Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“I rarely saw representation of people who looked like me in Western shows like ‘Gunsmoke’,” said Eight Seconds Juneteenth Rodeo co-founder Ivan McClellan. “When I discovered the unique blend of Black culture and western culture, it ignited something in me. I felt a strong desire to document and share this overlooked aspect of American history.”
South Korea’s most famous hip-hop group, Epik High, has created some of that country’s most influential music over the past two decades. Acclaimed for their clever lyrics – which tackle sociopolitical issues with biting wit and humor – the trio is in their element performing live. On their current world tour promoting their critically-acclaimed mixtape “PUMP,” rapper-songwriter-producer Tablo trades verses with co-lyricist Mithra Jin, while co-producer DJ Tukutz takes a break from laying down beats to show off his b-boy moves.
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” star Camille Guaty said that being cast as Junior Detective Silva in the film was serendipitous. “Becoming a mom was a really hard journey and I find it so magical that one of my first jobs as a mom was [this film],” the actress said from her Nashville home. “It has become one of my son’s favorite books. We read it at least five times a week. Every time he sees the policeman in the book, he says, ‘Mommy, that’s you!’”
With her debut novel, “The Singer Sisters” (out Aug. 6, 2024 from Flatiron Books), Sarah Seltzer weaves together a multi-generational story of an alt rocker and her folk legend mother. Full of fractured relationships, deceit, love and mystery, the page turner reads like a confessional full of music that readers can almost hear.
For stuntman-turned-actor Hymnson Chan, the transition was easy because his work doing stunts required acting skills. “We have to sell hits to make them look more painful than they actually are,” said the Los Angeles-based filmmaker.
While the U.S. leg of IVE’s ‘Show What I Have’ world tour is over, the pop group will return to Chicago on Aug. 3 to make their Lollapalooza debut. While preparing for the festival, the group’s members said it was important to them to create a unique set so that their show is enjoyable for both fans and newcomers who may not be familiar with their music.
James Paxton doesn’t remember visiting his dad – the late Bill Paxton – on the set of the 1996 blockbuster film “Twister.” At the time, he was barely a year old. But when he was asked to make an appearance in “Twisters” – in theaters July 19 – he immediately said yes. “I did this cameo for Dad,” he said. “It was important for me to get to represent his memory.”
“We filmed ‘Find Me Falling’ in Cyprus and I spent most of my time in both the capital city, Nicosia, as well as the city of Pafos,” Ali Fumiko Whitney said. “Both were absolutely stunning! I made sure to explore as much of Cyprus as possible on my days off.”
“One of the first places we played together that was the most memorable and [that] we will never forget is Woodstock ’94,” said Collective Soul’s Ed Roland.
“The dB’s started in June 1978,” said drummer Will Rigby. “Our first gig was at Max’s Kansas City, opening for the Feelies. Our first show outside New York City was in Philadelphia that same summer or early fall.”
“What truly made filming ‘Shirley’ unforgettable was the camaraderie among the cast,” said Loren Escandón. “Sharing moments with artists like Regina King, Terrence Howard and the late Lance Reddick was both humbling and inspiring. Despite the chaos of a bustling set and the added hurdle of unpredictable weather, each actor remained deeply committed to their craft.”
“I’ve had so many different, wonderful experiences traveling over the years to incredible places like Paris, Bermuda and West Africa,” said singer-songwriter Laurie Berkner. “But often, the joy I feel depends more on who I’m with and what happens while I’m there.”
“One of my favorite memories was running 10 blocks across Austin in high-heel boots after my set at SXSW so I could catch her set,” said Kings of Leon drummer, about his wife Jessie Baylin. “And all I could think was, “I hope I don’t stink when I hug her afterwards.”
“I’ve thought at times about the fact that I was born to people who, for many generations, lived on just that one strip of land – Korea,” said “Exhibit” author R.O. Kwon. “When I’m in Korea, it feels as though my body recalls the soil I’m made of, attending to a song in the wind, rain and foliage that I can’t quite find elsewhere.”
Actor Sebastian Roché talks about his K-drama debut in “Queen of Tears.”
“I loved living in Boston,” jazz pianist Hiromi told me. “I still love it. It brings me such nostalgic memories from my school days. What is great about Boston is it is a walkable city, just like New York. I love cities where you can just walk and explore.”
Before starring as a highly skilled bodyguard in the Disney+ sci fi thriller “Blood Free” – currently airing in the United States on Hulu – Ju Ji-hoon won acclaim for his portrayal of a determined crown prince in the Netflix zombie horror series “Kingdom.”
After debuting in 2019, the K-pop quintet CIX has had the opportunity to travel around the world, which the group acknowledges as a fun perk of their job. “I try to explore each city as our schedule allows,” said group leader and rapper BX.
“As a kid, many times we used to visit Puerto Rico to visit our grandparents for Christmas and New Year’s,” said “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Wilson Cruz. “But the trip that I remember the most was when we drove from Michigan to California in a U-Haul and a car.”
Six years after she won critical acclaim for her debut novel “If You Leave Me Now,” Crystal Hana Kim has published her second book “The Stone Home” (William Morrow). The novel centers on a homeless mother and daughter who, in the 1980s, are sent to live in a South Korean reformatory center designed to break down their will to survive.