Sleeper Stars....

I just love when I am right. Last week my girl Trish sent me an article on Kenan Thompson that detailed everything I already knew. He's been a star on the 'come up' for awhile now and I always thought he was the most under rated cast member of Saturday Night Live. I love his impersonations of Billy Cosby (what up, Cliff?) and Charles Barkley. And I especially love when he plays Virginiaca - the over sexed black woman; cuz we don't have enough of those - hilarious!

He has come a long way from one half of the burger joint duo of Kenan and Kel. Then he just had to spew a couple of quick paced one-liners to keep Nickolodeaners engaged.


A little later, slowly breaking off the ambilical cord...his roles were often cartoon versions of himself like in the movie adaptation of Fat Albert and even in his earlies at SNL.



His more recent portrayls of Whoopi Goldberg on The View and Tiger Woods give him a pass for super stardom. But his off-camera persona sets him apart from those before him. Less brash than an Eddie Murphy but more swagger than the Wayans Bros. ( God, how I miss In Living Colour!). More easiness than a John Candy and less intimidation than a Chris Rock . The only thing I love more than a sleeper star is one that carves out a space all for their own. Go dey, Kenan. Yuh large (no pun intended, I swear)!


I'd now like to take the time to predict another sleeper star. Recently, I've noticed Pussy Cat Dolls member Melody Thornton and have officially put her on style watch. I didn't watch the reality show where she was selected among many other contestants to win the coveted spot in the R&B group. One look at her though and you'd think she'd fit right in...cute and sexy...oh, 'and bubble gum'.



Yes. This chick was born for finger pointing and garter belts.


Her style has been softening up of late...less Beyonce-inspired locs for more natural looking waves matched with a slight smokey eye. Hot.



She's been taking risks off the stage showing less body hugging outfits for more urban-chic ensembles.

This fashion direction that she is taking could bring her to the over-exposed status of that of a certain good girl gone bad bajan beauty. Go ahead young grasshopper...I'll watch you hop to the top! Aaaaaannnnndddd...I'll have this blog as proof to holler, "Told yall!"
Why do I love sleeper stars so much? Because it gives credence to the old adage 'slow and steady wins the race' or 'hard work pays off in the end'. I love when good things happen to those we sometimes over look. Truth be told it is very much my Canadianism...the happy second but really we got the 'one up' ;)


Your media darling,

Asha
xoxo

Force Ripe?

"She too blasted force ripe! Deese chirren need to take dey time" were some of the expressions my grandmother and her peers would use for children (often little girls) who did things at (what some consider) a young age. I remember once I painted my nails red - can't remember how old I was - and she nearly fainted blaming my older cousins, tv and other sorts for my 'force ripe'ness'.I am reminded (fondly) of that moment whenever I pick up red polish. Without clearly understanding why she was so upset, I know that I thought it was funny. And I didn't take off the nail polish...

One website innocently asked about Willow Smith's (child of Will and Jada) haircut...if it is too much for a 9 year old. Many of the comments revealed outrage (much like Granny's) about Willow's look, her parents' rearing rules, and even societal pressures. Others were in favour of her self-expression and applauded her style.

Recently, I was watching Fashion Television and there was a segment about a 13 year old blogger who covered one of her favourite fashion labels. How cute, I thought. A fews days later I stumbled upon an article about the young fashionista Tavi, and was much more intrigued. I was a little disturbed by the connation used to describe the taste of Tavi. I later visited her blog and thought that this child is brilliant.

If the respective parents of these children only have to worry about haircuts and blogs then I'd say things are great for them. And besides they are just kids...let them make their mistakes - both beauty and editorial - and learn from them. What is truly wonderful and inspirational is that these young girls have got the confidence to display themselves and tap into their beings that don't only involve homework and chores. Shoot...at age 13 I was probably busy plotting revenge on the boy who snapped my bra strap. Self expression is beautiful and not often lauded in a West Indian household. Go'head girls....show'em what'cha made of...

I don't have any children so perhaps I don't know what it is to love so fiercely. I do however, realize that parents (aka the critics) just want to protect their kids from the perils that will surely come and it is some conveyed in all types of "Dis RED nail polish yuh wearin'?" and "my child can NEVER wear her hair like that". Only now do I realize my grandmother's fears. She wanted me to do (or not do) everything that would steer me away from 'trouble'...even evils in the form of nail lacquer. Oh, the horrors I've put my kinfolk through. Speaking of trouble...how much fierceness (and hot water) is barely 20 year old model Jourdann Dunn catwalking for Jean Paul Gautier with her preggars self? She just had a baby boy. Congrats to her!

Yours,

Asha
xoxo

The Wait Is Over....

Phew! Rhianna FINALLY joined the ranks of super stardom and posed for a just-cover-your-nipples pic circa a pregnant Demi and a 1993 Jackson baby sis on the self-titled Janet album. 'Follow Fashion' or 'Rite of Passage'? Who cares. These pics for GQ magazine are HOT.

Bad Girl Gone Good

Why do I worry? There really is a job for everyone. Good jobs too. Ashley Dupre is now a writer for the New York Post. Dupre is widely known for her relationship with former New York Govenor Eliot Spitzer. I remember watching his resignation speech and wondered if he thought all the drama was worth it? And his poor wife...

I watched her on The View yesterday and I thought she was well spoken and I commend her for trying to make the best out of unfortunate circumstance.

Sex with a high profile escort in the name of Ashley Dupre must be really good. Good enough to compromise a marriage and a job. But this isn't about her sexual expertise but more her literary expertise. Perhaps the two are one in the same? For her at least. She'll bring her talent in the form of an advice column on sex and relationships.Wow. Check the promo vid...not free of hot-office-girl cliche here

* Pic courtesy of examiner.com

Your media, darling,

Asha

In Like A Tiger, Out Like a Lamb

Wow. I did not see this one coming. Our boy Tiger Tiger Woods Yall just issued a statement sounding like he is going to bow out:

I am deeply aware of the disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has caused to so many people, most of all my wife and children. I want to say again to everyone that I am profoundly sorry and that I ask forgiveness. It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try. [...] What's most important now is that my family has the time, privacy, and safe haven we will need for personal healing.
After much soul searching, I have decided to take an indefinite break from professional golf. I need to focus my attention on being a better husband, father, and person.

I understand what comes with the territory yet it is all so stunning...the whole story from his admission to transgressions and now to him quitting? Wow. I guess the thing we should learn from athletes though, is that with focus and determination anything is possible. So perhaps in his time off he can make his marriage better and a more solid one. I really commend him (and his PR team) for trying. But then what about when he returns to golf? Because he will. And more than likely, come back bigger than ever. The rest of the world would have forgotten (and moved on) about his mistakes but will his wife? Will she ever forget about Vegas cocktail waitresses and text messages? Both of which he can still participate in when he gets back 'on course'. It is one thing to try and get over things in private but how 'bout when the whole world KNOWS too? Nah! The real focus and determination is on the part of will-buss-a-golf-club-on-yo-ass Elin. How does she surpress the venom and think about working out a marriage that was compromised by Tiger? I don't know all the issues that face the couple outside of his transgressions but won't it be amazing when he is made out to be the victor in all of this? I don't think that his character should be judged solely on his affairs and I truly believe he is deeply remorseful. I'm just saying I wish there were bright lights, big medals and shiny trophies for the wives that try to work things out too...Go'head Elin, you're a winner to me no matter what.

Michelle Obama: Most Fascinating Person of 2009

I didn't watch Barbara Walters' annual Most Facinating people special, but I am OVERJOYED that Michelle Obama: Most Fascinating Person of 2009 Michelle Obama was chosen as THEE most fascinating person of 2009. It is no secret how I feel about her.

I'm Just Preview'n it...

Last week when I attended my monthly PR Networking event, I had no expectations whatsoever. This had only been my second one and the first one there was a panel discussion but I really didn't know if all events thereafter would share the same format. I enjoyed the first one and my unemployed self couldn't wait to do anything that didn't involve staring at a computer scouring sites for a job.
I got there a little bit before 7pm. This event was at Berkeley Heritage Event Venue. An old church that is now is used for all types of non-dogmatic functions. Very cool. I quickly glanced the room of office chic youngthings along with both legitimate and wanna be pr aficionados and found myself a seat. I skipped the bar because I knew the speaker was starting soon and the smell of the red wine in the air was making my empty stomach a little queasy.
Julien Smith quickly introduced himself and thanked everyone for coming to listen to him. The confident and quarky co-author of Trust Agents began his entertaining powerpoint-like presentation on the values of the viral world. He was amazing! He broke it all down in easy to understand yet uber-inspiring methods for professional and personal gratification from the internet. A few things struck me:

- "You can't tell the joke unless you are at the bar". In other words, you must participate. He used the analogy of going to church - not about religion but about coming together. The same with conferences and the same with the very event we were all at. I got it. You can't want to be part of something if you are not active in it. It is almost like when you would get disappointed when you would get a blue participation ribbon instead of the first-place ribbon. Well you can't get the first place ribbon unless you participate, right? Okaaaaaay. Got it. I'mma do whatever it takes.

- "No strategy = death". If you do nothing, nothing happens.

- "Advantage comes from fear, from risk. You have to conquer that fear to take on all advantages". I used to be afraid to join a certain group in high school. Not like the 'cool' or 'jock' kind of group, I mean like the math or science group. Once I got over that fear, I got so much more out of it than better grades. Better friendships. Better bonds.

I just ordered the book today and haven't read anything as yet. I know nothing about it chapter for chapter as yet but I do know that what he talked about aren't just internet lessons but life lessons. I look forward to reading it and then I'll be just review'n it. Stay tuned...

Its your media, darling,
Asha
xoxo

In a Beauty State Of Mind

It is winter time and it has me in the mood to nest. Nesting for me usually means indulging in pocket-friendly beauty regimens and dreaming of the next time I will feel the hot sun beat down on my (SPF'd) body. By the time it's time to nix nesting and hit the beach, I'll be revived and moisturized! Here's a little bit of my regimen:

For face I'm on home-made duty when I mix mayonnaise, corn meal and honey. I put the mixture (2 tablespoons of each) on a clean face and leave on for about 20 minutes. While rinsing off I make sure to do so with small circular strokes to adhere to proper exfoliation and max out the benefits of a good scrub. Then I finish with my favourite cleanser, toner and moisturizer. When all is said and done my face feels soft, supple and sexy. And the best part? The next day is when my face REALLY gets a glow. Beach envy? I think not.

For feet it's a mix of old and new. The newbie on the beauty arsenal block is The Body Shop's Peppermint Cooling Lotion (Someone gave me this for Christmas ions ago and I never used it. I found it one evening waaaay in the back of my beauty shelf and gave it a try. Amazing!). After I've loofa'ed my feet in the shower I massage my feet with this cool minty moisturizer that makes my toes sing allehiah! Then I slather on copious amounts of the old trusty Petroleum Jelly. Everyone has this in a cabinet some where because it is good for so much. It is a no-no for hair but a hell yes for feet. I finish with my favourite thickest, sleepy-time socks. The true satisfaction is not just superiorly soft feet, it's the look I get from the beautician while getting a pedicure that says, "Why do you come here?" :)

I must mention another newbie to my routine: Clinique's All About Eyes! I got this in a bonus time gift bag and tried it and fell in love. I am always looking for the next best thing in sleep-deprived-but-don't-wanna-look-like-it beauty and this just might be it! I pat this on all over the eye area morning and night.

Oh! And how happy was I when my Uncle mailed a news article featuring my Auntie Marcelle as Miss Ebony 1966 of St.Vincent, West Indies. He was good enough to attach it to a Holiday card this year. Since she lives in the tropics I don't get to see her as much as I would like but this immediately made me feel closer to her. Many of my childhood memories include her taking us on island excursions when we went for summer holidays. I remember she once staged a spelling b for me and my cousins that took place every evening after dinner when me and my brother stayed there for a month. Fun times! I look forward to seeing her next summer when I visit to find out more about her reign as Miss Ebony and beauty regimens. Looks like being in a Beauty State Of Mind is part of the lineage...

Asha

Admission Letters...

We all know what they are, right? We've all waited feverishly at the door for the mail courier to bring one to us. We've all hoped, wished and prayed for one. They act as a tangible Rite of Passage. For Tiger Woods, he wrote his own admission letter in the form of a press release explaining his regrets for his 'transgressions'. From the moment he hit SEND he then had been admitted to full fledge stardom. I really wanted to stay away from this whole thing when the story first broke last week Thursday. I had just arrived to New York City when I heard the news and the words, "It is not known why Woods was driving at 2am". Puhleeze, I thought. I could be driving at 2am on any given night - not a big deal.I was disgusted. I told myself I was not going to pay any attention to this foolishness. If anything, I wanted to make it kind of fairy-tale like, with his distraught wife playing a real-life heroine, breaking the window and rescuing her man from danger! But then there was talk of a mistress? And then another? And THEN a voicemail from Tiger himself? Okay. So what he had an affair(s). It is almost expected of these athletes, right? Though I must admit that I was a little bit shocked that Tiger would cheat on his wife. I don't know....I just always saw him as so focused and humble and even a little serious. I remember him on Oprah years ago explaining his heritage and coining the term CABLANASIAN. He was so sweet. And then many years later on Ellen he exemplified patience and determination even while the light-hearted comedian did her best to make him laugh, dance, flinch....something! Truth be told, I still feel the same way about him in spite of all the recent talk. He is human. He made a mistake. One not that uncommon. Let his wife, Elin present and handle the ramifications of his trangressions. And while I think being famous is one of the hardest things, this scandal and his admission letter prove his rite to super-stardom. It is what MUST happen. I wish it weren't but it is. Maybe he just got caught up in his own celebrity thinking he could 'get away' with anything. I believe a person should be judged on their values as well as their character, however I don't know what it is like to have THAT much money and power. I am sure it can make most circumstances entirely different. It is almost like this admission letter is not just a Rite of Passage to fame in HD but also basic humanity....filled with bad choices and mistakes. Keep ya head up, Tiger....this too shall pass and you will have the chance to re-write your letter.