This past Friday evening, mega music star/songwriter Phil Collins returned to the stage for his first musical performance in many years at The Fillmore Miami Beach. Known for his work with Genesis and as a solo artist, Mr. Collins multiple hits include: Against All Odds, Another Day in Paradise, Easy Lover, One More Night and In the Air Tonight.
His seven song performance during The Little Dreams Foundation Benefit Gala, a charitable organization he founded with his partner Orianne Collins, was the first step in what may be the beginning of the next chapter of Phil Collins’s music career. The Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner has been talking about the possibility of an active performing career going forward. There have also been reports about a possible world tour, but he has not confirmed that yet.
It is not common for an unknown actress to land a major role on a TV show, particularly one that becomes an overnight hit. For Serayah McNeil, playing singing sensation Tiana, on the popular Fox TV show Empire, is remarkably her first role. Known to her fans as simply Serayah, she now wants people to recognize her for all she is doing away from the urban music TV drama.
With the opportunity to perform in front of a live crowd at the BET Awards in June and to work with A-list music star Taylor Swift on a variety of projects, it is only the beginning of Ms. McNeil building a multidimensional career. Serayah was also with Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and many other big names at this past weekend’s MTV Video Music Awards.
Many people in show business will be placed in one genre and many times are not taken seriously when they try to do something else outside of what is perceived to be their specialty. For Serayah, playing a music star on television has led her to now performing as a music star in real life – think Jennifer Lopez as Selena and then as a pop star in her own right.
Succeeding in show business calls for the ability to overcome personal doubt, while at the same time dealing with a variety of other adversities. Rarely does a person break through and gain widespread recognition for his artistic endeavors. The people who do make it often have a compelling narrative to share. One such individual is Ron Perlman, a true artist and an A-list actor whose story is as inspirational as it is entertaining.
Mr. Perlman’s body of work is diverse, his talent rich and his performances soulful. He has written a book, Easy Street (The Hard Way), which has been out for a few months now. If you have not yet read it, you are truly missing out.
We at CYInterview would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of actress Misty Upham. Recently, it was reported that the 32 year old Spirit Award nominee had died.
Ms. Upham joined us earlier this year, sharing her life story. It was an amazing tale of a talented actress on the rise, who grew up on in the Blackfeet Nation and ended up in Hollywood. The Washington Post mentioned our CYInterview with Misty in an article about her passing [see here].
For almost seven years, powerhouse attorney Gloria Allred has been a CYInterview regular, providing us with legal analysis and perspectives on a variety of compelling topics. In 2012 Ms. Allred joined us, along with former New Mexico Governor and Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson for an important discussion concerning the fairness of the presidential debates [see here].
Recently, the civil rights attorney was on South Beach to receive a lifetime achievement award at the National Trial Lawyers Summit. Throughout her legal career, Attorney Allred has been fighting for the underdog. Her tireless work in the areas of women’s rights, gay rights and helping those who have been discriminated against, among other things, led to her receiving the President’s Volunteer Award at the White House. That award was presented to her by then President Ronald Regan. Speaking of Presidents, last year President Obama stated that Gloria was one of the best attorneys in America.
For millions worldwide, Justin Bieber is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, music star today. With millions of followers and hundreds of millions of views on various social networking and media platforms, Biebermania is a mega-force in the pop culture.
Justin was born in Canada to Pattie Mallette who, as a single mother, raised him. With over two million of her own Twitter followers, she is using her fame to help others. The NY Times Bestselling author recently released the teen edition of her book Nowhere but Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom.
John Rich is one of country music’s success stories. He has succeeded as a solo artist and as half of the music group Big and Rich. As a songwriter he has penned a reported 13 top ten hits for artists including Taylor Swift and Faith Hill. Beyond country music, he is known as one of the winners of Donald Trump’s NBC reality show, Celebrity Apprentice.
John tells a modern day tale of rags to riches, going from a trailer park to stardom and having 46 employees. In speaking with him, it became readily apparent that he is a man who pulls no punches, whether talking anything from country music to politics.
Last month, we brought you photos from Lea Black’s cocktail party, at her beautiful home in Coral Gables [see here]. Lea is returning to the Real Housewives of Miami. The show is scheduled to return August 12. She is, for those of you who do not already know, married to Miami super attorney Roy Black.
Back in 2008, I had the pleasure of CYInterviewing Ernest Borgnine. I was saddened to hear of his passing last week. I was honored to speak with the 1955 Oscar… Continue reading "Remembering Ernest Borgnine"