Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →STAR TREK BEYOND is in theaters July 22
July 11, 2016“Star Trek Beyond,” the highly anticipated next installment in the globally popular Star Trek franchise, created by Gene Roddenberry and reintroduced by J.J. Abrams in 2009, returns with director Justin Lin (“The Fast and the Furious” franchise) at the helm of this epic voyage of the U.S.S. Enterprise and her intrepid crew. In ³Beyond,” the Enterprise crew explores the furthest reaches of uncharted space, where they encounter a mysterious new enemy who puts them and everything the Federation stands for to the test. https://youtu.be/fnS44Vg40WE Website: http://www.startrekmovie.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTrekMovie Twitter: https://twitter.com/startrekmovie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startrekmovie/ #StarTrek
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentSerena Williams wins a 7th Wimbledon
July 11, 2016Serena Williams wins a 7th Wimbledon and equals Steffi Graf with her 22nd Grand Slam title LONDON (AP) — Serena Williams won her record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title by beating Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final on Saturday. Williams pulled even with Steffi Graf for the most major championships in the Open era, which began in 1968. Now Williams stands behind only Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24. There was a stunning loss to Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open semifinals in September, ending Williams’ bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam. Then came losses in finals to Kerber at the Australian Open in January, and to Garbine Muguruza at the French Open last month. But in the rematch against the fourth-seeded Kerber at Centre Court on Saturday — the first time in a decade two women met to decide multiple major titles in a single season — the No. 1-ranked Williams came through. The 34-year-old American did it, as she often does, with nearly impeccable serving. She slammed 13 aces, including at least one in each of her first eight service games. She won 38 of 43 points when she put a first serve in. And she faced just one break point — at 3-all in the second set, it represented Kerber’s only real opening — and shut the door quickly and emphatically, with a pair of aces at 117 mph and 124 mph, her fastest of the afternoon. Serena Williams hugs Angelique Kerber after their two-set battle in Wimbledon final. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) There was more that Williams did well, though. So much more. Facing the left-handed Kerber’s reactive, counter-punching style, Williams was by far the more aggressive player, trying to make things happen. And she did, compiling a big edge in winners, 39-12. Follow the Daily …
Posted in TV News | Leave a commentEd Gordon Begins Production, Bounce TV’s First-Ever Primetime News Magazine Show to Debut Sept. 13
July 11, 2016Bounce TV has announced that production has commenced on Ed Gordon, the network’s first entry into the primetime news magazine format, and the show’s premiere date has been scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 10:00 p.m. (ET). Multiple award-winning and well-respected television journalist Ed Gordon will produce and host the series of one-hour specials in which he’ll sit down for revealing interviews with top headline makers, entertainers and pop cultural figures. Ed Gordon will also include investigative pieces, celebrity profiles, current event segments and human interest feature stories. “From President Obama to Louis Farrakhan, from Beyoncé to O.J. Simpson, Ed is a trusted confidante of African-American newsmakers who define our culture. His insightful reporting and courageous storytelling make him the perfect journalist to shepherd our first news magazine show,” said Ri-Karlo Handy, Senior Vice President of Original Programming for Bounce TV. Gordon commented, “We are going to produce the kind of program I have always wanted to do. We’ll provide perspective and give our audience a more complete picture of the major issues. I’ll be able to talk one-on-one with the day’s newsmakers and celebrities and get them to open up. That’s always a challenge and something the audience has come to expect from me. At the same time, we will also tell a wide variety of stories that are rarely presented on television. I’m extremely excited about our new show and thrilled to be joining Bounce TV.” Gordon has been a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes, The Today Show and Dateline NBC, the host of “News and Notes with Ed Gordon” on NPR, anchorman for BET and is a weekly contributor to the national Steve Harvey Radio Show. He is also the recipient of an NAACP Image Award, as well as the prestigious Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. FOLLOW …
Posted in Streaming | Leave a commentOPRAH WINFREY APPEARS AT TIME INC.’S 2016 ESSENCE FESTIVAL IN NEW ORLEANS
July 6, 2016Winfrey’s Makes First-ever Appearance at the Nation’s Largest Gathering of African-American Women World renowned television host, actress, producer, philanthropist and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey appeared at the 2016 ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans, presented by Coca-Cola, Saturday, July 2, 2016 at 4:00pm at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the first time in the event’s 21-year history that Winfrey appeared at the ESSENCE Festival. Winfrey joined speakers Bishop T.D. Jakes, Ava DuVernay, Rev. Al Sharpton, Misty Copeland and Tyra Banks, as well as performers Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar, Maxwell, Puff Daddy and The Family and many more at the annual event – recognized as the nation’s largest gathering of African-American women. “Oprah’s message of inspiration is universal and, through her life’s work, she has influenced women and girls across the globe,” said ESSENCE Editor-in-Chief Vanessa De Luca. “We are delighted that Iyanla Vanzant graciously invited Oprah to the ESSENCE Festival as a special gift for the fans, so we are welcoming our passionate community to join us for an absolutely extraordinary experience not to be missed.” The annual ESSENCE Festival in New Orleans, presented by Coca-Cola, is one of the nation’s largest live events. Each year, the Festival draws, on average, 500,000 attendees from across the globe to its multi-day entertainment, empowerment and cultural event, which generates an economic impact of more than $200 million to the local economy. Now in its 22nd year, the ESSENCE Festival has featured some of the biggest names in entertainment and the nation’s most influential speakers, authors and leaders, including Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Prince, Janet Jackson, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Kahn, Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Rev. Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Steve Harvey, Ava DuVernay, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Magic Johnson, Iyanla Vanzant and …
Posted in In The Spotlight | Leave a commentOprah Winfrey Celebrates QUEEN SUGAR during Essence Festival Weekend in New Orleans
July 6, 2016Private Oprah Winfrey Reception for Queen Sugar – Legacy Kitchen New Orleans, LA, July 2, 2016 “Queen Sugar,” the new original one-hour weekly drama series from award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and executive producer Oprah Winfrey, debuts as a two-night event on Tuesday, September 6 and Wednesday, September 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The series will regularly air Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. ET/PT for the remainder of its 13-episode first season. Led by acclaimed film director DuVernay, who directed the first two episodes, all episodes in the series’ debut season are directed by women. For a sneak peak of the series, click here: http://www.oprah.com/own-own/First-Look-OWNs-New-Original-Drama-Queen-Sugar-by-Ava-DuVernay. Produced by Warner Horizon Television, the contemporary drama “Queen Sugar” chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings in Saint Josephine, Louisiana: Nova (Rutina Wesley “True Blood”), a world-wise journalist and activist; Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner “Unforgettable”), the savvy wife and manager of an NBA star; and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe “Awkward”), a formerly incarcerated young father in search of redemption. After a family tragedy, the Bordelons must navigate the triumphs and struggles of their complicated lives in order to run an ailing sugarcane farm in the Deep South. “Queen Sugar” is produced for OWN by Warner Horizon Television. The executive producers are Ava DuVernay, Melissa Carter and Oprah Winfrey. The series is inspired by the book by Natalie Baszile. The contemporary drama begins as Charley, a savvy and spirited woman living an upscale Los Angeles lifestyle, returns to her family home – an 800-acre sugarcane farm in the heart of Louisiana – when her father has a stroke. There, she reunites with her estranged siblings Nova and Ralph Angel, who are …
Posted in Spotlight, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentShayla’s Catch Shines in Essence Bookstore during Essence Fest 2016
July 4, 2016SHAYLA’S CATCH, by author Sonya Jenkins, was featured in the Essence Bookstore at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center for the 2nd year in a row as part of the Essence Festival 2016, July 1 – July 3, via Garden District Books. Sonya was on hand to meet and greet readers and Essence Fest attendees and sign SHAYLA’S CATCH. She also introduced her forthcoming novel, FIERY CHARM, for those interested in her next project. Enjoy the photos below from Sonya’s Essence Bookstore experience. “Getting the opportunity to speak with book lovers from all over the country about my novel, as well as meeting and chatting with other authors was exhilarating, to say the least,” said Jenkins. “Since this was my second year with Shayla’s Catch in the Essence Bookstore, I knew what to expect. But it’s always thrilling when you get more than you expect, and that was the case for me this time. So many readers stopped by who already knew about my novel, Shayla’s Catch, and I almost ran out of books!” MORE PHOTO MOMENTS! #ShaylasCatch
Posted in BLACK MUSIC HONORS 2024, In The Spotlight | Leave a commentBad Dad Rehab Premiers THIS SUNDAY, July 3 on TV One
June 30, 2016By KIMBERLY ALSUP & GEORGE PRINGLE As TV & Film Bloggers for Team #SonyasSpotlight, George Pringle and I have been on the move in Atlanta – covering red carpet affairs and working on film sets. Not only did we get the opportunity to visit the set of Bad Dad Rehab and speak with the amazing cast recently, but we were also included in the Bad Dad Rehab Tele-Press conference with Malik Yoba, Robert Ri’chard, Rob Riley, Wesley Jonathan, Rick Gonzalez, Carl Seaton, Roger Bobb, Keronda “KiKi” McKnight, and Robyn Green Arrington. To top off the excitement we attended a private screening hosted by Malik Yoba. Wednesday, June 29 in Atlanta. Bad Dad Rehab premieres on Sunday, July 3 at 7pm. The film, written by Keronda “KiKi” McKnight, was the winner of the 2015 American Black Film Festival Screenplay Competition sponsored by TV One. CAST: Shawn: Wesley Jonathan (The Soul Man, Roll Bounce) Jared: Rob C. Riley (Hit the Floor, Bourne Legacy) Tristan: Robert Ri’chard (Coach Carter, One on One, Cousin Skeeter Pierre: Rick Gonzalez (Coach Carter, Roll Bounce) Mr. Leon: Malik Yoba (Empire, NY Undercover) DIRECTOR: Carl Seaton PRODUCER: Roger Bobb SCREENPLAY: Keronda “KiKi” McKnight VP, Original Programming & Production for TV One: Robyn Green Arrington ABOUT BAD DAD REHAB: Bad Dad Rehab is about four men who are in denial of their poor parenting skills. After turbulence with their respective baby mamas and ex-wives force them to take definitive action, Tristan, Shawn, Pierre, and Jared attend a rehab for deadbeat dads that uses unusual methods to help them become true fathers. Through all the hilarity, hijinks, drama, and soul searching, the men discover fatherhood is less about making babies, and more about making men. Bad Dad Rehab is a film for all age groups. While viewing a pre-screening of the …
Posted in Streaming | Leave a comment2016 ESSENCE FESTIVAL NEW ORLEANS – Photos & More
June 30, 2016TIME INC.’S 2016 ESSENCE FESTIVAL ATTRACTS MORE THAN 450,000 ATTENDEES FOR ANNUAL CULTURAL CELEBRATION IN NEW ORLEANS Event Captures a Record-Breaking 3.5 Billion Impressions Via Social Media Delivers Over 100 Hours of Video and Live Stream Programming Content Time Inc.’s (NYSE:TIME) 2016 ESSENCE Festival presented by Coca-Cola attracted more than 450,000 attendees to New Orleans this Fourth of July weekend for its annual cultural celebration featuring more than 100 performing artists and over 100 speakers—which included first-time appearances by Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, Tyra Banks, Misty Copeland and many more. Recognized as one of the country’s largest live events, the 2016 ESSENCE Festival hosted more celebrities and performing talent than ever before, extended its reach worldwide by capturing a record-breaking 3.5 billion social media impressions and delivered over 100 hours of curated video and live-stream content. The annual 4-day Festival, which took place June 30-July 3, features entertainment, empowerment, and cultural experiences during the day and the world’s best performers each night. Highlights of the 2016 ESSENCE FESTIVAL included: Over 100 performing artists—more than ever before across the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Many of the biggest names in the entertainment industry such as Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Maxwell, Puff Daddy & The Family, Common and Ciara performed at the event’s nighttime concerts and dozens of others across ESSENCE’s Center Stage and All-Star Gospel Tribute honoring The Clark Sisters. More than 100 speakers, authors, leaders and celebrities participated in the Festival’s free daytime experience –including a first-ever appearance by Oprah Winfrey to a standing-room only crowd. Other first-time speakers included Tyra Banks and Misty Copeland and the return of perennial favorites Rev. Al Sharpton and Bishop T.D. Jakes, among others, drew packed crowds. The launch of two new consumer Expos, ‘Beauty & Style’ and ‘Entrepreneurship, …
Posted in Photos | Leave a commentTV Ratings: Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Greenleaf’ Tops Tyler Perry Suite as Network’s Top Premiere
June 23, 2016The church drama opens to 3 million viewers on premiere night, trailing only ‘The People v. O.J. Simpson’ in 2016 cable debuts. OWN delivered its strongest series premiere to date on Tuesday night. Greenleaf, the church drama which counts network head Oprah Winfrey among its cast, debuted with just over 3 million viewers on Tuesday night. That bests OWN’s robust catalog of Tyler Perry-produced scripted series to rank as the network’s most-watched series premiere to date. The drama, which has been greeted with warm reviews, also nabbed a 2.2 rating among OWN’s key demographic of women 25-54. Perry fare remains a huge draw for the cable network. The season premiere of The Haves and the Have Nots was just behind Greenleaf with 2.9 million viewers. Looking at cable premieres to date, Greenleaf trails only FX’s American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson in scripted premiere hauls. Greenleaf’s two-night premiere continues on Wednesday. Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tv-ratings-oprah-winfreys-greenleaf-905622 ——————————————————-
Posted in Inspirational | Leave a commentTHE 20TH ANNUAL AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL – Miami – June 15-19
June 18, 2016Celebs Share their #ABFF20 Moments via Instagram STAY TUNED FOR MORE PHOTOS & VIDEO!! ABFF Recap & TV ONE Represents at the 20th Annual American Black Film Festival WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 – Opening Night Film: Central Intelligence Courtesy of Warner Bros., Presented by MPAA Warner Bros. Pictures’ Central Intelligence, an action comedy starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan, Aaron Paul and TV One’s Born Again Virgin’s leading actress Danielle Nicolet. THURSDAY, JUNE 16 – “A Conversation with Common” Presented by American Airlines Roland S. Martin, host and managing editor of TV One’s News One Now, the only daily news program dedicated to Black viewers, served as the moderator of “A Conversation with Common,” a dynamic discussion with this year’s ABFF Ambassador – Oscar-winning recording artist, multi-Grammy winner and actor Common (Barbershop, Selma). FRIDAY, JUNE 17 – TV One’s “Cool Out” Lounge TV One Attendees: Various Executives & All ABFF Deco and Sobe Pass Holders Description: ABFF’s Deco and Sobe pass holders were invited to stop by TV One’s Cool Out Lounge to enter for a chance to win a TV One REPRESENT swag bag and cool off from the heat with a frozen margarita and light refreshments. Attendees also enjoyed relaxing music, TV One programming and additional information on TV One’s ABFF Celebrity Scene Stealers, and Spotlight and Community Screening events. TV One Presents “Celebrity Scene Stealers” Location: Ritz Hotel Ballroom, Salons 2 &3, 1 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 TV One Attendees: Keith Robinson, Robert Ri’chard, Rob Riley, Wesley Jonathan, Tyler Lepley, Jackie Long, Sevyn Streeter, Raney Branch Description: This year’s TV One Screenplay Competition finalists – N’Zuri Za Austin (“Tale of a Script”), Cherhonda Gunn & Traci Rooks (“The Fandom”), and Michelle McKissic (“Downsized”) set up and direct a scene performed by actors Robert Ri’chard, Rob Riley, Wesley …
Posted in Photos | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
