Latest news with #Johnnie
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Taye Diggs on getting his groove back in ‘Forever': ‘This role was very therapeutic for me'
"She put me on the map." So says Taye Diggs of Terry McMillan, the writer-producer who catapulted him to stardom in 1998 with How Stella Got Her Groove Back. More from GoldDerby 'The Studio' leads 2025 Astra TV Awards nominations with 14, followed by 'Severance' and 'The Last of Us' with 13 each 'House of the Dragon' Emmy submissions for Season 2 revealed: Emma D'Arcy to campaign in lead, Matt Smith in supporting Reality TV roundtable panel: 'American Idol,' 'Queer Eye,' 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' 'The Traitors' Reflecting on that period of his life, the 54-year-old actor remembers fully expecting to become a star. "I don't know who I thought I was," he recalls with a laugh (watch our full video interview above). "I remember graduating from college and saying, 'I'm going straight to the top.' When I got Rent (on Broadway) I was like, 'OK, when is the next movie coming?' I don't know where I got that confidence from because I don't have it anymore." Looking to get his own groove back, Diggs reunited with his old friend in Lifetime's Terry McMillan Presents: Forever. Diggs served as an executive producer with McMillan and star, playing Johnnie, a military veteran who falls head over heels for a local policewoman named Carlie (Meagan Good). Home for the first time in years, Johnnie must learn to let go of old grudges to find the true meaning of love and family — while earning the approval of Carlie's three daughters. While playing the complex character, Diggs was able to pull from his own life experiences like never before. "After having been tossed around a bit, married, divorced, in great relationships, and in some pretty horrible ones, I was able to use all of that in this piece. I didn't know that I had some of that pain within me. This role ended up being very therapeutic for me." Diggs calls this film "one of the most emotional and tumultuous stories" he's been a part of. Johnnie grapples with Carlie's illness, recovery, and shocking death during a convenience store robbery. "I like to have fun," he says. "I enjoyed doing this film, but I'm not a sadist or a masochist. I don't like to inflict pain and I don't like to feel it. As freeing as it was, I did not enjoy the emotional scenes because I was able to draw on my own emotional experiences. Whenever you have to bring up stuff that isn't pleasant, it's never fun, but it was useful. I'm grateful for that. I was able to pull from my life experience." The actor was also grateful to portray a positive character with high moral standards on the screen. "Playing African-American characters, very rarely do you see men and fathers portrayed in such a glowing manner. That was wonderful. It was also a character to whom I aspire." As a single man, Diggs says his onscreen partnership with Meagan Good brought out all kinds of emotions in him. "She was so amazing, and the script was so great, that it actually made me miss having a girlfriend," he says. "I attribute that to her and the writing. You forget some of the positive aspects of being in a relationship. The relationship in this film was so healthy. It reminded me that there are some good elements to relationships as well." Speaking more about the script, Diggs can only laugh when thinking about the devastating roller-coaster ride viewers experienced watching the movie. "I'm not attracted to roles like that. That's why I had to do it," he says. "I'm not going to do it again! But I needed to do this because people needed to go on this ride. I knew there would be work in this that hadn't been touched on before — and I'm getting older — there's not much that I haven't done. I jumped at the opportunity to be in something that showed more vulnerability." Now a 2025 Emmys contender for Forever, Diggs had to be reminded that he already has a Critics Choice Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Chicago, as well as two NAACP Image Awards for Kevin Hill and Private Practice. "I gotta remind myself, shoot!" he jokes before thinking back on the first award he ever won. "Basketball — what is that called? He gave his all (team spirit)! I got that on the seventh-grade B team." Next up, Diggs is heading back to Broadway to join Wayne Brady in Moulin Rouge! Diggs will play the Duke of Monroth from July 22 to Sept. 28 at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre. "I'm very excited for that," he shares before admitting he still gets nervous. "Right before I step on stage the thought of 'Why did I decide to do this?' will be in my head. Once I get out there I'm cool, but right before, oh my lord. That doesn't go away." SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby 'It keeps me on my toes': 'St. Denis Medical' star Allison Tolman on walking a fine line between zany and 'incredibly heartfelt' Reality TV roundtable panel: 'American Idol,' 'Queer Eye,' 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,' 'The Traitors' 'The Traitors' producer Sam Rees-Jones on the 'messiest group' ever and why the turret was pure 'chaos' Click here to read the full article.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Scots singer sneakily put her CD through top DJ's letterbox in a bid to become a star
'I remember getting hold of his address and going to deliver a CD to his letterbox at like midnight at his home in central London where he lived at the time' PUNK SHOCKER Scots singer sneakily put her CD through top DJ's letterbox in a bid to become a star SINGER Sandi Thom has revealed how her incredible ride to the top of the charts all started 20 years ago when she took a clandestine drive to the home of broadcasting legend Johnnie Walker. The musician from Banff, Aberdeenshire, had just independently pressed her first single I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers in my Hair) when she made the cheeky decision to pop a copy through Johnnie's letterbox. 6 Sandi Thom as she is now and the single that started it all. 6 Sir Sean Connery was a fan of the Scots singer. 6 Sandi graduated from Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool music school and went on to play the same stage as Queen's Brian May. 6 The Scot landed her big break after popping her indy single through the letterbox of DJ Johnnie Walker. The next day the late DJ played her track for the first time to his millions of listeners on his Radio 2 Drivetime show - which eventually led to it topping charts in the UK and around the world. Sandi - who is on the comeback trail - says: 'Johnnie was the first person to play that song on air. 'I remember getting hold of his address and going to deliver a CD to his letterbox at like midnight at his home in central London where he lived at the time. 'You had to physically deliver CDs at the time because in 2005 you couldn't just send them as an audio file. 'I put the CD through his letterbox and drove home and the next morning he listened to it, loved it, then played it on his show. That was the start of everything for me.' That breakthrough hit took Sandi on an incredible journey that saw her support George Michael and play on the same stage as Queen's Brian May. While she also performed in front of Sir Sean Connery and future President Donald Trump at a star-studded bash in New York. She even duetted with the late SNP chief Alex Salmond in Aberdeenshire. But Sandi maintains that she was no 'overnight success' and it had actually taken her 10 years of 'hard graft' to achieve her dream. Sandie, 43, explains: 'I have been performing since I was 14, so that's nearly 30 years ago. Paul McCartney wows the crowds in Manchester with stonking three-hour set - and Beatle John Lennon makes an appearance too 'I'd play in local pubs in the northeast of Scotland - that's where I cut my teeth performing. 'I had already been performing for about 10 years when I popped that CD through Johnnie's letterbox.' Sandi trained at Sir Paul McCartney's prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts where the former Beatle personally gave her tips on launching her career. But the canny Scot also seized the opportunities presented by the new world of streaming, when she began broadcasting 'concerts' from her flat in Tooting, London on the now defunct platform MySpace. She recalls: 'I was part of that initial digital revolution as nobody had ever heard of streaming anything live at the time.' The success of those shows led to her landing a major recording deal with music giants RCA who then formerly released I Wish I Was A Punk Rocker (With Flowers in my Hair) which went to No1 in the UK, Ireland and Australia in May 2006. She followed that up with her chart topping debut album Smile…It Confuses People and soon found herself living the rock star life she had always dreamed of. Sandi says: 'I always knew since I was little that this was what I wanted to do. 'I made so many amazing records with people all over the world including in Nashville, Los Angles, New York and London. 'I lived in Malibu and stood on the same stage as George Michael as I was his support act and opened up for him in stadiums all across Scandinavia playing to 80,000 people a night. It was amazing. 'I also shared a stage with Brian May at the Royal Albert Hall. I've done some really fantastic things.' In 2007 Sandi took to the catwalk at the Dressed To Kilt fashion show as part of the Tartan Week Celebrations in New York. 6 Sandi even performed a bizarre duet with then First Minister Alex Salmond. She says: 'I was invited there by Vivienne Westwood to model a tartan outfit because she was renowned for that punk look that a lot of it incorporated tartan and I obviously sang about being a punk rocker. 'There were many people there and one of them was Donald Trump and also Sean Connery. 'I never have ever had a conversation with Trump, but I did have many conversations with Sean Connery. 'Not only just at that event, but also I once performed at the Library of Congress in Washington for Scottish delegates. 'Sean had such a great presence, as he's got such stature, height and everything, and his wife (Micheline Roquebrune) was like the cutest little thing ever.' In 2009 she performed an unusual duet with then First Minister Alex Salmond - who passed away suddenly last year aged 69 - when they sang Caledonia on stage in her hometown of Banff. Sandi, who was raised by helicopter pilot dad Sandy and marketing manager mum Josie, says: 'That was such a great informal evening. 'I performed duets with many people that night including my dad. But it's a great memory.' SANDI'S KID IS EVER PRESENT AT MUM'S GIGS SANDI has lived in such diverse places as Wales, Malibu and the Middle East since finding fame 20 years ago - but reveals she moved home to Scotland's northeast again. The singer who was born in Banff and raised in MacDuff, Aberdeenshire, has returned to her roots to raise her nine year old son Logan. And now that she's found contentment back in the family fold with her folks Sandy and Josie, she is ready to unleash a new musical direction for her fans. Sandi: 'I live really close to my mum and my dad lives a little bit further north. 'We're all very close and it's great for me because obviously I'm a singer, but I also have a nine year old son and dogs. So I need the support network. 'But Logan comes with me to many of my shows. He has been to loads of my gigs. 'He's the kid that'll sit on the drum riser at the back of the stage in front of a crowd of 15,000 people being as cool as a cucumber.' She adds: 'But I was in the studio yesterday and what I will say is that my next album is going to challenge me - in the respect that I might sing in a different language. 'So that's going to challenge me as a singer more than anything else.' However Sandi's pop star bubble burst in 2015 when she blasted Radio 2 - who had launched her career - for failing to play her new single Earthquake. The singer posted a Facebook video, ranting: 'Honest to God I'm f***ing sick to death of the bulls**t. Enough I'm done. F**k you Radio 2.' Sandi later blamed the outburst on being pregnant with her first and only child Logan, but she did turn her back on the music industry and move to Bahrain where she set up a sanctuary for stray dogs. But now she's back , relaunching herself on the music scene this time without the help of her radio pal Johnnie, who died on Hogmanay last year aged 79. She says: 'The music industry has held so many greats, not just artists, but also people like Johnny who are broadcasting legends. 'I think it was such a compliment that Johnnie gave me his blessing even if he did only get to hear about me from a CD through his letterbox.' *Sandi will play Banff Castle Rocks festival on August 30. For more info visit:
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I asked hotel to help me surprise my crisp-loving wife – but confused staff's efforts were HYSTERICAL
Read on to find out if the couple really do have 'some sort of prawn-cocktail crisp fetish' GOLDEN BLUNDER I asked hotel to help me surprise my crisp-loving wife – but confused staff's efforts were HYSTERICAL Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TALK about crisp sheets . . . a stunned couple returned to their hotel room to find their bed covered in the spud snacks. Johnnie Norman asked staff to lay out 30 whole bags of assorted flavours to surprise his crisp-loving wife Rachel, while they enjoyed a night out for her birthday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Johnnie's plan to surprise his crisp-loving wife Rachel, while they enjoyed a night out for her birthday, did not work out as planned Credit: SWNS 3 NHS worker Rachel has recently cut down to one bag every two days in a bid to be healthier Credit: SWNS They got back to find the bags had all been opened and crunchy treats scattered like confetti over the sheets. Stunned Rachel thought they were victims of a strange break-in — but could not resist tucking into a few crisps. And the pair were left in stitches when mortified Johnnie explained what must have happened. Rachel, 36, from Accrington, Lancs, said: 'I was hysterical. 'His face was a picture. Since that day, though, he's never tried any more romantic antics.' Warehouse operative Johnnie, 35, added: 'Looking back, it really is funny — like we both had some sort of prawn-cocktail crisp fetish. 'I can laugh about it now but it was such an epic romantic fail!' The couple had booked the Grand Hotel in Blackpool and went to the Beauty and the Beast pantomime then for dinner and drinks while confused staff concocted their crisp calamity. Luckily, the hotel fixed the error, changed the sheets and gave the couple a voucher for another night's stay. Rachel said: 'It was obviously memorable for the staff too because when we went back for our free night a few months later they recognised us. Johnnie was so horrified! Walkers confirm they've discontinued fan favourite flavour 'This has lost me any chance of any romantic surprises now because he's so scared of things going wrong.' NHS worker Rachel scoffed four bags of crisps a day at the height of her habit, spending £15 a week. She has recently cut down to one every two days in a bid to be healthier. The Grand Hotel in Blackpool has been contacted for comment. 3 Johnnie Norman asked staff to lay out 30 whole bags of assorted flavours to surprise Rachel - who scoffed four bags of crisps a day at the height of her habit Credit: SWNS
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I asked hotel to help me surprise my crisp-loving wife – but confused staff's efforts were HYSTERICAL
TALK about crisp sheets . . . a stunned couple returned to their hotel room to find their bed covered in the spud snacks. Johnnie Norman asked staff to lay out 30 whole bags of assorted flavours to surprise his crisp-loving wife Rachel, while they enjoyed a night out for her birthday. 3 Johnnie's plan to surprise his crisp-loving wife Rachel, while they enjoyed a night out for her birthday, did not work out as planned Credit: SWNS 3 NHS worker Rachel has recently cut down to one bag every two days in a bid to be healthier Credit: SWNS They got back to find the bags had all been opened and crunchy treats scattered like confetti over the sheets. Stunned Rachel thought they were victims of a strange break-in — but could not resist tucking into a few crisps. And the pair were left in stitches when mortified Johnnie explained what must have happened. Rachel, 36, from Accrington, Lancs, said: 'I was hysterical. READ MORE UK NEWS 'His face was a picture. Since that day, though, he's never tried any more romantic antics.' Warehouse operative Johnnie, 35, added: 'Looking back, it really is funny — like we both had some sort of prawn-cocktail crisp fetish. 'I can laugh about it now but it was such an epic romantic fail !' The couple had booked the Grand Hotel in Blackpool and went to the Beauty and the Beast pantomime then for dinner and drinks while confused staff concocted their crisp calamity. Most read in The Sun Luckily, the hotel fixed the error, changed the sheets and gave the couple a voucher for another night's stay. Rachel said: 'It was obviously memorable for the staff too because when we went back for our free night a few months later they recognised us. Johnnie was so horrified! Walkers confirm they've discontinued fan favourite flavour 'This has lost me any chance of any romantic surprises now because he's so scared of things going wrong.' NHS worker Rachel scoffed four bags of crisps a day at the height of her habit, spending £15 a week. She has recently cut down to one every two days in a bid to be healthier. The Grand Hotel in Blackpool has been contacted for comment. 3 Johnnie Norman asked staff to lay out 30 whole bags of assorted flavours to surprise Rachel - who scoffed four bags of crisps a day at the height of her habit Credit: SWNS Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Five odd stories you missed this week as husband's romantic gesture goes crispy
A man whose romantic getaway gesture for his wife turned a bit salty is one of our five feelgood Friday local news stories. Lancashire Live reported that Rachel Norman's husband Johnnie wanted to celebrate her birthday in style but hotel staff in Blackpool mistakenly ended up covering their bed with crisps, although thankfully they saw the funny side. Elsewhere, a couple have bought a "village" in France for just £67,000 and a family in Cornwall found their hen has laid a one in a billion round egg. You can read the full version of each of our selected articles through the links under each story – or read more top headlines from around the UK's regions on the Yahoo UK local news page. A husband tried to surprise his wife with a romantic gesture only to discover their hotel bed covered in crisps - after a miscommunication with staff. Rachel Norman, 36, and her husband Johnnie, 35, went out in Blackpool to celebrate her birthday and he secretly asked hotel staff to put 30 assorted bags of crisps on the bed while they were out to surprise his crisp-loving wife. But staff misunderstood, opened the bags, and sprinkled the crisps on the sheets like salty confetti. Read the full story from Lancashire Live A British couple quit the rat race and bought a French 'village' for just €80,000 (£67,000) - so they can retire and have a "peaceful life". Ben Pearson, 39, and his husband, Nathan, 31, had always dreamed of moving to France and stumbled across the abandoned farmhouse in Sainte Segros. Read the full story from Wales Online A Cornwall family have been stunned after one of their hens laid a completely round egg. The extremely rare egg is thought to be a one-in-a-billion lay. Josh Elkington said the egg was laid by one of his brown Brahma chickens called Julie. Josh runs a small holding near Bugle, near St Austell. He said: "It was so unexpected and we laughed for hours over how small this egg was." Read the full story from Cornwall Live A patch of sand on a North Wales beach is up for sale with a six figure price tag. The small piece of land is on Abersoch's Porth Mawr beach and offers are invited for over £100,000, the price of a flat or even a small house in parts of North Wales. It is nestled between beach huts and the location had previously housed a wooden shack too. But this was damaged in storms and pulled down by the owner. Read the full story from North Wales News Shoppers can soon expect to see a 'Tardis-style' police box in Watford High Street as part of an 18-month trial. A planning application for the temporary structure which was submitted to Watford Borough Council in March gained approval yesterday (13 May). The Herts Police project will be installed between Metro Bank and the entrance to atria Watford on the corner of Queen's Road. Read the full story from the Watford Observer
