DWTS Season 18: Cody Simpson

I cannot believe I am even writing about Season 18 for Dancing With the Stars here on my blog since we just wrapped Season 17, but it looks like inquiries are starting to go out to some celebs. Cody Simpson started the rumor mill churning big time on Friday with a series of tweets:

so, I just received an offer to be on Dancing With The Stars in March. what do you all think? do you want to see me on TV every week?
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) December 14, 2013

it's during the time I'll be in LA recording my next album, so it wouldn't prevent me from touring and seeing all of you. tweet me thoughts.
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) December 14, 2013

wow, looks like you all think I should do this. definitely helps me when thinking about my decision. I'll let you know after the holidays.
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) December 14, 2013

A few of you asked me who Cody was. Yes, he's part of the Disney chain. He actually comes from the Disney Radio side and did some mentoring work on Disney's Next Big Thing. I have interviewed him three or four times and he's a doll. He really blew up this year because he was the opening act for Justin Bieber. Yeah, no big deal.

Here are some of my Cody Simpson interviews:
Next Big Thing
Let It Shine premiere 
The Biggest Loser appearance

If Cody does decide to do the show, I'm thinking Witney Carson or Lindsay Arnold would be a great partner for him since they both fit into the right age demographic. Witney and Cody? Lindsay and Cody? Which one would you prefer?

What I can tell you is that Cody has a rabid fan base of teen girls. ABC would love to have him and it sounds like he wants to do it. It would also be a big "get" for the show.

Let me know what you think about Cody Simpson on DWTS in comments below. 

Photo courtesy of Mingle Media TV

SYTYCD on AfterBuzz TV: Top 16 Preview

We are back! After a long week off, it's time to get back on the SYTYCD bandwagon. This week we have a really exciting guest with Season 6's Mollee Gray. Not only will she be bringing her SYTYCD expertise, we are going to ask her all about her role in Disney Channel's original movie Teen Beach Movie.

So, get those questions ready!  You know what to do...questions go in the comments below.

AJ is on vacation this week, so I will be leading the show alongside Chloe and Jake.

See you all on Wednesday at 9 p.m. PT on AfterBuzz TV.  Watch here. 

AfterBuzz TV SYTYCD: Sharna Burgess

This was such a fun show. I cannot tell you how much I love Sharna Burgess as a guest. She is honest, funny and forthcoming with her insight. I always appreciate it because I know we are getting the truth when she talks about a controversial issue. The best part of Sharna though....she's nice.  I just like the gal. So, you will see her again when DWTS starts up again in the fall. Thanks, Sharna!

In watching the show back today, there were two things I noticed:
1. Judges: With all of the excitement around Paula Abdul judging, we barely mentioned her. In fact, Erin Andrews received more mentions than Paula. While the honor of having Paula on the panel is a big deal, I am not sure her judging comments resonated that much with us.  What do you think?

See our pre-show Vine video >>

2. Comfort Fedoke: Yes, she was the one who was eliminated and was brought back to the show. We were thinking hard on the fly and couldn't come up with a name, but we knew it had happened before. The real question is: Why don't they bring back contestants anymore?

I'm bummed the show will be pre-empted by the MLB All-Star game. We want All-Stars, but the ones who dance, not hit a ball. I will miss you guys next week, but we will return on July 24 with Mollee Gray and Kent Boyd. They have exciting news to discuss with their Teen Beach Movie coming out on the Disney Channel. You can also stay up-to-date on our future guests by clicking here.

To see the Sean Cheesman side-by-side comparison of his jazz routine from SYTYCD Canada with the U.S version, click here.

I would love to hear your comments on the show, so hit me up in the comments section below:

Disney Channel's 'Let It Shine' Premiere

On Tuesday night, I covered the red carpet for the premiere of Disney Channel's new original movie, Let It Shine.  The film stars Coco Jones, Tyler James Williams, and Trevor Jackson and it focuses on the message of staying true to yourself and following your dreams.  You are in for a treat as this film has a powerhouse cast with loads of talent.  Mark your calendars for the June 15th premiere on the Disney Channel.  Now, sit back and enjoy the photos and video interviews from the night....

This girl is a star: Coco Jones

 Ariel Winter of Modern Family is becoming one of my favorite young actresses to interview.  We saw her last at the Gracie Awards being her usual fashionable self.  

 Did you know I worked with Booboo and Fivel Stewart back in 2006 on a series called Blue Dolphin Kids?  Take a look, they were both so little. 

 The entire Simpson Family dressed in black and white in support of sister, Alli's, big hosting debut with Radio Disney.  It was nice to catch up with Cody since I haven't seen him since he mentored the N.B.T. semi-finalists last August.

 Zendaya looked beautiful in her orange dress on the red carpet. (She looks like she's ready to claw someone though....giggle.)  

 Oh, my niece loves Bradley Steven Perry from Good Luck, Charlie.  She got a shout out from him that I sent off to her yesterday. 

 Adam Irigoyen from Shake It Up had a fun little rivalry with Bradley Steven Perry going on during the premiere.  See the interview here. 

 One of my favorite Disney stars, Olivia Holt, from Kickin' It.  She is so sweet and lovely. Next to her is Kerris Dorsey from Moneyball.  If you haven't seen this film, add it to your Netflix queue now.  

To see more videos from the Let It Shine premiere from other Disney Channel stars like Zendaya, Alli Simpson, Trevor Jackson, and more, click here.  


As a reminder, these are all of my personal photos.  You are welcome to use them, but please give credit and link back to Red Carpet Closet.  Thank you!

'Good Luck, Charlie' Set Visit

Julia with her script cover before she had it autographed by the cast.

Last week, my niece came to visit me in LA and we had a whole list of things she wanted to do.  We crossed almost everything off that list, especially the most important one:  watch a TV taping.  She was finally at the perfect age to go watch one of her favorite Disney Channel shows.  Most of their shows have an age restriction of 8-years old.  For the major networks, most shows have an age restriction of 16-years, but Disney clearly knows their demographic and they invite the younger ones in.  It is a three to four hour adventure depending on how many scenes the show has to tape.  Good Luck, Charlie, has an infant and toddler on the show, so they pre-tape all of their segments which actually makes their live segments a bit shorter than other shows.  I was grateful for that.

The kids are entertained by a comedian in between shots who gives away Disney-related prizes, like the autographed script from the cast my niece won for laughing the loudest on the first shot.  He also played games, a DJ spun tunes throughout the night, and a snack of juice and protein bars was handed out about halfway through the show. It's hard to get bored when there is constant action at every moment.  I had a little 8-year old sitting next to me and he sat in rapture throughout the entire night.  I was impressed.

The show finished taping at about 7:30PM, so we had been there about 2 1/2 hours in total.  (Although we had to line up for our seats at 3:45PM, the taping doesn't begin until 5PM.)  At that point, the audience is ushered on to the set to line up for photos and autographs. Yep, this is a kid's dream come true.  The cast was friendly with everyone taking their time to talk to the fans, sign their script covers which are placed on each seat at the beginning of the show, and take pictures.   Everyone walks out of that building happy and satisfied. Way to go,  Disney Channel!  This keeps parents and kids fans for life.

See some of our pictures from the night at Good Luck, Charlie below. You won't see any photos of Bridgit Mendler, unfortunately.  She was there for the taping, but she had to catch a flight after the show.

For information on tickets try these two sites:
Good Luck, Charlie/Pair of Kings
TV Tickets:  A.N.T. Farm, Austin and Ally, and Shake It Up!

UPDATE:  On my Cocktails and Conversation appearance on June 2nd, I made mention of a great article from the site, Jezebel, that talked about the incredible diversity on Disney Channel and Teen Nick. Read it here.  

 The cast taking their bows...

 Jason Dolley and Bradley Steven Perry sign autographs...

 Soon-to-be Mama for the second time, Leigh-Allyn Baker...

 Jason and Julia...

Eric Allan Kramer...

 Julia's favorite actor on the show, Bradley...

 Patricia Belcher signing autographs...

 On the set!

My tickets were complimentary of Disney PR.  All of my opinions are my own.  

California Girls

My niece came to visit me this week from the East Coast and this is our week in photos:

 We hit the red carpet at the Gracie Awards...

 We went to Disneyland.....

 If only I was a senior......

 We made a music video...

 We ate sushi.......

We watched a taping of the Disney Channel's Good Luck, Charlie.

What did you do this Memorial Day weekend?  Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter or Facebook.  

GBK Gifting Suite: Kids Choice Awards 2012

With Sasha Pieterse from Pretty Little Liars.

We were back in the GBK Gifting Suite this week for the Kids Choice Awards.  This one always is fun because you can ask crazy questions like "Who will win Best Butt Kicker"?  Yeah, forget the serious Oscar questions of who will win Best Actor.  We hit the ground running and ran into Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and ABC Family favorites from shows like Lab Rats, Big Time Rush, Pretty Little Liars, and A.N.T. Farm. Come and check out all of the fun we had and who everyone thought should win the Best Butt Kicker category.  You might be surprised at the answer.

By the way, several of you asked what a celebrity gifting suite is, so check out my post from 2010 that talks all about it.

Rachel McAdams Is Completely Crush-Worthy

Why do I look like this?  Find out below.

Awwwww, I teased you with that title, but it's true.  I think I have always had a small girl crush on Rachel McAdams and when I met her two weeks ago for The Vow press junket, it proved to be true.  She's sweet, pretty, and down to earth.  Exactly what you would expect in the Canadian gal.  Oh yeah, Channing Tatum was there too.  He's incredibly nice and polite, but I think he even knew it was all about Rachel that day.  Here's my interview with them for iVillage.  Are you going to see The Vow this weekend?

Also, I had the opportunity to interview a Disney Channel gal who I feel like I have watched grow up.  I first saw her on the red carpet for Beverly Hills Chihuahua back in 2008 when she was on Suite Life on Deck.  I then caught up with her at the Gracie Awards and Radio Disney's NBT in 2011.  It has been such a pleasure to see her take Hollywood by storm and Red Carpet Report caught up with her earlier this week to hear about her new Disney Channel flick, Radio Rebel.  See my interview and be sure to enter the Mingle Media TV Network giveaway to win an autographed CD.  

Do More Of What Makes You Happy

Yesterday at the start of my day, I was having a discussion about career/life goals with a close friend. My friend starting teasing me about a point I made and I told my friend that my feelings were hurt.  As the conversation rolled along, it turned into a heated argument.  Now, anyone that knows me could vouch that I just don't fight.  What you see is what you get.  I'm pretty easy to read when I am happy, sad, annoyed, and my calm version of mad.  This friend is probably the one person whom I have epic fights with.  It doesn't happen often, but maybe once every five years.  They know how to push my buttons and boy, did that ever happen. I was so mad, I started crying. (Also not a frequent occurrence.)  We made up after about 30 minutes because there is no point to being mad all day at a great friend, but it made me think.  While my friend's delivery stunk, I know what they were trying to say:  "Do more of what makes you happy.".

Of course, it took a Facebook quote to give me my Oprah "Aha!" moment to realize it.  Someone had posted that quote (Thanks, Alli!), but I knew that this quote was the point of the fight.  I need this mantra to take me through 2012.  Last year's theme was "year of dreams" and I sure did achieve that.  While I have started 2012 on the right foot, I still was aimlessly wandering through trying to figure out what I wanted to achieve this year. Here is what has been nagging at me and let's see how well I do by the end of the year:

1.  Travel:  I love to travel.  I want to explore the world and meet new friends, eat good food, and still go back to Paris all at once.  My current work travel schedule, even though I cut back, is grueling.  So, I need to find a balance of less work travel, more personal travel, and do things a bit differently.

2.  Home:  This falls right into place with the travel.  I love living in LA, I love how I have decorated my home, and I sure have some great friends that I would like to see more.  Even better, I have a chubby kitty who loves it when I'm home.  I want to sleep in my bed more.

3.  Entertainment Reporting:  Nothing gives me greater pleasure than my job whether it is covering an event with the Disney Channel kids or hitting the hottest red carpet in town.  I get asked this question a lot: "What is your ultimate career goal?"  ME:  "I'm doing it.  I'm in the job I set out to do.  Yes, I would like to do more of it and I know who I would like to work for (And no, kids, it's not ET or E!, believe it or not.).  This job makes me happy.  I'm going to stick with it." (By the way, I will be doing something that gives me great happiness tomorrow, the Oscar Nominations, so please stop by or follow me on Twitter for all of the up-to-the minute scoop.)

Now these goals may sound simplified and they are.  I have more detailed ideas in my head and on my dream board, however, I just wanted to share with you what we all should be doing in 2012 on a daily basis. Let's all be accountable and get out there and "do more of what makes us happy".  I'm going to do it, are you?

For more inspiration on this, read or visit The Happiness Project.  I think my personal copy needs a few more dog-eared pages in 2012.

The Friday Five

I've been laying low the past couple of days because I know I have a big week coming up with the Oscar Nominations on Tuesday morning. I will be wrapping up NAIAS in Detroit on Sunday and hopping a plane back to my favorite place in the world....home.  I miss LA's sunshine and warm weather, I just don't think I am cut out for winter these days.  Here's my Friday Five for you this week:

Me, Kenny Wallace, Trackside Tina, Matthew Troyer.

1.  Toyota Live:  We have a lot of guests that come through our show in different cities, but Kenny Wallace, a Toyota Racing NASCAR driver, easily was one of the nicest and most engaging guests we have ever had on our stage.  He took the time to talk with each and every fan before signing autographs and taking photos with them.  I love watching people interact with their heroes.  It's really sweet to watch.

2.  V. Mora:  I am excited to be working with Anna Livermore of V. Mora on a new custom-designed red carpet dress.  She called me the other night and asked if you could design a dress for me.  Uh, YES!!  I will keep you posted on all of the details since she will be working on it while I am in Chicago next month.  In the meantime, take a look at her designs on Etsy.

 With Rafi and Benny Fine, me, and Sandra Payne after the show.  If you aren't following The Fine Brothers on YouTube, it's time to subscribe to their videos.  They are awesome. 

 

3.  IAWTV Awards Photos/Interview:  A few more photos have trickled in and I wanted to share a couple of my favorites.  The top one is by Bernie Su and the second photo was taken by Gregory Storm.  Thank you for such wonderful photos, guys! (Especially since I took only 10 photos of the night on my iPhone.) Finally, check out the red carpet interview with Misty Kingma of Mingle Media TV.  Yep, I am on the other side of the mic.

4.  Debby Ryan:  I first met Debby Ryan back in 2008 at the Beverly Hills Chihuahua premiere when she was cast member of Suite Life On Deck.  I managed to catch back up with her at the Gracie Awards and at Radio Disney's NBT finals in 2011, so I am looking forward to talking with her about her new Disney Channel movie, Radio Rebel,  coming up on February 17th.  Debby is a great role model for tweens and my 12-year old niece loves her show, Jessie.  So, look for more Disney coverage soon.

5.  Marie Bruns Jewelry:  I will be wearing a few pieces of Marie Bruns jewelry during Oscars Week and I am really excited to showcase a few of their colorful items.  I am not sure exactly the items I will have, but I did mark these Amethyst Gem Drop earrings as one of my favorites.  Take a look at the line here.

New Year's Eve With Zac Efron

At the press junket for the film, New Year's Eve.

I had a pretty amazing birthday this year.  I had the opportunity to spend the day with Michelle Pfeiffer, Abigail Breslin, Hector Elizondo, Lea Michele, and Zac Efron from the movie, New Year's Eve.  Not a bad day on the job at all.  I headed over to the Beverly Hilton Hotel to ask the cast about their experiences on the set and if they believed in New Year's resolutions.  Not surprisingly, most did not share their New Year's resolutions because I think we all make a list each year and often fail or forget about the list.  If a celebrity makes that resolution public, I'm sure the tabloids would love to hold them accountable for it. I expected everyone to be excited about the Lea Michele interview, but I found out on Twitter that Zac Efron has some fervent fans.  So fervent, they call themselves "Zanessa" fans.

Now, let's talk about this for a moment: Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens met and dated during their High School Musical years.  They were a very cute couple and they lived in my neighborhood, so I saw them quite a bit with the paparazzi constantly on their trail.  Like many first loves, they broke up.  This happened about a year ago.  Well, the Zanessa fans relentlessly hounded me on Twitter to ask Zac about Vanessa when I'm supposed to be asking about New Year's Eve.  They called me a bad reporter.  Giggle and sigh.  I understand when fans get excited about their favorite stars, I think that is why it is so enjoyable to interview the Disney Channel stars.  However, at a certain point, you have to understand that these stars have a life and feelings and sometimes things should just be private.  Zac hasn't ever discussed the Vanessa break-up and I doubt he will beyond saying it was a lovely time in his life, she's a sweet girl, etc. (You know, the standard answers to the press.  So, foolish me for thinking everyone wanted to hear a Glee interview, they wanted a Zac interview.  I definitely learned something that day and it convinced me that having enthusiastic fans is pretty powerful in Hollywood these days.  I should have remembered that from my Angie Harmon Twangels encounter......maybe that's my New Year's resolution? Remember the fans, KB, remember the fans!!



Anyway, enjoy my interviews for iVillage with Zac and Michelle Pfeiffer, who is perhaps the most stunning celebrity I have ever interviewed and so NICE to boot,  as well as Lea Michele, who gave a great answer to her red carpet/Twitter disagreement with Modern Family star Sarah Hyland.



What's your New Year's resolution?  Let me know in the comments below.

Don't forget to enter my Holiday Giveaway!  You have until Sunday, December 18th to enter.

3 Tips For Producing a Red Carpet Event

I have been on the red carpet quite a bit this year and I've seen it all from the grandest red carpet to one of the most laid back red carpets.  Even if you are having a small press event, it is important to have a well run red carpet that not only pleases the talent, but also pleases the media. I've given my helpful hints on how talent can shine on the red carpet here and here, but I haven't offered up a few suggestions for producers of red carpet events. Here are my Top 3 tips for running a top notch red carpet.

Press Release:  Ringling Bros PR was great at updating their press release several times before the event.

1.  Press Releases:  This is one of the most important aspects of your event, so make sure to write a compelling press release that will get the media excited about coverage.  It should include the pertinent information about when the event is, expected celebrities, and types of media opportunities. (red carpet, VIP party, Meet and Greet, awards show press room access, interviews with producers, etc.)  Get your press release out about 2-3 weeks in advance.  This gives media outlets time to plan their coverage and line up reporters for the event.  If you put the press release out 3 days before the red carpet happens, you run the risk of having a low media turnout.  This is especially important if your red carpet is happening during summer movie premiere season or during Oscar season, it's hectic...plan accordingly.  Check the Hollywood Calendar or the trades for important awards show and movie premiere dates, you don't want to schedule your big night the same night that the Academy Awards occur.  Finally, if you are announcing nominees for an awards show, have the press release ready to go BEFORE the announcement. (Honestly, this is PR 101.)  Once the announcement is completed, email it out to your media contacts,  place the nominees list on your website, and tweet it out.  If you want the media to cover your event, be prepared, otherwise we grumble (Trust me, we are good at grumbling.) about the lack of preparation and it is noted for next year.

Tip sheet from my Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus red carpet. 

2.  Tip Sheets:  These are imperative to any photographer or reporter's job on the red carpet.  They include a picture of the confirmed celebrity and their latest/most notable credit.  For me, I see so many faces and talk to so many people in any given month.  I may recognize a face, but I forget what show I've watched them on.  Having that tip sheet in hand lets me do quick research on my iPhone as I see them walk down the red carpet.  For up and coming talent, it is great if a publicist is escorting the actor down the carpet with a sheet of paper that includes the correct spelling of the actor's name and their upcoming movie or TV show.  If they are making their debut in the Twilight series or in a new Disney Channel show, chances are I will jump at the chance to interview them.  It's fun to break a new actor to the public before they are wildly famous.

3.  Placement:  A typical red carpet places photographers first, then video crews, and then writers/bloggers at the tail end of the line This is done for a reason.  The photographers grab their shots and then send the talent down the line to be interviewed.  After the video crews grab the interview, the writers will ask more in depth and longer questions so it is okay if the back end of the red carpet crowds up a bit.  Each media outlet is assigned a spot where the bigger the outlet, the better the placement.  You can expect to see E! News, ET, and Access Hollywood up front and the online media outlets closer to the back.  Honestly, it's a fair way to do it and I never hear anyone complaining about this system.  What can be a problem is the amount of space given to each outlet.  A piece of 8x10 paper is placed at your feet to indicate your spot.  The problem is that the next piece of paper is laid down side by side for other media outlets.  Uh....I don't know about you, but my body is not built in 8x10 dimensions.  It can be so frustrating for all of us to jostle for space, keep out of other network's shots, and interview at the same time.  Now, I don't expect a plot of land, but placing each piece of paper even three inches apart would make a huge difference.

I hope these tips help if you are producing your next red carpet event.  Feel free to leave me comments or questions on an area I might have missed.  I am always happy to do a follow-up to this article.

Don't forget to enter to win my Red Carpet Gift Bag.  Enter before July 31st for a chance to win!