Leading global talent, entertainment, sports, and advisory company UTA has signed a Grammy-winning artist, tech entrepreneur, and philanthropist will.i.am for worldwide representation in all areas.
As a multi-platinum global music artist, will.i.am has also emerged over the past decade as an influential tech entrepreneur and Futurist. A founding equity stakeholder in Beats by Dre™, will.i.am was instrumental in helping transform the headphones venture into a global consumer electronics brand. The company was purchased by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion.
With two concurrent and fluid careers in entertainment and tech, will.i.am is the founder and CEO of FYI.AI, a Web 3.0 productivity platform designed to help creatives organize, create and share content. In January 2024 he launched “THE FYI SHOW” on SiriusXM, featuring the world’s first AI persona radio co-host, FYIona that engages with will.i.am and live conversations about music, pop culture and current affairs. The audience can also chat directly with FYIona after each show airs via the FYI app.
will.i.am teams with a wide range of global technology and consumer companies to help them embrace future technologies, participate in what’s next in cultural trends and develop new business initiatives. In January 2024 will.i.am and Mercedes AMG unveiled MBUX Sound Drive at the Consumer Electronics Show. The technology translates the car’s actions into an intelligent sound mixer, allowing the vehicle to collaborate in real-time with music to create a unique soundtrack to each drive that, as will.i.am explains, is “conducted by the road.” After debuting this new music industry category and automotive audio platform to rave reviews, MBUX Sound Drive will launch this summer in Mercedes-Benz’s electric EQ models. Other brand collaborations include Apple, Atom Bank, The Coca-Cola Company, Deutsche Telekom, Formula 1, Honeywell, Intel, Marvel Comics, Microsoft, Penguin Publishing, Pepsi and Salesforce.
In television, he continues in his role as an original coach (13 seasons) on “The Voice” UK 6 concurrently starred in “The Voice” Australia for one season. He’s also starred in judging and guest mentor roles on unscripted reality competition series including “The Masked Singer”/FOX, “Alter Ego”/FOX, “American Idol”/ABC, and “Songland”/NBC. He has executive-produced youth and technology-focused prime time TV specials and documentary films including “Planet of the Apps”/Apple TV, “The Age of AI”/YouTube Learning, and “i.am.mars: Reach for the Stars”/Discovery Science Channel. As an early adopter of internet video, will.i.am motivated an entire generation to get out the vote with his music video, “Yes We Can”.
He is the author of two books, the graphic novel “Masters of the Sun – The Zombie Chronicles”/Marvel and the Young Adult novel “Wizards and Robots”/Penguin Publishing, co-written with Brian David Johnson.
will.i.am’s commitment to innovation and technology is rooted in his work as a philanthropist, encouraging inner-city, disadvantaged youth to apply themselves in STEAM fields so they can prepare for an AI, autonomous, robotic and highly technical tomorrow. His i.am Angel Foundation supports STEAM education programs for more than 13,000 disadvantaged youth in grades K-12 in Los Angeles, including the i.am College Track after-school tutoring center and college scholarship program, the Boyle Heights STEM Magnet High School, and hundreds of after-school robotics clubs in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District and FIRST robotics.
He is a TIME 100 Impact Award winner, the recipient of the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award, an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET, UK) and a World Economic Forum Crystal Award winner. Additionally, will.i.am’s creative and entertainment work has garnered seven GRAMMY Awards, a Latin GRAMMY Award, an Emmy Award, and a CLIO Award. He is also among an elite group of musicians that have performed at two Super Bowl Halftime Shows (2011/Dallas, 2024/Las Vegas).
will.i.am continues to be represented by the law firm of Herz Lichtenstein & Young LLP and business management firm Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno. The Black Eyed Peas are represented by CAA.
About UTA
UTA unites ideas, opportunities and talent. The company represents some of the world’s most iconic, barrier-breaking artists, creators and changemakers—from actors, athletes, authors and musicians to writers, gamers and digital influencers. One of the most influential companies in global entertainment, UTA’s business spans talent representation, content production, as well as strategic advisory and marketing work with some of the world’s biggest brands. Affiliated companies include Digital Brand Architects, KLUTCH Sports Group, Curtis Brown Group and MediaLink. UTA is headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, New York and London.
Liza Jane Unleashes New Pop/Dance Anthem “Sacrifice,” following Up on Chart-Topping Hit “Man Or A Monster”
“Surefire club banger with driving beats and immersive rhythms. Liza Jane’s vocals are ferocious and powerful.” – EssentiallyPop
Liza Jane is expanding her pop/dance repertoire with her newest single “Sacrifice.”” Following the success of her chart-topping hit “Man Or A Monster,” which soared to the top 5 on Music Week-UK, Liza Jane is back with another infectious dance thriller setting the stage for a meteoric rise to stardom.
Teaming up once again with legendary Swedish DJ Stonebridge and producer Shayon Daniels, Liza Jane delivers a captivating dance anthem that showcases her dynamic vocal prowess and undeniable star power. “Sacrifice” the Stonebridge Anthem Remix is also featured in Stonebridge’s weekly mix show on Sirius XM’s BPM Channel.
Reflecting on her string of singles, Liza Jane shares, “My idea was to write a collection of songs that delve into the intricacies of relationships—the highs, the lows, and the intensity of passion often mistaken for love.” This vision comes to life in “Sacrifice,” a track that combines European dance beats with K-pop styled melodies, creating a seductive and irresistible sound.
Critics have drawn comparisons to icons like Lady Gaga, with EarMilk hailing Liza Jane as “a rising starlet… a force to be reckoned with.” Embracing these comparisons, Jane also cites diverse influences ranging from Sarah Brightman to Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey.
With “Sacrifice,” Liza Jane invites audiences into her pop diva era, blending irresistible beats with alluring lyrics and a magnetic stage presence. Her dedication to her craft, combined with her infectious energy is a recipe for inevitable prominence.
“My musical journey has been a roller coaster ride,” Liza Jane recalls. From a young age, Liza Jane knew she was destined for the stage. ”I watched Cher: Live In Concert From Las Vegas DVD over and over again, mimicking her every move and wearing play costumes and wigs,” she reminisces of her childhood growing up in Key West Florida.
A bright young woman, Liza Jane knew that being a success would take hard work and dedication- a task she was up for. She’s had vocal coaching since she was 5 years old, studied piano, guitar, and drums/steel drums throughout her childhood and attended Belmont University School of Music with a focus in classical voice performance. She spent a few years networking around “Music City” songwriting circles before moving to LA in2020. There she recruited vocal coach Rosemary Butler (Renee Raap, Bonnie Raitt, Riley Keough) and photographer Pamela Springsteen to perfect her image. Jane is managed by former Warner Bros. Records head of Pop Promotion Greg Lee’s ImagineNation agency, Los Angeles.
Making yet another major power move, three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated Nigerian global superstar and Afrobeats pioneer Davido has inked a deal with UnitedMasters for his recently launched label Nine+ Records.
In this groundbreaking collaboration, Davido will spearhead artist development, A&R, and behind-the-scenes curation, nurturing a pioneering lineup of artists across the continent under Nine+ Records. United by a shared vision, the teams will work together to introduce and foster talent, amplifying Davido’s influence and extending his reach even further. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of African and world music.
Together, the teams will collaborate closely in order to not only introduce, but cultivate career talent. It only expands Davido’s influence and reach.
Of today’s announcement Davido said, “I couldn’t be more proud to partner with Steve and the team at United Masters, this announcement represents an exciting new chapter for developing and established artists around the world.”
Steve Stoute, Founder and CEO of UnitedMasters states, “Over the last 2 years, we’ve proven our commitment to Africa investing in artists, education, and technology. Today, we are doubling down. With this new venture with Davido & the launch of Nine Plus Records, we reinforce our mission in becoming a bridge for artists on the continent. Together we’ll identify & develop new artists while supporting them with brand and synch opportunities.”
Nine+ Records will be announcing more artists and partners in the future.
Last night, Davido just sold out one of the most iconic venues in the world, headlining Madison Square Garden in New York City. He ignited the stage with what will be remembered as a historic set, bringing Afrobeats to the Big Apple in the biggest way possible. In advance of the show, he extensively spoke to Billboard who praised how “Performing in New York has also become a special ritual” for him.
This news also arrives on the heels of various major company announcements for UnitedMasters. The company locked down a high-profile alliance with SymphonyOS and Groover. Plus, it hosted its annual “A Celebration of Independence” GRAMMY® Concert at the Palladium in Hollywood, CA. The show boasted an all-star lineup, including headliner Davido, Uncle Waffles, Tokischa, Donavan’s Yard, and NLE Choppa. Of the latter, The Source wrote, “This marked the first time UnitedMasters featured international acts, solidifying its impact and representation within the global independent artist movement.”
Stay tuned for a whole lot more soon
ABOUT DAVIDO
In 2024, Davido cemented his position as a global force in music. Often called “The King of Afrobeats”, the American-born, Nigerian-raised icon has amassed over +5 billion streams and over +1.2 billion video views across his 13-year career. The most followed Afrobeat artist across social media, Davido has been a forerunner in connecting the world to Afrobeats. In 2023 Davido became the first African artist to top itunes Album Chart with the release of his +1B streaming and world acclaimed 4th studio album, “Timeless” garnering three Grammy nominations, including Global Music Album of the Year for “Timeless”, Global Music Performance for “Feel” and Best African Musical Performance for the hit smash “Unavailable”. Davido’s 2023 hot streak also includes U.S and International sold-out tours, “Timeless’” record-breaking streaming numbers, and TikTok leadership with over +100M videos to his “Unavailable” dance challenge.
A powerful touring artist, in addition to Davido’s upcoming April 2024 Madison Square Garden performance, 2023 saw sold-out tour dates across the globe, including multiple shows at London’s 02 and Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. Career performance highlights also include headlining “AfroNation” around the globe and closing the 2022 World Cup with a performance seen by over +250 million viewers. Davido powerfully entered the global music scene, breaking records in 2019 with hit singles “If” and “Fall” from his 2019 1.2 billion streaming release “A Good Time.” In 2020 he released his third studio album, the follow-up to “A Good Time,” the platinum aptly titled “A Better Time,” which featured the hits “FEM,” “Holy Ground ft. Nicki Minaj” and “Shopping Spree ft. Chris Brown.”
Earning over 30 awards and nominations internationally, including 2023’s Grammy, BET, EMA, and VMA Award Nominations. Featured on the cover of Forbes magazine in 2023, Davido is a global media powerhouse with countless television and media appearances, including: The Tonight Show, Live with Jimmy Kimmel, The Daily Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Complex, Uproxx, New York Times, and Apple’s Zane Lowe among others.
About UnitedMasters
UnitedMasters is the leading software and services platform for independent artists. Through our unique mix of music distribution services, innovative technology, and first-of-its-kind artist marketing solutions, UnitedMasters acts as the operating system that enables artists to own their futures. We fuel the careers of artists like Tobe Nwigwe, Brent Faiyaz, and Liana Banks—and unlike traditional record labels, UnitedMasters artists retain full ownership of their careers and the master recording rights to their music. We connect over 2M+ independent artists on our platform with global brands like ESPN, Diageo, and Pepsi. These connections are powered by our world-class creative talent to propel the commercial success of artists and brands in today’s world.
MUSIC COMPOSER PIANIST PHENOM KAREN SALICATH – JAMALI STRIKES GOLD AGAIN WITH THE RELEASE OF HER 8TH STUDIO ALBUM, “ANGEL HANAEL’ S SONG.”
Karen Salicath – Jamali’s 8th studio album, part classical, part new age – titled, “Angel Hanael’s Song”, being released on April 26, 2024, through Tunecore and on major digital platforms. Karen’s new project promises to gain international acclaim, particularly with the otherworldly way the tracks are conceived. The highly anticipated first single and first track, “Angel Hanael’s Song,” released on April 8th, 2024, and second single, “Angel Hanael’s Joy,” will be released on April 23, 2024. The album cover art was created by Karen Salicath – Jamali as well.
Karen Salicath – Jamali has a very remarkable way of composing her virtuoso music, she is a vessel for one of her many angel guides. She had a head injury from an accident in 2012, after a 3-year recovery she miraculously began to hear music in her dreams, guided by angels, and the rest is history.
The angel Hanael, her current album’s namesake, is one of the seven archangels. Hanael also known as Haniel, is generally associated with the planet Venus, and is the archangel of joy and intuition. This album has been written and conceived in her dreams by communication from Angel Hanael. There are many roads for composers to create music, but for Karen it all comes organically, and pretty much is out of her control. Karen receives her music in her dreams from a variety of angels. She recaptures all the music once she is awake and at her Steinway grand piano. Karen’s ethereal music process evokes many emotions from herself and the listener, but it’s a rare phenomenon, all her own.
Karen Salicath – Jamaili is no stranger to success, she is a multi-award-winning composer, pianist, producer, artist, painter, sculptor, photographer, and a voting member of the Recording Academy. Karen Salicath – Jamali is also a very accomplished performer, having appeared 8 times at Carnegie Hall. Karen was educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Art, School of Design in Copenhagen, she worked as a painter, sculptor, and photographer for 30 years. Karen participated in 180+ exhibitions in Museums and galleries throughout the world, including the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Karen Salicath – Jamali recent awards include: this year, “The Midnight Gold Record Award”, “The Clouzine International Music Award”. She is inducted to “The Akademia Music Award Hall of Fame”. Karen is the official nominee for “Elite Music Awards”. 2 Nominations from “The Josei Music Award”. Premio “Oscar della Creatività” – Montecarlo. Winner of the “Golden Piano Talent 2d International Piano Competition”. “The Academy Grand Award”. “The Global Music” Silver Award, National Finalist: of American Music” The Ernst Bacon Memorial Award”. and Finalist of “World Songwriting Award”.
Karen has had many accomplishments, but her music is what really makes her soar. She says, “In dreams, my music comes. In dreams, I hear whispers of angels, in the depth of the canvas of life are hidden blessings of sound, I paint hearts full story, brilliant, bold, of love, peace, and compassion.”
360 Q&A Karen Salicath-Jamali
1. How has your family inspired you and your artistic career?
KSJ:
360 Magazine:
2. Where do you see your career going in 5 years?
KSJ:
My grandfather was a well-known sculptor in Denmark and a professor at the Royal Academy of Art. He inspired me and guided me to follow my education to become an artist. I spoke a lot with him about art. He also played the piano. My grandmother was a concert pianist and a teacher at the Royal Danish Conservatorium of Music in Copenhagen. My great-grandmother was a painter. My grandfather, on the other side, was a writer and poet. So, I got the inspiration from all of my grandparents.
I hope to spread my music to more people in this world, I hope to compose music with other instruments for an orchestra, and I hope to compose music for film.
360 Magazine:
Talk about any producers you have worked with?
KSJ:
I have been my own producer on all of my music.
360 Magazine:
Where do you get your ideas for your music pieces?
KSJ:
I receive my music in dreams; the music repeats itself in my head until I have recorded it, and it will not leave before; it is like being haunted by music, in a beautiful way, but very intense. There are times mostly in between day and night, it’s when the light changes, where I hear the music and play it, it just comes out of me, I can’t explain it.
360 Magazine:
What charities are you aligned with and why?
KSJ:
I have supported SOS Children’s Villages International for the last 20 years. I am a sponsor for orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. There are so many children in this world without food or parents; children left alone in wars. Children are our future, children are our gold, and children are the seeds of mankind on this planet. We must protect them and take care of them; we are all connected wherever we are on this planet. My heart bleeds when I see children who are hungry and in pain. It sickens me.
360 Magazine:
What music projects will you be involved with in the future?
KSJ:
I am working on some new albums coming up this year. I have so much music, and I have to get it out and share it with the world.
360 Magazine:
What are your biggest influences?
KSJ:
Nature, Silence, and Love.
360 Magazine:
What advice would you give to a young musician starting out?
KSJ:
Follow your dream, and never ever give up.
360 Magazine:
Talk about your performance training. Who have you trained with and why?
KSJ:
I am self-taught on the piano. It wasn’t until an accident that caused a head injury and a near-death experience, that started to play the piano spontaneously. I had never played the piano before, and the head injury amazingly opened a new world. I began to play and compose music, which healed me. I am self-taught. The music will put the listener into a relaxed state of consciousness. The accident occurred in 2012, and after a 3-year-long recovery in 2015, I suddenly began to hear music in my dreams and began to record it.
When I was a child at 8 years old, I played classical guitar with a teacher from the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen for 15 years. On a high level, my teacher would have me to go on The Royal Music Academy when I was 12 years old, but it was not supported by my family, he literally came to my house crying 3 times, to convince my family. He said he had never seen talent like me, and he could not teach me anymore after 4 years. So, then he referred me his teacher instead, who was the teacher from the Royal Academy of Music in Copenhagen, and I learned from him for the next 11 years.
360 Magazine:
If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?
KSJ:
I love, love cello music. It was my dream as a child to play the cello. I love the cellist Hauser; he is amazing. There are so many wonderful artists out there, it’s hard to choose.
360 Magazine:
Can you explain how you became a vessel for your angel guides?
KSJ:
It all came after my accident, and my near-death experience; they began to connect with me; I became very sensitive with this experience. But that said, they have always come to me in my sculptures and my paintings, and now in music, and when I was a child, they were very close to me.
360 Magazine:
Who are your favorite recording artists right now, and why?
KSJ:
I love Hauser, Andrea Bocelli, Aukai Adele, Michael Hoppe´, Cesária Évora, Luz Casal and Leo Rojas.
360 Magazine:
When did you know you wanted to be a recording artist?
KSJ:
It was not really a choice; this music had to reach people, or I would not be left in peace, and I have promised to do so.
360 Magazine:
What recording artists did you admire as a child?
KSJ:
I have always loved these composers: Johan Sebastian Bach, Beethoven, Francisco Tarrega, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Astor Piazzolla, Miguel Llobet, Federico Moreno Torroba, Debussy, Fernando Sor, Vivaldi, and Mozart.
360 Magazine:
What types of projects would you like to see yourself doing in the future?
KSJ:
I like to compose music for orchestras and films.
360 Magazine:
What do you do to relax?
KSJ:
Play music, or paint or sculpt.
360 Magazine:
What other businesses do you plan on starting to promote your brand?
KSJ:
I am working on my music store. I am designing some nice things for it; I am also an educated designer. Stay tuned!
360 Magazine:
What’s the one thing you think everyone could do to make the world a more positive place?
KSJ:
Be kind to yourself and others and be more compassionate.
360 Magazine:
What would you be doing if you were not a recording artist?
KSJ:
I would be painting and sculpting, doing photography, and being a poet. Which I still do now.
360 Magazine:
What was your first memory of seeing and hearing great music?
KSJ:
I remember I was 1 year old, and my parents took me to a concert with African music. I was sitting on the floor and danced on my butt for the whole concert. After that, my parents had to take me to a chiropractor, lol. Then my father brought me their record, it was called “Something New in Africa.” I still have this record; it was my favorite music throughout my childhood. I still love it.
360 Magazine:
What’s your favorite song?
KSJ:
A Danish song called “In the East, the sun goes up.”
360 Magazine:
What are your first steps in taking on a new project?
KSJ:
I wake up when the music comes to me in the night and record it.
360 Magazine:
What do you want to leave as your legacy?
KSJ:
My art and my music.
360 Magazine:
Talk about your music projects.
KSJ:
My music project is releasing my 2 current singles. The first single and first track, “Angel Hanael’s Song,” was released on April 8th, 2024, and the second single, “Angel Hanael’s Joy,” will be released on April 23, 2024, and my upcoming album, “Angel Hanael’s Song”. On April 26 2024.
360 Magazine:
How do you overcome challenges in your career?
KSJ:
I never give up; something in me is telling me to move forward. I do what I have to do. We are always learning in life, and we continue to grow.
360 Magazine:
Is there anything in your career that you wish you could do again?
KSJ:
Playing in Carnegie Hall again, it was truly amazing.
360 Magazine:
What are your hobbies?
KSJ:
Art, and music, and I love to grow flowers in my garden, especially roses.
360 Magazine:
Fondest memory as a child with your family.
KSJ:
When I was with my grandmother in the summertime, in her little 11-square-meter house on the beach on the west coast of Denmark, that was my happy place.
360 Magazine:
How did you start playing the piano?
KSJ:
In 2015, just before Christmas, all this music came to me, and I did not know what to do. It was really a miracle.
360 Magazine:
How did you start being a recording artist?
KSJ:
In the same way, I began recording what I was playing; the music would not go away until I did that.
360 Magazine:
Describe life back in Denmark.
KSJ:
It was not easy, you see Danish people do not believe in Angels, it’s easier to be a cleaning lady in Denmark than to be an artist.
360 Magazine:
What’s the most fun event you have performed at?
KSJ:
At Carnegie Hall
360 Magazine:
What was it like the first time you performed on stage?
KSJ:
I was so nervous. It was my first performance, and it was in Carnegie Hall; I thought I was going to pass out, but it all went well.
360 Magazine:
How does your family support you in your career?
KSJ:
My husband and children are supporting me all the way, and I don’t know what I would do without them.
360 Magazine:
What do you want your fans to know about you?
KSJ:
My fans mean everything to me. They make me believe in the power of this music, love them.
360 Magazine:
What inspired your current music project, “ANGEL HANAEL’ S SONG”?
KSJ:
This album was all made in January 2024. It was very intense, I received at least 3-5 music pieces a day, I choose the best ones, the ones that resonated most with me, in my heart, and I received the title to the songs. There are 9 songs, and they express 9 energies of Angel Hanael’s being.
Angel Hanael is the Angel of Joy, also called Arch Angel Haniel. Her name means “God is my Joy.” She turns everything into joy and is a protector of souls. She provides us with spiritual determination to fulfill our higher purpose.
The 9 songs are:
Her Song, Her Joy, Her Dream, Her Heart, Her Hand, Her Quest, Her Beauty, Her Trust, and Her Smile.
Angels are near us all the time, protecting us under their wings; Angel Hanael’s is here, in her silver color, the Angel of Joy, the angel of beauty and intuition.
The cover for this album I made with one of my paintings, which I also saw in a dream in January. The funny thing is there are nine people standing under the angel’s wings, and this must be the nine songs.
360 Magazine:
Do you feel exhilarated when you wake up once you’ve been visited by one of your angel guides?
KSJ:
I like to stay with them, but I have to wake up and play it; it can be very challenging. I pick myself up; I mean, sometimes it’s 4 am or 5 am in the morning. I am not a morning person, so sometimes it is hard for me, but also wonderful.
360 Magazine:
What sets your music apart from other Classical and New Age musicians?
KSJ:
I think my music is very organic; it is also very simple. My music has a healing component in it; it flows with an inner rhythm. In classical music, it is very stiff. There is not much room to express your creativity; you have to do exactly what the notes say at the right time, in the right mood, and in the right place.
It was always a challenge for me when I was a child and I played classical guitar. In New-Age music, the lines/rules are very wide. You can do anything. My music is not like that either, there is a kind of order, like everything in nature has an order, a rhythm, and a system. Like math, and science. And you have to follow this, or you will end up in chaos.
360 Magazine:
What goals and milestones have you set for yourself? Are there specific achievements you’re aiming for in the near future?
KSJ:
Continue the dream of music.
360 Magazine:
What’s your favorite piece of music that you have composed?
KSJ:
My piece “Angel Gabriel.”
360 Magazine:
What’s is like performing at Carnegie Hall 8 different times?
KSJ:
It has been such a big honor and one of the best experiences in my life. Big thank you, Carnegie Hall. It made me believe in my music.
The 2024 San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) has announced that actress/director Heather Graham is this year’s King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking honoree. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, the festival takes place in the beautiful Central Coast city of San Luis Obispo, situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, from April 25 through April 30.
Graham will receive the King Vidor Award at an official ceremony on Saturday, April 27, at the Hotel San Luis Obispo. A noon reception starts the festivities, followed by a “Conversation with Heather Graham.” A screening of her film, Chosen Family, which she wrote, directed and stars in, is scheduled for 5pm at the historic Fremont Theatre.
In Chosen Family, Ann (Heather Graham), a yoga teacher, struggles with her chaotic family and dismal dating life while battling her inability to say no and fix everyone’s problems. Struggling to repair her estranged relationship with her sister Clio (Julia Stiles) Ann relies on her friends Roz (Andrea Savage), Max (Thomas Lennon) and Frances (Odessa Rae) to be her rock and guide her through life’s troubling decisions.
Heather Graham discovered her passion for acting at an early age and caught the attention of filmmakers with her breakout role in Gus Van Sant’s Drugstore Cowboy, for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination. She went on to land unforgettable roles in the 1997 classic Boogie Nights, for which she received the MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance, in 1999’s Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and in 2009’s The Hangover alongside Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifinakis.
In 2023, Graham could be seen in a variety of films including: The Other Zoey, a rom-com from director Sara Zandieh, alongside Andie MacDowell and Patrick Fabian; Netflix’s holiday film Best Christmas Ever with Brandy Norwood, Jason Biggs and Matt Cedeño; Suitable Flesh, which is streaming on Shudder, with Barbara Crampton; horror film Oracle; and opposite Dennis Quaid in MGM & LightWorkers’ On A Wing And A Prayer. She also appeared in the Apple TV+ series Extrapolations.
Graham has expanded into writing, directing, and producing, proving herself to be a leading multi-hyphenate talent. The critically acclaimed Half Magic, a film she wrote and directed, was released in theaters and on VOD in February 2018.
Written and directed by Graham, Chosen Family, made its world debut at the 2024 Santa Barbara Film Festival. Additionally, she’s set to star opposite Tom Hopper in Place of Bones, which is set for a 2024 release.
“Heather Graham embodies unwavering support for the independent film industry, earning her status as a beloved icon whose presence we deeply treasure and admire. We are honored with the privilege of not only acknowledging her remarkable contributions but also reveling in the spirit of this extraordinary woman. As the festival has been led by women for three decades, we’re honored to celebrate our anniversary with an incredible talent,” said SLOIFF Executive Director Skye McLennan.
Past recipients of the King Vidor Award for Excellence in Filmmaking include Lawrence Kasdan, Pam Grier, Josh Brolin, Peter Bogdanovich, Jeff Bridges, Ann-Margret, Morgan Freeman, Eva Marie Saint, and Robert Wise, among many others.
More information on the film festival can be found at https://slofilmfest.org. All-Access passholders may attend the King Vidor event with an RSVP in advance. A limited number of tickets will also be available for purchase.
THE KING VIDOR AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILMMAKING
King Vidor, a long-time resident of San Luis Obispo County, holds the record in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest career as a film director: beginning in 1913 with Hurricane in Galveston and ending in 1980 with a documentary called The Metaphor. In the course of his career, he directed sixty-four films, including War and Peace, The Fountainhead, and second-unit work on The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind. He made the transition from silent to sound and from black-and-white to color film, and he was nominated for five Academy Awards. King Vidor lives on through this noble namesake presentation, bestowed each year on the industry’s most deserving honorees.
ABOUT SAN LUIS OBISPO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2024, the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival is a six-day annual event, showcasing creative, diverse, and impactful works from around the world in a variety of venues, from the city’s classic art deco Fremont Theatre, to the vintage Palm Theatre. The 2024 festival will run from April 25-30, Encore, taking place in Paso Robles, is held from May 2-5. Tickets and festival passes can be purchased here.
Located half-way between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo with laid-back vibe and serene natural beauty is the perfect setting for this highly regarded annual film celebration. Filmmakers rave about the warmth and attentiveness that is so much a part of the SLO Int’l Film Festival experience, as do the industry pros and film critics who are fast discovering the fest’s thoughtful audiences and unique programming sensibility.
Moreno Valley artist R3 Da Chilliman lives up to the promise of his title, The People’s Choice, with his debut album. The 23-year-old rapper enlists a roster of West Coast including OhGeesy and 03 Greedo plus buzzing acts KARRAHBOOO and Chikoruss. The album represents an evolution for R3 as he trumpets his resolve against all odds. On “Bacc Out” he declares, “They said I wouldn’t make it, had to grind out the gutter” and truer words have never been spoken.
R3 dropped his 300 debut mixtape Chilli Season in March 2023 with features from Kalan.FrFr, ALLBLACK and 03 Greedo. Earmilk proclaimed, “His structured flow and gritty vernacular blend effortlessly into the west coast hip-hop scene.” His viral sensation “Rock & Roll” with fellow West Coast bar spitter stoneda5th has generated over 5 million streams and positioned him as one of the region’s breakout stars. In 2022, R3 joined Fenix Flexin on his Mid-West tour and was named one of Audiomack’s “10 Rappers You Should Know.” R3’s come-up has just begun, and he has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
Country music trailblazer and icon Shania Twain takes viewers behind the scenes of the official music video for “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” in the latest installment of Vevo Footnotes, in celebration of the song’s 25th anniversary.
In the video, Shania delves into the song and video’s influence, highlighting its transformation into an unexpected anthem that empowered women and shattered barriers in both country music and pop culture. She discusses the intentional decisions on fashion made for the music video, aimed at defying the expectations set for female musicians of that era. She talks about how her creative team was inspired by the iconic styling in Robert Plant’s “Addicted To Love” music video and aimed to take it to another level by reversing the gender roles and creating something unexpected with the high women’s coat and top hat with the veil.
Throughout the episode, Shania reveals how the music and video extended beyond the confines of country music and allowed her to reach new audiences. She also describes how Mutt Lange’s memorable guitar riff inspired her famous lyrics centered on “liberation, independence, and the human spirit.” Finally, she shares that she faced significant pushback on the creative side about wardrobe and concerns about being “too sexy” for her audience. However, in the end, the song became relatable to everyone, and she expresses her love for performing it today, as much as she did when it was first released.
FULL FOOTNOTES BELOW:
00:04 – If there’s any song that has ever affected culture, that I have written, it’s “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” I can’t take credit for knowing that at the moment of writing it!
00:22 – I worked with record producer Mutt Lange on the song. He had this guitar riff he had been playing all morning. Finally, he stopped the ruff and I said…”Man, I feel like a woman!” When that statement came out of my mouth, it was so obvious that the song was going to be about liberation, independence, and the human spirit.
00:44 – I was standing up for myself through the song. I wasn’t being apologetic for all the things I had been criticized for in my life – “you can’t do that, you can’t wear that, that’s too tight, that’s too short” This was my song that really said you know what I love about being a woman! I’m feeling comfortable in my own skin! That’s awesome!
01:06 – It felt anthemic right off the bat. We were picturing a stadium setting, with crowds roaring, so we built the production around that feeling. We layered lots of backing vocals to give that crowd roaring feeling. Mutt and I did all the backing vocals.
01:27 – I wanted to go beyond country music and this song was pushing my genre boundaries, musically it was not limited to one genre. It’s rock, it’s pop, it’s country.
01:44 – The styling in Robert Palmer’s video was so iconic and strong. We wanted to take that idea and turn it on its head. We wanted to make something unexpected and the role reversal was the vision.
02:00 – Mark Bauer got to work on the wardrobe, with that idea in mind and dressed me in that amazing high women’s coat, the top hat, with the veil added for a touch of femininity, in what was a “typically” masculine outfit
02:20 – I wanted to evolve with the peeling away layers of clothes, like layers of this person coming off and revealing a different side of my inner self. I wanted it to show and say so much more than just man and woman – there’s a whole area in between!
02:38 – We got a lot of flack for doing what we did at that time, we were taking country music to a place it hadn’t been before and some people didn’t like that. As part of the role reversal, it was important to have the guys be really sexy and androgynous. All of the little details of the fashion were considered and on purpose. It’s a real credit to Mark and his talent.
03:05 – I remember the art department saying, “This is way too sexy! The women listeners are not going to like this! They’re going to feel threatened.” They told me I was going to alienate a huge part of my audience. I knew that women would totally get it.
03:25 – It’s everyone’s song and they all take ownership of it in a different way. It’s a signature song for my entire career and I adore performing it and singing it today as much as I did back then.
03:40 – We shot the music video in New York with director Paul Boyd, who I had shot “From This Moment On” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much” with, so we had a good working relationship going into the shoot.
Flexing impressive versatility once more, Shordie Shordie unveils a slick new single and music video entitled “OkOk” today. Listen HERE and watch HERE via Warner Records.
The track’s bright keyboard loop shines, and its head-nodding beat bumps. Simultaneously, Shordie Shordie leans into the production with a magnetically melodic flow punctuated by his towering high register. Dropping quotable bars, he jests, “Pocket’s getting fatter and my bitches call me ‘Norbit’,” while his vocals flutter on the question, “What you doing with that clown?” The stylish visual finds him at a photo shoot surrounded by models, in a luxury automobile with friends, strolling through a casino, and enjoying a lavish meal. It seamlessly captures the braggadocios vibe at the heart of the song.
Recently, he served up the stunning music video for “A Lot Of Miles” with Murda Beatz. Beyond reeling in over 1.3 million YouTube views, tastemakers such as HipHopDX plugged it. Meanwhile, the music video for “Drink” amassed over one million YouTube views. “A Lot Of Miles” stood out as the fifth video from his joined project with Murda Beatz, Memory Lane 2, following “Drink,” “Contacts,” “Don’t Forget Me,” and “Ride With Shordie Pt. 2.”
The ELLE network today, including France and the international editions, reaches more than 33 million readers worldwide: 45 editions of ELLE in 43 countries, 25 editions of ELLE Decoration, 5 editions of ELLE à Table, 2 editions of ELLE Men and 1 edition of ELLE Girl. It also represents 45 ELLE local websites, gathering nearly 100 million unique visitors per month. Lagardère Group, owner of ELLE & ELLE Decoration brands, partners with prestigious publishing houses worldwide, through licence contracts: With Hearst Magazines, publishing 15 editions of ELLE and 12 editions of ELLE Decoration, in 14 countries. With Burda, Aller, Ringier, and 21 other partners in 29 countries, publishing 30 editions of ELLE and 13 editions of ELLE Decoration. The Lagardère Group is a global leader in content publishing, production, broadcasting, and distribution.
Ghanaian-German top model/influencer Nicolas Joesten is one of the most sought-after talents in the industry. With strong representation, a healthy following, and an IQ, it’s apparent that this handsome man will continue to soar.
After being signed to Wilhelmina seven years ago, this promising new face made a lot of noise in the industry with his athletic physique and good looks. However, after meeting social media maverick Kjordy, he began to interview people on the street to learn the field and better understand the process. His ability to improvise and persuade bystanders to speak to him has given him a slight edge over most. This millennial, unlike others in his category, is able to easily take a room and make people fall head over heels. Mostly, his approachability on the scale from 1 to 10 is a 12. He’s not afraid to stand up for himself, his family, or even what he believes in.
Nick’s candid conversation with Vaughn was characterized by his transparency and willingness to be himself. Boris Kodjoe became a bankable Hollywood A-Lister because of his likeability. And if his personality doesn’t enchant you, then his athletic build will. Just as easy-going as our former cover star Broderick Hunter, who has gained major roles on shows like Insecure or opportunities to engage audiences as an event correspondent/special guest for various entities like GQ, 360, and Essence. It’s incredible to see him in action. His thick European accent isn’t just for show. NJ is extremely articulate and has already brokered partnerships/campaigns with GAP, Davidoff, Ted Baker, Bamboo Clothing, and L’Oréal. Joesten has the chance to take the USA by storm, and he is in a league of his own. After all, this well-educated, cultured, and traveled hunk is equally articulate, talented, and photogenic. It’s only a matter of seconds before the universe aligns his purpose, passion, and professionalism to a project that will propel him to his destiny as a powerhouse player in the new age world of entertainment. BBC, Daily Mail, The Guardian, your latest presenter is right in front of you.
