Thursday, December 4, 2025

Carmen Electra Rings in Holiday Season as Supermodels Unlimited Magazine Cover Model

By Laura Medina




 Carmen Electra rings in LA’s holiday season by hosting Supermodels Unlimited Magazine’s holiday while being their cover model.

It was a real party with Pink’s Hot Dog, Chef Jazzi’s “Eat My Teppanyaki,” and a Leo’s Taco truck serve piping hot dinner to Hollywood’s freshest hotties. 

Simply Pop probiotic soda keeps everything healthy. 

Being true to the holiday season, Supermodels Unlimited Magazine’s goody swag bags gifted stuff Hollywood hotties need: a smoothie powder, Choc’s lip gloss and liner kit and a facial oil to keep hydrated and moisturized during Winter.

Hollywood glitzes the holidays.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Happy 35th Birthday to Smashbox Studios

 By Laura Medina








Last night was Smashbox Studio’s 35th anniversary, which led to Smashbox Cosmetics six years later.

What started as a simple chic, a upscale professional photography studio for glossy magazines, remember those, led to a need for high-quality makeup to stand up under strobe lights and long hours, morphed into the LA version of MAC, that became the brand we all know.

The studio’s 35 years formed the makeup brands.

During those years, it was a breeding ground for other influential photographers. Some who started their publications and magazines, such as treats.

Hairstylists and of course, celebrity makeup artists got their feet there.

Last night’s bash was Hollywood outside of the awards season.

The lucky 200, out of thousand guests, friends, and family, got Smashbox Studio’s 35th Anniversary thank you makeup gift kit of their latest plumping lip gloss, their latest liquid lipstick and legendary primer.

Smashbox was and still is the standard bearer of LA cosmetics.

The studio and the cosmetics born there are legends, others try to copy but can’t.





Monday, November 17, 2025

Folk Singer & Actress, Sara Melson, is a Warm Glow in Dark & Stormy Days & Nights.

 By Laura Medina


During approaching evening rainstorm, folk singer and actress, Sara Melson ended her intimate release set by assuring everyone, singing “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz.

Sara was a glowing warm light shining in dark and stormy times, reassuring people that things will be alright.

Actually this intimate concert was a live recording of an upcoming release, recorded live. 

A rare treat being a select few, witnessing a capture of lightning in a bottle that will be released in an album.

Other than “Over the Rainbow,” each and every song is fresh and brand new and never been heard until that dark and stormy night.

That freshness was like a freshly baked loaf of bread, warm, soft, and nourishing.


The Doors’ John Densmore Discusses Being Blinded by Fame “On Air LA” Fest Podcast

 By Laura Medina


As the drummer, The Doors’ John Densmore said he was singed by fame. He wasn’t burnt by fame nor consumed by the flames of fame, like the lead singer, Jim Morrison on “On Air LA 25” podcast festival at KCRW Studios, https://www.onairpresents.com/stories/on-air-la-25-evening-of-music-the-doors 

As a first-hand witness, he knows it is the lead singer who gets consumed by fame. A subject that a decade younger punk rocker, Billy Idol discussed a week earlier.

People and fans project their fantasies and assumptions and expectations on the lead singer, causing the pressure and stress leading to alcoholism and drug addiction to cope with all that attention and stress.

John talked about how Jim was already a narcissistic yet creative and expressive alcoholic. 

He described Jim as “creative, self-destructive Dionysian Alcoholic Sex God.”

John discussed there was sexual energy and sexual attraction and narcissism with creativity that all matches and combines together in one human being.

Remember in the mid to late Sixties, Alcoholic Anonymous was new and considered lame, not widely accepted among the Rock n’ Roll set, like it is now.

To cope and deal with fame during the mind-altering psychedelic Sixties, it was considered mainstream normal to drink your problems. John commented if Jim was alive today, he would be an health freak who avoids alcohol.

John added when The Doors formed then got running into legends that they are, Jim’s United States Naval Admiral dad was commanding battleships in Vietnam’s Gulf of Tonkin, that unofficially started the Vietnam War without Congress, Senate, or the public approval and awareness. 

This created shame and stress on Jim Morrison. He coped by writing poetry that evolved into those timeless classic songs that defined LA and California in the Sixties, morphing into today’s rock classics, making The Doors legends.

Even the fame from admirers and his dad starting the Vietnam War, Jim unintentionally created the rock n’ roll uniform of black leather jeans and matching black leather jackets. John commented to Jim, does it get hot down there in the crotch?

That black leather jeans uniform continues thru Billy Idol. Jim Morrison set the standard for the continuing generation of rockers through Lenny Kravitz to Yung Blud of today.

To this day, dealing with being a rock legend, John Densmore simply says he’s divorced and still go to the bathroom.



Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Lord Huron’s Sunday Concert is Actually Preview to His Artist Den Taping in 4 Nights.

 By Laura Medina








If you’re one of the lucky guests approved as an Artist Den audience member for performance-artist-musician, Lord Huron’s taping on Thursday night, somewhere deep below, south of Pasadena.  Sssshhhh, the taping location is a closed set.

As a form of thank you for being approved, these audience members were gifted discounted tickets to his real concert on Sunday night.






Lord Huron is a self-assured gentleman. He lets then thanked well-established fellow folk rocker, Feist, to open for him, warming up his fans with her hits.

With his ballet dancers, performance art, and projected videos on the background, too bad Spoleto USA has yet to get him. Hint, hint.

On an Artist Den taping, there’s no opening act. It’s straight forward on spotlighting directly on the artist.

Lord Huron’s regular concert is teaser of his closed set taping, come Thursday night, somewhere in the Inland Empire.

Thursday evening will be an intimate set that’ll be televised nationwide.

Cool.

Breakfast with Billy Idol.

 By Laura Medina



Having breakfast with Billy Idol, first thing Monday morning…

While announcing his new documentary, “Billy Idol Must Die,”

Billy offered wisdom being a punk rocker for 50 long years.

In his opinion and according to his insights, yes,..it is easier to get on social media technology to put out your music but the path and the road is getting harder as they are getting murkier and muddier.

Back then when he was getting started with his old punk rock band, Generation X, there was a definite road, path, and time line to career success and becoming a rock star, regardless of rock or pop genre.

It was a 5-years journey. During those 5 years, you discover what genre you and your mates are good at. Eventually, you refine, improve, and master that particular genre you all are good at. Finally, you’ll find a manager who’ll like your genre enough to take you to professional level.

There’s still a definite path. Billy told his fellow Brit, who just moved here in LA, that he was no different. He, too, moved to America based on what his American manager advised him.

On his path as a punk rocker, Generation X had to get a license to work a gig at a lesbian disco. That was then, when he decided to become Billy Idol.

Asked about his worldwide, notorious sneer, Billy says it still continues with today’s rocker, Yung Blud. The attitude continues.

Asked about being one of punk rock pioneers, Billy talked about punk rock’s origin. It was a backlash against guitar and drum orchestral overload of Led Zeppelin and Electric Light Orchestra. It was back to basics simplicity that anyone can do. It was the Sex Pistols’ anger and attitude that ignited it. Their punk shock on British tv, that made it popular and nationwide. It was Billy’s Generation X crossing over to America then splashing on MTV’s early days, that made punk mainstream, especially in America.

When asked if he’ll do Coachella, Billy is very much observingly aware. He mentioned that Coachella is currently Electric Dance Music. But when it becomes more focus on guitar, more rock oriented, then yeah, he’ll do Coachella.

Speaking of being established, he says the flip side of that, is ageism, and having to still work on being relevant to whatever is the current demographic.

In other words, if Coachella is more opened to presenting and promoting more rock, he’ll be more open to doing Coachella.

Talking about his new documentary, Billy said it’s about fathers and sons. His dad never approved of him being a punk rocker or his success until now, late in life. Billy reinstated he’s a father and a grandfather, himself.

Throughout the breakfast, there were people who were there with him from the beginning, back in the days. When an ex-music promoter commented he was there, when he promoted Billy in the early Eighties NY MTV days. Everyone understandably laughed when Billy said, he didn’t remember those days and,..nights. Fame was one big rocket of whirlwind.



Monday, October 27, 2025

Makeup & Sweets Pairings Are A Lifestyle.

 By Laura Medina



Coffee and cosmetics pairing marketing to girls’ and women’s lifestyle have been fueling for two years now.

Even Kim Kardashian’s SKIMs shape wear did a Mel’s Diner menu collaboration, pairing meals with figure-control underwear.

Targeting busy, health-conscious women beyond the edible skincare smoothies, Dialog Cafe offers a quick pick-me-up of skincare Surreal Skin Latte by Makeup by Mario dusted various shades of cocoa and cinnamon matching his foundation shades.

Each cup comes with a mini universal rose bronze multiple stick for quick swipe for lips, eyes, and cheeks, as women sip their Surreal Skin Latte. Lifestyle pairing on the go.



Impress a date or a girl dessert? 

During one weekend, Patrick Ta helped out designing a 88 Table dessert that matches his nude-toned eyeshadow palette that diners get for free, with dessert.

Girl Dessert lifestyles.


Micheaux Film Festival Spotlights Rising Stars.


 By Laura Medina




Saturday night’s hottest party was Micheaux Film Festival’s Young Hollywood Party awarding the hottest, rising talents in film. One of them winning the award, was Tosin Morohunla from Showtime’s “The Chi.”


The film festivals show trends. Micheaux Film Festival’s trend is young women film makers making very contemporary movies about dating woes, such as “Love Is Blind.”


“The Wire’s” and “The Walking Dead’s” Brandon Fobbs chatted about the difference between dramatic acting versus comedic acting.


“Love Is Blind” writer-director took charge of dating frustrations into a movie.




Poem video short, “I’m Love” is a video affirmation that makes for a great Dove Soap and Dove Chocolate commercial.

Micheaux Film Festival was a great time to discover and shop fresh talent and material.


Friday, October 24, 2025

Young Adult for Middle-Aged Millennials, “Regretting You” Pulls Out All the Stops in Promotional Tour.

 By Laura Medina







In this age of streaming and post-COVID quarantine world, this post “This Ends With This,” “Regretting You” young adult movie catering to middle aged Millennials, who were teenaged parents to current teens, searching for a do-over, “Regretting You” pulling all the stops in promotional tour.

On its opening night, the cast warned up the audience with a free necklace, designed by one of its stars, McKenna Grace, a collectible poster, then a cast Questions & Answers session followed by a short two-songs, from the soundtrack, mini concert by rising Gen-Z Americana singer-songwriter duos.

That’s how you snag then keep your audience in the theater to streaming market, that becoming increasingly competitive young adult movie and tv market.

It really helps in the finance budget when one of the scenes is set in AMC theater as the workplace for aspiring movie student, working as one of its employees. Cross-marketing helps out a lot, word to the wise.

Don’t want to spoil the surprise, the normal young adult teen characters are relegated to secondary plot line, to their Millennial parents seeking second chances for an alternative life of “what ifs.”

Oh, the wise and Baby Boomer country grandfather made a joke about inheriting “air.”

“Regretting You” is now pushing promotions in a new direction.


Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Frascati, the Roman White Wine is the Original White Wine That Goes Well With Everything.

By Laura Medina

 








They say the first wine was invented in Rome, where the volcanic soil and the soft sea breeze sprout perfect wine grapes-white wine grapes.

As the Roman Empire expanded, so did the exportation of a specific white wine, Frascati.

Since it’s one of the oldest white wines, Frascati goes well with everything from savory cheese to soup to shellfish and fish to traditionally pairing it with white meat of poultry and pork to cookies and desserts.

Go classic, drink Frascati, an Italian no-brainer.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Curtis Stone’s “Field Trip” is Returning After 2-Years Hiatus with Hong Kong Premiere Episode.

 By Laura Medina




After a two years hiatus, Curtis Stone’s foodie-culture-travel show, “Field Trip” is returning.

Starting back with an Hong Kong episode.

For the screening, he brought Hong Kong’s VEA chef with him.

Like any foodie tourist, VAE chef went crazy gobbling down every Mexican dish there is in Los Angeles.

Curtis went on to say, him doing “Field Trip” was nothing new nor off the cuff.

It was an evolutionary tv trip for him.

Way back in Australia, after interning with the demanding Chef Marco Pierre White, Curtis starred in Australia only, “Surfing the Menu,” a proto-food-travel show.

That ignited his tv career.

He went from local-schmocal soon to be cult tv show, “Surfing the Menu,” to his FOX Network judging cooking competition battle shows to “Take Home Chef” to his current series, “Field Trip.”

Curtis admitted “Field Trip” started simply humble, modest, and quick.

He, his sommelier, and assistant chef would always on trips to discover new dishes and flavors for new dishes and wines.

In 2019, a camera operator found out what they’re doing then he quickly jumped right in, with them, saying this makes for a great tv show. They immediately hired a sound guy.

This was how “Field Trip” started.

The first iteration of “Field Trip” last for two years from 2019 to 2021.

Now, it’s back with a premiere episode, “Hong Kong.”


Cartel Celebrates Their 20th Anniversary of “Chroma” at Santa Ana’s The Observatory.

 By Laura Medina











If you want to revisit the early Y2Ks, the Cartel is here for you.

They celebrated their breakout album, “Chroma!,” by re-visiting then re-working it for today, “Chroma-2025” for their existing fans while attracting new fans.

Last Friday night at Santa Ana’s The Observatory was power pop night for Orange County punks and goths. Boy, they were a stylish crowd.




Chance The Rapper’s Mini Concert With Q&A for Breakfast Buffet.




 By Laura Medina











It was a wonderful Fall Monday morning in the ‘Bu, Malibu.

After living in Ghana for 6 years, Chance The Rapper made a comeback on a Monday morning, during breakfast.

Man, what a spread welcoming him back.

Aviator Nation Dreamland, the active wear brand’s nightclub-restaurant-headquarters boutique, welcomed him and the guests with a lavish breakfast buffet spread of fresh fruit salad, oatmeal with brown sugar, scrambled eggs, bacon, chicken sausage, mini pancakes, French Toast, orange juice, and coffee.

It was as a delicious wake-up and a welcoming Malibu hospitality.


The breakfast buffet woke people up at 9am.

Chance The Rapper debut new songs, from his upcoming album and revisited the classics around 10am, as fans sip coffee and orange juice, noshing and nibbling on scrambled eggs and French Toast.

Chance softly and honestly segued into what’s happening now in his hometown dealing ICE, “Chicago is a reactive city.”

Then, he opened up about his parents starting out as political activists where dad wound up working for Barack Obama.

While working for Obama, his dad taught his aspiring rapper son how to psychographic target market his audience.

Way back when, Chance’s dad told him to make a list of all and every Facebook fan he has, then jot down which school they go to.

Then, his dad would make him wait outside his Facebook fans’ school to pass his CDs, promotional ads for his upcoming shows, and swag as his Facebook fans were released from school. Schools that Chance didn’t go but his dad made him go to his fans to build his business and career. Smart dad.

To catch up with his audience of fans at Aviator Nation Dreamland breakfast, Chance told them he’s been in Ghana, where he lectured on Marcus Garvey and the link between African-American heritage and history with Ghana.

Chance the Rapper’s morning breakfast buffet, mini performance and lecture nourish the brain, the soul, and stomach with food and intellectual nutrition.










Friday, October 3, 2025

October 3rd Thru 5th, 2025 Only, Taylor Swift’s “Life of a Showgirl” Weekend.

 By Laura Medina



This weekend only, Taylor Swift’s behind the scenes documentary on each and every video on each and every song on her “Life of a Showgirl” album is taking over then it disappears.

In the documentary, she explains the songwriting then the video ideas. She’s the writer and director on this documentary.

She calls her “Ophelia” video, arr history for pop fans.

While writing, she can’t help but admits she likes Shakespeare.

One of her backup dancers turned “Dancing With the Stars” dancer, Jan Ravnik, returns, along with her entire “Eras” concert team for her “Life of a Showgirl” videos.

Come catch her this weekend only, before it disappears.


Kelly Clarkson October 3rd; Jennifer Hudson October 10th then CBS’ “Ghosts” Returns on October 16th with a Demon Publicist.

 By Laura Medina



Today’s sneak peek of this afternoon’s “Kelly Clarkson Show” is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt promoting Johnson’s “Smashing Machine.”


A fresh up and coming R n B duo make their debut on October 10th.


The Sixties had “The Addams Family” and “Munsters.”
Today, our quirky family of 2020’s, “Ghosts” returns to CBS on October 16th, with character actor, Matt Walsh guest starring as a demon of today, a publicist who uses his powers to pull strings and make people live up to contract riders, making your wishes come true.







Sunday, September 14, 2025

Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty Pop-Up Wraps Up Emmy Weekend,

 By Laura Medina









Mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?

According to Selena Gomez, doing her Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Liquid Blush launch, any and all and every one is the fairest.

Once you enter her Rare Beauty fun house, the first thing greeting you is a scanner, disguised as a mirror. You smile at the scanner. It scans your face, your shade, and complexion. It instantly shows you the right shade of Soft Pinch Liquid Blush.

It’ll give you a QR code to receive that color-matched liquid blush for free, at checkout.

Since it’s all blush, there are blushing stations where makeup artists let you try the powdered blushes and highlighter and the liquid blushes.

If you buy the puffy tote bag, you can get initialed and embroidered.

Rare Beauty pop-up staff are nice. They’re considered enough to hand out popsicles and canned water to those, patiently waiting in line, since 6am in the morning, for each day of the pop-up.

It was a weekend affair, started last Saturday at 11am until this Sunday night at 7pm.

Just in time for the “Only Murders in the Building,” star to get ready for tonight’s Primetime Emmys, the Oscars of tv.