Studio Q's Best of 2012 [VIDEO]

 
#1. Studio Q Moment of 2012 was with Whitney Houston on her final red carpet walk at Kelly Price's Pre-Grammy Party in Hollywood.  I had no idea this would be our last hug, but I am so grateful I got a chance to see Whitney one last time. RIP Whitney Houston. I will always love you. Thank you for your realness with me and your kindness to me.  I will cherish both forever and ever.


#2. In March of 2012 Studio Q interviewed Miki Howard backstage at the Catalina Jazz Club following her show.  What Miki had to say about Whitney Houston really resonated with all of us who watched.


#3. Studio Q Moment of 2012 was with Jenifer Lewis by the pool of her Hollywood Mansion.   We were honored to be welcomed into her space for a Studio Q interview.  Jenifer Lewis exceeded all of our expectations.


#4. Interviewing Faith Evans was a definite highlight this year.  What was even better was getting the amazing R&B Diva to sing for us. What she sang sounded so good I wanted to turn it into a ringtone! I bet when you hear it you will feel the same way. Faith even sang one of her favorite Whitney Houston songs, which will be included on the Whitney Houston Tribute we are currently working on for 2013.


#5. What a  thrill it was for Studio Q to sit down with Grammy Award Winning Producer, Narada Michael Walden in 2012.  He is responsible for a majority of Whitney Houston's #1 hits. 'How Will I Know', 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody', 'So Emotional', 'All The Man That I Need', 'Where Do Broken Hearts Go', and 'I'm Every Woman' showcase just some of the Billboard magic he made with Whitney.


#6. I don't know what woman does not love them some Eric Benét. You almost forget how fine he is because he is so down-to-earth.  Our Studio Q interview took place in  a studio where he recorded most of his 2012 smash hit album 'The One,'which was recorded on his own label Jordan House Records.


#7. Studio Q met up with up with the timeless voice that is known as Lalah Hathaway at Lemeirt Park in Los Angeles, CA. The interview we did with Lalah was easy, breezy, and memorable just like her music. I hope to see her sing live in 2013.


#8. It just doesn't get better than Studio Q interviewing an Original King of Comedy, Cedric The Entertainer, on the set of  TV Land's hit new comedy 'The Soul Man.'

 
#9. The one thing I had in common this year with Oprah Winfrey was interviewing DeVon Franklin, Senior Vice President of Columbia Pictures and author of Produced by Faith. This man of faith is inspiration walking. I dare you not be motivated by him. Watch and be lifted like we were.


#10. We asked Sheila E. for a Studio Q interview after a Rachelle Ferrell concert back in March 2012.  She didn't just say yes, she actually kept her word! Very, rare in this business called show.  This interview was super special to me.


#11. If you ever watched Bill Cosby's 90's hit classic sitcom 'A Different World' then you already love Dawnn Lewis who played the character 'Jalessa' as much as we do.  She not only co-starred in the show she wrote the iconic theme song we all love.   In this Studio Q interview we not only get to catch up with this amazing talent and find out what's she's been up to, but we got to sing the theme song with her! This was not just a Studio Q interview this was a 2012 musical event.


#12. In 2012 Studio Q had the wonderful opportunity to cover many red carpets.  The most recent event was the 'Mirror Mirror' awards. It made our list because although we have a good time everywhere we go, this event was especially fun.  Maybe because we got to see the stars let their hair down and do The Wobble! Lol!

Kanye West Announces Kim's Pregnancy on Stage

Sidebar: Kim got everything she wanted for Christmas except a divorce. Scoot over Kate Middleton you have competition for baby watch 2013. Congrats to the happy couple. Oh what fun we will have watching this all play out in public, just like they planned! Lol

Jessica Simpson Tweets Baby Bump

Jessica Simpson is daring to bare her baby bump -- and she's doing it in a bikini!

"Bumpin' and Proud!" the 32-year-old star wrote on Twitter on Sunday, posting a photo of herself in a two-piece bathing suit and a floral print wrap.  The star, her family and friends have been enjoying a holiday vacation in Hawaii this week.  Little sister Ashlee Simpson was spotted with son Bronx and newlywed pals CaCee Cobb and Donald Faison enjoying the beach on Saturday.  Jessica's latest Twitter post comes days after her Christmas Tweet of a photo of her 8-month-old daughter Maxwell with the words "Big Sis" scrawled in the sand - her first confirmation of her second pregnancy with fiance Eric Johnson.

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, the star is putting her Weight Watchers plan on a temporary hold during her pregnancy.  "It's wonderful news and we couldn't be happier for Jessica, Eric [Johnson] and big sister-to-be Maxwell," Cheryl Callan, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Weight Watchers, said in a statement earlier this week. "[She] will not be following the program during the pregnancy while her weight and well-being is monitored by her obstetrician, as is recommended for any woman during pregnancy. After she gives birth, Simpson and her doctor will decide when she should resume following the Weight Watchers program."

Sidebar: I know Weight Watchers is pissed! She looks like she has been pregnant for awhile. I think she probably was hiding it even though she could probably really care less.  Lol! Doesn't matter about the money though.  Jessica Simpson could live fat and rich for the rest of her life off her shoe line alone. So, Weight Watchers in the words of Sweet Brown "Aint nobody got time for that." Just give JHUD another million. She's been the best spokesperson you guys have ever had anyway.

Awesome Images From 2012

In the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Individual All-Around final on Day 6 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 2, 2012 in London, England.

Photojournalist Daniel Botelho snapped this stunning shot of a mola mola more than two years ago, but it wasn't widely seen until this year, when he posted it on Facebook. The social network went wild for the fish, and a week later the photo has over 2,000 shares and 3,000 likes.

Obama is greeted by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie upon his arrival at Atlantic City International Airport in Atlantic City, NJ, Oct. 31. Obama traveled to the region to take an aerial tour of the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey in areas damaged by Superstorm Sandy. 

This photo of Trango Summit in northern Pakistan's Karakoram range was taken in July from a camera mounted to a remote-controlled helicopter -- a drone. Peter Ortner, Corey Rich and David Lama stand atop the mountain.

Surfer Jason Finlay of Australia competes in the 2012 Shark Island Challenge Final at Shark Island on July 24, 2012 in Sydney, Australia.President Barack

President Barack Obama sits on the famed Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum following an event in Dearborn, Michigan, April 18.

Mounted atop a NASA 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, the space shuttle Enterprise is flown over New York with One World Trade Center in lower Manhattan in the background. The Enterprise was brought to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City by barge in June.

 

 

 

 

A group of 138 skydivers form a massive snowflake over Ottawa, Ill Aug. 3. Falling at speeds of up to 220 mph, the divers shattered the vertical skydiving world record as they flew heads-down.

 A Japanese snow monkey relaxes in a hot spring in the Jigokudani valley in northern Nagano Prefecture in Japan Friday, Feb 10. The macaques descend from the forests to the warm waters of the hot springs in the mornings and return to the security of the forests in the evenings.

Famed tightrope walker Nik Wallenda crosses Niagara Falls on a wire, June 15. It was the first walk across Niagara Falls in over a century, and tens of thousands of spectators watched from the US and Canadian sides of the falls. Wallenda's walk on a cable suspended 196 feet up over a never-before-traversed rim of the waterfall took under 30 minutes, less than expected.

Shawty Lo "All My Babies Mamas" Pilot on Oxygen

Oxygen will air a one hour special revolving around Shawty Lo's infidelity called, All My Babies Mamas. The rapper fathered 11 children by 10 women.

Sidebar: Just when you thought reality TV could not get any lower. Make room Honey Boo Boo.  I wonder if there will be a break out star from this show. Big Sigh....

Nicole Lyons only African-American woman driver in Nascar

Nicole Lyons shifts gears from drag racing to NASCAR as the only African-American woman drive. According to her website NicoleLyonsRacing.com she has already created history, as the first African-American female to race in the coveted classes of NHRA Top Sportsman & Comp as well as ADRL Top Sportsman.  Competing in the NHRA /ADRL Top Sportsman, Outlaw South, NMCA, and Mike Hill Pro Mod racing events, Lyons’ 2011 race schedule consisted of 24 competitions that established her as the only female racer to qualify and go several rounds in NHRA/ADRL Top Sportsman and NMCA.  Lyons had 4 event wins in 2011, 1 – Outlaw South win and 3 – Southern Pro Mod event wins.  Lyons was invited to the prestigious Orlando World Street Nationals, to compete in the fastest most coveted class; Pro Street.  Lyons was the only woman to solidly qualify and compete in Pro Street, which allowed fans to acknowledge her professional, competitive—yet aggressive skill set.

Lyons is definitely not just a pretty face she is a complete automotive gear head. She built her first drag racing engine in 2009, which won an award from Chevy Rumble magazine it was a 565 cubic inch -1100 horsepower engine. Then in 2011 Lyons consulted with engine builder Steve Schmidt in which Schmidt increased Lyons racing efforts by sponsoring her with a brand new 665 cubic inch-1500 horsepower engine; which has propelled her from a seven second car, to a six second car—racing in a quarter mile.

 Off the track, Lyons serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of Cole Muscle Cars, an engine building and muscle car restoration company.  In 2011 Lyons was selected to be on FOX’s new highly anticipated automotive reality series “CAR WARRIORS.” The 10 episode reality show first aired on February 25, 2011, on the Speed Channel.  “CAR WARRIORS” is a car restoration competition and Lyons breaks down barriers and stereotypes as the teams engine specialist.  Being a star of the show caught the eye of Marlon Wayans who signed Nicole to a deal for her very own reality show.

The Marlon Wayans produced show starts filming January 20^th, 2011 and is spearheaded by A&E TV Executive Steve Harris. Lyons has graced several networks such as CBS, FOX, SPEED, G4, BET and ESPN, all highlighting Lyons for her drag racing efforts. Aside from television, Lyons most recently made the highly prestigious list of the “10 Hottest Women in Drag Racing,” according to Drag Illustrated Magazine (January 2011 issue) and has been in several magazine publications such as Jay Z’s Life & Times, Upscale, Vibe, Black Enterprises, Chevy Rumble, Drag Racer, Rides, Stark and several more.
With an overflow of talent, beauty, athleticism and determination, Nicole Lyons is as amazing and unstoppable in life, as she is on the track.


Sidebar: I am so inspired by this lady! There is nothing we can't do if we put our minds to it. Nicole I'm riding with you in 2013. Follow her on Twitter @nicolelyonsnhra

Brandy Engaged to Ryan Press

According to Radaronline.com Brandy has plenty of reasons to celebrate this holiday season after music executive Ryan Press put a ring on the Put It Down singer's finger.  "They are thrilled and happy and Brandy feels this is so right," an insider told Us Weekly about the couple's engagement and impending nuptials.  Brandy has made no secret about her desire to become the new Mrs. Press, telling Sister2Sister magazine in August that she was ready to accept his proposal. "I keep hearing about a ring. People keep calling me, hinting to me about it, but I don't know," she said. "I'm going to be patient and let it happen and just let it be… I guess it will happen when it's the right time."  "He just loves me for who I am. I don't have to camouflage anything for him or put on a mask," she told Us soon after. "I can completely be myself and he loves me so much and I love him just the way he is, too."  This will be the first marriage for Norwood, 33, who has a 10-year-old daughter, Sy'rai, with ex-boyfriend, Robert Smith, whom she pretended to be married to after she found out she was pregnant for fear people would think she was a bad role model for having a child out of wedlock.

Sidebar: I wish Brandy nothing but love. She has been through a lot and  deserves to be happy.  Check out an interview I did with Brandy's mom and Sonja Norwood.  I know she must be tinkled pink over her new son-in-law to be.

Bethenny Frankel Divorces Jason Hoppy

According to Radaronline.com Bethenny Frankel and her husband of three years are splitting and like many Hollywood marriages where the woman's career takes off, it seems to have fallen apart because he was jealous of her rising fame and fortune.  The Real Housewives of New York City star released the statement that she and Jason Hoppy were parting ways, saying: "It brings me great sadness to say that Jason and I are separating. This was an extremely difficult decision that as a woman and a mother, I have to accept as the best choice for our family."

Their bickering has been documented in detail on her many reality shows, but as her empire grew, his feelings were less supportive and more combative about her success.  As she sold her Skinnygirl empire for a whopping $100 million and landed her own talk show, Jason;s career wasn't earning him nearly the money hers was, and it strained their relationship.  "Jason felt emasculated," a source told Usmagazine.com about Bethenny's husband's feelings when she footed the bill for everything.  "He's not particularly ambitious, and Bethenny is very driven."  As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Bethenny struggled with ending her marriage, especially because they have a daughter together, Bryn Hoppy, but decided to come clean once and for all.  "However, once Bethenny had made her mind up that they were going to officially split she felt she had to make the announcement immediately.  Jason wanted to wait till after the holidays were over but Bethenny insisted that she could not carry on the charade of pretending to be a happy couple any longer, especially not in front of their closest friends and family," a source close to her said.  "Basically, in the end Bethenny decided, no more secrets and lies - let's get it out in the open, for better or for worse." With her talk show launching nationally in the New Year, Bethenny also realizes that she has a lot more to offer her viewers and will turn her divorce into a financial gain."She's very smart. She will spin this into gold," a friend of hers told the magazine. "Her talk show will now be of interest to single moms and single women."

Sidebar: Anyone who saw Bethenny's reality show on Bravo with her husband Jason could have predicted this ending. It was very obvious how driven she was. He didn't seem jealous of her fame at all to me, but she seemed very "Kate" from "John and Kate Plus 8". This can be described in one word, CONTROLLING. Well, now Bethenny can be the Diva she was destined to be without any hesitation. I'm sure she will tell us all about what happened when her new talk show launches nationally in 2013.

Spike Lee REFUSES to see Django Unchained

According to TMZ Spike Lee says he REFUSES to see Quentin Tarantino's new flick, "Django Unchained" when it opens tomorrow ... claiming the slavery-revenge movie is "disrespectful to my ancestors."

Lee first went off on "Django" during an interview with Vibe Magazine ... when he was asked for his thoughts on the subject matter and gave the following response:

"I can't speak on it 'cause I'm not gonna see it ... All I'm going to say is that it's disrespectful to my ancestors. That's just me ... I'm not speaking on behalf of anybody else."

He later tweeted about the movie -- "American Slavery Was Not A Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western.It Was A Holocaust.My Ancestors Are Slaves.Stolen From Africa.I Will Honor Them."

"Django" -- which stars Jamie Foxx as a slave who kills slave-owners in the Deep South -- has been drenched in controversy for weeks ... with some critics upset that the n-word is uttered more than 110 times during the movie.

Back in 1997,Lee told the media he had problem with Tarantino's "excessive use of the n-word" in the movie "Jackie Brown." Lee explained, "Let the record state that I never said that he cannot use that word -- I’ve used that word in many of my films -- but I think something is wrong with him."

Sidebar: I love me some Jamie Foxx and I adore Kerry Washington, but I will not be going to see a slavery western movie on Christmas Day. Kick Rocks Quentin Tarantino. And for the record, I am so glad that Spike Lee is speaking out about a director who isn't black. I can't believe we finally agree on something.

GMA's Sam Champion Ties The Knot

According to Huffingtonpost.com "Good Morning America" weatherman Sam Champion has tied the knot.  ABC News confirms that Champion wed longterm partner Rubem Robierb in an intimate New York ceremony at Champion's apartment on Dec. 21. Guests included friends, family and Champion’s fellow “GMA” anchors including Robin Roberts, who read a beautiful poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. (Roberts has been out on medical leave since early September undergoing treatment for a rare blood and bone marrow disorder, MDS)  Specific details were scarce, although Champion joked about the first dance earlier int he day, asking, “Is ‘Stairway to Heaven’ out of the question? That was the ‘70s love song.”  It's been a monumental year for Champion. In October, he became the first co-host of a network morning show to not only publicly announce he is gay, but also announce plans to marry someone of the same sex.  The newlyweds told The New York Times earlier this year they plan to have a larger celebration on New Year's Eve in Miami.

Sidebar:  Good to see Robin Roberts not in a hospital bed. She looks great. Congrats to the happy couple.  There will be a lot of sad women who really wanted them some Sam Champion. He's taken ladies! This is the first time I even knew he was gay and now he's married. Go figure.

Celebrities 'Demand A Plan' to end Gun Violence

A - list celebrities like Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, Ellen, and Beyonce have joined the effort to 'Demand A Plan' and recorded a powerful, personal message. Hopefully, this will be the beginning to the end of gun violence. At least it's a start. I salute them banning together to do this PSA.

Katt Williams Slapped Target Employee For Calling Him The N-Word

According to TMZ Katt Williams claims the reason he pimp-slapped a Target employee in the face last month is because the guy called him the n-word ... and TMZ has video of Katt's explanation.

Katt was performing last night at the Comedy Store in Hollywood when he described what went down immediately before the November 25th attack in Sacramento -- telling the audience, "This is what the dude at Target said ... 'Your assistant is already suing you, you p**sy ass n***er."

The jab is a reference to this lawsuit -- in which Katt's former assistant is suing him for $5 million, claiming the comic punched her.

Katt said he flipped when he heard the slur and asked the employee, "Did you just say the n-word in front of Katt Williams?" -- to which the employee answered, "You say it all the time."

Katt says he shot back, "Say it again and see what happens" -- and that's when he knocked the guy upside the head.

Katt then compared his racism plight to that of Dave Chappelle, explaining, "That's the same sh*t that drove [Chappelle] out of the f***ing business."

Katt seems to be alluding to Chappelle's claim that he quit his Comedy Central show and went into seclusion over an argument with producers about a sketch that he believed was racist.

As we reported, the Target employee -- a guy named Forrest Liebenberg -- was fired from his job shortly after the incident. Target wouldn't explain why. Multiple calls to Liebenberg weren't returned.

Sidebar: Not that it makes it okay to hit someone but I feel Katt Williams is less crazy when you hear the reason why he slapped the guy.  Watch your mouth.

DeVon Franklin Talks Oprah, Super Soul Sunday and Meagan Good

Recently, Studio Q caught up with DeVon Franklin, Senior Vice President of Columbia Pictures & Author of Produced By Faith at the ARC in North Hollywood.  We discussed everything from his amazing appearance on Super Soul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey, to his inspirational book 'Produced By Faith' to being a new husband to wife Meagan Good.  DeVon is inspiration walking. He is a quote a minute. Get to know the man behind some of your favorite movies in this Studio Q Exclusive. Watch and you will be inspired.

Golden Globe Nominations

According to YBF.com The 2013 Golden Globe Awards were announced at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The nominees were introduced by Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Aida Takla-O’Reilly along with actors Jessica Alba, Megan Fox and Ed Helms.  On the small screen, Don Cheadle's performance on "House of Lies" landed him a nod for BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES.  On the big screen, Denzel Washington's performance as a troubled pilot landed him a BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA nod for Flight.  Also, the Jamie Foxx/Kerry Washington led film Django Unchained was nominated for BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA.  The awards are set to air on NBC on Sunday, January 13 and will be hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

Sidebar: I hope Don Cheadle wins. He is great in House of Lies.
 

Happy Birthday Sheila E.

Happy 12-12-12!

According to Daily News on the twelfth day of the twelfth year of this century, there are dozens of reasons to tie the knot.  It will be another 100 years before another numerical oddity such as 12/12/12 rolls around and there has already been a “surge” of couples registering at City Hall to get married Wednesday on what many believe is a lucky day.  “We issued over 200 marriage licenses,” City Clerk Michael McSweeney said Tuesday.  The bridal industry is banking on having a big day.  “Iconic dates have become a trend in the United States, reaching new heights when over 65,000 couples tied the knot on 7/7/7," said Brian Beitler of David's Bridal. "12/12/12 marks the last triple number sequence of the century, so it has its own special significance.”

Sidebar: Normally I wouldn't be wishing anyone a happy 12/12/12 but since it won't happen for another 100 years why not. With that being said, Happy 12/12/12!

Will and Jaden Smith to Star in Film, After Earth

The 2012 Mirror Mirror Awards

Toya Wright Hosted The 2012 Mirror Mirror Awards 

 Sharif Atkins also Hosted The Mirror Mirror Awards

 Dawn Richard (formerly of Dirty Money and Danity Kane)

 I got Dawn Richard to sing a Whitney Houston song!

 Actor Rotimi from Starz cable series Boss and leading man in the new Keyshia Cole Video

 Actress, Elise Neal

 TV ONE R&B Divas' reality star and singer Monifah

 The Great actress, Vanessa Bell Calloway, currently 
on one of my favorite Showtime shows, Shameless

 Actress/Singer Naturi Naughton

 Actress Singer Naturi Naughton loves Whitney Houston, sang in New Hope Baptist Church (the same church Whitney grew up in) and is also from Jersey! A girl after my own heart. Loved her on Mad Men too. I wish I would have gotten her to sing. Remember when she was in the group 3LW

 Actress, Kyla Pratt who has done stellar work all of her life. Kyla has skills. I think she is one project away from being a movie star.  I believe one day she will be nominated for an Oscar. 

Actress/comedian Kym Whitley is currently filming her own reality show about adopting and raising her baby boy. It is set to appear on the OWN network in April 2013. I am looking forward to seeing Kym as a mom. Meanwhile, we can see her on Animal Practice on NBC Wednesdays at 8PM. 

 Necole Bitchie

Narada Michael Walden's New Whitney Book & Studio Q Interview

Last night we were honored and privileged to interview Narada Michael Walden inside the Clive Davis Theater at the Grammy Museum. This man is a legend.  He is responsible for so many hits by Whitney including "How Will I Know," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "All The Man I Need," and "I'm Every Woman." And those are just hits he had with Whitney. What I love most about Narada is his loving open spirit. He's not just a music lover, iconic drummer and hitmaker producer to the stars, he is a kind soul.  As a die-hard Whitney fan, I loved how much he loved Whitney and all of his behind the scenes stories about her in his new book.  I especially loved the forward from Chaka Khan.  It was a refreshing and loving take on Whitney minus all of the negative stuff we have been inundated with everywhere else.  Narada's book would make an amazing stocking stuffer this Christmas.  Click Here to purchase your copy from Amazon today.  Stay tuned for our exclusive Studio Q interview and Whitney tribute that Narada Michael Walden and singer Shelea Frazier did. And please get familiar with the name Shelea Frazier because she is going to be huge very soon. I spoke with her briefly before the show and she told me how Bobbi Kristina had reached out to her about her wonderful Whitney Tribute on Youtube.  Yes it is that good. Don't believe me? Check it out here.  Inside that theater last night Shelea's voice made you feel the spirit of Whitney. She and Narada on the drums equaled pure magic.

Produced by Faith with DeVon Franklin [VIDEO]

I had a blast with DeVon Franklin yesterday! He is the Senior Vice President of Production for Columbia Pictures.  He is responsible for movies like Be Cool, Pursuit of Happyness, Karate Kid, Hancock, Jumping The Broom, and most recently Sparkle.  We talked about so much in this interview including his book Produced By Faith, Hollywood movies, his wife, actress Meagan Good, Oprah Winfrey and Super Soul Sunday, Bishop Jakes, Whitney Houston, and much much more. Check out our Studio Q TV interview with DeVon Franklin below.