I recently sat down with a long time good friend of mine. Anthony “AJ” Hadley Jr. I’ve known Anthony since 8th grade. So to be able to sit down with and speak with him about his business ventures and what he has planned for the future. I enjoyed our conversation and I know you will too.
King Magazine’s Kali Lynn Exclusive
King Magazine’s own KaliLynn came through Omaha, NE for the 2011 Omaha Days, but the First Bi-Annual All Star Omaha Days weekend festivities. She took the time out to talk the JCODE about her work, personal life, and the comapirson to Amber Rose. Check out this video interview.
An Artist…A Movement…LaMya Clinton
I recently sat down the with the newly married LaMya Clinton and chatted about life, her work, and upcoming projects that she has cooking in the kitchen. Not only is she a very good friend mine, but she is an amazing artist whom’s work I respect. For those that don’t know who she is, now is your chance to get to know the artist I simply call Mya.
J: You recently got married. How does it feel?
L: Godly.
J: I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone describe marriage like that. That’s deep.
L: Very.
J: You are such a talented woman, let me say.
L: Thank you very much.
J: Not not only do you act, you’re a blogger and a photographer as well. Correct?
L: Yes, that’s correct.
J: How did you get started in acting?
L: I’m not too sure. My parents have this favorite story about me and performing. I was a toddler and during that time, a cosmetic commercial was airing where the women would vogue. They say I used to imitate it perfectly and whined about how I wanted to be inside of the TV. My oldest memory of acting was in the third grade. In the third grade I couldn’t wait to become a fourth grader because that’s when you’re allowed to pick an instrument, and most importantly, take part in the school play. I fell in love. I did every show after that because I felt that it was the most fun I could ever have. I began to take it seriously my freshman year in high school. My creative writing teacher, who was a voice actress, enjoyed a short that i wrote and she submitted it to Ron Bieganski of Free Street Theater in Chicago. He was directing a show at Steppenwolf [Theater] and looking for young writers and performers. That show was pivotal point for me. That show led to an internship at Freestreet Theater where I was on a team of playwrights and I eventually became a member of the new organization P.A.N.G. [Producing Arts for a New Generation].
J: What did you enjoy most about being a member of P.A.N.G?
L: Working with Eric Bogosian, and writing and performing our last play of the season. It was bananas! I wrote a short one woman show but I was telling Toto’s side of the “Wizard of Oz” journey. It was the funniest thing I had ever written. Toto was pissed.
J: (laughing) How did the audience respond?
L: They ate it up. Really. I think mostly because it was unexpected and I was only 17 and used such nasty language. It was right for the angry side of Toto that I wanted to share and it went really well.
J: What did your parents say?
L: They were quite amused.
J: What happened next?
L: I was invited to visit Columbia College Downtown [Chicago] and shadow a student in their theater program, I was sending my packages to other colleges, and Ron [Bieganski] invited me to be a company member at Freestreet. They were heading to Germany.
J: How was Germany?
L: I didn’t go.
J: Why not?
L: I was planning to leave for New Orléans a few weeks after he asked me.
J: For college at Dillard University, right?
L: Unfortunately (laughing).
J: Unfortunately? Why do you say that?
L: I believe that if I had accepted the scholarship from Hofstra [University], or attended Georgia State [University], or any of the other programs I got into, my college experiences as a theater major would have been more fulfilling.
J: What do you mean?
L: If I explain those experiences, we’ll be here all day. I’ll just say I sought opportunity outside of the University. I did enroll in a photography class but I had almost completely lost interest in our program. Sherri Marina, the chair of the theater department at the time suggested that I get an agent. She referred me to hers and they signed me. I didn’t have any onset experience so I started doing tons of extra work. It’s a great way to see what it takes to make a feature film. There are so many people involved, so many rules, and so much effort. I’m a quick study and I payed attention. I was still participating in most of the shows at school but there wasn’t much passion behind it. I had started to fall in love with film. I had high hopes for senior year but then [hurricane] Katrina hit.
J: What impact did Hurricane Katrina have on you? How did it make you feel?
L: I felt that I was robbed of my senior year. That should be one of the best years of life, or so I thought. It was a complete mess. After considering transferring to Columbia College and speaking back and forth with Syracuse [University], I ended up at Kent State University. I returned to New Orléans in January and finished at Dillard. That summer, I was cast in the Yvette Sirka stage play Pink Collar Crime, directed by Ray Vrazel. That was a very happy time in my life. It was my first professional stage play and it reminded me of why I love theater.
J: Tell me about that show. What theater? Who did you play?
L: We performed at JPAS [Jefferson Performing Arts Society]. I played Tamara, a precocious 15-year-old girl who started a time capsule for when the “big” hurricane were to hit. The show also told the story of all the characters and the different relationships they have with one another, and how those relationships change due to Hurricane Katrina.
J: Hold old were you when you played Tamara?
L: 22.
J: Wow, that’s some range.
L: Totally.
J: What came after Pink Collar Crime?
L: I got hired as a casting assistant on the films The Dark Knight, and The Express. After those films wrapped, I moved to Los Angeles.
J: You were a wardrobe stylist in Los Angeles weren’t you?
L: I sure was. For an Italian label under Max Mara.
J: Is there anything you haven’t done?
L: Almost (laughing). That’s what I’m saying. I don’t have to limit myself to anything. I want a taste of everything.
J: I know that you were also doing social marketing for a few shows like America’s Best Dance Crew, but you also did some acting there too. You were a part of Learning Zone Express series. Was this a different type of job for you?
L : It was totally different from what I’ve done before. It’s a series of educational tools that discuss many topics from peer pressure to nutrition. I submitted my headshot, the casting director Wes Halula liked it, and they called me to play a high school student. This is why good headshot is necessary. There was another DVD in the series that they called me back. It’s teaching young adults about how to define their transferable job skills. Everyone on set was so comical. I was a little nervous because I’m not a comedian. I felt awkward and goofy but it was so great. I have a copy of the DVD and I still think it’s pretty hilarious. It’s in libraries and schools all over the country.
J: You’ve been back in New Orléans for about a year now. Are you still with the same agency?
L: No. I have a new commercial agent and a new theatrical agent.
J: Tell me about the film Tree. What made you choose this role?
L: It’s an independent feature film. I accepted the role of Katie in this film because she isn’t someone who I’ve played before. The director and I did a read through together to make sure I was comfortable. He wanted to make sure that I could fully commit. This character was in a new relationship with a woman. Katie was extremely sensitive and I’m not sensitive the way she is. I was looking for a challenge and this was it. I had a semi-intimate scene with another actress. It got me out of a box that had potential to develop.
J: You said semi-intimate. Was there kissing involved and did you like it?
L: (laughing) I had to understand, it’s not LaMya kissing this woman but the character. Did I dislike it? No. I kissed a girl and I dealt with it. It was my job and I did it well (laughing).
J: That’s hot (laughing). I saw your Edible Arrangements commercial and you looked very pleasant and personable. How did you like shooting this commercial?
L: I was so high on life, like, I was on another planet. For the past two years I’ve been saying that I was going to book a national commercial. That experience was God sent because he heard my prayers. It was so fluid. Everyone from the director, to the makeup artist, to the producer was very warm and friendly. We laughed and joked on set. It was one of the most memorable days of my life. For someone like me, I’m thankful for everything I get acting wise. I’m still glowing.
J: Being a photographer, what is your favorite piece you’ve shot?
L: The devastation that Hurricane Katrina caused. After returning in January of 2006, some areas of the city were still pretty vacant but Katrina definitely left her mark. I felt like I had come back to some shit from the movie Independence Day or The Day After Tomorrow. My eyes have never seen anything like that. In fact, a lot of eyes haven’t. I don’t want to say that I was trying to make art out of what people lost, but I felt a need to document the aftermath. Most times I look at these photos and break down. I was fortunate enough to have lost only material things. Others lost their will, family members, everything they owned, even their own lives. Some photos are very strong. I have one where two houses literally merged into one.
J: Can your work be seen anywhere?
L: On my blog. My photos are a little more personal to me than the average person so I don’t post everything.
J: How can someone get in touch with you if they want to work with you?
L: My blog email is the best way to get in contact with me. I get a decent amount of emails from readers and other artists. I need to post my agent and manager information on there too. My email is TheLtrain.net@gmail.com. Get on board at www.theLtrain.net.
J: What’s next for Mya?
L: I’m still working with my agents on potential projects. I’m taking more time to organize now. I’m involved in so many things that I’m finding my balance. I’m at the beginning stages of opening a photography studio in New Orléans. Some people want to shoot with me and I want to shoot them too! We toss around different ideas and we’ve come up with some really sick shit, and I’m ready to get started. I always say that art is a movement so let’s move it, and I’m moving.
J: What’s your favorite sexual position?
L: (laughing) That’s a juicy little question. Thanks for having me (laughing).
J: Thank you so much for stopping by The J Code and chatting with us. God Bless and we’ll look out for your t-shirt line and other upcoming projects. Next time we come to New Orléans you’ll have to do a photo shoot with us.
L: Of course
…and now THE J CODE
Hey, hey world! Welcome to J Code, the newest blog spot with the hottest interviews from sports stars to the hottest entertainers around the world. I’m your girl Jenna hailing from the Big “O” Omaha, NE that is!
What is my background you ask…well I received my B.A. in Theatre/Speech Communication from Dillard University, New Orléans, LA. I’ve always had a passion for sports growing up in a household where both parents wake up to Sports Center and go to sleep watching Sports Center. Football rivals to basketball rivals. To watching two African-American women competing for tennis’ highest trophies to Tiger Woods becoming the “black golf” sensation. Now acting is my heart, my soul, my love.
Dillard is where that love blossomed from a child to a woman. Learning not only how to properly prepare and present for the stage, but what it takes from behind the scenes to make that play a success. Post Dillard I moved to Los Angeles, CA where I went to explore my options in television. What I didn’t fully prepare myself for was all the talented and amazing people who I would meet in all fields of entertainment. It became about more than just acting but all the elements the entertainment field has to offer.
Well enough about my background, let’s talk about what J CODE is and will be! I am the future of broadcasting. This blog will not only prepare me for my time in television, but introduce you to my friends in the business and sports world. These interviews will be informative, fun, stylish, and most of all sexy. I’ve met some amazing people over the years and want to tell their story. There will also be interviews from people I haven’t met personally, but know I want to get to know better and the world will want to learn more about. So please enjoy, tell your friends, family, acquaintances, and lovers. Welcome to my new blog where I combine my love for sports and entertainment.
Now decipher the code..the JCODE
J
