Interviews |

"It's really about modeling what I needed to see when I was younger, which was someone whose body looks like mine."

A Conversation with Shrill’s Lindy West

March 15, 2019 Cortland Jacoby Interviews, Television

As a fat woman, you could say that I have been hungry for positive fat portrayals of women in media. Since movies and TV rarely showed any normal depictions of fat women, I often went to books to read what I couldn’t see. That’s where I first came across writer and activist Lindy West.

In 2016 Shrill, West’s comedic memoir on fat shaming and coming of age as a woman in a world that wasn’t made for you, was published to critical acclaim. Now, a TV show based on her life and the fat and female experiences, also called Shrill, is coming to Hulu Friday, starring SNL’s Aidy Bryant and produced by Elizabeth Banks and Lorne Michaels. A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to chat with Lindy by phone and talk about adapting her memoir, representation, fat people on TV and how comedy has grown in the last five years to include more diverse voices. Here’s our conversation:

Dean catches up with Ana Galeli with her new single "All Because of You"

Ana Galeli Drops New Single “All Because of You” Today

March 1, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Music

On this musical edition of INTERVUE, I recently sat down with artist Ana Galeli to not only catch since our last interview in 2018 (Click here to read the first interview about her single “In the Moment”) but to talk about her latest dropping TODAY. “All Because of You” is a new love song with a twist that followers, old and new, will enjoy!

Our Exclusive Interview with Actor/Playwright Wallace Shawn

The Farpoint 29 Interview: Wallace Shawn

February 7, 2019 Lauren Beverly Arts & Entertainment, Interviews

Wallace Shawn is known to his fans for many of his works. Some of us grew up watching the classic film “The Princess Bride,” and some sit down in the evenings to turn on “Young Sheldon” to see Shawn as Dr. John Sturgis or watch the “Toy Story” films with our families to see his character, Rex the toy dinosaur interact with Woody and the gang. He’s not only known as an actor, but he also worked as a playwright as well, having composed works such as “Aunt Dan and Lemon,” “Evening at the Talk House” and “Our Late Night.” I recently spoke with Wallace and I had a few questions about his work as a playwright, his voice work and even about his time on “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.”

Celebrity Journalist and TRR's own Kyra Davenport talks about why we need more Black writers and coping with sexual assault in our Inaugural edition of UP CLOSE

Up Close with Kyra Davenport

January 30, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews

For years, the staff at TRR has interviewed hundreds of personalities. From A-list celebrities to upcoming local talent. We have given you access to the stars. Now, the tables are turned with our new segment called “Up Close”. Every month, we are going to feature a different member of the team to get their story – up close & personal. It’s a way to put the faces to the names who have delivered the news, reviews and interviews to TRR for the past ten years.

There are some women who have a drive and ambition that seems unparalleled, Kyra Davenport is the kind of woman that keeps going and going until the job is done and done well. An Army veteran of 12 years, a two-time HBCU graduate, shout out to her Alma Maters Tuskegee and Howard, it’s a pleasure to have her on staff amongst her busy San Francisco schedule. When she’s not busy on a full time Communications/Journalism contract, she spends her time bringing yoga to the Oakland community and regularly interviewing celebrities.

Exclusive interview with Perfect Strangers director Manolo Caro

Manolo Caro Brings Perfect Strangers to Latin America

January 10, 2019 Arely Perez Interviews, Movies

On this edition of INTERVUE, Arely talks to Manolo Caro, director of the new film Perfectos Desconocidos or Perfect Strangers, a new adaptation of a 2016 Italian film. The electrifying story about a seemingly simple dinner. When a group of best friends get together during a lunar eclipse to share an intimate dinner in the tasteful house of Eva (Cecilia Suarez) and Antonio (Bruno Bichir), they suspect it’s just another typical night until the hostess proposes a game. All guests must lay their cell phones on the table and read aloud all incoming messages and answer all incoming phone calls in front of the entire group. What begins as a provocative party game quickly becomes a wild ride full of twists and “textual tension” in this electrifying over the top comedy about the secrets we all carry in our pockets.

Exclusive Interview with "Worst Cooks in America" Contestant Antoinette Wills

Antoinette Wills Takes on the Challenge of Worst Cooks in America

January 10, 2019 Lauren Beverly Interviews, Television

(Contestant Antoinette Wills, as seen on Worst Cooks In America, Season 15. Courtesy of Food Network)

January 6^th saw the release of season 15 of “Worst Cooks in America” on The Food Network. This season, Washington, D.C. native Antoinette Wills appears as a contestant. I spoke with Antoinette recently, and we had a chance to talk about her appearance on the show and what motivated her to sign up for the show.

Middleburg Film Festival Exclusive with Capernaum's director Nadine Labaki

Nadine Labaki’s Capernaum – A World Away

January 10, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Movies

For our FINAL interview from the Middleburg Film Festival last fall, I sat down with the writer/director Nadine Labaki to talk about her latest film. Capernaum! Inside a court, Zain, a 12-year-old Syrian refugee boy, is brought before the judge. To the question: “Why are you attacking your parents in court?”, Zain answers: “For giving me life!” The film retraces the incredible journey of this child in search of his identity and who rebels against the life that was imposed on him. Here’s the inside scoop of our interview, enjoy!

Exclusive Interview with Kids Baking Championship contestant Misha Jones

Misha Jones Bakes His Way to the Kids Baking Championship

January 3, 2019 Dean Rogers Interviews, Television

On the very first 2019 edition of INTERVUE, Annapolis native Misha Jones is one of a dozen kids to take part in the Sixth season of Kids Baking Championship this Monday, January 7th on The Food Network. Up for grabs is a feature in the Food Network Magazine, a grand prize of $25,000 and a year’s worth of bragging rights. For Misha, its an unique experience he’ll never forget!

TRR Exclusive interview with If Beale Street Could Talk Screenwriter/Director Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins Takes Us to Beale Street This Christmas

December 24, 2018 Dean Rogers Interviews, Movies

In our second part of If Beale Street Could Talk interviews, I was part of a roundtable with Screenwriter/Director Barry Jenkins.

TRR Exclusive interview: If Beale Street Could Talk actress Kiki Layne

Kiki Layne: The Ingénue of Beale Street

December 24, 2018 Dean Rogers Interviews, Movies

In this Christmas edition of INTERVUE, I interviewed actress Kiki Layne about her new film “If Beale Street Could Talk”. In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. I sat down with Kiki during a roundtable to talk about her big-screen debut!

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