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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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