Supporting A Colorful Vision Of Hollywood

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:23:33 -0000

The 15th annual Diversity Awards, a night when Hollywood celebrates diversity in the fields of film and television, took place at Universal Studios on November 17. The event is a benefit for the Multicultural Motion Picture Association’s (MMPA) Educational and Development Scholarship Fund, which helps talented and dedicated students seeking entry into the film and television professions.

The black tie event was open to the public at a ticket price of $300.00, and included a live auction conducted during the dinner in an effort to raise funds for the scholarship fund. A signed guitar by the members of R&B group Outkast was among the items for bid. A basketball signed by the original members of the Olympic Dream Team, including Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, and Magic Johnson, was also up for sale, and from the newer regime of basketball fame, there was a sneaker autographed by Kobe Bryant.

Celebrities of varied cultural backgrounds, including those of British, Haitian, Indian, Latino, Italian, and American descent, came to present awards and support the event. Antonio Sabato Jr, Tatayana Ali, Sharon Leal, Kel Mitchell, Kal Penn, Sally Richardson, Michael DeLorenzo, and Romeo were just a few of the stars of the film, television and music worlds to attend.

Oscar Torre, of the CBS hit “Cane”, expressed his excitement about presenting an award to “The Bronx is Burning”, a miniseries that represents multiple cultures. In a red carpet interview, Torre shared his sentiments about working on “Cane”: “I grew up watching very few Latinos on TV and when I would see them… they would be playing criminals, delinquents, and maids. It is great to do a show about Latinos, and Latinos doing well.”

Heroes star Jimmy-Jean Louis – commonly known as “The Haitian” – presented an award to his “Phat Girlz” co-star, Monique. Answering the question of how important it was to present drama that is diverse, Louis said “It is a shame that we have to make it a point, nowadays, when it should be normal to see all kinds of people on TV.” He also spoke proudly of the diversity on Heroes, “It has Japanese, Indians, Blacks, Haitians, Latinos and it is doing really well. The whole world is watching. Hopefully, in the next few years, there will be more shows like that which will bring people closer together to being able to accept each other.”

The awards gala opened with a spirited song and dance featuring moments from High School Musical 2, in homage to Kenny Ortega, winner of the award for Best Director of a Comedy or Musical for the blockbuster Disney sequel. Other distinguished award honorees included Leonardo DiCaprio and fellow producers of the eco-crisis documentary The 11th Hour, which received the award for Best Documentary.

Currently starring in American Gangster, Idris Elba took home the award for Best Actor in a Drama for Daddy’s Little Girls. When asked what it meant to him to receive the Diversity Award in this category, he replied “It‘s huge! The Diversity Award is a great award to get as a best actor…this is actually my first award ever. It’s also great to show there is diversity in our industry. The fact that a black man in a predominately black film can win this award is a huge step forward.”

Brittany Snow and Elijah Kelly won the Nova award for their artistic performance in the cult-classic turned hit summer film Hairspray. The Nova award is for rising young stars. Other Diversity Award winners included actor Jon Heder, and the casts of House, The Office, Shark, and Passions.

More information on winners can be found at www.thediversityawards.org.

Fantasy Poker Night Benefits Lili Claire Foundation

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 18:09:44 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Familiar celebrity faces met with members of the public for a fundraising evening of no-limit Texas Hold-Em poker while enjoying cocktails poolside at the W Hotel. Cadillac cars transported guests to and from the venue for a star-studded fantasy poker experience on July 10th.

Guests included Jeremy Sisto, Jason Ritter, Pete Yorn, Brian Baumgartner, Willie Garson, Jason Mewes, Andy Milonakis, Shari Belafonte, Don Most, Bob Goen, Victoria Pratt, Paul Johansson, Kate Linder, Patrick Fabian, Kelli Williams, Samm Levine, Kato Kaelin, Norby Walters, Josh Charles, Mitch Allan, Shaun Toub, Kathleen Madigan, Michael DeLorenzo, and Ken Howard.

Brian Baumgarter of “The Office” was the lucky winner, and a generous donation was made to The Lili Claire Foundation in his name.

The event was organised by Hollywood Fantasy Experience and NSO Entertainment, in association with HollywoodPoker.com, to benefit the Lili Claire Foundation.

Lili Claire Foundation was established to enhance the lives of children born with Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome, Autism, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other neurogenetic birth conditions, while providing hope and resources to the families who love them.

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Supporting A Colorful Vision Of Hollywood

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