TV ONE PARTNERS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AT&T, AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE, BLACK RADIANCE, DISNEY PICTURES, MCDONALD’S, TOYOTA AND - Keep Reading...
author.php

Author Archives: Sonya's Spotlight

← Older posts Newer posts →

CASTING DIRECTOR TWINKIE BYRD – HOLLYWOOD CASTING PRO

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

HOLLYWOOD’S HOTTEST CASTING DIRECTOR TWINKIE BYRD DOES HER MAGIC WITH UPCOMING FILM, SPARKLE STARRING THE LATE GREAT WHITNEY HOUSTON  Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd once again casts up and coming actors season 6 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks and The Voice’s celebrity judge Cee-Lo Green in Sparkle, helping them cross over from music to film  Jumping the Broom, Notorious and Stomp the Yard casting director, Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd works her magic again with the upcoming film Sparkle starring the late Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks Mike Epps (The Hangover, Next Friday), Cee-Lo Green (The Voice, Kang Fu Panda soundtrack) and the acting debut of season 6 American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks.  Byrd’s knack for casting the hottest and most talented entertainers continues to make her stand out from her peers. Not only did she cast Jordin Sparks and Cee-Lo Green, who will be making their big screen debut in Sparkle, but her genius showed in Jumping the Broom by casting Paula Patton and Laz Alonso who went on to win the 2012 NAACP Image Award for the Leading Man in a Movie.  Byrd became “notorious” after casting Jamal Woolard, Angela Basset, Derek Luke and Anthony Mackie for the Fox Searchlight film Notorious.  Her eye for spotting talent was crucial for casting Stomp the Yard and Stomp The Yard: Homecoming, and she didn’t disappoint with Grammy award winner Chris Brown, Grammy nominated artist Ne-Yo, Harry Lennix, Laz Alonso and Colombus Short. Byrd’s most recent project Sparkle is the story of three sisters that form a successful singing group while dealing with fame and drugs.  Though Jordin Sparks is expected to turn heads with her first lead role performance in the film, this was Whitney Houston’s last performance and it is being hailed as phenomenal. Houston’s role was said to compliment her next musical release.  Sparks said Houston, “went from being this unreachable supernova pop star to my co-star, friend and someone who was like a mentor to me.  It was a …

Posted in Movie News | 3 Comments

Trumpet Awards 2012

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

2OTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRUMPET AWARDS  Wayne Brady Hosts 2012 Trumpet Awards in Atlanta Some of America’s finest turned out to witness the 20th Anniversary of the Trumpet Awards and the celebration of African American achievers.  The famed “Red Carpet” of the Annual Trumpet  Awards rolled out and welcomed an international cast of who’s who in the areas of religion, politics, public service, law, sports and entertainment. The 20thAnnual Trumpet Awards was hosted by Wayne Brady, an Emmy Award winning actor,  recording artist, dancer, and television personality.  His work can be seen on television or film, in the theater, or heard on the radio. Brady hosted his own syndicated talk/variety show “The Wayne Brady Show.” Currently, Brady can be seen on CBS as the host of the daytime classic “Let’s Make A Deal.” The awards show took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, January 7. Celebrity guests, honorees, and participants from previous Trumpet Awards attended VIP events throughout the weekend. Honerees for this year’s Trumpet Awards were Earth, Wind, & Fire; Rev. C. L. Franklin (accepted by his daughter Aretha Franklin); Ted Turner; Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr.; Mr. & Mrs. Emmitt Smith; Mayor Cory A. Booker; U.S. Ambassador Nicole Avant; Mary Parker; Tyrese;  and a group of 17 African American men and women who are Hotel General Managers. Presenters for the 20th Annual Trumpet Awards were Sharon Leal, The OJays, Blair Underwood, and more. Performers for the show included award-winning recording artists Bilal, Anthony David, Mint Condition, Raphael Saadiq, Naturally Seven, Kim Burrell; Everette Harp,  Estelle and Ronnie Laws. Heads of State – Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill kicked the show off with renditions of their hit songs. The Trumpet Awards Foundation presented the Spiritual Enlightenment Award at the Prayer Breakfast, held at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, January 5, at the Hyatt Hotel.  Honorees included Collie Burnett, Jr. Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (AIB TV);Bishop Andrew J. Ford. II, Ford Memorial Temple; Mrs. …

Posted in COWBOY CARTER TOUR- ATLANTA - A NIGHT TO REMEMBER | Leave a comment

Judge Glenda Hatchett

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“First of all you’ve got to work hard. There’s no short cut. Also, never sacrifice who you are. If you start selling your soul, then you’ve lost who you are, so don’t compromise who you are.” Judge Glenda Hatchett, The Judge Hatchett Show

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Pastor Paula White

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“It doesn’t necessarily matter where you start in life, it matters where you finish. Don’t ever let life label you. Challenge everything that would be against you. You’re not a product of what you’ve gone through. You can use what was meant as your stumbling block and turn it into your stepping stone. When you can really begin to understand that you have a God that loves you and that believes in you – and you find your authentic self – who you really are – and that you’re not a product of what you went through, but you’re a product of what God says about you, then all things are possible.” Pastor Paula White, Paula White Ministries/ Pastor of Without Walls International Church – Tampa, FL

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Johnnie Cochran

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

 “There are three keys to success. One is preparation, two is preparation, and three is preparation. Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation.” The late Johnnie Cochran, Attorney/Author

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Halle Berry

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“Put your all into whatever you choose to do. Create opportunities and be willing to try new things.” Halle Berry, Actress

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Quincy Jones

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“Think about getting better at what you do, and don’t give in to impatience. If you don’t go for longevity then you lose the opportunity to grow as a creative and spiritual being.” Quincy Jones, Producer

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Patti LaBelle

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“Stay in a good frame of mind. Whenever you’re rejected or totally disrespected, just respect yourself, love yourself, and know how good you are.” Patti LaBelle, Singer/Actress

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Gladys Knight

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“Try to give your very best at whatever you do and make it quality work – not here today and gone tomorrow.” Gladys Knight, Singer

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment

Rev. Jessie Jackson

Posted on by Sonya's Spotlight

“We need not limit ourselves to one role. We need not allow anyone to build walls for us and we certainly must not construct them for ourselves.” Rev. Jessie Jackson, Minister/Political Leader

Posted in Celebrity Success Tips | Leave a comment ← Older posts Newer posts →
©2026 Sonya's Spotlight
Website Designed and Developed By: Absolute Synergy Squad, LLC