Thandie Newton

Born in London on November 6, 1972, Thandie Newton is a consummate actress associated with riveting performances in everything from Beloved to Besieged to Crash.

She will soon be seen in the independent film Vanishing on 7th Street where she stars opposite Hayden Christensen and John Leguizamo, and she is currently shooting the psychological thriller The Retreat with Cillian Murphy and Jamie Bell.

Thandie won both a BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards for her work in Crash, the Academy Award-winning Best Picture of 2006. She most recently appeared in 2012, a sci-fi flick which grossed in excess of $750 million at the box office worldwide.

Newton impersonated Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in W. which was directed by Oliver Stone. Other films on her impressive resume’ include The Pursuit of Happyness, Run Fat Boy Run, The Truth about Charlie and Mission Impossible 2.

Here, she talks about playing Tangie in Tyler Perry’s screen adaptation of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls, an ensemble drama co-starring Kerry Washington, Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and Phylicia Rashad.

Kam Williams: Hi, Thandie, thanks for the time. The last time we spoke was when you were doing Run Fatboy Run.

Thandie Newton: [Sarcastically] Well, For Colored Girls is exactly like that one, isn’t it Kam?

KW: [Playing along] Sure, the same storyline, and you’re even playing the same character. I want to get right to questions submitted by fans of yours. Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks what were your initial feelings about taking the role of Tangie?

TN: Terror. I was really terrified, because the film was so unlike anything I’d ever done before, because Tangie’s so unlike me, and because of the quiet, sensitive and grateful place I was in my life on a personal level. I knew I’d now have to go out and be this audacious, promiscuous character.

KW: But you killed in the role! You did it!

TN: You know what, my darling? I got into it. I pulled myself away from my place of peace and compassion. [LOL]

KW: Reverend Florine Thompson asks: Which character in For Colored Girls do you most identify with?

TN: Oh, goodness! Gilda, possibly. But, honestly, I identify with a bit of everybody.

KW: Editor/legist Patricia Turner says: I think you’re a great actress! Is Tangie one of the more complex and challenging characters you’ve played?

TN: Absolutely! And I am so grateful for the opportunity to play her, because there are times when a character is uncomplicated and just about moving the story from A to B which makes me want to quit. As opposed to pieces like this where I get to play a real character. For Colored Girls has recharged my batteries for the next decade. It reminded me of what acting can be, how powerful a tool it can be, and how entertaining and provocative it can be for an audience. These types of roles don’t come along often, but I seem to get them at the right time, and then I decide not to throw in the towel.

KW: FSU grad Laz Lyles asks: With a text this powerful, what was the self-discovery factor like? Were there any dormant traits that unexpectedly came to the surface?

TN: I found an uncompromising, dominating person that felt good, actually.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman says: I remember how moved I was after reading For Colored Girls when it was first published. Did the depicted slices of African-American women’s lives resonate with you even though you grew up in Cornwall as the daughter of a woman born in Africa?

TN: It’s funny, because I don’t feel like I’m playing an African-American, necessarily. I feel like I’m playing a human being with that specific accent, that’s all. And I feel that way with all the characters I play. My approach might be validated by my background in anthropology which I majored in at Cambridge. I learned there that when it comes to emotions, we all feel pain in the same way, everyone, whether you’re from Istanbul or Beijing.

KW: Yale grad Tommy Russell asks: Is there a theatrical role you would love to play?

TN: I’m looking forward to playing Cleopatra, in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, but not for anther twenty years or so.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

TN: I’ll let you know when that question arises. I’m sure it’s out there, but I couldn’t put my finger on it right now.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

TN: Less and less as time goes by.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

TN: Yes.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

TN: Ooh, yesterday afternoon with my children in the back of a cab. One of them said something so dry and witty that I laughed until I had tears in my eyes.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

TN: It’s called, “What to Look for in Winter,” by Candia McWilliam. http://www.amazon.co.uk/What-Look-Winter-Candia-McWilliam/dp/022408898X

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: Who are you listening to on your iPod?

TN: Right now, the group TV on the Radio.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

TN: Banana bread.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

TN: Nathan Jenden.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

TN: My children.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

TN: That rape would no longer be used as a weapon of war.

KW: How can your fans help you?

TN: Aww, that’s a sweet question. By being honest… By having opinions… and by being adventurous about what they choose to watch, movie-wise.

KW: The Boris Kodjoe question: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

TN: My daughters, definitely.

KW: Have you ever wished you could have your anonymity back?

TN: It’s impossible. I don’t think anyone’s anonymous, anyway.

KW: Do you ever feel the pressure to not change creatively?

TN: No, I don’t. I’ve been fortunate not to have been pigeonholed by virtue of being mixed-race, of being English and black, and by virtue of working all over the world. I’ve enjoyed a great degree of variety in the work that I’ve done. It’s been quite unique.

KW: The Nancy Lovell Question: Why do you love doing what you do?

TN: The people I meet, the stories I hear, and the experiences I get to have without actually living them for real.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

TN: A cigarette at the end of the day.

KW: Reverend Florine Thompson asks: What spiritual path do you follow?

TN: Buddhism.

KW: Do you ever get lonely while working on the road?

TN: Yeah, but I call my Mum, and she gets on a plane and comes to see me.

KW: the Zane question: Do you have any regrets?

TN: No.

KW: Bernadette asks: Are you still friendly with Nicole Kidman?

TN: Yes, I still see Nicole. Whenever we get together, we have nothing but good things to say to each other. We shared a very beautiful time and memory making a movie called Flirting. We were both very young, and I think there’s a real fondness that we identify with one another just because of how young we were and how much life has changed since then. So, when I see her, I feel like life is slipping back into that innocence, which is really sweet.

KW: Tommy asks: Is it true that you drive a Prius? If so, do you like your new car and do you think everyone should make the shift to a hybrid or electric car?

TN: Yes, I have for about three years now. Yes, I like it, but it takes a commitment to convert to living in ways which are environmentally sound.

KW: Reverend Thompson was wondering, if you had a choice to play the role of a famous person, who might that be.

TN: Nina Simone. I’d love to just know more about her, and a movie would be a great place to see the evolution of her life and to learn from it and to be grateful for what she was able to give the world despite having suffered so much.

KW: A famous person you already played was Condoleezza Rice. How did you prepare for that role?

TN: I went back to my Cambridge roots and did an ethnography on her. I read a lot of books, not only about her, specifically, but also about the Bush administration. And I watched snatches of her on everything from Charlie Rose to Youtube and then I channeled everything that I learned from my research into my performance on screen.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

TN: Finding a diamond in a sausage.

KW: The Flex Alexander question: How do you get through the tough times?

TN: By remembering what I’m grateful for.

KW: What has been the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?

TN: Myself.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

TN: Live in the moment.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: how do you want to be remembered?

TN: You’ve been kind.

KW: Well, thanks for another great interview, Thandie.

TN: Thank you, Kam, this has been really interesting. Bye.

To see a trailer for For Colored Girls, visit:

Essence Atkins was born in New York City on February 7, 1972. Between her innate sense of comedy and girl-next-door charm, it makes sense that she has become one of Hollywood's most sought-after talents. Last year, she played a lead role in Dance Flick, a spoof of the dance genre produced by the Wayans Brothers.

On the UPN comedy series Half & Half, she starred as Dee Dee Thorne, a privileged, honor-roll law school graduate searching for her identity. Still, Essence is probably best known for her role as Yvette Henderson in the syndicated Disney series The Smart Guy and for her recurring role as Marnie on Sabrina, The Teenage Witch.

Essence Atkins "Are We Ther Yet"

She was also a series regular on several other television shows, including Aaron Spelling's Malibu Shores and the critically acclaimed CBS drama Under One Roof. Her many guest-starring credits include House, The Class, Love Inc., Moesha, For Your Love, The John Larroquette Show, The Wayans Brothers, The Parent 'Hood, Family Matters and The Cosby Show.
Atkins’ film career includes the title role in the independent film Nikita's Blues. And she delivered memorable performances in Love Song, How High and Deliver Us From Eva. Furthermore, she’s enjoyed co-starring roles in Looking through Lillian, Love & Other Four Letter Words, Preacher's Kid and N-Secure which is currently in theaters.

As a familiar face on four TV series and with numerous screen roles under her belt, Essence is a versatile talent whose star continues to rise. Here, she talks about co-starring opposite Terry Crews in Are We There Yet, the hit sitcom airing on the TBS Network.

Kam Williams: Hi Essence, thanks for the time.
Essence Atkins: No problem, whatsoever.

KW: What interested you in playing Suzanne on Are We There Yet?
EA: Just the desire to play a mom, wanting to play someone actually closer to who I am and where I am in my life. People are used to seeing me play the single, hot girl, which has been fun, but at the same time, this role is more akin to my natural proclivities. [Laughs]

KW: I know you got married a year ago. Congratulations! You sound like you

Essence and her new hubby

might be planning to have children soon.
EA: We’re in the practicing phase. I keep asking the coach to put me in the game. So, we’ll see. [LOL]

KW: Did your friends think you were crazy for marrying a man you met on the internet?
EA: Yeah, they did think I was nuts. Everyone was like, “Why do you need to meet someone on Match.com?” My response was, “I certainly don’t need to meet more of the same broke, acting class guys that I’d been dating my whole life.” I needed to change that whole paradigm. So, I decided to meet some corporate guys and see how that worked. So, I went on Match, but I didn’t put a picture up, because I’m on television, and I didn’t want anybody contacting me for the wrong reasons. So, I had to do the hunting, as it were. I didn’t anticipate meeting my husband online, but there he was. And it all worked out!

KW: Were you at all intimidated by the fact that Are We There Yet had first been a hit on the big screen and that your character had been played by Nia Long?

EA: Of course. It was an established franchise with fans, and any time you step into that it’s a bit overwhelming. But [Ice] Cube has been great, and so encouraging and supportive not only playing my big brother but as an executive producer, at least when he’s not completely intimidating as the godfather of gangsta’ rap. [Laughs] But, no, he gives us the freedom to do what we need to do, and his sanctioning has definitely helped.

KW: And what new are you bringing to the character, Suzanne?
EA: It just gets deeper, because the storyline is really about the new family and the new journey. Six months into the marriage you get to see her cope with all these different agendas. Besides the fact that that she’s been a single-mom and raising these two kids by herself, all of a sudden it dawns on her that she has to incorporate someone else’s way of doing things. And that’s the source of a lot of the comedy.

KW: I know you’re from New York. Where did you grow up?
EA: St. Albans

KW: So did I, small world. Where did you go to high school?
EA: I attended Professional Children’s School in Manhattan because my ballet and modern dance schedules were intensive and had started to interfere with regular school hours. I used to take the bus to the subway, and then three trains to the school. But it was from there that I got my very first opportunity to audition, and the next thing I knew I was on The Cosby Show.

KW: Did you leave dance behind at that point?
EA: I did. I saw the check, and that was it. Besides, most dancers’ bodies are kind of broken down by 30, and they have to retire.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
EA: Sure, where do I want the seven-figure wire transfer sent? That’s a good one that nobody’s ever asked me. [LOL] Seriously, I do want to clear up that my husband [Jaime Mendez] is not a dirty old man. He’s only a year older than me, despite the grey hair. Let’s clarify that, and that I’m not related to Tia or Tamera [Mowry]. I did play their real brother’s [Tahj Mowry] sister on Smart Guy, but there’s no relation. What else? Yes, my middle name is Uhura after Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek. And I was probably conceived in a roller skating rink, but I don’t really want to talk about that.

KW: And where did the name Essence come from?
EA: My mother was convinced she was having a boy, so she only came up with boys’ names. Thankfully, my father came up with an alternative, otherwise you’d be interviewing a Jeff Atkins with a very high voice.

KW: Why Essence?
EA: He explained to mother that, if it’s a girl, she’ll be the essence of everything that’s good and beautiful in you.

KW: Aww, how sweet.
EA: Yeah, that was very nice, but it was also probably the last nice moment between them, because they split up shortly thereafter. [LOL]

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
EA: Am I ever afraid? Yes. And when I am, that means I should do it.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
EA: Very, extremely, blissfully so. Even in my pain, I’m happy. I like crying. It makes me feel alive. Challenges, when you’re in a tumultuous situation, are an opportunity to grow, an opportunity to get closer to God, an opportunity to find and kind of reform yourself, and to figure out what really matters and what your priorities are. Not that I’m welcoming tribulation, but I find that it is beneficial.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
EA: A couple of hours ago when Terry [Crews] was telling a story. I laughed really hard even though it was the second time I’d heard it. It didn’t matter because it’s such a good story it makes me laugh just thinking about it actually. [Chuckles]

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
EA: I’m reading a novel by Chris Cleave right now called “Little Bee.” It’s fantastic! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1416589643?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1416589643

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?
EA: I’m a kid of the Eighties, so I listen to everything from Journey to Sade to Madonna. I’m kinda stuck in the era that I grew up in.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
EA: Wow! When I look in the mirror, what do I see? [Pauses] I see a strong, independent, working woman who is very much in love and very happy with the reflection in that mirror.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
EA: Ooh, that’s not so happy… [Pauses] You know what? I’ll give you a happy one: my mother reading me to sleep every night as a child, which is the source of my lifelong love of storytelling.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?
EA: I like to make Arroz con Gandules, rice with pigeon peas. My husband loves it. It’s a Puerto Rican dish my mother taught me.

KW: Thanks again, Essence, and best of luck both with the show and the movie.
EA: Alright, thanks so much!

To see a trailer for N-Secure, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDzJklFZ_U4

To see a trailer for Are We There Yet, visit:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hlBaUfoUT_U

TBS has recently ordered an additional 90 episodes of Essence’s hit sitcom Are We There Yet? following this year’s highly-successful first season. The series, which co-stars Terry Crews is produced by Revolution Studios and Cube Vision and distributed by Debmar-Mercury. The show premiered June 2 as part of TBS’s enormously popular Wednesday lineup of original sitcoms. The series ranked among cable’s Top 10 new series for the quarter, averaging 2.8 million viewers and 1.5 million adults 18-49. It also scored as the #1 show on television in prime time delivery of African-American adults 18-34 and 18-49 for the second quarter.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia on December 10, 1985, Raven-Symone' Christina Pearman got an early start in showbiz when she was signed by

Raven-Symone'

the Ford Modeling Agency while she was still in diapers. After appearing in TV ads for everything from Cool Whip to Jello, she was invited to join the cast of “The Cosby Show.” She’s best known for the Emmy-nominated comedy series “That's So Raven” on the Disney Channel where she played the title character Raven Baxter, a teenager who periodically has psychic visions of the future.

On the big screen, she was last seen starring in College Road Trip opposite Martin Lawrence where she played an overachieving high school student who decides to travel around the country to choose the perfect university to attend. Raven’s other film credits include The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Dr. Dolittle and Dr. Dolittle 2.

As for her musical career, she has released four solo albums so far, most recently "Raven-Symoné" on Hollywood Records. An innovative entrepreneur, she created a "how to" online destination for teens and ‘tweens, RavenSymonePresents.com. The site features an easy to use video player and playlist where users can discover new content. The video clips feature Raven-Symoné personally demonstrating an array of useful tips and project ideas for her fans and supporters.

Furthermore, Raven devotes much of her free time to her humanitarian concerns, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which fulfills the dreams of children with life-threatening medical conditions. She’s involved with Girls Incorporated, too, a national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring young females to be strong, smart, and bold by providing vital educational programs, particularly in high-risk, under served areas. Additionally, she is involved with the Aviva Family and Children's Services, an organization that provides life-saving and life-affirming support to thousands of children and families located in Los Angeles.

Here, Raven talks about her new DVD, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue, where she reprises her recurring role as the voice of the fairy Iridessa.

Kam Williams: Hi, Raven. Thanks for the time. The last time we spoke, you were making a movie with Martin Lawrence.
Raven-Symone’: College Road Trip!

KW: Right! How’d you enjoy playing Iridessa again in Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue?
RS: I love playing Iridessa. I’ve been playing her since I was 18 years-old, and it just gets better each time.

KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks, how much of Iridessa is so Raven?
RS: [Laughs] How much of Iridessa is so Raven? Well, Iridessa is the kind of girl who makes sure that all the t’s are crossed and all the i’s are dotted but, at the same time, she would help a friend in need. She has a couple of traits like mine, but while I’m very adventurous, I’m mostly the type of girl who doesn’t want to get into trouble. So, what normally happens is I’m the instigator. I’ll tell a friend, “Go see what’s around that corner,” while I stay behind and watch out. I’m more like that, but I think there’s a little bit of me in every character I portray. I think of myself as very nice and very loyal when it comes to my friends, so those are qualities Iridessa and I have in common.

KW: How challenging is it doing an animated character? I assume you were all alone in a sound studio with no one to act opposite.
RS: That’s the interesting thing about voiceovers. Usually, there’s no one in the room with you but the writer, the director and an engineer. And then, it’s up to the animators and the editors later to make it all seem very natural, as if the cast members were friends forever and had all been recorded simultaneously.

KW: How hard is not having other actors to play against?

RS: The director will usually read the other actors’ lines to you. But the cool thing is that you can make any kind of wild gestures and exaggerated facial expressions you want, which is good, because the more you contort your body, the more emotion you generally get out of your voice. I’m also able to repeat each line of dialogue up to a half-dozen times, trying different inflections, if necessary.

KW: I see that the next installment of Tinkerbell is already slated to be released in September of 2011. How long do you think the franchise can continue?
RS: For a really, really long time, I hope, because I think it’s a wonderful DVD series to collect. I’ve always wanted to be a part of the Disney vault, and the longer it’s extended, the more I may be able to be a part of that history.

KW: What would you say is the message of this installment of Tinkerbell?
RS: It’s loyalty, friendship, caring and understanding on both sides, the fairies and friends’ side, and the family’s side. In the story, Tinkerbell meets a human for the first time, and the little girl’s father doesn’t believe his daughter when she tells him that fairies exist. In real life, we tend to doubt a child who says something like that, and part of the message here is that imagination is something we shouldn’t kill in kids at such a young age.

KW: Larry Greenberg says, “I'm a fan. I'm 40 and I love watching "That's So Raven". He wants to know whether you think fairies will invade the
entertainment world the way that vampires and werewolves have?
RS: You know what, Larry. You’re 40. I don’t need you to tell anybody that you’re watching “That’s So Raven.” [LOL] No, I really appreciate you’re support, sir. The cool thing about fairies is that it’s not really a fad, because Tinkerbell was one of the first characters created by Disney. The fairy and princess worlds have never gone out of style. They’ll always be there, given that there will always be kids in kindergarten, and little girls who want to be princesses. So, I don’t see fairies as a fad, but as a staple of our entertainment world.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls says, with so many career options, singing, acting, producing, etcetera, which part of the business do you enjoy most?
RS: I enjoy the outcome of each project. After each one is done, I love learning from kids, teenagers and adults, how it might have connected with their lives. Whether it’s helping them deal with a relationship with their father (College Road Trip), getting through those difficult years in high school (That’s So Raven), or overcoming weight or beauty issues, I love when my work resonates with someone in a meaningful way, because that’s what I do it for.

KW: Irene says she’s observes that you have never been typecast as the "black girl" in any of the roles you’ve played She wants to know, how you avoided being narrowly typecast?
RS: Well, I try not to pick roles that separate my color from the story itself. Does that make sense?

KW: Yep.
RS: So, when I do pick a role, I’m just a human being. I don’t think it’s necessary to over-exaggerate the fact that I’m an African-American. I’m a human first. Just thank God that in the roles for which I’ve been picked, it’s not about the color. It’s about the story. And hopefully, that story is so universal that it will connect with everyone, including an alien. I don’t really want it to be that serious of a situation. Underlining it, I know I’m African-American, and I’m proud of that. And I think it’s very important that more of us be cast to tell normal stories. But I try to not stress over it.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman says that she loves you and loves watching Raven re-runs. She goes on to say “I love that she shows good home training.”
RS: [Giggles] Bernadette must be from the South.

KW: No, she’s from New York. Her question is, how many times a week do people still recognize you as the little kid from The Cosby Show?
RS: Every day. And if it ever stopped, I’d be really scared.

KW: Bernadette also wants to know, if you were to mentor a 13-year old girl trying to follow in your footsteps, what would be your most important piece of advice for her?
RS: To understand that this is the entertainment business. It’s a business, not real life. Performers are trying to make money. When they go home, they probably behave totally differently from how they do on TV and from what you read about them in magazines. I would mentor her to be smart and business-minded, if she wanted to be in the industry. But I probably would be happier if she didn’t want to enter show business at all, because there are so many other fields where smart females are urgently needed where they can make a critical, socially-significant impact than by doing anything entertainment has to offer.

KW: She goes on to say, “You played a clairvoyant in your Raven role. Have you ever sensed that ability in yourself in real life?”
RS: Yes, I have. I don’t really like to talk about it too much, because it’s a little personal for me. But I’m a very spiritual person, and I believe that there are amazing special gifts that people are blessed with. It just depends on whether you want to listen or not.

KW: Bernadette observes that you’ve done everything but produce a film. Is that in the cards?
RS: I have produced a film, College Road Trip with Martin Lawrence, and there are many more to come.

KW: Finally, she notes that you’ve had such incredible professional success at such a young age, and so she wonders whether potential romantic partners are intimidated by that.
RS: [LOL] I don’t know… I don’t know.

KW: Editor/legist Patricia Turnier asks, what is your advice for aspiring actresses who want to enjoy longevity like you in show business?
RS: Make it about the business, and not about your personal life. Understand that it can end at any moment, take it one day at a time, and have fun.

KW: Patricia also says “A lot of child stars find it difficult to live and grow up in a fish bowl. How did you avoid all the craziness and stay so grounded?
RS: I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I went to public school. I failed algebra and had to go to summer school. My parents, for a reason I won’t divulge, put me on punishment for a year. So, I had a normal life my entire childhood. I only moved to Los Angeles at 15. My Mom evaluated me psychologically at 21, declared me semi-sane, and let me start handling my own business.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
RS: I’m sure there is, but I can’t think of one off the top of my head.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?
RS: Last night.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?
RS: Dr. Wayne Dyer’s “The Power of Intention.” http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401902162?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1401902162

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?
RS: I listen to a lot of Robyn, Nina Simone and underground music. I feel like my music IQ is growing.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?
RS: I see a female that’s in a dream world.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?
RS: That people would tell the truth, and stop lying to ourselves.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?
RS: Last week. [LOL] I have a horrible memory. Actually, my earliest childhood memory would have to be my first day of kindergarten. I remember what my hair looked like, and I think that’s why I was so happy. We didn’t have that much money, so my mother braided it with newspapers and curled it up the night before. I wore this black outfit, and both my parents and my tutor from The Cosby Show came with me to school that morning.

KW: Have you ever wished you could have your anonymity back?
RS: I have my anonymity. That’s the cool thing. There’s a part of me that people will never know. And I love that. I even named that person. Raven-Symone’ is pretty much my alter ego. It feels good to have the real me that’s not scrutinized and questioned.

KW: What is the recipe for your favorite dish?
RS: Gumbo, with lobster, scallops, snow crab, shrimp, chicken, turkey sausage, bacon fat, butter, water and special seasonings my late grandmother gave me which I can’t tell you because I want to keep her secret. You boil all the ingredients with some roux for about two hours. It’s so good!

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?
RS: Anything that fits me. [Laughs] I like Willow, she’s an Australian designer. And Wayne Cooper.

KW: The Nancy Lovell Question: Why do you love doing what you do?
RS: Because I can make people smile, and I get to act crazy on TV. That’s fun!

KW: The Tavis Smiley questions. First, what do you want your legacy to be, and where are you in relation to that at this point in your career?
RS: That she always told the truth, that she did a wonderful catalogue of family entertainment as well as truthful stories as I get older, and that she tried her best to be respectful. As far as my progress towards this legacy, well, I’ve spent 23 years of my life in this industry, and I’ve tried to do things that way only about 20% of the time.

KW: The second Tavis Smiley question. How introspective are you?
RS: I’m introspective every day, every moment of the day. I’m a very spiritual person. Every day I look within myself, because that’s where I get my strength from. If you don’t look within, I don’t see how you can survive in this world, because it wasn’t made for the weak-minded.

KW: Got a message for your fans?
RS: If you want things to change, speak out.

KW: Well thanks for another excellent interview, Raven, and best of luck with all your many endeavors.
RS: Thank you very much, Kam, I appreciate that. Have a wonderful day!

Corinne Jacqueline Bailey was born in Leeds, England on February 26, 1979, the eldest of three girls to bless the union of her British mother and Caribbean father from St. Kitts. As a child, she studied classical violin at school, and only sang in the church choir, until she formed an all-female rock band at the age of 15.

Corrine went on to major in English at the University of Leeds, and after graduating in 2000, took a job as a hat check girl at a local jazz club. It was there, while sitting in with various bands that she developed the sultry, soulful vocal style which would become her trademark. It was also at the pub that she met saxophonist Jason Rae, the love whose last name she would take when they married the very next year.

In 2006, she released her self-titled debut CD containing such hits as “Like a Star” and “Put Your Records On” to rave reviews, earning Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year (“Put Your Records On”) and Best New Artist. Sadly, tragedy struck a couple years later, when her husband passed away unexpectedly.

A period of withdrawal from the public eye to grieve ended when Corinne reemerged in 2010 upon the release of her second album, “The Sea,” a relatively-sober CD in comparison to the light and breezy collection of melodies on her initial offering. Recently, she reflected with me about her life and her career, in celebration of her PBS special, “Live from the Artists Den,” a concert recorded at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City. (See http://www.theartistsden.com/episodes/baileyrae.shtml)

Kam Williams: Thanks so much for the time, Corinne. I’m honored to be speaking with you.
Corinne Bailey Rae: Thank you.

KW: Did you have fun shooting the “Live from the Artists Den” concert in New York?

CBR: I really enjoyed recording it, yeah. I had great time in front of a really appreciative audience. The way that it was recorded was really unobtrusive, so we really kind of got lost in the moment. So, yeah, I loved it.

KW: Do you have a special affinity for New York?

CBR: Yes, New York was definitely one of the first gigs we did in America. And that was also my first chance to get to New York. So, the first time I ever saw it I was playing there. It’s all tied up for me, playing in America for the first time, being in New York, experiencing this different culture, and finding this cool place to hang out. So, I always love coming back to New York.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks, “Who were your musical influences?” Let me guess, Billie Holiday and Al Green. You remind me of a combination of them.

CBR: Wow! I definitely love Al Green’s singing, how vulnerable and delicate it is, and how there’s a lot of texture to his voice. And similarly, Billie Holiday has a great deal of texture in his voice. She was an amazing find for me at 11 or 12 when me mum started playing her records for me. I remember being a little annoyed that I hadn’t discovered her voice before, because I always had so much texture in my voice, and always loved singing, but never really considered myself a singer because of that croakiness which I’d never heard in another singer. So, I was always trying to get rid of that croakiness. Then, Billie Holiday arrived like a real lightning bolt letting me know that there was a place for me. In fact, there’d been a place for me all along. And later I appreciated singers like Bjork, who was really special to me, and Macy Gray and Erykah Badu. They were all influences in the sense that they give you more confidence in your abilities. I also love Sly and the Family Stone and Jimi Hendrix. Jimi singing’s so casual, and his phrases amaze me. And when I was a teenager, I loved Nirvana’s kind of homemade music, and Belly and the female indie scene. It was amazing to me how their songs could be dainty and small, yet still have value.

KW: When you say “homemade” music, it makes me think of your Grammy-nominated debut album, a masterpiece which you managed to make on a shoestring budget. How did you achieve that?

CBR: Wow! Thank you very much. I guess we worked on it a lot, did a lot of the playing ourselves, did a lot of layering, and we called in a lot of favors. For instance, we’d ask a friend to come over and play bass on a few songs. And we couldn’t afford drummers, so we began trolling for different drums sounds, and we kind of intricately pieced them together. So, it was really time consuming, but in a way it was good because you had a great deal of control over what was happening in all the different sections. Yeah, if you have the time to make a record like that, I think it’s a good way to work.

KW: By contrast, I found it interesting to hear you on stage say that you sort oof just found yourself singing the songs that you put on your new album, “The Sea,” that that’s how they came to you, rather than by composing them in a conventional manner.

CBR: Yeah, it was weird. I felt with this record I wanted to work on my own. I was sort of making it up, as I went along. I wasn’t trying so hard. When I was playing the chords, I was just kind of singing things out, sometimes recording it, but sometimes not, and just singing along. And it’s the stuff that stuck that I felt the song was meant to be. Other times, I’d be walking around the house singing something new, and say to myself, “Now, what was that?” And it eventually ended up on the album. I think because other people weren’t involved, it was a much less conscious process. It was just me in a room playing my guitar, and with all this stuff coming out… trying to sing words without thinking about what they meant or putting a filter on them. That was really an important part of the process.

KW: That’s funny, because the first album sounded so effortless, while the new one has so much emotional depth, I would have guessed that the second was the result of a more work-intensive process.

CBR: Yeah, when you write breezy melodies, you really have to think about it. I love melodic music, but it’s definitely more of an effort for me. It’s a skill I’d like to develop further, maybe for my next record.

KW: Larry Greenberg says, “I am completely mesmerized by the beauty of your new album. I know you studied the violin but you don’t play it anymore. Is there any chance I might get to hear you play the violin in the future?

CBR: It’s a hard instrument, especially to get the intonation right, if you haven’t played it in a long time. It’s a completely different discipline, but yeah, I would love one day to mess about, sit and write some string parts and sort of layer them up. And if my playing were good enough, I would be really happy to play violin on a record. But I haven’t played for so long, I don’t know how good I would be.

KW: What age were you when you studied violin?

CBR: I started when I was about 6, and I studied it until I was 16. I played in youth orchestras.

KW: Were you good at it?

CBR: Maybe the first 5 years or so I was really good for my age, and stood out. But then it started too catch up with me, and I started to struggle, because I never could afford private lessons.

KW: Larry also mentioned that you were on tour in August with Norah Jones. He wants to know what’s your favorite flavor of Chex Mix, because Norah sang a song about that cereal.

CBR: I like Frosties. We don’t have Chex Mix in England. We have Frosties.

KW: Yale Grad Tommy Russell asks, “Do you think the music industry suffered an irreparable period from Napster and other online downloading sites, and from the music industry's obsession with appearance over substance, or do you think there's hope for hearing more and more creative musicians like yourself?"

CBR: I think the industry really suffered from music being available online because it made young people feel, “why should you pay for music, if it’s so readily available for free?”

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks, “Do you prefer performing in a large stadium or in front of a small audience?

CBR: I guess I’ve played a few massive gigs, and they’re a thrill if they go well. But I mostly prefer to play more intimate venues where you can see everyone and everyone can see you. I recently did a concert in Switzerland, where they actually had a couple of huge screens on either side of the stage. It was strange, because when you look out into the audience, no one’s looking at you. Everyone’s looking to the far left or to the far right. I found it quite disconcerting. So, I much prefer when everyone can see me and vice-versa, up to 3,000 or 4,000 people. After that, it gets too big.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

CBR: Nothing springs to mind.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

CBR: Yeah, we were driving back from a festival on a tour bus the other day, when we felt this sort of really hard brake, and we all sort of slid down in our bunks to the bottom. Things like that are scary, that brief moment when you think, “Oh no, we’re in a car crash.” It was a relief to be able to escape safely. But things like that which are out of your control can be shocking.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

CBR: That’s a very good question, actually. It’s kind of sad that I can’t remember when. I haven’t a real, proper abandoned laughing fit for a while. Yeah, I haven’t fallen out laughing on the floor for ages.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

CBR: I always think it’s weird when you see yourself in mirrors. I try not to look in mirrors. I think people can overanalyze how they look. When I do look in the mirror, I feel like I didn’t think I looked like that. I don’t like looking at myself so much. I’m not one of those people who poses in front of the mirror.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

CBR: My earliest childhood memory is of a really hot morning when I was about 3. I was living with my parents in this fifth-floor flat where one of the walls was all windows. The sun was just beating in, and I remember a friend coming around, and he brought me a box-toy present in a plastic bag. Out of it came a stuffed penguin. It always stuck with me, so I must have liked the penguin.

KW: You’re from Leeds. Also from your hometown is Mel B of the Spice Girls. Have you ever met her?

CBR: I’ve never met her. But I have met her sister, Danielle a few times, because she attended the same acting school as my sister, Rhea Bailey, who is also an actress.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

CBR: “The History of White People” by Nell Irvin Painter. It’s a really, really interesting book which goes through history examining where this idea of different people came from. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393049345?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0393049345

KW: I’ve interviewed Nell. She used to teach here in Princeton.

CBR: Really. I’d like to meet her. I also recently read “The Long Song,” a novel by a British writer name Andrea Levy. It’s sort of a fictionalized slave narrative. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374192170?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0374192170

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What music are you listening to?

CBR: I’m listening to Erykah Badu’s new record. I really like that. We went to a listening party for that, and I just love it. I’ve got it on vinyl, which is a real pain, because we’re sort of in and out of airports, and I have to pack it in my suitcase. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003597ORA?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003597ORA
I also listen Fresh, the Young Natives, and to an American singer named John Grant,

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

CBR: I like to cook stews and things, dishes where the heat does all the work. So, it’s just like chopping and flaving. Veggie chili would be my favorite thing to cook because it’s really great but not much work.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

CBR: I really like Stella McCartney, and what Marc Jacobs is doing. It would be like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Stella and Miu-Miu. She’s always got great ideas that are really fun, really cool, and really different.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

CBR: For increased tolerance of individuality among people. It’s all of our world.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: What do you want your legacy to be?

CBR: Professionally, writing good songs. Personally, I’m not sure yet.

KW: Corinne, thanks again for the interview, and best of luck with the album and the tour.

CBR: Oh, thank you very much.

To see Corinne Bailey Rae perform several songs on “Live from the Artists Den,” visit: http://www.hulu.com/watch/123035/live-from-the-artists-den-corinne-bailey-rae#s-p2-sr-i0

Corinne’s and other stars’ “Live from the Artists Den” episodes continue to air weekly on public television. Check local listings or wnet.org/artistsden for the schedule.
To order a copy of Corinne’s debut album, “Corinne Bailey Rae,” visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HBK3MM?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HBK3MM

To order a copy of Corinne’s new album, “The Sea,” visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002X78CB2?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002X78CB2

To see a video of Corinne singing “Put Your Records On,” visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkBXJ7sprIs&feature=fvw

Yet, in 2008, Ava stepped behind the camera to make her feature film directorial debut with the critically-acclaimed hip-hop documentary, “This is The Life.” DuVernay, a graduate of UCLA and a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, is based in L.A.

Ava DuVernay

Here, she talks about her skyrocketing second career.

Kam Williams: Hi, Ava, thanks for another interview. How have you been?

Ava DuVernay: Thanks, Kam. I always love talking to you. I’ve been good and busy!

KW: Congrats on having three new productions going at the same time. Looks like you’ve really arrived!

AD: Appreciate that. It feels wonderful. I’ve wanted to direct for a long time, so working full-time as a filmmaker this year has been a dream come true.

KW: Tell me a little about each of them.

AD: Well, the first is a network project called “My Mic Sounds Nice.” It was commissioned by BET as their first original music documentary and explores the art and issues around women rappers. I interviewed 35 people, half of whom were female emcees like MC Lyte, Salt n Pepa, Roxanne Shante, Trina, Eve, YoYo, the list goes on. Commercially available music created by female hip-hop artists is a bit of a lost art form at the moment, and there are many theories as to why that’s the case. We attempt to explore the history and current state of this issue in “My Mic Sounds Nice,” which premieres on BET on August 30 at 10PM. The second project is a concert film I directed for Essence and Time, Inc Studios chronicling the 2010 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Did you know Essence Music Fest is the largest annual African-American gathering in the country? This year’s three day fest was absolutely amazing, with everyone from Janet Jackson to Alicia Keys to Mary J. Blige to Jill Scott, to Earth Wind & Fire to Trey Songz! It was so much fun to direct. “TV One Night Only: Live from Essence Music Festival 2010” airs on August 28 on TV One.

And finally, the third film is another documentary that I’m directing for Essence about two New Orleans women who have overcome tragedy and adversity after Hurricane Katrina and its tragic aftermath. These women are truly breathtaking in their strength and faith. Look for that doc, currently entitled Essence Presents: Faith the Storm in October on TV One.

KW: Which one has been your favorite to shoot?

AD: Oh wow. That’s like asking me to pick between my children. I’d say “My Mic Sounds Nice.” Sitting down and interviewing all those talented women artists, plus the excellent panel of experts, academics and journalists, was a rare treat.

KW: Which one was the most challenging?

AD: I’d say the Essence Music Festival, only because the Louisiana Superdome, where the concerts take place, is so massive. There are so many moving parts. So many acts and artists. The logistics were challenging, but the experience I wouldn’t trade.

KW: What’s up next for you?

AD: Next, I’m putting the finished touches on a narrative film I wrote and directed called “I Will Follow.” It’s an indie drama, starring Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Omari Hardwick, Michole White, Tracie Thoms, Dijon Talton and Beverly Todd. The film makes its world premiere as the official Closing Night selection of the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York this September.

KW: You are among a small group of working black women filmmakers in Hollywood. What are your thoughts on the dearth of black female directors?

AD: I think it’s a wonderful time to be a black woman who makes films. It’s a good time to be an artist period. Traditional models of making and consuming art are breaking down and being rebuilt. I find that to be incredibly exciting as a filmmaker and film marketer. Then, you add being a black woman to that? And to be among all the amazing sisters who are telling stories right now is phenomenal. You have the vets like Cheryl Dunye, Kasi Lemmons, Julie Dash and Gina Prince-Bythewood. Plus now, I’m happy to be amongst a new crop of sisters who are all making their first feature films independently right now. Dee Rees, Tina Mabry, Tanya Hamilton, Nzingha Stewart and Victoria Mahoney. It’s a beautiful time for us, in my opinion. I prefer to embrace this moment as a moment of empowerment, instead of moaning about the lack of this or problems with that. I’m making and marketing my films, by any means necessary, and enjoying life while I do so.

KW: You have a rare skill set, being an experienced marketer who has worked on major studio campaigns for movies like Dreamgirls and Invictus. How are you applying those skills to your own films?

AD: When I’m marketing a film, whether its mine or someone else’s, I work with a great deal of strategy and elbow grease until the job is done. It’s pretty simple really. I just dive in and start digging. Yes, I’m fortunate to know the in’s and out’s of a true studio-level marketing campaign. But really, anyone who is diligent and well-researched can pull it off too. Its easier for me, but it doesn’t make it impossible for others. Filmmakers need to realize that their job isn’t done when they lock picture. We must see our films through. Studios no longer do this for a large percentage of films. The odds that your film will get a major campaign are dim these days. So you must find and nurture your own audience and make sure your film has a life. Filmmakers must learn this now, just as they learn to work with the camera or the actors. I find the marketing part of the process fun and fascinating. But I realize it’s a challenge for others, so I’m actually building a business model to assist black independent filmmakers get their films into theaters, identify and speak to their audience. I’ll be talking more about that in a few months and I’m very excited about the possibilities.

KW: We’ll look forward to hearing all about that. Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

AD: Hmmm. I always find it fascinating to ask people, why they’ve chosen to live their life as an artist? Why be an actor, a singer, an author, a filmmaker? I’ve heard such inspiring answers to that question.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

AD: Good health and safety for my loved ones.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

AD: Wow! Good question. I see a woman who is happy. Truly, it’s a very happy season for me at the moment.

KW: The Flex Alexander question: How do you get through the tough times?

AD: I remind myself that whatever is happening was meant to happen to me, at that particular time, for a specific reason. That it is meant to be, and that all will be well.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

AD: Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal.

KW: Anything else you’d like to add?

AD: Just that people can follow what’s happening with the films I’m working on via Twitter @AVADVA.

KW: Thanks again, Ava, and all the best!

AD: Thank you, Kam, for the interview. I appreciate it a lot.

To see a trailer for My Mic Sounds Nice, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ64gOkCO90

T.I.

Tip “T.I.” Harris is one of his generation’s most captivating speakers and one of the biggest hip-hop artists of all time. Whether they see him conversing with a room full of young people about staying in school and following their dreams, or moving tens of thousands at one of his concerts, audiences are always engrossed by the words of the “King of the South.” In 2008, T.I. delivered his most potent and important LP to date, “Paper Trail,” and his highly-anticipated, seventh studio album, “King Uncaged,” is set to be released this Fall.

T.I.’s second professional love is acting in films, and in this arena he has taken major steps forward in recent years. He made his motion picture debut in 2006 in the Warner Bros. film A.T.L. He also appeared in the hit Universal film American Gangster opposite Denzel Washington, and guest-starred on HBO’s hit series “Entourage” in 2008. T.I. recently signed a three-picture deal with Screen Gems that will have him both acting in and producing movies.

Music and movies are just the leading edge of T.I.’s entertainment conglomerate. He’s also expanding into comedy tours, the nightclub and restaurant scene, talent management, and record producing. Plus, he has launched his own fashion line, Akoo.

Here, he talks about his new movie, Takers, a crime caper abut a gang of bank robbers who decide to pull off one last heist before retiring. The film co-stars Zoe Saldana, Chris Brown, Idris Elba, Paul Walker, Michael Ealy and Hayden Christensen.

Kam Williams: Hey, T.I., thanks for the time.

TI: No problem, how you doing?

KW: I’m great. The last time we spoke was for the premiere of ATL. So, a lot has happened for you since then.

TI: Yeah, right.

KW: First of all, congratulations on your wedding last month. You finally made an honest woman of Tameka. Children’s book author Irene Smalls says congrats and wants to know how being married has changed you.

TI: [Chuckles] Man, please, we’re here to talk about the movie. It would be wonderful to just talk about the movie.

KW: Well then, what interested you in Takers? It seems like you had a hand in every aspect of this project, from acting to the soundtrack to executive producing

TI: I was just producing, not executive producing. It was an outstanding experience. I had a phenomenal time, and I’m very, very proud of the outcome.

KW: How did you manage to assemble such an accomplished cast? There’s not only Oscar-nominees Matt Dillon and Marianne-Jean Baptiste, but Zoe Saldana, Hayden Christensen, Idris Elba, Chris Brown, Paul Walker and Jay Hernandez as well.

TI: I think that the script did most of the work in terms of attracting the talent, because it was so exciting that everybody jumped at the opportunity not only to work together but to be a part of something we felt had so much potential.

KW: And how did working with this ensemble turn out?

TI: Man, it was an honor and a pleasure.

KW: It even has a chase scene with Chris Brown doing some parkour, that French, free-running form of movement popularized in District B-13 and the first James Bond film with Daniel Craig.

TI: Yeah, it definitely reads like a fast-paced, high-energy action flick.

KW: How did you prepare for your role?

TI: I think the first step in preparing for this or any other role involves developing a clear understanding of the script, and then mentally placing yourself in the scenarios of your character.

KW: I see that people are already calling Takers “T.I. 11” and “The T.I. Job,” allusions to Ocean’s 11 and The Italian Job. How do you feel about that?

TI: I mean, man, I’m just pleased to be talked about in the same breath as the elite of action films. You know what I’m saying? The comparison is an honor all in itself.

KW: Harriet Pakula Teweles asks, what message do you want audiences to take away from this movie?

TI: That there is no good without bad. That karma is real. And that you can’t go through life doing only bad and expect good to come of it.

KW: What type of audience do you expect the movie to attract?

TI: A very diversified one over a broad spectrum.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

TI: [Laughs] Man, that’s a tough question to answer. I try to cook whatever the kids and the family want to eat. Let’s see, here… I got a fresh shrimp dish that I prepare fairly well that has become a household favorite. I marinate it in a special parmesan sauce. [Chuckles]

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

TI: My reflection. [Laughs] That’s another very difficult question…[Pauses to think] I see the man that I’ve grown to become.

KW: Director/author Hisani Dubose says, “As soon as a rap artist, sports figure or actor becomes well known, everyone says they are a role model for kids. How do you feel about that?”

TI: I feel that we are all one another’s examples in life. And if my experiences, past and present, can help guide a young person in the right direction, then so be it.

KW: The Nancy Lovell Question: Why do you love doing what you do?

TI: I’m just a passionate person by nature. So, I have a lot of love for music, and a drive to succeed in general, be it film, be it fashion, or whatever the case may be. I put a lot of myself in all of my work. That passion carries over into each of my endeavors.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

TI: [LOL] Absolutely! The happiest I’ve ever been.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

TI: Just now, when you asked me if I was happy.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

TI: Not of anything but God. I think fear is a wasted emotion.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

TI: The Bible.

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?

TI: I listen to a lot of old school R&B. I don’t get many opportunities to listen to much else right noow because we’re in the final stages of the recording process.

KW: When will the album be finished?

TI: We’re taking the time necessary to dedicate the necessary attention to the marketing and promotion of the movie first. After that, we will completely submerge ourselves into the completion of the album.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

TI: Just for healthy, productive, successful lives for my children and the rest of my family.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

TI: The first day of school in kindergarten.

KW: How would you describe yourself in one word?

TI: Loyal.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

TI: I don’t want to sound vain, but that would have to be my own fashion line, Akoo.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

TI: I don’t feel the need to feel guilty about any of my pleasures. [Chuckles]

KW: What has been the happiest moment of your life?

TI: The births of my children.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered? What do you want your legacy to be?

TI: Just as a stand-up guy, man, who put his family first, and who put a lot of passion and sincerity into his work.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

TI: Nah, nah, nah, I think I’ve been asked just about everything you can be asked.

KW: The Laz Alonso question: How can your fans help you?

TI: [Laughs] They’ve already been helping me throughout my career. Their continued love and support is enough for me. The only other thing outside of that is sharing their honest opinion of what could be done better. Keep it real with me, that’s all.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

TI: If you set out trying to follow in my footsteps, you won’t achieve what I achieved without doing everything I did wrong, too. So, in order to do everything right and end up in a similar position without also making the mistakes I made, you have to aim higher. You have to endeavor to be better than me. On a daily basis, I’m always pushing and challenging myself to be better.

KW: Well, thanks again for anther great interview, T.I., and best of luck with the movie and the album.

TI: Thank you, Kam. It’s been an absolute pleasure. Later!

To see a trailer for Takers, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWLiXfH62w0

To order a copy of T.I.’s new CD, King Uncaged, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RDPYEO?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B003RDPYEO

Born Shad Gregory Moss in Columbus, Ohio on March 9, 1987. Bow Wow was a precocious kid who started rhyming as a toddler, and first appeared on stage at the age of 5. His showbiz career was launched just a year later when he made the most of an opportunity to open for Snoop Dogg on the Chronic Tour.

At 13, Bow Wow released his first solo CD, “Beware of Dog,” which sold over 3 million copies. A hit single from that debut album, “Bounce with Me,” reached #1 on both the Rap and R&B charts. That achievement earned him recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest solo rapper to hit #1. He now has a half-dozen CDs to his name, with a new one in the works.

In 2002, the versatile canine expanded his repertoire, making an impressive foray into film playing the lead in Like Mike. He has since made All About the Benjamins, Johnson Family Vacation, Roll Bounce and The Fast and the Furious 3. On TV, he’s appeared on everything from Moesha to All That to Smallville to, most recently, Entourage.
Here, he talks about his new film, Lottery Ticket, an ensemble comedy where he stars as a guy who has to survive a weekend in the ‘hood before he can cash in a winning lotto ticket worth hundreds of millions.

Kam Williams: Hey Bow Wow, how you been? I don’t think we’ve spoken since Like Mike.

Bow Wow: Wow, that’s years. I’m a grown man now.

KW: What’s life been like for you since then?

BW: It’s been crazy, man, one heck of a ride. I’ve done six more arena tours since then, five more movies, and I’ve switched labels. I’m now at Cash Money Records, so I’ve got a lot of great things going on. I’m just trying to soak it all in slowly, at my own pace, even though everything’s moving kinda’ fast. But so far, so good.

KW: What interested you in Lottery Ticket?

BW: The fact that it had a great story behind it. When I signed on, we didn’t have all the cast together, but I believed in the project. And once I committed to the role, then Cube committed, and after that it was like a domino effect. What really sold me on it was the chance to work with such a great cast.

KW: Yeah, a lot of veteran actors like Keith David, Loretta Devine and Terry Crews, and seasoned standup comics like Mike Epps, Charlie Murphy and Bill Bellamy, and some talented newcomers like Naturi Naughton and Brandon T. Jackson. I loved the movie. It’s one of those roller coaster rides that keeps you laughing and on the edge of your seat every step of the way.

BW: Thank you very much, I appreciate that.

KW: I have some questions for you from my readers. Harriet Pakula Teweles asks, do you play the lottery?

BW: Do I actually buy lottery tickets? Truthfully, no, although in this situation the safe answer would probably have been, “Yes I do,” because of the movie’s title. [Laughs] But, nah, I don’t.

KW: Harriet also asks, would you rather have your fans buy your new album or on lottery tickets?

BW: The album isn’t about to drop just yet, and I’d rather they spend the money on the movie, Lottery Ticket, than on lottery tickets.

KW: I thought you’re new album was coming out soon.

BW: Not soon, right now we’re thinking Halloween. You’re the first person I’ve told that to.

KW: Thanks for the scoop! Are you still in the studio?

BW: I’ve begun doing a little recording for the album. But, I probably won’t officially start on the album until after I complete my next film which I start shooting on Monday.

KW: What film is that?

BW: As of now, I can’t say. I’m still waiting for them t give me an okay to make an announcement.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks, from your rap roots to movie stardom what has been the guiding principle of your career?

BW: Wow! That’s a good question. I guess just studying, man, and watching all the greats before me, like LL Cool J, who is one of my idols. He has a very female-dominant fan base, like myself. He’s also an actor, and has a hit TV show right now. He’s a great friend and someone I talk to. It’s always great to have your idols in your corner. That’s one guy I pay all my homage to and respect.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman says she still remember you before your voice changed. She wants to know what you do to keep your image squeaky clean.

BW: I wouldn’t say I’m a squeaky clean person. A wise man once told me, it’s not what you do, it’s how you do it. At the end day, the only thing I owe the public is great entertainment, to respect my fans everywhere I go and to give the people what they want from me. I live by that motto, and it hasn’t steered me wrong yet. I don’t want to mess up my life. You only get one shot. I don’t want to let my fans or anybody else down. So, I always think before I act. And as long as I do that, I’ll be okay.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

BW: [Laughs] No, I think I’ve been asked just about every question in the book.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

BW: To be honest, I can get a little nervous, yes. In fact, I have butterflies in my stomach right now, because I’m preparing for a new movie, and I’ll be doing a very long scene on the first day of shooting.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

BW: If there’s a word better than happy, that’s how I feel right now.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

BW: I had one hell of a laugh last night on my tour bus. [LOL]

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?

BW: One of my records.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

BW: How to Succeed with Women. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0735204357?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0735204357

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

BW: I don’t have one. I’m the simplest guy in the world. I don’t think the clothes make me, but I make the clothes. It’s all about swagger, man. I shop at Urban Outfitters. I’m a plain dude… White T-shirt… Black T-shirt. I guess you can say I’m a cheap millionaire. [Chuckes]

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

BW: A young man who came from Columbus, Ohio and made it, and who wants every other young man and young woman, black or white, to know that if I could do it, they could do it. Me and my fans grew up together, and I believe they know I’m a walking billboard and proof of that. That’s what I see when I look in the mirror.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

BW: It’s weird that you asked me that question, because I have a great chef, his name is Roderick, who normally does all my cooking. But for some reason I’ve been doing some of my own cooking lately. Yesterday, I made some chicken on my George Foreman grill, and it was good. [Laughs]

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

BW: Forgetting the combination on my locker at school. I think everybody has done that. The janitor had to come with those big old pliers and clip it. Then I had to go home and tell my momma that we had to go back to the grocery store to buy a new lock.

KW: The Nancy Lovell question: Why do you love to do what you do?

BW: Because my fans love what I do. That’s what makes me love what I do. I don’t do it for myself. I don’t do it for money. I really don’t. I’ve turned down money. People know that. When my fans tell me, “Yo, that movie was dope!” it makes me want me to do more movies.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

BW: For nobody to have to be poor or live in the ghetto.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: What do you want your legacy to be?

BW: I want to be remembered as one of the illest, youngest cats to do it successfully and to keep doing it successfully. My early story alone deserves to be told, because at 6 years-old I was discovered by one of the best producers of all time, Dr. Dre, and I went on tour at 6, and appeared on Snoop Dogg’s album at the age of 7. And I’m still here. Nobody else has a story like that, and it has to end great.

KW: There have been so many child stars who have had really messed up lives. How did you avoid all the pitfalls of early fame?

BW: Easily, by saying “No!” Trust me, they’re always around. But you have to have the strength within yourself to say, “No!” Like tonight, I’d like to go out, and I have the freedom to do so. But I probably won’t because I can’t risk having my name associated with anything negative at this critical time. That’s just to protect my brain and my job. There’s no reason to play any games with a career I love.

KW: The Laz Alonso question: How can your fans help you?

BW: By telling me what they want. In fact, I’m live on UStream while I’m doing this interview. They’re watching me have this conversation with you right now. They’re giving me instant feedback on a chat box. I keep my fans close by working collectively as a unit. I figure as long as I do that, I can’t lose. I use the internet as much as possible.

KW: The Flex Alexander question: How do you get through the tough times?

BW: I know this may sound weird, but by playing video games.

KW: The “Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan question: Where in L.A. do you live?

BW: I don’t live in L.A. I live in Miami. That’s home now. Columbus, Ohio, where I’m from, will always be home, too. And I have another residence in Atlanta Georgia.

KW: Miami and Ohio. That makes you the perfect person to ask this, how do you feel about Lebron going to the Heat?

BW: I love it, man, I really do. I love the fact that he’s going to be a Miami boy now, but he’ll still always be an Ohioan, no matter what. I’m glad that he’s happy and going to be in South Beach. I can’t wait to be able to catch a game after work. And I love the atmosphere in Miami. They accepted me with open arms and gave me the key to the city. It’s just a wonderful place to be.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

BW: Don’t follow in my footsteps. Create your own legacy! Be you! Do what you do! Stay focused! Stay positive about whatever goals you want to accomplish! Don’t ever let anybody tell you that you can’t, because you always can. To this day, I have people trying to discourage me, and telling me I should hang it up. I call them clowns. [LOL]

KW: Well, thanks another great interview Bow Wow, and best of luck with the movies and the new album.

BW: Thank you very much, I appreciate it.

To see a trailer for Lottery Ticket, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nglUZdCqoRY

Hailing from Flint, Michigan, Terry Crews has not only one of the most recognizable faces around, but maybe one of the most recognizable physiques as well. The handsome hunk is currently one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, having a trio of flicks released in August alone, namely, The Expendables, Lottery Ticket and Middle Men. He’s also starring in Are We There Yet, the hit, new TV sitcom airing on the TBS Network.

Prior to entering showbiz, Terry attended Western Michigan University where he blossomed into a football phenom as a walk-on. Senior year, he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, and then went on to enjoy a six-year career in the NFL.

Since retiring from pro football, Terry has already compiled over 40 screen credits, including memorable performances mostly flexing his pecs in Training Day, Terminator Salvation, Street Kings, Get Smart, Idiocracy, Balls of Fury, Gamer, Starsky & Hutch, The Longest Yard, Deliver Us from Eva, Friday after Next, White Chicks, Malibu’s Most Wanted, Click and The Benchwarmers. And on TV, he’s appeared on The District, My Wife and Kids, CSI: Miami, All of Us and Everybody Hates Chris.

Terry and his wife, Rebecca, a former beauty queen and Christian recording artist, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. The couple lives in L.A. where they are raising their five children.

Kam Williams: Hey, Terry, thanks again for some time.

Terry Crews: Oh, you got it, my man, how’re you doin’?

KW: Very well, thanks. Gee, your career has really taken off since the last time we spoke.

TC: Brother, I’m hustling!

KW: Well, you deserve all the success that’s been coming your way. It’s especially great to see you get a chance to exhibit your range playing a lead in your very own sitcom after being typecast a lot in beefcake roles.

TC: Thank you. It feels kind of weird, because I feel like I’ve got this market all to myself right now, at least until some bigger dude comes along who’s funnier. They don’t even have a big, buff white with his own sitcom right now.

KW: Do you feel a little funny playing Nick on Are We There Yet, given that the role was originated by the show’s executive producer, Ice Cube, who is also in the cast?

TC: Yeah, at first, I felt a little funny when I got the call saying they wanted me to play Nick who Cube played, because a lot of people liked that movie and I just didn’t want to be the one to mess it up. But the fact is, Cube has been validating me by letting me know that, “We want you to be you, just be Terry Crews and do what you do.” And the bonus of having him acting in the series kind of validates it and gives the show his stamp of approval.

KW: So, you’re not intimidated by the presence on the set of the actor who originated the role?

TC: No, no, never, never. The only thing intimidating about Cube is that he’s the father of gangsta’ rap. You just worry about getting your lines right, or he might shoot you. [Laughs]

KW: How’s it working opposite Essence Atkins who plays your wife?

TC: Let me tell you, I always wanted to work with Essence ever since seeing the way she was doing comedy in Dance Flick. She’s so gorgeous, you had to wonder whether she’s willing to get a little ugly and whether I was getting a person I could really bounce off of. But she’s been great! And I just really feel blessed to be working with this entire cast and crew, it’s been like a family.

KW: Well, one of your three movies opening this month is The Expendables, co-starring Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Willis and Randy Couture. I’ve never seen so much beefcake in one movie.

TC: I’m telling everybody, “Bring your deodorant to the theater, because it’s going to be funky from all those dudes in there.” [Laughs]

KW: Was it a nightmare on the set with so many big egos to juggle?

TC: No, it was awesome! Look, there are egos everywhere. There was definitely a pecking order, and when Stallone walked in, we were like, “All hail!” He came in with his big forearms, pointing and telling everybody where he wanted the cameras with his big cigar ablazing, and you just go, “This is Stallone!” with admiration, because none of us would be here without this guy. That’s the thing, he changed movies forever. And remember how he wrote the first Rocky in a few days, and wouldn’t sell the script even though he was starving, because they wanted to put somebody else in the lead role. To see what he’s accomplished, dog, that’s what it’s all about.

KW: Did you learn anything from working with him?

TC: Yeah, he took me under his wing, and showed me a lot of what being a star is all about. It’s really about humility. He works the hardest. Like they say, “To be king of all, you must be servant of all.” He was out there doing everything.

KW: How was it making Lottery Ticket?

TC: I have the greatest appreciation for [producers] Matt Alvarez and Ice Cube. They put me in Friday after Next, and now this, which I hope is just the start of a long, wonderful relationship. I love the urban comedies, because they keep you famous, keep you having fun, and keep you in love with the business. Those are my roots. I’ll always love doing those.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

TC: Wow! I think I’ve been asked almost everything. [LOL]

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

TC: Yeah, I’m scared of my wife. [Chuckles]

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

TC: Yes I am. I’m very happy. I’m doing what I love.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

TC: Yesterday, seeing how people were reacting at a screening.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

TC: The Relationship Cure by this guy named John Gottman. It just talks about how to improve your relationship with your wife. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0609809539?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0609809539

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?

TC: Let’s see, it was “Forever” by Drake from that More Than a Game soundtrack. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LFAHDC?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002LFAHDC

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

TC: Hmmm… Christmas... I think I was about four years-old. Yeah, Christmas.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

TC: Nana Boateng. Remember the name, He’s baaaaaad!

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

TC: I see a wrinkled head! [Giggles]

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

TC: Wow! That we would all be in Heaven.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

TC: Have resolve! Just be resilient, and never, ever, ever stop!

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

TC: Buffalo rib-eye steaks, on the grill, is my favorite meal, seriously. It has less fat, more vitamins and more protein than beef. It is wonderful. Look, it was what the Indians ate, and they were very healthy. It’s very good meat.

KW: The Boris Kodjoe question: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

TC: My family. When I look at my family, that’s all life means, right there.

KW: The Mike Pittman question: Who was your best friend as a child?

TC: My best friend is was a guy named Darwin Hall. And he still is my friend today.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

TC: Dessert. [LOL]

KW: The Laz Alonso question: How can your fans help you?

TC: By just being respectful and cool.

KW: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome in life?

TC: Coming out of Flint, Michigan. I went back there recently to visit my parents. The city’s still deteriorating, which is very, very sad to see.

KW: The “Realtor to the Stars” Jimmy Bayan’s question: Where in L.A. do you live?

TC: Pasadena.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

TC: As a great father.

KW: Thanks again for the interview, Terry, and best of luck with all your many endeavors.

TC: Thank you, Kam, it was nice speaking with you again. Take care.

To see a trailer for The Expendables, visit:

To see a trailer for Lottery Ticket, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqQsbQmYDbM

To see a trailer for Are We There Yet?, visit:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hlBaUfoUT_U

To become familiar with Rebecca Crews Ministries’, visit: http://www.rebeccacrews.com/

Stedman Graham was born on March 6, 1951 in Whitesboro, NJ, a community founded in 1901 by a group of prominent African-Americans which included Booker T. Washington and Paul Laurence Dunbar. Stedman attended Middle Township High School where the 6’6” phenom starred on the varsity basketball team. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Hardin-Simmons University, he played professionally in Europe for a few years before returning to the U.S. to work on his Master’s in Education from Ball State.

Stedman Graham - AAD

An enduring, high-profile relationship with Oprah Winfrey has perhaps overshadowed the long list of business and charitable accomplishments accumulated over the course of Mr. Graham’s impressive career as Chairman and CEO of S. Graham & Associates, a management and marketing consulting firm specializing in the corporate and educational fields. A prolific writer, he is also the author of ten books, two of which became NY Times bestsellers. And he has taught at several colleges, including a course on leadership at the University of Illinois and one on strategic management at Northwestern.

Most importantly, Mr. Graham has exhibited a lifelong commitment to community via Athletes Against Drugs (AAD), a non-profit organization he founded in 1985 which remains dedicated to developing leadership in underserved youth through scholarships and education. Recently, Stedman talked to me about his work with AAD and other projects.

Kam Williams: Hi Stedman, thanks so much for the time.

Stedman Graham: It’s my pleasure.

KW: I have a friend, Franklin Moore, who claims he’s a cousin of yours. Is that true or has the brother been making it up all these years?

SG: It’s true. he’s my closest cousin, my favorite cousin. Where do you know him from?

KW: His younger son, Joseph, and my son have been friends since they were in pre-school together.

SG: That’s great, Joseph’s my godson.

KW: Small world. Tell me what’s going on with Athletes Against Drugs?

SG: The focus of the organization, which is really known now as AAD Education, Health and Sports is the positive, not the negative. Being in this business for 25 years has taught us that it’s not about the drugs but about providing positive choices, keeping yourself active and keeping yourself busy with activities, the proper curriculum, and special events like taking kids to games. That’s how you keep our youth off drugs.

KW: Where is the organization located?

SG: We’re operating out of Chicago. That’s our home base. But we do programs all around the country in coordination with various teams and various athletes. We provide programming in the schools, class curriculum, tutoring, and sports field trips. And we have athletes come speak in the schools. We’ve done all that for years. So, we’re really strong in terms of programming.

KW: Didn’t you have a big event recently?

SG: Well, we had our annual golf tournament where we bring in a lot of athletes. It’s one of our fundraisers. This year was our 25th anniversary celebration.

KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you, and they sent in a lot of questions. FSU grad Laz Lyles says she heard that you teach at Full Sail University, which she says is an amazing arts college. She wants to know, what attracted you to this school, and what you’re teaching there?

SG: I teach identity education and development. I teach people how to find their passion. I do it using a nine step plan. I also teach them how to develop a bigger vision once they have that passion. The thing that attracted me to Full Sail is that they have their passion already. So, what they needed was the other eight steps.
The curriculum that I teach encompasses all that. It’s especially pertinent to folks who already have an identity in terms of their job, their future employment or career path. [For more info, see Stedman’s book, “You Can Make It Happen: A Nine Step Plan for Success.”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OW5NFK?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OW5NFK]

KW: Robin Beckham asks what’s happening with AAD, but you already answered that. She’s another person who says she knows you. She’s in public relations in Pittsburgh where she used to be a TV anchorwoman for one of the networks.

SG: Right, absolutely, yeah.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman who is vacationing on a vineyard in Vacqueyras, France as we speak, says, “I know you have a background in education. Do you support early childhood educational programs which help young African-American males bridge the achievement gap, even before the first grade?”

SG: Totally! I have a ten-week program in the high schools, which we’d like to push down to the middle and elementary schools. And we also have a program for parents and teachers. So, we’re very much proponents of helping kids develop an identity as early as possible in their lives.

KW: Ella Kegler from Lufkin, Texas asks, what is the lifestyle you see for yourself in ten years?

SG: I’d like to be able to travel around the world working with organizations and institutions to help educate as many people as possible about how to develop an identity for themselves, about how to find out who they are. And I’d like to teach them information making it relevant to their own development.

KW: Jersey boy Larry Greenberg asks, “Do you have any plans to come back to your hometown, Whitesboro, this summer?"

SG: I’ve been going back to Whitesboro, working in the community where I grew up, for the last 21 years. I haven’t missed a Labor Day celebration yet. And I don’t expect to this year.

KW: Filmmaker/author Hisani Dubose asks, what is your PR firm’s specialty?

SG: We have a marketing and management consulting business. What we do is focus on is the books that I’ve written and the content that I have, and other projects and ventures, including seminars, speaking engagements, online training and development, and on serving our strong existing client base to set up win-win situations.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks, what’s your goal for the future?

SG: My big goal is to develop a strong operational structure and alliances with our partners to build a better distribution network to deliver our content.

KW: Batala-Ra McFarlane asks, what advice do you have for those who’d like to start their own business in this challenging economic environment?

SG: I would say, make sure you focus on what you love and what you’re passionate about, so that when times get tough, you can overcome that obstacle.

KW: Marcia Evans asks are you still associated with Armstrong Williams and do you share his political perspective?

SG: I’ve known him for a number of years. He’s been a friend of mine. I try to not allow my personal relationship with him as a friend get mixed up with his political aspirations. Also, I don’t make judgments about people just because they may have a different point-of-view from mine.

KW: Reverend Florine Thonpson asks what is your most powerful, spiritual source of strength?

KW: My most powerful, spiritual source of strength is knowing that God is love. So, when I focus on love, and put that in my heart, then I have the power of a strong, spiritual base and foundation.

KW: Professor Mia Mask asks, do you think President Obama has handled the BP oil disaster well?

SG: I think Obama has done a great job, based on what he was handed at the start of his administration. I also believe that he needs the support of the whole country. There are so many people trying to tear him down. America needs to come together as a country to figure out how we can support him as the President, including the BP disaster

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

SG: No, but that’s the toughest question I’ve been asked.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

SG: I try not to be.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

SG: Happier than I’ve ever been.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

SG: Just today.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

SG: How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0977326411?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0977326411

KW: Heather Covington asks, what are you listening to?

SG: The last thing I listened to was a CD that came with Success Magazine

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

SG: Spaghetti!

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

SG: I see hope!

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

SG: For all the people who have dropped out of school and who don’t think they’re good enough to understand who they really are and that the process for success is the same for everybody, if you understand it.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

SG: I was running in the backyard and scraped my leg against a sharp edge of a rusty chair that severed a big piece of meat out of it.

KW: The Tavis Smiley questions. First, how introspective are you?

SG: I’m a Pisces, so I’m all internal.

KW: Second, what do you want your legacy to be?

SG: That I succeeded in teaching people how to maximize their potential as human beings.

KW: Well, thanks again for the interview, Stedman.

SG: Thank you. This was fun. Man, you’re good!

KW: I get a lot of help. If you notice, most of my questions come from my readers and from celebrities.

SG: Well, you’re the conduit, so you gotta be good to organize it all. Take care.

To order a copy of Stedman’s book, “You Can Make It Happen: A Nine Step Plan for Success,” visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001OW5NFK?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001OW5NFK

To order a copy of Stedman’s book, “Who Are You? A Success Process for Building Your Life’s Foundation,” visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401903460?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1401903460

To order a copy of Stedman’s book, “Diversity: Leaders, Not Labels: A New Plan for the 21st Century,” visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y58J0Y?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000Y58J0Y

To order a copy of Stedman’s book, “Build Your Own Life brand,” visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684856980?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0684856980

To order a copy of Stedman’s book, “Teens Can Make It Happen: Nine Steps for Success,” visit:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0684870827?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0684870827

They formed a group called The Neptunes which was discovered while still in high school by the legendary Teddy Riley who signed the pair soon after graduation.

Since then, Pharrell has embarked on an enviable career, both as a member of The Neptunes, Child Rebel Soldier and NERD and as a solo

Pharrell

artist. Furthermore, the triple Grammy-winner’s singing, performing and/or producing services have been sought for recordings by everyone Beyonce’ to Jay-Z to Ludacris to Madonna to Mystikal to Lupe Fiasco to Snoop Dogg to Shakira to The Game to J-Lo to Britney Spears to Babyface to Usher to Busta Rhymes Gwen Stefani to Nelly to P. Diddy to NSYNC to Fabolous.

As busy as he’s been kept by the entertainment industry, Pharrell still found time to launch the Billionaire Boys Club, a luxury fashion line of clothes and accessories. Here, the versatile talent talks about his latest venture, branching into cinema by scoring the soundtrack of Despicable Me, a 3-D animated adventure revolving around a diabolical villain determined to steal the moon.

Kam Williams: Hey, thanks for the time, Pharrell.

Pharrell: Thank you.

KW: Let me start off with a question from FSU grad Laz Lyles who would like to know what it was like creating the score for this animated feature?

P: I can’t remember the last time that I was doing something creatively that I hadn’t mastered yet, in the sense of familiarity. Mastering, meaning understanding the concept of how it worked. This was something that was brand new, that I’d never done before. This was so new to me, it was like “Whoa!” It was like the next level.

KW: Laz wants to know what's been the most unusual sonic inspiration or everyday sound that you’ve incorporated into your music?

P: That’s the thing, I like to use a lot of everyday sounds in my music.

KW: Nick Antoine asks, what struggles have you had to deal with in your career?

P: I don’t know that there were any struggles. I’m too thankful for the opportunities I’ve had to complain about anything.

KW: Nick also asks, what are some of the tools that you would attribute to your success?

P: Education, first and foremost.

KW: You’re a person that a lot of people turn to for help producing their projects. Who is it you rely on when you need support?
P: I look to my family for support.

KW: Are you interested in pursuing further film work?

P: Sure! I’ve learned a lot from it, and it’s made me happier as a person.

KW: Which fellow hip-hop producers are you really into right now?

P: Oh man, there are so many of them. I really love what Hi-Tek has been doing recently. There’s a lot of them. I really love Diplo. I think he’s super talented.

KW: Larry Greenberg says, “I love that you are a Star Trek fan like me. Which character is your favorite?”

P: I’d say Spock, but now everybody’s on him, so, like, cool.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman says she saw you perform several years ago at the Costume Institute Ball and that you seemed almost at one with the audience. She’s curious about what’s going on with you in terms of art and sculpture.

P: Obviously, I put out “The Simple Things” project with Takashi Murakami. That was a great success, and we’ve done two “Chair” series which have really been fun. And I have a couple of upcoming art projects that I’m working on at the moment.

KW: Yale grad Tommy Russell asks, "What do you think the chances are that BP will stop the oil leak?”

P: I think the BP oil leak is probably a consequence of Murphy’s Law and I see it a warning from the universe telling us to pay attention because the Earth is our home. We’ve got to figure it out. If we don’t, we’re going to be in very big trouble.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

P: No, I’m content.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

P: The Memory Book by Harry Lorayne.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345410025?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0345410025

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?

P: The last thing I listened to was Janelle Monae’s album.

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=thslfofire-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B002ZFQD0E

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

P: I see appreciation.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

P: Oh man… I think the greatest gift one could have is more time.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

P: Spending time with my great-grandfather when I was about three years-old.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

P: Warming up Cherry Kellogg’s Pop Tarts.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

P: I have one every day.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

JK: No.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

JK: Very.

KW: Here’s a new question I just got from Tavis Smiley. Are you introspective?

P: I couldn’t imagine not being introspective.

KW: Also from Tavis: What do you want your legacy to be, and where are you in relation to that legacy?

P: I’m afraid I’m only a half a paragraph deep into a thousand-page book.

KW: Which of your many talents is your favorite?

P: All of them, as they all are vessels of expression.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

P: Feed your curiosity, and remain a kidult forever.

KW: The Boris Kodjoe question: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

P: Having a connection with the kids who are the future deciders of life as we know it.

KW: The Laz Alonso question: How can your fans help you?

P: By building the NERD Army

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

P: I don’t know. I’m not psychic.

KW: Thanks again for the interview, Pharrell, I really appreciate.

P: Thank you, sir.

To see a trailer for Despicable Me, visit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffxEobkkGeM

At 16, she changed her name to Norah Jones while attending Booker T. Washington High School. After graduation, she majored in piano at the University of North Texas until she decided to return to New York City to form a band. In 2002, she made a mellow debut with “Come Away with Me,” a universally-acclaimed CD which won 8 Grammy Awards and is the best-selling jazz album of all time at over 20 million copies and counting.

Norah’s next couple of records, “Feels Like Home” and “Not Too Late,” also went platinum, and she’s currently on tour for her fourth, “The Fall.” Besides singing, songwriting and playing multiple instruments, this gifted Renaissance woman is also an actress who has enjoyed a starring role in My Blueberry Nights and appeared as herself in Two Weeks Notice and Life Support Music. Here, the sultry siren talks about life, music and her latest screen outing in Wah Do Dem, a road comedy where she cameos as the ex-girlfriend of a just-dumped slacker who gets mugged while vacationing in Jamaica.

Kam Williams: Hi Norah, thanks for the time.

Norah Jones: Hi Kam, everything cool with you?

Wah Do Dem Movie Still

KW: Yes, thanks. What interested you in Wah Do Dem?

NJ: Well, I had taken some time off, and wasn’t really doing much at the time, just sort of hanging out in New York. I get lots of random requests, which might be cool, but just don’t make sense at the time for a lot of different reasons. With Wah Do Dem, I was free, and it was a really interesting concept. They didn’t have a script, just an outline of where they wanted the story to go and a plan too improvise, but with an underlying storyline. It sounded easy enough to do, so I spoke to them on the phone, and they seemed like good people and really cool.

KW: I really enjoyed the film although I was a little disappointed by the ending which I don’t want to give away except to say I was hoping for a more clear-cut resolution of your character Willow and Max’s [played by Sean Bones] relationship.

NJ: I know what you mean, but I think the film isn’t about the relationship, but about Max’s figuring his stuff out, and kind of growing up a little bit. I think for him to do that there shouldn’t be a girl around in the end, even though audiences might find it more satisfying. This way, it’s more like real life.

KW: I guess I wanted you to have a bigger role.

NJ: No, that’s the other reason I liked it. First of all, I wasn’t prepared to commit to a large project at the time, because I was tired. So when they said they only needed me for a small part, I thought that would really be a lot of fun for me, because I don’t make or break the film, and I liked the way the directors [Ben Chace and Sam Fleischner] approached shooting it.

KW: Guerilla style.

NJ: Yeah, they didn’t have any permits, and they used a lot of real people in Jamaica. It was crazy. They were very ambitious, and I was a little worried about whether they’d be able to pull it all off, but they did.

KW: Do you have another acting gig planned?

NJ: Not right now, although I really enjoy it when I actually have the time to do it.

KW: What about your music? Where can people see you play?

NJ: I just finished a U.S. tour, and we’re leaving tomorrow for Europe for a month or so.

KW: Who’s in the band? The same people playing on your latest album?

NJ: A great group. Sasha Dobson on guitar, banjo, percussion and backup vocals, Smokey Hormel on guitar, Joey Waronker on drums, Gus Seyyfert on bass, and John Kirby on keyboards. Except for Sasha, they all played on the record.

KW: How would you describe your new sound?

NJ: I have a hard time describing it. I’d rather just play it. But I’d say it’s definitely taken a little bit of a shift, and I like where it’s going. I’m excited about trying out a lot of different sounds. It’s nice to change and explore.

KW: You strike me as an irrepressible artist who’s always inclined to be faithful to her true nature.

NJ: That’s cool with me. I like that. [Chuckles]

KW: You play more guitar on this album. What’s your favorite instrument?

NJ: I love the piano. I’m more familiar with the piano. But I think for that reason, I enjoy playing the guitar, because I’m a little bit more limited on it. The main reason I play the guitar is that I like it, it has a different sound, and it’s also portable. It’s way easier, since I can’t carry a piano around with me. So, it’s become a good outlet for me to write on.

KW: You could try a melodica.

NJ: I could play a melodica, but I can’t imagine traveling with a melodica somehow. [Laughs]

KW: I have some questions for you from fans. Larry Greenberg, says “I am a huge fan, I love everything with your voice in it. What is your favorite flavor of Chex Mix?

NJ: [LOL] That’s funny. [Laughs some more] I guess original. Don’t give me no lo-fat. Do you know why he asked that?

KW: No.

NJ: It’s from a song “I Got Chex Mix” that I sang on an album with those Lonely Island guys from Saturday Night Live. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HV51bOrJMY

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman asks, which culture do you identify with most closely?

NJ: Probably American, since I grew up here. I’m living in New York, and I grew up in Texas. I have a real love of Texas culture, and I always love visiting, but I don’t know if I’d move back. It’s a different thing down there. And it’s so hot. [Chuckles]

KW: Plus, the Gulf of Mexico is going to be turned into a giant tar pit if they can’t figure out a way to plug the hole. Wesley Derbyshire asks, how do performances in small versus larger theaters effect your connection between you and the audience?

NJ: They’re different. I like both. I play in a lot of bars in New York with smaller bands, and I really enjoy it. But I’ve also enjoyed playing larger arenas on this tour recently, because the audiences have been so loving. So, they’re different, but both are very rewarding.

KW: What was it like becoming an overnight sensation after the release of your first album?

NJ: It was crazy for a few years, but it’s settled in now. I have a lot of good people who’ve stuck with me, and I feel like I know who my friends are now. I just try to take the good, and let go of all the stressful bad stuff.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would? If so, please answer it.

NJ: I guess not. I can never think of that one.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

NJ: Afraid? Sure! I’m human.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

NJ: Yeah, usually.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

NJ: [Giggles] This morning. My mom is here and we had a big fight, and then a big laugh. [LOL]

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

NJ: I’m reading A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, but I’m not finished yet. It’s really long. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061120073?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0061120073

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last thing you listened to on your iPod?

NJ: Mule Variations by Tom Waits.

KW: My favorite song by him is New Coat of Paint.

NJ: I don’t think I know that one.

KW: It’s off that Heart of Saturday night album. When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

NJ: I see me.

KW: The Laz Alonso question: How can your fans help you?

NJ: By just being themselves. [Chuckles]

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

NJ: Oh, that’s a hard one. There’re too many things. [Giggles]

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

NJ: Spaghetti.

KW: The Boris Kodjoe question: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?

NJ: I feel like I’ve just stayed true to myself which I think is a big accomplishment in this business. Whether you like me or not, I’ve stayed pretty true to my art. I also feel good about having worked really hard to establish myself as an artist.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

NJ: It’s of a dream I had where I was playing in a playground and I bit my lower lip off. I was in daycare and 2 or 3 at the time. I woke up so shocked by the dream that I’ve remembered that moment ever since.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

NJ: I don’t know. I don’t think I have one.

KW: What is your guiltiest pleasure?

NJ: Bacon and eggs, although I don’t feel that guilty about it. I’m not old enough to have to worry about it yet.

KW: What’s been the happiest moment of your life?

NJ: I don’t know. I’ve had a lot of them. I can’t pick just one.

KW: Do you ever wish you could have your anonymity back?

NJ: I’m pretty lucky. I can kinda be anonymous easier than a lot of other people who are very successful. And I’m not sure why that is.

KW: My guess is that you don’t travel with a big entourage or try to cultivate that celebrity energy.

NJ: Yeah, I don’t disguise myself when I go to the grocery story, and I don’t dress up, either. So, I just look like a little kid, usually, because I’m pretty short.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

NJ: With a smile.

KW: Thanks for a great interview Norah, and have fun in Europe.

NJ: Cool, thanks a lot, bye.

To see a trailer for Wah Do Dem, visit: http://vimeo.com/4368680

To see a video of Norah Jones singing Don’t Know Why, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccu9YUgP680

To find out when Norah will be playing in a venue near you, visit: http://www.norahjones.com

To purchase a copy of her latest CD, “The Fall,” visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NWRMVS?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002NWRMVS

Known for the velvety-falsetto on his romantic love songs, Al released other solo CDs while collaborating on duets with everyone from Diana Ross to David Bowie to Al Green over the course of a recording and producing career which has thus far netted the charismatic crooner numerous Grammy nominations as well as Soul Train and American Music Awards for Best New Artist. Currently, he is one of a dozen bachelors competing for the affections of Omarosa on The Ultimate Merger, a new reality series sponsored by Donald Trump.

Here, Al talks about his life and about what it was like to be on the show which is set to premiere on TV One on Thursday, June 17th at 9 PM.

Kam Williams: Hey, Al, thanks for the time.

Al B. Sure: Don’t worry about it. How’re you doing today?

KW: Very well, thanks. How did Donald Trump interest you in competing for the affections of a controversial sister voted the #1 reality show villain of all time by the readers of TV Guide?

ABS: I’ve known Mr. Trump since he hosted I think it was my 21st birthday party on his yacht years ago. He’s an amazing guy. And I’ve also known Omarosa for a few years. She’s always been just a really sweet and kind person, very different from what viewers see on television. I’ve always admired her because she’s such a smart go-getter, so we’ve always been friends.

KW: Yeah, the first time I met her, I was struck both by how strikingly beautiful she is in person and by how different she is from the monster she’s been edited to look like on The Apprentice.

ABS: Exactly!

KW: But if you already know her, why go on a reality show to date her?

ABS: It’s a cultural concession too the new media. I can’t live in the past. Part of this new media is this reality forum. So something you’d ordinarily do in private, you end up doing in public for all the world to see. Then it becomes much more interesting, especially how TV One has cast a great group of guys to compete for the prize, this very dynamic woman. What’s better than that? It makes for a very positive show.

KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you, and the most common response I got from them was something like, “He’s more famous than Omarosa. Is this just a publicity stunt?” One even said, “Ask him, are you out of your mind?” given her reputation for being difficult.

ABS: [Laughs] I received feedback like that myself. But like I said, I know the real Omarosa. She’s a friend, a dynamic woman, and a good person. I’ve been approached to do so many reality shows that I’ve turned down over the years. But being that this was Donald Trump, TV One and Omarosa, I thought this would be great. And you never know what might happen.

KW: Did you enjoy the whole reality show process?

ABS: Absolutely!

KW: Even being cooped up in a suite with 11 other guys?

ABS: Not that part so much, because I’m a bit of a loner, even though they were great guys, and we established a brotherhood over the course of this journey. And still, in the back of everybody’s head was the competition. But we did our best to keep it as positive as possible.

KW: No spitting on each other, like the contestants on Flavor of Love.

ABS: No, no spitting on each other, but we did challenge each other intellectually any time we bickered.

KW: Weren’t the other contestants shocked and intimidated when they learned they’d be competing against Al B. Sure?

ABS: To be very candid with you, their biggest surprise was when they came to realize that I was so down to earth, and that my door was always open to anybody who needed to talk. Despite the competition, I’m going to be your brother first. I have to be that way, because God has blessed me with the vehicle of music, the experience of life, and the spirit of discernment. So, of course, I feel responsible to share my gifts.

KW: And how was it to look at Omarosa romantically for the first time, instead of as a friend.

ABS: You know what? She’s a very, very sexy woman. What more can I say? And sexy to me is not just the physical. I’m 42 now, so when you can sit down and have an incredible conversation with me, that’s the biggest turn-on, not the tightest jeans.

KW: Batala McFarlane asks, if you weren’t an entertainer, what line of work would you have pursued?

ABS: I would probably have been an attorney or played football in the NFL, which was my initial dream. I love football to this day.

KW: Documentary filmmaker Hisani Dubose says she loves your music and would like to know what you’re working on now.

ABS: Currently, I’m pitching a production of my own television show. I can’t reveal exactly what it is, but I’ll be talking about it very soon. I also have a website, http://www.albsure.net/, and I’m hosting Slow Jams, the #1 morning radio show. You can find a link to it on my website. I’m on 7 days a week from 5 to 10 AM playing everyone from Beyonce’ to Marvin Gaye. Besides that, my latest album is called Honey, I’m Home. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002935GM8?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002935GM8
I’m trying to bring the romance back to music. Old school… Music is meant to be a part of your blood stream, and if it doesn’t affect your bloodstream, then you may as well put it back in the shoebox underneath the bed. My godfather, Quincy Jones, taught me that the melody comes from God, and it is what it is. At the end of the day, what you put into something is what you get out of it.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman says, in the event you succeed in your quest to woo Omarosa, how do you think your kids will react to having her as their wicked stepmother?

ABS: [Chuckles] That’s not nice. I won’t answer that one.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls asks is this a show business move or an affair of the heart? I think you already answered that.

ABS: [LOL] I love these questions. They’re funny.

KW: Ila Forster wants t know what your feelings were while watching the MTV Sweet Sixteen segment that featured your son and Sean Combs?

ABS: I’m not going to comment about that. I don’t discuss my family with the press; I discuss my family with my family. If you notice, when you hear something sensational in the press about me, I don’t respond to it publicly, because a lot of things are put out there simply for the attention. Things that are meaningful, you don’t need to talk about.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

ABS: Yeah, how are you doing Al? People, for the most part, forget to say, how are you? How do you feel today? It as if we’re robots or machines. I’m a human being just like you are. And I hurt and love just like everybody else, and people tend to forget that. I think I’m one of the friendliest celebrities around, because I’ll stop to talk to anybody who recognizes me. I don’t have a negative bone in my body. That’s why I could care less about any gossip. It doesn’t interest me. I’d rather sit down and write a song.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

ABS: With you just a minute ago. [Laughs]

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

ABS: The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345479173?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0345479173

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?

ABS: The last thing I listened to was a gospel duet by Fred Hammond and Brian McKnight called “When Will I See You Again.” It is an emotional song that really makes you sit down and reflect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAQjlBywYio

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

ABS: I see a gentleman getting a little older and a little wiser.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

ABS: I enjoy preparing salmon.

KW: What in life means the most to you?

ABS: Right now, caring for my mother, who’s been diagnosed with cancer. She’s an ordained minister and my best friend. And watching her go through this process with the chemotherapy and everything has created more strength within me as a man. We’re going to beat it together. Don’t let anyone tell you God is good. Chicken is good. God is amazing!

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

ABS: I was just having a conversation about that with my mother. I can remember way back in the day when my mother managed a dental office on Grand Concourse in the Bronx. I remember Phil Jackson, who was playing for the Knicks at the time, coming in for an appointment and bouncing me on his knee in the waiting room. He looked about 9 feet tall to me.

KW: The Flex Alexander question: How do you get through the tough times?

ABS: Prayer and encouraging words change things. We’re all human. We all go through stuff. The hardest part about being a celebrity is having to heal on a public stage. That’s the worst. Imagine going through a scandal, or a divorce, or a death in the family, and running into fans on the street. Because of where my heart is, my instinct is to put my sadness aside, and give them a smile or a hug, no matter how bad I’m feeling. And the appreciation of fans can refuel your spiritual tank in those situations. But until you’re famous, people don’t realize how difficult that is.

KW: Do you ever wish you could get your anonymity back.

ABS: At times, because you might like to go out to have a meal and just chill. But I love people so much that I generally enjoy talking to everybody.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

ABS: I like Armani, but I have a special affinity for Kamau Holloway, the head designer for Eclectic Denim.

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

ABS: That hatred would disappear.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

ABS: To study different genres. You have too take from each artist what works for you, and then create your own sound. You put different combinations in the mix and it becomes something unique in the end.

KW: I call it taking the best and leaving the rest.

ABS: Come on! You got it!

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

ABS: As a man who was positive, who made a difference, and who walked in God’s light.

KW: Thanks again, Al, and l hope to see at the premiere party at Trump Tower.

ABS: I would hope so, my brother.

To listen to Al B. Sure!’s radio show, visit: http://www.albsure.net/slowjams

To see a trailer for The Ultimate Merger, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54iII_iqyzs

To see the Al B. Sure! video for Nite and Day, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlHq3n3hy0

To get the up to the minute, nitty-gritty of what’s going on on The Ultimate Merger, check out Omarosa on twitter at: http://twitter.com/omarosa

The Many Shades of Jada, from TV Nurse to Karate Kid’s Mom

Besides playing the title character on the TNT series HawthoRNe, which is starting its second season, Jada Pinkett Smith executive-produces the show through her production company, 100% Womon. With her husband, Will Smith, she is serving as producer of The Karate Kid, starring their son, Jaden, and also of Fela!, the Broadway musical nominated for 11 Tony Awards. Jada’s recent film credits include Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, as the voice of Gloria, and director Diane English’s remake of The Women.

In the past, she’s teamed up with Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle in Reign Over Me, and enjoyed a pivotal role opposite Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx in Michael Mann’s Collateral. However, she perhaps remains best known as the take-charge Niobe of Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions fame.

Here, Jada reflects on the challenge of balancing career and family when each member is a showbiz celebrity in his or her own right.

Kam Williams: Thanks for the time, Jada. It’s nice to have an opportunity to speak with you again.

Jada Pinkett Smith: Oh, thank you!

KW: Well, first of all, let me say congratulations! You’re blossoming on every front. Let’s see, HawthoRNe’s starting its second season, you’re going t be on the cover of the July issue of Essence magazine, your Broadway musical has been nominated for 11 Tonys, and Jaden is starring in The Karate Kid, a picture you and Will produced. How does it feel?

JPS: It feels good. These are the moments that you keep in your back pocket to remember, “All of those were good times!” [Laughs]

KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you, and I think they often come up with better questions than I do. So why don’t I start right of with some of them. Lester Chisholm says, “Thank you for the production of Fela,” and asks, “What would suggest as a lifestyle to keep young entertainers focused?”

JPS: Wow… Whew! Man, that’s a hard one, because part of the challenge of being young is finding what to be focused on. It’s a time of exploration when you have to discover who you’re not, in order to know who you are. I would say being deeply involved in the art world would help keep a young artist on track. Doing what you love, so that your focus is your artistry.

KW: Reverend Florine Thompson and filmmaker Hisani Dubose had the same question: What is the key to balancing motherhood, marriage and such a successful career?

JPS: Staying true to yourself, and being able to prioritize. It’s very important to prioritize. I know, for me, my family comes first. That makes every decision very easy.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls Are there any arenas left for you to conquer?

JPS: [LOL] Definitely! And I’m always looking for them. But as I’ve gotten older, and now that my kids are starting to do what they do, I am now really focusing on sharing my knowledge and insights with them to help guide them on their journeys.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman observes that you and Will come across as down-to-earth and very family-centric. She wants to know, how you keep your family values intact with the children becoming stars themselves? Do they have chores and an allowance?

JPS: [Laughs] They definitely have chores, and they get an allowance from money they make, believe it or not. I think that critical to keeping them balanced is giving them purpose, and part of giving them purpose is allowing them to do things that they love to do, which is being part of this industry. And as wacky as that might seem, it allows them to contribute to the family, and it allows them to develop their own self-worth. And I feel that when a child has self-worth and purpose, that’s what keeps them grounded.

KW: Cinema Professor Mia Mask asks, do you think the roles for women of color -- black women in particular -- have improved?

JPS: I’d say they’ve improved, but there still aren’t enough. And I’d say that’s the case, not only for African-American women, but for all women in the Hollywood game. It’s just slim pickings, and a very challenging time for us. I think that’s why more of us need to work our way behind the camera in order to create roles that really illuminate who women are. We still have room for growth in that area, without a doubt.

KW: Marcia Evans says that she’s a true fan of yours because she really respects the mature manner in which you approach being a wife and mother. She wants to know whatever happened to your TV sitcom "Good News."

JPS: I never had a show by that name, but I did have one called “M.I.L.F. and Cookies,” that got picked up and was set to air until the network and I had a disagreement at the last minute. They wanted to change the concept a bit in a way I wasn’t in agreement with, so we had to go our separate ways.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

JPS: I’m sure there is, but I really can’t think of one right now.

KW: Larry Greenberg says Richmond, Virginia is a beautiful and unique choice for the setting of Hawthorne. Were you involved in that decision?

JPS: We felt like Richmond was an area that’s growing, but hasn’t really been explored on television at all, in the way that New York, Los Angeles and Chicago have. So, we decided it would make a great location.

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

JPS: Yes.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

JPS: I am happy. I have my moments when I’m not, but I am. I’m very happy.

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What are you listening to on your iPod?

JPS: Oh, I’m listening to so much right now. I looooove Alicia Keys’ new song, “Unthinkable.” I’m blasting that all over the place, but I’m also listening to Sade’s new album, and I always have my Heavy Metal, Mastodon. [LOL]

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

JPS: I’m reading a book right now by John Dewey called “Art as Experience.”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399531971?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0399531971
That has been a very interesting read for me. And I’m also reading one called The Heart of Sufism, which is about a more esoteric approach to Islam.  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/157062402X?ie=UTF8&tag=thslfofire-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=157062402X

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

JPS: Oh, man, when I look in the mirror, I see about a thousand different Jadas... Yeah…

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

JPS: I don’t really cook much. I’m more of a baker. My favorite things to bake that everybody loves, and I can only keep in the house for about ten minutes, are 7-Up cake and Pineapple Upside-Down cake.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

JPS: Oh, I laugh hard every day. I mean, my husband is Will Smith! [Shrieks] I’m telling you, that’s one of the joys of being married to him. My life full of laughter. Thank God I have him. My life is full of laughter because of that man.

KW: How do you want to be remembered?

JPS: I don’t know yet. I have no idea.

KW: Well, thanks for another great interview, Jada, and best of luck in all your endeavors.

JPS: Thank you, Kam.

To get a sneak peek at HawthoRNe Season 2 which premieres on TNT on June 22nd at 9 PM, visit: http://www.tnt.tv/dramavision/?cid=47834

O’Shea Jackson was born on June 15, 1969, and adopted the cool alias “Ice Cube” before founding N.W.A. in the late 1980s. As the lyrical mastermind behind the legendary group's Straight Outta Compton album, he literally launched the gangster rap revolution. And his subsequent solo material, including such early Nineties classic CDs as AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and Death Certificate, solidified his place in the pantheon of the genre's more socially-aware artists.

Next, the versatile talent began his meteoric ascent in Hollywood as the star in, producer of and catalyst for the Friday, Are We There Yet? and Barbershop film franchises. He established himself as one of the most bankable actors around, thanks to his charismatic turns in such box-office hits as The Longshots, First Sunday, Anaconda, The Players Club, Three Kings, All About the Benjamins, XXX2 and Boyz 'N the Hood.

In 2007, Ice Cube partnered with the prestigious McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota to establish The Ice Cube Scholarship, a fellowship awarded annually for creativity, talent and songwriting ability to a student in the music technology department. Here, he reflects on his latest venture, producing and playing a support role on the new TV sitcom Are We There Yet?, which is based on his movie of the same name. The show premieres with back-to-back episodes airing on TBS on Wednesday, June 2nd at 9:00 and 9:30 PM.

Kam Williams: Hey, Ice Cube, thanks so much for the time.

Ice Cube: Oh, no problem.

KW: What inspired you to turn “Are We There Yet?” into a TV sitcom?

IC: It was really the idea of Executive Producer Joe Roth who owned the property over at Revolution Studios and said he was thinking about taking it to TV. And after he said that he already had [writer/director] Ali Leroi on board, and that he was going after Terry Crews, to me it was a no-brainer. I said, “Let’s put this together!”

KW: But didn’t you want to star in it, since you had originated the role of Nick on the big screen?

IC: No, because I wanted to go in a different direction, artistically. But having somebody like Terry in it was your ace in the hole. That makes it very strong, so I definitely had to jump in with both feet.

KW: So, how heavily involved are you with the production?

IC: While I had done the movies through Revolution Studios, we own the sitcom. It was a situation where, once the team was assembled, I knew we could create something really, really good.

KW: Did you have a debate about the title, since the movie sequel had been called “Are We Done Yet?”

IC: No, “Are We There Yet?” was the perfect title, because it’s such a common saying. And having made the movie with the same name kinda locks it all in.

KW: Attorney Bernadette Beekman was wondering whether you think that the focus of the show on successful African-American professionals marrying and creating a blended family with a strong father figure will have a larger impact on the television-viewing public now that we have an African-American President.

IC: I don’t know, but I hope so. [Chuckles] I hope everything works in our favor. The show is cool. It’s family fare. We ain’t aiming at the cheap seats. Instead, we’re making something with a broad appeal that people of any color or creed and from all walks of life can enjoy and maybe learn something from.

KW: Documentary filmmaker Hisani Dubose was wondering how you made the transition from rapper to actor to producer.

IC: Well, for the transition from rapper to actor, I was fortunate that director John Singleton pursued me for about two years to be in Boyz ‘N the Hood. I really wasn’t even thinking about acting at the time, since I was singularly focused on being the best rapper in the world. So, that was really a blessing, because I wasn’t really taking him seriously. Therefore, I can’t really attribute my success onscreen to any formula and suggest you “do this or that” to make it as an actor. However, as far as producing, once we started shooting, I soon realized where the critical decisions about the movies were really being made, and it wasn’t on the set. They were being made in the production meetings. That’s where producing a movie happens. And that’s where I wanted to be. I didn’t just want to be a piece, a pawn being played. I wanted to take part in the creative process, and that’s how I sort of got introduced to the idea.

KW: Children’s book author Irene Smalls says, “You are a performer who seems to have figured out show business rather than show business figuring him out. So many rappers are here today and gone tomorrow? When did the insights of how the business really works hit you? What advice can you offer young people about how to be successful in the real business of show business and have a career like yours?”

IC: When I was in N.W.A. and didn’t get paid all the money I was owed, that’s when the business side of showbiz hit me. I thought, “Half of this is workin’. I’m famous, but now I need to be famous with some money.” That got my brain started at trying to figure out the business end. And once I figured out the business side, I next came to understand that success really comes down to the product, not to me, my personality, or what club I’m seen going into or coming out of. None of that matters. What’s important is whether or not people feel like they wasted their time or money when they pay for a movie or a CD. Once I appreciated that, it became all about the project. It ain’t about me.

KW: Bobby Shenker asks, are you going to be doing another Friday film?

IC: I get that question a lot. I’ve vowed not to do another one, unless Chris Tucker was in it. He still hasn’t accepted the offer, so…I can’t say. I don’t know whether we should, if we can’t really do the movie that people have been waiting for.

KW: How about another Barbershop movie?

IC: Yeah, I would hope to do another one. If a third one comes together, I’ll jump on it. Or are we already on the fourth one? I’ve lost count.

KW: It would be the third. Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would.

IC: No, not really. I could do an interview or just as well not do one. It’s not like I’m looking for extra publicity. So, the questions that are asked are cool. And so are the one’s that’s not asked.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

IC: I’m always happy. I’ve just got a mean face. [Laughs]

KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?

IC: Yeah, definitely.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

IC: A man.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

IC: I can’t remember the last one I read cover to cover. My problem is that I never get through the whole book. I skim through this one, that one, and then the other one.

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What music are you listening to?

IC: I’m working on a record, so I don’t listen to nothing while I’m in the studio, because I don’t want to be influenced by anybody else.

KW: Can you reveal what type of album you’re working on?

IC: To me, it’s a California summer record.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

IC: Falling out the bed. I was really little, less than two years-old. My sister was watching me, and I just remember falling and not being able to climb back into the bed without help.

KW: The Uduak Oduok question: Who is your favorite clothes designer?

IC: I guess Levi’s Dickies. [Chuckles]

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be for?

IC: Come on, I gotta say “World Peace!”

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

IC: Steak.

KW: What advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

IC: It’s all about the work. Don’t worry about being a star, worry about doing good work, and all that will come to you.

KW: Thanks again for the interview Cube, and best of luck with everything.

IC: Thank you.

To see a trailer for Are We There Yet?, visit:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=hlBaUfoUT_U