When the world heard that one of
music's biggest legends Whitney Houston was dead, it wasn’t a pleasant mood
perceived as one of the world’s best-selling artists, who wowed audiences with her
great and graceful voice from the middle of the 80s to the late 90s. She was an
enigma whenever her voice sounded.
Naturally stunningly beautiful Whitney
Elizabeth Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1963 as the third and
youngest child of John Russell Houston, Jr., and gospel singer Cissy Houston.
Whitney first became interested in being in the music industry after frequently
accompanying her mother Cissy who often performed in nightclubs. She sometimes took
to the stage herself and performed.
Houston was offered her very first
recording contract at the age of 14 by Michael Zanger, after she wowed him with
her back-up singing on a record for his group, Michael Zanger band.
But
she was forced to turn it down as her mother determined that she should instead
finish school. As a model, she went on to become the first ever woman of colour
to appear in a fashion magazine after gracing the pages of Seventeen magazine
in the early Eighties. Afterward she appeared in Glamour,
Cosmopolitan and Young Miss Magazines, and also in a TV advertisement for
Canada Dry soft drink.
Houston made her album debut in 1985
with the self-titled record Whitney
Houston. It sold millions and spawned hit after hit including Saving All My
Love for You, which won her, her first Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal. Another
multi-platinum album, Whitney, came
out in 1987 and included hits like Where Do Broken Hearts Go and I Wanna Dance
with Somebody.
She got married
in 1992 to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown and the
couple went on to have a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993 and divorced in 2007.
In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with The Bodyguard.
Rested and returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with Waiting to Exhale and The
Preacher's Wife.
We will miss her stunning voice but
all we can say for now is ADIEU WHITNEY HOUSTON.
JOSELYN DUMAS is has been touted as the ‘Oprah
Winfrey’ of Ghana. That yours sincerely will key to because over the years she has paid her dues and today she sits on
top of her game. Having to host Ghana’s current numero uno talk show – One Show
is a plus to her achievement as well as adding acting to her career and she has
no regret not furthering her Law studies.
The fair complexion fabulous sexy body
contours-curve lady isn’t rushing at anything as things seems to be falling in
place for her and for a sure, she is still open to more movie scripts as she
intends to take 2012 by storm both locally and internationally. Also she told
us what it felt like being on location for 8 months on the Adams Apple’s set and
joggling to present the One Show at the same time. ‘Rigorous’, you will call it
but she calls it ‘fun’.
A passionate selfless person in nature, she
recently donated Ghc 1, 000 to the Children’s Block of the Korle-Bu Teaching
Hospital in Accra and promises to do even more years ahead. She told us what
life is like living away from home in Virginia, USA and what it is like today
being in the country of her birth and gaining the accolades that comes with the
passion she shelved her Law for. For an actress who was nominated for best lead
actress among the likes of Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kimberly Elise, Yvonne Okoro
at the last Ghana Movie Awards, though she didn’t win but she has embraced the
nomination with open arms and promises to work harder to win an accolade in
2012.
Joselyn also revealed on what she does to keep
in shape to maintain her sexy body shape. So nice, calm and friendly at least
for our first meeting after several times of here and there, I finally caught
up with her at one of Ghana’s coolest launch bar in Accra to have launch on a
less busy day and she told me so much more.
So much on all I needed to know, and get this
first here that she opened up on when the comparison comes between her and
other television hostess locally and internationally. She was blunt to speak
extensively on her love life, child and mother as well as what growing up was
for her. Along the chat, I did ask her ‘how she feels when compared to Oprah
Winfrey and called ‘Queen of Ghana Talk Shows’? Her response was just so humble
and I saw passion and future in her. Before leaving for our respective line of
duties after launch, she told me how she was auditioned seven times before
getting the role for Shirley’s Frimpong-Manso’s ‘Adams Apple’, she sure did
rock my day and I hope she will rock yours after toddling this path with us
here. JD as she is fondly called never made my launch with her bored and that’s
the first sign of a future star from my own view, simple humility caressed her
physiognomy.
Enough of all this talk-talk jooor, let’s take a
ride as you get your ear-piece with a soft music blazing, probably the one
Joselyn Dumas loves, wanna know? LoL, let’s go jooor. Enjoy.
How has
the journey been so far with JD?
The journey has been very wonderful and I thank God for all He has
done for me. His mercies have been tremendous in my entire life and I have no
course to be unappreciative to God.
Tell
me how growing up and education been for you. You can take me back to those
days when you were still aspiring on your future till date. Are you contented
in life now?
Growing up for me has been great. I grew up with my lovely mother
whom I owe everything to in my life. She has been there through the stormy and
gracious times in my life. She has stood by me, nurtured me the right way a
child should go. I have a daughter who is also dear to me and I appreciate my
private life as well as what I do for a living. I had a lovely childhood. I
grew having everything I wanted at the right time thanks to my mother. I am a free
spirit person, a positive thinker, an ambitious lady who loves God. I am a
likable person. I attended Archbishop Potters Girls in the Eastern Region
before travelling to the United States of America where I lived for about 10
years before coming back to Ghana. I aspired to make God proud, make my mother
happy and as well be a very comfortable place in my life. I grew up wanting to
become a lawyer but here I am doing what I have also loved doing while I was
growing up. Though I still think that there is a whole lot to achieve and I am
working towards that.
You
did something with charter house when you came back to Ghana after your 10
years in the USA, gist me.
When I returned back to Ghana from the USA, my good friend KOD who
knew my passion for entertainment invited me to come for an audition for female
presenter in one media house, so I decided to give it a shot. I went,
auditioned and then I was invited for a second audition and today the rest they
say is history. I hosted Rhythms for a year alongside Chris Attoh who later
went to Nigeria to do Tinsel so I was left to handle the show. It was fun and I
enjoyed it so much.
2011
was very good for you. You were adjudged the queen of talk shows for the year
2011 by fans in a survey done by a radio station, how does it feel to know that
your fans got your back?
It is an awesome feeling to know that your fans have got your back
on what you doing. It is a blessing to be honest and trust me that it adds a
bit of pressure but I feel very blessed knowing that without them I wouldn’t be
here.
‘Great
with a nice twist’ is how you described the year 2011, why did you use such
phrase?
It was a nice twist because everyone knew me as television
presenter but in 2011 was a year I crossed over fully into acting and yet I thank
God that it turned out very blissful for me.
How
do you feel when comparisons arise among you and other female presenters both
locally or internationally?
Funny enough I haven’t heard anyone compared me with anybody
locally. I believe that every other hostesses in Ghana are equally doing their
best on their various platforms and it is all to the glory of Ghana. I have
often been called the ‘Oprah Winfrey’ of Ghana and I must say that it is an
honor having to be compared to your role model as well as it is a big shoe to
walk in. I am still gaining more experience because in this line of work, one
needs more experience along the years. I am still learning more things and
hopefully I will become very great just as my role model, Oprah Winfrey. She is
an amazing hostess and I aspire to be greater than her some day. It actually
encourages me to do more to attain greater heights.
How
easy has it been combining your two careers - a presenter and an actress-
especially during times when the schedules clashes?
It goes down to time management. Actually I must say that it
hasn’t being that long I got into the acting scene but with my first major role
in the Adams Apple, I appreciate Shirley for the understanding of joggling
between my time on set of about 8 months and having to go and present the One
Show. It wasn’t easy but it was worthwhile.
You
hear people say that you have a splendid body figure, right? How do you
maintain such figure even when stress sets in?
The shape was given to me by God. I go to the gym a lot and work
out a lot to maintain the way I look. I eat right. But I guess I am naturally
endowed by God.
Your
favorite food is?
Banku and Okro stew
How
long do you intend to go with your acting and presenting?
I intend following my passion as long as I have life and health
given to me by God.
You
donated a sum of Ghc 1, 000 to the children’s block of the Korle-Bu teaching
hospital in Accra, Ghana recently. How rich are you?
I am just okay and I thank God for His blessings towards us. I was
motivated by what I saw when I was on a particular radio station’s trip to the
Korle-Bu Hospital. I saw some sad moments and I must say that it was not
pleasant. I saw some of them have cancer though they have never smoked, I saw
all these and I was touched and trust me I felt so much joyful giving my little
bit. I will do more as I progress in life.
So
apart from presenting or acting, what else do you do?
My team and I have a whole lot lined up for us in 2012. Apart from
acting and presenting, I also have a production firm and all I can say for now
is that Ghana and the world should keep their fingers crossed on the new trends
that we are bringing. I have a foundation which has not yet been officially
launched but we are gathering more funds to hit it bigger.
What’s
your relationship like with Shirley and what gave that trust to have you on all
the ten chapters of Adams Apple?
Shirley’s movie was the first major lead role I have had to play
and I did give in my best. You won’t believe me that I had to audition for that
role for 7 times, there was one point that Shirley needed to bring in KSM to
sit on the panel. Shirley gave me so much believe and trust and in return I
appreciated and did my best to uphold that trust. Though I have done some
little cameos, supporting actress stuffs in Sparrow Productions, this time was
that time I needed to show the kind of stuff I am made off, and I sure gave a
shot at it.
Jennifer
Adams in Adams Apple, Joselyn Dumas in reality. Any resemblance?
It has in any way affected me. As an actress, you are a
professional if you play the role given to you by your director well. I am an
actress and it is my duty to make sure that I am able to interpret my role in
any script. This is my job and when it comes to my life, I am just as simple as
you can see me. Jennifer Adams is that strict lady who wants to know everything
and likes to get into everything around. She is one lady who has a high self
ego and you can imagine how she falls for a little boy – that is acting but as
for my personal life, I am just a God fearing person who believes in her dreams
just as I told you earlier on that I am a free thinker.
Will
you be able to adapt with other producers having being with her on set for
8months?
Why not? I can work with any Producer as far as the script is
good. I am an actress and it is my job to be able to interpret my role. That
will stand me out as a professional. I can work with any Producer be it here in
Ghana or abroad.
Ghana
movie industry is coming up and thanks to people like you who have come into
the industry. What will you say is boosting the industry right now?
I think there is a fresh new birth and era. A new crop of Actors,
Actresses, Directors, Producers and so more. I think it is a new revolution.
Recognition is one of it. Ghanaians are beginning to accept their own.
And
tell me how the whole stuff came to you to start hosting the one show
The One Show came to me as my soul desired. Rhythms then were
always airing once every Saturday and then when the opportunity for me came to
move on, I grabbed it with double hands. I didn’t audition or stress up for the
role. The then manager of Viasat 1 invited me for a talk, then he told me the
concepts of the One Show and then I think he had watched one episode of Rhythms
and then he felt I could fit in to the position. So that is how it came and I
thank God I am not disappointing my fans who voted me the Queen of Talk Show in
2011.
First
you were the only one on the one show, then a male host joined you, what has it
been like co-hosting?
As humans it will be very wrong for one not to aim at growing. One
head can do good and then certainly two heads can do better, above all as a
team we are striving to make the show the best in Ghana. It has been for the
progress of the show.
For
a while now, nudity is eating deep into the Ghanaian industry, what do you have
to say with this trend fast rising among both the upcoming and professionals?
Well I feel that self dignity matters a lot.
Couple
of years from now, where do you see JD in the world?
I see myself making history and changing the world in a positive
way. I also hope to continue my Philanthropist work on till eternity.
I
have been impressed so far with the outcome of Ghanaian movie Producers. I am a
critic and for those who know me will attest to that but recently the Ghanaian
movie industry has gone upwards and I am sure that it will keep elevating, thus,
thanks to the new mentality that is breeding thus far. The mentality of
investors pumping coming on board is doing the trick sweet.
Recently
I was at the Silverbird Cinemas somewhere in Accra for a Press Launch of a
movie and after that certain doubts were erased and I will like to ask all Tom,
Dick & Harry to get the movie BE MY
GUEST and see the worth of effective and efficient spending and above all team
work.
The
movie which is the maiden baby from the stables of Wide Angle Entertainment
Production is a spellbinding drama set to take the viewers on an unthinkable twist
that could leave you wishing to see it again.
Though
the movie comes as a debut for former Nigeria’s Most Beautiful, Omotu Bissong,
but certainly it brings the wits and experience of Ghana’s duo of Nadia Buari
and Chris Attoh.
One
outstanding feature of the movie is that it brought into play veteran skills
and showbiz iconic intuitions appearing to add toast to the whole beauty, so
the involvement of Timothy Bentum, Fred Amugi, Zapp Mallet, Louis McCarthy,
David Bangura, Eddie Blay Jnr., and Ben Brako, did add value to the whole
sight.
Written
by the screenwriter of the popular and critically acclaimed award-winning hit
TV series, Things We Do For All, Eddie Seddoh Jnr. Directed by Selassie Tetteh,
the movie will keep you the viewers spell-bound from the beginning to the end. For
me, it is the perfect movie for this time of the year which is a season were promises
will be flying from right to left, back to front and centre, all join jooor… but brothers and sisters
make una look ground well well so that your bobo or sisi-eko no carry the trick
him or her see for inside the movie. Make e no go be like Kalifah & the
chase.
As
Valentine mood gets hotter and closer, why not anticipate yours be the first to
see it on the 10th of February on a Friday at the National Theatre
between 6pm & 9pm.
Grab
your tickets for only Ghc 20 from Silverbird Cinema, Koala Super market and
Frankies in Osu, Accra; if you are in Tema, grab your ticket at Community 11
Shell Station and Southern Fried Chicken; Airport Shell, Legon Botanical
Gardens or simple call the ticket hotline on 0571111111 for reservations and
delivery.
FASHION NIGHT OUT,
GHANA is the reality from the stables of Ghana’s hottest youth magazine, Campus
Glitz Magazine. Powered by West Coast Entertainment Limited, Ghana.
It is an event that
have been set out to highlight the 21st Century African fashion
industry by way of encouraging the creative minds of designers and talented
models and also to create an avenue where consumer are invited to meet with
designer and other fashion personalities at various retail venues, offer level
of interaction for both parties.
In 2011, it was held
on 30th of April 2011 at the Kama Conference Centre in Accra, Ghana.
Other than the regular market, the reality hosted and brought together over 12
top designers from Nigeria, Ghana and Sweden. Over 50 models were clothed with
the latest collection on runway in the full glare and admiration of potential
clients and members of the press. Also it did provide designers with the
opportunity to capture and captivate a new audience and also introduce their
collections.
Now in 2012, it has
become a mouth-watering event that is bringing top designers from across the
globe; it sure comes on at the Coconut Grooves Regency Hotel in Accra, Ghana on
the 18th of May (Exhibition) & 19th of May (Runway)
with over 100 models, no be small thing
as the reality continues with so much to expect and so much to be given.
This year again, we
are entirely supported by Selbani Arts World, then teaming up with award
winning Mawuena Make-Over, Gold Modeling Agency, Manuel Lensman Photography
& Kol-Tek Photo Studio.
It’s that time of the year again when we all love to party
real hard…. And now coming from the stables of Coastline Ent., Face-Off Ent. & Dumor Duke Black is TIPOFF.
It is the official GHANA-NAIJA AKWAABA PARTY inside
Kahuna Nite Club (New Glenns) beneath Niagara Hotel, Adabraka
Date: Saturday da 18th February, 2012
Asylum Down, a new Ghanaian movie by Sorag Films presented by HM films is scheduled to premiere on February
10 at the Silverbird Cinema in Accra.
After the premiere which is
anticipated to attract a number of movie fans, the movie will continue to show
at Silverbird Cinemas through the valentine season.
Asylum Down is described as a movie
of a kind. It is full of thrills and suspense as it unveils heinous crimes
committed by trusted people in society.
It opens with a search for the
murderer of a prominent business tycoon. The tycoon’s son, played by David
Forson, has sworn heaven and earth to find his father’s killer.
A professor in clinical human
psychology is dragged into the matter to find the killer since the only witness
at the murder scene is a mentally unstable man. Hell breaks loose when the
professor discovers the witness has no clue about the killer. He must find the
killer at all cost else his family dies! The movie comes with a lot of action
packed scene and features stars Nollywood actor Scott Robert, John Dumelo,
Kalsume Sinare, Magdalene Mensah, David Hans and a number of others.
The premiere is expected to gather
together a number of Ghana’s top movie producers, stars and the cast.
Sorag Film is one the new production
houses under HM films which last produced ‘Who Own Da City;’ a movie which
received nominations at the African Movie Academy Awards and Ghana Movie
Awards.
