Hugh Hefner has died, age 91. He was the founder of Playboy.
The iconic personality behind Playboy magazine, passed away Wednesday at age 91, his media company confirmed. Hugh Marston Hefner was born on April 9, 1926, in Chicago, Illinois. He began his publishing career as a copywriter for Esquire magazine before launching Playboy, according to IMDB. The first issue of Playboy hit newsstands in 1953 and featured a nude calendar photo of Marilyn Monroe. Selling for 50 cents a copy and was published without a date in case there wasn’t a second issue, according to CNN. Here are some celebs who have graced the covers, and below some clips from Hugh including his 'Girls Of The Playboy' mansion show (aka: 'Girls Next Door'):
Dannielle De Andrea is currently in Australia and rolling out a series of intimate gigs around major capital cities, and this gorgeous and talented woman is a force to be reckoned with. If you think you've seen Dannielle before, you'd be right! And she's back in Australia to celebrate her new album titled 'The Call', which is a blend of jazz, soul and folk, and features the song 'High Dreams' (with Larry Goldings on piano), which is the winner of the jazz/soul division of the 'UK Songwriting Contest'. Written from personal experience, 'The Call' traces Dannielle's relocation from Australia to America, and explores themes of insecurity, heartache, nostalgia and hopefulness.
After a string of performances in New York, Los Angeles, London, Italy and Nashville, Dannielle was dubbed the ‘Aussie Supervoice’ and her live shows are generating a genuine buzz on the international music scene.
With three top 40 UK soul chart hits under her belt (as Danni'elle Gaha - yep, THIS is where you may remember her, from her days as Danni'elle Gaha), Dannielle’s music has been remixed by the likes of Joey Negro and Roger Sanchez and her vocals have appeared on releases by Sting, Kylie Minogue and the Pet Shop Boys. She has performed live with the likes of Jackson Browne, John Farnham, Joe Cocker, Tom Jones, Ariana Grande, Meagan Trainor and James Brown.
Alongside her solo and backing vocal work, Dannielle regularly fronts the popular collective The Song and Dance Society. Dannielle has also collaborated with composer Christophe Jacquelin on the beautiful French project Leaving The Ozone, which featured in the IMAX movie Dolphins and Whales.
According to Australian music newspaper Drum Media, "Dannielle De Andrea’s smooth and powerful voice ‘could quell riots and romance tyrants...'"
Danielle answered somequestions just for Josie's Juiceright here, and you can catch her at Venue 505, at 280 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills.
So, how did Dannielle De Andrea discover her love for singing?
"Well my mum was a dancing teacher and always played the best music at the dance school, in the car and in the house! My father was a drummer and a singer, so it was in the genes. Having said that I never really wanted to sing as a child, I liked it, but it wasn’t my dream to be a singer, all I wanted to do was dance like mum!
"She told me daily to “let the world hear ya darlin’”... she believed in me more than anyone and would get me to sing at the dancing school concerts and shows, so I knew I could and never had the fear of singing in public when I decided thats the career I wanted at 18 (mum was so happy, she even named me after a French singer). I don’t know if I would be singing if she hadn’t believed so much! Truly my inspiration and now I’m trying to get out on that stage to let the world hear me more than I ever have before!"
Talent is one thing, but when was THE moment Dannielle knew she could make a living out of singing?
"I actually auditioned for Glenn Shorrock's “One For The Money” show and got the gig and it started there! But I’ve never had that thing of “I wanna be famous and make a stack of money”.
"I’ve just always loved to sing and perform, since I was little - it’s my therapy. If I don’t do it, I don’t feel right! Making a living out of singing ain’t easy, - if money was the reason I was in it, I would have given up long ago, haha!"
You will recognise Dannielle as one of the Nissan Cedrics. SO, how did that gig pave the way for her career? And do people still recognise her from that?
"I actually had a record deal in the UK with Sony records, before The Nissan Cedrics and Club Buggery. I was the first Aussie artist to break into the dance/soul charts in the UK and had 3 top 3 dance hits with awesome videos, that not many people saw," laughs Dannielle. But mum loved them! I made an album, which never got released, came back to Australia and got the call from the lovely Jamie Rigg, for Club Buggery' (TV show). It couldn’t have come at a better time! I went in for the pilot, met everyone, and Louise Anton and I blended beautifully, and BOOM - the Cedrics were born! That show is still to this day one of the best experiences of my life - we all had so much fun and everyone was just so kind and caring! There was not a mention who we go to sing on and sing with!
Like many exceptional Aussie artists, we sadly lost her talent to another country.
"I moved to the US in 2006, for lots of reasons, but mainly I felt I had done all I could here in my own country, after being on what I reckon was one of the best variety TV shows in Oz, releasing a solo jazz album, touring with John Farnham for 10 years, I kinda wanted to do more and was a bit afraid of staying here, getting on that safety merry go round and becoming a bitter cabaret singer, so I packed my two suitcases, got a visa and over I went, to start again!
"It was so hard, being the newbie, after being so established in my own country, but it was also great to be so free and just start again! What has come from that move has been more than worth it! I fell in love with the greatest guy (married 10 years in December) I have worked with some of the greatest musicians, I only dreamed about and used to read their names in the credits on the back of CD covers, I’ve toured with Jackson Browne, recorded at Capitol Studios, become a better songwriter, performer and I”m so much more open to all styles of music! I’ve learned a lot about myself, my strengths and those things I still need to work on and no matter where I go, that old mantra in my head of “doing this because I love it” has proved to be so true and what I’m on this planet for! This year has been a big year personally - it’s been tough as I lost my number one support, my gorgeous mum and my Queen, so now I’m putting all my energy into doing what she said daily and “Letting the World Hear Me”.
Booking shows all over the world and just getting there and giving it a go! Feels good, a little scary, but she’s with me, I can feel her, so I have a strength I’ve never had before! Feels like she’s up there being the puppeteer and moving those strings, hahaha!"
So, what is Dannielle most excited about with coming back to visit Oz?
"I love Australia, we really are the lucky country, I love seeing my family and my friends for catch ups, I really love gigging in Oz too with my buddies, nothing has changed. It’s like I saw them yesterday! looking forward to my launch in one more sleep, which is in honour of Mum!
"I’m coming back in December for some more shows outside of Sydney too YAY!
Performers often feed off the energy given by the audience, and it goes both ways of course, where the audience gives positive vibes to the performer.
For Dannielle, the connection is "what it’s about kids..."
She adds that she loves performing live and loves connecting with her audience.
"Telling the story and feeling the audience go on the ride with you, there is nothing like that!
We just did some acoustic shows in Italy (my gorgeous hubby Kyle and I) the whole audience were Italian and didn’t speak English, I sang my entire album in English and they were all crying! That’s what it’s about! Music is universal and if you can translate that feeling, then I reckon you can’t ask for anything more!
Here are some more ways to get nice and cosy and comfortable with Dannielle, and her signing style:
The End Of Chapel Road live in the studio:
And recording some of the album at Capitol Studios
See Danielle in the flesh on Thursday 28 September - Venue 505, at 280 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills.
Samuel Johnson. What does one even say when it comes your love for your late sister, Connie Johnson? He redefines love, I say. We all know how much Sammy loves Connie. But since her death 10 days ago, and fresh off the back of Connie's funeral today, well... it's another level. Samuel essentially declared himself 'Head of Cancer Vanquishment'. See his full interview here, in the two clips below:
And here is Sam's new pledge. Get your socks, people:
On a personal note, I love the way Samuel spoke. On a 'high' after celebrating his sister at her funeral, this man vowed to amp it up ten millions notches, and he WILL. I also saw a raw vulnerability and such beauty in his melancholy and sadness, and his pain and commitment. On a vastly different level, but understating the pain when you WANT so bad to honour your just passed loved one, I relate to his pain, and applaud his love and dedication to his sister. Bless him and his nephew and brother in law. RIP Connie.
Emmys! The 2017 Emmys ceremony is underway in the US, and there have been some red carpet stunners. Here are some video snippets, and below the best of the red carpet looks:
And here is the Emmys red carpet, with loads of photos to feast on (click on the toggle on the top right hand side to enlarge the image, then click left or right to see all the pics):
Sophie Monk is about to have dibs on 18 men who could become 'the one' for her, in next week's 'The Bachelorette' Australia... the first time a celebrity has been chosen as the picker and chooser of the hit show. And, interestingly, eight of the men are in their 20s.
The rest are in their 30s. Not a bad line up for Sophie, who is 37. Not that there's anything wrong with that age gap, of course... And here they all are!
And here is the trailer again:
'The Bachelorette' starts on Wednesday 20 September, on Channel Ten, at 7.30pm.
Miranda Kerr recently gave an interview with Net-a-Porter's The Edit offering an insight into her marriage with Evan Spiegel.
"My grandma taught me that men are visual and you need to make a little effort," she told the reporter, "with a wink".
"So when [Evan] comes home, I make sure to have a nice dress on and the candles lit. We make time to have a nice dinner together."
"It's all about balance," Miranda explains. "At work, I'm like, 'We need to do this!' and, 'This needs to happen!' But at home, I slip into my feminine side and empower Evan to be in his masculine."
The "slipping into her feminine" part to Miranda means: "Just be more in my feelings. More gentle, leaning back. It's a nice balance."
And overnight Miranda has further elaborated:
On US show 'TODAY' she shared photos from her wedding to Evan and talked about the heart-shaped crystal she carries with her.
And talks about how "Well to be honest, I feel it's important to make an effort in your relationship, for each other." See more here:
'American Vandal' is the latest, most talked about Netflix original... except it's not what you expect. It's all about penises, people. And vandalism. And crime and punishment, and implication and madness. It's totes satire, folks! See the trailer everyone will be talking about:
Yup, total satire. But brilliant and clever, a total pisstake on the very docos we watch on Netlflix. Netflix... I didn't think it was possible to love you even more, but turns out it is now! Netflix TOTALLY helped in putting the serialised true-crime documentary on the map with the likes of 'Making A Murderer' and 'The Keepers'.
Coming from the guys who make those 'Honest Trailers', here is the synopsis:
American Vandal is a half-hour true-crime satire that explores the aftermath of a costly high school prank that left twenty-seven faculty cars vandalized with phallic images.
Over the course of the eight-episode season, an aspiring sophomore documentarian investigates the controversial and potentially unjust expulsion of troubled senior (and known dick-drawer) Dylan Maxwell.
Not unlike its now iconic true-crime predecessors, the addictive American Vandal will leave one question on everyone's minds until the very end: Who drew the dicks?
Come September 15, we can really find out just who drew the dicks...
Watch the reaction of this guy... was yours similar?
Josie's Juice is proud to be a Netflix 'Stream Team' blogger. #whodrewthedicks
Connie Johnson, the sister of Australian actor Samuel Johnson, has died at age 40 after a long battle with cancer. Her family posted a message on Facebook sharing the tragic news.
“We lost Connie today. Or, as she asked me to say, she died of cancer today. It was so beautiful. We laughed, we cried, we sang stupid songs from our childhood to her, which she loved (mostly!),” her brother Samuel Johnson wrote.
“I read her so many village messages, which she relished. She went so richly, and with such grace. Trust me, she was genuinely cushioned by your love, till the end.”
Samuel said he was “sad and sorry” about her death but “extremely grateful and proud."
“I’m off to cuddle the fam and warmly embrace an exquisite whisky, in memory of my sister, who did so bloody well, from start to finish. Thanks for everything, Connie Cottonsocks. It was my pleasure to be your Sammy Seal.”
We lost Connie today. Or, as she asked me to say, she died of cancer today. It was so beautiful. We laughed, we cried, we sang stupid songs from our childhood to her, which she loved (mostly!). I read her so many village messages, which she relished. She went so richly, and with such grace. Trust me, she was genuinely cushioned by your love, till the end.
Smart people helped me build a place for us villagers to share our confusement. Please leave your tributes there, so our family can keep them forever? www.loveforconnie.org
I'm sad and sorry to be the one to tell you this, yet at the same time, as the Chief Custodian of my sister’s legacy, I also feel extremely grateful and proud.
I'm off to cuddle the fam and warmly embrace an exquisite whisky, in memory of my sister, who did so bloody well, from start to finish. Thanks for everything, Connie Cottonsocks. It was my pleasure to be your Sammy Seal.
Thank fuck for this village. See you on Connie's tribute wall we built. xsammy
Lady Gaga's new and upcoming Netflix original doco is coming, 'little monsters'! Titled 'Gaga: Five Foot Two', it makes its global premiere on Netflix on September 22. And here is your first look:
Moukarbel’s compelling portrait captures LadyGaga’s life over a eight month period. On top of professional triumphs, viewers will see her cope with intense emotional and physical pain. Other moments reflect more ordinary aspects of her life, whether it’s attending a family christening, visiting her grandmother or cooking and playing with her dogs at home.
The film may help viewers understand how all of these experiences contribute to Gaga’s art – and how, in just a few years, the 5-foot-2 performer (hey, shorties rock!) has become such a relatable and beloved figure worldwide.
#GagaFiveFootTwo is only on Netflix September 22.
From September 22, watch Gaga: Five Foot Two on Netflix HERE:
https://www.netflix.com/title/80196586 Josie's Juice is proud to be a Netflix Australia New Zealand 'Stream Team' blogger. And here is our fave Gaga song right now plus some older faves:
No more 'cougars', and no more 'MILFS' (Mothers I'd Like To... you know). It's now the WHIP. That's "women who are hot, intelligent, and in their prime." Here is the woman who has coined then term, writer Bibi Lynch, 51, who says she has been on dates with men as young as 26:
Bibi says she wants to turn the 'predatory, sly and creepy' label on its head for this more empowering term - a WHIP.
With new French First Lady Brigitte Macron, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Joan Collins, and Sam Taylor-Johnson as prime examples, Bibi Lynch is campaigning for the older female without children to be referred to as WHIPs.
'With cougar the men are prey, WHIPs felt funnier, smarter and sexier,' she explained during the appearance on ITV's 'This Morning' show, as seen in clip above.
Writer Bibi Lynch is campaigning for women to stop being referred to as cougars if they date a younger man. Instead, she is dubbing them 'WHIPs' - women who are hot, intelligent, and in their prime'
Bibi said that as a single woman she wanted to be able to have fun in a relationship and that she had enjoyed dates with men as young as 26, but didn't want to be judged for it.
"Maybe I've been really lucky in the men that have approached me, but they're bright, super successful and funny," she said.
And she believes that her older age means men are not worried that she is looking to have a family.
"That is part of the attraction for younger men," she said. "It's a winning combination, the pressure is off... we’re not baby chasing," she added to ITV presenters Geri Halliwell and Rylan Clark Neal.
Bibi's aim is to see the cougar stigma gone, and said she finds the younger guy more fulfilling and often without any attachment. Plus she addd she's not her doing the chasing, but them.
"The way I am meeting them is different, I get a lot of approaches on Twitter. I think social media is a real leveller.
"I don't lie about my age, I'm hoping to be funny and that is what attraction is about. I think we are breaking the barriers and they are seeing the real me."
It's true! The Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant with baby number 3! And once again she is suffering from extreme morning sickness and has cancelled her planned engagement at a children's centre today.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child,” a statement from Kensington Palace, released Monday morning UK time, said.
“The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news.”
During her first two pregnancies, Kate, 34, battled acute morning sickness, also known as Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She is also afflicted with the condition during this pregnancy, according to the statement.
As a result, she canceled a planned appearance Monday morning. “As with her previous two pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Her Royal Highness will no longer carry out her planned engagement at the Hornsey Road Children’s Centre in London today,” the statement said.
“The Duchess is being cared for at Kensington Palace," the statement continued. It'll be a busy week for the royals! On Thursday, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are set to take Prince George, now 4, on his first day at Thomas's Battersea. The newest royal join siblings, George and Charlotte. Plus, the arrival of Will and Kate’s third child could be historic... if the baby is a boy, he will not displace big sister Charlotte in the line of succession. This is thanks to a measure that passed just after Will and Kate’s 2011 wedding. Up until this change, a younger son would usurp his older sister’s place when it comes to inheriting the throne. Interesting times! Congrats to the young family.