INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA RUSSELL, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF "WISE GIRLS"

Jessica Russell, executive producer of Wisegirls, has done a little interview with RPN. She talks about the stars and the plots of the movie, she even mentions Sweet Science.

Whats the concept behind Wisegils, and how did the project come about?
Wisegirls surfaced with producer Jack Sojka (a producer on title). He had the script and eventually it was developed by many producers in our camp to make it happen with the intent to hit the big screen. Jack obtained the script and the process began. The cast originally involved different actresses. The first actress was Mira Sorvino who loved the script. David Anspaugh came aboard, Mariah was a new idea. She was then circulating in Hollywood to star in Glitter. She read the script and we were lucky. The rest of the cast just fell into place. By that time we already had a comittment for a theatrical release in the States. With this to look forward to it began positive.

You have a great cast in the movie. Mira is a Oscar winning actress, Melora who is very talented and Mariah who finally got really nice reviews for this character. How was it to work with such talented people?
For me it was amazing. I love Mira. She is so talented and great to watch. All the girls are so different in real life, all backgrounds, personalities. Mira loves what she does, acting seems to come easy to her and she has a great part. In real life she is quiet and more reserved until she is familiar with her enviroment. Melora is quiet and shy in appearance and has a bubbly personality which shines through and Mariah of course is outgoing. Mariah worked hard and by the time Wisegirls was filmed it was during her film time with Glitter. She put 101% in every way for the behalf of the movie. I think the story of the movie is so different, we all wanted it to look serious yet the idea of what the film is is so exciting because of "Mafia" the girls had fun.

Mariah Carey got bad critics for "Glitter". With Wise Girls she showed she has a great talent for acting. What do you think we can expect from her future projects?
It amazes me that most people never had the chance to see Glitter and people have such negative views about the film or should we say Mariah's acting ability. If they saw the movie it was a feel good movie. It was cute and Mariah was good. Unfortunately we dealt with Mariah's health scare and the movie fell into "Hollywood Politics" which I believe created problems for the success. We all then felt the problems of Sept 11th throughout the world. To make things just as unfortunate, in America Mariah's album for Glitter was released on Sept. 11th. Our whole country was in front of the television set for days. who is going to think of running to the record store. Anyways I would say only a tiny number of industry individuals and critics have seen Wisegirls. I say 98% of the reviews were very positive and the excitement for us producers was at our Sundance Festival in Utah. We were asked to show the movie for a special premeir screening. We were all there - the girls, David Anspaugh and Johnny Jenson the Director of Photography, some stars, a few of us producers and many Hollywood bigwigs. The most amazing feeling was when our movie at the end received a standing ovation which we understand is not common and very special for the festival. More amazing and very important was the love and respect they gave Mariah for her performance. She was given a separate standing ovation when she was announced. She must have felt so good. Could you imagine how it would feel to have everyone make jokes and criticise your abilities when you know most people never saw your performance to make this judgement valid? I was so happy I was there to see the people offer her this praise, and it was the rave of Hollywood and beyond. Did you know Glitter did exceptionally well in the United States? Mariah is so talented. When people see her in Wisegirls they will enjoy herperformance. They will eat their old words of criticism. I was fortunately involved in her next movie Sweet Science. She is not making the movie anymore due to changes in production plans however, when she decides to film another movie it will be with the endless choices offered to her, including from the famous and prominant. She deserves it. She has talent.

Do you see her growing and improving as an actress?
Definetely. I feel many singers have some experience as many are involved in music video-drama's. Mariah is a hands on person and she gets this. She has range. I think Wisegirls once viewed by he public will be a blockbuster due to the fact people are waiting for Mariah. With the duo Mira and Melora exceptional talents they will enjoy the movie. It is a good movie and watching the girls is like watching friends in real life. Even when all the mafia men involved in the story it is if you are part of real life not watching a movie. You have to have talent to achieve this. We will see more of Mariah.

What was the best thing on working with Mariah?
She has heart. She is a kind and smart girl. She listened and learned. There was no negative or diva attitude. She has a good team behind her. She was there to make a movie and boy did she help make one. I am excited for the movie.

Did anything funny happen on the set during the footages?
So much goes on a daily basis. Nothing dramatic or extended interest for tabloids. Thats why people made stuff up. They always do. If there was any real drama it was among the producers.

What the public can expect from this movie?
They will love it and want to see it again. We say it is not a chick flick. It is a cross between a Sex in the City and a Goodfellas. It is a movie people won't feel bad about spending there money to see. It is a drama comedy, there is heart, humor, and gore and lots of mafia talk and action. I think the meat grinder scene will be one to remember...

Wise Girls got really nice reviews from important critics. Why do you think the movie was such a success amongst them?
People were hard on Mariah for Glitter. Inside Hollywood the people may be the first to criticise yet they are also the first to be proved wrong and I think the curiousity was so strong. They know how the business are and how people outside of Hollywood can easily believe off of gossip. I think people wanted to see Mariah prevail. Mira is loved for her talent. Melora is known as a real dramatic talented actress. David Anspaugh was reserfacing as a successful director and John Meadows? We have alot of talent throught this film. It has also been a Hollywood secret. Even today many critics or promoters don't have film clips for publicity. We made sure there were no tapes circulating to people other than the necessary individuals.

INTERVIEW WITH MARIAH'S EUROPEAN PRESS OFFICE

Busy European press office, which deals with Mariah Carey, took a well deserved break to chat to me about Mariah and the fans. Please note the answers are in precise content, to avoid a misunderstanding.

For how long have you worked with Mariah?
Just over three years now.

What do you like about working with Mariah?
What is impressive about Mariah is her humanity and how hard working she is.

Does Mariah talk about her fans to her friends? If yes... what does she say?
Yes, of course. Mariah adores her fans. She always speaks so highly of you and loves meeting you all.

What do you think we can expect from Mariah's new album?
Expect to be blown away. Mariah's new material is fantastic.

What do you personally think of Mariah fans in Europe?
You are all great. So supportive to Mariah.

DANIEL BEDINGFIELD TO DUET WITH MARIAH

Daniel Bedingfield has written a song which he plans to sing with Mariah Carey. The singer says the duet is a love song called "A Thousand Life Times". He recently revealed that he has also written a song for Darius Danesh's new album. "I haven't met up with Mariah to record the song yet but I have finished it so I will be singing it with her at some period in the future," Daniel told Worldpop.com. "I am looking forward to meeting her though and I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun."
Daniel adds that he is planning to crack America when he begins his world tour next February. "It is supposed to be tough over there but Dido did it. I am just going to keep riding the wave over there at the moment and see how I do," he said. "I am going to go over there for two weeks in the next couple of days to do a few radio shows to promote the album. But I plan to do a lot more dates over there next year to try break it. Making it in America is central to making it in England as well."
Daniel's current single "James Dean (I Wanna Know)" entered the official UK singles chart at number four on Sunday. His album "Gotta Get Thru This" is released on August 26.

(Ananova)

NO BREAKDOWN ON NEWST RECORDING

A Dec. 10 release date is being targeted for Mariah Carey's first album on her new MonarC label. The superdiva is writing and producing it on her own. Credit Carey with an indomitable spirit. She's back in the studio forging ahead on recording of the disc, which is being released via Universal/Island-Def Jam, after rushing to be at the side of her father, who passed away last month.
Once she finishes the record, Mariah intends to shepherd the recordings and careers of other talent she envisions finding a home on MonarC. A year's worth of big trouble - including her breakdown of last year and the career disappointments of her "Glitter" flick and humiliating departure from EMI Records - doesn't seem to have put a dent in her ambition.

(Daily News)

MARIAH'S PREVIEW ALBUM.  A HIT UNDER TIGHT SECURITY

If you were on the Isle of Capri the other day and saw a bunch of crazy Americans splashing in the Blue Grotto, I'll tell you who they were.  It was Mariah Carey and friends including Island Def Jam Records President Lyor Cohen, all celebrating after hearing tracks from Carey's new album. She's been recording in Capri for weeks, and the sessions are said to be a great success.   Some song titles have already hit the Web, including one called "Through the Rain," which may be the title track. I'm told that after playing the songs for European accounts, everyone who was invited to the session -- including Carey -- took a swim in the Mediterranean.   Meanwhile it may be hard to get too much info on song titles and credits until right before the December release date. "We don't want what happened last time," a source said, referring to the theft of a Carey song by Jennifer Lopez during production of the Glitter album    

(Fox News)

INTERVIEW WITH JASMINE GIVES LIGHT ON MARIAH'S UPCOMING ALBUM
 

Q 1) For how long have you been friends with Mariah?
A 1) We've been friends since 1998

Q 2) Did you meet her because of your work as a MTV Europe DJ?
A 2) Yes , i interviewed at the last minute standing in for my boss and was flown to capri in italy at the last minute, i was really worried about the filming as i had heard the usual diva rumours and was dreading it, so i did my research and off i went!i fully expected to hate her but she was so real and genuine that i was won over and im a very hard person to impress. we ended up with a great show on mariah which rated number one all over mtv europe and showed her witty fun side.

Q 3) What do you like better about working on MTV?
A 3) MTV gives me great opportunities, to travel the world, speak to interesting talented people and still live a relatively normal life--i have like r kelly n jay z said '' the best of both worlds''.

Q 4) Does Mariah talks about her fans to her friends? If yes...what does she say?
A 4) MC often talks about her fans. shes very strict in that she wants to hear from them, meet them and really cares about staying in touch with them. when i first used to visit her i would be sent loads of letters n cards from fans for her n used to wonder whether or not i should really give them to her....but she insisted that i do.,....so ever since then, i have done. ....not good for my luggage weight at the airport but hell...i treat it as a workout...she most definately cares more about her fans than alot of stars i meet in this game.

Q 5) You have been on a "Mariah Voice Message"...do you know what a celebrity you have turned between Mariah fans after that?
A 5) Ive now been on 2 mariah voice messages and it proves how popluar she is even when shes not in the promotional loop as i always get sent hundreds of e mails from her fans the following day!. i'm happy she has so much support and we have fun leaving them.

Q 6) We know you were there...watching Mariah record and all...what do you think we can expect from Mariah´s new album?
A 6) MC's new music is very classic mariah, the ballads are emotional--especially the first single-- there are uptempo and slow tracks, its like her life story.....with a bit of a guest line up of her musical mates but not too many. her vocals are as strong as ever and the song writing is as ever classic.

Q 7) As fans we really care about MC and we were very happy seeing the latest pictures she put up at her website...she seemed really happy. Do you think that she´s going through a good moment of her life? (like living her phylosophy of "After every storm if you look hard enough a Rainbow appears"?)
A 7) MC's one of those people that gets thrown many challenges but like the survivor she is she rolls along with them, rides her storms and comes through the other side as calm and fresh as ever. like my mum says when i'm worried about mc ........''lifes tough, but mariahs tougher''. shes definatly very calm and content right now enjoying her life, she loves a challenge and i defy anyone to name me another artist who can go through as much as mc at her still young age and come out of it looking as fresh and sweet smelling as a daisy. never responding to the tabloid crap or other controvery is just proof that she doesnt have to wash her dirty linen in public or prove herself to anyone. shes the best.

Q 8) A Mariah fan said you had confirmed that mariah´s new single will be called "Through the Rain" but Def Jam gave us no confirmation on that. Was the fan just wrong?
A 8) As far as i'm aware thats the title , but hey mariah is def jams biggest newest princess so of course they want to break the news about their new ''baby'' themselves.

Q 9) What is one thing about Mariah´s personality that only those really close to her can notice? (good and bad ones)
A 9) No one knows how much of a hiphop head mc is--shes really off the hook!, she can recite lines from every commercial n obscure rap group--shes a true music lover.

She's very intelligent, you cant slip a sly comment past her and even though its all smiles and sexy clothes on tv, this girls brain power is very quick--she always wins the mental games that we play on our vacations and the people we hang out with are the best at what they do and not slow by any means.

Shes got the nerves of high-wire walkers, the courage of bomb-disposal agents, and the self-assurance of brain surgeons when she leaps into the ocean, bungee jumps, jumps off mountains, you name it she does it!.

I love her cos after all the music chat is done we can talk family, homes, boyfriends anything and be normal girl friends, she occasionally educates me with movies like alex haleys '' queen'' which is about adrican american history so yeah...i guess we're good for each other.,

bad things about mc are that as she worries about her fans, her business, her music, the world....too much,,,,..she will stay up to deal with everything and not rest and relax as much as she should, she needs to sleep more....and not 2-3 hour spurts.

Also, she has pioneered the skill of walking up and down mountains in stilletto heels holding a glass of water and manages not to break anything--thats dangerous but so mc!!!!!!!!!

"THROUGH THE RAIN, FIRST SINGLE?"

AllAccess.com have "Through The Rain" penned in for October 8, 2002 realese and it looks to be the title of the first single off Mariah's forthcoming album. It's a beautiful ballad with Mariah singing only as she can and in a style that you haven't heard for quite some time. The voice is back and bigger than ever. Big time. If you think Mariah's days were numbered, well she's just gone and reset the counter all the way back to the start. She's coming. Will you be ready?

KEYS TOPS BILLBOARD HIP-HOP/R&B AWARDS

Alicia Keys was the big winner last Aug. 9 at the second annual Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, walking away with four honors from the event staged at Miami's Billboardlive. In addition to top new R&B/hip-hop artist, the J Records songstress earned kudos for top R&B/hip-hop album and top R&B/hip-hop albums artist for her debut, "Songs in A Minor", and top R&B/hip-hop artist, female.
Picking up three awards at this year's show was Arista artist Usher: top R&B/hip-hop artist; top R&B/hip-hop artist, male; and top R&B/hip-hop singles artist (thanks to the No. 1 hits "U Got It Bad" and "U Remind Me"). Ja Rule's "Pain Is Love" (Def Jam) was named top rap album.
Presented in association with Heineken and American Urban Radio Networks, the awards show was hosted by WBLS New York personality Wendy Williams, with performances by Sean Paul, Lyric, Martin Luther, Seth Marcel featuring Jadakiss, Anthony Hamilton, Lathun, and Tank. Awards presenters included the Unit, Mr. Cheeks, producer Rockwilder, actor JD Williams (Oz), Iconz, producer Eddie F., Smilez & Southstar, radio personalities Skip Cheatham and John Monds, 8Ball & MJG, actress Taral Hicks (Belly), Exhale, and FUBU's Carl Brown and Daymond John.
Billboard also handed out its inaugural Founder's Award to the Isley Brothers (R&B), and Afrika Bambaataa (Hip-Hop) for the indelible contributions they've made in their respective genres.
Here is the complete list of winners for the 2002 Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards, handed out Aug. 9 in Miami.

Top R&B/hip-hop album: "Songs in A Minor", Alicia Keys
Top R&B/hip-hop single: "Differences", Ginuwine
Top R&B/hip-hop artist: Usher
Top R&B/hip-hop artist, male: Usher
Top R&B/hip-hop artist, female: Alicia Keys
Top R&B/hip-hop artist, duo or group: Jagged Edge
Top new R&B/hip-hop artist: Alicia Keys
Top R&B/hip-hop singles artist: Usher
Top R&B/hip-hop albums artist: Alicia Keys
Top rap album: "Pain Is Love", Ja Rule
Top R&B/hip-hop single, sales: "Loverboy", Mariah Carey featuring Da Brat and Ludacris
Top R&B/hip-hop single, airplay: "Differences", Ginuwine
Top rap single, sales: "My Baby", Lil' Romeo
Top songwriter: Timothy Mosley
Top producer: Timbaland
Top major label: Island Def Jam Music Group
Top independent label: TVT

(Billboard)

MARIAH CARRIES ON

After being bought out by Virgin in January, you'd think Mariah Carey would want to retreat to an island. And that's exactly what she's done. Post-meltdown, Carey hightailed it to Capri, Italy, where she bagan working on a new CD even before she had a new record deal. In May, she inked a $20 million, three-album contract with Def Jam, and now the Capri sessions are in high gear, with A-list vets and Carey co-producing.
R&B gurus Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have helped craft five tracks, while hip-hop heavyweights Jermaine Dupri and Irv Gotti have also stopped by. "It really hasn't been different this time than it was before, except that it's been a little more relaxed," reports Jam, who also worked on Rainbow and Glitter. "She's relieved to be back in the studio. She's very rested. Her voice sounds wonderful."
And will this still-untitled disc, due Dec. 10 (The first single drops in September), improve on Glitter's bitter reception? "I feel good about its chances, sales-wise," says Jam. "We never get involved with projects to fail." Did we mention he worked on Glitter?

(Mariah Palace)

MARIAH PULLED SOME BIG HITTERS

Mariah Carey's musical career has taken a battering over the past year but despite the recent death of her father she's expected to have a new single on her own MonarC Music label through Island Def Jam by late September. 20 tracks have been recorded so far and the album is expected to have a US release on 10 December.
Carey is working on tracks on the Isle of Capri and said, via her official web site, "I just wanted to thank you all so much for sending condolences for my father and to let you know that as always I'm thinking about you and I'm here and everything's going really well with the album". She's pulled in some big hitters to help with the album including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with whom she started work in May in Miami, while production duties have fallen to Jim Wright, Irv Gotti and Jermaine Dupri.

(Burn It Blue)

MC’S NEW ALBUM, WHAT TRACKS TO EXPECT

Singer Mariah Carey, who has kept a low profile since signing a new recording deal with the Def Jam label, won't stay silent much longer. The crazy like a fox Carey was originally scheduled to release her next album in next spring. Sources close to the songbird tell us that Carey has wrapped up recording the album, and will have it in the stores for an early December rush-release.
The same source also informs us that the first single from the album, titled Mariah, will hit the streets in early September. Contrary to what you've read elsewhere, Mariah will be up-tempo and hip-hop, and not a return to adult ballads... The new album is produced by Irv Gotti, who also did the honors for recent hit albums by Ashanti and Ja Rule.

(Radio Crow)

©2002 Mariah Skylight