August 11, 2010

Vexar Interview w/ Memphian Rachelle Love of TV Land’s “She’s Got The Look”

Filed under: David Thorn, Interviews, Television — VexarDave @ 8:30 am

 

 Interview w/ Memphian Rachelle Love of TV Land’s “She’s Got The Look”

David Thorn

 

When you’re young, you believe that high school is your most defining moment. The foundations you set then will be the impression you set for life. You want to dress like everybody else and go to all the “cool” parties. You want to leave your mark and create memories that become legend and are spoken of for years to come.  And you worry every day what others you deemed as the “cool kids” are going to think of you.

Then one day, you realize that none of that ever mattered. Nobody remembers that you recovered a fumble that helped your team win in double overtime. Nobody remembers that you wore the latest fashions, because those pictures look really silly now. But most importantly, nobody remembers all the things that you did and felt were stupid, and were so hard on yourself about. (Nobody that is except your best buds who always like to remind you every time you get together.)  

Like they say, with age comes wisdom. Not only do you realize that anything you did wasn’t worth worrying over, everybody else, even the “cool kids,”  worried about the same things. As you grow and start surrounding yourself with people who want to be around you for you, and not because you’re stuck in the same high school together, you begin to realize your self-worth.

And that brings us to the quiet girl who wanted to go unnoticed and just get through school. How even after she was given a modeling contract at the age of 19, she still didn’t feel worthy. But after a few years she changed and began believeing in herself and grew into a beautiful, vibrant, confident woman.

That woman is Memphian Rachelle Love, who not only shines in her everyday life, but took that confidence and auditioned for and won a Top 10 spot in Season 3 of TV Land’s “She’s Got The Look,” a show that gives models over 35 a second chance at a career.

To put oneself out there to be judged like that, is really impressive to me. And being that yours truly, VexarDave, is people who know people, and just happened to have gone to high school with Rachelle, I decided to ask her to let us know a little bit about herself and her experience with “She’s Got The Look.”

 

You’ve described yourself in high school as a “wallflower” and wanting to go unnoticed and just get through school. How does this person decide she wants to be a model?
My confidence was the biggest hindrance in my attempt to model. At the age of 19, it was worse than most and I literally tried to blend in with the walls. (laughs) Now, I have confidence and a drive that comes with age and I don’t let people’s opinion of me determine my course in life. It’s what you make of your opportunities and there isn’t anything I can’t do.

You first became a model at the age of 19. What was that like? What were some of the things you got to experience then?
The experience of modeling at 19 was terrifying. I experienced auditioning with 14 year olds, who looked 24 and had gorgeous photos from all over the world, which was not the best confidence booster for someone with low self- esteem. (laughs) The truth of the matter is it was of my own doing. I created the image of insecurity and therefore it showed in everything I did. I lived in a model apartment and have many, many stories (for another time), but suffice it to say, it was dog-eat-dog and I was ready to go home! It’s something that I don’t regret and will always have and use the experience to help me with the second chance that I have today.

(more…)

August 4, 2010

Vexar Interview with Memphis Actor/Musician J.W.Williams

Filed under: David Thorn, Interviews, Movies, Music — VexarDave @ 8:27 pm

 

 

Vexar Interview with Memphis Actor/Musician J.W. Williams

David Thorn

 

In my quest to open Vexar Entertainment up to other forms of entertainment in addition to music, I realized I’m pretty uneducated in the other aspects of Memphis entertainment. The good thing is, I know a lot of musicians, and musicians are always involved with something else. This lead me to J.W.Williams, who’s band the Outlaws performed a benefit for Vexar Entertainment earlier this year. Because not only is Williams a musician, he’s an actor.

While you may not recognize the name J.W. Williams, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a movie he’s in. He was the “Harbor Cop” in Deja Vu starring Denzel Washington from 2006, and the “Pill Man” in “Walk The Line” starring Joaquin Pheonix from 2005. Williams memorable scene in “Walk The Line” was being run off from Cash’s Hendersonville home with a shotgun after attempting to bring Cash drugs.

And despite the Outlaw persona Williams has created for himself, I knew he’d have no problem allowing me to interview him in my attempt to learn more about him and the Memphis movie/film scene.

 

Are you originally from Memphis?
Yes, I am. I was born at the Baptist Hospital downtown and raised the first six years of my life off of Wedgewood, just west of Cherry Rd and off Quince. I’ve been poor, then rich, then poor, then rich and well…now I’m just here. (laughs) My adult life though, I’ve lived in New York, Atlanta, New Orleans and three and a half years in L.A.

How old were you when you decided you wanted to be an actor and what inspired you to do so?
I was five. “The Six Million Dollar Man” turned me on to acting. I had a crazy ass theory that in order for Lee Majors to do those stunts, they actually turned him into The Six Million Dollar Man. I wanted to be his sidekick. I wanted them to do surgery on me. I’d act in the day and save the world at night! (laughs) I’m a nerd…I know.
Did you act in school?
I first acted in 5th grade. The teacher said I projected, and my memory was photographic, so I became the choice. I remember also that she admired that I had no fear of overcoming the problem of getting in front of people. Secret is even today, that first initial moment of getting on stage or in front of the camera I’m terrified and shy, but I suck it up and overcome it. I stopped acting 7th through 9th grade. Until I got hurt in football and mom and dad had a nasty divorce. They divorced on my 16th birthday. The following spring my mom was gone, dad was gone, brother and sister too, so I tried out for my first high school play, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” I won the role of Jem Finch, frustrated son of Atticus. Let’s just say I fit the part.

(more…)

August 3, 2010

Rachelle Love of Memphis Competing For a Second Chance At Her Dream In TV Land’s Reality Competition

Filed under: David Thorn, General, Television — VexarDave @ 3:18 pm

RACHELLE LOVE OF MEMPHIS, TN COMPETING FOR A SECOND CHANCE AT HER DREAM IN TV LAND’S REALITY COMPETITION

“SHE’S GOT THE LOOK” PREMIERING ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25th

Winner To Land Contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and

Photo Spread in SELF Magazine

Hosted by Brooke Burke

Supermodel Roshumba Williams, Celebrity Stylist Robert Verdi and

Wilhelmina President Sean Patterson Serve as Judges

New York, NY, July 27, 2010 – TV Land revealed that Rachelle Love of Memphis, TN has been named one of ten finalists competing for a second chance at a lifelong dream on the new season of the network’s reality competition series “She’s Got The Look” premiering on Wednesday, August 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The TV Land PRIME original series is a collaboration with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and sets out to discover a beautiful, sophisticated and confident woman over the age of 35 who has the potential to transform herself into a model, representing some of the most high-profile brands and highly-coveted campaigns in the fashion and beauty industries. The winner of the series receives a contract with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and a photo spread in SELF Magazine. Brooke Burke (“Dancing With The Stars, “Wild On”) joins the third season as host and is joined by new judge supermodel Roshumba Williams and returning judges, celebrity stylist Robert Verdi and Wilhelmina president Sean Patterson. Emmy® Award-Winner Allison Grodner (“Big Brother,” “Blowout”) returns as executive producer and has joined forces with executive producer Rich Meehan (“Big Brother”) under their new banner, Fly On The Wall Entertainment. Rachel Tung is also executive producer.

(more…)

July 19, 2010

The Top 10 Things VexarDave REALLY Wants To Say

Filed under: David Thorn, OpEd — VexarDave @ 10:35 am

 

The Top 10 Things VexarDave REALLY Wants To Say

 

In every day life, we unfortunately have to deal with ignorant, rude, and selfish people. To avoid confrontation, we just keep our mouths shut, force a smile on our face, and keep moving.  But, there are those times that I fantasize about saying what I really think. And the older I get, the easier it’s going to be for me to say those things. Then you’ll probably hear about me getting beaten or shot for running my mouth. But for now, while I still have SOME restraint, I’ll just say them here. (more…)

July 13, 2010

Mad Mel, The Phone Warrior, Beyond Blunderdome!

Filed under: David Thorn, OpEd — VexarDave @ 10:14 am

 

Mad Mel, The Phone Warrior, Beyond Blunderdome
David Thorn

 

*sigh* Mel, Mel, Mel…

Mel Gibson is the subject of scandal yet again. In his defense, Gibson has had a huge target painted on his back by the media ever since he defied studios and used his own money to create “The Passion of The Christ,” one of the most powerful and top grossing movies of all times. The media loves nothing more than to catch the fall of people who promote Christianity. Especially as successfully as Gibson did. The media couldn’t face that “Riggs made a Jesus movie.” But unfortunately, Gibson keeps handing out free ammunition.

(more…)

June 23, 2010

“Memphis Beat” – A Memphis Treat?

Filed under: David Thorn, OpEd, Television — VexarDave @ 10:28 am

 

“Memphis Beat” – A Memphis Treat?

David Thorn

 

The only word I could come up with to describe how I feel about TNT’s new show Memphis Beat is…quaint.

Memphis Beat starring Jason Lee (My Name Is Earl) is about Dwight Hendricks, a police detective in Memphis who moonlights as a singer who specializes in Elvis Presley covers (Not as an impersonator as previously reported.). Hendricks bases his ideals on those of his idol Elvis Presley, and is the Southern Gentleman who takes care of his mother and the self-proclaimed guardian of the sacred ground of Memphis. Yet he’s the rogue cop who doesn’t obey orders or do things by the book. It’s a fine line to walk to make that combination believable which Lee doesn’t quite pull off. (more…)

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