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“The world goes 'round and 'round and 'round. And 'round!”
MAKING MOVES: Actor Shemar Moore is not just a pretty face. And he wants the world to know it.
“I know I look like I live that choice life and I do but when you get doors slammed in your face because of how you look and people only want to have certain conversations with you, you get hungry,” the soon-to-be former soap hunk told “The RU Report” last weekend. “I’m ready to change the conversation that people are having about Shemar Moore.”
New conversation fodder include his brand new star turn in CBS’s much buzzed about drama series, “Criminal Minds,” which airs on Wednesdays and also stars Mandy Patinkin, Thomas Gibson, and Lola Glaudini. In the role of Special Agent Derek Morgan, an expert on obsessional crimes, the 35-year-old Mr. Moore sheds his former persona of Malcolm Winters, the veteran Black eye candy on the network’s legendary daytime serial “The Young & The Restless.”
“This [show] gives me the opportunity to do something that I haven’t really gotten to do that I’ve known I could do for a long time,” he explained. “It’s a cerebral show where I get to pull more tools out of my tool box all at once, so to speak, as an actor and show that off. And people can finally take notice.
“For me, this is truly a vehicle to break down those doors that I couldn’t get to in the last twelve years.”
But don’t get it twisted.
The Oakland-bred self-proclaimed “mama’s boy” isn’t some jaded, bitter out of work player who’s on some tangent complaining about missed opportunities. With his matinee idol looks, the 6’1” former fashion model knows he’s blessed. But he doesn’t want to be pigeonholed in a smooth operator mode anymore. And his mission is to do away “with the pretty boy Floyd from the Young & The Restless, how many sit ups he do” image. “Let’s turn the page. That’s boring. Let’s see what else is cracking.”
Working nearly 17 hours on some days with “Criminal Minds” is helping him to be taken seriously as a thespian. Coupled with a starring role in this year’s #1 box office urban romantic comedy, “Diary of A Mad Black Woman,” he seems to be on the right track – despite some stumbling blocks.
“There was a fight to get in there,” he revealed about the movie. “There were powers to be that did not want me in Diary and I take my hat off to Tyler Perry. He went to bat for me. He saw something in me –I don’t know why and where it started—but I thank him profusely for the opportunity.”
Even Stevie Wonder could’ve envisioned him in the “break-out” big picture role. But since soap opera stars rarely transcend to other genres, it was a hard sell to top decision makers at the studio with the influence on the project.
“What was nice about it is that somebody finally gave me permission to simply do one thing very well and to do it my way, so to speak, and to reach inside of myself, to find the truth and to tell the story,” the former “Soul Train” host added. And while he is the proud winner of a Daytime Emmy award and five NAACP Image awards, Mr. Moore admitted that being on soap operas for a long time could be a double-edged sword. “The soap has given me life in Hollywood but it’s also what’s hindering me from progressing. I’m not knocking the soaps, but the soaps carry a certain stigma in this game.”
And with huge success of box office domination comes tabloid drama. Soon after the film hit big with North American filmgoers, Shemar Moore was romantically linked to Diary’s leading lady Kimberly Elise, who reportedly separated from her husband of 18 years. “No truth to it,” he yelled before the complete question came out. “She’s a sweetheart. Kimberly is my girl. When we were doing Diary, she was married. She’s separated from her husband these days, and having nothing to do with me.”
“I don’t think so,” he later snorted when a comparison to another beautiful home-wrecking Hollywood type was made. “I’m a lot of things but I don’t mess with fire. Not like that. But Kimberly is a sweetheart and it was wonderful to tell that story with her but from action to cut, we made you believe. But after ‘cut’ I backed away because her husband was standing right there. So no, we’re still developing –to this day—a wonderful friendship. I have so much respect for her as an actress …but I have nothing to do with the next chapter of her romantic life.”
Alrightee then. Thanks for clearing that up.
Aside from the new beginning in the prime time slot, Mr. Moore –who has also been linked to Oscar winner Halle Berry and R&B songstress Toni Braxton over the years-- has a cameo in the long-delayed Tisha Campbell and Duane Martin-helmed comedy “The Seat Filler” starring Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown.
The eldest brother of three half-Japanese siblings also has designs to take a bite out of the Big Apple. “I’m moving,” he revealed, adding, “I want to live in New York. I love the hustle and bustle of it. I like the pace. I love the flavor. I love to ride the subway and walk the streets.” Mr. Moore toiled as a waiter at the city’s popular Union Square Coffee Shop during his modeling days– and developed a love for the big city life.
“I have different conversations when I'm on the east coast,” he continued. “I hear different kinds of things. Everybody here is waiting for their break. People on the east coast seem to be doing what they do and also living life.”
And then there’s the mission to start a family before the Big-Four-Oh! sneaks up on him. “I'm not in a hurry but I'm definitely ready,” he confided. “My player card is getting real dusty. I’ve done my share of dirt and I'm glad I did it but I'm looking for somebody to shut all of that down.”
While tinkering around a concept to portray entertainment legend and activist Harry Belafonte, Mr. Moore is also working with his camp to develop a one-man show, loosely based on his own journey of growing up biracial and realizing his dreams.
“I’ve been doing this for over twelve years and I didn’t put in all of this time just so I could sign somebody’s autograph or go to a cool party. I’m very serious. I’m chasing Denzel Washington. I’m chasing Jamie Foxx. I’m chasing Brad Pitt. I want to go to the same parties that they’re going to, I want to do the same type of stuff that they’re doing. And I’m not saying that I am any of those guys. I’m just saying that I want a shot.”
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TO THE RESCUE:
Dyana Williams –the well regarded music industry veteran and in-demand media coach to the stars – reached out to me last weekend to make me aware of her inventive initiative to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Through her organization, the International Association of African American Music Foundation (IAAAM Foundation), she has teamed up with New York City’s Negril Village restaurant to host a disaster relief fundraiser for her fellow New Orleanians.
The event, entitled “Celebrities Serve: Cater 2 U” and taking place on September 24, will feature a who’s who of urban glitterati interacting and serving lunch to patrons, who will make contributions to be donated to a grassroots organization serving people in the Treme section of the city –believed to be the oldest African American neighborhood in America.
“We wanted to offer the public and celebrities something unique,” the Spanish Harlem-reared former radio personality told “The RU Report” this week. “Concerts tend to eat up monies in production costs so we decided to ask folks to be waiters and waitresses and serve the very people who have made them popular.”
Celebrities who have confirmed their participation in the $55 a head event include Jill Scott, TI, Jaheim, Gordon Chambers, Roy Ayers, Jean Carne, Pretty Ricky, Slum Village and David Banner. White hot actor Michael Ealy, film producer Lisa Cortes and acclaimed author/publisher Teri Woods are also on board.
Additionally, there will be donated items to be auctioned from Patti LaBelle, Kool & The Gang, Will Downing, Eric Benet, Jaguar Wright, Musiq, film producer/director Lee Daniels, and best-selling author E. Lynn Harris among others.
According to Ms. Williams, all of the participants are donating their time and doing away with exorbitant costs for hotel and transportation. “This is a true and heart-felt fundraising effort where we have a mix of generations, genres and personalities. We’re covering so many bases to encourage the people to come out and get involved.”
“The funds that we are going to raise will be distributed to various grass roots entities helping those who have been directly affected by Hurricane Katrina,” she continued. “We are working with Ms. Roxie Wright, who was Governor Blanco's right hand person in New Orleans, to determine which local organizations we will give proceeds to.”
While Ms. Williams herself is a primary and longtime resident of Philadelphia, she has owned a home in the Crescent City for the past five years.
“New Orleans is a vibrant and culturally rich city and I am passionate about this special American locale,” she added. “My home was built in 1839 and was noted by the national register as historic. I have been in love with and living in NOLA and the neighborhood is immediately outside the French Quarter and reeks with personality and much flavor. Second Lines, which are musical processions either for funerals or celebrations, frequently come past my house and people still talk with each other.”
Ms. Williams recently learned from a neighbor that her property is safe although the condition from the weather damage is still uncertain. She’s grateful but her heart is still heavy when it comes to the hundreds of thousands of her fellow residents who are not as fortunate as she was.
The New York event is just one of many projects underway.
The 16-year-old IAAAM Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Black music and culture throughout the United States and world, will also host a similar event in the City of Brotherly Love with Philly artists and in conjunction with Radio One Philadelphia. “Our core group of organizers is deeply concerned about the plight of people who have been impacted negatively by Katrina and we wish to make a difference.”
To contact IAAAM, email IAAAM1@aol.com, Negril Village, ca;; (212) 477-2804. A portion of all proceeds collected will be tax-deductible.
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GET READY FOR THE GOSPEL:
Urban movie fans are eagerly awaiting the release of the new music-based movie “The Gospel” which stars Boris Kodjoe, Idris Elba, Nona Gaye, Tamyra Gray, Clifton Powell, Omar Gooding and Keshia Knight Pulliam and includes gospel performers Hezekiah Walker, Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi and Delores "Mom" Winans. The made-in-Atlanta movie -- from Rainforest Productions and distributed nationally by Screen Gems/ Columbia Tri-Star Motion Pictures —will arrive in theaters on October 7. Last spring major filming wrapped, with only pickup shooting planned at local sites like Victory Baptist Church of Atlanta, Club Eleven50, Twain's in Decatur, the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts and the Word of Faith church.
“The Gospel” is directed by Rob Hardy, who helmed the steamy “Trios” trilogy and who is on board to craft “The Ballad of Walter Holmes” starring Usher Raymond and Sean “Diddy” Combs. It’s a story about a young singer named David Taylor (played by Mr. Kodjoe) who turns his back on God and his father's church when tragedy strikes. He returns years later to find the once powerful congregation in disarray. With his childhood nemesis Charles (played by Mr. Elba) creating a "new vision" for the church, he is forced to deal with family turmoil, career suicide, and relationship issues that send him on a collision course with redemption and destruction.
Gospel veteran Fred Hammond serves as executive producer, along with Holly Davis-Carter, a film producer on the rise (one of her upcoming projects include the Craig “Hustle & Flow” Brewer’s Saturday Night Fever-esque spin on Chicago’s urban swing dance craze, tentatively titled “Step In The Name Of Love”). Bernard Bronner, half of the sibling duo who owns “Upscale” magazine and Bronner Brothers hair care products, is an associate producer of the film. Verity Records will release the soundtrack album on September 27 featuring new music by Kirk Franklin, along with contributions from the film’s stars, Deitrick Haddon, Natalie Wilson, Greg Kirkland and reggae star Papa San.
The spiritual-themed film has a running time of roughly 95- minutes and will have its world premiere on September 24 in Hotlanta at the Rialto Theater.
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GOOD WORKS:
VH1 is launching "Get Up Stand Up" in conjunction with the international humanitarian agency Mercy Corps to help carry out short term and long term Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The campaign kicks off September 22 at the taping for VH1's 2nd Annual "Hip Hop Honors" in New York City. Donations will be collected during the "Hip Hop Honors" red carpet as artists will be asked to drop off specified relief items at a trailer that will be stationed outside of the Hammerstein Ballroom. In support of its Comfort for Kids programs, Mercy Corps has requested that artists bring items including "Comfort Kits" for kids, and teachers as well as gift cards from stores including Home Depot. Items will be taken to the Mercy Corps Gulf Coast command center in Baton Rouge, LA. From there the items will be distributed to specific disaster areas including Slidell, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge, and Gulfport, Pass Christian, and Biloxi, MS.
Multi-platinum-selling King Of Crunk Lil’ Jon has been tapped to host the Boost Mobile RockCorps Free Concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall on September 24. Fellow hip-hoppers T.I., Fat Joe, Young Jeezy, Slim Thug, and Paul Wall are also onboard for the landmark event, produced exclusively for the 5,000 volunteers who contributed four hours of volunteer service at one of 75 Boost Mobile RockCorps projects throughout the summer. The Boost Mobile RockCorps was a groundbreaking national extension of the RockCorps program that is now motivating young people throughout the U.S. to get involved, connect with their community and inevitably become a part of a youth movement for social change. (www.boostmobilerockcorps.org ,888-rock889.)
On September 25, over 25,000 participants are expected to join the Komen Greater NYC RACE FOR THE CURE, which was established in 1982 to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. The race is one of the largest races in New York City, surpassing even the New York City Marathon. The 2005 Komen New York City Race for the Cure Honorary Chair is Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “The Sopranos” star Edie Falco and new Broadway starlet Christina Applegate (of “Sweet Charity”) are this year’s Celebrity Honorary Race Chairs. Brooklyn chanteuse Maya Azucena will serenade the finish line, as she and her band perform a concert on the grounds of the Central Park Bandshell. According to her spokesperson, Ms. Azucena will perform songs from her independent debut release ”May Who?!” and some other cult faves. (www.komennyc.org, 212-293-CURE.)
In an unprecedented display of unity in commitment, all nine daytime dramas on ABC, CBS and NBC have agreed to join together, over a ten-week period this fall, to call attention in their programming to the AIDS crisis in Africa. Starting on September 26, the "Daytime Unites for Africa" campaign, created by “Days of our Lives” writer Sofia Landon Geier, in cooperation with the Daytime heads at each network, will kicks off. And although it’s not dealing with the epidemic on our home turf –which impacts the actual viewer ship of these shows—at least some dialogue is being promoted. (www.lovehallie.org.)
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STUFF:
Seems as though someone at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem has finally gotten into the swing of things. The line-up of upcoming performances are superb – to say the least-- for the famous venue that has had sporadic fan fare over the past year. According to a spokesperson for the landmark, the Apollo Legends Series will feature two evenings starring master of funk George Clinton on September 31 and October 1. Mr. Clinton celebrates his fiftieth year in the music business with an all-star line-up of backing musicians that may feature an opening act composed of Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins, bassist Me'Shell Ndegeocello and R&B man Raphael Saadiq, and avant garde neo-soul singer/songwriter Joi with a revolving door of special guests. The Apollo Theater line-up throughout the season runs the full gamut of entertainment from comedy (Eddie Griffin, October 21), new-school R&B (John Legend, October 27), reggae music (The Wailers, October 28, October 29) and adult contemporary music (Will Downing, Angie Stone, December 8). And the piece de resistance is two shows by none other than Bill Cosby (Decemeber11), who needs no introduction.
The late great music legend Ray Charles would’ve turned 75 on September 23. Since his death last June, an all out blitz of his legacy has ensued, including last fall’s Oscar Award-caliber “Ray.” And it still continues. This week, Rhino Records released a pair of collections that bookend his iconic career. “Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959)” is where the legend begins and “Genius And Friends,” an album of duets with Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, Leela James, John Legend and George Michael, which is said to be Mr. Charles' final artistic vision. Last month, the Ray Charles Post Office Building was named in his honor, in Los Angeles. An exhibit of Mr. Charles memorabilia concludes this month at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and will relocate to Nashville for a yearlong exhibit saluting his multi-genre career, starting in March 2006 at the Country Music Hall of Fame. On September 22, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC inducted a collection of Mr. Charles’ artifacts into its permanent collection.
Black 2: Broadway’s Kevin-Anthony has turned out to be a sell-out. The celebrated event producer is a bonafide performer in his own right – if you all didn’t know. Fresh off the heels of fabulous performance at the Studio Museum In Harlem, the Boston native, who toured in productions of “Grease” and “Dreamgirls,” snagged a starring role in the New York Musical Theater Festival presentation of “But, I’m A Cheerleader,” which is an adaptation of the 1998 Jamie Babbit-directed indie hit. As the gender-bending scene-stealer Mike, Mr. Anthony –who just became a grandfather this summer—is mesmerizing packed houses at the Theatre at Saint Clements in New York’s Times Square. “I have to admit it was very strange for me to see someone else play Mike, but Kevin-Anthony did a fantastic job and has a beautiful voice,” said the once ubiquitous drag queen RuPaul, who originated the role for the movie. The Daniel Goldstein-helmed wacky coming-of-age comedy is so popular that it has been sold out ever since it went on sale making industryites take notice of the two-year old fest, which is dedicated to discovering new work and new artists and celebrating the diversity, creativity, and future of musical theatre. If only the show could be extended – or maybe transferred to the Great White Way many more people will enjoy it.
Also making a splash at the second annual festival is “American Idol: Season Two” cast-off Frenchie Davis, who has made quite a name for herself on the theater circuit. The buxom Lawndale, California native starred in the Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical “Rent” and has also done a Billy Porter-helmed production of “Dreamgirls.” For the fest, the 26-year-old diva in training takes on the role of White House secretary Betty Currie (The Bill Clinton Administration) in the World Premiere production of “Monica: The Musical.” The show –directed and choreographed by Casey Hushion—started its run September 21 at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. (www.nymf.org)
The esteemed Reverend Calvin O. Butts of Harlem’s legendary Abyssinian Baptist Church visited the lower trenches of Brooklyn this past weekend. The popular preacher man whose name was dropped on last week’s controversial episode of “Oprah” –where the still very gargantuan-sized fashionista Andrea Leon Talley bandied on and on about his food addiction and carried on for the entire hour— delivered the keynote sermon at East New York’s St. Paul’s Community Baptist Church for their 11th annual commemoration of The MAAFA, a week-long celebration that engages the entire community in understanding and embracing the legacy of the Middle Passage and leads toward a process of reconciliation and healing.
New York City radio’s newest Million Dollar Baby Steve Harvey, Queen of hip-hop/soul Mary J. Blige, thuggy rapper Juelz Santana, the Timothy Wright Concert Choir, and the Canaan Mass Youth Choir are confirmed to headline Reverend Al Sharpton’s 51st Birthday rally for the victims of Hurricane Katrina at the legendary Apollo Theater on October 3. According to his spokesperson, Reverend Sharpton recently spent several days in New Orleans, Shreveport, Baton Rouge and Houston, Texas, and witnessed first-hand the devastation which caused him to turn his birthday into a relief effort.
Super-sized funnyman Patrice O’ Neal gets a shot at primetime with the debut of his very own “One Night Stand” HBO special, premiering on October 7. A Caroline’s On Broadway staple, the Boston native’s TV credits include "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn," "Chappelle's Show," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Arrested Development.” He has also been seen in the films "Head of State," "The 25th Hour" and had a colorfully flamboyant part in the Meg Ryan clunker "In the Cut." He’s a funny fella. Check him out at midnight.
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NOTABLE/QUOTABLE: “Fast-action groupie sex leaves you empty. You get a sugar rush, but you feel sick after. It sounds soft, but the most memorable sex is an intimate setting with somebody you care about.” – Celebrated hip-hop personality Q-Tip on one of the 10 Things He’s Learned. (Vibe)
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Remember: it ain’t over until God says it’s over.
Singing off-
RU a.k.a. The One –N- The Only
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Got Something To Say? Email Karu F. Daniels Direct At: TheRUReport@aol.com. He doesn’t read the message boards. So pull it together now.
© 2001 - 2005 The RU Report ™. All Rights Reserved. ~~~ Daniels-Goldstein * PO Box # 25 * Bushkill, PA 18324
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