Whitney - Film

(C) 2018 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws

Whitney - Film

 

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist 

Whitney

A New Big Screen Biopic

    

       She was without question, one of the greatest vocal talents of all time. Musical history has already secured her place in the annals of superior talent. Whitney Houston’s recordings captured the strength and five octave range of a vocal instrument that was so astounding and amazing at the same time, To hear her live was an unreal experience. Yours truly had the distinct privilege of sitting in on a rehearsal of Houston when she did her first show in LA at the famed Roxy when her debut album was released. There was no one in the club but the band and a road manager type guy. I was at the venue for other reasons, but I heard this outstanding singer and I had to check her out. 

    

      I took a seat right in front of the stage and being the only one in the room, Houston came right over and started singing to me. The club was totally dark and empty. Only the stage was lit, and her melodious voice was echoing off the walls. Needless to say, I was blown away in awe of her sound and natural beauty. After the rehearsal she came down and sat next to me and we talked and laughed like we had known each other for years.

 Film's Director Kevin MacDonald,  Film's Producer Pat Houston

      As fate would have it, I was present in the lobby with tons of other press outlets on the afternoon that Houston died on the 4^th floor of the Beverly Hills Hilton. It was the annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Bash. People have complained that it should have been cancelled but this happened two hours before the limos started arriving. Every time I’m at the Beverly Hills Hilton I remember Houston with a spiritually meditating though.

    

Houston accepting her first Grammy

The new feature length biopic titled “WHITNEY” is a review of a life that went from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Houston experienced it all from superstar fame and fortune, marital infidelity, sexual ambiguity, drugs, betrayal, family dysfunction, being molested by a close family member and motherhood. Like all documentaries, this one starts with Houston’s early childhood upbringing in Newark, NJ where she was born and reared, then follows her journey to stardom and fame. From the beginning, when Houston started singing in the choir as a child at New Hope Baptist in Newark, it was apparent even then that this child was blessed with an unusual vocal gift. 

       Veteran record mogul Clive Davis is often given credit for “discovering” Houston but he was just one of several record execs who was invited to the club to hear her sing and jumped ahead of the pack to sign her. Houston’s family had already established a long track record of successful recording stars including cousin

     Dionne Warwick the family gospel group “The Drinkard Singers,” and her mom Cissy Houston. The film reveals that she was molested as a child by her cousin singer Dee Dee Warwick, but it became the elephant in the room that was never discussed. Dee Dee is now deceased and never faced the music for her act. Houston’s death is shrouded in mystery. According to the films’ director Kevin Macdonald, water from the tub Houston was found drowned in had overflowed all the way to the bedroom of her suite yet the faucets were turned off. Plus, who brought the drugs? There are many unanswered questions to this date. 

    

       Houston actually grew to dislike being famous and the public scrutiny that went with it saying that her stage persona and image was not the real her but was the Clive Davis-record company’s creation. Ad that with her personal life problems that she had to struggle with 24/7 and one can understand the chaos. In many ways, she was a tormented sole. But it is safe to say that it will be a while before the world will see the likes of her talent and powerful voice again.

© 2018 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)!

Ladylike Foundation Annual Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon - Event

(C) 2018 by Rych McCain, All Rights Reserved. No part of this column may be reprinted, re-posted or duplicated without written permission from Rych McCain Media/Syndication. Violation is subject to applicable laws

Ladylike Foundation Annual Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon - Event

 

Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Ladylike Foundation 10^th Annual Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon

     Once again, the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom was the scene for the 10^th Annual Ladylike foundation Women of Excellence Scholarship Luncheon. A bevy of beautiful teen young ladies dressed in their matching blush pink colored after 5 cocktail gowns were stationed in the lobby at the drive up entrance to greet the celebs they had been assigned to escort to the red carpet. Other VIP guest began arriving and spilling out of their limos and other stylish vehicles. Of course as we just mentioned, there was a lavish red carpet laden with press interviewing, video taping and photographing the arriving personalities as they casually made their way down the glamour walkway enroute to the VIP cocktail reception room.

Loni Love - The Real

Mrs. Cookie Johnson

 

Mrs. Tina Knowles-Lawson

Tween Actress Gabrielle Nevaeh Green

Actress Michelle Weaver - Love Is

Dave and Tonya Winfield

Jordin Sparks

Cynthia Bach Jewelry Sponsor

         The Ladylike Foundation is the brainchild of its Founder/President Leah Cher Pump. Throughout the year this dedicated organization conducts workshops that include etiquette, life skills, financial literacy, STEM Study, golf lessons, cooking classes with a professional chef, resume writing and personal statement workshops. The girls have seen Hamilton, Stomp and attended a Laker game sitting in a suite. Other offerings include learning about sex trafficking and how to notice signs of kidnapping. The organization has completed a school curriculum that has been taught for the last 4 years throughout The San Fernando Valley and South Los Angeles while giving away over $100,000 in college scholarships and for the third consecutive year financed the education of two orphan children in Ghana West Africa for boarding school.

LaTonya Richardson Jackson

 

   

  This year’s Women of Excellence Honorees were actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson, 

Pauletta Pearson Washington

actress Pauletta Pearson Washington, 

Debra L. Lee

Chairman & CEO of BET Networks Debra L. Lee 

 

Angela Bassett

 

and actress Angela Bassett.

  Their awards were presented by Makai Maholmes, Kamiah Johnson, Zandra LeFore and Amir Freeman. 

Holly Robinson Pete MC

     Actress/activist and philanthropist Holly Robinson Pete again served as Mistress of Ceremonies. 

 

     DJ Tendaji kept the pre-ceremonies period live with the proper sounds. The Rt. Rev. Dr. R.A. Williams, Pastor of The McCoy Memorial Baptist Church delivered the opening prayer. The Ladylike Mantra was read by Kiara Henderson, Christina Littlejohn and Lauren Brooks while the introduction of the M.C. was done by Evette Gibson. A video presentation was made by Brook Starr and Tiera Turner.

    

Liliya Dilanyan Founder of Isabella Couture

 

 An incredible runway Fashion Show and Hip-Hop Dance was presented featuring fashion design outfits from Isabella Couture.

 

Ebony Tye Movement Master Coach

     

     The dance troop routines were choreographed by master movement coach Ebony Tye and Costume Designs were by Linda Stokes. A live auction was held followed by a rousting performance by platinum signer Jordin Sparks. 

Mrs. Lillian Walker and Ms. Renee Mackey presented the 2018 student scholarships to: 

Danielle Rawles - UCLA

Danielle Rawles, attending UCLA

Janae Lynn - UC Davis

Janae Lynn, attending U of California, Davis

Lucy Collins - Columbia University

Lucy Collins, attending Columbia University  

Mya Harris - Stanford University

Maya Harris, attending Stanford University  

Sierra Corinne Richey - UC Berkeley

Sierra Corinne Richey, attending UC Berkeley

 

Gabriella Kimbrough - Vassar College

 

 Gabriella Kimbrough, attending Vassar College.

L-R Leah C. Pump, Angela Bassett and Holly Robinson-Pete

Mrs. Leah C. Pump Founder/President of The Ladylike Foundation

     An incredibly scrumptious lunch was served in the beautifully decorated ballroom. Dana Pump, the husband of Ladylike Foundation’s Founder and President Leah C.  Pump, gave his wife a heart felt introduction and she made her remarks, dished out the thank you’s and the evening was complete.

© 2018 Rych McCain Media/Syndication TM 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

Twitter@rychmccain and Facebook (Like Me)!