The fearless are coming to a theater near you on March 21st!
Chicago will be taking centerstage once again in the first installment of the cult series titled Divergent. The film, which was filmed entirely in Chicago, Illinois, is based on Veronica Roth‘s bestselling novel of the same name.
This week, the action packed sci-fi movie trailer was released. Check out the beautiful Chi-town skyline Diverg-ified below:
All rights to the image and video belongs to Summit/LionsGate Company.
One of the living black history queens (besides First Lady Michelle Obama) is surrounded by handsome gentlemen in the March issue of Essence magazine. Hollywood stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Forest Whitaker and Michael B. Jordan circled Oprah on the cover and inside the popular African American publication.
Today, Lady O tweeted the following message and image about the cover:
“Hangin with the fellas on the cover of @essencemag!”
All rights to the images and quote belongs to Oprah.
What is the story behind a People Magazine writer?
BTSCelebs is giving you the opportunity to get to know another special person behind-the-scenes of one of your favorite magazines. People’s Senior Writer Alicia Dennis virtually sat down with me to discuss her life before landing her dream job and some of her favorite things.
BTSCelebs: Who sparked your interest in journalism?
Alicia Dennis: I didn’t have a specific hero – I became interested in journalism reading the work of hundreds of reporters writing for regional as well as national publications. We got rid of our television when I was 7 and I read everything I could get my hands on, from our local paper to newsletters to papers around the country I could read in the library – real print copies pre-Internet that you had go to the periodicals section to get. Very geeky.
But I was lucky that my high school – Grace King High School in Metairie, Louisiana – had an incredible student newspaper and a wonderfully supportive teacher and adviser Kay Lestelle, who taught us about freedom of the press and pushed us to be objective and tell stories responsibly. It was a great experience and we were hands-on from designing the monthly to assigning stories to laying them out (this was in the days of waxers, pica tape and exacto knives) to going to press. We had editors, reporters, copy editors, photographers (this was in the days of darkrooms) and rushing to the printing press in the middle of the night. Sheesh, how old am I?
Describe 2 of the most important stories you covered in high school and college (one from each):
In high school, one day a few of my friends and I were wondering why there were chains put on the doors at the gym after school started and also wondering how safe that was since no one would be able to get out if there were an emergency. We decided to start asking around and weren’t getting any straight answers from different teachers and the custodian. Suddenly, we realized this could be a story and began to chase it like reporters. When the principal realized we were interviewing the fire department and looking up fire codes with a plan to write about it, I remember our adviser maybe getting told a school publication couldn’t print a story about how a school wasn’t safe and she was a supportive enough journalism teacher that she gave us the power to do it anyway. It was a heady, exciting example of how journalism could have the power to get questions answered on the record and to change things. The school ended up having to remove the chains, the fire department came to enforce the fire codes, it was all very exciting to a bunch of young reporters.
When I was in college, I reported on a march in Forsyth County, Ga. – 20,000 civil rights activists were protesting racial discrimination in the county that was thought to have no African-Americans living there at all (a government census showed there were 4 in 1960 and 1 in 1980) – and I was shocked by what the activists endured. I interviewed the president of Xavier University’s Student Government Association who drove from New Orleans in a van filled with protesters and told of the horrific slurs that were screamed at him by little children, just 8 and 9 years old, as they walked through the town. On their way home, their van broke down and he talked to me about how afraid he was to go into a local store to buy a new battery because he was verbally threatened by a man inside. I also interviewed the organizer on the other side of the march and was just as shocked at the things he was saying to me on the record. It was eye opening and hopefully opened up discussion about what was wrong in parts of our country and what might be done to change those things without it being an editorial at all, just by sharing what happened.
Why did you choose to cover these particular topics?
Both were important, change-the-world kind of topics to me. In retrospect, they were both about shining a light on stories that I believed needed to be told.
Growing up, who was your celebrity crush?
Shaun Cassidy. That feathered hair. That Da Doo Run Run song. Enough said. Likely too much said.
**Part 2 of my interview with Alicia is coming soon!**
A Special Thanks to Alicia Dennis for the interview and images.
The ladies of the South Korean entertainment industry are celebrating a brand new year in their fabulous traditional hanboks.
Recently, 2NE1’s Sandara Park and Reply 1994 actress Go Ara tweeted images of themselves styling in the finest historical clothing. Sandara was pretty in pink, while the model/actress Ara radiated in a multicolored dress.
Happy Lunar New Year, BTSCelebers!
All rights to the images belong to Sandara Park and Go Ara.
Today, Aaron tweeted the following celebrating Super Bowl weekend, “Back to twitterland with this pic. Proud to call him a role model, and dear friend. #bartstarraward.”
All rights to the image and message belongs to Aaron Rodgers.
The Marys are back!
Gospel’s most popular reality stars return for a 3rd season on the cable network We TV. Yesterday, the network shared a second teaser promoting Mary Mary’s heart-wrenching upcoming season and the official release date… February 27th!
Click Here to see the second sneak peek.
All rights to the image belong to Mary Mary and We TV.
After writing about my own life for the past couple of weeks, I have decided to be open and completely honest about my faith in God. People come and go, but God is forever. Also, I’m leaning towards a non-fiction book rather than fiction. Fiction tends to be mundane and repetitious at times. Everyone’s life, on the other hand, is different and incredibly intriguing.
What is your book preference?
Feel free to vote in the poll below to voice your opinion:
By the way, check out a terrific word for today by Clicking Here.
Gospelpundit tweets: ” WINNER – BEST CCM SONG: ‘Overcomer’ – David Garcia, Ben Glover & Christopher Stevens … WINNER – BEST CCM ALBUM: @MandisaOfficial – ‘Overcomer’ | @TheGRAMMYs #GRAMMYs”
Click Here to hear her winning reaction.
Congratulations Mandisa!
Choreographer Brock Clawson will bring his ballet masterpiece “Crossing Ashland” to Joffrey’s Contemporary Choreographers next month. The sensual Contemporary Choreographers program will arrive just in time for Valentine’s Day with Chicago getting a front row seat to the extremely modern event. BTSCelebs recently interviewed the Chicago based award winning choreographer to discover the story behind-the-scenes of “Crossing Ashland” creator.
BTSCelebs: What inspired you to create your piece for “Contemporary Choreographers”?
Brock Clawson: A few years ago I decided that I wanted to study another form of design to further my choreography. I enrolled in a 3 year program at the Regenstein School of the Chicago Botanic Gardens studying landscape design and horticulture. In horticulture school there is a common phrase, “right plant, right place” which basically means that a plant can survive in its non ideal environment but it will never really thrive unless it is given what it needs to grow. I began to relate this phrase to humans. I think that a lot of us go through life in our non-ideal environments, but what happens if we challenge ourselves to find the right relationships, jobs, location etc.?…our “right plant, right place.”
My partner and I live in a neighborhood that is separated by Ashland Avenue. When walking our dogs we would often ask each other, “Do you want to cross Ashland?” Most of the time we would choose not to, but every once in a while, when we were up for something different and feeling like going somewhere new and unfamiliar, we would cross Ashland. It sort of became a metaphor for change.
What story does your “Crossing Ashland” tell?
There isn’t a literal story in Crossing Ashland. It’s a collection of experiences. I want the audience to relate to the different human connections that the dancers create on the stage.
In your award-winning career, what was the most challenging production to choreograph?
I would probably have to say Crossing Ashland because each of the dancers has 2 costumes…a pedestrian one and their dance one. Each dancer has moments off stage where they are dressing and undressing in order to make an entrance in the required attire so it gets rather complicated to make sure that it can all happen as planned. It was a lot to consider when I created the work on the Milwaukee Ballet because the theater didn’t have a crossover space so I had to allow time for all the dancers to run downstairs and come back up on the other side of the stage at times…it was a brain teaser for sure.
Which move has been the hardest for any dancer to perfect?
Ricardo Santos & Lucas Segovia, Photo by Christopher Duggan
I’m not sure that there is a certain move that has been the most difficult. I would say that it’s more of a style issue. I love seeing dancers transfer from athleticism to lyricism within a single phrase. I also use a lot of spirals in my movements which can be difficult for some of the dancers. Crossing Ashland has a lot of floor work in it, which I love doing. That has definitely taken some getting used to, but I think they have had a lot of fun with it and are doing a great job.
What other career choice was appealing to you besides dance?
Like I said, I love landscape design. It really challenges me to be a better choreographer. The skills are very similar to me. I am either moving bodies in a space or plants in a space…it’s all about how you move the eye and connect the dots.
If you had the opportunity to choreograph any movie (American or Foreign), what would it be and why?
Wow, that’s a tough one! Lately, I’ve been kind of obsessed with 500 Days of Summer. I love the director and how he can tell a story in a very real and honest way…his movies are never overacted or catering to what the audience might expect. He also had another movie this past summer called The Spectacular Now. He keeps it genuine… I love that.
Who are your Hollywood role models in dance?
I wouldn’t say that I really have any Hollywood role models in dance. I loved musicals when I was growing up (ok, I still do). I used to learn all the choreography from Oklahoma and West Side Story. I would also be lying if I said that I never spun around like Maria in The Sound of Music from time to time. 😉
Do you have any plans to star in your own reality series?
Haha. No I currently have no plans for a Reality TV Show, but I am honored that you would think I just might be that interesting.
Click Here to learn more about “Crossing Ashland” and the Contemporary Choreographers event.
*A Special Thanks to Brock Clawson and Eric Eatherly/The Silverman Group for the Interview and Images*
It’s TV time!
This Saturday, the “You’re The Best, Lee Soon Shin” actor returns to TV screens all over South Korea in a children KBS weekend drama titled ” Star Friend”. According to news outlets, the variety program will document a North and South Korea children interacting with one another.
Former H.O.T member Moon Hee Jun and Heirs’ actress Yoon Son Ha will star alongside Joo Won as the children’s teachers.
A friendly press conference for the series was held on January 21 (hence the photo above).
We are still waiting on official news about Blue Bird, but this series should keep the biggest GJW fans happy!
All rights to the image belongs to Osen.
BTSCELEBS 