Thursday, July 31, 2008
MARIO TALKS WITH ESSENCE ABOUT LIFE, HIS MOTHER'S DRUG USE & RUMORS...
0 comments Posted by THE fly GIRL at 7:18 AM
We’ve watched Mario grow from a cornrows-having tween crooner to a debonair ballroom dancer. But there’s more to this 21-year-old. In 2007, Mario allowed MTV cameras into his life to capture his mother’s jarring struggle with a 20-year heroin addiction and his desperate plea for her to seek help in the documentary “I Won’t Love You to Death: The Story of Mario and His Mom.” Now, with a huge weight off his shoulders—his mother, Shawnita Hardaway, has been clean for nearly a year—the Baltimore native is gearing up for the next phase in his life. Mario gets personal with ESSENCE.com about his Do Right Foundation (which helps kids in drug-prevalent environments cope), fears that his mother might relapse, and what he hopes his legacy will be. Plus, he sets the record straight on rumors about him and his “Dancing With the Stars” partner, Karina Smirnoff.
ESSENCE.COM: Some people wouldn't be so open about a family member's battle with drugs, especially a parent. What made you decide to do that documentary?
MARIO: I was launching my foundation, and I felt the documentary gave kids and young adults with the same issues [as me] inspiration. I feel like it has helped me to grow a lot, with the things that I have experienced and gone through with my mother. I also felt like it showed who I really was as a young man outside of the music, because sometimes you can get lost in that box of being just a teen star—I’m more than that.
ESSENCE.COM: What made you decide to launch the Mario Do Right Foundation?
MARIO: In terms of my faith in God, I’ve seen what He’s brought people through, what He has brought me through, and how He still allows me to be focused on my goals and dreams. I want these kids to realize that they have the future ahead of them and this is just an example of how God can work.
ESSENCE.COM: What were the challenges of making this documentary with your mom?
MARIO: My mother is a very blunt person, and more than anything she wants to be a speaker. She wants to help change lives. But there were times when we both were like, “Turn the cameras off.” Everything that you see in the documentary was written, approved and signed by me, so there were a lot of things that weren’t shown, yet everything you see is real and raw. I hope people are inspired by it and that it will change people in a positive way.
ESSENCE.COM: Some people wouldn't be so open about a family member's battle with drugs, especially a parent. What made you decide to do that documentary?
MARIO: I was launching my foundation, and I felt the documentary gave kids and young adults with the same issues [as me] inspiration. I feel like it has helped me to grow a lot, with the things that I have experienced and gone through with my mother. I also felt like it showed who I really was as a young man outside of the music, because sometimes you can get lost in that box of being just a teen star—I’m more than that.
ESSENCE.COM: What made you decide to launch the Mario Do Right Foundation?
MARIO: In terms of my faith in God, I’ve seen what He’s brought people through, what He has brought me through, and how He still allows me to be focused on my goals and dreams. I want these kids to realize that they have the future ahead of them and this is just an example of how God can work.
ESSENCE.COM: What were the challenges of making this documentary with your mom?
MARIO: My mother is a very blunt person, and more than anything she wants to be a speaker. She wants to help change lives. But there were times when we both were like, “Turn the cameras off.” Everything that you see in the documentary was written, approved and signed by me, so there were a lot of things that weren’t shown, yet everything you see is real and raw. I hope people are inspired by it and that it will change people in a positive way.
For the rest of the article CLICK HERE
Essence.com
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
SOLANGE KNOWLES turned 22 this week and celebrated with a bash in LA last night.
A gang of celebs hit it up before heading to other events (ASCAP's & etc...)
Ok, LUDA, what's really goin on?
Can I tell you I love love love B without the lacefront! Beautiful!!!!
And of course the lessie "it" couple of the moment, Lindsey Lohan & DJ Sam Ronson hit her up as well. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOLO!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
MARY J. abosolutely STOLE the show last night in Cannes during a party thrown by the genius that is Roberto Cavalli. If Mary's BEAUTIFUL zebra inspired Roman empire dress looks familiar, it's because it's the ummer '08 version of the same dress Jennifer hudson wore to this years Oscars. LOVES IT!
Both Mary and DIDDY take a moment to talk to the legendary designer.
Little Ms. JORDIN SPARKS literally shined at last nights American Idol finale. now ya'll know I love me some Jordin but I gotta be honest, this look, with the gold, the orange and the black Loubutins...It's all a little too "all over the damn place." Girlfriend looks like a a rodeo clown.
Definately NOT my fav look on her.
MARIO however looked downright sexy last night at Maxim Magazine's "Hot 100" party held on the lot at Paramount in LA.
This is good look for him.
THIS however, was not. Damn AMERIE, why can't you get this right? I mean from the neck down, she looks bomb (although she seems to be losing more weight). But I'm too distracted by the $9.99 ig from the beauty supply off Wilson to even consider that those purple stillettos are the truth!
I AM NOT feelin that hair color on you. And LAWDKNOWS that make-up in absolutely NOT WASSUP!
Thank goodness CHRISTINA was there to show these heffas how it's done. Now her career might also be in the toilet and those green earrings might be a little too "matchy-matchy" for the dress, but damn if she don't consistantly keep it fly night after night.
A gold star also goes to ELISE NEAL. Cause dammit if you're gonna be one of the oldest tricks in the room, you better damn well be one of the flyest. Nice look. 
Ummm MEAGAN, wht the fuck is this?
And TICHINA snuck in that piece.
OK, so I'm puttin' ya'll officially on notice. At some point this weekend, at SOMEBODY'S Memorial day party, I will be rockin' the ish out of this eye make-up.
Damn is Nicole Schertinger (or however you spel the heffas name, you know from The Pussycat Dolls), didn't come up in there and freakin' just STOP the game. Well done. Well done.
I need two things from EVAN ROSS. 1. Please rock something else to a party. And 2. Get yo ass some sun.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
The 21-year-old singer, the youngest contestant on Dancing With the Stars to date, was eliminated from the show Tuesday despite landing in the middle of the pack after last night's ballroom-Latin double feature.
"I've had a great time performing on the show. I had a great partner," Mario said, making sure to give props to pal Karina Smirnoff, as well as a shout-out to "the real brave ones"—the U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East.
"Len, thank you for all your comments," he said graciously to the man who yesterday told him he had "bloody big, ugly" feet. "Ultimately, you helped me become a better ballroom dancer."
The real victory here is that a very decided R&B singer has exposed himself to an entirely new (nee white) audience. This should bode well for his career.
"I've had a great time performing on the show. I had a great partner," Mario said, making sure to give props to pal Karina Smirnoff, as well as a shout-out to "the real brave ones"—the U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East.
"Len, thank you for all your comments," he said graciously to the man who yesterday told him he had "bloody big, ugly" feet. "Ultimately, you helped me become a better ballroom dancer."
The real victory here is that a very decided R&B singer has exposed himself to an entirely new (nee white) audience. This should bode well for his career.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
LEONA LEWIS smiled for the press last night in Sydney...Chick KNOW she looks like an early Mariah!
ESTELLE hit up TRL today to pub Shine...Go COP THIS ALBUM!
MARIO registered to vote today with the grass roots org "Declare Yourself." so that third picture...Yeah.
LYFE JENNINGS signed copies of his new CD in NYC.
SIGH...Randy Jackson held a casting call in NYC for the awful dance show on MTV...Ick.
MARIO has taken to the streets (with a telemarketer's mic) to sing 'Cryin' Out For Me'...
Monday, April 28, 2008
MARIO, MISS USA CRYSTAL LEWIS & SEAN KINGSTON all hit Hollywood Life Magazine's Young Hollywood Awards this weekend in LA. My question is, what the hell was Crystal wearing?
N.E.R.D. plus NIGO hosted the official Vegas 'Glow In The Dark' after-party at TAO this weekend.
Ms. Jackson was honored at the GLAAD media awards this weekend. Zoe Saldana was there also, looking very radiant.
And it just wouldn't be April without a new Sam Jackson flick. He and his wife LaTonya Richardson hit up the preem of the new flick "Cleaner"
And LUDA celebrated the opening of his new Atlanta resturant this weekend. CONGRATS!
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