Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Based out of a small village 40 minutes outside of Paris, French film producer and “Mon amie americaine” author Michèle Halberstadt says, “I live in a house that used to be an old farm. Although it’s close to the city, I’m surrounded by nature. I’m 60 years old and I’ve read from an Italian writer that 50 is the old age of youth, and 60 is the youth of old age. I like that.”
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, designer Aimee Kestenberg moved to New York in 2007 to attend Parsons School for Design at the New School. “I am very proud to say that last year, I earned my U.S. citizenship!” says the 29-year-old entrepreneur. “(I return home) to Australia to be with my family during the holidays. It’s always really special and it’s summer time (there) during Christmas and Hanukkah!”
Born and raised in Sweden, television personality Fredrik Eklund, 38, says one of the reasons he moved to New York is because he remembered a childhood trip he took with his family to the Big Apple. “I came here from Stockholm as a little boy and was obsessed with the energy of the city,” says the real estate broker. “So, I made the city my life and work. Today, I’m selling the city. I am a part of changing it and its skyline.” Eklund is one of the stars of Bravo’s real estate reality series, “Million Dollar Listing New York.”
Portraying the titular role in “Antwone Fisher” put Derek Luke on the acting map. Since that 2002 film, the actor has built up a strong portfolio of work in films and on television (“Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Empire,” “Hawthorne”). Currently, he may be seen on DIRECTV’s “Rogue.”
Thanks to his striking good looks, Daniel Henney was cast in a Korean television series — despite the fact that he couldn’t speak any Korean at the time. Today, his work takes him around the world. With a resume that includes roles in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Hawaii Five-O” and “Big Hero 6” (he was the voice of Tadashi), Henney is one of the stars of the new CBS procedural, “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.” Fans may follow him on Twitter and on Instagram, where he posts photos of his travels and his dog, Mango.
Kim Coates is known to “Sons of Anarchy” fans for his portrayal of Alex “Tig” Trager. The prolific actor has been busy. Besides “The Land,” which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, he has five other projects set to release this year, including “The True Memoirs of an International Assassin” (with Andy Garcia) and “Goon: Last of the Enforcers” (with Liev Schreiber).
Founder and CEO of Motivating the Masses, Inc., Lisa Nichols was once a single mom relying on public assistance to help make ends meet. Now a motivational speaker and best-selling author, Nichols says she feels grateful to be able to help others. The 49-year-old California resident’s latest book is “Abundance Now: Amplify Your Life and Achieve Prosperity Today” (Dey Street Books, $25.99).
Born in New York and raised in North Carolina, where she played basketball for the Tar Heels, Jessica Breland has overcome so much to get to where she is today. The summer before her senior year of college, Breland was excited thinking about all the places she wanted to visit before school started. Instead, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and spent the next half-year undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
For the early part of his career, Ralph Covert was known for his rock band, the Bad Examples. These days, his fans span a wider age range, thanks to his children’s music group Ralph’s World. “It’s fun performing for audiences whether they are four years old or grandparents,” says the Chicago-based musician. “When they get up and sing and dance along, it makes the concerts so much more fun.”
Grammy Award-winning musician Angelique Kidjo says that being named UNICEF’s International Goodwill ambassador in 2002 has been a fulfilling part of her life. “It gave me the opportunity to travel to all the other continents and meet incredible women who carry the continents on their shoulders,” says the New York-based artist. “They are the main inspiration behind my songs.”