Entertainment
Dionne Harmon is taking major steps to produce the BET Awards
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — If Dionne Harmon had never found an old script for the New Edition biopic, the story of the R&B group might still be sitting on a shelf as a substitute of becoming a highly rated miniseries for BET.
The same might be said about other projects like “The Bobby Brown Story” and the Soul Train-inspired series “American Soul.” She might not be a household name, but in Hollywood she is known for her work on major projects and major events, including the Oscars, Emmys and Golden Globes. Harmon worked on quite a few Super Bowl halftime shows, becoming the first black woman to produce the show.
He will next produce at the BET Awards on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The show can be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
The Emmy winner is one in every of the few black women holding top positions in the entertainment industry. She is the president Jesse Collins Entertainmentone in every of the most sought-after production firms in television. Harmon reports directly to CEO Jesse Collins, who is her fiancé.
“I’ve been working to build a toolkit to be ready for those moments,” said Harmon, a Harvard graduate who has worked at JCE since 2012.
She began at JCE as an assistant and was reluctant to accept the position until Collins introduced her to other employees who steadily rose to senior positions inside the company.
Harmon took the job. Collins promised to teach her all the pieces he knew about the business, letting her shadow him in meetings and on the phone.
“It’s a place where you put down roots and they grow,” she said. “At first, it seemed like a step back. I had to quiet my ego that didn’t want me to take that step. … But it was the best decision I ever made.”
Harmon’s big break got here with 2017’s The New Edition Story.
After seeing the huge success of the TLC biopic “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” in 2013, she realized there have been more opportunities to explore.
Harmon found an old script for the New Edition story written by Abdul Williams that had been lying around for years, took it to Collins and convinced him to pitch the idea to Stephen Hill, then president of programming at BET. The series became an enormous hit on the network, but received no producer credit.
But Harmon did well enough to earn a promotion to development executive — with no staff — which led to more projects. She spearheaded the revamped “Hip Hop Squares” format, which spawned three spinoff shows, including CMT’s “Nashville Squares,” BET’s “Celebrity Squares” and CBS’s “Hollywood Squares” with Drew Barrymore. She also played a key role in developing and producing the critically acclaimed competition show “Rhythm + Flow” on Netflix, which is currently also available in France, Italy and Brazil.
Erykah Badu said Harmon was instrumental in her return for 3 consecutive years as host and producer of the Soul Train Awards starting in 2015. The singer called Harmon a “hands-on, thoughtful producer.”
“With such an enigmatic work ethic, she reminds us that the best works are still within us,” Badu said.
Under her leadership, Harmon helped grow JCE’s full-time staff from 11 to 25. She also spearheaded the company’s efforts to work directly with brands to produce content for major events, including Nike, Ford, Pepsi and TikTok.
“She’s passionate, creative and knows how to navigate this very complicated world known as Hollywood,” Collins said. “She really does have integrity above all else. That’s really helped her grow. Once you build a reputation of trust and you’re creative, all the doors open up for you.”
Harmon became one in every of the few Black women to co-produce the Oscars. After co-producing the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and more, she was promoted to president of JCE, overseeing creative strategy and financial development.
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Harmon’s life is great each professionally and personally. Collins proposed to her last yr. She said their relationship is a “perfect partnership” and that they each have a superb work-life balance.
Harmon often thinks back to her decision to put her ego aside and join JCE greater than a decade ago. She joked along with her mom that if she ever got married or met anyone, it could be at the airport or at work.
“It’s crazy how one decision can impact every aspect of your life,” she said in an interview with JCE. “Never, in your wildest dreams. … It never occurred to me that I might find yourself engaged. If someone told me that, I’d be like, “Oh my God, what’s wrong with you?”
Harmon says Collins is a “great guy,” but at first he was just her boss.
“But in the process of working together, becoming equals, moving together and building this company, the door just opened to something completely different.”
Harmon wants to proceed constructing on his and JCE’s success, creating more series and have movies, and at some point producing the Olympic Games.
Collins sees Harmon as a directorial candidate.
“For her, everything is possible,” he said. “But ultimately she’s going to probably turn into a director in some unspecified time in the future. He has an eye fixed for the sort of detail.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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