Junkie 4 A Story

In this episode, I talk about actress Pam Grier's rise as the female Action hero in the 70s when the genre was dominated by men. Then I question the absence of a Black action hero in the genre in today's time. If you are interested in Pam Grier's journey in Hollywood, here is a link to her biography: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9780446564700

In this episode, I talk about supermodel Beverly Johnson, and the legendary Vogue cover that almost didn't happen, had she not been confident and ambitious enough to push pass her human obstacles. I reference her memoir The Face that Changed it All https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781476774435 I also reference the biography of Eileen Ford, Model Woman Eileen Ford and the Business of Beauty https://bo...

In this episode, I talk about leading ladies who risked it all for their careers, including motherhood. Lana Turner, Bette Davis, Lucille Ball, and Carol Burnett all took risk on and off the screen, becoming or not becoming a mom was one of them. If you are interested in reading more about these leading ladies, you can click the links below. Lana: The Lady, The Legend, The Truth - Turner, Lana: 97...

In this episode, I talk about Motown's first superstar, Mary Wells' marital woes and her fall out with Motown mogul, Berry Gordy. https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781613734865

In this episode I talk about Disco Demolition night and how the queens of Disco continued to woo fans in the aftermath.

This is another installment of How A Black Man Died of Old Age. I am taking you through the tumultuous history of Harry Belafonte, Hollywood, and his politics. If you want more info about the legend, I recommend his memoir: My Song; here is the link, My Song a book by Harry Belafonte and Michael Shnayerson - Bookshop.org US

In this episode, I talk about 20th Century screen icon, Joan Crawford and her turbulent time in Hollywood as well as her contentious relationship with her daughter Christina Crawford. Here is a link, if you are interested in the book: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781496846518

In this episode, I talk about Ray Gordy Singleton and her tumultuous relationships with Berry Gordy and Diana Ross.

In this episode, I talk about Hollywood superstar Zsa Zsa Gabor and her nine husbands and her headline making and page-turning love life.

In this episode, I talk about legendary actress Gloria Swanson and her equally legendary personal life, including the scandalous affair she had with Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. For more info on the books referenced in this video, click the links below: Swanson on Swanson by Gloria Swanson | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com) Gloria Swanson: The Ultimate Star by Stephen Michael Shearer, Pap...

This is an intro to the completed series about real-life Hollywood stars, from the Golden Age, who had love lives akin to that of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. For more info about the novel, click the link below: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781501161933

In this episode, I talk about actress Joan Collins and the many receipts of bad marriages and affairs before she met the love of her life. For more info about the biography, click the link below: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275324436992?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Z7VXLT9OSbGzLe4WZAFtTQ33&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-213727-13078-0&mkcid=2&itemid=275324436992&am...

Princess Merle was an actress known for Wuthering Heights but off screen she made front page news with her love life antics. https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/princess-merle-the-romantic-life-of-merle-oberon_charles-higham_roy-moseley/344685/?resultid=505059f9-4144-49cc-8165-d47216c53c08#edition=2415436&idiq=4207475

In this episode, I talk about rapper Eve's new memoir, Who's That Girl and how she erases a female rap star from Hip Hop history.

In this episode, I talk about Old Hollywood screen darling, Hedy Lamarr and her failed marriages and romances. I reference the biography, Beautiful: The Life of Hedy Lamarr by Stephen Michael Shearer and Robert Osborne. Here is a link for the book: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781250041838 (this is an affiliate link)

In this episode, I review a recent release A Murder in Hollywood by Casey Sherman. For more info about the book, click the link below: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781728276502

In this episode, I talk about the incomparable Diahann Carroll and her tumultuous relationships with men. I reference her 2008 autobiography: The Legs Are The Last To Go https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-legs-are-the-last-to-go-aging-acting-marrying-mothering-and-other-things-i-learned-along-the-way_diahann-carroll/658204/?resultid=ffca932c-2f6d-49a5-ad2e-b6105e640fcd#edition=4756644&idiq=2034...

In this episode, I talk about the infamous "sweater girl", Lana Turner and her tumultuous love life.

In this episode, I talk about living legend Diana Ross and why we need her story told on the big screen. I also share some stories from The Unauthorized Biography of Diana Ross: Call Her Miss Ross by J Randy Taraborrelli. For more info about the biography, click the link below: Call Her Miss Ross : The Unauthorized Biography of Diana Ross used book by Hillel Black, Kensington Publishing Corporatio...

In this episode, I talk about The Empress of Soul, Gladys Knight and her messy love life. Also, talk about the singer bringing her life story to television. For more info about her autobiography, Between Each Line of Pain And Glory, you can click the link below. Between Each Line of Pain and Glory : My Life Story used book by Gladys Knight: 9780783883946 (betterworldbooks.com)

This story can be found in Chaka Khan's 2003 autobiography, Chaka! Through The Fire . Khan talked about her struggle with drug addiction and the methods she took to get sober. I also mention her network of fellow users who made the road to sobriety difficult. This is in celebration of the music legend's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November of 2023.

In this episode, I talk about Minka Kelly's memoir and the childhood trauma and subsequent therapy she had that led to a better understanding of her mother and how she parented Minka growing up. For more info about this book, click the affiliate link below: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9781250852069

In this episode, I talk about the classic sketch, comedy series that was on the Fox network for five seasons. Kim Coles claimed that Kim Wayans was given roles that Coles felt were more suited for her. Did the Wayans have an advantage because they were related to the creator/producer of the hit show? That is the argument Kim Coles made in the book, Homey Don't Play That by David Peisner. For m...

In this episode, I talk about Broadway legend Chita Rivera's memoir and her brief romance with Sammy Davis Jr and how Liza Minelli's drug habit almost ended their Broadway musical. For more info about the book, click the affiliate link below: https://bookshop.org/a/83281/9780063226791

In this episode, I talk about male toxicity as it pertains to TV portrayals of the American family, specifically, the classic sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, starring Will Smith. This 90s sitsom was enjoyed in most American households but I want to point out some parenting and insubordinate moments that should have been addressed in the storylines.