Finalists Announced For “The 2013 Billboard Music Awards,” To Air Live From Las Vegas Sunday, May 19 on ABC

Taylor Swift, fun. and Maroon 5 Tie for the Lead as Contenders in 11 Award Categories, Followed by Rihanna, Carly Rae Jepsen and One Direction.

The 44th Annual NAACP Image Award complete winners list

On Friday, February 1, 2013 the winners of the “44th NAACP ImageAwards” were announced during the live broadcast from Los Angeles’historic Shrine Auditorium which aired on NBC (8-10 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed).

The two-hour live special was hosted by Steve Harvey. Some of the biggest names in film, television and music appeared including Archie Panjabi, Cedric The Entertainer, Common, Don Cheadle, Halle Berry, Keke Palmer, Lamorne Morris, Laz Alonso, LL Cool J, Meagan Good, Niecy Nash, Samuel L Jackson, Terrence Jenkins, Tony Goldwyn, Tyler James Williams, Wanda Sykes and Wayne Brady. Gladys Knight performed “The Way We Were” for the in memoriam segment and Wyclef and Common performed a version of Belafonte’s “Day-O.”

Jamie Foxx was named Entertainer of the Year.

Dennis Haysbert with NAACP Chairwoman Roslyn Brock presented the NAACP Chairman’s Award to Vice Admiral Michelle Howard, Diahann Carroll with NAACP President Benjamin Jealous presented the NAACP President’s Award to Kerry Washington and Sidney Poitier announced Harry Belafonte as the Spingarn Medal recipient.

David Oyelowo, Dwight Henry, Eddie Cibrian, Garcelle Beauvais, Quvenzhané Wallis and James Remar introduced film packages. Dennis Haysbert was the in-show announcer. The 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards featured red carpet arrivals, photo room and general press room.

Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards are determined by the number of entries received by the deadline. To be eligible, projects must have had a national distribution date between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012. For the 2012 voting period, over 1,200 submissions were received by the artists, managers, publicists, production companies, record labels, studios, networks and/or publishers. From those entries, a nominating committee of 300 industry professionals and NAACP leaders from across the country select five nominees in each of the 53 categories. Those results were announced at a press conference. To determine the winners, the members of the NAACP vote via a secured online site. The results are tabulated by the Image Awards auditors, Bert Smith & Co., and the results are confidential until the envelope is opened LIVE on stage during the NBC telecast on Friday, February 1, 2013.

The NAACP Image Awards production team included Executive Producers Reginald Hudlin and Brad Lachman. Bill Bracken served as Supervising Producer and Byron Phillips as Producer. The production team also included Tony McCuin as Director and Melanie Massie as the Talent Executive.

The event sponsors include: FedEx, UAW/Chrysler, AT&T, Hyundai Motor America, Wells Fargo, General Motors, Walmart, Bank of America, Walgreens, Gilead Sciences, AARP, Ford Motor, Anheuser Busch, Pepsico.

The 44th NAACP Image Awards winners are:

TELEVISION
Comedy Series
“The Game” (BET)
Actor in a Comedy Series
Don Cheadle “House Of Lies” (Showtime)
Cassi Davis “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Lance Gross
“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Vanessa Williams “Desperate Housewives” (ABC)
Drama Series
“Scandal” (ABC)
Actor in a Drama Series
LL Cool J “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
Actress in a Drama Series
Kerry Washington “Scandal” (ABC)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Omar Epps “House M.D.”(FOX)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Loretta Devine “Grey’s Anatomy”(ABC)
Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
“Steel Magnolias” (Lifetime)
Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or
Dramatic Special
Cuba Gooding, Jr. ”Hallmark Hall of Fame’s FIRELIGHT” (ABC)
Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Alfre Woodard “Steel Magnolias” (Lifetime)
Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Kristoff St. John “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Tatyana Ali “The Young and the Restless”(CBS)
News/Information(Series or Special)
“Unsung” (TV One)
Talk Series
“The View” (ABC)
Reality Series
“Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” (OWN)
Variety Series or Special
“Black Girls Rock” (BET)
Children’s Program
“Kasha and the Zulu King” (BET)
Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program – (Series or Special)
Loretta Devine “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior block on Disney Channel)
 
MUSIC
New Artist
Elle Varner (MBK/RCA)
Male Artist
Usher (RCA Records)
Female Artist
Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
Duo, Group or Collaboration
Mary Mary (Columbia)
Jazz Album
“The Preservation Hall 50th Anniversary Collection” The Preservation Hall Jazz Band(Legacy)
Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)
“Go Get It” Mary Mary (Columbia)
World Music Album
“All of Me” Estelle (Atlantic)
Music Video
“Girl On Fire” Alicia Keys (RCA Records)
Song
“I Look To You” Whitney Houston and R. Kelly (RCA Records)
Album
“I Will Always Love You: The Best Of Whitney Houston” Whitney Houston (RCA Records)
 
LITERATURE
Literary Work – Fiction
“The Reverend’s Wife” Kimberla Lawson Roby (Grand Central Publishing)
Literary Work – Non-Fiction
“The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court ” Jeffrey Toobin (Doubleday)
Literary Work – Debut Author
“Nikki G: A Portrait of Nikki Giovanni in Her Own Words” Darryl L. Lacy (Darryl L. Lacy (iUniverse)
Literary Work – Biography/Auto-Biography
“Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change” John Lewis (Hyperion)
Literary Work – Instructional
“Health First: The Black Woman’s Wellness Guide” Eleanor Hinton Hoytt, Hilary Beard (SmileyBooks)
Literary Work – Poetry
“Speak Water” Truth Thomas (Cherry Castle Publishing)
Literary Work – Children
“What Color is My World?” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Author), Raymond Obstfeld (Author), A.G. Ford (Illustrator) (Candlewick Press)
Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons A Dialogue With America’s Young Leaders” Gregory Reed (Amber Books)
 
FILM
Motion Picture
“Red Tails” (Lucasfilm)
Actor in a Motion Picture
Denzel Washington “Flight” (Paramount Pictures)
Actress in a Motion Picture
Viola Davis “Won’t Back Down” (20th Century Fox)
Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Samuel L. Jackson ”Django Unchained” (Weinstein Co.)
Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Kerry Washington “Django Unchained” (Weinstein Co.)
Independent Motion Picture
“Beasts of the Southern Wild” (Fox Searchlight Pictures) & “Red Tails” (Lucasfilm)
International Motion Picture
“The Intouchables” (Weinstein Co.)
Documentary (Theatrical or Television)
“On the Shoulders of Giants: The Story of the Greatest Team You’ve Never Heard Of” (Showtime)
Writing in a Comedy Series
Marc Wilmore “The Simpsons” – The Spy Who Learned Me (FOX)
Writing in a Dramatic Series
Cheo Hodari Coker “SouthLAnd” – God’s Work (TNT)
Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television)
Elizabeth Hunter “Abducted: The Carlina White Story” (Lifetime)
Directing in a Comedy Series
Ken Whittingham “Parks and Recreation” (NBC)
Directing in a Dramatic Series
Paris Barclay “Smash” (NBC)
Directing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television)
Benh Zeitlin “Beasts of the Southern Wild” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

About The NAACP Image Awards:
The NAACP Image Awards is the premier multicultural awards show. It celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. For more info visit http://www.naacpimageawards.net

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.  For more information visit http://www.naacp.org/

Sources: NAACP/The Lippin Group

Editor’s Note: Thank you to our Photo Editor and Celebrity Events Photographer Rodrigo Vaz for capturing the great memories for the 3rd year in a row of the NAACP Image Awards.

Halle Berry, LL Cool J, Wanda Sykes Named Presenters at 44th NAACP Image Awards

Naomi Campbell, Archie Panjabi, Common, Terrence Jenkins, Cedric The Entertainer, Keke Palmer, Tyler James Williams, Meagan Good, Laz Alonso and Lamorne Morris to present at 44^th NAACP Image Awards 

Diahann Carroll and Others to Introduce Special Tributes.

NAACP ‘Entertainer of the Year’ to be Revealed.

 Wyclef and Common to Perform During Two-Hour Live Broadcast to air on Feb. 1, 8-10 p.m. EST on NBC.

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 28, 2013) – The NAACP announced today that Halle Berry, LL Cool J, Naomi Campbell, Archie Panjabi, Common, Terrence Jenkins, Wanda Sykes, Cedric The Entertainer, Keke Palmer, Tyler James Williams, Meagan Good, Laz Alonso and Lamorne Morris have been added to present at the 44^th NAACP Image Awards broadcast LIVE from Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 1, 8-10 p.m. ET (PT tape-delayed) on NBC.

Diahann Carroll and others will introduce special tributes.  Wyclef and Common will perform.

In addition, the NAACP “Entertainer of the Year” will be revealed.  This special honor is being bestowed upon an individual within the entertainment industry who has achieved notable success in multiple projects and mediums. The results were determined by a national polling company who surveyed a diverse sampling of individuals from across the country to vote and determine the recipient. 

As previously announced, comedian, author, radio and talk show host, Steve Harvey will host and Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Wanda Sykes and Tony Goldwyn will be presenters.  In addition, Dennis Haysbert will be the in-show announcer.  Kerry Washington will receive the NAACP President’s Award and United States Navy Vice Admiral Michelle Janine Howard will receive the NAACP Chairman’s Award.

Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards are determined by the number of entries received by the deadline.  To be eligible, projects must have had a national distribution date between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2012. For the 2012 voting period, over 1,200 submissions were received by the artists, managers, publicists, production companies, record labels, studios, networks and/or publishers. From those entries, a nominating committee of 300 industry professionals and NAACP leaders from across the country select five nominees in each of the 53 categories. Those results were announced at a press conference. To determine the winners, the members of the NAACP vote via a secured online site. The results are tabulated by the Image Awards auditors, Bert Smith & Co., and the results are confidential until the envelope is opened LIVE on stage during the NBC telecast on Friday, February 1, 2013.

The NAACP Image Awards production team includes Executive Producers Reginald Hudlin and Brad Lachman. Bill Bracken will serve as Supervising Producer and Byron Phillips as Producer. The production team also includes Tony McCuin as Director and Melanie Massie as the Talent Executive.


Event sponsors include:  FedEx, UAW/Chrysler, AT&T, Hyundai Motors, Wells Fargo, General Motors, Walmart, Bank of America, Walgreens, Gilead Sciences, AARP, Ford Motor, Anheuser Busch, Pepsico.

About the NAACP Image Awards:
The NAACP Image Awards is the premier multicultural awards show.  It celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. For all information and latest news, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net/

About the NAACP:
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors. For more information visit http://www.naacp.org/

Graphic credit to: NAACP

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine and Diversity News TV are happy to announce that for a third year in a row our own Executive Editor-In-Chief Esteban Escobar and Photo Editor and Celebrity Events Photographer Rodrigo Vaz will be live covering the event to bring photos and videos including story with all the winners. Please come back to http://diversitynewsmagazine.com/

The 55th Grammy Awards Nominations Announced Awards show to air Feb. 10, 2013 on CBS

DAN AUERBACH (THE BLACK KEYS), FUN., JAY-Z, MUMFORD & SONS, FRANK OCEAN, AND KANYE WEST LEAD GRAMMY^® NOMINATIONS
WITH SIX EACH; THE BLACK KEYS, CHICK COREA AND MIGUEL EACH EARN FIVE.

 THE BLACK KEYS, FUN., MUMFORD & SONS, FRANK OCEAN, AND JACK WHITE VIE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT 55TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS^® FEB. 10, 2013, LIVE ON CBS.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 05, 2012) — Nominations for the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards® (www.grammy.com) were announced tonight by The Recording Academy® and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fifth year, nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of “The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night®,” a one-hour CBS (www.cbs.com) entertainment special broadcast live for the first time ever from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Feb. 10, 2013, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy’s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys. For a complete nominations list, please visit www.grammy.com.

Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), FUN., Jay-Z, Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, and Kanye West top the nominations with six each; The Black Keys, Chick Corea, and Miguel each garner five nods; and producer Jeff Bhasker, mastering engineer Bob Ludwig and Nas are each up for four awards.

“The GRAMMY Awards process once again has produced a diverse and impressive list of nominations across multiple genres,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “This year’s nominees truly represent an exceptional and vibrant creative community that exemplifies some of the highest levels of artistry and excellence in their respective fields. Combined with the fifth year of our primetime nominations special, we’re off to an exciting start on the road to Music’s Biggest Night, the 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards, on February 10.”

Following is a sampling of nominations in 81 categories from the GRAMMY Awards’ 30 Fields:

GENERAL FIELD
Album Of The Year:
El Camino — The Black Keys
Some Nights — FUN.
Babel — Mumford & Sons
Channel Orange — Frank Ocean
Blunderbuss — Jack White

Record Of The Year:
“Lonely Boy” — The Black Keys
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” — Kelly Clarkson
“We Are Young” — FUN. Featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used To Know” — Gotye Featuring Kimbra
“Thinkin Bout You” — Frank Ocean
“We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” — Taylor Swift

Best New Artist:
Alabama Shakes
FUN.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Song Of The Year:
“The A Team” — Ed Sheeran, songwriter (Ed Sheeran)
“Adorn” — Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
“Call Me Maybe” — Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters (Carly Rae Jepsen)
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” — Jörgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi,
songwriters (Kelly Clarkson)
“We Are Young” — Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (FUN. Featuring
Janelle Monáe)

POP FIELD
Best Pop Solo Performance:
“Set Fire To The Rain (Live)” — Adele
“Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” — Kelly Clarkson
“Call Me Maybe” — Carly Rae Jepsen
“Wide Awake” — Katy Perry
“Where Have You Been” — Rihanna

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Shake It Out” — Florence & The Machine
“We Are Young” — FUN. Featuring Janelle Monáe
“Somebody That I Used To Know” — Gotye Featuring Kimbra
“Sexy And I Know It” — LMFAO
“Payphone” — Maroon 5 & Wiz Khalifa

DANCE FIELD
Best Dance/Electronica Album:
Wonderland — Steve Aoki
Don’t Think — The Chemical Brothers
> Album Title Goes Here < — Deadmau5
Fire & Ice — Kaskade
Bangarang — Skrillex

ROCK FIELD
Best Rock Performance:
“Hold On” — Alabama Shakes
“Lonely Boy” — The Black Keys
“Charlie Brown” — Coldplay
“I Will Wait” — Mumford & Sons
“We Take Care Of Our Own” — Bruce Springsteen

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance:
“I’m Alive” — Anthrax
“Love Bites (So Do I)” — Halestorm
“Blood Brothers” — Iron Maiden
“Ghost Walking” — Lamb Of God
“No Reflection” — Marilyn Manson
“Whose Life (Is It Anyways?)” — Megadeth

Best Rock Album:
El Camino — The Black Keys
Mylo Xyloto — Coldplay
The 2nd Law — Muse
Wrecking Ball — Bruce Springsteen
Blunderbuss — Jack White

ALTERNATIVE FIELD
Best Alternative Music Album:
The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than The Driver Of The Screw And Whipping Cords Will Serve You More Than Ropes
Will Ever Do — Fiona Apple
Biophilia — Björk
Making Mirrors — Gotye
Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming — M83
Bad As Me — Tom Waits

R&B FIELD
Best R&B Performance:
“Thank You” — Estelle
“Gonna Be Alright (F.T.B.)” — Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Ledisi
“I Want You” — Luke James
“Adorn” — Miguel
“Climax” — Usher

Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Fortune — Chris Brown
Kaleidoscope Dream — Miguel
Channel Orange — Frank Ocean

Best R&B Album:
Black Radio — Robert Glasper Experiment
Back To Love — Anthony Hamilton
Write Me Back — R. Kelly
Beautiful Surprise — Tamia
Open Invitation — Tyrese

RAP FIELD
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
“Wild Ones” — Flo Rida Featuring Sia
“No Church In The Wild” — Jay-Z & Kanye West Featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream
“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” — John Legend Featuring Ludacris
“Cherry Wine” — Nas Featuring Amy Winehouse
“Talk That Talk” — Rihanna Feautring Jay-Z

Best Rap Performance:
“HYFR (Hell Ya F***ing Right)” — Drake Featuring Lil Wayne
“N****s In Paris” — Jay-Z & Kanye West
“Daughters” — Nas
“Mercy” — Kanye West Featuring Big Sean, Pusha T & 2 Chainz
“I Do” — Young Jeezy Featuring Jay-Z & André 3000

Best Rap Album:
Take Care — Drake
Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1 — Lupe Fiasco
Life Is Good — Nas
Undun — The Roots
God Forgives, I Don’t — Rick Ross
Based On A T.R.U. Story — 2 Chainz

COUNTRY FIELD
Best Country Solo Performance:
“Home” — Dierks Bentley
“Springsteen” — Eric Church
“Cost Of Livin’” — Ronnie Dunn
“Wanted” — Hunter Hayes
“Over” — Blake Shelton
“Blown Away” — Carrie Underwood

Best Country Album:
Uncaged — Zac Brown Band
Hunter Hayes — Hunter Hayes
Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran — Jamey Johnson
Four The Record — Miranda Lambert
The Time Jumpers — The Time Jumpers

AMERICAN ROOTS FIELD
Best Americana Album:
The Carpenter — The Avett Brothers
From The Ground Up — John Fullbright
The Lumineers — The Lumineers
Babel — Mumford & Sons
Slipstream — Bonnie Raitt

Best Blues Album:
33 1/3 — Shemekia Copeland
Locked Down — Dr. John
Let It Burn — Ruthie Foster
And Still I Rise — Heritage Blues Orchestra
Bring It On Home — Joan Osborne

SPOKEN WORD FIELD
Best Spoken Word Album:
American Grown (Michelle Obama) — Scott Creswell & Dan Zitt, producers (Various Artists)
Back To Work: Why We Need Smart Government For A Strong Economy — Bill Clinton
Drift: The Unmooring Of American Military Power — Rachel Maddow
Seriously…I’m Kidding — Ellen DeGeneres
Society’s Child: My Autobiography — Janis Ian

COMEDY FIELD
Best Comedy Album:
Blow Your Pants Off — Jimmy Fallon
Cho Dependent (Live In Concert) — Margaret Cho
In God We Rust — Lewis Black
Kathy Griffin: Seaman 1st Class — Kathy Griffin
Mr. Universe — Jim Gaffigan
Rize Of The Fenix — Tenacious D

This year’s Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical nominations go to Dan Auerbach, Jeff Bhasker, Diplo, Markus Dravs, and Salaam Remi.

This year’s GRAMMY Awards process registered more than 17,000 submissions over a 12-month eligibility period (Oct. 1, 2011 – Sept. 30, 2012). GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 19 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 16, 2013, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the 55th GRAMMY telecast.

The 55th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, and Louis J. Horvitz is director.

“The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night,” hosted by two-time GRAMMY winner LL COOL J and six-time GRAMMY winner Taylor Swift, featured the announcement of nominations in several categories as well as performances by The Band Perry and Dierks Bentley in a special tribute to Johnny Cash; country artist Luke Bryan; pop/rock group FUN. with singer/songwriter Janelle Monáe; country artist Hunter Hayes; three-time GRAMMY-winning group Maroon 5; three-time GRAMMY winner Ne-Yo; and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients The Who. Presenters included nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow, country group Little Big Town, Americana group The Lumineers, and country artist Chris Young.

About The Recording Academy: Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like “The GRAMMYs” on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs’ social communities on Foursquare, GetGlue, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, and YouTube.

Photo credit to: The Recording Academy
Source: The Recording Academy

David Letterman To be Honored at “The 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” to Air on Wednesday, December 26 on CBS

Caroline Kennedy Hosts For The 10th Consecutive Year.

Performers and Presenters Include Alec Baldwin, Jeff Beck, Jack Black, Jason Bonham, Tracy Chapman, Gary Clark, Jr., Alina Cojocaru, Billy Connolly, Angel Corella, Robert De Niro, Tina Fey, Foo Fighters, Morgan Freeman, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Beth Hart, Judith Jamison, Julie Kent, Kid Rock, Jimmy Kimmel, Lenny Kravitz, Laura Osnes, Veronika Part, Tiler Peck, Grace Ann Pierce, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Romano, Liev Schreiber, Jimmie Vaughan, Naomi Watts, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson

President and Mrs. Barack Obama Attend Gala Alongside Honorees.

Eminent artists, friends and peers of this year’s seven honorees converged in Washington, D.C., last night (Dec. 2) to present entertaining and heartfelt tributes at THE 35TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS, an entertainment special to be broadcast Wednesday, Dec. 26 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, with Caroline Kennedy as host for the 10th consecutive year.

The annual event recognizes recipients for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures and television.  Keeping with tradition, the roster of performers and presenters remained secret prior to the gala and a short biographical film was featured during each honoree’s tribute.

Performers and presenters included Alec Baldwin, Jeff Beck, Jack Black, Jason Bonham, Tracy Chapman, Gary Clark, Jr., Alina Cojocaru, Billy Connolly, Angel Corella, Robert De Niro, Tina Fey, Foo Fighters, Morgan Freeman, Marcelo Gomes, David Hallberg, Beth Hart, Judith Jamison, Julie Kent, Kid Rock, Jimmy Kimmel, Lenny Kravitz, Laura Osnes, Veronika Part, Tiler Peck, Grace Ann Pierce, Bonnie Raitt, Ray Romano, Liev Schreiber, Jimmie Vaughan, Naomi Watts, Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson.

President and Mrs. Barack Obama were seated with the honorees in the Presidential Box of the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, after hosting the traditional White House reception for the honorees.

(Please click on the photos to view regular size)

Host Caroline Kennedy opened the festivities by quoting poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said, “Congratulate yourselves if you have done something strange and extravagant and broken the monotony of a decorous age.” Kennedy then said, “Tonight we salute Honorees who, through their artistry and daring, have banished monotony and provided extravagant pleasure and joy to audiences the world over. On the signature wall behind me are the names of those who have gone before. To this splendid company we now add our Class of 2012.”

She continued, “With primal sounds at once beautiful and dangerous, these English lads built a band that gave new dimension to rock, and earned from an admiring world a ‘Whole Lotta Love’; a tall drink of water from Indiana who aspired to be Johnny, and earned a late night throne for a guy named Dave; a Louisiana sharecropper’s son who made his way to ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and became America’s champion of the blues; a lithe beauty from St. Petersburg whose passion and elegance filled movement with meaning, giving new excitement to the words ‘Prima Ballerina’; as a ‘Graduate,’ a ‘Midnight Cowboy,’ a ‘Little Big Man,’ a ‘Rain Man’ and even as a ‘Tootsie,’ this actor redefined the movies’ idea of a leading man.  These are our 2012 Kennedy Center Honorees.”

Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and 2009 Kennedy Center Honoree Robert De Niro began the tribute to his longtime friend, multiple Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Dustin Hoffman, stating, “Dustin Hoffman is a world-class, spectacular, colossal… pain in the ass. Before Dustin burst on the scene, it was pretty much okay for movie stars to show up, read their lines, and, if the director insisted, act a little. It worked. There were good movies and good performances; everyone was happy. Then Dustin came along and ‘just had to get everything right.’ He made a statement that what the actor does is important… and it was inspiring. It inspired me. It inspired me to become a pain in the ass, too. Suddenly, we all ‘just had to get everything right.’”

De Niro continued, “What Dustin did – for all of us – was to make it okay to be a character actor and a movie star. He broke the mold of the movie star as the handsome leading man. Frankly, I would have preferred to make it as a handsome leading man. Damn you, Dustin Hoffman! …Dustin is one of the best character actors, best movie stars, best leading men to ever hit the stage or screen. That’s good news for all of us, even if it depresses the hell out of him. Dustin, you make me proud to be an actor. And I’m proud to call you my friend.”

Scottish comedian, musician and actor Billy Connolly, who starred in Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut, “Quartet,” continued Hoffman’s tribute. “In ‘Tootsie,’ Dustin Hoffman played a driven, meticulous actor. It is said that in looking for inspiration for that character, Dustin found it in… Dustin Hoffman. Dustin persuaded director Sidney Pollack to let him stage an improvised acting class taught by his character. In the scene, the perennially out-of-work actor conducts an acting class for other perennially out-of-work actors.”

Tony Award-winning, Golden Globe and Emmy nominated actor Liev Schreiber, along with his wife, Academy Award-nominated actress Naomi Watts, then continued the tribute. Said Shreiber, “When Dustin and I first met on the set of Barry Levinson’s ‘Sphere’ nearly 15 years ago, he told me that I had a big head. He went on to qualify this remark by saying ‘It’s a good thing… if only your nose weren’t so large as well.’ Really, Dustin? …Watching Dustin, I saw what acting could be. At its best. I’d never seen anyone create characters like that before – so incredibly life-like and detailed, yet still, somehow… something more than real. I had to do that. I had to act like Dustin Hoffman. Not just me. All of us. You… and Ratso Rizzo… and all those other dirty movies you made, redefined acting for a new generation… so thank you, Dustin. I love you very much.”

Watts continued, “About 15 years ago, I got a call. I was invited to meet Dustin Hoffman for a film he was directing. I was not allowed to read the script in advance, so I felt completely unprepared to meet the master. The man I grew up watching, the giant, the real deal. I had a 30-minute slot, I was there for five hours. But that’s Dustin. For the first hour all I did was worry – what did he want? What was the movie about? Was I right for the character? Would my car get towed? Finally, I settled down and quickly realized this was a rare and extraordinary opportunity. I read some scenes – as he hovered over me with his smoky voice and laser instincts… What I learned in those few hours with Dustin was more valuable to me than a lifetime of acting classes. In a sense, it was the most important audition of my life.” The tribute then concluded with Tony-nominated singer Laura Osnes singing a special rendition of the classic song, “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Your Face.”

Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer and 1999 Kennedy Center Honoree Judith Jamison, the Artistic Director for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, paid tribute to the Russian-born, Tony Award-winning and Emmy-nominated prima ballerina Natalia Makarova, who performed with Jamison in the American Ballet Theatre. Jamison began, “‘I responded to destiny.’ That’s what Natalia Makarova said in London just before her 30th birthday. She was touring with Russia’s fabulous Kirov Ballet. She knew she needed new choreography to fulfill her promise as a dancer, so she made the brave decision to make a new life in the West, wondering how she would survive without her home and her language. On that day, Natalia Makarova started a journey that would introduce her to America, where she would thrill audiences and enhance and enrich the American Ballet Theatre. Banners would hang from the balconies of the Metropolitan Opera House saying, ‘We Love You Natalia.’ As a colleague and a great admirer, I’m so delighted that we honor her tonight.”

Jamison continued, “Natalia is a rare story of life coming full circle. Twenty years after she made her painful decision to leave her native land, she returned to a changing Leningrad and to her beloved Kirov Theater, where she had studied and had become a star.  There, at the Kirov, she gave her farewell performance, dancing on the stage where it had all begun for her – then taking curtain calls to thunderous cheers and cascades of flowers.  Natalia, your passion and your artistry are loved around the world. On behalf of dancers everywhere, I salute you!” Jamison then introduced a beautiful dance tribute to Makarova, beginning with young dancer Grace Ann Pierce, from the American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School, dancing to the Chopin Prelude in A Major, Op. 28 No. 7. This was followed by New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck, performing to Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3. Then, Royal Ballet of London principal dancer Alina Cojocaru and Angel Corella, the Artistic Director and principal dancer of the Barcelona Ballet, presented a pas de deux from the ballet “Giselle.” Then, American Ballet Theatre principal dancers David Hallberg and Julie Kent continued the tribute with a moving rendition of the balcony pas de deux from the ballet, “Romeo and Juliet.” Finally, the dancing concluded with an awe-inspiring rendition of “Black Swan,” performed by American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Marcelo Gomes and Veronika Part.

Academy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman paid tribute to multiple Grammy Award-winning American blues guitarist and jazz singer Buddy Guy, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, stating, “I first heard the blues sitting on my grandmother’s porch in Mississippi – we called it “gut bucket music. You mastered the soul of that gutbucket music and used that as your starting point. You found a new music in it that no one had ever seen before. And without the Internet, without YouTube, without even FM radio, you went viral. You went viral, Buddy Guy. And you made a bridge from roots to rock and roll.” Freeman continued, “But there’s Buddy.  Sitting up there with the best – a pioneer, a Queen, a King and a President – the best rock and roll band, a pioneer of acting, a queen of dance, king of late night and the President of the United States.  So when you hear the blues, you don’t know if it’s white, black, yellow, purple or blue. Buddy Guy, your blues brought us together. Now that’s something to sing about.”

The tribute to Buddy Guy commenced with a performance by the Rob Mathes Band of “Every Day I Have the Blues,” which was quickly followed by a medley of “Things I Used to Do,” “I’m Ready” and “Hoochie Coochie Man,” performed by multiple Grammy Award-winning guitarist and singer Jimmie Vaughan, along with American guitarist Gary Clark, Jr. Next, multiple Grammy Award winner Tracy Chapman took the stage to perform “Hound Dog,” followed by “I’d Rather Go Blind,” performed by multiple Grammy Award winner Jeff Beck and American jazz and blues singer Beth Hart. The tribute concluded with an upbeat medley of “My Time After a While” and “Sweet Home Chicago,” led by multiple Grammy Award-winning musician Bonnie Raitt.

Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress and comedienne Tina Fey took the stage to talk about multiple Emmy Award winner David Letterman, remarking, “Mr. David Letterman, as I call him out of respect and fear, has unknowingly been a family friend of mine since I was 10 years old. My mom Jeanne and I spent every weekday morning of the summer of 1980 watching ‘The David Letterman Show.’ While some kids went canoeing and learned sailor knots at camp, I spent that summer drinking Pathmark instant iced tea and watching my mom laugh at Dave. I can’t tell you how happy the show made her. It was like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. There was actually a daytime show that made her laugh. Amid a sea of saccharine talk shows and idiotic soap operas was this weirdly floating gem. Was this Dave Letterman guy a brilliant, subtle, passive-aggressive parody of a talk show host? Or just a Midwestern goon who was a little bit “off?” Well, here we are, 32 years later, and time has proven… that there’s really no way of knowing.”

Fey continued, “Dave is someone you watch not just because you like him, but also because you hope that he would like you. You think to yourself, ‘Dave would like me. He’d be able to tell that I ‘get it.’ But it really is a crapshoot, because one of the most entertaining things about ‘Late Night’ and ‘The Late Show’ is that Mr. Letterman doesn’t fake-like everyone. In fact, you could argue that Mr. Letterman is at his best when he’s interviewing someone whom, maybe, he doesn’t like at all. Whether it’s calling Bill O’Reilly a bonehead, or asking Paris Hilton about eating hard-boiled eggs in jail…or just sitting back and letting Madonna be a high-status dumb-dumb. David Letterman is the professor emeritus at the ‘Here’s Some More Rope’ Institute. Weirdly or not weirdly, Mr. Letterman is the closest thing we have to a present-day Walter Cronkite. His honesty and intelligence have shepherded us through national crises. Our concern for his health has been a national worry. Our imaginary friendship with him has been going on now for 32 years. Tonight, we declare it officially: my mom was right, David Letterman is an American treasure, like the Grand Canyon, or the Chicago skyline, or the top two Kardashians.”

Next, multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin said, “Watching the ‘Late Show with David Letterman’ is like being on a roller coaster. It’s exhilarating. It’s also dangerous, scary, and makes you sweat… and that’s just the viewers. Imagine what it’s like for those of us who are guests of the show. Dave’s so clever, witty and powerful… how can you keep up with him? Why do we do it, then? Besides being artists with all the attendant self-loathing masochism, there’s that movie or book or TV show we’re promoting. Second, it’s David Letterman! It’s like the Kennedy Center Honors of late night TV. There’s just no one better than Dave. There’s never been anyone better. You just have to be around the guy. We know he has fun at our expense. We wanted to cook something up to turn the tables on him. Something that would get him out of his comfort zone. Something that would make him squirm… something he’d hate. So tonight we’re giving him the Kennedy Center Honor. It’s perfect. First, Dave, who can barely stand traveling from his home to the studio, will have to travel all the way from New York City to Washington, D.C. – a journey of over 200 miles in a private jet! Have him sit in a box and watch artists perform for two full hours! Put him in a big room full of people he doesn’t know. Don’t let him say anything! Make him wear a tux! With plain old black socks!” Then, Baldwin proceeded to present the hilarious list of “Top Ten Reasons That David Letterman Is Getting A Kennedy Center Honor.”

Emmy Award-winning comedian Jimmy Kimmel next spoke of Letterman as one of his idols. “When I turned 16, I blew out the candles on a “Late Night with David Letterman” cake; my first car had a L8NITE vanity plate; I drew pictures of Dave on the cover of all of my textbooks; I started a ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ club in high school… to me, it wasn’t just a TV show. …I don’t remember the first time I watched Dave’s show, but I do remember the feeling I got when I found it. It was as if someone was doing a show specifically for me. I had never seen anything like it. Dave was funny in a way I’d never seen anyone be funny before. I stayed up until 1:30 AM every single night to watch him. I wanted to be David Letterman. All my friends wanted to be David Letterman. Ironically, the only person who didn’t want to be David Letterman – is David Letterman. And that’s a shame because you, Dave, are the funniest, the smartest, the weirdest, the coolest, the best one ever. Not only did I learn how to do… everything from Dave – the reason I have a show of my own is because the executives at ABC saw me when I was a guest on his show.”

Multiple Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe-nominated actor and comedian Ray Romano, who got his start as a comedian and actor through the help of David Letterman, said, “Being on Letterman was like winning the World Series. If you wanna win the World Series, do you quit if you lose the first game? No. You’re down one game to zero you don’t quit, you keep going. Do you quit when you’re down 1-0 in debates? No. You keep going and you become the President of the United States,” gesturing to President Obama. He then continued, “I remember the next morning, I was in my house with my wife in Queens, and I sat there at the breakfast table and I was like, ‘That was… awesome. What do I do now?’ …I sometimes wonder where I would be if I hadn’t been on David Letterman’s show. I would still be doing stand-up, because it’s what I love. I’m sure I’d be on the road working. Every now and then I’d have to do Kimmel. It would be okay, I guess. But I know one thing; I’d still be trying to get on. I wouldn’t give up. And that’s what somebody as good as Dave does. In any profession, you need someone like Dave to make you want to be better.”

Next, Golden Globe-nominated actor Jack Black introduced the tribute to multiple Grammy Award-winning, legendary rock band Led Zeppelin, saying, “Led Zeppelin… the greatest rock and roll band of all time… yeah, I said it. Better than the Beatles. Better than the Stones… even better than Tenacious D. That’s not opinion… that’s fact. If you don’t agree with me, it’s because you never did the Zeppelin marathon. That’s when you sit your ass down and listen to all nine Zepp albums in a row… What makes them so special is the contrast of power and beauty. Heavenly melodies intermingled with hellish rifts of thunder.  The first time I heard Zepp was in high school. My body was changing and my mind was opening to new possibilities when Derek Skanky made me a mix tape of his favorite Zepp jams. They quickly became my favorite band. Throughout the years, I’ve explored all kinds of genres and styles… but it’s always come back to the Zepp.”

Black continued, “Sometimes I worry that they might’ve been the last great chapter in rock. Who will pick up the torch and lead a new generation into heavy metal Valhalla? Sadly, no living rockers possess the alchemy and black magic required for such a task… Until then, we have the blessed gift of Led Zeppelin’s box set to lift our spirits and soothe our souls. They say that Led Zeppelin sold their souls to Satan… come on guys, you know you did. There is no other way to explain your ungodly talent. I just want to say thank you… because while you suffer in the burning pit of Hell, the human race will cherish your heavenly jams till the end of time. A small price to pay. We love you. Best band ever.”

The tribute to Led Zeppelin commenced with an exciting performance of “Moby Dick” by the Rob Mathes Band. Next, multiple Grammy Award winner Lenny Kravitz performed “Whole Lotta Love,” followed by a medley of “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” and “Ramble On,” sung by five-time Grammy Award nominee Kid Rock. Then, multiple Grammy Award-winning rock band Foo Fighters took the stage to perform “Black Dog” and “Rock and Roll.” Finally, Jason Bonham, the son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, along with Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson from the rock band Heart, rocked the house with an amazing performance of “Stairway to Heaven” that brought the evening to its rousing conclusion.

THE 35TH ANNUAL KENNEDY CENTER HONORS is a production of the Kennedy Center.  George Stevens, Jr. produced and co-wrote the Honors for the 35thyear. Stevens and his Honors producing partner Michael Stevens received four consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Variety, Musical or Comedy Special. The KENNEDY CENTER HONORS telecast has also been recognized with the Peabody Award for Outstanding Meritorious Service to Broadcasting and seven awards from the Writers Guild of America.  Nick Vanoff was co-creator of the Honors with George Stevens in 1978.

About David Letterman:
David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American television host and comedian.^[1] He hosts the late night television talk show, Late Show with David Letterman, broadcast on CBS. Letterman has been a fixture on late night television since the 1982 debut ofLate Night with David Letterman on NBC. Letterman recently surpassed friend and mentorJohnny Carson for having the longest late-night hosting career in the United States of America.^[4]

Letterman is also a television and film producer. His company Worldwide Pants produces his show as well as its network follow-up The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Worldwide Pants has also produced several prime-time comedies, the most successful of which wasEverybody Loves Raymond, currently in syndication.

In 1996, David Letterman was ranked #45 on TV Guide’s 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.^[5]

Photos credit to: Natalia Makarova,  Soren Solkaer Starbird; Paul Natkin; John Paul Filo,  Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS ©2012 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Sources: Wikipedia, CBS Broadcasting, CBS Express

We Will Always Love You: A Grammy Salute To Whitney Houston to air Friday, Nov. 16 on CBS

YOLANDA ADAMS, CELINE DION, JENNIFER HUDSON, USHER AND CECE WINANS PERFORM ON ”WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU: A GRAMMY^®SALUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON.

Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, LL COOL J, and Britney Spears to Present Special Clips of Performances and Interviews.

“We Will Always Love You: A GRAMMY^®Salute To Whitney Houston” is set to air this Friday, Nov. 16 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on the CBS Television Network (www.cbs.com). The special, which was taped last month at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.

Four-time GRAMMY® Award winner Yolanda Adams and 10-time GRAMMY® Award winner CeCe Winans are the latest performers announced for WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU: A GRAMMY® SALUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON.  They join previously announced five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Celine Dion, GRAMMY and Academy Award® winner Jennifer Hudson, and seven-time GRAMMY® Award winner Usher for the one-hour special. The show will celebrate Houston’s life and artistry through performances and interviews with various artists paying homage to the six-time GRAMMY® Award winner, and will include Houston’s own most memorable performances of her career.


WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU will include highlights of nearly all of Houston’s GRAMMY® broadcast performances, her classic performance of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991 and her first-ever television appearance on “The Merv Griffin Show” in the early ‘80s, among other iconic performances and exclusive interviews. The special will also feature other artists sharing their memories of Houston, as well as additional highlights of her career.

The first-ever definitive single disc collection of Houston’s greatest hits, I Will Always Love You — The Best Of Whitney Houston, will be released on Tuesday, Nov. 13 and feature 18 tracks, including two never-before-released songs. Additionally, an official Houston photo tribute book, Whitney: Tribute To An Icon, will be available for sale on Tuesday, Nov. 27.

(Please click on photo image to view regular size)

“Whitney! Celebrating the Musical Legacy of Whitney Houston” is a current GRAMMY Museum® exhibit that explores the extraordinary life and career of the six-time GRAMMY Award® winner, and provides an in-depth look at all aspects of Houston’s creative life. Presented in conjunction with the Houston family, the collection features diverse artifacts as well as rare photographs and footage, and includes dozens of items from the private collection of the Houston family. “Whitney!” will be on display in The GRAMMY Museum’s® Special Exhibits Gallery through February 2013.

Houston was one of the biggest pop stars — male or female — of all time, selling a combined 170 million albums, songs and videos, and garnering six GRAMMY and two Emmy Awards, among countless other awards and accolades. She graced the GRAMMY® Stage eight times over the years — one of a few artists to have had the distinction of performing the most times on the annual broadcast. Most recently, she appeared as a presenter at the 51st Annual GRAMMY® Awards in 2009 (ultimately presenting Jennifer Hudson with her first GRAMMY® Award, for Best R&B Album).

WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU: A GRAMMY® SALUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer. Louis J. Horvitz is director. Clive Davis, Tom Corson, and Kevin Beisler are producers.

About The Recording Academy:
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, songwriters, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

Sources: The Recording Academy, CBS
Photos credit to: Cliff Lipson,  Francis Specker/CBS

“Sofia The First: Once Upon a Princess” Disney Channel Movie Premiere and Storybook Launch at Walt Disney Studios

On November 10, 2012, Disney Channel presents the Movie Premiere and Storybook Launch for “Sofia The First: Once Upon a Princess” at the Walt Disney Studio Main Theatre located at 500 S. Buena Vista Street, in Burbank, California. The animated Disney television movie will air November 18, 2012 on Disney Channel and November 22, 2012 on Disney Junior.

Walt Disney introduces a little princess. Sofia is an average girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother marries the king and she becomes princess. Sofia discovers looking like a princess isn’t all difficult. She displays honesty, courage, independence, compassion and grace. Helping her on her journey were the three headmistresses of Royal Prep Academy- Fauna, Flora, and Merryweather.

At 10:00 a.m., excitement filled the air, when the actors and actresses walked the red carpet with their family. Some of the children seemed shy at first, but then later felt more comfortable. They seem to be enjoying themselves. The three headmistresses escorted some of the actors and actresses, down the carpet for photographers to get a group picture. They were very delighted and happy.

(To view regular size please click on the photos).

Starring as the voice of Sofia is Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”); Sara Ramirez (“Grey’s Anatomy”) is Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (“Let’s Make A Deal”) is Clover; Tim Gunn (“Project Runway”) is Baileywick; Darcy Rose Byrnes (“Desperate Housewives”) is Amber; Zach Callison (“Land of the Lost”) is James; Travis Willingham (“Ultimate Spider-Man”) is King Roland II; Jess Harnell (“Doc McStuffins”) is Cedric; Ashley Eckstein (“Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) is Mia the Bluebird and Meghan Strange (“Special Agent Oso”) is Robin. Disney Legend Russi Taylor (Minnie Mouse), Barbara Dirickson and Tress MacNeille (Daisy Duck), bring Fauna, Flora and Merryweather, respectively, to life. Jennifer Hale provides the voice of Cinderella.

Additional guests such as: Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Lily from “Modern Family”), Jason Lee (“Up All Night”), Lou Diamond Phillips(“Longmire”), Ming-Na (“E.R.”), Angela Bassett (“E.R.”) Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio, Joey Lawrence (“Melissa and Joey”),Constance Marie (“Switched at Birth”), Chad Lowe (“Pretty Little Liars”), Tiffani Thiessen (“White Collar”), Ian Ziering (“Beverly Hills 90210″), Isabella Cramp (ABC’s “The Neighbors”), Rachel Eggleston (ABC’s “How to Live with Your Parents”), Rob Corddry (“Children’s Hospital”), Chloe Noelle (“True Blood”), Samantha Harris (“Stars Earn Stripes” co-host), among other walked the red carpet to support the premier.


After the red carpet walk, all who attended got to view the movie. Disney always presents great pictures and cartoons, so this movie will be a great adventure for all to enjoy.

The movie and series were developed by Craig Gerber (“Pixie Hollow Games”) who also wrote the movie and serves as co-executive producer. Jamie Mitchell (“Special Agent Oso”) is executive producer and director. John Kavanaugh (“Winnie The Pooh: Springtime with Roo”) serves as songwriter/music director and Kevin Kliesch (“Tangled Ever After”) is the composer. “Sofia the First: Once Upon A Princess” is a production of Disney Television Animation. It carries a TV-Y parental guideline.

Source: disneychannelmedianet.com
Photos credit to: Stella Gomez from Disco Stella’s Pics for Diversity News Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Please do not download (YOU CAN SHARE LINK) this photos because they are copyrighted. You need to ask permission from the photographer or Diversity News Magazine at Editor@diversitynewsmagazine.com

‘Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together’ Generates Nearly $23 Million

Benefit Telethon Generates Record Volume of Individual Donations For Hurricane Sandy Victims.

NEW YORK, November 3, 2012 – The American Red Cross and NBCUniversal announced today that “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” a live, one-hour benefit telethon, generated nearly $23 million in support of victims impacted by Hurricane Sandy. A record number of individual donations by phone, text and online were accepted by the American Red Cross during the 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. time period beginning on Friday, November 2, 2012. The volume of website and phone traffic exceeded previous benefit telethons in support of the American Red Cross over the last five years.

“We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring of support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” said American Red Cross Chief Marketing Officer Peggy Dyer. “Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how the American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need, and we urge the public to continue to give. We also thank the dedicated and talented team at NBCUniversal for the millions of people they have helped through this telethon.”

Hosted by NBC “Today” anchor Matt Lauer, the live telethon featured performances by Christina Aguilera (NBC’s “The Voice”), Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler as well as appearances by Kevin Bacon, Jimmy Fallon (NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”), Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and NBC News’ Brian Williams.

Performances included: Jimmy Fallon with Steven Tyler and Bruce Springsteen on vocals and Billy Joel on piano for a rendition of “Under the Boardwalk;” Christina Aguilera of “Beautiful;” Jon Bon Jovi of a medley of “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” and “Living on a Prayer;” Billy Joel of “Miami 2017;” Mary J. Blige of “Living Proof;” Sting of “Message in a Bottle;” Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of “Dream On;” Bruce Springsteen of “Land of Hope and Dreams.”

“Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together” will be available online through the weekend across NBCUniversal digital properties including NBC.com, g4tv.com and nbcnews.com as well as on Xfinity.com/tv and Hulu. Comcast cable markets are also offering the telethon on Xfinity On Demand throughout the weekend. The telethon is also available on demand from over 40 cable, satellite and telco operators including AT&T, Cox Communications, DIRECTV, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS, among others.

The benefit telethon was broadcast Friday, November 2, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. ET live from the New York studios of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza across the NBCUniversal networks including: NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, NBC Sports Network, Style, Syfy and USA as well as HBO, Discovery’s Fit & Health and Velocity networks, The Weather Channel and Wealth TV. The NBC Owned and some affiliate television stations live-streamed the telethon on their websites.

Comcast’s xfinity.com/TV, Hulu and more than 100 Gannett-owned websites, including usatoday.com, live streamed the telethon, along with multiple NBCUniversal digital properties, including: NBC.com, Fandango, iVillage, g4tv.com, nbcnews.com and weather.com.

Clear Channel radio stations, along with a number of local radio stations from across the Tri-State area, simulcast coverage of the event.

The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-HELPNOW or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visitredcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

Source: redcross.org, NBCUniversal

Photos credit to: Heidi Gutman/NBC

Seth MacFarlane to Host 85th Oscars® Airs February 24 on ABC

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – October 1, 2012, Seth MacFarlane will host the 85th Academy Awards®, telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. This will be MacFarlane’s first appearance on Oscar’s stage. The 85th Academy Awards will be broadcast live on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, on the ABC Television Network.

“We are thrilled to have Seth MacFarlane host the Oscars. His performing skills blend perfectly with our ideas for making the show entertaining and fresh,” said Zadan and Meron. “He will be the consummate host, and we are so happy to be working with him.”

“It’s truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars,” said MacFarlane. “My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don’t find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast.”

“Seth is unbelievably talented,” said Academy President Hawk Koch. “We couldn’t be happier with the creative team we’ve assembled. With Craig, Neil, and now Seth, we’re off to a great start.”

MacFarlane made his feature directorial debut this summer with the box office success “Ted. “He also co-wrote and produced the film, and voiced the title character. “Ted” has brought in over $420 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year.

MacFarlane is the creative force behind the television series “Family Guy” and co-creator of “American Dad!” and “The Cleveland Show. “In September he hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the first time, for the show’s 38th season premiere. An accomplished live performer, MacFarlane has played to sold-out audiences at London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall.In 2011 he released his debut album, “Music Is Better Than Words,” which earned two Grammy® nominations. He also has earned 13 Emmy® nominations and won two for his work on “Family Guy.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®. Don Mischer will direct the telecast for the third consecutive time. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

About The Academy:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards–in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners–Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.

Source: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Photo credit to: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The NCLR presents the 2012 Alma Awards hosted by George Lopez and Eva Longoria to Air September 21 on NBC

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) – the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States presents The 2012 Alma Awards on September 16, 2012 from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm in the popular Pasadena Civic Auditorium located at 300 East Green Street in Pasadena, CA 91101.

The winners were announced, but the star studded celebration will air Friday, September 21, 2012 (8-9 p.m. ET) on NBC.

The NCLR Alma Awards honors outstanding Latino artistic achievements in television, film and music.  The show promotes the achievements of talented Latinos in the entertainment industry.

The funny George Lopez and the lovely Eva Longoria hosted once again this year’s extravagate event.  The one-hour special will show case Latinos famous presenters Jake Gyllenhaal, Nicole Richie, Robert Rodriguez, Zoe Saldana, Ryan Lochte, America Ferrera, Andy Garcia, Natalie Morales and Wilmer Valderrama.

Many media outlets and photographers crowded the red carpet waiting for the celebrities, Olympic winners, and hosts to arrive. One by one, limos stopped in front of the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to drop off talent. As the performers, host, and celebrities hit the red carpet, lines of media and photographer wait to interview or take their picture.

Christina Aguilera received the 2012 NCLR Special Achievement Award for her outstanding career and work in philanthropy.  She is especially well known for co-hosting “The Voice”. Christina’s powerful voice made her well know around the world.  Also, Mr. Henry Darrow received the NCLR Alma Ricardo Montalban Lifetime Achievement Award. “Henry has appeared in some five hundred episodes of soap operas, mini-series, sit-coms, and dramas, along with numerous stage plays. He is the first Latino actor to have portrayed “Zorro” in two different television series, as well as providing the voice for a cartoon version of the masked hero. What an honor it is for the NCLR to recognize these two talented people who made a difference in the Latino culture.

There was a great selection of nominees, besides Christina Aguilera and Henry Darrow, the following took home the precious award.

Latinos love music, which brings celebration. Rap singer Flo Rida performed with Roselyn Sanchez.  The guests were welcome to dance in the isle. Martina McBride performed with Luis Fonsi.

In addition, the NCLR welcomed our talented Latino Olympians. Few came out to walk the red carpet and enjoyed the fun filled show.  We honor those Latinos such as Brenda Villa and Jessica Steffens (water polo), Danell Leyva (men’s gymnastics), Leonel Manzano (track and field), and Marlen Esparza (boxing), and the famous United States swimmer, Ryan Lochte for representing our country.

The Latinos celebrate with love. There is no other award show that represents talent in the Latino culture. You do not want to miss the winner’s excitement when they receive their accomplished award with honors.  If you like to contact NCLR, please feel free to go to www.nclr.org.

2012 NCLR ALMA AWARDS AWARD RECIPIENTS are:

CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Special Achievement Award
“The Voice of a Generation”

HENRY DARROW
The NCLR ALMA Ricardo Montalban
Lifetime Achievement Award

CHEECH MARIN
Outstanding Career Achievement Award
Writer

PATRICIA RIGGEN
Special Achievement
Director, Girl in Progress

EL CENTRO DEL PUEBLO
The PepsiCo Adelante ALMA Award

Favorite Movie
Girl in Progress

Favorite Movie Actor
Diego Boneta, Rock of Ages

Favorite Movie Actress—Drama/Adventure
Zoe Saldana, Colombiana

Favorite Movie Actress—Comedy/Musical
Aubrey Plaza, Safety Not Guaranteed

Favorite Movie Actor—Supporting Role
Édgar Ramírez, Wrath of the Titans

Favorite Movie Actress—Supporting Role
Cierra Ramirez, Girl in Progress

Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act
Christina Aguilera, The Voice (NBC)

Favorite TV Actor
Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf (MTV)

Favorite TV Actress—Drama
Lana Parrilla, Once Upon a Time (ABC)

Favorite TV Actress—Comedy
Naya Rivera, Glee (FOX)

Favorite TV Actor—Supporting Role in a Drama
Jon Huertas, Castle (ABC)

Favorite TV Actor—Supporting Role in a Comedy
Rico Rodriguez, Modern Family (ABC)

Favorite TV Actress—Supporting Role
Constance Marie, Switched at Birth (ABC Family)

Favorite Male Music Artist
Pitbull

Favorite Female Music Artist
Naya Rivera

 Source: The Lippin Group
Photo credit to: Chris Haston/NBC
Videos Courtesy of NBC/NCLR & Alma Awards 2012

Editor’s Note: Diversity News Magazine published by Diversity News Publications is a proud media partner of The NCLR 2012 Alma Awards. Special Thank you to our photographer Francois Palais, Reporter/Writer Stella Gomez.

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