In this celebrity interview, entertainment journalist Allison Kugel talks with filmmaker and actress Aizzah Fatima about Aizzah’s new film Americanish— the first Muslim-American rom-com! By Allison Kugel Pakistani-American filmmaker and actress, Aizzah Fatima, has managed to do what many before her could not. She turned her intimate stage play, Dirty Paki Lingerie, a monologue-driven piece …
By Allison Kugel Vanessa Williams is a creature unlike any other. It’s as though she came here to impart the ins and outs of living life on one’s own terms. From unwitting societal lightning rod during the 1980s to multi-platinum selling recording artist; and Broadway, film and television star, Vanessa Williams slayed the male-dominated Hollywood …
By Allison Kugel Raven-Symone’s alter ego, Raven Baxter, has been a staple on The Disney Channel since the child actor turned Hollywood renaissance woman debuted her famous character on the hit show, That’s So Raven, in 2003. Back then, Symone’s alter-ego played a teenager who could see into the future, and that extra-sensory ability often …
By Allison Kugel Actress Robin Givens has played many roles in her life; retiring wallflower not being among them. She burst onto the scene as the beautiful and brainy Darlene on Head of the Class, a sitcom that aired on ABC from 1986 to 1991. Those same years brought a media explosion as good girl …
You may recognize Dianna “Miss D” Williams from Lifetime’s hit television series Bring It— a reality show which documents Williams’ career as the founder and dance coach for The Dollhouse Dance Factory. Williams (or Coach D as her dance team calls her) is a successful, self-made businesswoman. She is a graduate of Jackson State University …
By Allison Kugel If you were to ask any director who’s worked with the legendary Pam Grier they would likely tell you that having Pam on their set is a game changer. She knows what she wants and what she brings to the table. Just stand back and watch the force that is Pam. Throughout …
If you’re a 90’s kid like I am, then you may remember the hit movie Boomerang starring a very dapper Eddie Murphy. The 1992 film also starred Halle Berry, Robin Givens, Martin Lawrence, and David Alan Grier. In the movie, Eddie Murphy plays Marcus Graham, an advertising executive who is quite the ladies man. His …
By Allison Kugel On October 3rd, Paula Abdul hit the road on her North American tour; a tour that’s been more than twenty-five years in the making, since her 1992 Under My Spell tour which grossed $60 million in ticket sales (a mint by 1992 standards), yet also yielded some tragedy that almost sidelined the …
By Allison Kugel Born of a revolutionary bloodline to activist filmmaker, Melvin Van Peebles, you could say that Mario Van Peebles was born to make films that nudge our social consciousness and encourage us to answer questions we hadn’t thought to ask. An actor, director and writer, Mario Van Peebles’ first foray into acting was …
I had the amazing opportunity to connect with actor Will Catlett! During my interview, Will shared his thoughts on the new OWN drama Love Is___, working with Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil, and what it was like meeting Oprah! Have you seen the new romantic drama Love Is ___? It’s featured on Oprah’s OWN …
By Allison Kugel With an acting career spanning four decades and multiple awards and nominations, Regina King has effortlessly embodied countless memorable characters across the big and small screens. From thought-provoking films like Boyz n the Hood, Poetic Justice, Jerry Maguire and Ray; to lighter fare like the Legally Blonde and Miss Congeniality …
By Allison Kugel Real Housewife of Beverly Hills, Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild’s aunt; Kyle Richards has emerged as a Hollywood force as Executive Producer of the new hit television series, American Woman, loosely based on the colorful life of her late mother, Kathleen Richards. Kyle Richards, along with her sisters, Kathy …
By Allison Kugel Hailed as one of the most prolific stand-up comedians of the past three decades, D.L. Hughley has never been afraid to dig into ethnic stereotypes, economic disparity, relationships, politics… nothing’s off limits. His words are explicit and paint an accurate portrait of societal contradictions and pain in fast forward. From …
By Allison Kugel From his early days on the comedy stage to playing lovable football fanatic, Hayden Fox, on the long-running television sitcom Coach and Zeek Braverman on the dramatic television series, Parenthood to countless legendary big screen roles, actor Craig T. Nelson’s career has been as versatile as it is prolific. Movie audiences …
By Allison Kugel Same Jersey Shore cast (sans ex-castmate Sammi Giancola), same nickname… new outlook on life. Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi started off our conversation by letting me know that she prefers to be called Nicole. The thirty-year-old married mom of Lorenzo, 5, and Giovanna, 3, was also quick to clarify that a duality …
By Allison Kugel Kind, conscientious, courageous and refreshingly candid, Ms. Vivica A. Fox has proven that as Hollywood careers go, second acts are often the sweetest. The multi-hyphenate actress-director- beauty entrepreneur-author is embracing life and not looking back, except to pull from her well of wisdom for her new memoir, Every Day I’m Hustling. …
By Allison Kugel This Spring, women are ruling the medium of television. They’re portraying layered, complex characters on sitcoms that range from vintage reboots to progressive family dynamics, and the dark yet humorous things we do to succeed in the workplace. Three standouts include actress Lecy Goranson, who steps back into her role as …
By Allison Kugel The Arquette family are a band of actors, artists, provocateurs, and activists. With the image that David Arquette has crafted for himself as the family’s resident goofball, his newest film, a documentary titled, Survivor’s Guide to Prison, is a departure from the David Arquette persona people have come to know. …
By Allison Kugel Listed by Sports Illustrated as one of the greatest wrestlers in WWE history, few wrestlers, or entertainers for that matter, have done more to brand their name than Chris Jericho. From the eponymous List of Jericho, a bit he made famous on the WWE stage, to his rock n’ roll persona which …
Dreams really do come true when we keep our faith and work hard toward our goals. Jenia Tanaeva is a perfect example of this. From living in the communism regime in Russia to moving to America as a single mom of two girls, Jenia’s story is a real-life modern Cinderella story, only it’s the single …