How Ryan Speedo Green Went from Juvenile Delinquent to Global Singing Sensation: Opera Saved My Life
Today, Ryan Speedo Green stars in the classic La Bohème at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
“When one realizes their dream — and they’re living their dream — then everything is just cloud nine,” Green, 30, tells People. “And I’m so grateful that I’m able to live my dream.”
Indeed, the opera singer has a lot to be grateful for. And he hopes that by sharing his story — told in Daniel Bergner’s new memoir, Sing for Your Life — he’ll inspire others.
Growing up in Virginia, Green was raised in an volatile home by Valerie, his troubled,...
“When one realizes their dream — and they’re living their dream — then everything is just cloud nine,” Green, 30, tells People. “And I’m so grateful that I’m able to live my dream.”
Indeed, the opera singer has a lot to be grateful for. And he hopes that by sharing his story — told in Daniel Bergner’s new memoir, Sing for Your Life — he’ll inspire others.
Growing up in Virginia, Green was raised in an volatile home by Valerie, his troubled,...
- 10/13/2016
- by Jeff Nelson
- PEOPLE.com
Warsaw Next workshop for young Polish filmmakers with 70+ participants is organized in cooperation with Sundance TV who hosts a masterclass on 15 October.
The Warsaw Film Festival (October 7–16, 2016) promotes Eastern European cinema as well as world cinema. With over 100 titles, five competitive sections, Fipresci workshops and the ever-expanding industry event CentEast Market, the 32nd edition of the Warsaw Film Festival this year is its largest ever event.
CentEast Market focuses on Eastern European cinema and will present 13 new works-in-progress, new Polish films and workshops for both filmmakers and film critics.
The CentEast Market runs 14–16 October during the final days of the Warsaw Film Festival. Since 2005, the market has provided a meeting space for sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and producers interested in Eastern European cinema.
This year’s CentEast Market will be repeated in Moscow a few days after its October 14 presentation in Warsaw. Peter Bebjak (The Cleaner [+]), Inara Kolmane (Mona...
The Warsaw Film Festival (October 7–16, 2016) promotes Eastern European cinema as well as world cinema. With over 100 titles, five competitive sections, Fipresci workshops and the ever-expanding industry event CentEast Market, the 32nd edition of the Warsaw Film Festival this year is its largest ever event.
CentEast Market focuses on Eastern European cinema and will present 13 new works-in-progress, new Polish films and workshops for both filmmakers and film critics.
The CentEast Market runs 14–16 October during the final days of the Warsaw Film Festival. Since 2005, the market has provided a meeting space for sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and producers interested in Eastern European cinema.
This year’s CentEast Market will be repeated in Moscow a few days after its October 14 presentation in Warsaw. Peter Bebjak (The Cleaner [+]), Inara Kolmane (Mona...
- 10/10/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The middle of Spring actually means a new selection of summer blockbusters to look forward to, and with a ton of big-budget films slated to come out within the next few months and beyond, the summer of 2015 looks like one to remember.
From the new Mad Max (which is already on our end-of -year top ten list event though we haven’t yet seen it) to Avengers, Poltergeists, male strippers, talking teddy bears, and a reboot of the Jurassic Park franchise, this summer’s trips to the theaters will be jam-packed with sequels and new tales. From May 1st right through to the end of August, some of the movies on our list could wind up on year-end “best of” lists or even receive some Oscar talk by December.
Grab your calendar, because Wamg has a rundown of this summer’s films we’re most excited about, so check them out below!
From the new Mad Max (which is already on our end-of -year top ten list event though we haven’t yet seen it) to Avengers, Poltergeists, male strippers, talking teddy bears, and a reboot of the Jurassic Park franchise, this summer’s trips to the theaters will be jam-packed with sequels and new tales. From May 1st right through to the end of August, some of the movies on our list could wind up on year-end “best of” lists or even receive some Oscar talk by December.
Grab your calendar, because Wamg has a rundown of this summer’s films we’re most excited about, so check them out below!
- 4/13/2015
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
?? A photo posted by @brittanylkerr on Mar 25, 2015 at 12:45pm Pdt It’s not official until it’s on a shirt! Brittany Kerr is eating up post-wedding life. The former American Idol contestant, 27, posted a cute picture of her new tank top that reads, “Wifey,” via Instagram on Wednesday, March 25. As previously reported, Kerr wed country crooner Jason Aldean on Saturday, March 21, in an intimate, seaside ceremony in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The pair said their vows in front of around 40 close family members and friends, [...]...
- 3/25/2015
- Us Weekly
Officially hitched and ready for happily ever after! Jason Aldean and his love Brittany Kerr exchanged vows in a romantic destination wedding on Saturday, March 21 — and only the new issue of Us Weekly has all of the exclusive photos and details on the big day. The country crooner, 38, married his American Idol alum love, 27, in a gorgeous seaside ceremony in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The two stars, who got engaged this past September, said "I do" in front of friends and family members, [...]...
- 3/25/2015
- Us Weekly
He hasn't known her for very long, but actor David Oyelowo already has his Oprah Winfrey impression down.
Joined by their Selma co-star Carmen Ejoga, Oprah and Oyelowo showed up to promote their Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic on Ellen Degeneres' Friday show. Ejoga and the 38-year-old actor -- who portray Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma -- coincidentally are both British-Nigerian, and upon talking about their accents, the conversation quickly led to impersonations from Oprah and Oyelowo.
Photos: Stars Who've Play Real-Life Icons
"She always makes me sound like Oliver Twist!" the Golden Globe nominee said of the Queen of Talk's impersonation of him.
Ellen then prompted Oyelowo to do his best "Oprah impression," of which he squealed, "Was that it?!"
Video: Brad Pitt Leads a Sing-along for Selma Star David Oyelowo
Not impressed, Oprah vowed, "Ok, that's it I'm not doing anymore of you."
These [link=tt...
Joined by their Selma co-star Carmen Ejoga, Oprah and Oyelowo showed up to promote their Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic on Ellen Degeneres' Friday show. Ejoga and the 38-year-old actor -- who portray Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma -- coincidentally are both British-Nigerian, and upon talking about their accents, the conversation quickly led to impersonations from Oprah and Oyelowo.
Photos: Stars Who've Play Real-Life Icons
"She always makes me sound like Oliver Twist!" the Golden Globe nominee said of the Queen of Talk's impersonation of him.
Ellen then prompted Oyelowo to do his best "Oprah impression," of which he squealed, "Was that it?!"
Video: Brad Pitt Leads a Sing-along for Selma Star David Oyelowo
Not impressed, Oprah vowed, "Ok, that's it I'm not doing anymore of you."
These [link=tt...
- 1/9/2015
- Entertainment Tonight
Carmen Electra is opening up about the painful loss of her mother.During this Sunday's episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" (airing at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on Own), the former "Baywatch" beauty reveals what happened in the days leading up to her death."I get a call from a family member saying, 'Your mom is in the hospital,'" she recalls in the exclusive clip above. The actress was 26 at the time, and she was filming her first movie when she found out her mother had a brain tumor. "We all just knew. And I came home and everyone was really quiet," she continues. "At that point, she couldn't walk or talk. We were saying, 'Mom, just let go.'" Carmen's sister Debbie died of a heart attack just ten days before her mother passed away. Check out the video above to hear more about...
- 10/16/2014
- by tooFab Staff
- TooFab
Never judge a book by its cover. And never judge an American Idol judge by a pre-taped, carefully edited episode. That message was made troublingly clear by the shenanigans that occurred during Season 12′s first live telecast — featuring the Top 10 women squaring off for (presumably, but hopefully not) only five spots in the finale.
Keith thought pretty much everybody — even the excruciating Tenna Torres — was just great. Nicki Minaj lowered the bar by treating contestants as if they were on the menu at KFC, drooling over their breasts and legs. And Randy Jackson pronounced vibrtao as if it rhymed with frittata,...
Keith thought pretty much everybody — even the excruciating Tenna Torres — was just great. Nicki Minaj lowered the bar by treating contestants as if they were on the menu at KFC, drooling over their breasts and legs. And Randy Jackson pronounced vibrtao as if it rhymed with frittata,...
- 3/6/2013
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
Jordin Sparks isn't the first "American Idol" star to step away from the reality boob tube and give Hollywood a go, and she won't be the last. Her loosely biographical movie "Sparkle" — also featuring the late Whitney Houston, Mike Epps and Cee-Lo Green — is but the latest instance of an "Idol" star getting a close-up on the big screen.
The movie successes of Sparks' predecessors in "Idol" alumni-hood have been a mixed bag of total wins and, well, sheer embarrassment. So, how will the season six-winning songstress' flick fare?
Let's compare "Idol" in Hollywood notes to find out.
Jennifer Hudson
While Season 3's winner (Fantasia Barrino) has had very little luck in the Hollywood spotlight, its the seventh-placer who serves as the lodestar example of an "Idol" alum making movie magic happen for herself. In 2006, she starred in the movie musical "Dreamgirls" and took home Hollywood's highest honor, an Academy Award,...
The movie successes of Sparks' predecessors in "Idol" alumni-hood have been a mixed bag of total wins and, well, sheer embarrassment. So, how will the season six-winning songstress' flick fare?
Let's compare "Idol" in Hollywood notes to find out.
Jennifer Hudson
While Season 3's winner (Fantasia Barrino) has had very little luck in the Hollywood spotlight, its the seventh-placer who serves as the lodestar example of an "Idol" alum making movie magic happen for herself. In 2006, she starred in the movie musical "Dreamgirls" and took home Hollywood's highest honor, an Academy Award,...
- 8/14/2012
- by Amanda Bell
- NextMovie
There’s this weird part of the week — from Friday morning till Monday evening — when not a single major TV network airs a reality singing competition. It’s terrible, I know, but it also gives me a lot of time to ponder American Idol history. (Everyone does this in their free time, yes?) And my latest flight of Idol fancy got me mulling this question: Was Season 11′s Top 10 the strongest — top to bottom — in show history? Let’s examine:
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
For starters, I’d automatically rule out the five seasons with three or more Top 10 contestants who probably wouldn’t have outlasted Season 11′s No.
- 3/26/2012
- by Michael Slezak
- TVLine.com
After witnessing Jessica Sanchez butcher Gloria Estefan's "Turn the Beat Around" the fan favorite 16-year-old will Not win 'American Idol'. You heard it here first! Has the Will.i.am proclaimed "swagger-naut" peaked? After doing a pretty stellar rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" on last weeks show, things took an awful turn with her March 14 rendition of Gloria Estefan's 'Turn the Beat Around'. Let me throw some names your way, Amanda Avila, Haley Scarnato, Carmen Rasmusen and Diana DeGarmo. All former Idol hopefuls that have sung 'Turn the Beat Around' and all contestants that never won American Idol! So after Jessica Sanchez took her stab at the classic dance song the only thing that was bleeding with emotion were my ears. For a contestant that has been given so much hype, has proven their hype in past performances, this...
- 3/15/2012
- by Russ Weakland
- HollywoodLife
It's that very special week of the year, when we collectively realize that "American Idol" contestants were born the same year we saw "Uncle Buck" at the Westbury Drive-In. It's the dreaded "Songs From the Year the Contestants Were Born" theme, or as I like to call it, "Producers Force Thia Megia to Sing a Song That Wasn't Written 100 Years Ago."
But this week "Idol" is also giving back. Portions of the proceeds from the studio recordings will go to helping the relief efforts in Japan. But really, the entire world benefits from watching Steven Tyler sing, "There's something wrong with the world today ... Oh, hi there. Let's talk natural disasters."
Before I point out that 75 percent of the season 10 contestants were born after "Mannequin" hit theaters, and 25 percent of them after "Mannequin 2: On the Move," let's rip right into the top 12's performances.
Naima Adedapo
Song: Tina Turner...
But this week "Idol" is also giving back. Portions of the proceeds from the studio recordings will go to helping the relief efforts in Japan. But really, the entire world benefits from watching Steven Tyler sing, "There's something wrong with the world today ... Oh, hi there. Let's talk natural disasters."
Before I point out that 75 percent of the season 10 contestants were born after "Mannequin" hit theaters, and 25 percent of them after "Mannequin 2: On the Move," let's rip right into the top 12's performances.
Naima Adedapo
Song: Tina Turner...
- 3/17/2011
- by MTV News
- MTV Newsroom
The Season 10 premiere of "American Idol" is less than a week away and to make the days go by a bit faster, Zap2it decided to take a stroll down memory lane and re-evaluate the previous nine seasons.
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
Yesterday, it was a look back at Season 1, the good (Kelly Clarkson!), the bad (Nikki McKibbin) and the ugly (Ryan Starr's wardrobe). Now it's Season 2's turn, which had arguably the most debated finale ever, as only 130,000 votes separated Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. We all know Ruben took home the title, but did he really deserve to him?...
Each day leading up to the premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 19, we will post a retrospective on each season. We're breaking it down into four categories: Best Performance, Worst Performance, Most Underrated Idol and most Overrated Idol. At the end, we will decide how the season stacks up against the rest, rating it as great, good, or not-so-good.
Yesterday, it was a look back at Season 1, the good (Kelly Clarkson!), the bad (Nikki McKibbin) and the ugly (Ryan Starr's wardrobe). Now it's Season 2's turn, which had arguably the most debated finale ever, as only 130,000 votes separated Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. We all know Ruben took home the title, but did he really deserve to him?...
- 1/14/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Moments before the Top 10 took to the "Idol" stage to sing soul and R&B songs, an "Idol" blogger colleague messaged me on Twitter freaking out. "Gahhh! Jim, season nine needs to start getting serious. It's getting out of hand. Maybe tonight will be the night."
My reply?
"Well, it certainly can't get any worse."
On that note, let's get to the performances!
Siobhan Magnus
Song: "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan
Verdict: Through the Ringer
Ever wondered what it would sound like if Marlee Matlin sang in a wind tunnel? You're in luck, because Siobhan Magnus' take on Chaka Khan's classic provided just that! Boys and girls, step right up and see the incredible shrieking shrinking woman! Marvel at how quickly the Queen of Quirk can become as boring and atonal as previous seasons' ear-terrorists Jasmine Trias, Ramiele Malubay and Carmen Rasmusen!
What went wrong here? Well,...
My reply?
"Well, it certainly can't get any worse."
On that note, let's get to the performances!
Siobhan Magnus
Song: "Through the Fire" by Chaka Khan
Verdict: Through the Ringer
Ever wondered what it would sound like if Marlee Matlin sang in a wind tunnel? You're in luck, because Siobhan Magnus' take on Chaka Khan's classic provided just that! Boys and girls, step right up and see the incredible shrieking shrinking woman! Marvel at how quickly the Queen of Quirk can become as boring and atonal as previous seasons' ear-terrorists Jasmine Trias, Ramiele Malubay and Carmen Rasmusen!
What went wrong here? Well,...
- 3/31/2010
- by Jim Cantiello
- MTV Newsroom
Round two of American Idol's season 9 semifinals was a definite improvement over the deeply troubling Top 24 week, so I'm optimistic that the remaining 16 contestants will perform well enough this week to inspire Ellen DeGeneres to dig up some synonyms for her favorite adjective "great." But before we whittle the field down to the 12 final finalists, I'm gonna rank 'em one last time -- and ask you to help do the same through our handy Power List Poll. (For more Idol coverage, follow me on Twitter @EWMichaelSlezak!) 16. Lacey Brown (Last week No. 17 ): Paula Abdul probably has a better chance...
- 3/9/2010
- by Michael Slezak
- EW.com - PopWatch
Although Clay Aiken says his decision to come out might lose him a few fans, three of his former American Idol competitors have his back. "This news does not change my opinion of him or my friendship with him," says Carmen Rasmusen, 23, who competed alongside Aiken during the show's second season. But she admits she was somewhat shocked by the news. "I'm surprised, I guess because he kept it quiet for so long!" Rasmusen, who is expecting a son with husband Brad Herbert this Christmas, added, "As I'm also going to be a mom, I know how parenthood completely changes your perspective.
- 9/24/2008
- by Jessica Gold Haralson
- PEOPLE.com
Clay Aiken's fellow American Idol stars are thrilled for the new daddy – and one even has her own baby news. "Congratulations! I am very happy for him," Rickey Smith, 29, told People. "He has great morals and ethics, and I think his baby will be brought up in love." Smith added that baby Parker Foster Aiken's birthdate of Aug. 8 has a personal significance. "My grandmother's birthday, God rest her soul, was August 8," Smith said. "I lost her, but here, another life has been born, so that's pretty memorable to me. Eight is a lucky number in my family – so tell [Clay] welcome to the family!
- 8/14/2008
- by Kristen Mascia
- PEOPLE.com
Clay Aiken's friends are sending him support and good wishes after hearing news that he's going to be a father with music producer Jaymes Foster. "Congratulations, Clay!" says American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson. "I think he will be a good parent." Actor Eric Roberts and wife Eliza says their close friend Foster – the sister of music producer David Foster – pulled them aside at her 50th birthday party in Los Angeles in March to tell of her pregnancy with a friend, whom they later learned was the 29-year-old Aiken. "This is a story of two people, who perhaps not typical...
- 6/3/2008
- by Mike Fleeman
- PEOPLE.com
It's already been made into a classic 1940 movie and a handful of miniseries and has gone Bollywood in the upcoming "Bride and Prejudice". Now Jane Austen's enduring comedy of manners has been given a Mormon makeover (albeit one with "Legally Blonde" extensions) in a colorful but clunky modern-day adaptation by Scottish native Andrew Black.
Originally called "Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy," the Utah-based edition has clearly looked to "Clueless", Amy Heckerling's cleverly updated take on Austen's "Emma", for inspiration, but awkward comic timing and uneven performances spoil the desired effect.
Distributed by Salt Lake City-based Excel Entertainment, which made its name with its successful 2000 release of the more serious Mormon-themed "God's Army", the PG-rated picture is unlikely to draw much attention outside the LDS arena.
To its credit, the picture has a winning Elizabeth Bennet in Kam Heskin, who has been brought up to date as a college student and aspiring novelist trying to focus her priorities in a houseful of ditzy roommates.
Distraction arrives in the forms of rogue charmer Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire) and the unpleasantly Frank Will Darcy (Orlando Seale), and young Elizabeth ultimately learns a thing or two about judging a book by its cover.
Despite sparkling work by Heskin, Seale and Hubbel Palmer as the pompous Collins, the picture gets flattened by Black's efforts to pile on every tired romantic comedy convention.
Even a former "American Idol" finalist gets tossed into the eager-to-please mix, with Carmen Rasmusen playing a part in the film as well as performing her dance single, "Be With You".
Originally called "Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy," the Utah-based edition has clearly looked to "Clueless", Amy Heckerling's cleverly updated take on Austen's "Emma", for inspiration, but awkward comic timing and uneven performances spoil the desired effect.
Distributed by Salt Lake City-based Excel Entertainment, which made its name with its successful 2000 release of the more serious Mormon-themed "God's Army", the PG-rated picture is unlikely to draw much attention outside the LDS arena.
To its credit, the picture has a winning Elizabeth Bennet in Kam Heskin, who has been brought up to date as a college student and aspiring novelist trying to focus her priorities in a houseful of ditzy roommates.
Distraction arrives in the forms of rogue charmer Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire) and the unpleasantly Frank Will Darcy (Orlando Seale), and young Elizabeth ultimately learns a thing or two about judging a book by its cover.
Despite sparkling work by Heskin, Seale and Hubbel Palmer as the pompous Collins, the picture gets flattened by Black's efforts to pile on every tired romantic comedy convention.
Even a former "American Idol" finalist gets tossed into the eager-to-please mix, with Carmen Rasmusen playing a part in the film as well as performing her dance single, "Be With You".
It's already been made into a classic 1940 movie and a handful of miniseries and has gone Bollywood in the upcoming "Bride and Prejudice". Now Jane Austen's enduring comedy of manners has been given a Mormon makeover (albeit one with "Legally Blonde" extensions) in a colorful but clunky modern-day adaptation by Scottish native Andrew Black.
Originally called "Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy," the Utah-based edition has clearly looked to "Clueless", Amy Heckerling's cleverly updated take on Austen's "Emma", for inspiration, but awkward comic timing and uneven performances spoil the desired effect.
Distributed by Salt Lake City-based Excel Entertainment, which made its name with its successful 2000 release of the more serious Mormon-themed "God's Army", the PG-rated picture is unlikely to draw much attention outside the LDS arena.
To its credit, the picture has a winning Elizabeth Bennet in Kam Heskin, who has been brought up to date as a college student and aspiring novelist trying to focus her priorities in a houseful of ditzy roommates.
Distraction arrives in the forms of rogue charmer Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire) and the unpleasantly Frank Will Darcy (Orlando Seale), and young Elizabeth ultimately learns a thing or two about judging a book by its cover.
Despite sparkling work by Heskin, Seale and Hubbel Palmer as the pompous Collins, the picture gets flattened by Black's efforts to pile on every tired romantic comedy convention.
Even a former "American Idol" finalist gets tossed into the eager-to-please mix, with Carmen Rasmusen playing a part in the film as well as performing her dance single, "Be With You".
Originally called "Pride & Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy," the Utah-based edition has clearly looked to "Clueless", Amy Heckerling's cleverly updated take on Austen's "Emma", for inspiration, but awkward comic timing and uneven performances spoil the desired effect.
Distributed by Salt Lake City-based Excel Entertainment, which made its name with its successful 2000 release of the more serious Mormon-themed "God's Army", the PG-rated picture is unlikely to draw much attention outside the LDS arena.
To its credit, the picture has a winning Elizabeth Bennet in Kam Heskin, who has been brought up to date as a college student and aspiring novelist trying to focus her priorities in a houseful of ditzy roommates.
Distraction arrives in the forms of rogue charmer Jack Wickham (Henry Maguire) and the unpleasantly Frank Will Darcy (Orlando Seale), and young Elizabeth ultimately learns a thing or two about judging a book by its cover.
Despite sparkling work by Heskin, Seale and Hubbel Palmer as the pompous Collins, the picture gets flattened by Black's efforts to pile on every tired romantic comedy convention.
Even a former "American Idol" finalist gets tossed into the eager-to-please mix, with Carmen Rasmusen playing a part in the film as well as performing her dance single, "Be With You".
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