Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
With her debut record, “The Abysmal EP,” indie artist Hannah Bahng showcases the kind of lyrical maturity that belies her youth. Her ethereal track, “Tonight’s the Night I Die to a Frank Ocean Song,” is a contemplative number that reflects on a real-life traumatic airplane incident. “I know it sounds kind of cringey,” the Australian singer-songwriter-keyboardist said. “But that song was written to come to terms with my own existence.”
“Australia reminds me of home,” said tennis player Danielle Collins. “I love the warm weather, beaches and friendly spirits. There’s something incredibly special about the way Australians live. They take their leisure time very seriously and, just like Florida, are obsessive about their water and water sports. The locals are kind, welcoming and made my stay feel like I was right at home.”
Alicia Hannah-Kim makes her “Cobra Kai” debut as a powerful sensei in the popular Netflix series. “My character felt like a step in a new direction – not only for representing women, but Asian women,” said Hannah-Kim, who hails from Sydney, Australia.
“I feel like New York’s my home away from home,” said Australian actress Lexie Duncan, one of the stars of “Young Rock.” “I come from a musical theater background, which is how I initially got into acting professionally, so I love Broadway! Live theater is already so special, but there is nothing like a Broadway show.”
Hillsong Young & Free’s Laura Toggs says, “Byron Bay in Australia is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Stunning beaches, great food, places to shop and plenty to do.”
Best known as the culture vulture on the original version of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” Jai Rodriguez got his start on Broadway portraying Angel in the critically acclaimed musical “RENT.” His post-“Queer Eye” work has included acting roles (“Bones,” “How I Met Your Mother” and “Harry’s Law”), as well as host of “Dance Moms.” Though he travels frequently for work, Rodriguez says, “I actually don’t vacation. However, work has taken me to some exceptional places. I usually extend my work trip by a day or two to enjoy the city. Sydney, Key West and New York City are among my favorites for different reasons. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be in awe of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. The park and wildlife there are amazing.”
“I live in Manly, (near) Sydney,” says Australian filmmaker Mark Lamprell, one of the co-writers of “Babe: Pig in the City.” “It’s a magical part of the world — a spit of land with an ocean beach on one side and Sydney Harbour on the other. You can catch a ferry into the city center in 20 minutes.” Lamprell is also the author of the book, “One Summer Day in Rome” (Flatiron Books, $24.99). We talked with him about his travels in general and Rome in particular.
Bob Bowman is the coach of the most famous swimmer in the world: Michael Phelps. While he won’t confirm if Phelps will compete in the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, he says the two enjoy competition of another kind: horseracing. “Michael and I own some horses (Water Cube, By a Hundredth),” says Bowman, who is based out of Baltimore. “These horses are amazing athletes in their own right.”
“Traveling is good for the brain,” says musician Jonathan Butler, 52. “The mind needs it. I can’t imagine life without getting to see all the amazing, different parts of the world.”
“The world is a lot smaller now,” says Vicki Lawrence,” and travel unites the world.”
An American expat residing overseas in London, Kalliope Lee makes her novel debut with “Sunday Girl” (Psychopomp Press). Set in 1991 Seoul, the book tells the story of two college-age friends struggling to live with the violent attack they both survived. One of the young women becomes obsessed with the plight of Korea’s “comfort women” — girls who were forced into sexual slavery to serve the Japanese Army during World War II.
You’ve probably seen — or heard — Alexandra Breckenridge on some of your favorite television series. She portrays Katerina on HBO’s “True Blood” and spent six years doing voice work for such shows as Fox’s “Family Guy” and “American Dad.” Her latest role is playing Moira on the new FX series “American Horror Story,” which is the brainchild of “Glee” creator Ryan Murphy. Born and raised in Connecticut, Breckenridge and her mother moved to California when she was 12.
When Jennifer Knapp decides to take time off, she really goes for it. When the 36-year-old singer from Kansas wanted to reassess her life, she took seven years off and spent a good chunk of that time exploring Australia. She didn’t return to the United States until she was good and ready to start recording again. And she announced that she was gay.
Though Jordin Spark’s tours have taken her to many destinations, the young singer has a long list of places she’d still like to visit. And she plans on taking her dog with her, if at all possible.
You’ve probably heard Lenka’s evocative music helping set the mood on such shows as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “90210” and “Ugly Betty.” Or maybe in a commercial for Old Navy. The Aussie actress, who was once in the same acting class as Cate Blanchett, is currently on a world tour to promote her self-titled album “Lenka.”
Shot over a nine-month period in Leichhardt, Australia, the documentary “Rats in the Rank” follows the absurd antics of 12 council members maneuvering to get their mayoral candidates elected to office.
When he was a child, actor Matthew Perry said, he had a major crush on Valerie Bertinelli. She was the co-star of “One Day at a Time,” a popular CBS sitcom. Years later, when CBS cast Perry to play the boyfriend of Bertinelli’s character on her new “Sydney” series, he was on Cloud 9. But after he had psyched himself up to kiss the actress, the producers told Perry they were changing his character from her boyfriend to her younger brother.