team is led by play eight teams three times apiece MVP, Champion, and WNBPA President with four games slated against the 2021 Nneka Ogwumike. runner-up Phoenix Mercury, the Dallas The WNBA will play a longer 36-game Wings, and the Las Vegas Aces. The first regular season and launch a new playoff home game and first road game against format abolishing single-elimination each conference opponent counts towards rounds. The top eight teams will face off the 2nd Annual Commissioners Cup. in a bracket consisting of a best-of-three The first multi-game homestand hosts First Round and best-of-five Semifinals the Washington Mystics (6/21) and the and Finals.

Chicago Sky (6/23).

Los Angeles then hosts a seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, featuring visits from the 2021 Rookie of the Year and UCLA star Michaela Onyenwere, Sabrina Ionescu, and the New York Liberty (7/3), Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith, and the Mercury (7/4), Breanna Stewart and the four-time champion Seattle Storm (7/7), Elena Delle Donne and the Mystics (7/12), Candace Parker and the Sky (7/14), Teaira McCowan and the Indiana Fever (7/19), and Chennedy Carter and the Atlanta Dream (7/21).

The Sparks end the season with a three-game homestand including a pair of games against 2021 MVP Jonquel Jones and the Connecticut Sun in August (8/9, 8/11) before the season finale against Arike Ogunbowale and the Dallas Wings (8/14).

The Sparks will look to earn their league-leading 21st playoff appearance.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 9

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ISABEL OYANA

Peace, Love & Gospel

by Hailey Ashley

Isabel is a multi-talented and inspirational woman who strives to be a bold voice in a world that can oftentimes attempt to silence those who are brave enough to speak their minds

T

he average person spends a great deal of time pondering the age old questions; Why are we here? What is my purpose? How will I recognize my calling when it comes? If we follow in the footsteps of the artist, attorney, author and women’s rights activist Isabel Oyana, the answer is clear. She is happy to be what God wants her to be, and using

12 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

her music as a vehicle, she praises God, supports empowering women all over the world, and stands strong in her faith in order to take the path that has been intended for her.

As a gospel artist, author and attorney, Isabel proudly represents her home country, Equatorial Guinea, which is on the West Coast of Central Africa, and is one of the wealthiest parts of the country based on the lucrative oil businesses that operate there. Although she has gained a great deal of support and fame in Africa, she has also made her debut in America, and has been welcomed by her fans with open arms.

She first came to America as an employee of a national oil company Gepetrol, who sent her to the United States to improve on her English, on order to be able to conduct business with their English speaking partners around the world.

Not only does Isabel speak fluent English, she also speaks fluent Spanish, which is her mother tongue due to the fact that Equatorial Guinea was colonized by Spain. But she didn’t stop there, she is fluent in Dialect, coming from the tribes in Africa, as well as French, and Russian, which is where she studied and obtained a degree in 2003 for her career as an attorney.

Isabel was blessed with a good

education, and her passion to work as an attorney was something she desired for many years. She has a genuine heart, and wanted to help those who may not have access to the same resources she was gifted with.

However, her true passion, love and ultimate calling has always been singing and dancing. She recalls being a young girl, performing for herself in the mirror, and sometimes with her family as the audience in her childhood household.

As she came into adulthood, she felt that because she was singing for God, it was the direction she felt obligated to follow. In order to avoid having any regrets in her future, she followed her dream, and became a singing superstar with a cause, and a message.

One of her most popular singles is called ‘Hijas De Niefang’, which translates to ‘Daughters of Niefang’ in English, is an anthem for women empowerment everywhere. The song came about as the debut song for a WhatsApp group to keep women of her city of birth, Niefang, connected. However, this song, just as the rest of Isabel’s music, doesn’t discriminate. Anyone and everyone can relate to, and enjoy, the upbeat tempo, colorful outfit designs in the music video, and beautiful, original lyrics. As Isabel tells us “We are all human beings, anywhere we are or anywhere we go. We

have one Identity, and that is the one given to us by God.” This seems to be a message consistently being relayed throughout her music, and through the life she lives.

Isabel describes her music as traditional gospel, with rhythmic undertones of salsa and rap, which creates a unique, one of a kind sound.

With her intention to use her music as her vessel to praise God, she celebrates diversity, unity and all people living together under God. Her single called “God is Love’ featuring rapper Chris Dublin is one that touched her spirit. It is a song that expresses the thought that “we need to take advantage now, because you don’t know what will happen tomorrow. The music video for ‘God is Love’ shows images of the Black Lives Matter movement. When asked about her thoughts and feelings behind the video, and the movement, she let us

know that she can relate to the suffering, and was devastated to be away from her family during this difficult time due to travel restrictions following COVID-19, and this video seemed to be her way of expressing the pain she felt. In her opinion “we need to be treated the same way all others want to be treated, we are all people, all the same, under God”.

Isabel is a multi-talented and inspirational woman who strives to be a bold voice in a world that can oftentimes attempt to silence those who are brave enough to speak their minds. In order to make sure her voice is heard, Isabel has written a book titled

There is no need to lose hope, because when you listen to God, anything is possible.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13

follow your heart and the direction God shows you, and you will never regret it.

14 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

‘Overcoming The Sorrow’, which is a novel that dives into women’s rights.

The inspiration behind her novel is the personal struggle she experienced in Africa. In Africa, and many parts of the world, the subject of infertility can be taboo and create a stigma that effects women from all walks of life.

Isabel opens up and allows us to relate to her struggle that so many women deal with. In a previous relationship, which she describes as a good, healthy partnership, Isabel was unable to have children. Although this created a huge burden in her life, Isabel did what she knew would work for her, and she turned to God. She tells us that when God spoke to her, he urged her to enjoy what she has now, and not worry about what she doesn’t have. She believed that she needed to spread her message to all the women that may be in her position, and let them know that “there is no need to lose hope, because when you listen to God, anything is possible”. When asked if she has ever considered another method of having a child, such as IVF or adoption, Isabel’s response was “God will tell me what is right for me, when the time is right”.

One of her most recent singles titled ‘Miten’ which translates in English to ‘Sorrow’, she was inspired to write about her country, which is filled with beautiful islands, beaches and incredible cuisine. She wrote this song after a bomb explosion on March 7th at a military compound in her hometown. Hundreds of men, women and children were killed in the explosion, and when Isabel saw the tragedy her peers were facing she could not hold her pain inside. She felt utterly compelled to write, sing, and spread the message of calling on God, with deep sorrow, to help her country.

Recently, Isabel appeared on an internet talk show called TIMTV, Voice of Immigrants with host Pamela Anchang titled ‘Coming to America’ where she discussed launching her inspirational music career. TIMTV, Voice of Immigrants, is a networkthat provides programs that explore the lifestyles and experiences of immigrants in America and around the world. There is a widespread amount of different topics discussed on the channel,

such as immigration, education, career, entertainment, travel, family, culture, diversity, parenting, profiles of immigrant achievers, famous immigrants and celebrities. The host, Pamela Anchang, is consistently changing the perception of

immigrants in the United States and prides herself on developing content about immigrants and their impact on the global economy.

In Isabel’s episode, ‘Coming to America’, she tells us that she is constantly working on new music, and developing her art. But, another passion she has is creating an organization to help widows around the world get the care they need, as well as opening an orphanage to help children everywhere who are without parents. These are both developments that are near and dear to her heart, and she strives to make them a reality. With the passion, commitment and drive we see in Isabel, there’s no doubt that one day we will see her dreams come true, whatever they may be.

The love and commitment she holds in her heart for her home country, and her people is inevitable. The message she hopes to spread to her people back home is that she is “thankful for the opportunities in life that God has provided”. Her best advice is “follow your heart, and the direction God shows you, and you will never regret it. He knows what He is bringing you”.

If you would like to contact Isabel, or find her music, you can search for her on YouTube, using the name isabeloyanamusic, on Instagram as @ issabeloyana and @issabeloyanamusic, on Facebook as Isabel Oyana Ndong Mangue, or through e-mail using oyanaisabel@ hotmail.com. She chooses to use her real name for her stage name, pen name, and her name in law. According to Isabel, God has given her one identity, and that is the one she is proud to go by.

It seems as though Isabel Oyana has found her calling, heard her message, and is very clear on her path and purpose in life. She is here to praise God, advocate for causes she believes in, and make her country proud. If only we could all bottle up her spirit, and spread it around the world, I believe the world would become a more peaceful, and loving place to be. As we’ve learned from Isabel “God is Love”, and no matter what God you believe in, the universal language of love is one we can all understand and live by.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 15

HITHA

We Are Who We Are

“ 'WE ARE WHO WE ARE' sheds light on many issues embedded in society.We were all born with our own little quirks and honestly, I'm okay with that. The song is about developing our individual character and accepting ourselves. We do not have to be defined by our skin color, our sexuality, or our class. The only thing that should be important is who we are on the inside. We are not defined by our physical traits. We are defined by our strength, our love and our determination 16 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

to be the best we possibly can. ” - Hitha The artwork of "We Are Who We Are" is created by Hitha herself. She adds a collage of faces to her own to drive home the point that “We Are One”. Hitha has a beautiful vision for our world where compassion, self-respect, woman empowerment, justice for all, cultural tolerance and an unabashed love for Nature are commonplace. Beautiful music and bold messages collide in “We Are Who We Are”, promising a better

world by being optimistic, realistic, and overcoming adversity together.

Hitha is a singer,songwriter, teen activist on a mission to spread empowerment worldwide through her music. Hitha was recently selected as a Youth Ambassador of Unite4:Good . She is also involved with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's mission on "Self Reliant India" and "Save and Educate Girls" . As part of this program, Hitha visits India regularly and visits schools and villages to create awareness and her mission to inspire the youth. She has a beautiful vision for our world where compassion, self-respect, woman empowerment, justice for all, cultural tolerance and an unabashed love for Nature are commonplace. Hitha delivers inspiration and unquestionable talent with her music.

COLOUR ME STUNNED: " It’s been some time since we’ve had a teen pop princess in our midst. The likes of Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, and Selena Gomez are now in their mid-20s and making music for more mature audiences. But there is one budding singer we can think of who’s chomping at the bit to fill their shoes."

The reviews of Hitha’s India Concert ‘Inspire – Chennai’ - "Show Stealer Hitha!!!" - "Teen Singing Sensation" "Celebrated Her Music Spell" - "Kept the People in a Transfixed State" - "A Wowing Response" - and "The entire crowd gave HITHA A 10-minute standing ovation after the final performance".

Bong Mines Entertainment: Standing Up With Pride is a single that addresses the overwhelming demands facing teenagers. A few of these demands include peer pressure, time management, and staying positive. Also, the song gives listeners of all ages a bright message of hope. In conclusion, Standing Up With Pride is perfumed with positivity and sends a hopeful message that you can use an optimistic mentality to overcome any hurdle.

Audio: https://hithamusic.com/vrwhovr-wav Video: https://www.hithamusic.com/video Bio: https://hithamusic.com/epk Instagram: www.instagram.com/officialhitha Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialhitha Spotify: www.sptfy.com/officialhitha YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/officlalhitha

Left to right: Andrew Garfield, LinManuel Miranda and Alice Brooks at the set of tick, tick...BOOM! 18 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

ALICE BROOKS CINEMATOGRAPHER

A

graduate of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and a member of the International Cinematographers Guild, Alice Brooks recently joined the prestigious American Society of Cinematographers. She has photographed award-winning feature films, television shows, and commercials.

She also lensed Home Before Dark (pilot and season one) for Apple TV+, Paramount TV, and Anonymous Content.

Brooks' feature film credits include Queen Bees with director Michael Lembeck, starring Ellen Burstyn and James Caan. She also worked on the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of The Remix Hip Hop X Fashion with directors Farah Khalid and Lisa Cortes.

Known for her dramatic lighting and powerful camera movement, Brooks underscored her skills in Paramount's The LXD (directed by Jon M. Chu) and Tainted Love (directed by Avi Youabian).

AdAge described The LXD as one of the most beautifully filmed, elaborately staged web series in the history of the medium. Her recent feature projects include director Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the hit musical Wicked and the adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In The Heights for Warner Brothers. The film's cinematography received widespread critical acclaim.

Her newest project is tick, tick...BOOM! Directed by Miranda and produced

by Ron Howard, the Jonathan Larson musical tells the story of an aspiring composer who struggles to pursue his dreams in New York City in 1990.

By Alex A. Kecskes

Q: Thank you for taking the time for this interview. What drew you to tic, tic, Boom!?

A: I got the script on my last day working on The Heights. Reading the script, I said, these could be scenes out of my childhood. I grew up in New York in the 80s. My father was a playwright and my mother was a dancer. Our house was filled with my father’s artist friends. We had all these creative people over all the time. There was just so much joy, love, and art around. When I read the script, I realized Jonathan was just like my father.

I’d watched my dad’s heartbreak over and over as he tried to make it as a playwright in New York. When I got to the last page of the script, I said, I have to shoot this movie. So I interviewed with Lin (director Lin-Manuel Miranda) and brought in my lookbook to show that I had lots of ideas to bring to the table. The first page of my lookbook was just pictures of my childhood. It took Lin a minute to realize these were my childhood pictures and not just references I’d pulled off the Internet.

He said it doesn’t get more personal than that. We started talking about New York in 1990, where color, light, and emotions were all heightened. We were both ten years old that year and we wanted the movie to have the 90s New York feel from a childlike perspective. In Jonathan's mind, the line between dreams and reality is sometimes blurred.

Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced in shooting tick, tick, Boom?

Photo by Winky Lewis

Q&A

A: The pandemic. We prepped the movie for fourteen weeks, shot for two weeks, and were shut down for six months.

When we came back, we were one of the first movies to do so. The movie was ripped out from under us. All our lives changed when it shut down. The challenge after being told to come back was how to make a movie during a pandemic. So we all had to learn together.

We had the most amazing group of people. We did another two months of prep and 42 days of shooting. Since theater season was closed, we were able to perform in the theater where Jonathan performed. It became a remarkably intimate and moving experience.

Q: You had to shoot in the confines of a bookstore with narrow aisles?

Challenges?

A: That was tricky. It was a real bookstore in New York. All our locations were really small. We wanted to be true to what New York was in 1990. We had to figure out how to move our camera through that space. We even shot a dance number in that space. The swimming pool was also quite small.

You also had to shoot inside a small house and a New York apartment. Again, challenges in setup and lighting?

A: I loved that apartment. It reminded me of when I was a kid. We wanted Andrew (Garfield) to have as much freedom as possible so he wasn’t confined to a certain part of the apartment. I HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 19

also wanted to have the right sun path and the light bouncing off the buildings across the street. It was both intimate and claustrophobic. When you go into numbers like No-More and Sunday and Swimming, there’s a breadth, a grandness, a space. Andrew is so stuck in that apartment, so you feel the walls sort of caving in on him.

Q: And there was the diner scene, which looked busy and cramped.

How did you manage that?

A: We wanted it to feel chaotic. And because of Covid, we couldn’t pack the diner and have several cameras running. We only had a certain amount of ventilation and space. We packed the frames then shot them in different sections. It was very time-consuming. But it felt like a Sunday morning. Then when the wall comes down, we had the brightest scene in the entire movie.

Q: How do you compose a scene to draw out the most emotion the script calls for?

A: What’s interesting about working with Lin is that he brought in this idea of workshopping. It’s very specific to theater and to our film set period. He didn’t need all the ideas right away. It was a discovery process. Usually, it’s the storyboard artist and director who sit down, draw out a scene, and create a shot list from that.

But Lin had a group of people—including the production designer, the AD, and the writer—working together. The six of us

would sit for three or four hours a day and work out a scene. I never had a writer so readily available. He’d be there with us and rewrite stuff on the spot. And the production designer would have models of the set and show us things that Lin could create, giving us ideas for shots. It was a very organic process of discovery without anything being forced on us. We also had a very long prep period, given the size of this movie. I would take the storyboards and cut them to the pre-recorded music and animatics. And again, we would discover more things about what was working and what wasn’t.

Q: When you typically shoot a film, do you sometimes go off script and let your gut take over?

A: That was part of the process. We’d see things in the script and realize what was or wasn’t working. One of the things we discovered during prep was the swimming pool had what looked like paper lines at the bottom. The tile in the pool was this beautiful patina New York tile that you only find in old city buildings. We found this perfectly positioned 30 at the bottom of the pool and Lin said, what if Jonathan touches the number 30—an age he is so scared of turning. So that’s how the music appeared in swimming. It represented a single moment of genius for Jonathan.

Q: How do you use camera movement to draw out the most emotion from a scene?

A: It’s very intuitive. I’d watch dance

I wish that film schools would tell people they need to be in this business at least a decade before they make any money. It takes a long, long time to break into this business.

20 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

rehearsals and part of it is the storyboard process. We had Andrew with us from the very beginning. I would sit in on the rehearsals and just watch as Andrew turned into Jonathan. I think being a good director is getting everyone on board to capture a vision. Lin did that with everyone. He really inspired everyone to understand the movie we were making. So that emotion came from watching eight years of videotape of the real Jonathan Larson. And watching other workshops of the 80s and 90s.

We fully immersed ourselves in that world. I also always ask a director for the intention in a scene. I grew up as a child actor, so I liked the idea of giving the camera a direction the same way you'd give an actor. This is why I always ask for one emotion per scene. In asking that, I'm able to tell the story emotionally and use the camera accordingly.

Q: I particularly enjoyed the dancers in white on stage. How did you first approach that and did you end up shooting it that way or make changes?

A: I loved that scene. It was designed as a single shot. In editing, they cut back to Jonathan’s monologue in the New York theater workshop. We worked with the choreographer to develop that whole sequence and give a subtle lighting queue on Jonathan. It pinpoints the fact that we are in his world, in his story, and everything will be told from Jonathan’s point of view.

Q: Any words of wisdom for young cinematographers trying to break into the business?

A: I wish that film schools would tell people they need to be in this business at least a decade before they make any money. It takes a long, long time to break into this business. One of my professors once said Hollywood is like a brick wall.

Your job is to get to the other side and you do it by throwing bricks against the wall. One day, you'll see just a tiny hole in the wall and that's when you'll want to give up. That’s when you need to push harder because you’re closer than you think. I think this is true for any career in the arts. If you’re not completely in love with this job, find something else. Movie making is hard but it’s also the best thing in the world.

Andrew Garfield and Alexandra Shipp in Tick, Tick... Boom! photo courtesy of Netflix HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 21

MY BRIEF

SOJ0URN IN THE SEAT OF CALIPHATE

O

n November 6, 2021, Hollywood Weekly Magazine Film Festival & Awards Ceremony honored the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Nigeria, His Excellency RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL, CFR (Mutawallen Sokoto), with a "Most Outstanding Philanthropy Award", on the recommendation of myself, Egor Efiok, Hollywood Weekly's Africa Correspondent & Ambassador.

The event took place in Beverly Hills, California, and as His Excellency Governor Tambuwal, who is also one-time number 4 citizen of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria and the current Vice-Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum and Chairman of PDP Governors' Forum, respectively, could not attend the event at the time, I accepted the award on his behalf and offered to travel to Sokoto State (aka Seat Of Caliphate), Nigeria, to present it to him.

A meeting between myself and His Excellency Governor Tambuwal's Hon. Special Adviser On Small & Medium Enterprises Development (SOSMEDA), Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu, was facilitated by journalist, Mr Michael Ekpo, in Abuja, Nigeria; and it was agreed upon that I will travel to the Seat Of Caliphate on Friday, January 14, 2022, with Mr Ekpo, to present the award to His Excellency Governor Tambuwal. To add prestige to the presentation of the award to Governor Tambuwal, I decided to invite my 22 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

By Egor Efiok

Hollywood Weekly's Egor Efiok with her consultant, Prince Daniel (ABOKI), who is the Mayor of Kano State in Nigeria, a Filmmaker and the Group Managing Director of Wazobia FM, Cool FM, Nigeria Info & Arewa Radio.

Egor Efiok presenting the "Most Outstanding Philanthropy Award" from Hollywood Weekly Magazine Film Festival & Awards Ceremony to the Executive Governor Of Sokoto State, Nigeria, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR (Mutawallen Sokoto).

consultant, Dr Prince Daniel (aka ABOKI), who has such a huge profile as the Mayor of Kano State and Group Managing Director Of Wazobia FM, Cool FM, Nigeria Info & Arewa Radio, to travel to the Seat Of Caliphate with us.

All three of us arrived the beautiful city of Sokoto State safely and we were received at the airport by His Excellency Governor Tambuwal's protocol team, which was arranged by his Hon. Special Adviser On SOSMEDA, Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu, who also treated us to a grand reception at the Governor's Lodge, where Governor Tambuwal's special guests are lodged. After our grand reception at the

Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu

Governor's Lodge, Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu instructed the protocol team to take us on a tour of the Seat Of Caliphate.

While on the facility tour, we were amazed at the magnitude of projects that we saw; Particularly, the world class Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, Government Girls' Science Academy and Sokoto State University Teaching Hospital (SOSUTH). Nigerian citizens no longer need to travel outside Nigeria, courtesy of this state of the art Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre. From world class MRI and CT scan machines to any other machines you can think of, this diagnostic centre lacks none and they have doctors and scientists all over the place. The hygiene there is second to none, too.

On Saturday, January 15, 2022, I presented the award to His Excellency Governor Tambuwal, at the Closing Ceremony of Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu's 3-Day prestigious event about Entrepreneurship Skills Development Training On Zero To Export, Digital Awareness & E-Commerce For 130 Selected Youths In Sokoto State.

My consultant, ABOKI, who also happens to be a filmmaker, gave an eloquent opening speech, thanking His Excellency Governor Tambuwal for the warm welcome accorded us. He also

praised him for his world class projects and jokingly "threatened" to sue him along with the rest of the youths of Nigeria if he does not run for president in the forthcoming 2023 elections. Laughter erupted in the huge hall, as everyone stood up in agreement with ABOKI's "threat". ABOKI then introduced me to the crowd, which was met with CT scan machine at the world class Sokoto State Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 23

is the one that everyone is waiting with bated breaths for.

I will conclude my report with my genuine feelings about my liaisons with His Excellency RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL (CFR). At age 56, he is not only young, he is vibrant, intellectually sound, visionary and extremely humble.

He exudes such a positive aura and I definitely want him as my president.

Thank you, Your Excellency, for the solid engagement we had. Thanks also to Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu, Dr Prince Daniel (ABOKI) and Mr Michael Ekpo for your contributions in making this trip successful. I look forward to our next meeting with His Excellency.

Prince Daniel (ABOKI), His Excellency Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, Egor Efiok and Michael Ekpo

thunderous claps, as I rose to present the award to His Excellency RT. HON. AMINU WAZIRI TAMBUWAL (CFR), accompanied

by Mr Ekpo. The crowd cheered on as Mr Ekpo opened the exquisite leather case where the award was encased and I gently and carefully took it out and presented it to Governor Tambuwal, as all the TV stations and press in Nigeria recorded this iconic moment. I gave a congratulatory speech to Governor Tambuwal on behalf of Hollywood Weekly as he received the award.

On Sunday, January 16, 2022, Hon. Muhammad Akibu Dalhatu arranged for myself, ABOKI and Mr Ekpo to have breakfast with His Excellency Governor Tambuwal, after which we had a private meeting with him in his living room.

During the private meeting, I proposed to Governor Tambuwal to hire Hollywood Weekly as his international publicists when/if he decides to announce his presidential ambition. I told him about how Hollywood Weekly campaigned tirelessly for President Obama until he won and showed him the 2009 Hollywood Weekly Magazine edition celebrating President Obama's victory; I pointed out too, that incidentally, President Obama also famously took his campaign international and recounted when he went to Germany, and that if he, Governor Tambuwal, also decides to tow the same path and take his campaign international, Hollywood Weekly will be on ground to help him achieve his ambition. I told him about Hollywood Weekly's various media 24 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Egor Efiok, Filmmaker and Hollywood Weekly's Africa Correspondent & Ambassador.

partners and mentioned that Hollywood Weekly will collaborate with them and CNN to give his campaign maximum international publicity.

At this juncture, it is pertinent to mention that Governor Tambuwal has not actually officially declared his intention to run for president of Nigeria in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

However, he is under immense pressure to run, as the masses love him and all his good works. I am willing to place a bet, too, that he will eventually declare his intention to run for the greatest seat of power in Nigeria. His announcement

Filmmaker and Hollywood Weekly's Africa Correspondent & Ambassador Egor Efiok with Hajia

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26 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Under The Vines

By Alex A. Kecskes

Actress and Producer Rebecca Gibney talks to Hollywood Weekly about her latest TV project "Under The Vines"

O

ne of Australia’s most beloved actresses, Rebecca Gibney’s extensive television credits include The Flying Doctors, All Together Now, Halifax f.p, Stingers, and Tripping Over. She also co-created and executive produced the Emmy-nominated Wanted, the most-watched drama on Australian Television in 2016 and is currently screening on Netflix.

Rebecca recently reprised her role as Jane Halifax in Halifax: Retribution, which she also executive produced. Later in 2021, she reprised her role as Julie Rafter in the Packed to the Rafters spinoff Back to the Rafters. The series earned her a Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality, two Silver Logies for Most Popular Actress, and a further seven Logie Award nominations, along with an AFI Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama.

Rebecca’s film career includes roles in The Dressmaker and Mental, for which she won an Australian Film Critics award for Best Supporting Actress. Recently she starred in the feature film Lowdown Dirty Criminals, which she also executive produced—adding to her production credits she received for The Killing Field, Winter, Wanted, and Halifax: Retribution.

In Under The Vines, Rebecca joins Charles Edwards as two unlikely city slickers who inherit a failing vineyard in rural New Zealand. Sydney socialite Daisy Munroe (Gibney) heads to Peak View, New Zealand for a vacation at her recently deceased stepfather’s winery, which she intends to sell. Little does she know that the vineyard has a co-owner, grumpy UK-born lawyer, Louis Oakley (Edwards), who also travels to the wine region to escape a spiraling series of unfortunate events in his life.

Despite neither having done a hard days’ work in

their lives and both despising each other, the two must somehow make Oakley Winery successful so they can sell up, split up, and get out.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview.

You’ve starred in and launched so many successful series, what drew you to the Under the Vines storyline?

I think the character of Daisy is vastly different from anything I've ever played before. When I was younger, I steered away from playing ‘the blonde’ girl stereotype. But as I got older, I played everything from a forensic psychiatrist to a mechanic. Daisy is just a lot of fun. What I like about her is she may come across as a ditzy blonde, flaky and shallow, but she is very kind, generous, and gregarious. And she realizes that life isn't just about getting the next Prada handbag. I wanted to create someone real and human, to give her a reason for the way she is.

Are you a wine connoisseur? Do you know someone who owns a vineyard?

I enjoy wine and I know Sam Neill, who owns a winery called Two Paddocks, consisting of a vineyard at Gibbston and two near Alexandra, all in the Central Otago wine region of New Zealand's South Island. One of his vineyards is just down the road from where we were shooting. Sam invited a few cast members and the producers to his vineyard one weekend to sample his wine.

Your character Daisy had somewhat of a crash course in operating a winery. What surprised you about growing and bottling wines?

It’s a lot more complicated than I thought. Trae Te Wiki, who plays Tippi, the young woman who’s the vineyard's expert, really wanted to get inside the head of winemaking and discovered that it’s incredibly scientific. So I’m just glad that Daisy’s not into that side of things (laughs). Daisy just wants to HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 27

clean the place up, improve the aesthetics and make the place look pretty.

What are some of your favorite scenes in Under The Vines?

I love sparring with Charles (Edwards) when he plays Louis. Every time he and I get together, particularly when we're arguing, we tend to sometimes go off book and start improvising. Charlie is an absolute professional and gentleman but he can be very funny on the set. I’ve worked with many of the actors on the show on other projects and enjoy working with them on Under the Vines.

What film or actor prompted you to enter show business?

There’s really no one. I kind of fell into it by accident.

I was doing some modeling when I was discovered by a director who wanted me to audition for a film. I got the role and just kept auditioning for films. I was in a few plays in school but acting was not something I’d planned on. When I was in my 20s, I thought people will find out I’m faking it because back then, I had no idea what I was doing. I suppose, when I was younger, I looked to Meryl Streep. I kept thinking I’ll never be as good as her, so I watched her perform.

She was my hero.

Was Sea Urchins your first acting job?

What was that like?

My first was a drama called Among the Cinders. But I was just 17 when I joined the cast of Sea Urchins.

When did you realize, okay, I’m going to do this for a living?

I was doing a show called The Flying Doctors, which was very popular in Europe. I played Emma Plimpton,

a flying mechanic. I still didn’t think I was very good at it. But then I was in an award-winning mini-series called Come in Spinner and I won an award for my role as Guinea Malone. So thought, okay, if I can win an award, maybe I can do this. I was in my midtwenties and I just kept doing my best. I still look back at what I did in my 20s and 30s and I’m horrified at some of my performances. A famous Australian actor once told me when I was very young, you have to just work hard, show up on time, know your lines and treat people well. And that’s been my attitude during my entire career. I’m very easy to work with.

I treat everyone the same. I always try to have fun.

You can’t be a diva. We don't tolerate divas down here (laughs). As an executive producer on this show, one of my first notes to the casting director was don't bring me anyone that will be painful on set.

What have you learned about show business that really surprised you?

It’s a lot harder than most people think. A lot of people just see the glamor, particularly with social media where people post these wonderful photos of themselves. But that’s not real. The reality is, you’re often out there at there or four in the morning.

You're doing fifty days on set, you're made to look glamorous but no one looks like they do on film. It’s a job like everything else. It’s a wonderful job and I love it and feel very blessed but it’s a job and you have to work hard at it.

Most actors have a love/hate relationship auditions.

Your thoughts?

When I was younger, I loathed auditions but now I just go and try my best to stand out. So whether it’s wearing a costume or taking a few risks, stand out.

These days, you can self-tape yourself and practice till you get it right. If the role is meant for you, you'll get it.

You should approach an audition without fear. Don't get so desperate that you get nervous and muck it up.

Any advice for young actors eager to break in?

My son was just accepted into the premier drama school in New Zealand—at 17, which is very young.

I’ve always said to him: the most important thing, particularly in acting, is you have to research characters and learn your lines. I remember reading a wonderful quote from Sir Anthony Hopkins, who said that when he gets a script, he reads it about a hundred times. The character and story are ingrained in his head, so he doesn’t have to think about the lines and can embody the character. I told my son, just keep picking up that script and reading it. It's worked for me as well. You also have to really hone your craft. It's not as easy as people think. And, of course, you should always treat people kindly no matter who they are. You never know if the person bringing you tea could be the next Steven Spielberg.

28 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

UNDER THE VINES Charles Edwards (as Louis) and Rebecca Gibney (as Daisy)

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 29

SOMETHING DIFFERENT This young talented team worked on a lot of numbers to produce an award winning show

M

y American Family TV series is not only a piece of art and strong messages, it is not just showing different cultures in their authentic way and breaking stereotypes, it also represents efficiency and new modern ways of storytelling.

Movieverse Entertainment managed to gather this amazing international team of professionals in order to show Hollywood something different. Many critics were astonished, they couldn’t comprehend how this young company, this young team could produce an A - list show, with Danny Trejo and Michelle Waterson in it, have it broadcasted by Amazon Prime and go compete for EMMYs. “The key is our team. We worked a lot to find the right people, real team members to work with. We stay away from people with an employee mindset. The film “American Factory” and producing the pilot was a great example for me. When I started creating the story, I already had Danny Trejo, Steve Jacques, Michelle Waterson in my mind. We casted the other actors and

My American Family presented authentic Chinese culture, together with Mexican, Jewish, Syrian, Central and East European, American, Korean, Italian, Argentinian and Brazilian cultures!

- Victor Migalchan 30 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

My American Family TV Series Creator and Director Victor Migalchan

it was pretty successful for season 1 of our show. Season 2 will present even more great and talented professionals. Our team behind the camera is of the great importance, as the team in front of the camera. I was honored to meet our DP, Alex Flash who enhanced our technical might and invited professionals into the directors’ team, and of course our sound engineer Alex Annikin, who took care of all our soundwork, managed the sound team and brought it to the best Hollywood level. Of course we can’t forget our writers, who brought the story up to a better level. We used a completely different way of creating our scripts. We had so many great team members and we are thankful to everyone” - says creator and director of the show Victor Migalchan.

On the set with Michelle Waterson

New and efficient storytelling and the dream team which works as a swiss watch is an important part of success. However, let’s not forget that show business is business. Everything has to correlate : market, demand and value creation.

“We did a lot of research before we started filming season 1 of the show. I’m coming with my production experience which we use in China. My partner Victor comes with his experience in Europe and America. We worked on numbers a lot. Efficiency is one of the keys of success in business and we didn’t want to waste a single minute or a single dollar.

We studied Hong Kong Style, which is believed to be one of the most efficient, then the style of Mainland China, different European countries and the US. We took

the most efficient aspects and created our system which worked very well, made us very flexible and adjustable, but strong and productive. With the same model we shot our other projects “the Dragon Chef”, “Modern Kung Fu” etc”,- says Executive Producer Zhiliang Tang.

“We had a great pleasure working with our cultural and media advisors, which helped to keep important details in focus.

Polina Safronova, international journalist with more than 10 years of experience

was responsible for media and cultural supervision of the Eastern European culture segments. Thanks to her publications, many Russian hospitals received many free medicines, which were necessary for cancer patients. Sharon Tan was managing communications with the media in China and Hong Kong, supervising the Chinese Cultural Segment. Jacky Liu, one of our producers, was supervising the vfx and communications with Chinese media. One of our producers and an amazing actress Elena Animova took care of communications with Bulgarian media; our co - producer Christian Tudor took care of communications with the Romanian media. Victor Migalchan, of course, was dealing with major organizations in the EU. Sunessis de Brito, our amazing actress, was taking care of communications with Brazil. Our leading producer Edward Cologna took care of communications with Argentina and Italy. This list is endless. Everyone worked like we were a swiss watch” says Executive Producer Zhi Liang Tang Executive Producer Zhiliang Tang

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 31

My American Family TV Series Producer Edward Cologna

“To me, bringing attention to family values was one of my important goals”,- Says Executive Producer Edward Cologna.

“We work on our Alpha Channel and content with a purpose. I want to help men to develop and be real men. Modern Kungfu is a story that we hope will help younger individuals to not lose their path in life”, - Says Edward Cologna.

Besides the “Dragon Chef” and “Modern Kung Fu” Movieverse team develops educational animated series “Annie and Axie”, which will educate children through films about nature, the environment and biblical legends.

“It is important to emphasize on education. Education is one of the best investments in the 21st century. Education became

Director of Photography Alex Flash

My American Family TV series was not the only one project Victor Migalchan, Zhiliang Tang and the Movieverse Team worked on. They produced season 1 of an international and intercultural cooking show “Dragon Chef”, in which the western host (Victor) cooks authentic Chinese food and treats the guests. In each episode they had a new guest who represented a different culture and presented their traditional meals. Again connecting people and cultures through cultures and cuisine.

After this show Movieverse Team produced a pilot of the show “Modern Kungfu”. Again, based on Chinese culture and important life values such as honesty, devotion, discipline, respect they revealed important bullet points of the art of life. Kungfu doesn’t mean martial art, as everyone tends to believe. Kung Fu means a skill, a level of proficiency which comes with time, practice, discipline.

It teaches perseverance, to be strong, endure hardships. Creators show how important it is to stay connected to your own culture, which heals the void in the soul. Also they address such social issues as foster family sexual assaults, anxiety, depression and suicidal attempts among children, consult with professionals and have calls for action.

32 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Sound Engineer Alex Annikin

My American Family has a unique correlation of the Chinese and Latino cultures in the story line.

- Victor Migalchan

business. We try to help people to get proper information and explain that you can educate yourself for free and develop an amazing career. Time and market develops faster than the educational system”, - says Executive Producer Zhiliang Tang “Learning about the planet, the nature, animals and environment, as well as the history is extremely important. Learning history helps us to repeat less mistakes.

Learning about the planet and nature will help us to learn how to love and appreciate our home - the Earth. We stay away from politics or religion. Biblical legends are philosophical lessons which help us to learn wisdom and history again.

The wiser we are the better we could organize our life” , - says showrunner and director Victor Migalchan.

“Connecting cultures, exploring cultures was always a passion of mine”, - says Executive Producer of the Dragon Chef Elena Runceanu. “TV and film have amazing power and I’m very happy that we can explore and educate each other, connect. Plus I’m happy to share my own culture with the whole world. What can be better than exploring, learning and sharing while having delicious meals”, - says Elena.

Besides these TV projects, Movieverse Entertainment develops an international online program which will hold international masterclasses, seminars and also work as an international bridge and union for filmmakers.

“The power of education cannot be underestimated”, - says Victor Migalchan.

“We are delighted and happy to connect

Showrunner Victor Migalchan with the guest of the show Alex Mosendz

professionals from Hollywood with the whole world, hold masterclasses, seminars and even events. We need to be more connected in order for the business to develop” ,- says Victor Migalchan.

Besides online this platform, Victor Migalchan prepares to publish his book “The Showrunner: how I created my 1st tv show”, which is a detailed practical guide for filmmakers.

Another important project, initiated

by Sasha Socko, which Movieverse Entertainment is developing is a documentary which addresses another important social issue: divorces. As family values begin to fade in this new social media era, the amount of divorces keeps growing. This social issue has a

Executive Producer of the Dragon Chef Elena Runceanu

lot of reasons which the creators Sasha Socko and Victor Migalchan will research in this documentary.

“We won’t just show how terrible divorces are, what people are going through. We want to find solutions and show people how important this union is. This is a real value. Divorces impact not only you, but also children if there are any. It is super important to build a healthy relationship, healthy marriage and a happy family. We have to prepare ourselves for that. Our partners have to be ready. There will be less tears in the world if we approach this seriously”, says creator Sasha Socko.

Many values indeed changed recently.

Executive producer Edward Cologna also mentioned this to us in our interview.

Showrunner and director Victor Migalchan also emphasizes the importance of the family values in My American Family.

“As my mentor Mr Cologna says : family is the main unit of society. We have to work on ourselves more to bring more and better deeds to the world, to each other, to our partners. Individualistic world won’t hold for a long time. Family is a union when one lives for another.

Love is the most powerful feeling and wish of good for your partner. Let’s not practice “fish love”. When I came to Los Angeles and got deeper into research of relationships it inspired me to write a book on relationships: “How do men feel : or how to build a healthy relationship”. I saw too much disrespect and destruction

and wanted to help people. This is how we connected with Sasha and her idea”, says director Victor Migalchan.

The uniqueness of the project, which Sasha Socko offered to develop, is that she herself went through a difficult divorce and now she helps many people in America and around the world. This pretty sad topic made her an influencer, she became that important and desired support for people in need. She makes them.

“I could bring this issue up and help many people through social media, but I want to take it to a way higher level.

Film and tv carry enormous power and I decided to team up with Victor Migalchan and make this documentary. We will show details and help more people, empower more people. We will even go and compete for Emmy awards and Oscars. Believe me no drama film has so much drama than real life stories of divorces. You don’t need to learn acting to cry. You will cry when you hear them” , - says film creator and producer Sasha Socko. “Of course I look at this issue from the point of view of a woman and I want to empower women all around the world, support them and show them that they are not alone. But I also understand that I’ll have to balance up the story, a lot of men are suffering too. This is why I team up with Victor Migalchan and Movieverse Entertainment. Together we will create a film which hopefully will change something in this world for better”, says Sasha.

Film Creator and Producer Sasha Socko

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33

Hollywood Weekly - Page Turners BedsideReading.com

It’s a new year, let’s turn over a new page! Here are our suggestions!

After Happily Ever After by Leslie A. Rasmussen Maggie Dolan, forty-five-years, is struggling with getting older. With her husband hiding a secret, and her daughter soon leaving for college, she realizes it’s her time to rediscover the woman she used to be. As Maggie starts out on this exciting and sometimes scary journey, she tries to navigate through the problems in her marriage, her daughter pulling away from her, her narcissistic mother, and the news that her father’s health is deteriorating, she finds herself pulled in a direction that makes her question the life she’s always known. After Happily Ever After deals with marriage, family, the empty nest, aging parents and what happens when they come crashing down at the same time.

Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti In this thought-provoking and entertaining debut novel about a multicultural family, a dying billionaire matriarch leaks news of her death early so she can examine her legacy—a decision that horrifies her children and inadvertently exposes secrets she has spent a lifetime keeping.

Dava Shastri, one of the world’s wealthiest women, has always lived with her sterling reputation in mind. A brain cancer diagnosis at the age of seventy, however, changes everything, and Dava decides to take her death—like all matters of her life—into her own hands.

Summoning her four adult children to her private island, she discloses shocking news: in addition to having a terminal illness, she has arranged for the news of her death to break early, so she can read her obituaries. As someone who dedicated her life to the arts and the empowerment of women, Dava expects to read articles lauding her philanthropic work.

Instead, her “death” reveals two devastating secrets, truths she thought she had buried forever.

And now the whole world knows, including her children. In the time she has left, Dava must come to terms with the decisions that have led to this moment—and make peace with those closest to her before it’s too late.

Mine to Five by Tara September

It Takes a Village

by Kevin Pereau Our smartphones are changing the way we manage our health, democratizing healthcare and better connecting us to everything we need to get and stay healthy.

But what happens when we are all connected and how do we plug in? It Takes a Village checks in with healthcare’s top thought leaders to capture and share their insights on who is doing what and how you can benefit. Innovation never rests. From devices, to artificial intelligence, providers to innovators and everything in between. Learn how to leverage healthcare innovation from a pop culture take that anyone can relate to. All you need is your smartphone. Plug in and get connected. To your health!

Her dream job. His last chance. Working as a team will make their wishes come true, but at what price?

Working beyond nine to five and barely getting by, Melanie Thomas is eager to celebrate the impending holiday season and to toast the start of her dream marketing job over drinks with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he has different plans—like seeing other women. Indulging in a pity party with tequila, Melanie confides in a sexy stranger at the bar. It’s almost Christmas. One night of letting go won’t hurt anything, right? Turns out it just might—when the stranger is her new boss. Determined to succeed at her job, Melanie won’t be scared away.

Matthew Ryans is burned out and on thin ice at the company he helped build unless he gets his head back in the game. Yet his head, both upper and lower, are quickly becoming obsessed with his new assistant. Still, he can’t seem to fully begrudge Melanie’s distracting presence and the Christmas joy she brings with it. Especially considering that her enthusiasm has him reenergized. For once, he is longing for Mondays, but with his heart and job on the line, he can’t risk blurring the lines no matter how strong the lure of holiday mistletoe is.

34 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Impact by Sir Ronald Cohen The world must change, but we cannot change it by throwing money at old ideas that no longer work. We need a new path to a new world where inequality is shrinking, where natural resources are regenerated, and people can benefit from shared prosperity. This is the world being created by the Impact Revolution.

Preeminent international investor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and social finance innovator, Sir Ronald Cohen, has dedicated two decades to leading the Impact Revolution to achieve real social and environmental change. As one of the founders of venture capital, which ushered in the Tech Revolution, he builds on his years of personal experience to deliver a compelling account of how impact investing is reshaping capitalism.

So, whether you’re: • • • • • •

an aspiring young entrepreneur an established business person an investor a philanthropist or somebody in government or are interested, as a consumer or employee, in companies doing good and doing well at the same time – this book is a sure-fire way to find out how you can play a role in changing the world.

Leading Beyond Change by Michael K. Sahota and Audreee Tara Sahota What does it take to navigate the current complexity of organizational performance? How do you create a high-performance organization filled with energized people motivated people? Most people’s beliefs about leadership, effective workplaces, and creating lasting change are either incomplete or outright incorrect.

“In the quest to improve organizational performance, the first step is to understand and improve personal leadership abilities.”

- Luke Hohmann, Founder and CEO, FirstRoot, Inc. and Creator of Innovation Games The way we think about business and leadership is quickly transforming. Leadership is required to step up to become more conscious of how they lead. Organizations are looking for new ways of working to scale business agility. Yet this is an evolutionary shift, where business as usual methods of management will not work. How can you scale excellence with people?

Leading Beyond Change gives the “How To” transform your organization and your leadership through the SHIFT314 Evolutionary Leadership FrameworkTM (SELF) — an integrated system with the maps, models, principles and tools for the immediate application needed to move from Traditional to Evolutionary ways of working.

“In this ground-breaking step-by-step guide, Michael and Audree Sahota have cracked the code on a new way of working and leading that build high-performance teams and organizations.”

- Stephan M. Mardyks, CEO Wisdom Destinations and SMCOVEY Michael and Audree co-creators of The SHIFT314 Evolutionary Leadership Framework [SELF] a system to lead beyond change with practices to create successful outcomes. Realize the extraordinary that thousands of leaders and over 200 companies worldwide have put into practice.

Proxy Bride

by Katy Paige In the state of Montana, there is a little-known legal loophole that provides for double proxy marriage, should a bride and groom be unable to say their wedding vows in person. Small-town school teacher, Jenny Lindstrom, agrees to take wedding vows on behalf of her best friend, while city slicker, Sam Kelley, promises to stand in on behalf of his cousin, the groom.

But when these two unlikely proxies end up missing their appointment with the judge, they’re forced to spend a long weekend together.

Despite their differences, they find themselves drawn to each other: Sam finds Jenny’s unaffected wholesomeness refreshing, and Sam’s gentle teasing fills Jenny with a longing she has never known.

But when a supermodel ex, a very handsome principal, and three overprotective older brothers start meddling, will our sweet country mouse and slick city mouse find a path that leads to happily-everafter?

Set against the snowy backdrop of Gardiner, Montana, Proxy Bride is the perfect holiday read for fans of hot chocolate, warm gingerbread, and the magic of Hallmark Christmas movies!

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 35

The Art of Enough by Becky Hall Ever feel like you aren’t Enough?

Overwhelmed by having too much to do or too much complexity to deal with?

Concerned about over-consumption and the climate crisis?

You’re not alone.

The Art of Enough is the challenge of our age.

In a world full of pressure to be more, do more and consume more, this practical guidebook will help the overwhelmed find their own version of Enough. Enough is a springboard for self-belief, a healthy work pace and sustainable living, enabling us to move from striving to thriving, both individually and globally.

Weaving together ideas, stories and practices, The Art of Enough offers seven ways to ease away from the pull of scarcity on the one hand and excess on the other, towards flourishing with Enough; finding the balance and boundaries we all need for ourselves and for our world.

The Haunting of Elmwood Manor by Pamela McCord Three teenagers, led by Pekin Dewlap, who is obsessed with the paranormal, start a ghost hunting business. The story begins when Pekin receives a request for help with a haunted mansion. Pekin then convinces her friends, Amber and Scout, to join her in the endeavor.

They reluctantly agree and the adventure begins at 12 Elmwood.

Their first task is to contact the ghost, who turns out to be a 14 year old girl, Miranda Talbert, who died tragically at the house. After that, it is all about solving the mystery and helping Miranda to find peace and be able to move on. A story perfect for the young and the young at heart.

The Fairy Princess

by Audree Tara Sahota A Fairy Princess bound by an ancient spell is locked in a castle and waiting to be kissed by her true love. Join this magical journey of self-discovery as the Princess is visited by 3 suitors on her search for love. Who will be the one to break the spell?

A timeless message for children and adults alike, to embrace an important lesson about love.

The Sound Between the Notes by Barbara Linn Probst What if you had an unexpected “second chance” at the very thing you thought you’d renounced forever? How high a price would you be willing to pay?

Susannah’s career as a pianist has been on hold for nearly sixteen years, ever since her son was born. An adoptee who’s never forgiven her birth mother for not putting her first, Susannah vowed to put her own child first, no matter what. And she did.

But now, suddenly, she has a chance to vault into that elite tier of “chosen” musicians. There’s just one problem: somewhere along the way, she lost the power and the magic that used to be hers at the keyboard. She needs to get them back. Now. Her quest—what her husband calls her obsession—turns out to have a cost Susannah could never have anticipated. One after another, escalating challenges block her path. Even her hand betrays her, as Susannah learns that she has a progressive hereditary disease that’s making her fingers cramp and curl—a curse waiting in her genes, legacy of a birth family that gave her little else. As her now-or-never concert draws near, Susannah is catapulted back to memories she’s never been able to purge—and forward, to choices she never thought she’d have to make.

Told through the unique perspective of a musician, The Sound Between the Notes draws the reader deeper and deeper into the question Susannah can no longer silence: Who am I, and where do I belong?

“One of the best indie books of 2021!” -Kirkus Reviews 36 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

The Last Lumenian

by S.G. Blaise The Last Lumenian is a coming of age story of a 19-year-old princess, Lilla, who is rebel-in-disguise, fighting for the refugee’s freedom.

The arrival of the mysterious and ruggedly-handsome Callum brings news of a bigger battle - the Era War between the two ruling archgods- that threatens not only Lilla’s home world but everyone else’s in the Seven Galaxies. Lilla must learn to control her magic and defeat the dark god before He finds her - the last Lumenian.

Conversations With Our Authors Firework Humans: Spark A Growth Mindset. Ignite 9 Entrepreneurial Instincts. Fuel Courage, Curiosity, Confidence, & Conviction by Jessica Mead Firework Humans teaches readers how they can live an extraordinary life full of fireworks and steadily control their own orbit. Founder, CEO, Investor, and Homeschool Mom, Jessica Mead has spent two decades focused on how to spark entrepreneurial instincts in her employees and children. In Firework Humans, she offers a powerful and hopeful perspective on parenting, running a business, and amplifying one’s life. She introduces the Nine Entrepreneurial Instincts that she believes every human possesses and guides readers through the process of developing these instincts into behavioral traits.

Q&A with Jessica Mead Q: How did you identify the 9 Entrepreneurial Instincts and why are they important for leaders to understand?

A: As a mom who has homeschooled two very different types of children, and a business owner who has had dozens of employees, I’ve seen first hand how differently humans learn and what captivates their curiosity. There is so much research around learning styles, management styles, personality traits, and how to motivate people. I combined that research with what I observed through over a decade of teaching kids and running remote business teams. The 9 Entrepreneurial Instincts are a way for leaders to better understand how to bring out the best in people.

Q: As a female CEO who runs 20+ companies, homeschools her children, and is an active angel investor, what do you foresee 2022 has in store for women who are juggling work and family?

A: It will be a very empowering year for women in all situations.

The Pandemic turned the working woman’s world upside down.

Overnight, women had to manage their work life differently, while figuring out how to distance educate or homeschool their children. It was a massive disruption for some and has forever changed how company managers and heads of families will look at running a business and a family. When I started fielding questions from women (and men) about how to homeschool AND how to manage their staff differently, it occurred to me that people needed to switch mindsets. 2022 will truly be a year of rebirth and revitalization for everyone. Women will be leading in business. Companies will look at remote teams as a plus, not a burden. Women will enter 2022 with a much clearer sense of what’s important both in business and at home.

The Charisma Factor by Leesa Rowland Charisma. This unique quality of confidence, natural ability and personal magnetism exists within each and every one of us, just waiting to be unlocked. But while everyone is born with the capacity for charisma, few ever take full advantage of this amazing personal gift.

More than a guide to becoming popular or charming—The Charisma Factor is part mentor, part roadmap to embracing your individuality, discovering your authenticity and empowering yourself. By determining what we really want in life, we ignite the drive necessary to reach new heights and become our best possible self.

This is the “it” factor—the charisma factor—that separates leaders from followers, students from teachers, and dreamers from doers.

Q&A with Leesa Rowland Q: What is charisma?

A: Charisma is that special, compelling spark that makes you who you are, different from the rest, with an ability to excite yourself and others.

Q: Can you learn charisma?

A: Charisma can be learned and, of course, practiced. All you need is the true grit learn it by yourself, practicing over and over until it becomes part of your daily life.

Q: Can anyone develop charisma?

A: I have discovered that charisma is not only for leaders and celebrities, but is something that can be developed by anyone who has the interest, drive and the tools to make it happen.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 37

The Way You See Me Now Maury K. Downs A heart-warming sci-fi story of admiration, curiosity, innocence, compassion, and true friendship What would you do if you came across real alien beings from another world?

Would you share what happened?

Would you keep it a secret?

Could you even keep it a secret?

buy it now @

Background image: ESA/Hubble & NASA

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