Omoni Oboli: The most important things in my life

Nollywood actress and producer Omoni Oboli, who was recently awarded a Pacesetters Awards by the Film Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, at the Investiture Awards 2016, held at the Rockview Hotel, Festac Town, speaks with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on what makes the award special and different from others.

"YOU have won many awards in the past, what makes this one different?"

This is quite different because it’s from the Film Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, which I am also a member, knowing full well that without them Nollywood will not be where it is today. From day one, they have been behind Nollywood; pushing with their work, and knowing well that it is going to get better as time goes on.

And then recognising a very young producer like me, I still count myself to be young in this field. And to think that I am a Pacesetter; for me that is a huge honour. And I wasn’t supposed to be in this country, but I had to stay back to receive this particular award. It is major, it is really very big.

"How does the award make you feel?"

The Film Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria honoured me with the Pacesetters award. Who would have thought that little I would be recognised by the founders and the pillars of this industry? Whatever you find to do, do it with diligence! I don’t joke with my work; I give it 110% of me! May God bless us all and bring us before great men. Always remember that I love you all

"Your movies are known to have sold out. What inspired them?"

My recent movie, Okafor’s Law, is yet to be released. But for me I base my movies on my everyday experiences, stories that I hear from what people discuss. And then I work on them and make stories out of them.Okafor’s Law, for instance, is something that is widely known in Nigeria. It simply means that if a man has been with a woman before, he will always have access to that woman; that is what the Okafor’s law means.

So I was having a conversation with a group of friends, and I was told that is what it means, and one of them said why don’t you make a movie out of it? And here we are today. It is usually things that happen around me that I base my stories on.

"Why do you run your movies in the cinemas, before going on home videos?"

The cinema is another distribution channel. So what you do when you make a movie is to try and explore other channels. So one of them is the cinema; which is what I do.

"Being a busy person, how do you combine both work and home?"

For me, I have always known the most important things in life; and one of the most import things is my family and they come first. That’s why as an actor, you don’t see me jumping from one set to the other because I have got to have time with my family. There are times that I don’t do anything for months; you will only see me marketing my movies online and other channels. You will not actively see me on movie sets. That is because I plan to have quality time with my family. 

"Could that be related to why you took a break years back?"

That was after graduation. I got married right after university and started having kids. So it was not like I went for any special trying.

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The Bukas and Joints enters Season 2

The After a successful season 1, Nigerian food show Bukas and Joints, produced by Biola Alabi Media and hosted by Olisa Adibua, begins the 13-episode season 2 next week.

Show which will air on Sundays by 7pm  on AIT will also air on the Africa channel in the US, Caribbean and Canada and on DStv and 18 African countries in this season.

In the episode screened, the show’s host, Olisa Adibua, takes viewers to joints in Surulere, in the mainland of Lagos. He checks out 01 Shawarma which specialises in making Shawarma and Laptop, an after-hours joint specialising in delicacies such as Isi-Ewu (Goat head) and point and kill (catfish pepper-soup). 

And in company of popular singer Dr. Sid, whose hit track, Surulere is like an anthem in that part of Lagos, the duo also explores Bush Flavour, an evening joint which offers various treats as barbecued meat and fish delicacies.

Interacting with the press during the screening, Biola Alabi, CEO of Biola Alabi Media, who is also the creator and executive producer ofBukas and Joints disclosed that the new season will take the show which is sponsored by Coca Cola, Heritage Bank, UAC Grand Oil and Nestle Maggi, to Ibadan, Oyo State and also to London.

“We also want to show how Nigerians are eating and how people are embracing Nigerian foods outside of Nigeria,” said Alabi. “The second season of Bukas and Joints is expanding its reach beyond the confines of our continent. 

There are a lot of untold stories behind the evolution of our cuisines over time, and we are looking to get a global perspective on the imprints our cuisines have made over different cultures.”

Biola Alabi oversaw the production of Big Brother Africa, Face of Africa and the first ever Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, while serving as the managing director of MNET Africa.

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How media ruined my relationship - Sean Tizzle

Morihanfe Oluwaseun Oluwabamidele, popularly known as Sean Tizzle in music circles, has come a long way before attaining fame when he released his 2013 hit song ‘Sho le’ which was rated as a direct hit from the day of its release. He speaks with ADEWOYIN ADENIYI about his journey to fame, soon-to-be-released collaboration with US singer, Tory Lanez, upcoming album and diverse issues.

WHO is Sean Tizzle? 

I hail from Ondo State, Ilaje precisely. I’m from a family of five and I’m the second to the last;although I was the last born for a couple of years before my parents decided to have one more. So I kind of had all that special treatment even though I’m not from a rich home. I was born with a silver spoon but I don’t know how my dad used it so I didn’t grow with the silver spoon.

How did your journey into the music world start?

My late uncle who worked at the Ikeja High Court told me to come over for a job interview,which I did. Onthe day of interview, I wore my father’s suit and his shoe too which was obviously too big for me. I had to put tissue inside the shoe so it can size me. I did a written interview which I passed and then it was time for oral interview and it was my turn.The interviewer looked at me and asked me to sing for him instead of asking me to spell or do something from the book. 

I thought he was joking. So I sang my favourite R Kelly’s song, You Saved Me.The man was surprised. That was how I passed the interview and got the job. From that moment I said ‘this music thing, I’m going to give it all it takes.’

Will you say that experience motivated you to do more?

I won’t really say it did because even as at then it just happened. I got home and told my parents about it and they were like,’ok, cool.’ When I remember these things that happened then I will be like maybe I was just meant to do this though I couldn’t talk about it then because nothing happened. So talking about it then wouldn’t make sense to anyone but when the brand Sean Tizzle came out…

In what ways has school helped you?

I actually learnt a lot in school because where I grew up, it was very difficult to speak good English because it was a ghetto. I didn’t even know how to speak Pidgin English. I was in Ajegunle for a while with my cousin and we said,’come, we have to learn this pidgin first.’Then after we learnt pidgin, my cousin said we had to upgrade to speaking good English oh, because how do we talk to these girls if we can’t speak good English?So we had this evening routine we used to do then; we showered, look good and go for girls hunting. When we returned from our hunting and you tried to narrate to me about the girl you spoke with, you had to tell me in English.

So, basically you trained yourself on how to speak English?

Yes, that’s right.

Which means girls actually triggered your decision to learn how to speak English?

Yes o, because I was like I have to connect with these girls oh. I no fit dey lose fine girls like this o (laughs). So it was like a competition among us. We competed on who has most girls and speaks more good English so the dictionary was our friend because we were always searching for new words to use. 

Then I grew up watching foreign movies just because I wanted to learn how to speak English.I remember when I went to spend time with my elder sister who is late now and I used to buy foreign albums a lot then so I bought this Wyclef’s album and was playing it and my sister’s husband was like,’Seun, did you hear that?’ I said no. He was like ‘so, you don’t listen to this people you just dey buy their album.’ He then told me to start listening to the lyrics that it’s normal English they speak. That was how I started grabbing what they were saying in their songs. That is why I cannot avoid putting lyrics in my songs.

At what point did you meet D’tunes?

I met D’tunes about 2008 when I was in a group of three called 2B1. I left my father’s house to stay with my uncle who was also a gospel musician then and we were in a gospel group together too.That was when I met Wole Oni, Foster Zino, and George Nathanielat Clark Studio in Ikeja. Then Kcee and Presh just won this Star Talent hunt. I could remember Wole Oni chased us home one time and gave us a CD with vocal training inside that we should go and train with it.

We had to record a song before the guy who wanted to sign us returned, so we went to D’tunes even though we didn’t have the complete amount he charged us and he played different beats for us to freestyle on hoping to come back the next day to record. Then the third day I got a call from D’tunes saying he’s been trying to reach me for days now and I had this bad phone then that didn’t ring out, it was always on vibration so whenever it vibrates it goes off.

He said he wanted me to come over, that he has this beat he wanted me to jump on and I went. We did a song that day called Oh and a guy called Keem came in with his artiste while we were recording and he was like,’wow, this song is so cool’ because I was still young then and my voice was still tiny. Wande Coal was my role model back then. The guy told D’tunes I would like to work with this guy and that was how the whole signing thing started.

You were once accused of bleaching your skin…

Media just come out with a lot of unconfirmed reports. You don’t know me from anywhere and you just decide to criticise me. I never bleached my skin. Before the fame, I used to be this guy that likes editing pictures because I thought that it would make me look fresh which was the same mistake I made with the pictures I posted then. 

I posted a picture that I edited that same way as it was already a part of me to use filters on my pictures but unluckily for me it backfired and people assumed that I bleached my skin. Sebi na me you dey see so, I resemble person wey bleach?  So now I just drop my pictures the way it is now, I don’t edit anymore.

Basketmouth also accused you of refusing to perform at his show…

That case I don’t even know anything about.He has my contact and he didn’t even try to buzz me direct. I know nothing about what he said. Life in this industry is so crazy.

How often do you club?

I club once in a while. Emi ti mo bi ile seri se ti awon obi mi barimi se won ni ma wo npe se omo nka ti onse bayi (I know where I am coming from, what if my parents see me popping, won’t they ask if I haven’t gone astray?)

Does that mean you’re scared of your parents?

No, it’s not a part of me because of the way I was raised.Clubbingwasn’t that much back then unlike now that you have clubs almost everywhere.

Why didn’t you renew your deal with MTN?

I don’t even know what happened but what I have to say is that I have to put in more work on myself.

Let’s talk about your soon to drop song with Tory Lanez..

That song will blow your mind, believe me, because it’s so different that when you listen, you won’t believe that’s Sean Tizzle singing. I did the song last year when I shot Abeg video. WhenI went to US this year for about two months, I had a tour that ended late February and I had to record with Tory Lanez in March.I thought I was going to release the song in April so that was why I stayed long in the States. But it’s coming out pretty soon. 

This new song and my coming album will definitely blow people’s mind. My album will be dropping this year. It’s one of the best things to come out of Africa at large. And we are shooting a video to the song very soon. Just watch out.

Do you think Nigerian artistes are getting close to grabbing Grammy award?

Yes, but to be sincere, we have to give them what they want which is good music. Truly, we’ve seen African artiste’s who have won Grammy award but they just give it to us in African category. What I hope for is for Nigerian artistes to be nominated in the same category. For example, having Sean Tizzle nominated with the likes of Adele, Kanye, and Tory Lanez in the same category. No African or American category separately.

It was rumoured that you were in a relationship with Dj Cuppy…

No, we were not dating. She’s just my friend and we are cool like that. People just took it wrong,although I like her for so many things.

Were you crushing on her?

Yes, I was.

Did you express it to her?

I told her before but she was in school then and she was trying to focus on her education. When the media put that out she didn’t take it too lightly and that kind of affected the relationship. But me I go go work that work to come tell her back say what’s up girl, can we do it again?

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Kunle Afolayan extols Sahara Competition Film Group’s

Future of Nigeria’s movie sector promises to be excellent given the quality documentaries received in the ongoing Sahara Group film competition, ace film maker kunle Afolayan has said.

By Speaking with Entertainment and Society Editors on the progress of the competition, Afolayan stated that he had seen outstanding documentaries and urged more young film makers to send in their entries.

“When Sahara Group provided this platform, I was certain we would see diversity and creativity in another dimension. I’m very impressed with the entries we have received; the movie sector in Nigeria truly has a bright future,” the producer of the already trending new movie, The CEO said.

Afolayan described the stories of entrepreneurs featured in the documentaries as “compelling”, adding that they showcase the enterprising nature of Nigerians.

“You’d be amazed at the creativity, tenacity and never-say-die spirit of every day Nigerians as presented in these documentaries. This is the narrative of Nigeria that we need to highlight. That’s exactly what Sahara Group and Kunle Afolayan intend to do with this project.”

Kunle Afolayan who will lead the screening of the entries advised participants to focus on telling their stories in a creative and coordinated manner. “Nigeria is replete with entrepreneurs whose stories would engage and thrill any audience. Young filmmakers need to avoid the band wagon effect and tell their stories in a unique way. We will be looking out for unique entries.”

According to Afolayan,  interested participants can access more information about the competition from the website:www.saharapreneurs.org.

Unveiled about a month ago, Sahara Group’s “Grooming Film Extrapreneurs with Kunle Afolayan was designed to provide a hub for budding film makers to express their skills under the tutelage of Kunle Afolayan.

Young film makers in Nigeria can join the competition by channeling their creativity into celebrating entrepreneurship in Nigeria by shooting a 15-minute documentary that captures entrepreneurs at work across the nation. The theme of the documentary should focus on: “My Nigeria, My Platform…Nigeria through an entrepreneur’s eyes.’ The competition is open to film makers not older than 35 years.

All submitted documentaries will be screened by the multiple award-winning Kunle Afolayan and the overall winner will undergo a mentorship programme with the leading film producer and director for six months.

“The overall winner will emerge from a shortlist of 20 top entries.  I have so much faith in this project and I believe that Sahara Group has through this competition established a sustainable platform and I see these 20 young film makers forming the nucleus of future experts in the sector through collaboration and shared thinking,” added ‘The CEO’.

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In Their Mother's Footsteps

Being a single parent is twice the work, twice the stress and twice the tears but also twice the hugs, twice the love and twice the pride.” –Anonymous. This is the situation with single-mother celebrities who are constantly in the restlessness that spotlight demands, yet have raised children who have excelled and are making their celebrity moms proud.

BUKKY WRIGHT AND OJAYY

FOR actress Bukky Wright, her son, Ojayy Amu Wright, is also doing exploits in the United States. Ojayy, who is based in New Jersey is an upcoming Rapper who recently graduated from the Rutgers University New Brunswick in the US. He is a member/co-owner of the Barcodes Music Group record label.

Ojay recently released a mix tape titled Ready or Not and the young rapper says he hopes it will fully launch his music career. Ready or Not is a 10 track mix tape which covers genres from Hip-hop to Dancehall.

The song is said to have received some favourable online downloads.

The young rapper has already made a statement with his music, releasing a remix to Davido’s smash hit Dami Duro.

The elated single mother shared the good news with her fan via Instagram by posting pictures of her son in his military uniform along with a congratulatory message recently.

Bukky Wright, a University of Lagos Economics graduate who was born on March 31, 1967 is also a grandmother as Ojayy and his American girlfriend welcomed a son early this year.

The second son of the actress who started her acting career in 1996 is an American Air Force Officer, having graduated from US Air Force Academy.

CLARION CHUKWURAH AND CLARENCE

BORN Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwurah on July 24, 1964, this actress is also known for her works in the humanities earning her recognition as a United Nations Peace Ambassador for her charity works across Africa. She is credited as the first Nigerian to win the Best Actress category at the 1982 FESPACO film festival in Burkina-Faso.

A whirlwind romance between herself and afro-juju legend, Sir Shina Peters culminated in an offspring in the person of celebrated music video director and filmmaker, Clarence Peters.

Clarence Peters is the founder and CEO of Capital Dream Pictures, a production company that specialises in performing arts, new media art, film, television, radio, and video. He is also the founder and CEO of Capital Hill Records, one of Nigeria’s foremost record labels. At some point in his career, he was ranked second on Channel O’s Top 10 Most Visionary Music Video Directors list.

He graduated from City Varsity, a film school in Cape Town, South Africa where he majored in Cinematography.

In 1998, he was involved in a Mobil sponsored music video for a documentary on AIDS. He directed 40 episodes of the TV series Everyday People. He has also directed music videos for recording artists across an array of genres and generations, including Darey Art Alade, Durella, and Wizkid.

In 2012, he shot the music video for Shuga’s theme song which was recorded by Boneye from P-Unit, Banky W., Wizkid , and L-Tido. Peters has also shot a good number of documentaries, TV commercials, short films, and TV features. In April 2014, Absolut Vodka honoured Peters for his creativity.

In September 2015, Peters announced plans to premiere his debut film titled Hex, a 25-minute horror film. The first official trailer was released on September 28, 2015.

Clarence was single-handedly raised by Clarion who reportedly gave birth to him at 17. She once made a startling revelation about wanting to abort him while he was in her womb, but changed her mind because of her belief that Peters was the reincarnation of her father who she lost when she was 11 years old.

TOYIN ALAUSA AND EMMA

FOR single mother and soap actress, Toyin Alausa, her son whom she revealed in one of her interviews that she had at the age of 17 is also doing well.

The boy, who is currently an undergraduate in one of the state universities, is making his mother proud, as he is always seen in her company at any social events.

Always ready to talk about him, she recently talked about her he is her redeemer.

“I call him my correction,” Toyin said.

“Everything I did wrong, he is doing it right. He is 19 years old now and he is a wonderful young chap. Every mother will say that about her child. But when outsiders say that about your child, then, you know you are not trying to massage your ego. I thank God I have a good product in the society. 

I am not trying to praise him overboard, but he knows his boundaries; so, I thank God for everything.”

SALAWA AND BIG SHEFF

BIG, confident and talented are the words to describe Sheriff Ilori, the rapper and son of popular Waka music queen, Salawa Abeni and Fuji maestro and General Kollington Ayinla.

The rapper whose stage name is Big Sheff has in several ways shown his musical skills and versatility since he debuted in the music scene two years back and has since then progressed.

He has successfully released songs like Ema lo binu, In a minute, Collateral and most recently, Gentle Lady, a remix of his mother’s (Salawa Abeni) hit song which also featured her mother.

Big Sheff was also featured in Rick Ross’ musical video, Hold me back, which was shot in Nigeria during Rick Ross’ September 2012 visit.

ONYEKA ONWENU AND TIJANI

KNOWN as the ‘Elegant Stallion’, Onyeka Onwenu blazed the Nigerian music scene as a young lady, dishing out popular tunes such as ‘One Love Keep Us Together’ in the 1980s and the duet, ‘Wait For Me’ with King Sunny Ade.

But not many people know that the single mother has also bequeathed some of her star qualities to her two children. Though, not in public limelight like her mother, one of Onwenu’s sons, Tijani Ogunlende, is surely showing the successful traits any parent would want in their child. 

Welcome to the world of Tijani Ogulende, who has been out of the country for a while for studies but is now back.

Ogunlende, a graphic designer and photographer, according to his Linkedin page, obtained a BA in Visual Arts from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in the United States. 

His mother too, had completed her education in the United States before coming to serve on the board of the Nigeria Television Authority. Currently, Ogunlende is studying for a Masters in New Media (Interface Design and User Experience) at the Academy of Art University.

On the professional front, Ogunlende, since 2015, has been busy in the country, practicing his photography and working with both individual and corporate clients. Among his recent works included photographing a music concert of some of Nigeria’s foremost musicians including his mother, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. 

He also designed the brand identity for Game Afrique, an African based mobile game start-up.

Ogunlende, in conjunction with other young IT professionals, through their platform, School of Computational Intelligence, are offering young Nigerians IT training. He is the Media Director of the School of Computational Intelligence.

TINA MBA AND SON

IT is not clear when exactly this actress was born but the fact that she was born January, 1 makes her a very special person. The fact also that Tina Mba has graced some of the best productions to come out of the Nigerian movie industry makes her a force to reckon with.

The Enugu State born actress is passionate not only about the arts, but also God’s creation: man, plants and animals. This is evident in some of her social media posts which speak about social injustice, economic empowerment, family values among others.

Although she has succeeded in keeping her son and daughter away from the limelight, it is obvious that they are both doing well in their own rights. She once referred to her son as the man in her life. A recent Facebook post of the photo of her daughter, who is her striking carbon, was also captioned; My daughter, my pride, my special gift from God. I love you babes.”

In a recent interview, she captioned her thoughts on marriage in the following words; “I have two lovely children. But what I know about marriage is that it is an institution laid down by God, so it is sacred. What I tell people is that if you can’t stay married, please, do not go into it. Marriage is a burden; it is a huge responsibility. 

If you are not ready for it, don’t go there. Marriage is not about having a lavish ceremony. But it is about you and what you truly feel and how you tend to make it work. 

What I am saying is that if you can’t keep it together, don’t venture into it. People marry for different reasons. If you are an actress, a wife and a mother, you should know your responsibility is more. 

Because you are married, you cannot go on a movie set and start giving excuses. You know you will be losing your jobs little by little. The directors understand, so they will be giving you slacks. You do not have to kiss and hug all the time.”

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Gbenga Egunjobi’s unhidden love for bikes

Gbenga Egunjobi is one individual who is not in the habit of tooting his horn. After all, it is not the whistle that moves the train. 

His reticent nature is the major reason many consider him one of the quietest bigwigs in the Lagos social circle. Except you have a business deal with him or patronise his Beachland Boat Club in Apapa, Lagos, you may never know more than a thing or two about him.

The Managing Director of Beachland Boat Club is one upwardly mobile young man who prefers a small, close knit group of friends. 

According to those who know him, the highly connected Egunjobi has very expensive hobbies. 

His favorite pastimes include taking a cruise on the lagoon or Atlantic with his jet skis, boats or biking with his friends. He is reputed as one of the collectors of the most expensive bikes in Nigeria. He is also a keen follower of the MotoGP race as often travels to watch it as a keen fan of Jorges Lorenzo.

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ACTORS OF SOFT- PORN WILL BE PUNISHED –CHARLES AWURUM

Nollywood Crusader Directors hassaid it will ban actors and actresses that feature in any sex movie on the internet.

“We have also agreed not to employ the services of the actors in any movie they are directing,” said a statement signed by actor Charles Awurum and founder of Igbo film forum, comrade Eze Harris Chuma.

According to ghanaweb.com, the directors also called on parents to always monitor the Internet to see what their wards are doing in the name of acting.

“This is everybody’s fight. Many innocent young girls are being tricked or forced into accepting to act the indecent roles and some because of their innocence, childish brain, and hunger to become movie stars, willingly accept the roles, and even pay for it with their bodies or money. Those that have not gotten to the age of reasoning are the ones we cry for. 

Those above 20 years can go ahead and act their blue movies, if that is what they have agreed with their parents. They cannot be used by any concerned Nollywood Crusader directors.

“This is not in our culture, and it is not our tradition. Parents should be careful of what their children are using their phones to watch. At four years, most of our children can operate phones perfectly, even more than some adults. We are saying this today, for the sake of tomorrow. 

These young actors will be mothers and fathers tomorrow, they will sit and watch the shameful acts of their parents, years past,” the statement read.

According to Eze Chuma, the group’s task force will be working with the Nigeria Police to ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and brought to book.”

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The Greatest Celebrity Conspiracy Theories of All Time

WARNING: Before reading any further please disconnect from wifi, remove the data chip from your cell phone (then toss it and the phone into your garbage disposal), go into your bathroom, run the shower, blast a nearby stereo, and pretend you're just having a casual conversation.

Now you're set to read the following post.

I don't know how to tell you this, but everything you know about the entertainment industry is a lie. 

Sisters aren't actually sisters, mothers aren't mothers, pop stars are actually government operatives, Reggae legends were killed by the CIA, rappers are living in secrecy in Cuba, and it's all being controlled by an ancient international organization that claims to be working toward the greater good.

These are are the best (Most shocking!? Most insane!? Most ridiculous!?) celebrity conspiracy theories of all time.

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"RIP" Bukky Ajayi The Nollywood Mother passes on Today

Veteran Nollywood actress who is also a Mother of Yoruba Nollywood, Bukky Ajayi, has died.

The actress was said to have passed away on today Wednesday.

While the cause of death is yet to be ascertained, initial reports suggest she died after a battle with heart-related issues.

The late actress was honoured with the ‘Industry Merit Award’ at the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in March.

She clock 82 years before passes away.

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From swimsuit to sports bra: Is there a difference?

Miss Teen USA announced its plans in a USA TODAY exclusive last week to permanently drop the competition’s swimsuit category, starting with the upcoming July 30th event. Pageant officials say it’s a move to empower young women, but is bye, bye swimsuits, hello athleisure good news or a smoke screen for ongoing criticism that pageants hurt women by objectifying them?

The reactions to the switch-up have ranged from positive and skeptical to humorous and, well, downright crass.

“(It seems to be) a sign of changing conceptions of beauty and what’s fashionable, however slight it may be,” says Juliet Liu, a rising senior at Wellesley College.

“I love it,” Miss North Carolina Teen USA, Emily Wakeman, shared in a blog post. “When I get up on that stage in a month in my athletic gear … I am sending a message to young people all over the country. Strong and healthy is beautiful.”

Reigning Miss Teen USA, Katherine Haik, reports eonline.com, sent out a statement reading in part, “I have been an athlete my entire life. … This new direction for Miss Teen USA is a great way to celebrate the active lives that so many young women lead and set a strong example for our peers.”

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7 Celeb Couples Who Fell in Love at First Sight

Although the Oscar winner was "happily single," things all changed when he set his eyes on Brazilian beauty Camila. 

"Out of the corner of my eye, this sort of aqua-green figure went floating across the frame about 20 feet in front of me," he told PEOPLE of seeing Alves for the first time nearly a decade ago. "My eye went up and I remember what came out of my mouth. 

I didn't say 'Who is that?' I went, 'What is that?' As l was trying to get that's attention across the room, I went in my head, 'This is not the kind of woman you call over across the room, McConaughey. 

Get your ass out of your chair and go get her.' Which I did." As for what immediately drew the actor to Alves, McConaughey – who fronts PEOPLE's 100 Reasons to Love America issue – was quick to respond: "The self-respect she had, the way I understood her and her relationship with family, the way she respected me but never took anything for granted, not putting on any airs whatsoever."

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15 Out-of-This-World Facts About Men in Black

On July 2, 1997, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones teamed up as Agents Jay and Kay, respectively, to quietly control the large alien population living in New York City. 

The comic book-adapted buddy comedy spawned two sequels, which as a franchise went on to gross more than $1.6 billion. The original film in the series was the second highest grossing film of 1997, only overshadowed by Titanic’s immense success. Here are some intergalactic facts about the series.

1. WILL SMITH USED TO BE KNOWN AS “THE KING OF THE 4TH."

Smith had back-to-back number one Fourth of July weekend hits in the mid-1990s: In 1996, Independence Day dominated the box office, and the next year Men in Black opened in first place. Though 1999’s Wild Wild West was one of Smith’s lowest openings, bringing in just $27,687,484 during its opening weekend, it was a strong enough total to top the box office charts. 

In 2002 and 2008, Men in Black II and Hancock, respectively, solidified Smith’s moniker. In fact, every single time a movie starring Will Smith has opened in July, it has opened in the top position.

2. MEN IN BLACK DIRECTOR BARRY SONNENFELD GOT HIS START AS A CINEMATOGRAPHER FOR THE COEN BROTHERS.

Sonnenfeld cut his teeth as a director of photography on the Coen brothers’s Blood Simple, Raising Arizona, and Miller’s Crossing; he also worked with Penny Marshall on Big and Rob Reiner on When Harry Met Sally… and Misery before segueing into directing The Addams Family films and Get Shorty. 

Besides all three Men in Black films, Sonnenfeld also directed Smith in 1999’s Wild Wild West.

3. SONNENFELD DIDN’T WANT TO WORK WITH TOMMY LEE JONES, BECAUSE OF HIS ALLEGED TEMPER.

Before Sonnenfeld signed on to direct Men in Black, a director by the name of Les Mayfield was originally hired. Tommy Lee Jones joined the cast in the beginning, back when Chris O’Donnell was being considered for what would eventually become Will Smith’s role. Much to Sonnenfeld’s chagrin, he changed his tune about Jones’s bad reputation. 

“I saw Tommy do a TV interview a few years ago, and he was so mean I remember thinking, ‘Thank god I never have to work with this jerk,”’ Sonnenfeld recalled to Entertainment Weekly. 

“But I ended up loving every minute of it. He can be difficult if you don’t have clear opinions, but we got along extraordinarily well.”

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Sultan is Salman Khan's toughest role physically and emotionally, says director Ali Abbas Zafar

The Ali Abbas Zafar's cubicle in the YRF Films office in Mumbai is sparse barring a chair which holds an Argentina football sweatshirt and a hover board. The soft board is filled with photo references for his film, Sultan. With Sultan, Salman Khan's sole release of 2016, all eyes are on Zafar.  

Sports fanatic who grew up playing football in Dehradun and later studied in Delhi, Zaffar started out as an assistant director, working with Shaad Ali, Kabir Khan and Vijay Krishna Acharya. Zafar's third feature -is his biggest yet. Why? Because it has Bhai of course. The director of Gunday and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan speaks eagerly about his action drama but won't comment on Salman Khan's controversial statements.   

1) You were an assistant director on Salman Khan-starrer Marigold. Is the Salman then different from the Salman now? What was it like directing an actor who is a superstar?   

He has always been a big star. I come from a defence family so my definition of heroes is very different from others. I am not a person to get star struck. But yes at one point of time, every director wants to make that one special film with a big star which becomes an integral part of the filmography. I wrote Gunday and Sultan simultaneously. 

Salman read the script and liked it. He asked us to wait until he was done with Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. One special thing he said at that point that I remember was that this is going to be the only release in my 50th year. I hope the kind of hard work he has put in this film and at this age will be showcased in the right way for the audience to see.

2) Salman has spoken about how physically demanding Sultan was resulting in the statements that have drawn criticism.

It's the toughest role he has played - both emotionally and physically. It is a very demanding character. 

One of the reasons Salman agreed to do Sultan was to challenge himself as an actor, to see whether he can pull it off. When I narrated the script to Salim Uncle [Salim Khan, reputed writer and Salman's father], the first thing he told Adi [filmmaker Aditya Chopra] during dinner was, - Is mein Salman ko bahut mehat karni padegi. Now that he [Salim Khan] has seen the film, he is a proud father. Salman has internalised the character beautifully. He holds your eye in every frame.

Salman's commitment to the character - from buzzing his hair and putting on weight to learning the language, he has gone through a taxing journey. He has undergone it without making me realise about the difficulties. There were days he was bruised and battered and he'd say I'm going to shoot. His doctor would call me and say 'Don't shoot with him, he is not in a good condition, just give him rest'. But Salman wanted to shoot. This is what actors live for. This is the kick. My respect for him as an actor and human being is great.

3) So Sultan without Salman was not possible.

The film is in chapters. It is a fragmented journey of the character - he is a legend, then he goes through a low period and he rises. Each phase that you see him in, Salman holds it very authentically. That only happens when an actor knows his craft so well.

The only thing I learned from Sultan was that there is no substitute for experience. It is something you have acquired through time. 

The persona of Sultan is very close to the identity that Salman holds in personal and professional life. Sultan is a very earnest and honest character. Sometimes it can go against you. He also has the flamboyance of Salman. Just like Don could only be done by Amitabh Bachchan and Fan was only for SRK, Sultan was meant for Salman. 

4) You have spoken about reinventing Salman through the film.

What I did was logically guided his star power into Sultan. People like him without a shirt. So I was like, OK, then let's make him a wrestler. He is shirtless plus wearing a langot. But it is not a gimmick. There is a justification. He looks the fittest he can. Also when a wrestler leaves his physical activity, he gets into a certain body size. So you see him heavy as well.

5) Salman has drawn flak for his insensitive comments. Your comment?

I'm not going to comment on it. It has been blown out of proportions for X number of reasons. I have no words for it. I was like Kya ho raha hai.

6) You assisted on some seven films. This is by far your biggest film. Are you satisfied with your filmmaking journey so far?

Everyone struggles. You have just to wait for the time and place and stand in there and everything happens. I'm not special because I'm making Sultan. It is in fact more overbearing as a filmmaker when you do a film of such a scale. There is a danger of your voice getting compromised. If you can retain your voice and still tell the story, that's your struggle and challenge. It is not about the numbers at the box office. 

Numbers are not driven by a good or a bad film. It is determined by the connection a film makes with the audience. There can be a phenomenal film which will not make money. 

The process of making this film was satisfying. I feel Sultan as a final film is better than what I wrote on paper. It is definitely the quickest film I have made.

7) The journey of Sultan is from a wrestler to that of a mixed martial artist. Tell us what made you bring together these two diverse sports.

I read about wrestling and the identity it holds in mythology and history to what it is today. Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combination of all martial art disciplines into one which makes it exciting to watch. 

You need to have a prominent discipline as a backbone. So Sultan's base is wrestling. The beauty of MMA is that it is dangerous and bloody but it is still a sport. It is getting universally accepted because you have something for all fans. The story is about how will this desi guy, who doesn't know this format, perform in a ring that is so alien to him?

8) Are you a fan of sports-based dramas like Raging Bull?

Raging Bull, Rocky, Ali, The Hurricane, Invictus, Cinderella Man, Lagaan, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, I love all of them. When you make a sports film and if it gives you a high, that high stays with you. There's nothing like it. It is something special. 

You can watch the climax of a good sports film again and again. It makes for uplifting entertainment. Sportsmen are the real heroes, doing it in the real time and real world. When Dhoni hits the six in the World Cup, it is not just a moment, it is history in the making.

9) You took a while to find a heroine for the film. How important is Anushka Sharma's character in a film in which Salman plays the titular character?

The film is about Sultan's journey which is through Aarfa. It is a relationship film, about his professional and personal conflicts, his ups and downs. 

I was very clear that I was not going to compromise on the talent of the actress. Anushka has proved herself as an actress. She has had a solo release in NH7, worked with two Khans. She comes out really strong in Sultan.

Follow these link to View: >>>Salman character film Action Images<<<

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Sultan is Salman Khan's toughest role physically and emotionally Image Preview

CONTROVERSY FOLLOWS SALMAN

The Controversy erupted once again when Salman Khan remarked that gruelling training sessions for 'Sultan' made him feel "like a raped woman".

“While shooting, during those six hours, there’d be so much of lifting and thrusting on the ground involved. That was tough for me because if I was lifting, I’d have to lift the same 120-kilo guy 10 times for 10 different angles.

And likewise, get thrown that many times on the ground. This act is not repeated that many times in the real fights in the ring. When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn’t walk straight. I would eat and then, head right back to training. That couldn’t stop,” said Salman Khan.

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Actress murdered in Atlanta while sitting in her car Benz

Jokisha Brown, was shot and killed at an Atlanta strip mall while sitting in her black Mercedes SUV car on Friday July 1st just a day before turning 36. The mother of a teenage son was waiting to get her make-up done when a gunman walked up to her car and shot her dead through the passenger seat.

Jokisha had been involved in an abusive relationship which she recently walked away from..

“She went through a hard, very hard time with this breakup. She steadily voiced it, she feared for her life that something might happen to her.” one of her friends told WSB-TV She had also once escaped a violent kidnapping attempt by jumping from a moving vehicle.

Her ex, Alfredo Capote is the chief suspect in her murder but he hasn't been named as a suspect as nothing has linked him to the killing yet. But police have been investigating him since April for the rape and kidnapping of Jokisha

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Amy Schumer is a “Game of Thrones” fan girl and she know exactly which house she’d be in

Amy Schumer is a “Game of Thrones” fan girl and she know exactly which house she’d be in

If you are a Game of Thrones superfan, know that you are in good company. Of course, the mega-hit HBO drama has hoards (like, White Walker zombie army-sized hoards) of fans, and one of those fans is none other than masterful funny lady Amy Schumer.

How do we know? Amy is such a GoT fan that not only does she take those quizzes that tell you which Game of Thrones house you’d be in, but she’s so excited about her results that she has to post them on Instagram for all to see. Amy took such a quiz and got…(wait for it)…House Stark.

She excitedly shared her place in Westeros with her Instagram followers, captioning the screenshot with an enthusiastic, “Yes!”

According to Amy’s quiz, members of House Stark are, “Sullen. Loyal. Fond of dogs — the bigger, the better. Able to cope with the cold.” Judging by Amy’s delight over her results, we’re guessing she feels like each and every one of these traits applies to her.

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’ll be busy taking some Game of Thrones quizzes of our own. BRB.

The post Amy Schumer is a “Game of Thrones” fan girl and she know exactly which house she’d be in appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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50 Cent Heads Home After Caribbean Cursing Arrest

50 Cent was arrested at the St. Kitts Music Festival.

50 Cent’s trip to St. Kitts wasn’t your typical celebrity getaway. The “In da Club” rapper found himself in da courthouse after getting arrested for using “indecent language,” which is prohibited by law, during a performance on Saturday night.

The 40-year-old performer (real name: Curtis Jackson) headlined the St. Kitts Music Festival. While performing “P.I.M.P.,” 50 — who had been warned not to use profanity, according to TMZ — sang the word “motherf*****” several times in front of 40,000 concertgoers. He was formally arrested and charged for the offense of “making use of indecent language” during his performance, according to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.

While the Power star initially had to “surrender his travel documents” ahead of a court appearance on Monday, according to police, his rep tells Yahoo that the issue is already resolved — and he’s headed back to the U.S.

“Mr. Jackson was only booked to host the show,” explained his spokeswoman, Amanda Ruisi. “When he arrived at the festival, organizers asked him to perform, he obliged, and used the DJ they had there. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the clean version to his tracks, so there were profanities used during his performance. The show was a great success, and he will make sure for future trips to St. Kitts that he leaves the ‘motherf*****s’ in the United States.”

She added, “He went to court today and paid a fine and is on his way home.”

50 Cent, who has had several serious run-ins with the law in his life, isn’t the first performer to be arrested for using bad words on the island. In 2003, DMX was arrested for using profanity at the same music fest.

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Demi Lovato, More Confident Than Ever, Drops Jaws With New Bikini Pics

Demi Lovato is a bathing beauty. (Photo: Splash News)

Demi Lovato needs no filter. 

The 23-year-old songstress, who once famously struggled with body image and bulimia, rocked — and we do mean rocked — a halter-top bikini Thursday as she lounged by a pool in Miami Beach. 

The newly single star ended a six-year romance with actor Wilmer Valderrama earlier this month, but her poolside afternoon had to do with more than attracting a new man. No, the bikini look was another sign that Lovato is feeling more at peace with her physique. 

Demi soaked up the sun in Miami. (Photo: Splash News)

Once best known for co-starring in Disney's Camp Rock with the Jonas Brothers, Lovato shocked by checking into rehab in 2010 to deal with a range of health issues, including an eating disorder. 

“When I was 4 years old … I remember looking in the mirror and thinking I was fat,” she said in an MTV special about her experience, Demi Lovato: Stay Strong. “I was constantly feeling guilty about my weight. I was overeating to compensate for not feeling worthy enough, and then not knowing what to do.”  

She’s come a long way. Lovato now regularly shares photos of the healthy meals and tough workouts that she’s made a part of her healthier lifestyle. She posts snapshots of herself sans makeup on Instagram. In October, she famously posed for a Vanity Fair photo spread with no retouching, no makeup, and … no clothes.  

Demi is proud of her bikini bod. (Photo: Splash News)

Her latest show of “Confidence” — something she feels so strongly now that she made it the name of her latest album — coincides with the release of her new single, “Body Say.” Beginning Thursday, Lovato teased the track in a series of racy photos that showed her wearing absolutely nothing.  

We should probably expect to see Lovato continuing to wear less than she has in the past, whether it’s a bikini or bedsheets. 

“I’ve never felt as confident in my skin as I do today,” she told Allure in January. “A year ago, on tour, almost every inch of my body was covered by clothing, and it was because I was hiding behind so many layers. Once I started feeling better about myself, I felt better about showing more skin. I have insecurities about my arms, so to wear a tank top on stage is extremely liberating for me, and uncomfortable sometimes. It’s also a statement, like, ‘Hey, watch out. You’re no longer getting the insecure Demi that you’ve been getting for the past couple of years.’ I mean business now." 

Got that?

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Khal Drogo responded to the “Game of Thrones” finale in the best way he could

Warning! This post contains Game of Thrones spoilers!

Even though it takes Jason Momoa a couple days to catch up with the latest Game of Thrones episode, he never fails to show his support for his former co-star and on-set Khaleesi, Emilia Clarke. And the Season 6 finale on Sunday was no different.

In response to Daenerys’ journey to Westeros with her billion ships, Momoa had this to say: “The world is yours baby kill em all.” Awwwww, how romantic!

It makes sense that Momoa is so invested in Dany’s success — after all, when he played Khal Drogo, he promised her that he would make it his mission in life to get her on that Iron Throne. And now that the Dothraki (and basically every remaining house left in Westeros that want the Lannisters demolished, along with the Unsullied) are fighting for the Mother of Dragons, we have a good feeling that’s gonna happen.

HBO

This isn’t the first time Momoa has shown his unwavering adoration and respect for his Khaleesi. He’s posted Instagram messages praising what a badass bitch she was when she told off the Khal this season. And then he celebrated her when she burned down and killed all the Dothraki men who dared try to enslave her. Basically he’s the cutest, former on-set hubby we’ve ever seen.

The post Khal Drogo responded to the “Game of Thrones” finale in the best way he could appeared first on HelloGiggles.

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Film Academy Invites a Record 683 New Members: 46 Percent Female and 41 Percent People of Color

By Gregg Kilday, The Hollywood Reporter

As the Oscar-granting organization makes a push for more diversity, it reaches out to the largest number of new members ever.    

As part of its effort to increase diversity among its ranks, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today issued a record 683 invitations to new members — from rising stars like Star Wars’ John Boyega and The Danish Girll’s Alicia Vikander to musicians like Mary J. Blige and Will.i.am to internationally recognized directors like Great Britain’s Ken Loach and Iran’s Abbas Kiarostami.

The new members are heavily weighted to favor women and people of color. 46 percent of the new members are female and 41 percent are people of color. If all elect to join, it will begin to shift the demographic makeup of the Academy, which has been criticized in the past for being too old, too male and too white. According to the Academy, its membership was 75 percent male before this year’s new members were recruited, and could move to 73 percent male once they join. Similarly, the Academy was 92 percent white before the latest list and could become 89 percent white in its wake.

The class of 2016 includes 28 Oscar winners and 98 nominees, who collectively represent 109 nominations. Of the new invitees, 283 are considered international members, representing 59 countries.

The newest list follows a trend that has developed over the last few years as Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs and CEO Dawn Hudson have urged the organization to broaden its reach to include more women, minorities and international filmmakers. Last year, that resulted in 322 invitations, an increase over the the 271 invites sent out in 2014 and the 276 invites in 2014. Before those years, the annual invitation list usually resulted in less than 200 new faces making the cut: For example, there were 176 in 2012 and 178 in 2011.

The Academy’s diversity push began even before the nominations were announced in 2014 for the 86th Oscars and a lack of minorities among the acting nominees led to the protest hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. But the resulting outcry, which only grew louder when the situation repeated itself in 2015, put added pressure on the Academy to redouble its efforts.

As of the beginning of this year, the Academy’s 6,261 voting members were approximately 92 percent white and 75 percent male. Boone Isaacs, backed by the board of governors, has vowed that the Academy should increase its number of women and diverse members by 2020. But in order to meet those numbers, the Academy is having to significantly increase the number of new members it invites each

Each of the Academy’s 17 branches draws up its own list of new members, and candidates must be sponsored by two members of the branch they will be invited to join. The basic requirement is that a candidate must have “demonstrated exceptional achievement in the field of theatrical motion pictures,” although each branch then has its own requirements. Actors, for example, must have a minimum of three theatrical features, while directors must have a minimum of two directorial credits. Academy Award nominess are automatically considered for membership, although an invite is not guaranteed.

The full list is available Here.

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