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KLEOPATRA GIRL'S RINGSIDE REPORT: Lee Bailey’s EURweb Media Awards
Held at the LA Convention Center and hosted by sweetheart comedienne Luenell, it was 'a family affair.'
"Soulful singer Marva King remains a stunning beauty. I loved her neo-retro wild afro-centric hair and her feet, my lord they were so bejeweled you could hardly see her toes. She shall have music wherever she goes. I remember trying to speak to ... while he was posing for a pic with her. He let me know quite matter of factly that he was busy trying to get his "Mack" on!"
*Lee Bailey Founder of EURweb.com took a huge leap by producing the first EURweb Media Awards on Friday, August 1st. Bailey's site boasts 10 million page views per month, but at the recent award ceremony it was a tight knit of "family" supporters that turned out to show their love and not the masses that he serves.
Co-hosted by America's sweetheart comedienne Luenell who was also a nominee for "Most Media Friendly" award (but lost to Mo'Nique), made sure to keep the show on "the real."
Luenell has an amazing talent to endear everyone to her with her witty wise-cracking jokes all the while using that girl with the curl innocent look when she realizes she has taken her comedy to the edge, like her fast comment about Lil' Zane not being so little.
She knows how to whip it good for shock value and then snap it back before crossing the line. In true diva fashion Luenell was a little late (but not intentionally).
Lee was pacing the floor looking like a worried producer, but due to a major event at the Staples Center near-by, traffic was hectic and streets were blocked off making it difficult to access the Los Angeles Convention Center at rush hour.
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EURweb Media Awards host Luenell & the showstopping Shanice exchange greetings (photo credit: Darryl Turner)
Scroll down for MORE photos from the event
Once Luenell arrived all was well and the audience showed their appreciation with hearty laughs. Coordinators might take Friday's busy downtown hustle and bustle into consideration next year and move the award time to a later time slot.
At the show it seems like everyone knew everyone else for years. Luenell was well acquainted with the featured performer Shanice who can be described as nothing less than a "beautiful song bird." They gave each other warm hugs and you could feel the love and mutual respect and admiration they have for each other.
Shanice must have an 8 octave range, hitting notes like Mariah Carey or for those of you who are over 40 and remember well-loved, now departed singer of the 70's, Minnie Ripperton. Shanice's performance of her new Obama song 'The President We Need' was truly uplifting. She received a well-deserved standing ovation. Lee Bailey admitted to also having great fondness and respect for Shanice who is from his hometown of Pittsburgh. The same mutual affection was shared with actress Tasha Smith (Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married). Then, the audience was treated to young Hip Hop performer Mel Buckley with Unyted Records (pronounced United). He caught the attention of the teen set in the audience which included Luenell's daughter Da'Nelle.
Irene Mama Stokes, actress and comedienne was on hand to accept an award on behalf of Susan Taylor (Essence) Magazine and goodness knows that "Mama" Stokes is the grand duchess of Black Hollywood. Between her and her music dynasty offsprings of whom the most recognized is Chris Stokes (manager for Marques Houston and Omarion), she's worked with all the majors. She and I go way way back and it's truly "ye olde family home week" whenever we see each other.
From the younger Hollywood set, Zane aka Lil' Zane made an appearance looking like a very cute teen idol. Heartthrob hottie and newcomer Sam Bell of Sam Bell Body made a great impression too and was on hand to sponsor fitness gift certificates for all attendees.
Co-host LaRita Shelby who has worked with Lee Bailey for decades as the producer of Lee Bailey's RadioScope was a familiar face and gave a nice tribute and impression of late grand-dame publicist Pat Tobin, who recently passed away and nominee for "Most Outstanding Agency" however, lost to legendary casting director turned producer Reuben Cannon. LaRita expressed so much love for Pat that by the time she finished you'd have thought Pat won posthumously.
It was great to see radio personality Ron Brewington (formerly with Radio One), a longtime friend of my husband voice over actor J.D. Hall.
All eyes were glued though to gorgeous beyond gorgeous Marva King (http://www.soulexpress.net/marvaking.htm) who is again touring with Prince and the New Power Generation. Marva remains a stunning beauty. I loved her neo-retro wild afro-centric hair and her feet, my lord they were so bejeweled you could hardly see her toes. She shall have admirers wherever she goes. I remember trying to speak to Lee while he was posing for a pic with her. He let me know quite matter of factly that he was busy trying to get his "Mack" on (LOL don't kill me Lee for telling). The real mack as in Willie Macc (BET College Hill Virgin Islands) was also spotted on the red carpet with his signature afro-coif.
Legendary photographer Bill Jones now in his seventies should be commended for being on hand to accept his "EURweb Media Legends Award." He brought his wife and his beautiful granddaughter LaToya who reminds me of a very young Tyra Banks. Bill is admittedly not a big talker but his photos speak for him. They have graced the pages of many major magazines and of course he is most noted for being the long-time photographer for Jet Magazine.
Ben Foster, videographer and up and coming media personality was busy observing everything. Just give him a decade or so and he will be in the league with Lee Bailey and Bill Jones. I heard he was busy signing autographs earlier. Way to go!
Although I attended only the awards ceremony, the EURweb Media Awards Expo took place the entire day and there was a pre-red carpet concert featuring many newcomers including R&B Pop Singer/Songwriter Neenah Taylor, Rapper T-Mazz, Neo Soul Singer Gina Green and Electro Soul Singer Anne Montone, 2-Uneek and Andre'Delano (according to the schedule).
I have to say I was disappointed that many major stars who are constantly featured in the pages of EURweb.com were missing in action at the awards. The event was highly promoted for months. It's very important to respect and honor those publications that consistently feature your work, after all it's not like we see many Africans American stars on ET, EXTRA or Access Hollywood each and every day. EURweb is among the top African-American entertainment news sites. Next year I hope that those that EURweb supports unceasingly, will support it.
Among the publicists that did turn out with their clients and should be applauded for supporting the EURweb, included Joseph Babineaux, Jonathan Clardy, Neeta Wooten and yours truly. Among the nominated photographers, I spotted Vinni Ratcliff. He was busy on the red carpet for a hot sec then resumed his role as a press photographer.
Eunice Mosley, publicist and event coordinator for the EURweb Media Awards put forth her best effort to make sure all who attended were well accommodated. She is a very gracious and soft-spoken lady and should be commended for working so diligently on this event. For a list of winners and sponsors stay tuned in by logging on to www.eurweb.com for updates.
Major Sponsors included: Three Keys Music and Boosweet Records
Eugenia Wright is a former actress turned celebrity columnist/publicist. You may write to her at KleoPatraGirl117@hotmail.com. Her company ISA PR bears the name of her son.
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Luenell & actress Tasha Smith whose upcoming film is 'The Longshots' (photo credit: Darryl Turner
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Lee Bailey and celeb chef/fitness trainer Sam Bell bookend Marva King (photo credit: Vinni Ratcliff)
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Marva King & Lee Bailey (photo credit: Vinni Ratcliff)
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