How Lupita landed role in Hollywood
Multiple-award winning film producer and actress Lupita Nyong’o has landed a leading role in a Hollywood film, which will see her cast alongside world’s greatest Brad Pitt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Ruth Negga and Adepero Oduye among others. Lupita,will play the role of Patsey, a slave who, paradoxically, is the object of both the affections and cruelty of Master Epps (Fassbender) in the upcoming Steve McQueen-directed movie, 12 Years a Slave. It had been speculated that Adepero Oduye would play that role after it was announced that she’d been cast in the film but the film directors finally settled for Lupita.
Patsey’s story is a sad one. She’s considered the best cotton picker amongst all of Epps’ slaves, and is also his mistress, certainly not because she chooses to be. Epps is married and his wife is aware of his infidelities with Patsey, and for that reason, she routinely orders Patsey whipped. The movie will be out next year.
FORMER BEAUTY QUEEN HITS IT BIG IN AMERICA
Former Kenyan beauty queen Rachael Marete has landed another lucrative TV job in Los Angeles. The TV beauty, who has been running a celebrity red carpet TV show and hosting on Transit TV, Los Angeles, has landed a bigger role.
“I am now the newest TV host and Associate Producer for the V Style show on The V Channel Shopping Network on SKY 664, broadcasting live from Los Angeles to Europe,” a delighted Rachael told Pulse during an exclusive telephone interview on Wednesday.
“The show runs from Monday to Friday. I’m so happy that my station is in Europe too, because American television is always aping Europe and especially the UK, when it comes to TV.
“I can’t believe I am invading living rooms all over Europe from right here in Los Angeles studios,” she remarked.
Her breakthrough is one of the big achievements for the few Kenyan journalists in America.
Daddy Owen TO SIGN Airtel deal?
A little bird has whispered to Pulse that singing gospel ace Daddy Owen is about to clinch a million-dollar deal with mobile telephone service provider Airtel. Even as the Mbona singer remains tight-lipped on the rumours, our sources indicate that the grand announcement will be done soon.
Star Gist celebrity show launched
Star Gist, a new continental TV show that will feature the lifestyles of African celebrities has been launched. The show was launched on Monday and will be airing on the new AfricaMagic Entertainment (DStv Channel 129) every weekday at 8.30pm.
This is the first time viewers will be able to step into the lives of their favourite African celebrities daily.
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“If we do not celebrate our own, who will,” says 25-year-old Vimbai Mutinhiri from Zimbabwe who will be co-hosting the show alongside Lawrence Maleka from South Africa.
Well, if the name Vimbia sounds familiar, it’s because she is that charming model who graced your TV set during the Big Brother reality TV show a little while ago.
Smitta honoured in USA
Prolific novelist and Pulse columnist Tony Mochama aka Smitta Smitten received a special honourable mention during the Leapfrog Fiction Contest held in the United States on Wednesday. The writer’s novel , The Princess and the Pimp (novella) was the only African book to make it to the finals of the contest. Jacob White (The Days Down Here), Mathias Freese (I Truly Lament ) and Mark Lyons (Brief Eulogies at Roadside Shrines), all from USA, are the three who made it to the finals.
“I dedicate that honour to my late grandmother who passed on last week,” Smitta said.
A Song for Crash Victims
Barely days after the nation lost dedicated Government officials through a plane crash, a song dedicated to them is getting massive airplay on several media stations. The song Lala Salama done by gospel artiste Kimdanny was produced through Dr Eddy’s Dreamland Entertainment, in a record two days after the crash.
“The theme of this song is love and appreciation to all our fallen heroes who perished during the crash,” said Kimdanny.
Frasha, Mongolo join MCSK race
P-Unit’s singer Francis Amisi aka Frasha and comedian-turned-politician GM Mwangangi aka Mongolo are in the race for the Music Corporate Society of Kenya (MCSK) new offices. Frasha, who quit his worthwhile medical career to pursue music, is running for the Budget Committee, Nairobi branch, position during the MCSK elections set for Blue Springs, Thika Road, next Wednesday. Mongolo will be vying for Board Member (Nairobi representative) post during the same function.
The new posts fall under the MCSK Foundation incorporated in the new MCSK constitution passed early this year.
“Young artistes as well as the old ones want to see transparency in the way their finances are run by MCSK. There has been positive change in the last two years and now we want the youthful members to get involved. They should come and vote,” Frasha told Pulse.
“We advocate for fairness in distribution of royalties and introduction of medical cover,” Mongolo added.
MPs binge drink with students
A story is doing rounds on how two flamboyant MPs hosted a binge drinking bash for female campus students and hired catwalk models at a private Nairobi club a week ago. The party had been organised by a leading events guru who is said to have been paid handsomely for ‘renting away’ girls girls. A popular deejay who hosts a show in a leading TV station had been hired to entertain the guests. It was an all night carousal affair. Let us just say...much happened!