Last night I attended a show at Universal City Walk for the organization: Autism Rocks. My buddy James Durbin of American Idol was headlining it. James definitely rocks!!! His latest single Smackdown really hits it out of the park. Hey, check out the photos I took of last night's show, it was awesome!
Wow it's the end of an era. Fifteen Seasons on the air and now it's over. I remember when American Idol was pretty much a social experiment and no one knew whether it would work or not. In the interest of full disclosure I stopped watching after the season Adam Lambert was on. However it is no secret to most I am buddies with James Durbin who will be appearing on tonight's series finale, among others including the original Idol herself, Ms. Kelly Clarkson. This factoid did not escape the most Dedicated Durbinator, Marissa Erickson who friended me on Facebook and followed me on Twitter when she saw my coverage of James. Well she sent me some images from a live chat she participated in on Facebook during the rehearsals involving James for his performance to the final countdown to tonight's AI farewell. She wrote this to me in a message: "Today a live chat on face book from idol and James Durbin" So here are images from Marissa's live chat enjoy tonight's final American Idol show!!!
Broadway veteran, Billboarddance sensation and People Magazine’s first-ever gay “Hottest Bachelor” Matt Zarley has received critical acclaim as an LGBT artist for over a decade since his debut on the music scene. As one of the first openly gay male artists in music, a lot has changed in the world for the LGBT community. In his latest endeavor, hopefulROMANTIC, Zarley has created an original musical film about one man's emotional journey through love, heartbreak, and healing. It's a universal story about loving, letting go, and holding onto faith that there's somebody for everybody. In addition, the film also features film and TV icon, Star Trek star and LGBT activist, George Takei. The project consists of not only the film but, the original soundtrack and pop album titled “hopefulROMANTIC –The Deluxe Edition,” featuring new, acoustic renditions of songs featured in the film, as well as a bonus video duet with Jeb Havens – all available now!!! Say Hello, Matt.
Matt Zarley
MS: I was just watching the trailer for "hopefulRomantic" for the third time when you called, it's gained a lot of fans. MZ: Yeah, well, thank you. It's really cool. MS: So, what was the inspiration for the project? MZ: Originally I was writing a little CD of love songs. Very fond and very sweet, I was in love at the time, in a relationship, very happy. I wrote a song called "Somebody For Everybody" it's very up and fun, and I wanted to stay on that path. A couple of weeks before the writing process for the EP my relationship ended. I was sideswiped, I didn't see it coming, it ended very abruptly. It really broke my heart. Well, than when that happened I wanted the EP to be really different and I wrote the song called "Constantly" which is featured in the film. It's about when you break-up with somebody and you run into each other in the future, you don't want them to see you dying. Your heart is broke and you don't want then to see you like that. All of it is completely opposite of what I meant the EP to be. This message was what was relate able to me at the time and everybody, universal. So I started finishing the songs with that idea in mind. In that process I re-connected with Ben Pollack who directed my "Trust Me" music video. He called me and said: "What's going on?" I sent him the demo for "Constantly" and he said I'll direct this music video for free. So I told him I had an idea for three music videos for a project with one narrative. That's how it started. As I was finishing the song, as every writer I started to fall in love with my stuff. I started to think it would be great if this chorus would transition into this next song, so before I knew it all the songs were connected and it became an actual short film. MS: Very cool.
Oh My! Matt Zarley & George Takei
MZ: I wanted to have a figure in the film that represented a sort of mentor figure. The thought was to get George Takei, that would be a home run, that would be it! MS: Yeah, I was going to ask you about that, I thought, look! It's George! MZ:Stafford Arima, who is the director of George's show on Broadway right now "Allegiance" is a really dear friend of mine. I was I New York, he was in New York and we were going to shoot a song and I asked him: "would you feel comfortable doing an E-Mail to George? I would love him to be involved in this project if he is interested." MS: That's great! MZ: Honestly, I didn't know if he was going to have the time. He was enjoying a revival in his career and all these incredible things are happening. Not to mention he has taken over social media. MS: Yeah, he really has taken over social media. (both laugh) MZ: The stars were aligned I guess. It just worked out. The whole shoot was an incredible experience. It's a very personal project, but I also learned in the creative process how much I am not married to my own stuff, which is very important for me to learn about myself. It also made me aware of a lot of skills I didn't realize I had. It's been a wonderful two years for me, it has opened my eyes a lot to where I want to go with my career.
"hopefulRomantic" Trailer MS: How do you think social media affects romantic relationships? MZ: I think it depends on how much you buy into it and put yourself out there. My last relationship was a little more out there than I have ever been before. I keep a pretty private life I think, for the most part. But people knew who he was. We were just a little more visible I guess. I would not do that again. Because if it doesn't work out, you have to explain yourself and everyone gets in your business. You have all these snarky comments why people thought it ended. It's like: "None of you know." I'm not the type of person to air my laundry for everyone to know. It's not my scene, I don't need to do that for my own game. MS: You're preaching to the choir on that one. MZ: I can't stand people who post on Facebook, their single, their in a relationship, it's constant status changing. When they break-up with someone and air their whole fight on social media. It's just so tired. I don't get it and it leaves a really bad taste in my mouth. MS: Mine too! MZ: I don't even voice my critical opinion on pop culture. I never really voice my critical opinion on anything. Not only because you don't know who is going to read it and how it could back and bite you in the ass number one. But who cares what I think?! (both laugh) MS: Ditto. MZ: When you're in love it's fine to share it. It's when you break up and shit comes down, and you get to the minute updates on stuff. That's when I'm like, ugh! MS: I agree. Is it safe to assume Matt, that you are still a "hopefulRomantic?" MZ: Yes, I am. This project really helped heal me in a very personal way. hopefulROMANTIC (the short film and recording)is available on iTunes and other digital outlets. For more information visit MattZarley.com or hopefulROMANTICmovie.com. Follow Matt on Social Media at: https://instagram.com/mattzarley/ https://twitter.com/mattzarley https://www.facebook.com/mattzarley/
Hypodermic Sally Will Give You A Prick Sarah Paulson
American Horror Story: Hotel with Lady Gaga premieres tonight! I wonder if you can do a check in there for your Facebook account?
Well as much as I am Gaga to see the Lady as The Countess, I am equally stoked to see the amazing Sarah Paulson get to play her darkest character to date in the AHS universe a junkie named Hypodermic Sally.
Once upon a time little Sally had dreams of becoming a singer, but the dream is now over and she is now one of the minions that call The Cortez home.
Given the back story and the characters name I am going to venture to say that Hypodermic Sally is based on real life rock legend Janis Joplin.
I hear Sally has a pretty horrifying encounter with the The Addiction Demon and his drill bit penis. Yeah, you won't want to miss that!
'Cause it's witchcraft, wicked witchcraft, And although, I know, it's strictly taboo".... - Witchcraft Everyone needs a resident chanteuse. Sandy Zacky is it, here on Entertain Me. Every Halloween we celebrate her rendition of the classic chestnut Witchcraft. Passed through many singers throughout the years, most notably one of the masters, Frank Sinatra. While she is not a master, Sandy is a maestra, the feminine version of master, of Witchcraft. I have seen Sandy with a "Y" not "E" perform this song and many others, live over the years. Guess what peeps she is getting ready to go live, and record again in 2016! What a treat! Fall under Sandy's Witchy Spell at: https://www.reverbnation.com/sandyzacky https://www.facebook.com/The-Sandy-Zacky-Fan-Page-142692019103428/timeline/ http://www.showmetalkradio.com/zacky.php
Billboard charting Singer/Songwriter Aiden Leslie took some time to slow down recently and chat with Entertain Me about his latest single I Just Go.
As you can well imagine other things came up during the conversation as well, but you are going to have to keep calm and read on to find out what those might be...so let's do it Aiden!
AL: When was the last time we spoke? We have done an interview before.
MS: Yes, it was for "Worlds Away" (laughs) that's why I thought it would be fun to do it again!
AL: That is so crazy! That was like, five years ago! It feels like it was just yesterday, but it's been five years, that's crazy!
MS: It's longer than I thought it was.
AL: It's half a decade! (both laugh)
MS: Pride season just passed, did you perform a lot during it?
Photo: Rick Day
AL: Yeah, I got to get around (laughs) Getting out there is always good. I just put "I Just Go" out. I feel really proud of the whole release of that single. Everyone on my team did a really good job of getting it out there. Artistically I am very proud of the work we did. That's always an important thing to do and to feel, especially in today's music climate. If you are proud of it and happy with it that's what really matters.
MS: That's how I feel about it too.
AL: We live in this fifteen second world. Where you have to get your message out in a very quick time frame, via Instagram or anything like that. People don't have the attention spans that they once had, because of the world we live in everything is so quick. So you see people putting out an album and not everybody really catches it because it is too much for people to take in, you know what I mean?
MS: Yes, when I was a kid I was an avid reader, now it's a lot for me to read a book. My attention span has diminished with the times.
AL: Right. There are pluses and minuses to the world we live in. There are so many benefits to technology, but on the flip side, do we really stop and savor much anymore? Like Madonna she puts out twenty-five tracks on an album because she has to get so much material out there in a short amount of time. Normally people would only do, like, twelve to thirteen tracks.
MS: My favorite track off of "Rebel Heart" is "Ghosttown."
AL: Oh My God! This is the funny thing. Reports on the tour which just kicked off is that she's not even performing it right now. It's pretty insane it got the most attention and it's the best song on the album! It's so well written, it's more like her old stuff. It's something Miley or Beyonce' would sing. It's really contemporary, I love that song!
MS: Speaking of contemporary, "I Just Go" really is. The video has gotten some great comments on YouTube.
AL: Yes, yeah...when we really sat down to think about how we were going to do it, there were a lot of different concepts. I really wanted to do something very cinematic and emotional with the video. The waves and running through the waves was this whole thing for me. It was like fighting both worlds trying to break out of one and go to the other. "I Just Go" is such a personal song. It's about doing the one thing over and over again and expecting a different result. That is the definition of insanity! (laughs) It's a universal theme of repeating and repeating something that is going to change, but it does not often change. It was written at a really dark time in my life when I was really hanging out with the wrong crowd and doing a lot of not good things, very unhealthy things. It caught up to me and I couldn't get out of it, it was like a hamster wheel. I was always trying to find my way in circumstances that weren't going to happen for me. It was about picking the wrong guys and picking the wrong situation. I think that is something we can all identify with.
MS: Definitely.
AL: We all go through that. The goal is to try and make the right choices. One of the lyrics in the song is "running down this path searching with my eyes closed searching for the truth." Running down a path, but you've got your eyes closed and refuse to see what is in front of you. You don't want to see it, it's always the struggle of trying to do the right thing. Like the the lyric says "I could care, but I just go." You keep doing the same thing over and over again until you finally learn, like Maya Angelou said: "Lessons are repeated, until they are learned." - when you know better you'll do better.
MS: By the way, I meant to say this earlier, I think the reason it doesn't seem like five years since we have spoke is because we have communicated through Facebook and Twitter.
AL: Yes! That's why! (both laugh) You see each other on Facebook and say "Hi" you don't even realize it. That's what I was talking about earlier it's a crazy world we live in. We're all connected, but then again we're not connected.
MS: It can be a little odd.
AL: Let's not make it so long since we actually speak next time!
The lovely and talented Krista Allen is currently starring in Significant Mother airing Mondays on the CW, that is one of the absolutes you know about her. But there is something you may not know, a truth that may catch you off guard, but one that will make you laugh. Yes, that's correct Krista is quite witty and her Facebook posts nail whatever subject she addresses. Any time that Ms. Allen posts on Facebook is a day I LMFAO! Hey, she's a giver who is always there for her friends, gotta love that! Recently she came up with a comment that should be considered that last word on how to explain PMS to a man. Yep, guys this should nail it for you, and to all to women reading I am sure you will concur. Now that I've built your anticipation here is the quote verbatim, Krista Allen with the final word on the monthly visit. "Last night, I cried during Snakes On A Plane. If anyone wants to know what PMS feels like, now you know." Hilarious! T.G.I.F! Find out more truths about Krista at: https://twitter.com/KristaAllenXO https://instagram.com/kristaallenxo/?hl=en
We're Just Reading!
Kris Jenner & Jennifer Lawrence
Busted! Kris Jenner was caught in bed with Jennifer Lawrence by Jenner's boyfriend Corey Gamble who documented the tryst by taking a photo.
And Kris took to her Instagram with the image and this caption: "Happy Birthday you piece of s--t... God I love you #Jenniferlawrence.Thanks for making this night a night to remember.....even if we did get caught... I love you Happy Birthday Gorgeous!!! #Bible #momager #doll."
Jennifer turned a ripe old 25 this past week, in case you didn't know.
Ms. Lawrence is a reality TV addict! She has admitted to watching Keeping Up With The Kardashians and loving it! Also remember her visit to Lisa Vanderpump's Pump in West Hollywood where she and friends acted out scenes from Vanderpump Rules?
Need we extrapolate more?! Lawrence has yet to comment on this photo, but I am sure when she does it will be a doozy!
ANDREW MCMAHON’S DEAR JACK FOUNDATION LAUNCHES THE 72K CHALLENGE
Celebrating 10 Years Cancer-Free DJF Founder Andrew McMahon starts initiative to raise $1 for every young adult diagnosed with cancer annually
Cancer has touched almost every one of our lives - Join musician and founder of "Dear Jack" Andrew McMahon in helping to kick cancer's ass!
The Dear Jack Foundation (DJF), the non-profit organization that advocates for and supports initiatives that directly benefit adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer, and founder Andrew McMahon are launching “The 72K Challenge” – a fundraising campaign designated to raise $1 for each young adult that is diagnosed with cancer every year.
The 72K Challenge, open until Dec. 31 on DearJackFoundation.com, aims to aid the 72,000 newly-diagnosed AYA patients in the United States ranging from the ages of 15 to 39. While many consider these to be the most formative years of a person’s life, this population suffers a well-documented deficit in research and attention from the cancer community. This shortfall has led to a 30-year stagnation in the improvement of AYA survival rates compared to all other age demographics.
McMahon experienced this first hand at 22, when he was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia during the peak of his career as the lead singer of the alternative band Jack’s Mannequin. This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the stem cell transplant that saved his life and since then he has dedicated himself to helping youths suffering from this illness. Currently, McMahon is using the success of his hit single, “Cecilia in the Satellite,” from his eponymous album Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness to help draw awareness to this massive effort. The song is an ode to his one and a half year old daughter Cecilia, a child he feared he wouldn’t be able to have after his diagnosis.
“Ten years ago this August, I was transplanted with life-saving stem cells. When I first heard the words, ‘You have cancer,’ I never could have imagined what was to follow,” said McMahon. “The trajectory of a life is forever altered by those three loaded words. Unlike many friends I’ve met along the way, I survived to tell my story and use this new life to advocate for those who are hearing those difficult words for the first time.”
Spread the word with the hashtag, #DearJack72kChallenge
Lend your social media presence to DJF on Thunderclap.com –a tool that lets our message be heard when you and your friends say it together. Think of it as an "online flash mob.” We can share the same message at the same time spreading it through Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Once we reach 500 people supporting The 72K Challenge our message will launch together! Join the 72K Challenge on Thunderclap here: http://thndr.it/1NrxX3I
Look for more information on-site during The Wilderness Politics Tour – Andrew’s North-American fall co-headline tour with New Politics featuring special guests The Griswolds and LOLO
For almost a decade, The Dear Jack Foundation has been tending to the AYA community, successfully raising over $700K for this group. DJF has worked hand in hand with philanthropic organizations to advocate on behalf of this underserved community. Through the efforts of DJF, the organization has funded college scholarships, signed up over 1,400 individuals to the National Bone Barrow Registry; 23 of which have been potentially life-saving matches, funded one of the first AYA-specific medical fellowships out of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and University of Southern California Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, and provided AYA cancer patients and survivors with opportunities to attend adventure camps with their peers, to name a few. This year DJF will launch the first ever program wholly conceived, organized and funded by the organization - a series of one-day seminars targeting AYA cancer patients as they transition from treatment into survivorship.
The Dear Jack Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. Tax ID 45-2219082. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Whilst giving an interview to Dot429 sexy Looking stud, Jonathan Groff said that while starring in Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical Hamilton that Madonna was banned from attending the show after a performance she attended in April. Apparently the Bitch didn't wanna get off her cell phone and her face was perfectly lit for three quarters of the show down in front. Of course the Big M's rep denies it, but Groff insists it's true. Gee I wonder how Madonna would have felt if someone did that while she was performing Speed The Plow? Just Sayin'.... Jonathan on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2676147/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Madonna on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madonna
As fall 2015 draws nigh, be on the lookout for images of Cher wearing Marc Jacobs for his fall 2015 campaign. The multi-faceted Cher now has working Marc Jacobs designs this fall on her vast to do list. Willow Smith is also on board as well, but does anyone really care with Cher occupying the same orbit? Cher joining the campaign is definitely a smart move Mr. Jacobs. In Cher we "Believe!" Happy Manic Monday! Cher : https://www.facebook.com/cher Marc Jacobs: https://www.facebook.com/marcjacobsintl
OK, so you all know I have a Jared Leto thing, running a close second is Zac Efron.
Hey, he came up as my celebrity match when I took a quiz that came through my Facebook news feed.
Even though Jared & Zac share similar qualities - there are differences, age being one of them.
Recently it was brought to everyone's attention that Zac would be appearing shirtless, a few gratuitous times in his upcoming movieWe Are Your Friends.
While I prefer Zac in his Birthday suit, his upper body is quite the view.
"He's shirtless and you get a good dose of it," states director Max Joseph on the upcoming movie.
So here you go some Tuesday celebrity skin, enjoy my fellow Efron fans!
Is anyone out there loving Courtney's return to acting? I know I am! Starting with her story arc on the final season of Sons of Anarchy to this weeks stint as a fading rock star saved from obscurity on the hot, hot, hot break out show of the season Empire. Up next for Ms. Love? She will be appearing on one of her favorite shows Revenge. That's right the rocker loves the show and met with the creators of it and they came up with an awesome role for her, naturally. It's always riveting when Courtney appears on the big and small screen. After a quite lack luster season I am finally looking forward to seeing Revenge again! Take a look at Courtney Love on Empire below:
“What a betrayal!! I imagined Kim and this guy back at the Starwood laughing at the fact that I was on my period, right before Kim sold me off like some kind of low-rent Hollywood pimp. It was embarrassing, and more than anything in the world I wanted to just go home… I realized that this whole thing was a setup by Kim, and I cursed myself for being too meek to stop it.” - Cherie Currie "Neon Angel" Fast Froward to 2014, the now. Cherie posted this on her Facebook page a few weeks ago: “Life is ironic. Kim Fowley was moved into my home a week ago Friday. I have been a 24/7 caregiver for him. Funny, I have not been a fan of this man for decades but time is the great equalizer. It has been an honor to be there for him. He is ill so please send prayers to him. He is as brilliant now as he has ever been. Caring for him keeps me from FB. Know I love you all and please send positive thoughts his way.” Life is an experience that throws us many curve balls. The important thing is to keep evolving and most of all forgiving.. "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever" - Gandhi
Stone & Banderas: Seriously Does This Look Like Two People Dating?!
"I find this salacious, unkind, unfounded reporting to be the typical pretense of what passes as 'journalism' today." - Sharon Stone addressing the rumors she and Antonio Banderas are dating Here, here Ms. Stone I completely agree with the above statement. As a journalist I do not want to remotely be thought of as a hack or someone who does not know the facts before they shoot their keyboard off. When I first saw this item that Banderas and Stone were involved via a post by a "journalist" on my Facebook home page, while I do not purport to know either personally, I was suspect enough of it not to post it here on Entertain Me. "Antonio is a brother to me, and Melanie (Griffith) has been with me for each and every birth of my three children, They are my family" Sharon told the Daily Mail. The photos of them taken together at the Cannes Film Festival, like the one above, do not show any signs of flirtation or romance. They look like two good friends who have an affection for one another. All you would have to do is look at them for proof that this rumor is false. Yes, they do look amazing together as beautiful people usually do and let's hear it for both them proving over fifty is hot, hot, hot and leave it at that. Dear fellow "journalist" if you insist on still calling yourself that, who posted this via Facebook, please stop giving other people in the field a bad name and check yourself, before you wreck it for the rest of us who report responsibly. Thank you. Michael Shinafelt has left the building. Sharon Stone on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000232/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1
