Special Feature - Rych's 2011 Youth List

Special Feature - Rych's 2011Youth List

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
 All Photos Subject To Copyrights

 

  It is that time of year again where I personally select favorites for my TOP TEN LIST OF HOLLYWOOD’S MOST TALENTED YOUTH! The candidates (18 yrs and under) are selected strictly from the interviews that I conducted with them during 2011, which intern ran in my Weekly Internationally/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Column as a photo-interview feature. If I didn’t interview you – you don’t qualify for my list! It’s that simple (hint publicists, young artists and anyone else who feels left out)!

     As with every year, my hat goes off in a major salute to the parents of these exceptional young artists who have made untold sacrifices well beyond what many parents would be willing to make such as pulling up stakes and moving the entire family to LA or whatever else it took for their child or children to make it in the biz. The ten winners selected are without question the best of the best! They too have sacrificed, trained hard, done without and burned gallons of the midnight oil it took to get to where they are and they are just getting started! Rych McCain salutes all ten of you who are a part of my media family and I wish that the best is yet to come for each of you! May continued success be yours! 

     This year has an added bonus. For the girls; O.P.I., the world’s leading beauty marketer which includes the Kardashisan line is giving them promotional beauty kits and Dewberries, the Boutique to the stars, is giving gift bags as well. The boys will enjoy promotional sportswear from Niky’s Sports, one of the best chain outlets for sporting goods with a specialization in soccer. They are the choice of top athletes and the Hollywood stars. The awardees are listed alphabetically starting with:

Rowan Blanchard

.1.  Rowan Blanchard (age 12); Rowan is bubbling over with maturity and focus way beyond her 12 years. She exercised masterful command of her role as Rebecca Wilson in “Spy Kids, All The Time In The World 4-D” for Dimension Films.

Bobby Coleman, III

2.  Bobby Coleman III (age 14); Bobby put on such an awesome display of child bravery and the love of living in the face of life and death adversity through his role of Billy Kirkfield, the child with cancer in “Snowmen,”  for ARC Entertainment. 

Zendaya

3. Zendaya  (age 15);  Zendaya plays the perky Rocky Blue on the smash hit TV show “Shake It Up” on the Disney Channel Network.. 




















 

Mason Cook

 4. Mason Cook (age 11); Mason’s skillful portrayal of the adorable little brother role as Cecil Wilson in “Spy Kids, All The time In The World 4-D” for Dimension Films and secured a spot in the heart’s of thousands of fans of the “Spy Kid’s” franchise.

Stone Chandler Forrest

5. Stone Chandler Forrest. (age 11);  Stone made his acting debut as Jyreek on the episode “One In A Million” for the reality TV show “Will To Live,” for the TV One Network.

Leeah D. Jackson

  6. Leeah D. Jackson (age 12); Leeah was featured in the film “A Mother’s Choice” for Star Trac  Productions and appeared in the movie “The Hive,” for Robert Townsend Productions. She was the 2011 Host of “The Hip Hop Awards” in Las Vegas and has numerous national commercials to her credit.

China Anne McClain

  7. China Anne McClain (age 13); China Anne makes her second solo appearance on this list. She has her own TV Sitcom “A.N.T. Farm,” on the Disney Channel Network and is a regular cast member playing Jazzymine Payne on Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” for the TBS Network. China Anne is also a recording artist signed to Hollywood Records with her sisters Sierra and Lauren. The sister's performed the hit them song "Rise" for the Disney Movie "Chimpanzee."

Chole Grace Moretz

 8. Chole Grace Moretz (age 14) Chole is currently in “Dark Shadows” for Warner Bros. Pictures as the rebellious family daughter Carolyn Stoddard.  She hauntingly and brilliantly portrayed little Anne Sliger in “Texas Killing Fields,” Anchor Bay Films. She was charming, witty and totally heart warming as Isabelle who has helped make “Hugo,” a favorite contender for a 2012 Oscar nod for Paramount Pictures. Chole blew everybody’s mind (good and controversial) as Mindy “Hitgirl” Marready, the pint size assassin in Lionsgate Films comic book take-off smash “Kick-Ass!”

Leroya Sanford

 9. Leroya Sanford (age 9); Comedienne. The youngest female stand-up comic on major comedy club stages in Hollywood.

Kennedy Zimet

10. Kennedy Zimet (age 15); Kennedy serves as a News Anchor/Producer for D.A.M.N.Y.C. Manhattan Neighborhood Network. She also conducts interviews in the studio and on the red carpets as well as act. 

© 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

 E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net 

2012 BET Awards - TV

The 2012 BET Awards Rocks Again!

 By Rych McCain, International/Nationally Entertainment Columnist

Photos Courtesy BET

     The 2012 BET Awards was another cable TV ratings bonanza as it is every year! This year the red carpet had bleacher seating for the mostly teen fans to see their favorite stars up close and even shaking their hands and getting autographs. The screaming from those fans kept the energy and excitement high as the stars paraded down doing their side press interviews.

Terrence J and Rocsi

     The live pre-show was hype as usual hosted by BET’s own Terrence J and Rocsi. As with every year, the acts had to perform in straight up blazing hot sun. The temps on that stage and the red carpet were in the high 80’s leaving the stars, press and fans to sweat and melt.

Nikki Minaj

     When everybody settled down inside the Shrine Auditorium they witness a great show but it was hindered by numerous bleeps and vulgarities that the censors missed or only half clipped during the entire show. It is actually a shame that some acts (not all) in the hip hop/rap genre blatantly display ignorance and the lack of respect of the medium of television with cussing and vulgar jesters. A large segment of Rick Ross and Nikki Minaj’s performances were muted out due to foul language. 

Yolanda Adams

           Gospel superstar Yolanda Adams, who performed and won “The Best Gospel Artist Award,” urged her secular music peers to act mature and use their fame wisely. In her acceptance speech Adams said “We need all of y’all. I’m saying the world needs everyone in this room. Please make sure that you use your gift responsibly, because we’re watching. Our babies are watching and they want to be like us.”

Cissy Houston

     The emotional highlight of the night came via the Whitney Houston tribute. Mariah Carey opened the segment with memories of her friendship with Houston. She was followed by a stirring number by Monica. Brandy rendered two of Houston’s up-tempo hits and Chaka Khan blazed the stage with "I'm Every Woman," which Houston remade. Houston’s brother Gary came out to sing a tune them mom Cissy Houston took the stage and had church. She brought the house down with a highly emotional charged gospel rendition of “Bridge Over Trouble Water.” Many in the crowd were brought to tears not only in the auditorium but in the back press room as well. All eyes were glued to those monitors. Other tributes included Chante Moore singing a medley of the late Donna Summers hits; Valerie Simpson singing the hits she collaborated with her late husband Nick Ashford and a tribute to TV music show pioneers Don Cornelius (Soul Train), Dick Clark (American Bandstand) and radio mogul Hal Jackson (Co-creator of the Inner City Radio Broadcast group).

Solange, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye & Kim BET Photo

      The show was hosted by actor Sam Jackson who did skits with fellow Moorehouse College alumni Spike Lee and comic Kevin Hart who hosted last year’s show. Kanye West with girlfriend Kim Kardashian in tow led the pack with seven nominations followed by Beyonce with six. Beyonce did win “Best video Director” with Alan Ferguson and “Best Female R&B Artist.” West and his friend Jay-Z  beat out Beyonce for “Video of The Year. 

Kanye & Jay-Z

     As West was giving his acceptance speech, Jay-Z interrupted him and said: "Excuse me Kanye, I'm gonna let you continue, but ...," and the audience broke out with laughter, recalling West's infamous interruption of Taylor Swift's MTV Video Music Awards speech a few years back. Chris Brown was also a double winner; Kevin Hart won “Best Actor,” Big Sean was named best new artist while Wale and Miguel's smooth hit "Lotus Flower Bomb" won “Best Collaboration.”

Frankie Beverly & Jamie Foxx

    The show’s presenters were Taraji P. Henson, Kerry Washington and Jamie Foxx, who wore a T-shirt that had a picture of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen killed in Florida. Frankie Beverly featuring Maze were honored with the lifetime achievement award, and they were serenaded with performances by Tyrese, Faith Evans and Joe.

D'Angelo 

     D'Angelo did, his first televised performance in years fostering his comeback. In an interesting note, Chris Brown performed in his first televised appearance since the New York City nightclub brawl between his entourage and Drake’s. Brown’s Girlfriend, his bodyguard and NBA star Tony Parker were among those injured in the June 14 encounter, where bottles were thrown. Despite being nominated, Drake was a no-show for the awards. For complete list of winners go to www.bet.com  

Tyrese, Ginuwine and Tank

                              

 © 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From Me!)

 E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net 

Vanessa Morgan - TV

Vanessa Morgan

The Sexiest Vamp Babysitter On TV!

By Rych McCain international/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Vanessa Morgan (Photo by Sean Getti)

    The Disney Channel has produced a slew of cutie-pie looking youngsters who went on to become young adult stunners such as Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Vanessa Hudgens, Brenda song, Raven Symone and the list goes on. Soon to be added to that tradition is actress/singer Vanessa Morgan. 

     This young lady is fully equipped with the sexy, sultry looks, talent and persona that not only turn heads and catches attention but will have many suitors (both script wise professionally and relationship wise personally) hustling to get in line. 

Vanessa Morgan (Website Photo)

     Even though she is currently almost fully legal at age twenty, Morgan came up through the ranks at Disney and other outlets as a child actor breaking in the biz as an eight year-old with her film debut as the young Vanessa Williams in VH1’s TV movie “A Diva’s Christmas.” The Ottawa, Ontario, Canada native won the beauty title of Junior Miss America in 1999 and has starred on the international Family Channel TV series “The Latest Buzz.” Morgan has other credits including the Disney Channel TV movies “Harriet The Spy: Blog Wars” and “Geek Charming.” She currently has a recurring role Jenne, Cameron’s girl friend on Disney’s “A.N.T. Farm” TV series and stars as Sarah the half human vampire also on Disney’s “My Baby Sitter’s A Vampire” TV series.

Benny's spell book (Disney Channel Photo)

    
     Disney doing a vampire TV show? Was it shocking or surprising to Morgan to get such a role on The Disney Channel of all places? She chuckles, “It was a complete shock because Disney definitely doesn’t do anything like that. We never thought it was going to get picked up by Disney at all when we made it because that is really out of their comfort zone but I was auditioning for another Disney show and the head of Disney said ‘Oh, we just bought your show.’ So I was the first one to find out even before anyone else. I guess they liked how it was a bit riskier than how they usually go so they wanted to try it out. And kids love it because its not so protected and squeaky clean. It’s actually the humor that they really like.” 
  

    When asked about her character, Morgan says, “My character’s name is Sarah and she’s the vampire baby sitter. She’s very strong. She’s dealing with the fact that her ex-boyfriend was a vampire and turned her into one against her will. But she’s dealing with that because she wanted to have kids one day, be a normal high school student and now she’s realizing that’s not really going to happen anymore. She has to deal with school and then fighting vampires and all of these mystical creatures that she’s discovered are now in her town.”

Vanessa Morgan (Website Photo)

     As far as being a former beauty pageant queen, did that have any affect on making her career happen as most contestants claim to enter pageants as a career advancement? Morgan reflects, “I was really little and I saw these other little girls and I thought oh I get to show my talent, I’ll get to sing. I did the competition and you know how they do the hair and make-up and I didn’t even do my hair. I just had my afro curls and I put on blush, lip gloss and a little bit of mascara. I didn’t do any classes or anything. Then I won Miss Junior California and then Junior Miss America. For me it wasn’t about a career move I said oh, I get to show my talent and sing. I just kind of did it actually because I wanted to beat out the girls that took it so seriously with all of the make-up and stuff. I just strutted across the stage in my little afro and winked at the judges. I guess they liked it.”
 

     Off camera Morgan loves going for walks, dancing, being with friends and hanging out with her dogs. She also loves splitting her time between the States and Canada. How does she avoid the pitfalls of Hollywood being young and superfine? “Morgan blushes and laughs, “Just look out for people who have your best interest. In this industry you can meet a lot of fake, competitive, nasty people who don’t have your best interest. So you have to deal with that. Everyone will deal with a person like that on set or in their life. Hold to the right set and don’t allow yourself to be used and be confident in your talent.” 

     Hit her up at twitter.com@vanessamorgan, her website www.vanessamorgan.com and Facebook.

 © 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 
(You DID Hear It From Me!)  
E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net

Steve Helmkamp - TV

 

Steve Helmkamp

Taking A Bite Out Of Life His Way!

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

  

Steve Helmkamp (M&H Photo)

  

    The average working person gets up every morning, five days a week, going to a boring dead end job that they hate. Most in that position accept it as their fate without challenge but there are the exceptions who ponder the question, what if I could take a break from work and the obligations of life?

      Los Angeles based actor and model Steven Helmkamp found himself face-to-face with an opportunity to make a separation from the ordinary via a new TV series. The new show is titled “Clean Break” and airs Wednesday nights 8 & 11 PM ET/PT as a web series and TV show on The Fuel-TV Network. The show features three men who are plucked from their mundane and monotonous lives and dropped into Hawaii’s most beautiful and remote locations to endure trying a physical, adrenaline-pumping and emotional series of challenges and adventures. The show’s motto says: “Sometimes you need to go outside to find out what’s inside.” The men are tutored and guided by veteran, champion watermen and their experiences made a visible and permanent impact on their attitudes and life.

Steve & Waterman Tamayo (Fuel TV Photo)

  
    Helmkamp, a Florida native, has spent his life loving the water but found himself in a rut with a job he couldn’t stand while being on call for acting gigs. Hoping to rekindle his motivation to find true happiness, Helmkamp reignited his love for adventure when the opportunity presented itself in the form of the TV show “Clean Break.”  He is an avid fitness devotee, and frequently takes advantage of California’s outdoor lifestyle by surfing, hiking, running, and biking. 

     After getting stuck as a medical sales rep between acting gigs which he hated, Helmkamp explains his jubilation when “Clean Break” came, saying “It was the perfect time and the perfect adventure for me at this stage of my life. Soon after I did the show, I was able to quit the medical sales job and since then a lot of other things have taken off for me in acting and entertainment and it’s been the best decision of my life.” 

     When he first found out about the show and what was involved, did he have reservations and trepidations about doing it? Helmkamp quips, “They told us it was going to be all extreme sports and there were going to be three guys. So when I got picked I immediately wanted to know who the other two guys were. I didn’t know if this was a competition, if the other two guys were world class athletes and they had mistaken me for one and I’d be going toe-to-toe with the other guys.”

Chase Penny, Steve Helmkamp, Luke Rodgers (Fuel TV Photo)

  
      Helmkamp voiced other concerns as well noting, “Also I was a little bit worried about the surfing aspect. I grew up surfing. I don’t surf every weekend but often and rip tides and currents can be really, really strong and you can get knocked in the head with your board and knock yourself out with huge waves that are out of your reach. Hawaii is known for that so that was definitely something to worry about. But once we got over there and I met the guys it wasn’t a competition at all. We really became like brothers and went through the whole thing together rather than against each other.” In fact, surfing experience was one of the requirements for landing the job.

     How did Helmkamp prepare physically for all of this? He laughs, “I’ve been an athlete all my life. I grew up playing soccer as a young kid, transitioned into basketball through high school and college but I’ve always been on hiking, bike riding and working out doing Crawford training so I really love staying up on my fitness game.” During the show, there was no preparation except to have a pro waterman take them out for escort and tips. As Helmkemp puts it, “We had a pro legend with us through almost every adventure that we did, but there was no preparation for it. Just saying your prayers at night was the only preparation I had.”

 © 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm  

(You DID Hear It From Me!) 

 E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net

Coco Jones - TV/Movie

Coco Jones

Teen Star Rising And Real About It!

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

Watch the TV/Movie Premiere this Friday, June 15, 2012 on The Disney Channel at 8:PM ET/PT

Coco Jones (Disney Photo)

     She has the cutie-pie looks and personality that draws like a magnet and when one is in her presence, a sense of calm and maturity that precedes her fourteen years is noticeably evident. Coco Jones stars as Roxanne Andrews, a fast-rising recording star in the music-driven, original Disney Channel TV movie “Let It Shine.” She also recently signed an exclusive recording and publishing deal with Hollywood Records and is currently working on her debut album. In 2010, at age 12, Jones was a featured artist in season three of Radio Disney’s “N.B.T.” (Nest Big Thing), a popular musical talent showcase that puts the spotlight on aspiring young recording artists and provides them with the chance to showcase their music across national broadcast and online platforms. Jones guest starred and performed her single “Stand Up” in the Disney Channel’s series “So Random!” and headlined a series of Radio Disney concerts including performing at festivals, malls and theatres across the country. She has even sung the National Anthem twice in 2009 at NFL games. By the way, her dad is former NFL player Mike Jones.   

"Let It Shine" Soundtrack CD Hollywood Records

     Coming from an NFL family, did Jones experience the backlash that many children of famous parents get when they go for roles or positions in showbiz? Jones ponders the question and says, “I don’t think so. One, because my father had all the pulling in football when it came to anything about sports and what I was doing was completely different. And I think that was good though, because whenever I had to work for stuff and I got stuff harder and I tried to earn it more, that’s when I really appreciated it. So if he really did pull strings for me, which he didn’t have anyway of doing, I probably wouldn’t have appreciated it like I do now.” 

Coco Jones as Roxie (Disney Photo)

     When asked about her personal taste in real life vs. the outfits that she wore in “Let It Shine” and if she had any say-so in the clothing selection for the film, Jones giggles, “The outfits that my character wore were a little bit crazier than what I would wear. I’m not that much of a bright colored type of girl but my character really did have those really crazy outfits. But they were all really cute and I did have a say in which ones I wanted to wear and stuff like that but nothing was really bad which is what’s great about this movie. Nothing had anything provocative in it or anything that my mom wouldn’t want me to wear so it wasn’t bad at all.” 

Roxie Belts a gospel tune (Disney Photo)

     What type of message does a film like this and her character send to young girls in particular tweens who are fast becoming Jones’ fan base? She emphasizes, “Her message is really great for girls because she starts at the beginning of the movie as this not confident, people pleasing type of girl who does whatever her manager tells her to do and has no say in her own career. But she goes back to her home town and realizes that she can be whoever she wants to be and everything will work out in the end.”

Tyler J. Williams, Coco Jones & Trevor Jackson at Premiere

The cast had a blast on the red carpet at the “Let It Shine” Premiere which was held at The Director’s Guild of America on the famed Sunset Strip in Hollywood. Many of the Disney teen stars were out in support while the press with their still and video cameras were in a frenzied state shooting and firing questions. What was that evening like for Jones? She really lights up, “Oh my goodness, it was so much fun. It was really crazy. It is such a one-in-a-million thing and it only happens to certain kids. Everyone dreams of doing what we got to do that night. It was such an honor and I’m so grateful to say that I went to my own premiere for a movie that I’m in, it’s crazy, I really don’t know how to express it!”

© 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm

(You DID Hear It From Me!)

Email: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net

Bishop T. D. Jakes - 35th Anniversary

Bishop T.D. Jakes Honored In Dallas For 35 Years of Ministry! 

By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist

(All photos TDJ Ents and The Front Page Firm)

Bishop TD & Serita Jakes

   Last weekend world leaders, dignitaries and celebrities from around the world gathered in the vibrant Arts District near downtown Dallas Friday to attend an historic event honoring global humanitarian and faith-based entertainment mogul Bishop T.D. Jakes' 35 years of spiritual leadership and service. Aptly titled "A Triumphant Journey," the three-hour, black-tie celebration was hosted by director/writer/producer Tyler Perry and CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien at the state-of-the-art AT&T Winspear Opera House. The awe-inspiring evening was a surprise for Bishop Jakes and featured an unexpected appearance by entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey who congratulated him for being a "man of conviction and beacon of light."

Soledad O'Brien & Tyler Perry Co-Hosts

Gayle King & Oprah Winfrey

     Jakes’ wife Serita Jakes and daughter Sarah Henson orchestrated the event to keep it secret from Jakes, senior pastor of the 30,000 member Dallas-based church The Potter's House. He was being celebrated 35 years of dedicated service. Jakes’ accomplishments in ministry and entertainment, as well as his dedication to humanity and family, were applauded in front of a packed audience of family, friends, parishioners, dignitaries, celebrities and fans. Jakes who was visibly moved expressed his shock at the crowd of well-wishers, some of whom traveled far and wide to participate in the celebration and took the stage to receive a resounding standing ovation."I have been blown away," said Jakes. "I love God and I've always loved people. Your presence here tonight says you love me back. It's hard to overwhelm me, but you've done it this time!" 

Bebe Winans & Chaka Khan

     The night included a kaleidoscope of musical performances ranging from gospel and jazz to R&B, featuring Jordin Sparks, Ledisi, BeBe Winans, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton and Karen Clark Sheard. Gospel duo Mary Mary brought the crowd to its feet with their stirring rendition of "Yesterday," and pianist

Keiko Matsui flew in from Japan to perform with KEM, Kelly Price and Kirk Whalum. R&B diva Chaka Khan serenaded Bishop Jakes with a medley of her greatest hits.

DeVon Franklin & Meagan Good

     In addition, film stars Loretta Devine, Mike Epps, Derek Luke, Kimberly Elise, Meagan Good and Charles S. Dutton, as well as Christian leaders Dr. Bernice King, Pastor Paula White, Pastor Bill Hybels and Pastor Sam Rodriguez paid homage to Bishop Jakes for inspiring so many. Other notable guests on hand to celebrate Bishop Jakes' 35th anniversary include Angela Bassett, Courtney B. Vance, Gayle King, Glynn Turman, producer Debra Martin Chase, Sony executive DeVon Franklin, and Emmitt and Pat Smith.

L to R: Pastor Paula White, Emmitt Smith, Jakes, Pat Smith (Emmitt's wife) & Donna Richardson Joyner (Tom Joyner's wife)

     The Dallas Black Dance Theater praised Bishop Jakes' milestone anniversary with a stirring performance, and luminaries such as Dr. Phil McGraw, the Mandela family, philanthropist and former U.S. President Bill Clinton, cast members of the upcoming film "Sparkle," and others delivered moving video presentations. "My husband has committed his life to empowering others that they might have joy, love and hope in their lives. The event was an opportunity to salute him for the millions of lives he's touched, the hearts he's changed and the lives he's saved through his stirring messages," said Serita Jakes. "It was a blessing to honor him for 35 years of unwavering service."

(C) 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm 

(You DID Hear It From me!) 

 E-Mail: feedbackrych@sbcglobal.net