Saturday, March 23, 2013

MY INTERVIEW WITH THE LEGENDARY HEATHER HUNTER

 
The Date: July 2K7
The Locale: Barnes & Noble Book Store, W.8th Street and 6th Avenue, New York City

To many, when the name HEATHER HUNTER comes up in conversation, her exploits as a popular pornstress back in the day gets talked about for the most part. HH has since retired from the Adult industry game for more than a decade now and has reinvented herself in a BIG way!

She is now an accomplished painter in the world of Visual Arts. Heather's also grinding hard as an up-and-coming Hip Hop music recording artist and you can now add the title of Book Author amongst the many hats that she's wearing nowadays. Hunter has recently released her first fictional novel she penned with Michelle Valentine titled INSATIABLE: THE RISE OF A PORN STAR (St. Martins Press). I won't give any of the story away, but I CAN tell you that it is a very compelling and interesting read from the front cover to the back cover.

Heather in person is so petite in size! I don't know how she made it through doing the porn movie thing back in the days, but it comes to show you that size doesn't matter at all! Heather still looks the same - GORGEOUS all over from her head to her toes, and is also very sweet, well-versed, and down-to-earth as well. The one constant that will NEVER change with HH is that she ALWAYS KEEPS IT SEXY! I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing the legendary Ms. Hunter during the NYC leg of her book tour promoting INSATIABLE.


RG: Tell us briefly about your debut novel, and what you can expect the readers to come away with after they've read the book in it's entirety.

HH: In the novel, the character SIMONE YOUNG is loosely based on some of my own experiences within the timeline of my life as far as how I got into the Adult industry and dealing with the struggles in trying to make it big in the world....What I want is for the readers is to see the journey that Adult porn stars and even strippers take to reach that claim to fame, more or less.

RG: How long did it take you to write this story and what inspired you initially?

HH: INSATIABLE took me about ten years to complete....What inspired me to actually finish the book was the heartbreak I had to endure during my last relationship - which ended almost five years ago. Finishing the book was very therapeutic for me and a blessing in disguise. I thank my ex-boyfriend for that! Much love to him! (Both laugh)....It also took me to another level in life when I was finally able to complete the book.

RG: OK, that's cool! Will you be writing any more books in the future?

HH: Yes! If it was up to me, I would be writing books for the rest of my life based on everything I've gone through....The most important reason why I wrote INSATIABLE in a fictionalized way is that I respect people's privacy, but at the same time, I believe that I still have the right to tell the story.

RG: Since you've retired from the Adult industry, has the transition been a smooth one from you as far as what you're doing now with your music and visual art paintings?

HH: NO! (Laughs)....It hasn't been easy at all. It's been a struggle for me without a doubt. Coming from the Adult industry, I had a lot of doors that wouldn't open from me. I would wait for the next one, but I try to go in through the side door, you know? (Laughs)

RG: When did you get into art painting? I've seen your work on your website, and I think your style is AMAZING and BEAUTIFUL like yourself!

HH: Awwww, thank you! You're too sweet!.....Well, drawing was and STILL is my first love. I started when I was a child, and as I got older, I became a graffiti artist. When I got into trouble doing the graffiti art on the streets (Laughs), I then decided to continue my talent by putting the paintbrush to the canvas. I've gotten so much positive feedback on my artwork from so many people, and to me, that means A LOT!

RG: Are you working on any new music and actual motion picture projects?

HH: Yes! I am currently working on new Hip Hop music produced by Kwame', who was a popular Rap artist back in the days and put Polka Dots on the map, fashion-wise. Everytime I go in the recording studio, I get better as an artist because I'm learning from the best in the business like Kwame'....On the motion picture side, I had a bit-role as one of the 'Red Top' girls in the 2K7 hit film AMERICAN GANGSTER, which was directed by Ridley Scott and stars two of the best actors around in cinema - Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe. Even though my role was small, I had a great experience being part of such an amazing movie, and I hope that it can lead me into more magnified roles in the future.

RG: In your opinion, what are the keys to being successful in the game of LIFE?

HH: You MUST have patience. You also MUST have a hard hustle and constantly be on your grind. Being very ambitious is also a key to success and staying low-key while on the road to success is WAY better than being overexposed in the limelight, in my opinion. I notice that the more you are just 'out there,' per se, there's always the critics that want to bash you negatively and start false rumors about you which are out of control! (Laughs)

RG: Three notable dinner guests at your table, living or deceased.

HH: Prince, Oprah Winfrey and Wyclef Jean.....That would be the dream of dinners for me! (Laughs)

RG: What's the best advice Heather Hunter can give to anyone?

HH: For the fellas: To live a happy and healthly life, practice SAFE SEX by USING CONDOMS. It's OK to keep it pimpin', but most importantly, WRAP IT UP!

www.Hunter-Glam.com

*Connect with HEATHER HUNTER on Facebook and Twitter.




 

REMAINING OPTIMISTIC AFTER LOSING AN IMPORTANT SPORTING EVENT

By: Stan Popovich (www.managingfear.com); Edited by Ross Guity aka R.G. Major

Some athletes who do not perform well at their event may have a difficult time in getting over their most recent loss. As a result, here are a list of techniques that an athlete can follow in staying optimistic for their next event:

*First, DO NOT make excuses or blame others for your defeat. Many athletes tend to make excuses on why they lost, instead of looking at themselves and their performance. The fact is that the competition was better than you that day, and the only way to get over it is to FIND WAYS TO DO BETTER the next time around.

*Evaluate your performance and learn from your mistakes. Regardless of how good you may be, you will always make mistakes in any given event. The key is to learn from your mistakes, and NOT TO REPEAT THEM AGAIN. This is the attitude you need to have in getting over your most recent loss and get ready for your next event.

*Focus on the BIGGER PICTURE. As an athlete, you will perform in many events. DO NOT focus on only that one event where you did not do that great in. Instead, look at the BIGGER PICTURE in that you will be performing in many other events down the road. Use your loss as a measuring stick on what you need to improve on for your future events.

*Try to have a more persistent attitude for your next event. Many athletes who lose or make mistakes in an important event tend to doubt themselves for a while. DO NOT do this. Accept the fact that you lost, and BE DETERMINED that you will do things differently the next time around. DETERMINATION is the key in getting over any loss.

*If you are not sure of what you did wrong, then ASK. Talk to a coach or your friends on what they think you did wrong. Get their advice on how you did in your last event, and then try to see if they are correct in their assessment. There is NOTHING WRONG with asking for help. Even the best athletes get advice from others.

*Finally, you MUST be patient in trying to improve your performance. Some athletes who get into a losing streak do not know how to get back to their winning ways. They start to doubt themselves and put more pressure on themselves to do better if the losing continues. It may take time to get back to your winning ways. DO NOT put pressure on yourself when things do not go right. BE PATIENT, and try to make small, subtle changes in your performance. The last thing you want to do is to panic.

Enjoy the fact that you are an athlete. You can't win all of the time, and there will ALWAYS be somebody who is better. DO NOT compare yourself to others who may be better or worse off than you. Focus solely on YOUR performance, and and develop your OWN personal goals in acheiving your MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE! 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Red Carpet Q&A with legendary rapper/producer KWAME' HOLLAND

 
 
The Date: Monday 11/19/2K12
The Locale: New York Times Center, Times Square vicinity, New York City
The Event: 1st Annual Global Spin Awards

RG: Briefly give me your thoughts on the importance of the DJ in the history of Hip Hop.

KH: There's nothing more important in Hip Hop than the DJ. With me being an MC, first and foremost, and also a producer, I am NOTHING without a DJ!

RG: What can we anticipate from you in 2K13?

KH: As far as production is concerned, myself and legendary MCs Dana Dane, Special Ed, Monie Love and Chubb Rock - we formed a group called The Alumni. Coming into 2K13, The Alumni are gonna go on tour and bring the classic Hip Hop experience to the audience, and at the same time, I'll be producing the new music for the group. I also have a Pop music artist currently on Atlantic Records; Her name is Lauriana Mae, and I'll be producing music for her and also R&B singing legend Chante' Moore as well.

RG: I loved the song you produced for Tweet and Missy Elliott a few years ago, 'Turn The Lights Off.'

KH: Thanks a lot, my brother! Music is my grind, and I've been loving doing what I do for a minute now.

RG: What's the most important piece of advice you can give to an upcoming producer that's trying to make a name for themselves in today's music industry?

KH: Don't just rely on making beats....Find an artist, and learn how to create actual songs.

*Connect with KWAME' HOLLAND on Facebook*

1 Q. and 1 A. with Rock & Roll Hall-of Fame rapper RAHEEM of GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE

 
 
The Date: Monday 11/19/2K12
The Locale: New York Times Center, Times Square vicinity, New York City
The Event: 1st Annual Global Spin Awards

RG: Why is the creation of the Global Spin Awards important from your perspective?

Raheem: It is of the utmost importance because of the fact that the DJ was the one who initiated and came up with the inception of the culture of Hip Hop through the music that they played. Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, of course Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore, DJ Breakout, DJ Baron, Grand Mixer DXT, DJ Hollywood, DJ Jones, Disco Twins, Eddie Cheeba, Lovebug Starski - just a host of innovative DJs that all lended much credence to the culture of Hip Hop. As everyone knows, the rapper/MC has always been the 'voice' of the culture of Hip Hop. Initially, it was about the DJ, but when Rap was embraced by the music industry, it changed the game forever. So basically, we need to bring it back, and give the DJs everything that they deserve because they put it down and paved the way!

www.globalspinawards.com

Saturday, March 9, 2013

How To Deal with the Stresses and Anxieties in the Entertainment Industry

By: Stan Popovich (www.managingfear.com)

Stress and anxiety are very common in today's entertainment industry. As a result, here is a list of techniques that a person can use to help manage the daily stresses and anxieties of their entertainment industry profession. Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper, or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. When facing a current or upcoming task at your entertainment-related job that makes you anxious, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks, one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable, and increases your chances of SUCCESS.

Sometimes, we can get anxious over an event that we will have to perform in the near future. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the event in your mind. For instance, you have to perform in front of a large group of people in the next few days, and before the big day comes, imagine yourself doing the event in your mind. By doing this, you will be better prepared when the time comes. SELF-VISUALIZATION is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of an upcoming situation or event.

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel anxious, open up your small notebook and read those statements.

Remember that NO ONE can predict the future with 100% certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen, there are circumstances and factors that you cannot predict, which can be used to your advantage. For instance, you miss the deadline for a project you have been working on for the last few months, and everything you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your manager comes to you and tells you that the deadline is extended, and that he forgot to tell you the day before. This unknown factor changes EVERYTHING. Remember: We may be 99% correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is for that 1% to make a world of difference.

In dealing with your anxieties at your entertainment job, learn to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated, and can affect the results of ANY situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage. Our anxieties and stresses can be difficult to manage in the Entertainment industry. The more control you have over your stresses and anxieties, the better off you will be in the long run!

*STAN POPOVICH is the author of 'A Layman's Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non-Resistant Methods' - an easy-to-read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Spotlight On The Arts: BEATA DROZD, Paintless Collagist (Poland/New York City)


In the ever-evolving world of Visual Arts, Paintless Collagist Beata (Beh-ah-tah) Drozd is truly in her own unique stratosphere! Drozd, a native of Gdansk, Poland and is currently residing in the East Harlem section of New York City, intially started out as a paint artist creating pieces for major clients such as Cipriani's Restaurant, The Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, and the New York Friars Club.

But even with the initial success, Beata wasn't fully satisfied with what she had achieved in art painting. So through great imagination, focus and limitless creativity, she was able to transition into a collaging technique in which she exclusively utilizes paper from fashion, gossip and entertainment magazines, a handy pair of scissors and glue to create her one-of-a-kind, artistic masterpieces on canvas. Drozd is heavily inspired by the vibe of New York City, pop culture, music and fashion, and has been showcasing her incredible work to Visual Art enthusiasts around the world for over a decade thus far. Drozd credits the works of legendary artists such as Basquiat, Andy Warhol and Chuck Close as just a few of the many great influences on why she enjoys doing what she is doing!

For more information on the creatively mega-talented Beata, and to view her incredible paintless collage pieces, log on to www.beatadrozd.com.

*Big kudos go out to publicist Ernest Jackson of MNS Media for extending the invite to meet and briefly chat with Beata back on Thursday, February 7, 2K13 at the Andre Zarre Gallery here in New York City and witness the greatness of her unique works that she's created thus far for the world to see!