The Date: Saturday 9/26/2K9
The Locale: New Jersey Expo Center
The Event: EXXXOTICA Expo NY
RG: Share with me your 'likes' and 'dislikes' about the Adult Entertainment industry.
NB: *Dislikes: There's racism everywhere. It's literally in this industry and it's blatantly out there. We have a lot of African-American porn stars that do a lot of work, and they don't get the accolades as our Caucasian counterparts do. We have no Black contract stars. I think the only one that we probably have within the past few years has been Roxy Reynolds. We have stars like Pinky, Cherokee D'Ass, Diamond Jackson - all of whom can really bring it on screen! Myself and Diamond - we both have crossover appeal to the mainstream. I also don't like the stigma that the general public gives us. A lot of us went to college, graduated and got degrees. *Likes: Of course, the sex (laughs) and I've got to meet a great group of people in this industry. It's not all about having sex; it's a business as well.
RG: Which college did you attend?
NB: I went to two of them - The University of Northern Iowa, and Robert Morris College in Chicago, Illinois.
RG: What's the best advice you can give to a young lady trying to get into the Adult Entertainment industry?
NB: The best advice I can give is that when you come in, just make sure that you know what it is that you want to do. Brand yourself. When you get your name, trademark it. Build your own website. Get things that you are shooting for yourself. Yes you can shoot for other companies, but also make sure that you shoot for yourself because you might not last in this industry for long. Honestly, the life span for a porn star is probably about six-to-eight months. You have to keep yourself out there and be prepared for everything. Make sure you travel and do appearances often to get your buzz going. Have your stage presence and everything tight!
The multi-talented and gorgeous 17-year-old Ramirez received rave reviews for her portrayal as the feisty daughter 'Ansiedad' in the 2012 film GIRL IN PROGRESS. Look out for her music in the very near future, as Cierra possesses a breathtaking, soulful instrument that is her singing voice! She is currently signed on the Temper Music Group label, based in New York City. Cierra recently took timeout from her very demanding work and school schedule to chat with me via e-mail about the success of GIRL IN PROGRESS, her upcoming projects and more.
RG: How happy are you personally about the overall success of GIRL IN PROGRESS?
CR: I am very happy with the overall success of the film! I felt that it did well, despite the limited release!
RG: How did the audition process go for you to win the role of 'Ansiedad?'
CR: I originally submitted my audition online and then was asked to do a call-back via Skype with the film's director Patricia Riggen. Afterwards, I had to fly in to Los Angeles to read with other actors, and I was particularly surprised that I was the only 'Ansiedad' there! By the end of the read, I found out that Patricia had already chosen me to play 'Ansiedad' after the Skype session. It was one of the best days of my life!
RG: Did you have a game plan going into the audition for the role?
CR: I really didn't have a game plan, other than just basically studying the script and just going in to do my best!
RG: How was it to work alongside such a talented, veteran actress in Eva Mendes?
CR: When I first met Eva, I was very intimidated! She is a very talented, beautiful and huge star! I couldn't help but to gain confidence quickly because she was so nice, funny, and gave me the best advice.
RG: You are a talented, up-and-coming recording artist as well. Which artists are you influenced by, how would you describe your musicality, and what will make you stand out from the crowd in the music industry?
CR: I grew up listening to a wide variety of music such as Etta James, Patsy Cline, Queen and other great artists. I currently love the music of the late Amy Winehouse and also from The Weekend. I am currently working on a style that combines all of my favorite musical influences with my own modern interpretation. I LOVE performing, so I am hoping that my live performances will help me to stand out from the crowd!
RG: What can we anticipate from you as far as upcoming film/television/music projects are concerned?
CR: I am currently working on my role as 'Kathy' in the popular TV series 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager' on the ABC Family network, and also my debut album on the music end. Equally as exciting, I am working on branding 'temporary' tattoos. I am a very busy girl!
RG: If entertainment wasn't a part of your life, what career path would you have chosen?
CR: Being in font of the camera is always something I aspired to do, and I am very grateful for the opportunities that I've been afforded to this point. I honestly don't know what I would do if I were not in the Entertainment business, other than to be a writer of Executive Producer, which is something I'd like to do in the future.
RG: What best describes CIERRA RAMIREZ as a person?
CR: I would say that I am a hard worker, always eager to learn and very easy to get along with. I am a Southern girl, after all!
RG: Your father Sonny Ramirez manages your promising entertainment career. What's the most important piece of advice he's given you so far?
CR: My dad has always encouraged me to never give up. He's always told me that in this business, you get a lot of "No's" and it sometimes becomes difficult to not get discouraged. His advice has always been to do what I want with all my heart, and to always better myself for every opportunity that comes my way because the 'Yes' may be right around the corner!
RG: What would be the best advice you can give to a multi-talented young lady who aspires to be successful in the world of entertainment like yourself?
CR: The best advice I can give is to NEVER GIVE UP, to stay true to who YOU are, and let your heart guide you.
RG: In five-to-ten years from now, with God's Will, CIERRA RAMIREZ will be -
CR: A writer AND producer!
*Big kudos to TIMOTHY TEMPER, CEO/President of Cierra's music label Temper Music Group for allowing me to opportunity to interview such a sweet and talented young lady! (http://www.tempermusicgroup.com/)
The Date: Wednesday, 7/18/2K12
The Locale: The Fashion Center Space For Public Art, 215 West 38th Street (Between Seventh and Eighth Avenue)
Emerging and creatively-talented designer Fatima Samad presented her gorgeous, afrocentric jewelry line DESIGN BY U as a fashion art exhibit, with the incredible assistance of Creative Director Tori Famuyiwa and Art Director Tommy Montanez. Tastemakers, bloggers and various media outlets braved the elements of the rain storm to attend and witness the artistic brillance of the American-born Ghananian Mrs. Samad, who shared with me that DESIGN BY U has been in existence thus far for nearly three years and that she sees her product going global in due time. The uniqueness that Fatima brings to DESIGN BY U Jewelry is that she creates bold, one-of-a-kind pieces, and combines natural artistic environments of the East and West - old and new - contemporary and traditional - rustic and refined, to put together attractive pieces that will indeed move your soul! All who've attend the special event engaged in power-networking, were treated to various wines and also tasty assorted mini-cupcakes, courtesy of BAKED BY MELISSA. The music soundtrack for the evening was supplied by the lovely and talented violinist QUEEN ROSE from Austria. (www.QueenRoseMusic.com) Big kudos go out to YAYA REY of YA IndieGround House Management for extending the invite to me to cover this amazing event being held for Fatima. Also big kudos go out to RYAN DALY, the Communications Manager at the Fashion Center Business Improvement District for being instrumental in showcasing Fatima's beautiful creations to fans and enthusiasts of creative fashion art in the Fashion District here in New York City. A fantastic time was had by all who were able to attend! For those in the New York City area, please check out Fatima's DESIGN BY U exhibit, which is currently being displayed at the window at the Fashion Center Space for Public Art, 215 West 38th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue in Manhattan until Tuesday, July 31. For inquiries, send your e-mails to team@yaindiegroundhouse.com. Support the great artistry of the lovely and super-talented FATIMA SAMAD!
www.DesignByUJewelry.blogspot.com
www.DBUFashion.com (Official website coming soon)
www.Toriola.com (Creative Director Tori Famuyiwa)
Arizona-born singer/songwriter/producer Teri Tobin has been blessed with a musical gift since her childhood growing up in the church. In the past, she's sang background vocals for the likes of Jeffrey Osbourne, the rock group Yes (Owner Of A Lonely Heart), Diana Ross, Chico DeBarge and Chante Moore, just to name a few. Those amazing experiences only prepared this talented and gorgeous lady for her time to shine as a solo recording artist. Legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Prince and Donny Hathaway are her core musical influences, but Tobin will undoubtedly remind you of the smooth, soulful sounds of R&B/Jazz singers of the past.
Teri independently released her critically-acclaimed, soulful debut album titled LOVE INFINITY back in 2011. Her single FREE was an international smash - hitting the #1-spot on the charts in both the United Kingdom and The Netherlands. Now in 2012, Tobin released her highly-anticipated sophmore indie LP 'SO GOOD TO ME' on the Sol 2 Kep (Soul To Keep) Entertainment label - a brillant collection of 13 soulful, eclectic, R&B/Soul/Jazz-rooted midtempo songs that all reflect on life and love. The first single LOVE ME, produced by TALL BLACK GUY (Eric Roberson, Robert Glasper) has a futuristic soul vibe stamped with Tobin's sultry and stimulating vocals. SO GOOD TO ME is a refreshing, enjoyable listen from the very beginning to the very end. If you dig Soul music in the realm of artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott and Marsha Ambrosius, you will most certainly appreciate and fall in love with Teri's new album! You can purchase online via CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, etc. Support great, quality music from the very talented and lovely Miss Teri Tobin!
With nearly ten years of experience put in as a consumer and as a lifestyle/entertainment events/public relations specialist, Charell Star has helped brands get their message heard and their products flying off the store shelves. Whether through leveraging the traditional media channels of television, print and radio, engaging influential bloggers and social media gatekeepers, balancing multi-million dollar budgets or planning and executing targeted events across the U.S. of A., Charell's sharp focus and skillsets have indeed helped in creating success for her clientele.
Earlier this year of 2012, Star launched her company 'PA For A Day,' a revolutionary service that provides affordable and top-quality personal assistants to busy companies and over-leveraged individuals in the New York City area. The now-popular company provides part and full-time assistants to execute small tasks such as dry-cleaning pick-up and dog-walking, or large-scaled tasks such as Office Administration or Event Staffing. Drawing on her stellar background in the public relations and events world, Charell is always primed and focused on providing high-quality support to the individuals and small businesses that need it.
Star is also an expectional motivational speaker who shares her wisdom on entrepeneurship to various student groups and professional organizations in New York City and around the country. She also has a 25/7 blog on her company website and volunteers for 'Y.E.S! - Young Executives for Success,' a subdivision of the non-profit charity 'DFS - Dress For Success.' (DressForSuccess.org) For more information, or to book Charell Star to speak at an upcoming event, send your e-mails to charellstar@paforaday.com. Support the work of the all-around amazing, talented, intelligent and beautiful Miss Charell Star!
RG: Who were the artists that influenced you into having an interest in music?
CJ: Well, I was a child of music, and by that I mean I've always been involved in music. As a teenager, I played the trombone and grew up in a household where my mother was a huge Michael Jackson fan. So I would have to say Michael was the first person to inspire me to want to be onstage. You could just see how happy he was when he was performing. It was like a place where he could escape and be free, and it made me want to explore it.
RG: Briefly share with me how hard your grind has been to this point.
CJ: It's been a long, hard road. Eleven-plus years of learning, growing and changing with the times. I've taken a lot of 'life' tests along the way that I now know I've passed, and at the end of the day - at least for me - it was definitely worth the fight.
RG: Define the CHIEF JUSTICE brand of Hip-Hop musicality.
CJ: Good, heartfelt music that obviously comes from a genuine, sincere place.
RG: Along with your music, you are also the owner of a lifestyle and blog website, Judge-Mental.com. What is it about your site that stands out from the pack that will attract new viewers?
CJ: Judge-Mental is my music home, but it isn't limited to just myself. In the blog, we highlight trending topics and events in the world of music, fashion, sports and technology. The site also informs my followers of other news and stories of interest that may be shaping the progressive Hip-Hop culture. Judge-Mental.com is like a Hip-Hop news channel, and is ultimately created to connect a community of open-minded people who embrace the idea of 'thinking outside the box.'
RG: What is your opinion on the current landscape of Hip-Hop music?
CJ: It has evolved. It's no longer your Uncle's brand of Hip-Hop. Cats have taken bits and pieces of the culture (both old and new) and developed it to a place where it extends and overlaps with other lifestyles that at one time saw themselves as separate from us (i.e. skateboard culture, tattoo and body piercing, etc.) We have become the prominent way of life in America, as well as many other parts around the globe, and I'm interested to see where we take it next!
RG: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a young man who has musical talent, and wants to take things to the next level?
CJ: The best advice I would give is to always stay true to the reason(s) why you started doing this. These are YOUR values. Measure your success based on what's important to you - not by what the next man is doing or has accomplished.
RG: Define 'being in the spotlight' from your perspective.
CJ: To me, being in the spotlight represents being chosen to lead the masses, and I feel when in the spotlight, we have a duty to be an upstanding example for all to see. We are leading our own future, and we MUST lead by example!
