He may be the underdog for Best Supporting Actor at this year's Academy Awards, where he faces off against frontrunner Eddie Murphy ('Dreamgirls'), Alan Arkin ('Little Miss Sunshine'), Mark Wahlberg ('The Departed') and Jackie Earle Haley ('Little Children'), but this isn't 'Blood Diamond' star Djimon Hounsou's first shot at Oscar gold. Hounsou was nominated in the same category in 2004 for his role in 'In America,' and remembers the hectic schedule that comes with being an Oscar nominee.
"It's great to be nominated and the minute you hear the nomination from 5 o'clock in the morning, you're on the run," said the 41-year-old actor, who has also won an NAACP Image Award, Independent Spirit Award, National Board of Review Award, Black Reel Award and a ShoWest Convention Award. Hounsou said the last couple of years had been peaceful watching the hoopla surrounding the Oscars from the sidelines. "It was nice to sit back and watch because the process of it is so draining."
The West African star (he hails from Cotonou, Benin), who earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for his role as Cinqué in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film 'Amistad,' wasn't as fluid with the English language when he first started in the business. Hounsou used American television to help him master his English. "It was mostly watching documentaries on television," he recalled. [I watched] The History Channel and The Learning Channel."
Despite earning accolades for his work now, Hounsou still gets nervous about his English when he signs on for film roles. "I can sit here and converse with you but when it comes to work I'm always worried about not being heard clearly. Never any need to fit in, meaning to sound like everybody else, and that's certainly unnerving for the most part," he said.
Living The Dream
No one throws a party like Walt Disney World. The famed vacation kingdom kicked off its "Year of a Million Dreams" concept with a two-day celebration that helped launched several new attractions including 'Finding Nemo-The Musical,' 'The Seas with Nemo & Friends' and 'Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club.'
The park also opened its money-can't-buy suite inside the iconic Cinderella Castle and a Michigan family, The Fouchs, was the first family picked to break the room in. The Disney Dream Job promotion, where people actually win their ideal position at Disney, was launched as well. The celebration also unveiled new images by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz, which feature Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, Beyoncé taking a spin in a giant teacup and British imported soccer player David Beckham slaying a dragon.
While media guests dined on the finest foods and spirits, Disney staffers (they're actually called cast members) waited on us hand and foot. Even rain couldn't stop the amazing parties tailored for the occasion. While syndicated radio hosts like Steve Harvey and Doug Banks broadcasted live daily, celebrities like KeKe Palmer ('Akeelah and the Bee'), Ace Young ('American Idol') and Joey Fatone of N'Sync were on hand to make the experience worthwhile.
Fatone confirmed that he has definitely signed up for the next season of 'Dancing With The Stars.' Young, who previously dated 'Half & Half' star Essence Atkins, is working on new music and actually co-wrote the first single, "It's Not Over," from 'Idol' alum Chris Daughtry's debut album. Palmer stars next in the Disney film 'Jump In!,' which Disney reps are already projecting will surpass the success of Disney phenomenon, 'High School Musical.'
Frankly Speaking
"Sit still and revenge will visit thy enemies!" - Anonymous
Buzzworthy
Look for boxer Laila Ali on the upcoming season of ABC's 'Dancing With The Stars.' The daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali was also recently engaged to former NFL receiver Curtis Conway. She was previously married to her then-manager, Johnny "Yahya" McClain, but the couple divorced in 2005.
Kym Whitley('Curb Your Enthusiasm'), TV/radio host Rolonda Watts, reality show queen Omarosa, comic Sheryl Underwood, Vanessa Williams ('Soul Food'), Paula Jai Parker ('Hustle & Flow'), bestseller author Zane, poet Jessica Holter and event planner Cabrini are among the ladies who'll participate in an upcoming production of Eve Ensler's 'The Vagina Monologues.' The production will be performed Feb. 10 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles and is being produced by YettaYoung Productions. For details visit
www.vdayladc.com.
Jazz greats Randy Crawford and Joe Sample reunite for a forthcoming CD on PRA Records, which marks the 30-year anniversary of their hit recording "Street Life." The CD, produced by Tommy LiPuma, is called 'Feeling Good' and bows Feb. 20. 'Feeling Good' was selected in Dec. 2006 as the song to accompany NASA astronauts on the Space Shuttle STS 116. Astronaut Joan Higginbotham took the title track with her on the shuttle, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, and NASA selected the tune as one of the official songs used by Mission Control to wake the astronauts for their daily chores during their 12-day mission.
Jeff Clanagan, CEO/President, CodeBlack Entertainment, Anthony Smith, Senior Analyst, First Look Studios, David Bixler, Producer/SVP, Acquisitions, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Relani Belous, Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Worldwide Television Distribution, MGM, and nearly 20 other Hollywood power players will speak at the 1st Annual Film Finance & Distribution Power Summit hosted by Hollywood Black Film Festival. The event takes place on Feb. 3 on the campus of UCLA. "This summit is a must-attend for anyone interested in putting film deals together. It's something the HBFF team has wanted to do for a long time - bring filmmakers, financiers and distributors together," said Tanya Kersey, Founder and Executive Director, Hollywood Black Film Festival. For details visit
www.hbff.org.
In a move that's shocking to devoted fans of the series, MTV Network's alternative lifestyle network LOGO has cancelled its black gay series, 'Noah's Arc' after two seasons. The show, which starred Darryl Stephens, Christian Vincent, Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman and Jensen Atwood, is now slated to be turned into a feature film. Details about the film are still being worked out.
Can't Say Names…
Apparently R&B stars are becoming popular on Broadway! Sources tell me that a certain soul crooner is ready to make his debut on the Great White Way following the success of Usher in 'Chicago.' And low and behold, this singer is going to play the very same part that had the long-running Broadway production sold-out the entire time Usher was in the cast. In a minute, they'll be calling Broadway the Great Black Way!
I think it's Brian McKnight
Linear Mode
