Accomplished singer, Uche is in town as a judge for the Houston Idol 2019

Uche, an accomplished singer, dancer, actor and model from Sugarland, TX is joined by ABC13 morning anchor Samica Knight, and George (The Morning Bull) of The Bull 100.3 to preside as judges, the Sing For The Houston Idol. The event is being held today at Main Event in Humble, TX.. According to the hosts,  ABC 13, Houston, “Five lucky winners will receive a Silver Ticket to audition for the executive producers of American Idol at a judge city, for a chance to be the next Maddie Poppe or Laine Hardy!”

UCHé pronounced (oo-chay) is a Nigerian-American singer, songwriter, dancer, actor, and model who commands the stage with a bold fiery persona colored with an edgy style laced with influences from the late great music legends David Bowie and Prince. He has opened for Pop Star ‘Demi Lovato’ and Grammy nominated rapper, ’B.o.B.’ Standing six feet five inches tall, at first sight one may not believe that UCHé would be agile and nimble enough to deliver the energetic “leave it all on the stage” performances that he delivers during his live show.

Police Rush to R. Kelly’s Apartment Amid Fears His Girlfriends Had Carried Out ‘Suicide Pact’

Chicago Police rushed to R. Kelly‘s Trump Tower condo Tuesday evening in fear that his girlfriends were attempting to carry out a “suicide pact.” It later proved to be a false alarm.

In a police radio call shared online, a dispatcher, who received an anonymous call, can be heard telling officers that Kelly’s girlfriend Azriel Clary and “four other women, who are victims of R. Kelly are planning to carry out a suicide pact at one of the condos at Trump Tower.”

The anonymous caller, however, did not specify when the alleged suicide would take place or give a specific unit number.

Emergency responders arrived on the 400 block of North Wabash just before 5:30 p.m., the Chicago Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE in a statement.

“Police received a call from an out of state anonymous caller stating that people at the location were going to carry out a suicide pact. Police on scene conducting a wellness check and it is not a bonafide incident,” the statement said.

When asked to comment, Kelly’s lawyer Steve Greenberg told PEOPLE, “It is offensive that anyone gives this any credibility.”

Joycelyn savage, R. Kelly and Azriel Clary

Prior to the release of Lifetime’s documentary series Surviving R. Kelly in January, one of Kelly’s early alleged victims Lizzette Martinez spoke to PEOPLE and claimed Kelly had a suicide pact with the women living “in his house.”

“I was the beginning of the predatory behavior. I was… I met him after he married Aaliyah. I had it bad but what I hear today is that he’s taking this to a whole other level and I’m so worried about the young women in the house,” Martinez said.

“I mean my anxiety is constantly through the roof because I hear the parents, I hear there’s a plan in place. That he’s put it in place that if something goes down they’re all going to take pills and kill… I just can’t.”

“I just don’t understand it and I’m so worried about them. It just breaks my heart. I’m so angry with him,” Martinez added.

Last week, Clary, 21, and Kelly’s other girlfriend Jocelyn Savage came to the disgraced singer’s defense during an interview with Gayle King for CBS This Morning.

Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary

In an emotional clip from the conversation, both women deny the singer tore them away from their now-estranged families after already denying claims that Kelly has been holding them hostage in his home for years.

The parents of both Savage, 23, and Clary claim the women are living with Kelly against their will and are a part of what the parents describe as his “sex cult.”

RELATED: R. Kelly Ex on Singer Withholding Child Support: ‘By Trying to Punish Me, Your Children Suffer’

“I’m crying because you guys don’t know the truth,” Clary said to King, 64. “You guys are believing some f—ing facade that our parents are saying. This is all f—ing lies for money, and if you can’t see that, you’re ignorant and you’re stupid.”

Clary’s parents Alice and Angelo were interviewed in the explosive docu-series Surviving R. Kelly, claiming they haven’t had contact with their daughter for nearly three years. Savage’s parents, Timothy and Jonjelyn, were also interviewed in the series, where they revealed they believe Kelly is holding their daughter against her will.

Joycelyn Savage and Azriel Clary

During the interview with King, Clary, who first met Kelly when she was 17, claims she never had sex with the singer while she was underage, but that her parents pushed her to take photos and videos of a sexual nature with him, so they could use them as blackmail, should they ever need to.

Clary’s parents, Alice and Angelo, released a statement via their attorney Michael Avenatti on March 7 shortly after the interview aired, claiming their daughter “is presently suffering from years of mental abuse and manipulation by R. Kelly,” as they denied the allegations made against them.

“Azriel Clary is presently suffering from years of mental abuse and manipulation by R. Kelly,” the statement read. “Sadly, like so many girls before them, Azriel and Joycelyn Savage have been manipulated and convinced by Kelly to protect him from serious criminal charges. Azriel’s parents never attempted to blackmail anyone and never suggested their daughter take nude photos or sexual videos. And they have never asked R. Kelly for a single penny. These are absolute lies fabricated by R. Kelly and we have evidence to show that these claims are bogus.”

Gayle King with Azriel Clary and Joycelyn Savage

Backing up Clary’s claims, Savage told King, “our parents are basically out here just to get money and scam because they didn’t agree on what happened with music, or whatever it could be and they’re just very upset.”

When Kelly sat down with King he struggled to contain his emotions when speaking out about his “real” relationship with the young women.

“I love them and it’s almost like, they’re my girlfriends,” Kelly said. “It’s like, you know, we have a relationship. It’s real. And I know guys, I’ve known guys all my life that have five or six women, okay? So don’t go there on me, okay? Because that’s the truth.”

Although Kelly has been accused of engaging in sexual acts with a minor, he alluded to the fact that Savage and Clary are both of age when King inquired about the 30-year gap between the women and the singer.

“I don’t look at much younger than me, I just look at legal,” he noted. “I just look at, you’re you, I’m me. Now I don’t know if you’re married. I don’t know. I don’t know if you had a relationship. I don’t know. But one might be older than the other, one might be younger than the other, okay? So I just look at legal, okay? There are older men that like younger women. There are younger women that like older men…. I’m an older man that loves all women.”

Kelly was released from jail on Feb. 25 after being charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse against four alleged victims, Cook Country Sheriff confirmed to PEOPLE.

R. Kelly

The R&B singer secured his release by paying 10 percent of his $1 million bail amount. Hours earlier, Kelly’s attorney Steven Greenberg pleaded not guilty on Kelly’s behalf, reported the Associated Press.

Last week, Kelly was arrested again for failure to pay outstanding child support. Cook County Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari confirmed to PEOPLE that Kelly was transferred to the county jail.

He was released from jail on March 9 after a payment for the $161,000 in back child support he owed was made anonymously on his behalf.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “home” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Culled from the Celebrity

Miss New York Nia Imani Franklin wins Miss America pageant

© Reuters Miss New York Nia Imani Franklin has the tiara put on her by outgoing Miss America Cara Mund on stage in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S., September 9, 2018. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Miss New York Nia Imani Franklin was named Miss America 2019 in Atlantic City.

Her victory Sunday night resurrected a string of successes the Empire State has had in the pageant in recent years. Mallory Hagan, Nina Davuluri and Kira Kazantsev won the title from 2013 to 2015 competing as Miss New York.

A classical vocalist whose pageant platform is “advocating for the arts,” Franklin sang an operatic selection from the opera La Boheme on Sunday night.

She wrote her first song at age 6. It went “Love, love, love, love, is the only thing that matters to me, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.”

She won a $50,000 scholarship along with the crown in the first Miss America pageant to be held without a swimsuit competition.

Franklin said during her onstage interview that she was one of only a small number of minority students in school growing up, but used her love for music and the arts to grow and fit in.

The fourth runner up was Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras; third runner up was Miss Florida Taylor Tyson; second runner up was Miss Louisiana Holli’ Conway, and the first runner up was Miss Connecticut Bridget Oei.

The judges narrowed the field of 51 candidates during the pageant Sunday night from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.

The decision to drop the swimsuit competition created a good deal of controversy and criticism of current Miss America leadership. Minutes before the nationally televised broadcast began, a comedian warming up the crowd mentioned that there would be no swimsuit competition this year, and was met with loud boos in the hall.

The swimsuits have been replaced by onstage interviews, which have generated attention-grabbing remarks from contestants regarding President Trump, and NFL player protests, among other topics.

In her onstage interview Sunday, Miss Massachusetts Gabriela Taveras said people should put their social media devices down for a while.

“We’re starting to look at people as Democrat or Republican, black or white. We’re not just one kind of people. We are a multi-faceted people.”

Behind the scenes, a revolt is underway among most of the Miss America state organizations who demand that national chairwoman Gretchen Carlson and CEO Regina Hopper resign.

The outgoing Miss America, Cara Mund, says the two have bullied and silenced her, claims that the women deny.

Upon taking over at the helm of the Miss America Organization last winter following an email scandal in which former top leaders denigrated the appearance, intellect and sex lives of former Miss Americas, Carlson and Hopper set out to transform the organization, dubbing it “Miss America 2.0.”

The most consequential decision was to drop the swimsuit competition and give the candidates more time to talk onstage about themselves, their platforms and how they would do the job of Miss America. Supporters welcomed it as a long-overdue attempt to make Miss America more relevant to contemporary society, while others mourn the loss of what they consider an integral part of what made Miss America an enduring part of Americana.

Unhappy with how the decision was reached, as well as with other aspects of Carlson and Hopper’s performance, 46 of the 51 state pageant organizations (the District of Columbia is included) have called on the two to resign.

Adding to the intrigue was a remarkable letter released by Mund, the outgoing Miss America, who said Carlson and Hopper had bullied, silenced and marginalized her. They deny doing any of that, saying they have been working tirelessly to move the organization into the future.

Mund only appeared at the very end of the pageant before the next winner was crowned. She was not allowed to speak live; instead a 30-second taped segment of her speaking was broadcast.

Sister Vic dazzles a full house in her “Midnight Coffee Album Launch”

She would snub the stage and walk down the ballroom aisle to connect with the audience while her soaring voice emitted some spiritual sensation of elegance and enchantment.

Pavilion of Redemption on Old Richmond Road, in Sugarland Texas, took an entirely different look on Saturday, June 10th 2017, when the renowned Houston-based Gospel Singer, Sister Vic energized a full gallery of audience with her latest music endeavor; a launch of the Midnight coffee Album. Hosted by Chosen Okonrende, the show featured familiar names like Mysree Tomi Favored, Ayokunle Falomo,  Desmond Ikegwuonu,  Ola Kuku,  Evelyn Recinos,  Kanyin Ojo.

Sister Vic is not new in the showground of contemporary gospel; she had worked with several mainstream artists and producers. Also, she has been performing at churches, Christian revival events, and gospel crusades. Yet  Saturday’s event was exceptional, as she treated her audience with soulful jazzy gospel music, occasionally executed in fascinating melodies and smooth tones. She would snub the stage and walk down the ballroom aisle to connect with the audience, while her soaring voice emitted some spiritual sensation of elegance and enchantment.

She was clear about her ultimate desire; to see people from all walks of life obtain peace in Christ, and to see the body of Christ just as that: a body, working together in sincere love. This covenant was demonstrated throughout this event.

 

Kakadu – Popular Nigerian music ensemble brings the rhythms to South Africa

Following three years of successful performances in Nigeria and Davos, Switzerland, the spectacular award-winning “Kakadu”- The Musical written and produced by one of the leading lawyers in Nigeria, Uche Nwokedi,(SAN), is currently generating the storm in South Africa.

Review, by Katlego Mereko Joburg Post

Set in mid 60’s Lagos, Nigeria, Kakadu follows a story of a newly independent Nigeria seen through the eyes of a crew of friends Bisi, Amonia, Kola, Hassana, Emeka, Osahon and Dapo. They experience the joys of independence and the devastation of the civil wars and aftermath from 1966 to 1973 in Nigeria.

The play begins with two friends Kola and Emeka discussing current affairs over the game of draughts. Emeka, an Igbo abbreviation of the name Chukwuemeka, which means “God has done so much”, seemed to be most erudite in their group of friends. Influenced by his boss, Mr Ramsbottom, he was a voracious reader of The West African Pilot, a newspaper started by Nnamdi Azikiwe. Not too long into their discussion, Osahon, a new resident of the bustling Lagos enters the fray. It was “Ladies night” at the slickest, most popular club in Lagos, called Kakadu, and the guys spoke glowingly of the club, proposing to spend the night dancing and drinking away. Surprised at this, Osahon essentially asks ‘what is Kakadu?’ His response is met by both shock and laughter at its apparent folly. “Kakadu is Life!!” Kola emphatically responds. We also meet Dabo, the rich well-travelled lad, who displays some swag and sartorial splendour through his flashy suit and penchant for highbrow English. He is also quite the Casanova, his wallet and worldly persona proving quite magnetic.

Next, we meet the ladies Hassana, Amonia and Bisi. Among other things, they discuss the night ahead of them at Kakadu and also the guys on whom they may or may not have designs. Bisi seems to have a long standing yet openly secret crush on Emeka. After being pressed by her friends, she evasively brushes off any connection with Emeka to be their joint schooling in Primary school. In truth, both their fathers share cordial relations despite being of different ethnic groups.

After they broke into song, the guys and the girls convene at Kakadu. The night club is Lagos’s little enclave and represents the height of Nigerian independence with its youthful, vibrant and effervescent feel no doubt created by equally lively Nigerians of different tribal origins and also European tourists and settlers. In the club, we hear records from Otis Redding and also Chubby Checkers classic pop tune “Lets Twist Again” to which the cast danced almost impeccably to. Amonia wins on the dance floor as Lord Lugard announces towards the end of the night. After a night of dance and debauchery, the lads went back home, with Osahon in particular having had quite a blast at Kakadu if his severely-disoriented gait was anything to go by.

The guys would convene again after Emeka purchased his daily newspaper The West African Pilot. Emeka as always is eager to advance political discussion while his friends would rather speak about the women they saw and danced with at Kakadu. The night club would call them together again to celebrate 5 years of independence in Nigeria. This was in that fateful year of 1966. The crew celebrated and played dance-compelling tunes like the popular ‘Sawaleh’. Their celebrations, however, would come to a screeching halt as the military, almost out of nowhere, invaded the club in a coup d’état that would begin a dark time in Nigeria’s history.  These are the wars that would lead to the Nigeria-Biafra war that saw thousands of people killed along tribal lines.

The end of the first half before the interval would be the beginning of a rather melancholic theme in the play. We learn that Emeka, the erudite Igbo who showed solidarity for Biafra in the war, has lost his mother.

The theme continues after the interval with Lord Lugard in particularly dejected as war has dealt a crushing blow to his once hot night club. Attempts at reviving it prove futile and leaves the place looking like something between a club the morning after a big party and a ghost town. Kakadu was now ‘lifeless’.

Emeka returns from the war after a cease-fire and reunites with family and friends. Nigeria was now different with elevated tribal angst, however, there was something in store for the lanky lad. He was to marry Bisi, but not without much trial as, coming from different tribes, the families were now at odds with each other. The marriage would happen, nonetheless, which saw a prompt return to the celebratory, high positive energy aura we enjoy in the beginning of the play. The celebrations would end as quickly they returned, however, with the ensemble robbed at gun-point at the wedding after-party upon their return to Kakadu night club.

The play would come to a close with all the cast on stage, easily over thirty of them, breaking into song, with the essential  question in the lyrics being “How do we buïld a nation?” of course in the context of a Nigeria and perhaps greater Africa still struggling to completely sever all colonial ties.

I have watched and written on quite a few theatre plays now, and if all of them were of good quality, then Kakadu punches way above that benchmark. From the set to the cast, the musical beautifully and melodically manages to capture the vicissitudes of life in Nigeria around those times. The unforeseen military coup I think emerges brilliantly in the play as it demonstrated the nature in which it came unexpectedly, expect perhaps for the late Chinua Achebe who wrote a prophetic novel in the form of his Man of The People. Plus, I think most importantly, the singing was pitch perfect! Every one sounded in tune and all girls and guys treated the audience to the most mellifluous vocals I have heard from a theatre musical in a long time.

I would highly recommend you catch this award-winning musical until the  18th of June at Joburg Theatre, because, as Kola says, Kakadu is Life!!

 

Esohe, an epic blockbuster Hollywood debuts with Nollywood star, Oghenekaro Itene as ‘Itohan’

Itene played a frustrated wife of the Town’s chief priest who had to deal with mystical complexities of an evil stepchild.

Esohe is a cocktail of love, murder and mystery, connecting two centuries

International Guardian – Houston, TX – Nollywood diva, Oghenekaro Lydia Itene who fashioned a new persona on screen a few years ago in the Nigerian movie industry will be making the headlines again with her role as ‘Itohan’ in Esohe, an epic blockbuster Hollywood & Nollywood collaboration set in ancient Benin Kingdom starring Jimmy Jean Louis (Joy & Heroes and Heroes reborn Star), Misty Lockheart (Chronicles of Life).

Itene played a frustrated wife of the Town’s chief priest who had to deal with mystical complexities of an evil stepchild. The movie preview shows a collaboration of action and knowledge ready to hit the big screen. Esohe also features Nollywood’s Desmond Elliot, Chris Attoh, Bimbo Manuel, Ufuoma McDermott, Toyin Aimakhuo, Jemaima Osunde, Monica Omorodion Swaida.

Itene has excelled in her acting career over the years, and had shuttled between Nigeria and South Africa where she had been shooting a television series titled “Lincoln’s Clan’’ produced by Total Recall Productions. It is a collaboration between Nigerian and South African producers and has been screened on Multichoice channels. She’s also in “Tinsel’’ as the wedding planner.

The movie preview shows a collaboration of action and knowledge ready to hit the big screen. Esohe also features Nollywood’s Desmond Elliot, Chris Attoh, Bimbo Manuel, Ufuoma McDermott, Toyin Aimakhuo, Jemaima Osunde, Monica Omorodion Swaida.

Esohe is a cocktail of love, murder and mystery, connecting two centuries. The reincarnation and reunion of Ifagbai, the son of Eghosa the Oba’s warrior, his long-lost lover, Esohe, presents a puzzle to Gary Barbar (Jimmy Jean Louis). He suffers repeated nightmare and sees apparitions of events he knows nothing about. The engrossing Epic is a story of undying love, unflinching loyalty and deviously woven intrigues that is served in a cocktail of the rich Bini tradition. It is a fictional story by Charles Uwagbai and Efetobore Ayeteni, written by Bimbo Manuel.

The movie, is produced by Charles Uwagbai, Monica Swaida and Robert Peters. The movie is directed by Charles Uwagbai (Black Silhouette, Okoro the prince, Breathless, Jekwu etc.)

Esohe will be touring cities in the United States and Europe. It will be released in Nigeria later in the year. This movie also features fast rising Nollywoood actors like Eunice Omorogie, Omoye Uzamere, and Osagie Elegbe, The movie will be showing at cinemas in Houston, Dallas, Boston, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Los Angelis and London, among other European cities.

Spectacular – Watch Aretha Franklin perform national anthem before Lions-Vikings Thanksgiving Day game

Legendary singer Aretha Franklin has reached a status in her career where she can do no wrong. The Queen of Soul has a career spanning six decades. She’s won 20 Grammy Awards. Has a Kennedy Center Honor. And was granted the Presidential Medal of Freedom. So when Aretha Franklin wants to sing a 5-minute version of the National Anthem, Aretha Franklin sings a 5-minute version of the National Anthem.

She did just that on Thanksgiving too — performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before Thursday’s Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings game at Ford Field. Wearing a grey fur coat and a knit Detroit Lions hat, Franklin sat behind a grand piano — which she played throughout the song. She took fans to church in the heartfelt performance — slowing down the song and hanging on nearly every word. (The “flag was still there” — for at least 12 seconds, for example).

Franklin is an icon to the city of Detroit — where the sound of Motown was born. So it was no surprise that the crowd at Ford Field were especially in love with Franklin’s National Anthem — breaking into thunderous applause throughout the performance.

But the Internet had a field day of their own with her rendition. “Thankful Aretha Franklin doesn’t sing the Anthem when I pitch,” wrote Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher James Taillon. “Pretty sure I would have to go back to the pen and warm back up #pipesthough.”

Oghenekaro Itene – how this flame rose in Nollywood

nollywood

Oghenekaro Lydia Itene figuratively shifted her make-up kit aside to create a new persona on screen a few years ago and the result is a new flame in Nigerian movie industry. Yinka Olatunbosun reports on an unusual encounter with this actress last week.

It was really a case of “mountain going to Mohatma” last Wednesday as this reporter received a call from Itene that she was coming to visit her. Of course, a journalist usually goes after personalities and not the other way round. To fully glean how that happened, a little flashback is necessary.

It was agreed that both of them would meet at LTV grounds at noon that day but when this reporter arrived at the venue, the actress couldn’t be reached. After several minutes of window-shopping at a popular mall in Ikeja just to kill time, Itene finally called but she was going to change the venue to somewhere else around Allen Avenue. With the lethargy of the traffic officials at Allen roundabout, the short drive became so prolonged that Itene was on the verge of leaving. Frustrated at the needless merry-go-round, especially with post-malaria recovery, this reporter returned home.

Of course, Itene didn’t know about the malaria. She only sensed that the reporter wanted the story and not the trouble. Besides, this reporter made a remark about people in Nollywood that she had to correct. Ask any journalist, it’s never easy getting Nollywood stars to sit for an exclusive interview. They are usually targeted at press conferences and other events for a chat. They are too busy, usually ignoring calls and their friendship with the press seems to end on the red carpet.

Hence, she totally surprised this reporter when she insisted on coming to her home to have the interview. In company of her aunt, a music and movie producer, who was visiting from United States, she arrived at this reporter’s apartment in a secluded area in Iju, Lagos.

Intrigued by this actress’ determination to change this age-long perception of Nollywood stars, this reporter chatted freely with her about her career and a bit of personal life, quietly deciding not to abuse the privilege of the unscheduled visit.

Itene had pursued an acting career spanning three years and had recently returned to Nigeria from South Africa where she had been shooting a television series titled “Lincoln’s Clan’’ produced by Total Recall Productions. It is a collaboration between Nigerian and South African producers and has been screened on Multichoice channels. She’s also in “Tinsel’’ as the wedding planner.

Her foray into acting wasn’t deliberate. Her childhood was fun; she enjoyed playing lead roles in school dramas. But then, she had a vision to be a medical doctor. She stumbled upon Biology at the University of Benin where she obtained her degree qualification and thus, life landed her in a theatre- not as a physician- but as an entertainer.

“Even at NYSC camp, we did drama and my platoon won the 4th position out of nine platoons,’’ she began. “There was a drama I did while in primary school. I performed before an audience of more than 7000 in my school in Delta State. I became so popular in the whole of Delta State because of that drama. It was huge. It was a popular musical where I played the role of a young beautiful woman who is wooed by several suitors but only wanted the one with money and didn’t get to marry at the end of the day.

“I didn’t see myself as an actor I have always wanted to be a medical doctor. But somehow I fell in love with make-up artistry while watching run-way models during their back-stage prep,’’ she revealed.

Subsequently, she went for a professional training after university education. Doing make-over, thus, became a passion. She began to get clients from Nollywood. In 2013, she was called to do make up in a movie production and the person who was playing the sub lead character with Nkem Owoh was delisted from the cast. Some other persons also came for the audition. But she was the preferred one.

Oghenekaro...“I didn’t see myself as an actor I have always wanted to be a medical doctor. But somehow I fell in love with make-up artistry while watching run-way models during their back-stage prep.’’
Oghenekaro…“I didn’t see myself as an actor I have always wanted to be a medical doctor. But somehow I fell in love with make-up artistry while watching run-way models during their back-stage prep.’’

“That was how I got my first role. That was how I veered into acting. I was not desperate to get into acting. I just tried and I got in. I was even reluctant to be before the camera. I wasn’t ready to be popular and lose my freedom. I don’t like getting undue attention when I am going about my daily activities. But I didn’t think I was going to go that far. I kept getting calls to come and take roles.

I even got some encouragement from fans. It really brought the attention I didn’t bargain for. I usually go for auditions and that was how I got into Tinsel,’’ she recounted, refuting the misconception that juicy roles can only come through back-door activities.

When she’s not acting, she’s minding her make-up business. And she usually sources for good movies to associate her brand with. Her definition of a good movie is one that impacts positively on lives. But there are instances when a role demands nudity and the end result is a positive message. This reporter put this situation before the actress and she solved it like a riddle.

“First of all, this is Nigeria. People don’t see nudity in good light here. This is my market right now. I don’t think I want to do it for now but change is the only thing that is constant,’’ she responded.

Itene is currently working on a new project titled “Esohe’’, directed by Charles Uwagbai, starring Hollywood actor, Jimmy-Jean Louis. She has the role of Itohan and the main location for the movie is Benin. Itene is keen at learning more about movie production and telling more African stories that the world is yet to learn.

“I think there are a lot of African stories that should be told. We are used to romance stories. Meanwhile there are different cultures and narratives that we need to explore,’’ she said.

She looks up to many in the industry, although she is highly inspired by Genevieve Nnaji and Angelina Jolie.

“I love their craft. It’s natural. They don’t overdo it. It is like this conversation-normal. That is what I admire about them. And they are also into charity work,’’ she observed.

She adores both movie and television series production although with the benefit of hindsight, she’d readily say series is more demanding.

“You can be called up for weeks and when you think you are done playing that role, you may be called once more to come and shoot a few scenes. When you are playing that character, you assume that character, you live that character,’’ she remarked.

Her current role demands her adding some weight. In the era of weight loss campaign, this is a huge sacrifice. But she’s poised to do more, such as learning to speak Yoruba to get some roles in other movies.
In retrospect, the Isoko-Urhobo actress recalled how working outside Nigeria differs from being at home.

“No much difference. It is as demanding as it is in Nigeria. The way they shoot in South Africa is quite different. They give longer break time between the shoot. We can shoot overnight here in Nigeria. We are used to the hard work here. I am not saying that is bad. The budget is usually a major factor here,’’ she said.

Itene would have loved to have her parents at a movie premiere where she is a member of the cast but they died before her career in acting blossomed. Her mother passed in 2010 and her father, 2013.

“My mother had always supported me when I took part in cultural dances at school and I think she would have loved the fact that I am acting now,’’ said the actress who had featured in movies such as “The Prodigal”, “Glass House” and “Shattered Mirror’’.

♦ Culled from This Day

Houston’s AMEN TV Ch.15.2 rolls out last quarter program lineup

News, Issues, and Views with I. Ishola Balogun_now airs Monday-Friday @7pm & Saturday @11am. It is an up-to-date news program covering current events and issues about Africa and America.
News, Issues, and Views with I. Ishola Balogun now airs Monday-Friday @7pm & Saturday @11am. It is an up-to-date news program covering current events and issues about Africa and America.

International Guardian, Houston, TX.  – AMEN TV Ch.15.2 has announced a program lineup for the last quarter of the year – incorporating a variety of interests to suit the holiday period. AMEN TV Ch.15.2 which known as the official television station of Houston’s International Community is a subsidiary of  AMEN NETWORK –  a multimedia company that focuses on the development, production, and promotion of all things Africa.

The station focuses primarily on improving access to quality African media of all genres in music, movies, news comedy, sports, and theater. According to the President and Director of the network, Chief I. Ishola Balogun, “We basically feature any form of entertainment created either in Africa or by Africans or about Africans of for Africans and or featuring Africans and we  aim to develop quality media programs at par or better than anything currently out there.”

amen_prog_-lineupoct2016_3rdqtrweb

The station has also enhanced its news and current affairs programs to cover a wide range of topical issues of Africa and America. For instance, News, Issues, and Views with I. Ishola Balogun now airs Monday-Friday @7pm & Saturday @11am. It is an up-to-date news program covering current events and issues about Africa and America.

“High Rollers” show every week day @6:30pm. This is a story that revolves around three brothers divided by a love for money, family and God. It is an inter-generational family saga that plays out in the high stakes world of casino’s tables, church aisles and behind bedroom doors, pitting against each other three of the pillars of South Africa – family, money and religion.

A.M.E.N TV 15.2 is a digital channel on the Houston dial and is available in every household in the greater Houston area and surroundings – reaching an astounding 1.9 million households, with 5.3 million potential viewership. Chief Balogun said that the station is currently expanding its news studio and auditorium to accommodate more live shows and audience. “In about a month or two we shall be done with this renovation,“ he said.

For more information about events at the AMEN, please call 832.297.1396 or email; info@africanmoviesentertainmentnews.com

4th Annual Houston AfriFEST to highlight the African arts, culture, and entertainment

File photo of a reflection of the African art, music, and culture. The purpose of the Houston AfriFEST is to share cultural arts activities from the different nationalities and ethnic groups of the African continent.
File photo of a reflection of the African art, music, and culture. The purpose of the Houston AfriFEST is to share cultural arts activities from the different nationalities and ethnic groups of the African continent.

Houston, the most diverse city in the U.S. will again take center stage as it pays tribute to the continent of Africa. On Saturday, October 8th, 2016 the Nigerian-American Multicultural Council (NAMC) and the African Student Association host its 4th annual Houston AfriFEST – a festival of African arts, culture, and entertainment from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Houston Baptist University, located at 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX 77074.

The purpose of the Houston AfriFEST is to share cultural arts activities from the different nationalities and ethnic groups of the African continent. Over 2000 people will attend this one-day event! Houston AfriFEST 2016 will showcase traditional and contemporary African dances, music, art, poetry by artists from several African countries.

Special guest performers will include Lipsia, an Angolan jazz, R&B and world music singer who was born in Russia. Lipsia has been nominated by the African Entertainment Awards as the “Best New Female Artist of 2016”. Richie Francis, a Nigerian singer will bring his style of urban music that is so popular with the youth. The Cameroonian masquerade dancers will bring the traditional Njang dances. Chilli, the Cultural Ambassador of Cameroon has exported original traditional music from the grass lands of Kumbo to the world stage. Myoa, a London-based songstress will also grace the 2016 Houston AfriFEST stage. Joy of Djembe, a 14-piece djembe orchestra will open the festival with a drum call.

Special guest performer, Lipsia is a jazz, blues and world music singer/songwriter from Angola. She was born in Russia and classically trained, and has participated in various international singing competitions. In 2010 she was signed to "Milionario Records" and is currently managed by Nilza Lima. She is a 2016 nominee for best new artist for the African Entertainment Awards to be held October 22 in Elizabeth NJ.
Special guest performer, Lipsia is a jazz, blues and world music singer/songwriter from Angola. She was born in Russia and classically trained, and has participated in various international singing competitions. In 2010 she was signed to “Milionario Records” and is currently managed by Nilza Lima. She is a 2016 nominee for best new artist for the African Entertainment Awards to be held October 22 in Elizabeth NJ.

The Africa Zone will consist of displays from countries such as Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Madagascar, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania Uganda and Diaspora Africans from the United States and the Caribbean. Each country will have an elaborate exhibition of their national arts, crafts, history and geography. Our local partner is the Houston Museum of African American Culture which will showcase African films.

Richie, (born Richard Francis) as he is known, is a Nigerian talented Singer, prolific songwriter and musician. A former member of the group D’accord winners of Star Quest 2006 Music concert organized by Nigerian Breweries Plc.
Richie, (born Richard Francis) as he is known, is a Nigerian talented Singer, prolific songwriter and musician. A former member of the group D’accord winners of Star Quest 2006 Music concert organized by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

The Kids’ Zone will have educational and fun activities for children of all ages – including face-painting, arts and crafts and other engaging activities. The Festival’s African Market will have local and international merchants who bring an array of arts, crafts, fashions for the consumption of our visitors. Festival attendees can partake in authentic, tasty exotic dishes from continental African Food vendors.

Admission to the 2016 AfriFest is only $5.00 for the general public and free for seniors, college students and children. A portion of the proceeds go towards a scholarship fund for higher education for qualifying students.

For more information please go to www.namchouston.org or call Abby @ 281-788-8798.

x Close

Like Us On Facebook