Coco Talanoa — Entertainment / Page 25

Go Behind The Scenes with The Star of 'The Bodyguard Musical' on now in Australia

With her incredible voice, stunning looks and engaging personality, Paulini is one of Australia’s most uniquely talented performers. The Fijian-born singer songwriter first enthralled the nation on the inaugural series of Australian Idol. Audiences instantly fell in love with Paulini’s impressive five octave range – a voice still unrivalled and like no other in this country. Since then Paulini has forged a hugely successful career. Her debut album ‘One Determined Heart’ and smash single ‘Angel Eyes’ achieved double platinum status, both hitting the #1 spot. She is still one of only 10 Australian female solo artists to have a #1 album on the Australian ARIA Charts.

More on Paulini

Shimpal Lelisi on performing in the Shortland Street musical, being a Poly in the industry, and how theatre has shaped his life. 

Recently I took part in workshopping Shortland St – the musical, for the Auckland Arts festival RAW season. The fact I would be playing four separate characters, have to learn five full musical numbers with choreography, with only eight days rehearsal for two showings to an already sold out audience, didn’t faze me in the slightest! I love this sh*t!

This year marks Shortland Streets 25 birthday and most people under the age of 30 will not know a New Zealand without Shortland St on its TV screens. The musical I would be workshopping was hoping to cash in on this familiarity and its birthday commemorations to realise a fully staged production. The fact the director of the workshop would be Simon Bennet, one of the tv series original directors and producers; encouraged not only me but the many involved, that this would be a work of merit.…more

The new Jason Derulo vid is fiiiiirrrrrrre and it must be cause of that Aotearoa touch. Choreographed by dancing queen Parris Gobel and starring RQ girls Kaea Pearce and Kirsten Dodgen

Suggested Links

Go behind the scenes with Parris Goebel

Interview with Dance Queen Parris Goebel

Written and directed by Tusi Tamasese, ‘One Thousand Ropes’ had its world premiere last week at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The second much awaited feature from the director of 'The Orator', 'One Thousand Ropes' is a haunting and emotional Samoan film about navigating relationships and redemption. Tamasese tells the story of a Samoan father attempting to redeem his violent past and rebuild a relationship with his daughter. The film stars Uelese Petaia as the main character and Frankie Adams as his daughter. 

In the same way that ‘The Orator’ (also written and directed by Tamasese) was specific in its cinematic aesthetic and pace, One Thousand Ropes is also extremely visually unique. It's difficult to assign one particular genre to this film, as it feels like a mixture of drama, horror and thriller. Tamasese's approach to storytelling tends not to conform to typical styles of filmmaking. The predominant use of Samoan language makes One Thousand Ropes an especially unique film.…more

"Tofa My Feleni" tribute to Sione Lauaki by Nick Afoa & Lasalo Elia

Sione Lauaki passed away on February the 12th, 2017 in Auckland at the age of 35.

He had played 17 tests for the All Blacks and over 70 caps for the Waikato Chiefs over 7 seasons before moving to France to play for Clermont and Bayonne before his kidney problems were picked up.  Earlier in his career he had also played for the Pacific Islands test team & NPC for Auckland.

He had lived in Rarotonga with his wife Stephanie & their children for the last few years.

Enjoy this beautiful tribute by Nick & Lasalo and a highlights video below of his rugby career

#RIPWax 

Suggested Links:  

Tonga's 1st All Black

Manu Samoa tribute to terminally ill rugby legend Joost Van Der Westhuizen

Last night Dwayne Johnson won big at the NAACP awards taking home 'Entertainer of the year'.  The People’s Champ topped fellow 'Entertainer of the Year' nominees Beyoncé, Chance the Rapper, Viola Davis and Regina King.

He had been nominated for 'Entertainer of the Year', 'Outstanding actor in a Comedy Series' for "Ballers" and 'Outstanding Character Voice Over Performance' for Maui in Disney's MOANA.

In his acceptance speech he dedicated his award to his late Grandfather High Chief Peter Maivia and his Father Rocky Johnson.  You can watch his acceptance speech here  

Presented annually, the NAACP Image Awards is recognized as America's preeminent multi-cultural awards show from an African American point of view.  The event celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.…more

"The Fate of the Furious" which is the 8th installment in the 'Fast & Furious' franchise dropped during the Super Bowl on CBS.  

With millions of viewers tuned in to one of America's premium sporting events, 30 second ad spots during the Super Bowl can cost up to US $5 million to be featured.

So when the new Fate of the Furious trailer was released in the 2nd quarter of the Super Bowl today, millions of people also got to hear our very own Savage's latest track 'PUSH' featuring DJ Kronic & Far East Movement.

We caught up with Savage to see how he was feeling about it all ...

'Usually when they want to use your song the artist has to clear it so when I got this opportunity (for the track) to be on the movie as well as the trailer and the ad, I was all for it.  I knew that it was lining up for it but they wouldn't confirm or guarantee that it'd be on so thats the whole reason I didn't announce it.…more

Behind the scenes of the official music video for Touch.

And watch the completed official video here!

Suggested Links:  

Sisters United - The Goebel Sisters 

In Celebration of Parris 

Check out KJ and Asha's cover of Black Beatles, originally by Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane. You might recognize this song from the Mannequin Challenge. 

 Suggested Links:

KJ Apa in 'Altar Rock' 

KJ Apa at COMIC CON