BV Entertainment Newswire July 19

Big Time

Tanisha Malone is ready for her big, ‘F.A.T.’ close-up.

As the latest winner of 'Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance' --the first and only televised full figured reality pageant-- the Newark, New Jersey native said she's looking forward to the opportunity to spread the message of elevated self-esteem to plus-sized women all across the country.

"With this role, you just don't wear a crown and a sash," the forensic morgue technician told Black Voices.

"It's getting to talk to women [primarily] because we are in the plus-sized generation. My goal and my main focus is to talk to women and to just let them know that yes we are plus-sized, and we should love the way we feel about ourselves and we should love the skin that we're in and we should just be ourselves.”

The 27-year old beauty, who serves as a motivational speaker for teens, originally auditioned for the show --which aired on the Oxygen network last weekend-- last year but didn't make the grade. "I was too fabulous last year," she chuckled. "I had the drop pearls on, I had the make-up on."

For this year's competition --which consisted of multi-city casting calls in Miami, Baltimore, Seattle, Los Angeles and New York where over 2,700 women auditioned-- Malone said she wore a baseball cap and adorned a more natural look.

And not only did she get chosen as one of the 10 finalists, she captured the 2006 ‘Miss F.A.T.’ crown, (which stands for Fabulous and Thick).

"Life hasn't changed too much since the show aired," she added, "but I will say that it feels good and I've gotten a lot of [positive] feedback from people saying that they're happy to have somebody represent them."

As the winner, Malone was awarded a $50,000 cash prize and modeling contract with LA Management. Her first public appearance after being crowned was at a Newark YMCA this week, where she spoke to a group of children about body image and peer pressure.

Additionally, 'Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance' has proven to be a ratings juggernaut for the Oprah Winfrey-launched women’s network.

According to a spokesperson, 8.6 million viewers watched the premiere and encores over the weekend.

"'F.A.T. Chance' is a hit because everything about it is big, from our successful and full-figured host to our overwhelming viewer response," offered the network's President of Programming Debby Beece.

Read more about 'Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance' here.

'Fest' Of All Saints

Bishop T.D. Jakes' "MegaFest 2006" officially kicks off today (July 19) in Atlanta, bringing what seems like the entire gospel industry to the southern metropolis for the popular four-day event.

Not only are tens of thousands of people expected to partake in this year's multitude of festivities, but "MegaFest 2006" has attracted top talent from the entertainment industry --including Aretha Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Donnie McClurkin, Kierra 'KiKi' Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Fred Hammond, Jeff 'Cousin Jeff' Johnson, Jeff Majors, Kelly Price, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Kim Burrell, Vickie Winans, Myron Butler & Levi, Deitrick and Damita Haddon, Steve Harvey, Tommy Davidson, Jonathan Slocumb, David Mann, Susan l. Taylor, Eva Pigford, Kwame Jackson, Prophetess Juanita Bynum, Toya Beasley, Cheryl 'Salt' James-Wray and CeCe Winans.

According to its website, Jakes'mission for the event -- which offers workshops, performances, and health-related screenings-- is to "unite families, churches and communities in a spirit of Christian love and affection." All events will commence at Atlanta’s premier venues including the Georgia Dome, the Georgia World Congress Center, Philips Arena, and the International Plaza.

Max Siegel, a gospel industry titan who serves as President of Zomba Gospel, said "the experience is a life-changing experience that awakens our minds, bodies and spirits at one time." Many of his label's acts are participating in the festivities, most notably chart-topping artist/producer Fred Hammond --who serves as the musical director of "MegaFest 2006." "There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing thousands upon thousands of Black people praising God. Being the musical director this year, and molding the sound that will assist in ushering us into reverence, praise, worship and celebration, is an indescribable feeling."

Fitness guru Donna Richardson-Joyner will bring her popular "Sweating in the Spirit" exercise session to the masses early every morning -- and help prepare their physical temples for spiritual enrichment. Mrs. Tom Joyner told Black Voices that she's excited to participate in MegaFest for the third time. "The conference is about educating and empowering kids, women and men to be their best, by strengthening their mind, body and spirit," she said. "The sessions are combined with worship and workout, along with featuring gospel artists such as Angela Blair, Irocc and the group 21:03."

Gospel music prodigy Kierra "KiKi" Sheard, who has the #1 selling gospel album in the country, will present the youth inspiring "You Are Not Forgotten Service" on July 20 with Baltimore, Maryland based Pastor Jamal Bryant.

Sheard, who electrified audiences with her rousing performance during last year's MegaFest, called the experience one of the most memorable moments of her career. '"I learn so much and its like so wonderful to see that many people in one place to glorify God and to learn more about God and having a relationship with Him," she said. "It's really amazing."

Read all about the gospel music prodigy here.

Curtain Falls On 'Feet'

Earth, Wind & Fire's spectacular foray onto the Great White Way has come to an end.

On July 23, the Maurice Hines-helmed dance-driven musical 'Hot Feet' will shutter after 12 previews and 89 performances at Broadway's Hilton Theatre.

Presented by Transamerica and produced by Rudy Durand in association with Kalimba Entertainment, Inc., Meir A & Eli C, LLC, and Polymer Global Holdings, 'Hot Feet’s' music and lyrics are by seven-time Grammy winner and Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White and the book is by best-selling scribe Heru Ptah.

Loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s 'The Red Shoes,' about a talented young dancer, named Kalimba, who dreams of becoming a famous hoofer, 'Hot Feet' marked the debut of Vivian Nixon, a student of Alvin Ailey and daughter of Debbie Allen.

Read all about their mother and daughter dynamic here.

After an out-of-town run at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., 'Hot Feet' began performances on Broadway on Thursday, April 20.

Even without any Tony Awards nominations, it outlived other pop music-kissed fare like the blood-soaked Anne Rice and Elton John pairing 'Lestat,' the short-lived Johnny Cash musical misstep called 'Ring of Fire' and Yoko Ono's critically panned homage to John Lennon ('Lennon').