Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Vacationing in Argentina this past Christmas was special for Michael Vlamis because it was the first trip he paid for himself. “Up until then, the only time I traveled was because of work or on family vacations,” he says. “As an actor starting out, you’re a slave to the Hollywood system, but my (CW series) ‘Roswell, New Mexico’ gave me the freedom and financial flexibility I needed to go see the world.”
“Paul Bowles’ ‘The Sheltering Sky’ really had an impact on me in high school,” says “Breakthrough” and “Homeland” actor Sam Trammell. “The story of an American couple traveling to north Africa and then continuing into the desert without a solid plan and the impromptu thread of the narrative (of) following your heart and gut. The descriptions of Morocco and the desert were so vibrant. It was very much of an escape for me. And it made travel and exploration feel like deeply important tasks for the soul.”
“I absolutely believe that moms are total superheroes,” says Marta Milans, who portrays foster mom Rosa Vasquez in the feature film, “SHAZAM!” “My mom is definitely one of them, so it was easy for me to encapsulate her essence when playing the role of Mamma Rosa.”
Grammy Award-winning musician Stephen Marley has many memories of performing with his family. But one of his favorites was when he traveled to Zimbabwe with his father, the late reggae icon, Bob Marley. “It was really eye opening,” says Marley, whose latest EP is “One Take: Acoustic Jams.”“I was probably about 9 years old. My brother, Ziggy, and I performed with him to honor the nation’s independence at the time. This was the moment I realized music is way more than just music.”
Ten years ago, Epik High was in jeopardy when online trolls went on a malicious rampage to defame frontman Tablo. “I took my family to Tokyo and then to Hawaii to keep them away from the awe-inspiringly hellish thing that was happening to me,” he says. “I remember everything about that trip. It kept me sane for a little bit. Call it a sane-cation.”
“We can speak Hebrew, Polish, Spanish, Hindi, German, Japanese and many more languages,” says M.O.N.T. “We really enjoy learning languages and we learn it through music most of the time, so it’s easy for us to memorize vocabulary.”
ATEEZ is embarking on a sold-out tour of the United States (including dates in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York), which will be followed by a European leg. “I want to take in the sights of many cities,” says group leader Hongjoong, 20. “I want to visit the various landmarks in each city (like) Times Square in New York. If there’s time, I’d also like to attend other artists’ concerts.” Though the South Korean band is less than half a year old, their enthusiastic fan base initiated this tour via MyMusicTaste (https://www.mymusictaste.com), an online service that allows fans to request shows in their area.
“Every album we write is influenced by the location we’re in,” says James Hunt of RÜFÜS DU SOL. “It’s kind of inherent in the process of creating music to draw upon the immediate vibe, personality and feeling of a place.”
Harley Quinn Smith made her acting debut at the ripe old age of one in “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” which was written and directed by her father, Kevin Smith. She played the infant version of her dad’s character, Silent Bob. Since then, she has starred opposite Molly Ringwald in “All These Small Moments” and in the film “Yoga Hosers.” She’ll be seen next in Quentin Tarantino’s star-studded film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” alongside Brat Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.
Born in the United States, musician Gu is 9 (ne Brian Kim) spent the first six years of his life in Maryland, where his parents attended graduate school. When the family moved to his parents’ native South Korea, he was in for a culture shock. “I said, ‘Mom, everyone is Korean here!’” he said. “I remember in kindergarten, some kids made fun of me for my (poor) Korean speaking skills. I felt like an outcast whenever anyone asked me to speak English for them. Eventually, though, I assimilated to the point where English became my second language.”
“Growing up in Seattle was a wonderful experience,” says musician Jaymes Young. “It was a good environment to get creative.” Young says he is always creating, whether on the road or at his home in Los Angeles. His current album is “Feel Something.”
“I experienced culture shock when I moved to the United States,” says Christina Chang, who portrays Dr. Audrey Lim on the popular ABC series “The Good Doctor.” “I was born and grew up in Taipei. When I came to the States for college, I sounded like everyone who grew up here — because I went to an international school with an American curriculum — but I was so new to a lot of the culture, specifically the Midwest. There weren’t many Asian Americans and I was challenged most by feeling like I needed to assimilate to the social culture of the students while trying to navigate being 10,000 miles away from home and family. With time, I’ve settled in and feel very at home here now.”
Ellington Ratliff says traveling for leisure is something he’d like to do more of in the future. “I honestly don’t vacation as much as I like, but while I’m on tour I get to see some sights in whichever city I’m in,” says Ratliff, 25. “Some of my favorite cities are Lake Como, Barcelona. I really liked Tel Aviv. Although, I’d have to say my favorite place to unwind is at my grandmother’s house in Wisconsin.”
After a successful residency last year in Las Vegas, Adam Lambert and Queen will reunite again this summer for their Rhapsody tour across North America. Lambert says being on the road is made more pleasurable by bringing along a few must-haves. “My iPad is my saving grace,” says the Los Angeles resident, who grew up in San Diego. “I load it up with shows and movies to pass the time. There’s so much great entertainment out there right now — Netflix, HBO, Showtime, Amazon …”
The Feldman brothers are on a hunt for more than treasure. In their new Travel Channel series, “Lost Gold,” Josh, 39, and Jesse, 44, seek to find forgotten gold mines and other pieces of history throughout America. The Arizona natives say that getting to see the world is a big perk of their job. “From my travels, I have learned to appreciate different cultures and to be open to new experiences,” says Josh. “I believe where we are from influences who we are. I think this is a beautiful thing and it should be celebrated.”
Former NBC News anchor and “Today Show” co-anchor Ann Curry has won multiple Emmys and Edward R. Murrow Awards for her outstanding work in journalism. She has also been honored by the NAACP, Refugees International and Save the Children. Her latest project is PBS’ docuseries “We’ll Meet Again with Ann Curry.” The photojournalist is an avid traveler, who has covered news stories around the world. “I live in New York City but I am often on the road for my reporting projects and for fun with my family,” Curry says. “I have learned to let go of the idea that I could predict what I was about to experience. I’ve realized we don’t truly see the world if we look only from our own perspectives and that opening up to the possibilities of something completely new, is what makes traveling fun.”
“Friends from College” star Jae Suh Park is based out of Los Angeles, where she resides with her husband, actor Randall Park, and their daughter, Ruby. But she also spends a lot of time in New York City, where her Netflix series is filmed. “I would say that New York is the seventh friend in the show,” says Park, who portrays Marianne. “The energy of the city is so inspiring. I can’t help but bring it into my role on the show.”
Critically-acclaimed singer and composer Rufus Wainwright, 45, has never been one to shy away from controversial topics, whether it was advocating for LGBTQ rights or speaking up about politics. A portion of the proceeds from his latest single, “Sword of Damocles,” benefits programs to encourage voter registration. Based out of Los Angeles, the musician spoke to us about some of his most memorable travels.
With her first full-length collection of poetry, “A Cruelty Special to Our Species” (Ecco, $25.99), Emily Jungmin Yoon takes readers inside the world of war, colonialism and sexual slavery. Born in Busan, South Korea, and currently a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago, Yoon’s critically-acclaimed work conveys lyrical beauty, even as it tackles brutal and political subject matter.
Best known for his work with Emblem3, musician Drew Chadwick says he finds inspiration in his travels, which have taken him all over the world. But there’s no place like home for the 26-year-old “Pacific” singer. “I’ve done a pretty significant amount of traveling,” he says. “But nowhere has ever been as beautiful or held as much sentimental value as Washington State, which I consider to be home base number one.”