Ten years ago this week, John F. Kennedy Jr. died in a plane crash. Dotcoms may have been booming but the lion’s share of media coverage on the Camelot heir’s sad and sudden death came by way of television.
Two years earlier, in 1997, Princess Diana met her shocking and untimely demise. The media covered every angle of her tragic passing. Television, radio and newspapers were the principal ways people kept up with the coverage. People shared their grief by phoning family and friends.
Fast forward 12 years. Today, in 2009, news of the deaths of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon spread like wildfire on the Internet. Individuals communicated their grief and shock about the passing of MJ by tweeting about it on Twitter. Pop culture and the social web had undeniably collided head on.
As TV networks were gathering information verifying the King of Pop’s passing, online news sites like TMZ.com were already confirming his death. Meanwhile, Google – bombarded by “Michael Jackson” search terms – reportedly had their servers go into protection mode.
Social networking expert Bridget Zeuner knows all about the power of social media and becoming, what she calls, “Web-ified” and Socialized”. She runs a company helping artists and businesses, rock stars and road warriors, to propagate their messages via the social web.
Zeuner, a wife and mother of two young children, has cut her teeth working with music industry power players, pop music icons and would be icons.
Expressing herself in non-techno-geek terms, Bridget talks about how Michael Jackson’s passing led her to educating her children about the late gloved one’s storied career, utilizing such sites as You Tube. In this interview, she provides an insider’s view of how social media is impacting pop culture.
Cory Rooney with Michael Jackson (left) Chris Apostle (right)
Listen to the interview with Cory Rooney and Chris Apostle:
Michael Jackson has entertained the world, with his voice and moves, since age six. His recent death has provoked many questions. More than anything, people around the world want to know why the King of Pop suddenly passed on.
In 1979, Michael released Off The Wall through Epic Records – a division of Sony. The album received critical acclaim, while selling over 20 million copies and netting Jackson Grammys for the first time since the early 70s.
Three years later, the Gloved One would release the most popular album in music history, Thriller. His singing, dancing and performance generalship was unlike anything the world had ever seen, leaving an indelible mark on the music video genre.
In 1993, music executive Chris Apostle began his stint as Vice President of Special Recording Projects at Sony Music Entertainment. He would become better known as Tommy Mottola’s – the company’s topper and a music industry legend – right hand man, working with everyone from Mariah Carey to Jennifer Lopez to Marc Anthony.
For the last 20 years, Apostle has been friends with producer/songwriter Cory Rooney. In 1998, Mottola named Rooney Epic’s Vice President of A&R. VH1 has called Rooney the best kept secret in the music industry. He has written and produced for artists including Jennifer Lopez, Mary J Blige, and Destiny’s Child among others. During his time at Epic, Cory became friends with Michael Jackson.
While working on music with Michael, Rooney had an opportunity to see a side of Jackson few ever did. For example, in one telling conversation in 2001, Jackson told Rooney that he was done touring and if he ever toured again it would kill him.
Among other things, Cory shares that Michael was easy to work with – contrary to how the media portrayed him. Rooney relates one instance when Michael apologized for being late to a studio session by sending a gift basket with over 100 DVDs and a note that read, “I’m very sorry for not respecting your time.”
Rooney was not surprised when Jackson lashed out at then Sony head Tommy Mottola in 2002. He says Michael felt nobody was in his corner, that he wasn’t getting the love and respect he deserved. Apostle clarifies that stars at that level are often under extraordinary pressure and may say things in the heat of the moment. Both men were major players during pop music’s peak.
Most importantly, Rooney and Apostle hope people remember Michael Jackson’s contributions to music and as Apostle says, recognize the musicologist he was.
Ida Ljungqvist: Playboy’s Tanzanian Devil is an Angel
Written by Chris Yandek
Ida Ljungqvist is the 2009 Playboy Playmate of the Year
Listen to the Ida Ljungqvist interview
The year was 1960 when Playboy founder Hugh Hefner began what was to become a celebrated tradition. With JFK running for president and the Cold War in full gear, Hef was busy selecting the Playmate of the Year. His was the enviable job of choosing the über-beauty embodying his publication, from 12 breath-stealing knockouts who had appeared as centerfolds from January to December.
Keep in mind, the very first edition of Playboy – in 1953 – had none other than Marilyn Monroe as the fledgling monthly’s first centerfold. Talk about a bar set high from the get go.
Fast forward to the present and Hef’s eye for beauty – and promotion – is as sharp as ever. The latest Playmate of the Year, Ida Ljungqvist (pronunciation: Lindquist) is both a stunner and a groundbreaker. Born in Tanzania to a Swedish father and African mother, she becomes the first African born Playmate of the Year. Considering 2009 yielded America its first multi-racial president, Playboy is making sure not to be left behind.
Ms. Ljungqvist, as charming as she is pretty, was surprised to take the crown – okay, the ears – because she wasn’t born in America.
The daughter of a UNICEF employee father, Ida is an open-minded individual who credits her thinking to growing up traveling the world. A free spirit, she believes life should be fun; that happiness is choice and when it comes to charity the most important thing is following your passion.
As Playboy Playmate of the Year, Ida considers herself fortunate even though the perks – like potential movie roles – are accompanied by pesky things like rumors and gossip. For example, contrary to online reports, she is not in the middle of a bitter divorce battle. In fact, her divorce is old news. Alert: Playmate Ljungqvist hasn’t been married since February!
Going forward, Ida is optimistic. On the relationship front, her goal is to meet someone who is real, has a sense of humor and a life. She credits her past experiences with men as an asset in finding Mr. Right. Between her looks and personality, there are sure to be many guys vying for that role.
Destiny’s Child was one of the hottest musical groups, from the end of the 1990s to 2005. After numerous lineup changes, founding members Beyonce Knowles and Kelly Rowland along with Michelle Williams toured the world, putting their stamp on music history. Their major hits included Independent Women, Bootylicious, and Survivor. Today, they remain one of the top selling, female groups of all time.
In 2005, Destiny’s Child officially went their separate ways. Since then, Beyonce Knowles’ solo career has led her to superstardom. Lesser known, but certainly no less talented, is Kelly Rowland.
After the group separated, Kelly Rowland found herself for the first time with a performing career that required her to stand on her own two feet. Reflecting on that process, it was something she was quite nervous about.
Nervous or not, Rowland’s talent and drive won the day. Whether it was putting out her recent album Ms. Kelly or traveling to Europe where she found inspiration to record a chart topper dance flick When Love Takes Over, Kelly found her own identity.
Other changes took place in her life, besides her solo career. Recently, Kelly parted ways with longtime manager Matthew Knowles, Beyonce’s father. It was a tough decision, but she came to the conclusion that she just wasn’t growing anymore. She does, however, remain close with the Knowles family. Currently, Kelly is shopping for a new label.
As if the challenge of establishing a solo career wasn’t enough, online gossip surfaced in recent months that Rowland’s Miami home was in foreclosure. Kelly tells me she is financially stable and that she originally put the house on the market because she thought it was too big for her. Later, she decided to take the house off the market concluding it is a place she can continue to grow into. The house, by the way, was never in foreclosure.
So what’s next for Kelly Rowland? She’s hosting a new program on Bravo titled The Fashion Show. By her own admission, she never saw herself hosting this kind of program. While shooting the project, she came to truly enjoy the hosting gig. She also learned more about fashion, which she says is consistent with her interests.
Speaking with Ms. Rowland, you can tell she is happy for her fellow group-mates Beyonce – who has journeyed into wifehood – and Michelle – who is preparing for her role in the play Chicago, in London. You can sense Kelly is enjoying life, including being single. She says marriage is off in the distance, unless Prince Charming comes along.
Ms. Rowland is deciding her destiny now more than ever. In that sense, she is its truest child.
This past Friday, American Idol winner Kris Allen participated in a national conference call with dozens of members from the media. I had a chance to spend a few minutes with Kris to discuss a few things with him.
(l.) Mary Wilson at an event recently in Washington, D.C.
Mary Wilson has done something, in the entertainment business, most people will never accomplish. At 65, she’s had a career spanning over 50 years. A founding member of arguably the greatest female group of all time, The Supremes, Wilson seems happy, excited and eager for what’s ahead.
A former U.S. Cultural Ambassador, she’s still involved with numerous causes. For example, Ms. Wilson performed at a Washington, D.C. fundraiser last week to raise awareness for lupus. Later this year, she will put out a CD touching upon her worldviews.
Still, the question remains whether or not The Supremes will ever have a reunion tour. Wilson wants one, but she and Ross would have to come to an agreement. Mary says she and Diana really love each other and that their relationship isn’t as bad as people think.
Ms. Wilson continues to thrive, when other performers have not been as fortunate. She still has passion for entertaining. She loves what she’s doing.
The last seven months have been an adventure for Shontelle Layne. This period has included a tour with New Kids On The Block and a duet with Akon for the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic. Now the 23-year-old singer-songwriter has been given the chance to tour with arguably the biggest female pop-star today, Beyonce Knowles.
Ms. Layne is committed to her fans. She interacts with them daily on Twitter, Facebook, and My Space. You can catch her updating her status numerous times a day and know exactly where she is and what she’s doing. You might even get a message from her yourself. Being there for her fans is important to her. Her hope is to make someone else’s day.
Shontelle says she still doesn’t care about being a famous person, something she told me in our last interview. Being a performer is just her job. Before she goes on tour later this week, Ms. Layne gives us a personal reflection of where she is now.
Aames Not Aimless: Denies Suicide Attempt, Battles Homelessness, & Fights For Financial Literacy
Written by Chris Yandek
In the late 1970s, actor Willie Aames landed the role of Tommy Bradford on the hit sitcom Eight is Enough. He would later go on to star in another hit sitcom Charles in Charge from 1984 to 1990. Recent years thought have been nothing but troubles for the former child star that included bankruptcy, divorcing his wife of 25 years, homelessness and suicide allegations among other things.
Five months ago Ames was homeless and sleeping in the bushes. Today the actor has bounced back with a home, a car, and a job that have given him stability. He hopes to go back to business school and speak to Americans about financial literacy. In the meantime, Aames will get into the ring for Celebrity Boxing this Saturday in Philadelphia.
Jesse Ventura: Claimed CIA Interactions, State of The Media
Written by Chris Yandek
In the final part of Jesse Ventura’s interview with Chris Yandek and Jay Bildstein, the former Governor of Minnesota discusses his interactions with the CIA, his experiences living in Mexico, his short lived talk show on MSNBC and the state of the media, among other things.
Chris Yandek has been informed that the other hot, singing property from Barbados, Shontelle, will be touring the UK and Ireland this summer with Beyonce.
Layne, whose smoldering looks have turned fans on as much as her debut album Shontelligence, is no stranger to working the big time. This past winter she dueted with Akon for the movie Confessions of a Shopoholic.
Ace Young: Broadway Kicked My Butt, American Idol Reflections
Written by Chris Yandek
Ace Young is one the lucky few to have capitalized off his American Idol fame. In a competition where many of the top 10 finalists become yesterday news, Young has parlayed his notoriety into a stint on Broadway and on the Fox TV show Bones. His musical success since idol has included a Grammy nominated collaboration with fellow idol alum Chris Daughtry for the song It’s Not Over. Right now Young is jumping back into the idol scene hosting American Idol Extra on the Fox Reality Channel.
In the Line of Fire: Mex City Dentist Informs on Flu
Written by Chris Yandek
With the current outbreak of swine flu, health officials and the general public are concerned about what direction this situation might take.
It has been widely reported that Mexico City is the epicenter for this latest public health challenge. Not yet deemed a pandemic, the World Health Organization as well as health officials around the world are taking the current turn of events very seriously.
I caught up with Dr. Alejandra Villalobos Aguayo, a well known dentist in Mexico City. Dentists treat patients, at close proximity, face to face every single day. If anyone is in the line of fire for the flu, it has to be dentists.
Dr. Villalobos shared with me some keen insights on preventing transmission of contagious diseases that are particularly poignant in light of this outbreak.
It’s been three years since Caridee English won America’s Next Top Model. The top model discusses her new show on Oxygen Pretty Wicked, rejecting materialism, and what’s in store for her future.
Interviews 
