Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight
← Older posts Newer posts →FURIOUS 7 In theaters nationwide Friday, April 3
March 23, 2015FURIOUS 7 (Universal Pictures) Synopsis: Continuing the global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of Furious 7. James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series that also welcomes back favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black. They are joined by international action stars new to the franchise including Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel and Kurt Russell. Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel and Michael Fottrell return to produce the film written by Chris Morgan. Official Website: http://www.furious7.com/ Official Hashtag: #Furious7 #FastFamily In theaters nationwide on Friday, April 3, 2015
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentVivica A. Fox, Fonzworth Bentley & Wendy Raquel Robinson Host Allstate Gospel Super Fest in Chicago
March 22, 2015Vivica A. Fox, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Fonzworth Bentley hosted the Allstate Gospel Superfest at the House of Hope Arena in Chicago Saturday, March 21. Performers included Marvin Winans, Dorinda Clark-Cole, J. Moss, Lexi, Virtue, Kelly Price, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Richard Smallwood, Shirley Murdock, Ricky Dillard, The Rance Allen Group, Earnest Pugh, The Walls Group, Chanel, Bishop Larry Trotter, Deleon Sheffield, Brent Jones and MORE! Marvin Winans and Richard Smallwood received special honors. The Allstate Gospel Superfest returned to the city of Chicago for its 16th Annual Allstate Gospel Superfest television extravaganza. The Allstate Gospel Superfest, the most widely distributed TV show in black gospel music history, kept pace with its trendsetting production with this year’s line-up. www.gospelsuperfest.com. The first show airs in national syndication 3/27-4/19 (check local listings). About Allstate Gospel SuperFest The Allstate Gospel Superfest is one of the nation’s largest TV recordings in the field of urban-targeted, inspirational music and entertainment. Founded in 1998, the show has maintained a consistent presence in broadcast syndication for 15 consecutive years. Releasing five one-hour specials a year, The Allstate Gospel Superfest is carried by major TV network affiliated stations including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, & MYTV. The production is known for its elaborate staging, trendsetting production and Hollywood styled approach to gospel music television. Allstate Gospel Superfest TV programming reaches millions of TV viewers annually via domestic syndication and Cable, The Allstate Gospel Superfest is the most widely distributed TV brand in the history of black gospel music television. Gospel Superfest is a trade name of Unity Media Limited of Ohio. Gospel music lover Casey Grant, Radio Host of Blog Talk Radio’s FLY GIRL, was given the opportunity to cover the Allstate Gospel Fest for Sonya’s Spotlight web mag. Below is a photo of Casey and her assistant for the night, her neighbor, Carla Salvo.
Posted in Fitness | Leave a commentJussie Smollett & Bryshere “Yazz” Gray from EMPIRE – The Conference Call
March 20, 2015Date of Teleconference: March 17. 2015 – 12:30pm est. Actors Jussie Smollett & Bryshere “Yazz” Gray – from the hit drama EMPIRE- took time out of their busy schedules to talk with me and a few journalists about their experiences on EMPIRE via a teleconference call the day before the season finale. Jussie and Jazz were at different locations, but their chemistry seeped through the phone lines like they were in the same room with each other. The few reporters were based in Atlanta, Hawaii, New York, Chicago and beyond. Below are a few quotes from our 30 minute phone conversation with Jussie and Yazz. On their Chemistry Together : Jussie: As far as the relationship and the chemistry between both Hakeem and Jamal and, obviously, essentially, myself and Yazz, the thing about Hakeem and Jamal is that they compete and there are other people that really have their hands in the pot of their brotherhood, but at the same time they always find themselves back to each other. They always find their way back to each other somehow. I think that’s the beautiful thing about them is that families fight; families have issues. Not exactly as many issues as the Lyons family, but, families fight and they have issues and then they come back together at the end of the day and they’re a family. I think that it speaks volumes about brotherhood, the fact that Hakeem is so supportive of Jamal. Jamal is so supportive of Hakeem, but then it leads into our friendship and our brotherhood outside of the work. I feel like I watch the show sometimes, like when Yazz was performing “Nothing but a Number,” my character was excited, but my character was excited because I was genuinely excited because that was the first time …
Posted in Celebrity Profile | Leave a commentTHE SOUL MAN SEASON 4 LIVE LAUNCH ON MARCH 18TH!
March 17, 2015CEDRIC “THE ENTERTAINER” AND NIECY NASH RETURN LIVE FOR THE SEASON 4 PREMIERE OF “THE SOUL MAN” ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH AT 10:30PM ET/PT ON TV LAND FIRST LOOK PROMO HERE: No second takes, no rewrites: On Wednesday, March 18th at 10:30 PM ET/PT “The Soul Man” is going LIVE for its season premiere! Cedric “The Entertainer,” Niecy Nash and Wesley Jonathan are pulling out all the stops for the season 4 return, and they’re bringing along special guest star Sherri Shepherd for the ride. Shepherd will guest star as Nikki, Boyce’s (Cedric) unruly cousin who always has a few tricks up her sleeve. “The Soul Man” will take over all social media platforms on premiere night by releasing exclusive guest star interviews, photos from the set and more. The cast will also countdown to the live celebration by launching never-before-seen bloopers using the hashtag #NoSecondTakes. The official hashtag for premiere night is #SOULMANLive. “The Soul Man” follows R&B super-star-turned minister Reverend Boyce (Cedric “The Entertainer”) “The Voice” Ballentine after he relocated from Las Vegas to St. Louis with his wife Lolli (Niecy Nash). While they’re always adjusting to their new modest life, they have plenty of obstacles in their way, including Boyce’s brother Stamps (Wesley Jonathan), who is still trying to figure life out and another pain in their neck Cousin Nikki (Shepherd) who comes for a friendly visit that turns extended. Cedric and Suzanne Martin (“Hot in Cleveland”) are executive producers of the sitcom, along with Eric C. Rhone and Emmy® Award-winner Sean Hayes and Todd Milliner of Hazy Mills Productions. About TV Land TV Land is the programming destination featuring the best in entertainment on all platforms for consumers in their 40s. Consisting of original programming, acquisitions and a digital portfolio, TV Land is now seen in …
Posted in TV | Leave a commentXernona Clayton: “An Evening to Remember” Premiere
March 17, 2015Hundreds of dignitaries, entertainers, political figures and civil rights icons came out in style to celebrate the premiere of “A Life to Remember,” a provactive and entertaining documentary highlighting the life of Xernona Clayton at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, March 14, 2014 . Trumpet Awards Creator Xernona Clayton, a civil rights leader who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during his most impactive years as a civil rights advocate for non-violence, was the first African-American woman to host a prime time television show in the South. Clayton beamed with excitment as her family, friends and colleagues walked the red carpet, celebrated her through song and took a journey back with her through the showing of the stellar documentary. Below are a few photos from the evening. Check Back for Captions. Update in Progress.
Posted in 2026 BET AWARDS | 1 CommentSelma 50th Anniversary – Photos
March 12, 2015Thousands reenacted the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commenmorate the 50th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the Selma-to-Montgomery March, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in Selma, Ala March 7 – 8, 2015 . Enjoy the candid shots and videos below, captured by publisher & editor of Sonya’s Spotlight web mag, Sonya Jenkins.
Posted in Movie News, Photos | Leave a commentFOCUS – IN THEATERS February 27
February 26, 2015FOCUS (Warner Bros) Synopsis: Will Smith stars as Nicky, a seasoned master of misdirection who becomes romantically involved with novice con artist Jess (Margot Robbie). As he’s teaching her the tricks of the trade, she gets too close for comfort and he abruptly breaks it off. Three years later, the former flame—now an accomplished femme fatale—shows up in Buenos Aires in the middle of the high stakes racecar circuit. In the midst of Nicky’s latest, very dangerous scheme, she throws his plans for a loop…and the consummate con man off his game. Official Website: http://focusmovie.com/ IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015.
Posted in Cinema | Leave a commentTHE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION & MERCEDES-BENZ USA HOST HIGH-VOLTAGE ACADEMY AWARDS VIEWING PARTY
February 24, 2015ATTENDEES INCLUDED: Natalie Cole, Beverly Johnson, David Oyelowo, Tracee Ellis Ross, Thandie Newton, Lance Gross, Niecy Nash, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Omar Dorsey, Star Jones, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Lynn Whitfield among others. (Los Angeles) – February 23, 2015 – The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the premiere organization of film media professionals, set a goal last year to expand its industry presence during awards season with a collection of distinctive events. With awards season now coming to a close, by all accounts AAFCA has succeeded on all levels in honoring and presenting some of the most prominent names in front of the camera and behind the scenes in entertainment. While each event was presented under the AAFCA banner, they were all unique. Starting with a community-centric panel discussion that focused on career sustainability in the entertainment industry, in collaboration with One United Bank; to an intimate dinner at the home of Emmy Award-winning casting agent, Robi Reed, leading up to the association’s premiere event, its annual awards show that showcased some of the biggest names in the industry – Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, J.K. Simmons, Kathryn Bigelow, David Oyelowo, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Ava DuVernay, Chadwick Boseman, RZA, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Mike Epps, among others in attendance. AAFCA celebrated the end of awards season with a lavish Academy Awards Viewing Party with Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) that attracted a diverse group of celebrities and industry executives. “Award season never gets old and once again provided a whirlwind of activities that allowed the professionals who work so hard in this industry an opportunity to connect with their peers,” says AAFCA President, Gil Robertson. “AAFCA feels very privileged to participate in this tradition and add our distinctive flavor into the mix.” The AAFCA/MBUSA Academy Awards Viewing Party was a high-voltage affair held in the …
Posted in Movie News, Photos | Leave a comment2015 Trumpet Awards Red Carpet Coverage by Sonya Jenkins
February 22, 2015Videography/Editing by Raphael Gentry – RMG Media. Trumpet Awards Photos by MICHAEL JONES For More 2015 TRUMPET AWARDS PHOTOS CLICK ON LINK BELOW: http://sonyasspotlight.com/?p=11649
Posted in Spotlight, 57th NAACP Image Awards | 1 CommentInsurgent Exclusive Trailer – “Fight Back”
February 13, 2015SYNOPSIS: THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world. Summit Entertainment presents a Red Wagon Entertainment / Mandeville Pictures production, a Robert Schwentke film. Directed by: Robert Schwentke Screenplay by: Brian Duffield and Akiva Goldsman and Mark Bomback Based On The Novel “Insurgent” by: Veronica Roth Produced By: Douglas Wick, p.g.a.; Lucy Fisher, p.g.a.; Pouya Shahbazian Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Academy Award® Winner Octavia Spencer, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, with Naomi Watts, and Academy Award® Winner Kate Winslet. THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT Official Socials Official Website: http://www.thedivergentseries.com/ Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheDivergentSeries Official Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/DIVERGENT Official Instagram Account: www.instagram.com/thedivergentseries Official Pinterest Page: www.pinterest.com/insurgentmovie Follow on Snapchat: DivergentSeries #Insurgent
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