Remembering Michael- JC Chasez
www.time.com
6.29.09
JC Chasez performed with Michael Jackson three times as a member of 'N Sync.
You were always used to seeing Michael Jackson onstage and performing; it was a very different experience to be sitting on a couch, having a relaxed conversation [with him]. The guy was incredibly nice, gracious, wanted to make sure everyone had everything they wanted or needed. A wonderful host. People didn't necessarily look at him as a person; they looked at him as an action figure. We talked about music, because that was our common ground, but he was more interested about how we felt about what we were going through. Being popular and carrying a heavy workload — you get to the point where you're doing shows five and six days a week with travel and press between that. It's a lot, and nobody knew that better than him, because he had been doing it since he was 6 years old. (Watch TIME's video "Vigil At Michael Jackson's Hollywood Star.")
It's always chaos outside, but backstage, he was so gracious. He was happy that we were there and able to perform with him. [Backstage, 'N Sync could hear Jackson doing vocal drills in the dressing room next door.] They sounded ridiculous. They were like, "Gee gee gee gee gee gee." To hear that but with Michael Jackson's tone on, that quick vibrato at the end of every note, that was so crazy. It was great for me, as an artist, to see that. He was doing vocal drills for an hour before he went out. [His voice was] not something that magically appeared out of him; the guy worked hard for it. Forty years old, and the guy is warming up for an hour before every show. He wanted to give that audience the best he had. There are plenty of people who just go out and sing and let the first two songs warm them up. But he cared. He cared about every note that came out of his mouth when he was onstage. That's saying something.
Comments (0) 07.07.2009. 18:15
JC Chasez Recalls 'Shooting The Breeze' With Michael Jackson
www.mtv.com
6.30.09
Few people are lucky enough to have known Michael Jackson on a personal level. Former 'NSYNC member JC Chasez not only had the opportunity to perform with Jackson on several occasions, including at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards, but was able to hang out with the superstar offstage as well.
"I think one of the best moments of working with Michael is how kind he was," Chasez recalled. "He was so gracious. He always took time out to let you know he was thankful you were there. [He] wanted to make you feel good about what you were doing up there with him." (Chasez's former 'NSYNC-mate Justin Timberlake recently shared some MJ memories with MTV U.K.)
Chasez also fondly recalls the moments when they weren't performing and when Jackson was just "eating a sandwich, talking about his day. "It was a great experience, hanging backstage, shooting the breeze," he said. "That's what I enjoyed. It was great."
Long before he got to hang with Jackson, Chasez was just a fan who used Jackson's music as an inspiration for his own career. Buying Jackson's Thriller was his first foray into becoming a music fan; later, he performed Jackson's music on the road.
"One of the first tours that 'NSYNC did on the road in America, we actually did a Jackson 5 tribute," he said. "I don't think a lot of people remember that because it was so long ago. We suited up in '70s gear and broke into a couple Jackson 5 tunes. [It was] just one more thing we learned from them."
Comments (0) 07.07.2009. 17:58
Lance Bass, Judy Gold, Jewel, Carson Kressley, Sarah Paulson et al. Set for Trevor Project Gala
www.theatermania.com
6.18.09
Lance Bass, Mark Consuelos, Judy Gold, Carson Kressley, Meghan McCain, Soledad O'Brien, and Sarah Paulson will participate in the ninth annual Trevor New York Summer Gala, to be held at Capitale (130 Bowery Street) on June 29 beginning at 7:30 pm.
Multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Jewel will give a special performance, and the evening will also feature comedy and musical performances. The gala will honor Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and news network CNN.
Proceeds benefit The Trevor Project, a national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
For more information, visit www.thetrevorproject.org.
Comments (0) 06.22.2009. 19:18
Irie Weekend
www.miaminewtimes.com
6.22.09
There are certainly worse karmic fates than coming back as DJ Irie. Let’s see, official DJ for Jamie Foxx and the 2006 World Champion Miami Heat, weekly gigs at Mansion and the Delano, drive-time selector on 99 Jamz, and friends with basically every single celebrity in town. It’s no wonder his annual bash for charity, Irie Weekend, is so well attended by the in-crowd.
The three-day bash begins this Friday at 11 p.m., when Irie headlines a party at Mansion; continues Saturday with a 1 p.m. celebrity golf tournament at the Miami Beach Country Club (2301 Alton Rd., Miami Beach); and culminates Sunday with a noontime celebrity pool party at the Shore Club (1901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach). Registered guests include D-Wade, Shaq, Zo, Jonathan Vilma, Kevin Rudolf, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, Akin Ayodele, Nate Jones, Kerry Rhodes, Alfonso Ribeiro, and LFMAO. Proceeds from the golf tournament will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. Foursomes cost $1,750; single swingers pay $650.
Comments (0) 06.22.2009. 19:12
Justin Timberlake Hosts 901 Tequila Launch Party in NYC (FINALLY!)
www.halogenlife.com
6.14.09
Justin Timberlake’s 901 Tequila, which we’ve covered a couple of times, hosted a launch party June 13 in Manhattan’s sorta-swanky-ish Meatpacking District. 901 co-investor Musician/Actor Timberlake, along with 901 president Kevin Ruder (and who knows who else) were on hand to meet and greet the beautiful crowd who lined up at 9:01pm (get it?) to try the new silver tequila.
I will say there were three things I loved about the crowd:
I’m heartened by the trend in mid-thigh, straight-line skirts for the summer. Combine with the 3- to 4-inch heels (either stilleto or chunky), the outfits made the myriad of tanned and toned legs attending look great. I saw only one pair of booties (I do like those) and one pair of gladiators (thank god there weren’t more. Please let this trend die). New York being New York, most folks left JT alone to enjoy the evening and catch up with his real friends (I’m guessing).
Timberlake, in porkpie hat and thick black “Dexter” glasses oversaw the crowd from a raised section of the bar while Ruder worked the crowd. Accompanied by a half-dozen friends and two very large body guards, JT wasn’t so much on display as in the background. Meanwhile a veiled VIP section drew little interest from the crowd as well. During a launch party, don’t you want your VIPs on display?
As far as Timberlake was concerned, he wasn’t big on committing, but did let me know he wanted this product to be huge. I asked him how he liked his own tequila, which garnered a big “duh.” Which of the evening’s featured cocktails was his favorite? “Well, it depends…” I asked him if he’d tried all three cocktails, which got the most enthusiastic response, “Oh yeah! That’s one of the best things about owning your own tequila—you get to try all the cocktails people are mixing up.” Asked him where he saw 901 competing on the tequila spectrum—Corzo, Patron, Partida, Don Julio? JT just nodded and said, “Yup, we’re definitely going up against all the bad boys.” Ruder was more committal—for him, Partida is the luxury tequila that has set the bar to beat. I appreciate the former Anheuser-Busch exec’s lofty ambitions.
Did mister Dick-in-the-Box know much about the tequila process before investing in 901 (he toured Jalisco with Ruder a couple of times prior to the launch)? “Well, I drank a lot of it,” he joked. The company confirms he won’t be a public face/spokesperson for the tequila, but merely an investor. That said, I’m sure you’ll see lots of photo ops with Timberlake at 901 parties. Just the way things work.
901 itself appears to be positioning itself as both a party drink and a smooth sippin’ tequila. The ad campaign "It’s Always Reserved…It’s Always 901…It’s Always (you get the picture) emphasizes the gold-lame-and-viscose atmosphere of trendy Vegas nightclubs, while the press materials stresses the distillation process and drinking 901 neat.
I reviewed 901 last month elsewhere, and didn’t give it the best of reviews. I’d love to say that meeting Ruder (who was exceedingly gracious) and Timberlake (who was a bit guarded) changed my mind, but it didn’t really. Like much of the product out of Tequilera Newton (the Jalisco distillery 901 works with), the blanco tequila is a bit harsh at both the approach and finish, like the shots we used to take in college. A blind tasting of tequilas I did the next day at New York’s Bar Show helped confirm this. My notes for 901 (which I didn’t know was participating) say it has a “bold, earthy nose. On the mouth, it’s a little harsher, with slight pepper tones. Not as complex, though more lemon notes and some mild aromatics.”
Yes, it’s made of 100% Blue Weber agave (it has to be at least 51% by law), yes, it’s triple distilled (some aficionados argue anything more than the required two distillations is overkill and begins stripping tequila of its character). But there’s just something…unfinished about the product. To his credit, Ruder was gracious when I responded that drinking 901 neat wasn’t for me. Perhaps with time and tweaking, it will achieve the sippability JT and KR hope for.
In the meantime, the Dynamic Duo did ply us with three new cocktails: The Pepino (cucumber, citrus and Cointreau), the 901-and-Nectar (a sweet margarita riff with honey blossom syrup) and the Millington (another margarita riff with kumquat marmalade). While all three were a bit sweet for my taste, they were a hit with the younger, party-destined portion of the crowd (at least four ensembles I overheard were chatting up the Vegas nightlife, baby). Of the three, I found the 901-and-Nectar too cloying for my tastes. However, the Millington is a nice balance of sweet and sour, and I quite like the gin-inspired Pepino. It’s a refreshing summer drink that might even fare better without the agave nectar.
As I’ve written before, 901 should find a comfortable home among tequila cocktails and lime/salt shots. If you’re ready to experience a little of the 21st Century Nightlife, mix up the Pepino at home, pump the 80’s tunes and enjoy the summer:
The Pepino (from 901 Tequila)
- 1 1/2 oz 901 Silver Tequila
- 1 slice of English cucumber 1/4 inch thick
- 1/4 oz agave nectar
- 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz fresh pineapple juice / boiron pineapple puree
- 3 Italian basil leaves
- 1/2 oz Combier (Cointreau) Muddle the cucumber, then add the rest of the ingredients, ice, shake and pour into a tall glass. Garnish with a slice of cucumber and a sprig of basil
Comments (0) 06.15.2009. 11:37
Justin Timberlake 901 Tequila Launch Party a Success
www.examiner.com
6.15.09
901 Silver Tequila, a new tequila from musician/actor Justin Timberlake and beer-and-spirits guy Kevin Ruder officially launched in NYC this weekend, with a jumping launch party at the swanky Tenjune in the Meatpacking District. Manhattan's Beautiful People, the women dressed to the nines (oh-one) in shiny mid-thigh summer skirts and of-the-moment narrow high heels, waited outside the "secret" destination, in the evening drizzle until the party doors opened at 9:01 pm.
Inside the subterranean hang, 80s tunes ("Raspberry Beret," "Private Eyes") were pumping while attractive hostesses passed out three cocktails made with the new blanco tequila: The Millington, the Pepino and the sugary 901-and-Nectar. 901's "It's Always" ad campaign filled flatscreens in one end of the room, while a veiled VIP section at the other end drew little interest. The crowd waxed and waned through the evening, building towards capacity at about 11:00 pm all under the watchful eye of Timberlake, who stood, flanked by bodyguards, on a riser with a few friends. Timberlake's partner in crime, Kevin Ruder, circulated through the crowd, ever the energetic gentleman, ensuring everyone was enjoying themselves.
I chatted with JT for a bit, and asked him if he liked the cocktails that had been specially blended for his hooch. He laughed as he said, "Oh yeah! That's one of the best things about owning your own tequila--you get to try all the cocktails people are mixing up!"
While the party was deliberately light on camera-hogging celebs, a number of our own local hot chefs were on tap to share in the fun, including Bradford Thompson of the new Bar Artisanal, Gavin Kaysen of Cafe Boulud and Harold Dieterle of Perilla. Nils Noren and Dave Arnold, both from the French Culinary Institute were on hand chilling shots of 901 Silver to -20 degrees Celsius! (I haven't done the math, but I think that's around - 2 trillion degrees Fahrenheit).
All-in-all the party was a rousing success, and Ruder and Timberlake should be in a good position to explode 901 onto the very competitive tequila scene. If you missed the party, you can grab the tequila at La Esquina Taqueria, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Timberlake's own restaurant Southern Hospitality BBQ. You can also pick up a bottle for your home bar at Astor Wines & Spirits, Union Square Wines and Park Ave Liquor. And check out the slideshow below for some summer cocktail options crafted by 901's mixologists.
Justified!
Comments (0) 06.15.2009. 11:34
Sports greats play in charity baseball game
www.star-telegram.com
6.13.09
FRISCO — When the day started with Warren Sapp smack-talking Joey Fatone it was clear that baseball was simply the vehicle for some large people and larger personalities to gather.
Sapp, a former NFL defensive tackle, provided the pregame trash-talk for the Black Socks and made sure to point out, "Oooh, Joey Fat One is here," as soon as Fatone entered the conference area.
Sapp and Fatone were part of a group of celebrity personalities gathered at the Dr Pepper Ballpark to raise money for the Mike Modano Foundation and The Heroes Baseball Program.
Though an afterthought, Modano and the Matt Williams-managed Black Socks won 11-8.
Comments (0) 06.14.2009. 17:52
Alan Peppard: Modano, Lance Bass, Joey Fatone, Rich Behm
www.dallasnews.com
6.14.09
The celebrities in town for this weekend's Reebok Heroes Celebrity Baseball game were among the thousands of people who had to go to Plan B when wrath-of-God thunderstorms struck Dallas.
Part of the proceeds from the game go to the Mike Modano Foundation, so it was fitting that Mike's restaurant, Hully & Mo, host the annual boys' night out for the players where everyone eats, drinks and teases one other about how bad they all play baseball.
Alas, Hully & Mo's got zapped with an electricity outage.
Happily, Bill Esping volunteered The Place at Perry's, the steakhouse across the street from Hully & Mo's named for Bill's late father, Perry Esping.
The testosterone-laden bash went ahead with Mike joined by teammates Brenden Morrow and Marty Turco as well as former 'N Sync members Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, baseball major-leaguer Ben Grieve and Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson.
Comments (0) 06.14.2009. 17:45
A Show with Paris Hilton, Simon Rex, Jamie Presley & Lance Bass -- Yes Please
blogs.nypost.com
6.12.09
An online pilot called "Rex" was posted today, and Showtime better buy it or I'm gonna kidnap someones dog as ransom (Paris, I'm talkin' to you).
The show, created by Guy Shalem who created (and directed some episodes) of Lifetime's "Lovespring International," centers around Simon Rex and his search to get back in the limelight. The brilliance of the show lives within the co-stars of the cast, and get this, Paris Hilton (as his fake girlfriend) is the best actor of all. Most people would argue that she may just be playing herself, but her comedic timing and delivery makes me want to take back every sassy quip I ever said about her.
The cast list, including a gut-splitting Jamie Presley and Brian Huskey, sounds like some sort of underground Hollywood fight club. Also on board is "Alias'" Victor Garber and Jill Talley, playing Rex's brilliant parents, and the streets of Los Angeles, which make up the sets the stories come to life on. This show is just another reason why reality TV is NOT the only option.
I think the moment I knew this thing wasn't a gumball of bull crap was when Lance "Not Gay" Bass (I promise that will make sense when you watch) joined the bunch and I still wanted to watch. No offense, LB, but I was sure you would take me out of it and you didn't -- major props. When he and Simon share some strange Cyrano de Bergerac setup, I just about lost my Triscuits.
Give the full 23-minute pilot a watch after the jump, and then call Showtime and tell them to get on the ball!
Comments (0) 06.13.2009. 18:21
Justin Timberlake seen golfing with Michael Jordan
www.examiner.com
6.12.09
Justin Timberlake was seen yesterday at the Bethpage Black Golf Course in Bethpage, New York. His unlikely partner was none other than the NBA’s own Michael Jordan. The two were seen laughing and truly enjoying a game of their favorite pastime. Although the final scores were not disclosed, the two seemed to be enjoying each other’s company throughout the game. For those of you who missed the photos, you can check them out at theurbandaily.com. Timberlake and Jordan will be participating in this year’s Celebrity U.S. Open and were no doubt practicing their swings in preparation.
In other news, Jessica Biel has reportedly boarded a plane and will soon be returning home to her man. Justin’s summer relaxation tour continues, and rightfully so. The star is reportedly working on several projects which will no doubt quench the thirst of JT fans worldwide. For now, we all hope he continues to enjoy his summer break.
Comments (0) 06.13.2009. 18:14