Entertainment
A relative of Louis Armstrong helps create a musical icon on Broadway
NEW YORK (AP) – A latest stage musical about Louis Armstrong on Broadway begins with a jazz icon in a rehearsal room next to an anonymous pianist. Keep an eye fixed on the important thing guy.
The audience may not understand it, but there are literally two Armstrongs on stage at that moment – the actor playing the nice trumpeter and one of his real-life descendants. The pianist for the kismet act will likely be Brandon Louis Armstrong, the great-great nephew of the musical giant.
“Right now I always feel like I’m talking to my great-great-grandfather from the afterlife as Brandon,” he says. “I can just spend a moment talking to him, ask if he’s OK and hear his voice.”
The younger Armstrong makes his Broadway debut “Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical” playing many roles, including pianist, teacher and understudy to Louis Armstrong himself.
“I was cautious about how I would be able to step into this world and connect with some of the history of my family and my lineage,” he says. “I am very thankful, grateful and happy.”
Behind the smile
“A Wonderful World” – Starring the Tony Award Winner James Monroe Iglehart and sometimes James T. Lane within the title role – it’s a stage biography of one of probably the most influential figures in jazz, a musician known for “Hello, Dolly”, “Cheek to Cheek” and “A Wonderful World”.
The musical looks behind his broad smile and delves into his rise from poverty, 4 marriages and his struggles with racism, from New Orleans Klansmen to Chicago thugs to Hollywood bigots. A transcendent power emerges from it, warts and all.
“The message is that jazz is about the choices we make between the notes,” the younger Armstrong says. “It’s not about making the best selection each time. It’s about making a selection and allowing yourself to be present wherever those decisions take you.
Show choir and “Hamilton”
The younger Armstrong was born and raised in Los Angeles. His house has all the time been full of music, but nobody in his immediate family is a musician or desired to perform.
“I grew up in a house where there was a lot of jazz, a lot of gospel, a lot of R&B and a lot of hip-hop. “My mom was also really into 80s hair metal bands and stuff like that,” he says. “I stopped listening to Motown and started liking Guns n’ Roses and then Kenny Rogers. It’s just always been a tapestry of music.”
He was enchanted by his highschool’s choir performance and was invited to hitch in – all of the boys got here since it took muscles to lift the ladies – and was later stunned to see a regional production of the classic musical “Ragtime.”
“I was so moved by it that I thought, ‘I don’t care if I’m the one sweeping the floors when this is over.’ I just want to be a part of whatever it is,” he recalled.
He graduated from the American Academy of Music and Drama and after working on the local stage — including playing Donkey in “Shrek” — landed the third national tour of “Hamilton,” which began in 2019 in Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel Miranda.
No name disappears
Armstrong didn’t rely on his name to realize success. In press interviews when it broke out, his famous pedigree was not even mentioned. “I never, surprisingly, thought about ever leading like this,” he says. “It’s inevitable in this particular program.”
Iglehart, also a co-director, remembers Armstrong walking into the rehearsal room and giving his name. “We thought, ‘How cool.’ He said, “No, no, I’m related.” He got the job because of his voice and acting, not his name.
“We really did it on talent,” Iglehart says. “I all the time feel like probably the most talented person on the show needs to be her. But the undeniable fact that it was his lineage, we felt it was a sign.
“A Wonderful World” is a strategy to honor not only Louis Armstrong, but additionally Brandon’s grandfather, Louis Henry Armstrong, who told stories of his proud lineage and infrequently picked Brandon up after school listening to jazz music, much to his teenage embarrassment.
“I just think in moments like this how incredibly proud he would be of something like this,” he says. “It’s the best kind of therapy every night.”
Even though the forged includes the true Armstrong, the opposite actors and creators didn’t pull Brandon aside to ask him what Louis would think of a line or scene. This is because Louis Armstrong left many wealthy records about his thoughts.
“A lot of the heartbeat of our show – and I prefer it this way – is the heartbeat in Louis’ voice, rather than someone coming in and arbitrarily squeezing himself into it,” the younger Armstrong said.
In addition to being a rehearsal pianist, serving within the band, and playing for a New Orleans music teacher who recognized Louis Armstrong’s talent, Brandon knows that someday he will likely be asked to proceed within the role of his great-great-grandfather.
“I think what worries me the most is when it happens, I just try not to cry throughout the whole show,” she says with a laugh. “Somehow the universe paved a path for me that brought me here, where I can literally walk up on stage and carry this baton.”
Entertainment
Chrissy Teigen leaves John Legend stunned and ‘left alone’ amid ‘suspicious’ photo of her kissing someone else
On Monday, November 25, John Legend showcased his musical talent and natural charm during “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” where the Grammy Award-winning artist demonstrated his ability to remodel even essentially the most absurd moments into melodic gold.
Legend, 45, tickled the ivories as he pretended to write down a song about being jealous that his wife was kissing someone aside from him.
During an appearance on the show, host Jennifer Hudson, 43, challenged Legend to write down an impromptu song based on a random photo.
“We love that you can write a song about anything,” Hudson said, setting the tone for the segment.
Legend, who has written songs for artists including Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, humbly noted: “I’m a songwriter, really. I’m not a freestyler (rapper) like Common, he’s an actual freestyler.
Undeterred, Hudson looked as if it would shrug off her humility towards her boyfriend of two years and took the challenge further.
“OK, but I have a little inspiration,” she joked. “If I show you a picture, can you make a song for it?”
“I can try,” Legend replied with a smile because the two made their solution to the piano on the alternative side of the stage.
Hudson explained the principles: The Legend needed to create a song on the spot inspired by the image that appeared on screen.
“I will do my best,” he assured the audience. “I’m really doing this impromptu, y’all. It’s not fake, it’s real.”
The moment took a funny turn when a photo of Legend’s wife, former supermodel Chrissy Teigen (38), appeared on the screen.
In the photo, Teigen pantomimes as if she were kissing a fish at a market. Sitting next to her were two of her 4 children: Luna Simone (8) and Miles Theodore (6).
Without missing a beat, Legend turned the quirky photo right into a soulful melody, bringing laughter to the room.
He jokingly sang, “Chrissy, oh why are you kissing the fish?” before delving into the humor of the situation.
“Chrissy, why are you kissing the fish? Don’t have a man at home? He sits all alone. Oh, don’t you have a man at home? Leave that fish alone,” he continued.
The audience erupted in laughter as Legend seamlessly combined wit and melody, proving once more why he’s won countless awards for it, including an Oscar with Hudson’s boyfriend Common for the song “Glory.”
The unconventional performance not only highlighted his musical genius, but additionally his ability to search out joy and creativity in unexpected moments of life.
Fans flooded comments section YouTube video celebrating the master singer/songwriter.
“So much talent. We want the entire version of the fish song,” one person wrote.
“LOVE ME SOME LEGEND!!!!” one comment read. “PLEASE FINISH YOUR FISH SONG OR GO TO HELL!!!! I’M BUYING A SAMPLE!!! THE SONG TITLE SHOULD BE LEAVE THIS FISH ALONE AND GO HOME!!! GOD BLESS.”
One viewer wrote: “John is not a huge fan, but he is a fan and after the first song I knew where you were going word for word! I got that impression when I looked at the photo.”
Although Legend jokingly sang about loneliness while his wife kissed a fish, few people appear to know their sense of humor. The couple just celebrated their 18th birthdayvol wedding anniversary and are greater than just spouses – in keeping with Teigen, they’re “best friends.”
She said in interview with us at ChainFEST in October: “We are truly best friends. We like being together, we like being together. We have the identical sense of humor and I learn rather a lot from him on a regular basis. He has a way.
The two are still very much in love and have two young children: Esti Maxine (22 months) and son Wren Alexander (17 months).
Legend is a novel talent beyond being a dad and husband, having amassed a formidable collection of accolades throughout his profession, including 12 Grammy Awards, two Emmy Awards, an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Tony Award. He also holds the respect of being the primary African American to achieve this EGOT status and is one of only 15 people on this exclusive and prestigious club.
Notable artists who received an EGOT award include Hudson, who sang a duet version of his hit “Ordinary People” on the show.
Show sent the 2 sing on social media with the caption: “There’s nothing ordinary about this performance.” Many of the show’s 1.3 million fans appreciated their special gifts.
One person said: “I love John@legend’s voice!!!! He and Jennifer sound amazing!!!”
“Whoa, when is the album coming out,” asked one other.
While the 2 have not talked about recording an album together, this is not the primary time they’ve sung together. While Hudson 100vol episode in 2023, he joined her to sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water”.
Perhaps this can be a project they may consider in the long run.
Entertainment
Morgan Freeman caught up in Jason Kelce’s dramatic showdown with an irate fan thanks to an autograph
Jason Kelce (37) got right into a heated exchange with a fan searching for an autograph.
TMZ Sports obtained footage of a retired Philadelphia Eagles player being shouted at by an indignant man after recording a game “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” episode November 21.
“You’re not special. You’re some asshole who thinks he’s on some pedestal. Don’t be an advertisement…!” he yelled at Kelce because the Super Bowl LII champion was seen moving into his vehicle.
“I actually have a habit. I do not sign for individuals who follow where I’m going,” Kelce told a gaggle of individuals outside the El Capitan Entertainment Center on Hollywood Boulevard in California.
The man replied: “We are not following you. We serve every guest who comes here. Morgan fucking Freeman did it with a broken arm! That’s 100 times bigger than your sorry…!”
He continued his tirade, saying, “I’m with this shit! Morgan Freeman, Harris Ford, you have time and you don’t!? F…you!”
Eventually, Kelce got out of his SUV, walked through the gate and walked over to the group to sign autographs. The furious autograph seeker continued to criticize the Ohio-born NFL star before admitting he was “ashamed” of the moment.
The constant references to Freeman, 87, stem from the actor suffering a broken arm, elbow and shoulder in a 2008 automotive accident in Charleston, Mississippi.
According to reportsthe Oscar winner must wear compression gloves to maintain blood flow due to injuries sustained in the accident.
“It’s fibromyalgia,” Freeman said Esquire magazine in 2012 when asked about his damaged left hand. “Up and down the arm. This is where it gets so bad. Excruciating.”
Ironically, a “Lioness” solid member mentioned unpleasant experiences signing autographs in the course of the show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in October 2018
While appearing on “The Electric Company” in the Nineteen Seventies, he left a shopping center where a signing event was happening and located papers with his signature scattered on the ground.
The intense interaction between Kelce and his tormentor after Kimmel’s show ended with each men expressing their love and shaking hands. Commenters on YouTube shared their reactions to the clip of Kelce being cursed out for initially not wanting to sign autographs at that moment.
“An adult is crying over an autograph he wants to sell on eBay,” one person wrote. Another comment reads: “And people wonder why celebrities stay away from these psychos. A grown man behaving this way is absurd.”
A fan of the previous skilled athlete wrote: “Jason Kelce handled the situation with class, he didn’t have to come out and sign anything. Meanwhile, this guy was acting like a clown.”
Additionally, one other fan gave Kelce some advice, writing, “Jason needs to learn to ignore people. This is the second time he has been lured by the mob.
Previously, TMZ Sports published footage of Kelce engaging in a physical altercation in Pennsylvania prior to the Nov. 2 Penn State-Ohio State football game.
Kelce was seen slamming a Penn State fan’s phone on the bottom near Beaver Stadium. Apparently, a fan referred to Jason’s brother, Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs, as a homophobic slur.
In response, Kelce turned to the fan’s face and asked, “Who… – now!?” Following the backlash online, the “Monday Night Countdown” analyst addressed the situation during ESPN’s pregame broadcast.
“I’m not completely happy with anything that happened. I’m not pleased with it. In the warmth of the moment I made a decision to greet hate with hate and I just don’t think it’s productive, I actually don’t,” Kelce said, according to ESPN.com.
The “New Heights” podcast host continued: “I don’t think this leads to discourse and it’s the right way to proceed. At this point I have sunk to a level I shouldn’t have… I strive to treat people with common decency and respect, and I intend to continue to do so.”
Entertainment
TikTok mom posts ‘wicked’ warning to parents after claiming ‘witchcraft’ in video caused her 12-year-old to try to fly off the roof on a broomstick
A mother on TikTok controversially warned other parents that “Wicked” just isn’t a family film like its closely related and popular predecessor “The Wizard of Oz.”
The latest film, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as Glinda (the good witch) and Elphaba (the evil witch), respectively, hit theaters on Friday, November 22.
However, according to content creator Sammyopamp, who claims to have attended the film’s premiere with her children, the literary work has enchanted the youth in the worst possible way.
“I feel very lied to and cheated into doing this. I believed that since my kids are huge fans of Ariana Grande and he or she wears pink in the movie, I believed it might be a cool princess movie. Instead, it was stuffed with witchcraft and dark magic. I felt this heavy presence and energy all the time,” he said.
The mother continued to explain the lasting impact the film had on her children, stating that “they came home and everyone was trying to cast spells” and that “now they imagine in magic. Now they imagine in the darkness of hell.”
Sammyopamp noted, “My 12-year-old fell off the roof trying to fly his broom.” To turn the tables, she shared her plan to rely on religion and her savior, “their father, baby daddy Jesus,” by taking a week off from school and receiving prayers from the “deliverance team” at their church.
Her parting advice to other mothers was to stay home and protect their kids from “Wicked” until January 5, when it would likely be safer to watch it.
@sammyopamp WICKED – wait a few weeks until it’s secure. #fypppppp #virus #mean #badmovie #universalstudios #facebookmomslike #satire #movie #disney #arianagrande #cynthiaerivo #SNL ♬ original sound – Sammyop
One person on Instagram commented“I tried casting spells after watching Harry Potter. It’s normal, like a girl would leave her children alone.”
But in Sammy’s TikTok comments videosome selected this satirical story. One follower asked: “Have you seen the art? Wicked is not a film for children,” apparently putting the burden on her. A 3rd person’s response was, “This must be a joke.” And so it was.
The “Wicked” comment was one in all several satirical posts Sammy shared with her over 21,000 followers. She addressed the outraged reactions to her disturbing warning in a separate article post.
She first revealed that she grew up in an clan of evangelical extremists and was not allowed to watch fantasy childhood movies that many love, including Disney movies.
@sammyopamp Wicked Mom’s Crazy Origin Story #break #mom got here out wicked @TwojeTango #church #cult #Protestant #deconstruction #sammyop #satire #virus #sketch #funnymovie #humor #fypppppp ♬ original sound – Sammyop
“Honestly, I have a lot of fun making sketches and satirical videos,” she said. “If that’s not your thing, there are plenty of other people on TikTok who might like it. … If you like harmless laughter, stay a while.”
Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of the Broadway play “Wicked” grossed greater than $100 million on its opening weekend.
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