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Entertainment’s Best of 2007

By Bill Vaughn
Contributing Columnist
Columbus Post

TastyClips asked entertainers to reveal their favorites from the past twelve months. Each artist commented on what they did and witnessed during the past year. The stars’ comments are featured below.
M.C. Lyte – Hip-Hop Icon/ Actress (New project with a new group called Almost September – 1st single called Beautiful)
TV: Nip/Tuck, Celebrity Rap Superstar.
Music John Legend, Kanye West, Ayo.
Movies: American Gangster, The Devil Wears Prada.
Book: Notorious Cop.
Theatre: The Three Tenors.
Cities: Chicago, NYC, Charlotte, Dallas.
Concerts: Macy Gray, Jill Scott.
Restaurants: Table For Four, Katsu-Ya.
Brian Jordan –All-Star Atlanta Braves Player/Sports Analyst/ Humanitarian
Music: Soulja Boy. I like the way that young kids changed the world with their music and entertainment. It now translates beyond the streets. So to see the impact their music has on things is just amazing to watch.
Book: My children's book, I Told You I Can Play, because I continue to use it to inspire young kids to believe in themselves.
Movies: Why Did I Get Married? was one of the most realistic accounts of how people think and what they think when in a marriage and about marriage.
TV: I am still an ER die-hard. I watch the old and new episodes. The life and death situations and seeing how they react to every situation is phenomenal.
Jamie Hector – Actor (The Wire, the upcoming Notorious B.I.G. biopic; and 2008's Bury Me Standing with Kerry Washington, Mos Def and Alfre Woodard; NBC's Heroes in Jan.)
TV: The Wire & Heroes.
Music: Jay Z, Nas, Mary J Blige.
Books: Grace After Midnight by Felicia "Snoop" Pearson.
Plays: The Color Purple.
Cities: New York.
Restaurant: Night of the Cookers – a soul food spot in Brooklyn.
Jameka Cameron –Reality TV Star (Big Brother)
Fave Moment of '07: Finding out that I made the BB8 show.
Fave Competiton on the show: The first and only luxury comp – The Naked Bubble Word Unscramble!
Meal: The steak and lobster provided for us in the BB8 house. 2007
Entertainer: Beyonce (B-Day Deluxe Album).
Books: Not much of a reader believe it or not.
Movie: 300.
Fave Theme for '07: "Dream Big!"
Ray Chew – Renowned Musical Director (Spelling Bee, BET's Celebration of Gospel – airing Jan. 27)
Music: I liked Chaka. That Herbie Hancock is wonderful. Promise Ring by Tiffany Evans. I like that Rihanna changed her flow and got edgier. We performed at the Nobel Peace Prize event in Oslo. I conducted the 64 piece orchestra and debuted one of my compositions.
Books: I do read my Bible.
Travel: The Four Seasons Resort in N. San Diego – Aviara Golf Course.
L.A. Dining: Katana on W. Sunset. They specialize in Japanese fusion and they have these great kabobs.
Full Circle: This year my wife [Vivian Scott Chew] and I co-produced a tour for Ashford & Simpson in London and over in Europe. They were so well received that they were in tears. People hadn't seen them for years there. They sold out some special events. Amsterdam stayed for a half hour after the show finished yelling and screaming.
Jermaine Crawford – Actor (The Wire)
Music: Chris Brown is doing his thing in the industry. Janet's new track is hot too. Alicia Keys and Beyonce have it on lock. And I can't forget about Kanye.
Books: I really enjoyed Sidney Poitier's The Measure of A Man, and Susan Batson's Truth: Personas, Needs, and Flaws in The Art of Building Actors and Creating Characters.
Movies: Transformers! Movie of the year! Dreamgirls Rocked! Too (God Bless The Gorgeous Lovely Jennifer Hudson lol). Why Did I Get Married was great as well. Tyler Perry is phenomenal.
TV: I love reality TV. It's so enticing. Charm School, Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and The WIRE, of course. This new season is absolutely incredible!
Dyana Williams –Artist Development Coach (Influenceentertainment.com)/Producer-Host (Soulful Sunday on 1079WRNB.com – Radio One Phila.)
Music: Corrine Bailey Rae... absolutely luminous!
Libros: I am in the process of reading: The Strength of A Woman: The Phyliss Hyman Story by Jason A. Michael in cooperation with Glenda Gracia and the Estate of Phyliss Hyman. This is a riveting book that deals with a talented artist who struggled with inequities of the entertainment industry, the complexity of coping with bipolar disorder and her ultimate demise. For whole living: The Pennington Plan: 5 Simple Steps for Achieving Vibrant Health, Emotional Well-Being, and Spiritual Growth by Drs. Andrea & Abigail Pennington.
Romantic Locales: Egypt – The Nile is extremely seductive. I celebrated my birthday in Europe. Within 72 hours, I had breakfast in Paris, lunch in the South of France/Cannes at The Carlton Hotel and dinner in enchanting Venice! Champagne every step of the way! Powder sand beaches of the Turks and Caicos at sunset. Treme section of New Orleans (where I have a sanctuary get away place).
Support Worthy: MakeitRight NOLA.org, Actor/activist Brad Pitt is joining others to build 150 sustainable homes in the Lower 9th ward of New Orleans. The Rhythm and Blues Foundation, a 20 year old non profit dedicated to the global preservation and perpetuation of Soul music and to offer financial assistance to performers in need from the '40's, – 70's.
TV: TV One On One, hosted by dynamo Cathy Hughes; Suze Orman (love her straightforward approach to financial empowerment); and Globe Trekker on PBS.
Perfume: Lolita Lempicka!

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