Pictured front to back: Tracy DiMarco and Olivia Blois Sharpe from "Jerseylicious." Photo: Timothy White/The Style Network.
The Jerseylicious babes are back for another season and to hear Olivia Blois Sharpe and Tracy DiMarco tell it, the stakes have been raised.
Sure, the two women are still enemies and have no intention of burying the hatchet…unless it’s into each other…but the focus for Jerseylicious (Sundays, 8:00 p.m. ET, Style Network) is weddings and babies this year.
EntertainmentHeartbeat.com spoke with the flashy fems and what we learned in the video below is their anger runs deep, families are forming, their beauty begins with self-esteem – and what they expect for the future of the show.
It has taken Viola Davis 20 years with awards and accomplishments from Broadway and Hollywood to become an overnight sensation with her Oscar®-nominated performance in The Help.
Entertainment Heartbeat asked Davis if handling her fame today is easier than when she was a young star on the New York theater.
“When I was 28 years old,” Davis says in a friendly calm that makes it hard to imagine her any other way than confident. “I remember I was on Broadway, and I just thought I could handle that success and I lost my hair. I lost my hair because I was stressed-out, because I think I read a bad review, so literally, this whole side of my head, a friend of mine said ‘It’s so clean, Viola, it’s like a baby’s behind it’s so clean.'” Davis agonizes over the memory, then holds back a laugh from the person she was 18 years back. “And then I had a big bald spot on top of my head, and then it kept growing, and growing and I later found out it was due to stress…I could not handle stress at all at that age, I was so self conscious, so wanting to please everyone, and now at 46, I mean I just let so much of that go, you know, you just start to connect the dots and realize that at the end of the day you have to define joy and happiness for yourself and I’m so glad all of the scrutiny and the exposure is happening now at halfway done with my life, because I’m wiser. And…I’ve got my hair!”
Davis tells us that coming from the theater she was always trying to please her drama teachers and stage directors where they were obsessed with character minutia, “where your character had to be right, had to be dead-on.” But as Davis was immersed in the whirlwind interviews for The Help she discovered something else.
“Doing all this publicity for this movie I just found my voice…when I started getting all this scrutiny for playing a maid in the deep south who had a broken dialect I was taken aback at first, but in the course of having to defend my choices I really found my voice, which really parallels Aibileen’s (Davis‘ character in The Help) life, and at some point you have to stand up to your convictions and know that you’ll have to weather the storms; not everyone is going to like you, we are in a very subjective profession and art form where anything can hit someone and offend them, at the same time please them, you have no idea. But the only thing you can do at the end of the day is have a voice, and I found mine, thank god.”
When young Kenneth Branagh arrived at the London stage 30 years ago he was declared the living successor to Laurence Olivier. Today, he is Oscar®-nominated for his true life performance of Olivier (from the same age, 51) in My Week With Marilyn The film follows the behind-the-camera drama that played out on the 1957 production of The Prince and the Showgirl, where Olivier directed and starred opposite Marilyn Monroe.
Branagh talked to Entertainment Heartbeat about his forming a believable character from a well-known legend and his own personal hero.
“I think if you get the chance to play Laurence Olivier you’re bound, as Michelle (Williams) would probably tell you about Marilyn Monroe, you feel a big sense of responsibility; lots of people are going to have an opinion about it, there are lots of references, people can go and hold your performance up and look at another performance by the same actor so compare and contrast can be pretty exposing.”
In becoming Olivier, Branagh tells us, there was much research to rely while his characterization was perhaps less laborious because it was important to him to attempt this role.
“I think, however, he was such an inspiration to me and to so many generations of actors that I felt, A, that I was very flattered to be asked, that there was so much work, and so much inspiration about how he worked on parts that I could take on board and try to use his level of dedication, and take his approach to work as a model for trying to become him.”
We’re reminded that not many get to breathe life into their personal heroic inspirations with an introduction from an international film stage. “And by the by, sort of in a way sort of pay a kind of debt of gratitude to him because he’s the reason I’m standing here.”
Chef Wolfgang Puck creates the menu for the "Academy Awards" Governors Ball, that after party celebrating the "Oscar" winners. Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
The stars will be dining extravagantly at the Academy Awards Governors Ball, the posh after party of the Oscars.
We got a taste of what Hollywood elite will be munching on once the final award is given out – and it’s lavish.
Tray-passed smoked salmon in the shape of an Oscar, topped with caviar, crab and lobster Louie with horseradish panna cotta and marinated tomatoes and Chinois lamb with cilantro mint vinaigrette are just a few of the scrumptious dishes being served. And, of course, the champagne will be flowing.
Each winner can have their statue engraved right there at the Governors Ball – and there will be no shortage of entertainment provided by Gregg Field and his band.
What does it take to pull this off for the 1500 guests? A staff of 950, 350 culinary experts, 12,000 beverage glasses, 4,000 small plates, 6,000 cocktail forks, 4,500 demitasse spoons and 1,000 bottles of Moet & Chandon Champagne are just a small amount of the elements that contribute to this type of a glam evening.
And nothing will go to waste, according to Chef Wolfgang Puck, who created the menu for the evening. The chef tells us in the video below that the leftovers will be packed up for Angel Harvest, a company that is dedicated to distributing food from catered events to the needy in and around the community.
The Governors Ball begins directly after the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, which airs on ABC, Sunday, February 26th, live from the Kodak Theatre.
An "Oscar" statue positioned at one of the entrances of the Kodak Theatre. Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
Last Friday (February 17th), there was not much, other than a few bleachers, up at the Kodak Theatre in prep for Sunday’s Academy Awards. By Wednesday (February 22nd), the area had changed dramatically.
Laying the groundwork for the "Academy Awards." Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
Crews were pounding away, setting up press areas and laying down the street-wide red carpet. There is still much more to go before the arrivals begin, but the teams know how important staying on schedule is to the success of the evening.
These posters will be strategically placed in time for the "Oscars." Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
This is just one of many "Oscar" statues that will line the red carpet for the "Academy Awards" Sunday night. Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
These photos were taken Wednesday afternoon. Check out how quickly Hollywood Boulevard can be turned into a sizzling red carpet event.
This overhang will be more elaborate when complete. Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
The entrance to the Kodak Theatre is getting a red carpet overhaul. Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com/HollywoodOutbreak.com.
Melissa McCarthy (l.) Oscar®-nominated for "Bridesmaids" poses with cast members who will present an award at the Oscar ceremony. Courtesy Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ®
Melissa McCarthy, co-starring in the hit comedy Bridesmaids talked to Entertainment Heartbeat about how life has changed since being nominated for an Oscar® for best supporting actress.
“It’s been a pretty amazing surreal year that I kinda keep pinching myself,” McCarthy says.
“It makes me go back to my first acting classes, and you go to all those times when you think, oh my god, If I could just get a commercial, if I could get two commercials a year I could go down to two jobs…I think I still have that mentality.”
For over a dozen years, McCarthy has grown up (and grown) with many (then) struggling actors, writers, directors and has maintained close friendships with them over the past 14 or so years. She says that her long memories with all during the lean years has helped segue from the struggle into the success.
I think everyone was at my wedding,” McCarthy says of her longtime entertainment friends, “so we’ve all been really close friends for 13 – 14 years…we’ve all known each other for so long so, we keep all, bizarrely showing up at these affairs together, and I think we just, it’s seeing them there, it’s like did we break in? No we’re suppose to be here, okay,” McCarthy tells. “So it’s like I think we’re all having the same kind of feeling of like, we’re here, let’s enjoy it.”
And McCarthy won’t forget her journey that keeps her humble. “And I’m so proud of all of them that it helps me kind of remember where I am.”
Influential critic Roger Ebert 25 years ago said that Gary Oldman is “the best young British actor around,” and while Oldman has won several important acting recognitions, it’s only today that he is nominated for an Academy Award® with his performance in Tinker, Taylor, Soldier Spy.
Oldman tells Entertainment Heartbeat that with his Oscar® nomination he is lavishing all the hoopla that the honor offers. “I’m deeply honored to be part of it and I’ve decided just to completely embrace it and having the time of my life; it’s a fairy tale, you can be either sort of overwhelmed by it or embrace it and run with it, so I’m thrilled, and having a ball.”
Although he has three decades on Oldman, this is also the first Oscar nomination for Max von Sydow despite 60 years of acting achievement. “You keep going until you stop,” Oldman says regarding seasoned actors offered parts and getting recognized.“…until you fall over.”
Gary Oldman in 2007
Oldman earlier remarked that he often chooses a part for the money, but today says that he was being glib and clarifies his position in light of his nomination with all the pyrotechnics. “The Oscars are better than the money,” he says in deadpan. “The villians are the one’s you do for money, they’re expensive.” Oldman continues with some life in his eyes “… they’re expensive; but they will be now.”
He delivers with a sideways smile as everyone within earshot is caught with a contagious laugh.
Kodak Theater Friday, February 17th, 2012. Photo: Mari Cartel/EntertainmentHeartbeat.com and HollywoodOutbreak.com.
A quick reminder that it’s that time of year again. The street closures begin tomorrow in Hollywood so production can set the stage for the 84th Academy Awards (Sunday, February 26th, ABC).
Sure it’s a bit of an inconvenience for residents, but it’s also pretty fun to check out the action as the viewing bleachers, overhead camera positions and red carpet is laid out. Still, it is congested, so plan for extra time.
If you’re visiting or have time, it’s worth the trip to the Hollywood-Highland complex. It’s open to foot traffic until end of day the Saturday before the Oscars on Sunday, but the streets are shutdown tight beginning Sunday, February 19th, 10:00 p.m. PT through to Tuesday, February 28th.
There are plenty of viewing areas nearby and you can see what’s happening (up to a point). However, don’t even think about busting the closed-off areas. Guards are posted and credentials are needed to get past all the checkpoints.
The subway station just below the Kodak Theatre is bypassed beginning 6:00 a.m. Saturday, February 25th and will resume, 6:00 a.m. Monday, February 27th.
Additional streets and sidewalks will also be closed the day of the Academy Awards, so if you need another route through the construction check out Navigatehollywood.com.
Don’t feel too bad for the merchants in the complex. The publicity for this one week of inconvenience is worth its weight in gold for the businesses in and around the area.
The Cirque du Soleil® troupe will pay tribute to Hollywood's biggest night with its largest ensemble cast ever assembled in one act - photo courtesy of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®
Oscar® telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have invited Cirque du Soleil to present a wholly unique and exclusive performance for the 84th Academy Awards, it was announced today.
The one-time-only event will feature the largest Cirque cast ever assembled for a single act.
The performance will be accompanied by music by Academy Award®-nominated composer Danny Elfman, who scored the music for Cirque du Soleil’s IRIS, A Journey through the World of Cinema™. More than 50 international artists from Cirque du Soleil productions around the world will converge in Los Angeles on Oscar Sunday to bring the dynamic showcase to life.
The act marks the second time Cirque du Soleil has performed during an Academy Awards telecast. The troupe’s first appearance, at the 74th Academy Awards, sparked discussions about creating a permanent show at the Kodak Theatre and resulted in the creation of IRIS.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network.
