We all dream of success one day; and often times once we achieve or obtain that success, very seldom do we ask how we can give it back. Actor and model Jarret Janako is the blue print of success and giving back to his community of Philadelphia. By surrounding himself with entertainers who are like-minded, Janako is quickly and steadily rising to the top of the acting and philanthropist stage. Continue reading
Prevailing through his past and using it to secure his future, Collins Pennie is pressing his way through the different entries of entertainment.
At a young age growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Pennie decided that he wanted more for himself than what his neighborhood could offer. After turning 15, he set out on his own to make that mission a reality. Since that moment Pennie hasn’t looked back but prevailed forward. He has starred in several movies, including mega box office hits such as “In Time”, “Prom Night”, “Stomp The Yard 2:Homecoming”, “Half Nelson”, and the remake of “Fame”. He’s also starred on television shows such as “Hawthorne” and guest starred on shows such as “Law & Order” and ”CSI: Miami”. He also starred in the Broadway musical “RENT” at the Hollywood Bowl in L.A.
Pennie took the time out to talk with And We Present about putting God and his faith first, focusing on his craft, and what’s in store for him.
Even though Pennie considers himself an actor, he has done modeling and performed for Beyoncé in two of her music videos. He explains, “I did a commercial audition and some of the people who work for her saw the tape. I was already acting and they decided to bring me in to audition for a part in her video and they casted me in her Get Me Bodied video.” After performing in that video, Pennie had a second opportunity about four years down the line for another one of Beyoncé’s videos. She [Beyonce] saw my work in “Fame” and she saw all the things I had done since the [Get Me Bodied] video, so her team asked me to come be the lead guy in the Run the World [Girls] video; I said yes and I had a blast working with her,” Pennie says of the experience.
Pennie contributes his road to success to his belief in God and his faithfulness. “God will honor your commitment if it’s about being the best artist that you can be,” says Pennie. “You have to have faith; trust and know what you want. If it’s to be the best artist that you can be, then focus on that and everything else will follow. It is very, very tough though. People can lose themselves by comparing themselves to others, but when you have a clear understanding that God has something else in store for you, you’re fine. God will not give you anything that you’re not ready for. Just continue to work hard and when it’s time, it’s time.”
Speaking of himself, Pennie wants to take his career to new heights, by honing in and focusing on improving and perfecting his acting, while continuing to take courses in dancing and singing. Although acting takes up the majority of his time, he does like to sing also. He informed And We Present that later on down the road he would love to work on singing because that is something that he still likes to do; but with his busy schedule he wants to make sure he has the time and dedication to tackle a singing career.
Right now, Pennie says, “I’m living; focusing on my craft and being happy.” When asked what type of legacy he wants to leave behind he says, “I want to be a legend…Changing the world and changing lives.”
Ashley Everett has put motion to a rhythm since the age of three, which is when she took her first dance class. Since then, she has graced the stage with Beyoncé, Tina Turner, Ne-Yo, Usher, Jennifer Lopez and many more; using her creative dance style to WOW audiences worldwide when she hits the stage. She’s performed in countless countries for countless shows, including the MTV Awards, World Music Awards, and even The Grammy Awards. She even danced on the farewell episode of Oprah, which was a dream come true for her.
At the age of 16, Everett took her love for dance to New York, where like many great and legendary dancers, she trained with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. At the age of 17, while completing the program as a senior in high school, she was approached by Beyonce’s choreographer. “I auditioned like everyone else; I was senior in high school. They asked me to do videos which eventually lead to me doing the tour. But, when they asked me to do the video’s they asked, ‘How old are you?’ and I told them 18. My birthday was in April and this was all happening around January but they wanted me to go on tour…I turned 18 right after we went on tour so that happened perfectly.”
After graduation, she planned on attending Julliard to further her dance studies, but the tour that she was on with Beyoncé got extended. Choosing between dancing for Beyoncé and attending Julliard, where she dreamed of going all her life, would be one of the toughest decisions of her life. In the end, however, she chose to continue dancing for Beyoncé and has since been in the forefronts of the megastar’s dance team.
Although Everett has worked with a vast amount of celebrities, many do not know that she is going on her sixth year working with Beyonce’ which she described as a “phenomenal experience” that she is blessed to have done. She explains, “Working with her [Beyoncé] has opened doors to work with so many other people. She [Beyoncé] recently did her first performance, “Revel”, since having her and husband Sean “Jay-Z” Carter’s baby, Blue Ivy. “It was one of the best concerts that she [Beyoncé] has ever put on in the least amount of time. We put that show together in about two weeks and it was crazy, it was a phenomenal concert,” says Everett.
Next up for Everett is a campaign for Venus razors, in which Everett is excited for. “It’s Ashley Everett being the face and representing for women. They wanted a well-known dancer who has worked with a lot of people and I don’t see myself like that so it makes me feel special,” says Everett. The campaign is expected to launch at the end of the summer.
As for those who aspire to be dancers, Everett offers up this advice, “I can dance with Beyoncé in heels but I can also do hip-hop too. The key is being versatile and taking classes.” You can keep up with Ashley Everett by following her on Facebook and twitter @AshleyCMEverett.
Singer, Songwriter, and actress, Moya Angela, who is currently in the Tony Award nominated Broadway musical, Ghost, gave us a look inside the busy life of an actress. Although she is living out her dreams on Broadway, she tells And We Present that it is harder than it looks. Continue reading
The Andwepresent team had the awesome opportunity to interview the cast of Hairspray playing at Drury Lane in Oakbrook, Illinois. The cast spoke to us about how they landed their roles, what it’s like to perform in live theater, as well as their advice for people aspiring to act. You can watch the video below: Continue reading
Multi-talented entertainer Marques Houston has a new film showing in theaters now called, “Battlefield America”. Andwepresent snagged an exclusive interview with Houston where we talked about everything from “Battlefield America” which is produced by Chris Stokes, to new projects and music. Continue reading
