April 9, 2007

Next Chapter

Victoria Rowell is best known for her role as Drucilla Winters on CBS's top-rated daytime drama, 'The Young and the Restless.' But the character of Drucilla died on the April 4 episode (see Karu Daniels' farewell to Drucilla in the 'BV Newswire' and it brought an end to an era for 'Y&R.' (At least for now! We all know how characters come back to life on the soaps.) Nonetheless, Rowell, a two-time Emmy Award-nominated and ten-time NAACP Image Award-winning actress, sees her departure from 'Y&R' as the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

"It's been a great tenure. One that I've exercised activism in, in diversifying daytime as much as I could. Daytime has been an amazing place to dip in and out of over the years but right now I'm going to be on a long track doing some other things," Rowell told me during a break between shooting scenes for her next film, 'Of Boys and Men,' in Chicago.

Is Rowell's departure from "Y&R" a permanent one from daytime television? "Never say never," she offered. "I have brought a lot to daytime and perhaps the next time you see me in daytime I'll be executive producing a show. I've already put it out there to Bradley Bell (the show's producer), Drucilla should just skip on over to 'The Bold and the Beautiful' the next time she appears. But I am looking to really expand and when I say expand; I mean I have been solicited to appear in foreign daytime soap opera genres. I'd like to keep all of my options open in that arena. Soap operas and novellas are very popular throughout the world."

The 47-year-old Portland, Maine-bred actress has been an activist for foster care (May is National Foster Care month) and has begun the next phase of her career by releasing a book titled called, 'The Women Who Raised Me' (HarperCollins/William Morrow). "I have a sense of peace. It's really homage to ordinary women doing extraordinary things, which is selflessly giving of themselves and mentoring where they stand. And when I say ordinary, I mean people like you and me who were unique in their own way and gave what they had. I frame them in the history they stood in. I believe it's an interesting an inspiring read because it's not just my story, it's the story of the world and what women and what people can do if they decide to do it," said the actress, who spent 18 years in the foster care system.

Rowell will support the tome with media appearances on 'The Today Show,' 'The View' and 'Montell Williams.' She will also hold her annual High Tea @ Noon charity event hosted by Rowell Foster Children's Positive Plan (RFCPP) on Sunday, May 20, 2007 at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

The mother of two-she has a daughter Maya by ex-husband Tom Fahey and a son Jasper by jazz great Wynton Marsalis-is also passionate about the American troops returning home from war. Rowell shared her frustration with the fact that her film, 'Home of the Brave,' which also stars Samuel L. Jackson and rapper 50 Cent, had not received a released date from the film's studio. "Initially there were reports that MGM didn't want to fight blockbuster movies like 'Dreamgirls' and 'The Pursuit of Happyness.' Well that is done," she vented. No sooner did she finished her last sentence when I received an e-mail from Allied Advertising in Washington, DC announcing that 'Home of the Brave' had just received a May 11, 2007 opening date.

"Hallelujah," Rowell shouted, when I told her the news. "Well I've been putting the energy out there! This movie is so poignant that one can never question timing. One can never underestimate it. It is a huge conscience of what is going on, not only in this country, but in the world. It's about soldiers coming home. What happens in the homestead of these fractured families. Those who have lost loved ones. Those who are trying to repair family. The fathers, the sisters, the wives who are coming home from way. They are not the same people. In 'Home of Brave' we talk about mental health issues. Which is exactly what's on MSNBC every night and CNN."

Unlike many soap stars, Rowell has balanced a career in primetime television and film, with guest spots on shows like 'All of Us' and 'Noah's Arc' and starring roles in movies such as 'Eve's Bayou' and 'Fraternity Boys.' "Its called being responsible if that's what you want," suggested Rowell. "We have freedom of choice. For me, I've never not wanted to exercise another part of my craft. I at least try to do something once a year in the independent market or the large studio market. I am proactive in my career. Anyone who is sitting around waiting is not going to get the job or get the job done. Any successful people we see, even in corporate business matters, they are aggressive and proactive in what they are passionate about. That's how they get it done!"

Frankly Speaking

"One day, my task included blowing up about one hundred plastic dinosaurs for a visit by Steven Spielberg. He'd just released 'Jurassic Park,' and the plastic dolls were to make him feel at home& Had I really gone to college for this? Still, the bulk of my time was spent picking up Ted Danson's weekly half-million-dollar check for 'Cheers' from the studio to take back to CAA for them to get their 10-percent before Danson saw it; or delivering 'Friends' scripts to Courteney Cox, who always seemed scared to death of me when I'd approach her home. No wonder there were rarely any black people on 'Friends,'" Newsweek's Allison Samuels writes in her debut tome, 'Off the Record' (Amistad/Harper Collins).

This fun, through-the-eyes-of-a-reporter look at the entertainment and sports industry also offers slightly dishy insight into the worlds of Marion "Suge" Knight ("I didn't have the heart to tell him that not only would his crazy theory about Michael Jordan being gay not go into my story but it was probably the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard."); Aretha Franklin ("The gospel singer Mavis Staples of the Staples Singers mentioned to me that Franklin kept a brush with her mother's hair still in it on her dresser. I referenced the Mavis Staples story, and silence hit the table like a freight train."); and Whoopi Goldberg ("[Halle] Berry's tear-filled acceptance speech did not acknowledge Goldberg& Goldberg was royally insulted by the slight, and when I mentioned that perhaps Berry forgot in her moment of joy, the comic responded, 'She looked at my black face the entire night.'")

Buzzworthy

"I may have been gone but I've been making babies," reclusive soul legend Sly Stone told the capacity crowd at The Flamingo Las Vegas. Stone performed at the invitation of Las Vegas headliner George Wallace and gamblers were betting against the entertainer actually showing up. During the concert set, Stone introduced his two daughters-one a classically trained pianist/singer and the other a rapper-and both performed onstage with their proud pop. Expect the two to join Stone on his forthcoming concert tour.

Gospel singer Brent Jones has inked a new deal with Tyscot Records. Jones joins the restructured veteran label that's also home to Shirley Murdock, VaShawn Mitchell, Lucinda Moore and Rance Allen. The Orange County, Calif-bred singer will reveal his newest album, 'The Ultimate Weekend,' on Tyscot later this year. Jones recorded the CD in 2006 live at the famed Capitol Records building in Hollywood. The set introduces the sought-after workshop clinician's new "Sunday Morning sound" and features appearances by gospel singers Nysa Shenay and Orlando Wright. Jones was previously signed to EMI Gospel where he released two successful albums; 'Brent Jones & T.P. Mobb' (2000) and 'Beautiful' (2002).

Seagram's Gin kicked off its latest concert series Seagram's Live on Saturday in Memphis, Tenn. The tour line-up features Mya, rap duo Clipse and soul newcomer Jovan Dais. The 11-city tour also has dates scheduled in Atlanta, Birmingham, Detroit, Washington, DC, New York and Miami. For details visit www.seagramsginlive.com.

The original film was one of my favorite straight-to-DVD releases and now Rain Forest Films/Sony Pictures is releasing a sequel to 'Motives.' The new installment, 'Motives 2: Retribution,' stars Brian J. White ('Stomp The Yard'), Vivica A. Fox, Mel Jackson ('Soul Food') and on-the-rise actor Sean Blakemore. The dramatic tale of seduction and deception hits stores May 1.

Can't Say Names ...

Sources say a certain R&B singer got so fed up with the music business, that she's ditched singing for surgical scrubs. No, she's not auditioning for a guest-starring role on 'Grey's Anatomy,' instead she's enrolled in nursing school.

BV Scene

Football star Isaac Bruce of the St. Louis Rams and his wife checking into the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Chicago ... 'The Game' stars Tia Mowry and Pooch Hall visiting The Goodfellas at K-Day 93.5 FM in Los Angeles ... Black Eyed Peas rapper/producer Will.I.Am boarding a Delta Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport ... Also spotted at Los Angeles International Airport the day before was an understated Diana Ross who sat alone at her gate right night to gospel singer Malcolm Williams ... The French owned company Martell honored Nia Long, Hill Harper and Holly Robinson Peete for their philanthropic deeds recently in Los Angeles. The event, Discover Noblige, an exclusive traveling exhibition of the art, culture and style of the brand. Martell will recognize other notables in additional cities two-be-announced.