Lorraine Brooks’ poem, ‘Ms. Melba’

Lorraine Brooks – Divabetic

Last night, I had the honor of interviewing R & B music legend and Tony Award winning actress, Melba Moore who’s life off stage is as dramatic and inspirational as her art on Divabetic’s free monthly podcast, Diabetes Roundtable. 

I feel she’s truly the embodiment of Divabetic’s ‘Don’t Get Down, Get Diva!’ spirit. Her much publicized problems with music executive Charles Huggins, her partner at Hush Productions, that sent her spiraling into bankruptcy serve as a testimony that she is indeed a true survivor after experiencing some dark years in her life.

“(It was a) very, very, very difficult (time) because of just the total crisis and collapse of everything that had any kind of security around my life.  Nothing is familiar or  comfortable.  Everything is about depression with no money, with no esteem, no support.  You don’t know what you’re doing.  This territory is not difficult, its impossible.  It’s chaos, but you gotta live.  You gotta figure out how to put one foot before the other,” says Melba Moore.

Divabetic

I hope Melba Moore’s moving story helps to inspire anyone who are feeling overwhelmed by having to deal with diabetes on top of everything else they have to manage in their lives. If you feel this way, you are not alone. After all, there are no vacations from diabetes; it’s with you 24 hours a day.  And diabetes affects absolutely every aspect of your life. But the truth is YOU have the strength to overcome obstacles in your life just like Melba!

Today, Melba Moore’s basking in the glow of her upcoming forth album entitled, “Forever Moore” which will be released on her new label A’Moore Music, Inc. The single, “Love Is” is up for two Grammy Awards in the first round of nominating process in the category of Best Short Form Music Video and Best Traditional R&B Performance. Be inspired by Ms. Melba Moore to ‘not get down, get DIVA! 

I asked our resident poet, Lorraine Brooks to write original poem about Melba’s perseverance titled ‘Ms. Melba’ which she was unfortunately unable to share on the podcast due to technical difficulties.

Ms. Melba

 

The musIc you gIve us

Is touchIng and fIne

In ways that warm all of our souls.

Your voIce and your presence

Are lIke a good wIne

We love you In all of your roles.

 

But lIfe, as It happens

Has ups and has downs and

You’ve had your faIr share of sorrow.

We’ve watched you be human

And watched you rebound

And gave us new hope In tomorrow.

 

Not once, but twIce now

You hIt a low level

Betrayed and mIstreated for sure.

But you dIdn’t buckle

You faced your own devIl

You stood up and you saId NO MORE!

 

So,you are a dIva In all cIrcumstances

A dIva who’s strong and dIvIne

You say we can do It

We all have our chances

To get up and make ourselves shIne!

 

Here’s to you, Ms Melba

Keep lIghtIng the flame

And tellIng the truth as you fIght…

You’re one of those women

We all can exclaIm…

You’re truly a ‘dIva’ tonight!

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Melba Moore http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/03/12/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-melba-moore

Let’s Talk About Sex!  Here’s a sneak peak of  Divabetic’s ’Love On A Two Way Street’ free outreach program focused on ‘Sexual Health & Diabetes’ and presented at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

LISTEN NOW: The Mr. Divabetic Show featuring Kirsten Holly Smith and Holly Clegg http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/03/04/the-mr-divabetic-show-with-kirstin-holly-smith

Basics In Diabetes Pattern Management – Divabetic

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in New York, NY, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org

This Diva’s Not Afraid To Sing with Jennifer Hudson

When Oscar winner, Jennifer Hudson huffs and puffs she’s might not be able to  blown your house down but she can blow you away on stage.  But there’s one Broadway diva who’s not afraid of a showdown with J Hud.

Megan Hilty, one of the stars of the TV show Smash, is hoping for a high drama, all diva moment with Hudson to kick off next season.

“I hope we have an angry duet,” Hilty revealed. “I’d like to really duke it out with her. If I know anything about Ivy, other people’s success is a threat to her, especially the women in the business. So if I had to guess, I’d have to say that they probably don’t get along very well.”

While her character Ivy may be threatened by strong women, Hilty wouldn’t mind if Smash covered tunes from a Broadway musical all about brave girls: Wicked. “I feel like Wicked would be a really fun idea, especially as a little theater inside joke,” she said of the musical, which she previously starred in as Glinda. “Even something like a 9 to 5 cover, and have a little mini-reunion. I’ve been trying to get [9 to 5 co-star] Allison Janney on the show. I think she would be fantastic. If we got her and Stephanie Block, we could all do something fun.”

Smash returns for its second season in 2013.

 Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

Divabetic Reaches New Milestone

The national nonprofit, Divabetic reached a new milestone in presenting wellness with a wow. Our ‘66th Annual Tony Awards with Mr Divabetic’ video surpassed 1,000 impressions on YouTube.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic in his world famous FRUIT SUIT rolled out the red TOMATO carpet at the 66th Annual Tony Awards at the Beacon Theater in New York to talk about divas, dazzle and diabetes. The American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards got their start in 1947 when the Wing established an awards program to celebrate excellence in the theatre.

Mr. Divabetic is a 2011 WEGO Health Activist Award finalist and the happy healthcare host of Diva TalkRadio. Diva TalkRadio is Divabetic’s dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel where tens of thousands of fans, followers and listeners turn to laugh a little and learn a lot. The channel features a line-up of live and archived programs and specials. Guests include health care professionals, beauty, image/style and fitness experts, entertainment industry leaders and VIPs: women and men living with, at risk of and affected by diabetes.

For more glitter, games and glucose advice visit: www.divabetic.org

Original music by Douglas Clay: http://www.douglasclaymusic.com

 

Kristin Chenoweth Hospitalized

Divabetic’s Diabetes Roundtable‘s recent ‘diva inspiration’ Kristin Chenoweth has been injured on the New York City set of the CBS drama “The Good Wife” and has been taken to a hospital.

Her publicist, Jill Fritzo, says she was hit in the head by scaffolding and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

A fire department spokesman says a woman at that Brooklyn location suffered minor injuries, but he won’t identify her.

The 43-year-old Chenoweth won a Tony Award for her role in Broadway’s “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and an Emmy Award for her work on “Pushing Daisies.” She has a recurring role on “The Good Wife” in the upcoming season.

Kristin Chenoweth‘s faith, take on life and powerful pipes make her one of our honorary divas. The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic hosts this thirty minute set of diabetes infotainment which includes: a hot topic smack down on diabetes and lifetime earnings, a Food Aisle Face-off between canned and frozen peas, a menu review of healthy dining choices at Slainte Irish Pub and Restaurant, a Wack or Wowfitness routine review with certified diabetes educator Jessica Issler of Norfolk, Virginia, a Mother Your Diabetes commentary from Divabetic’s Mama Rose Marie and much more.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

 Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

 

Liza Minnelli Makes Rare TV Appearance

Tony and Academy Award-winning entertainer Liza Minnelli, who was recently honored with the Douglas Watt Lifetime Achievement Award, will appear on the first broadcast of “Good Afternoon America” today.

Minnelli will discuss her new CD, “Liza Minnelli Live At The Winter Garden,” which was recently released by Masterworks Broadway.

“Good Afternoon America” airs in the New York metropolitan area on ABC beginning at 2 PM ET; check local listings.

Minnelli has also earned Tony Awards for her performances in Flora, the Red Menace, The Act, Liza’s at the Palace, as well as a special 1974 Tony. She also presented a tribute to her late father Minnelli on Minnelli at the Palace and has appeared in the films “The Sterile Cuckoo,” “Arthur,” “New York, New York” and “Stepping Out.” The singer is also a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actress.

Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

Fans Want to See ‘When Harry Met Sally’ on Broadway

Last week, the world mourned the loss of three-time Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director, playwright and essayist Nora Ephron. Looking back on her long and illustrious career, Broadway.com asked readers which of Ephron’s films should become a Broadway musical. The results are in, and the film, “When Harry Met Sally,” topped readers’ wish list.

This 1989 movie charts the up and downs of a relationship that blossomed between two longtime pals and discusses the question: can good friends become lovers?  Starring Billy Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally, the film’s screenplay earned Ephron an Oscar nod as well as a spot on Entertainment Weekly’s Top 10 Most Romantic Movies of All Time list.

From the infamous “I’ll have what she’s having” deli scene to the romantic New Year’s Eve confession,When Harry Met Sally brought a new dimension to the guy meets girl rom-com.

Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

Pamela Anderson To Join CHICAGO?

Is blonde bombshell, Pamela Anderson heading to Broadway? The actress is rumored to star in the hit revival of John Kander,Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse‘s Tony Award-winning musical CHICAGO.

A source close to Anderson says, “She’s so excited! She’s practicing and getting ready for the role, putting in long hours working on her singing and dancing.”

Pamela is best known for her role as CJ Parker in the iconic TV show Baywatch. She is a mother, an activist for PETA, an entrepreneur and actress. Pamela recently heated up the dance floor on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ where she proved she’s ‘too hot to (fox) trot.’

Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Imagine if Pamela Anderson teamed up with David Hasselhoff for this production!

Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

Channing Tatum Bringing ‘Magic Mike Musical’ To Broadway

“Magic Mike: The Musical” will be ready to have dollars bills stuffed down its thong on Broadway next summer.

“Magic Mike,” is currently looking at taking in over $30 million this weekend, a rather remarkable feat in June, when you consider there are no superheroes, toys, or brands to be found.

Before you go writing off “Magic Mike” as being a one-note, gimmicky movie about handsome male strippers, you should know that director Steven Soderbergh has inserted some genuine complexity and non-superficial intrigue into the story. The movie is loosely based on star Channing Tatum’s real-life stripper past but critics seem to agree that there is much more to “Magic Mike” than just a bunch of man candy.

Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

Slimmed Down Alec Baldwin Is Broadway Bound

Alec Baldwin, now 30 pounds lighter,  will be hitting Broadway soon! The actor shed the weight by avoiding sugar and starch. Baldwin says he also began to exercise more regularly.

Last year,  he was diagnosed as pre-diabetic  and subsequently began to change his diet.

Now, the often-honored and often-volatile actor will star in the revival and Broadway premiere of “Orphans,” a Lyle Kessler play directed by Daniel Sullivan.

It will open at the Shubert Theater next spring, by which time Baldwin is widely expected to have wrapped up his role in the NBC sitcom “30 Rock.”

The play is about two orphaned brothers who live in a rundown house in North Philadelphia.

The elder, Treat, supports his younger brother Phillip by “petty thievery,” until one night he kidnaps a wealthy older man, Harold.

They develop a strange sort of quasi-family relationship, with each having his own motivations.

Baldwin will play Harold, and the other two roles have not yet been cast.

“I have dreamed, for a long time, of doing this play with this director,” Baldwin said in a statement. “It’s an honor to work with Dan Sullivan in Lyle Kessler’s ‘Orphans’.”

Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

 

Kristen Cheoweth Joins Cast of Good Wife

Diva TalkRadio inspiration, Kristin Chenoweth will be  joining the well known drama series, The Good Wife, next season.

Just yesterday we learned Maura Tierney was coming aboard the CBS show, so the fact that Good Wife was able to round up yet another big name power player demonstrates just how well the show is doing. According to the CBS press release, Chenoweth will make her debut during the series’ September Season 4 premiere and will play “a top-of-her-game political reporter who wants to know more about the Florrick campaign and marriage.”

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundtable Inspired by Kristin Chenoweth http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/03/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-kristen-chenoweth

Look who’s on the red TOMATO carpet with the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic stops at the 66th Annual Tony Awards to support diabetes awareness.