Dena Ross: March 2009 Archives

Thank you Perez Hilton for reminding me that 14 years ago today, the world lost one of the most talented female artists to ever cross over between Tejano music and English pop music, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.

Although I cannot say that I was a big Selena fan growing up, I gained a newfound respect for her through the 1997 film "Selena," in which the relatively new actress, Jennifer Lopez, portrayed the star.

Last year, I wrote about the effect "Selena" had on me in the Idol Chatter post. "Top 10 Movies to Put Your Faith in Love (and Cry in the Process)":

When Mexican-American singer Selena, "Queen of Tejano Music" burst onto the music scene in the early 90s, I was too busy banging my head to Nirvana and Pearl Jam to notice. But when she was murdered in 1995 by her fan club manager, I was awakened to the shock, anger, and heartbreak among her many fans. In the heavily Hispanic areas of my hometown, Brooklyn, N.Y., I noticed memorial T-shirts worn by many. In "Selena," Jennifer Lopez wonderfully portrays the music star (in a performance she hasn't matched to date) as a carefree, caring, amazingly talented young woman, whose life and career was cut way too short. Watching her fans and family grieve her loss was absolutely heartbreaking. I've seen more than one boyfriend cry during scenes from this movie.

If you haven't already seen the film, check it out. In the meantime, watch this beautiful Selena tribute:

   

In the new Hallmark TV movie "Love Takes Wing," airing Saturday, April 4, based on the popular book series "Love Comes Softly," Sarah Jones and Haylie Duff stars as two 19th century female doctors who go to a small town to help stop a spreading illness. And be sure to check out this Beliefnet interview with Haylie Duff on her new role and what she can't live without.

Christian actor Willie Aames is apparently in such financial trouble that he did what few celebrities have done before him--held a garage sale, according to the Kansas City Star.

The newspaper reported that Aames held the sale at his Olathe, Kansas home yesterday and that there were a variety of items up for grabs:

"There was a plush leather couch and chair and a giant television. Also, a lion head mounted on an oak pedestal, along with stuffed wild boars and other wildlife he hunted. Some other items included crystal and posters of him when he was young."

It's certainly been a rough year for the former star of "Eight is Enough," "Charles in Charge," and "Bibleman." He separated from his wife Maylo (pictured with him above), filed for bankruptcy, and tried to commit suicide over Thanksgiving.

All of this came in the wake of the release of his book, "Grace Is Enough" which he co-authored with Maylo. The couple spoke to me shortly before the book's release and discussed how their Christian faith helped keep their marriage strong as well as helped Willie overcome drug addiction and depression.

In response to a question on how he gets through the low points in life, Aames said:

"Up until recently, many people told me, "Why don't you just hang it up? You had a good ride, and you might as well give up." That's just not something that I do easily. No matter how I might feel about myself or my self-image, there is still a part of me that wants to fight to the end."

Although you probably know him best as hilarious weirdo Dwight Schrute on "The Office," Rainn Wilson's new role is as the voice of evil alien Gallaxhar in the new animated film, "Monsters vs. Aliens" which opens today (see Movie Mom's review).

In a new interview with Parade Magazine, Wilson talks a bit about his Bahai faith, saying that it keeps him grounded as an actor:

"I'm a member of the Baha'i faith and there's a lot of kind of Baha'i themes, spiritual and mystical elements that fuel my creativity. I feel like the artistic process is very akin to kind of a spiritual process of creating, entertaining, and making the world a better place. It's a way to be of service. I also get a lot out of playing with my young son, Walter. He gives me a lot of inspiration as well."

Wilson also recently co-founded the cool new website SoulPancake, which is "the only place on the Web to debate, wrestle with, and explore creativity AND spirituality."

Musician Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, the bass player for Korn, who recently came out publically as a Christian in a new book, "Got the Life: My Journey of Addiction, Faith, Recovery, and Korn." You may remember a few years ago, another member of the band--Brian "Head" Welch-- became a Christian and left because he didn't think he could handle being a Christian in a mainstream rock band like Korn. Fieldy does, however, plan on staying in the band and has the support of his bandmates.

I recently spoke to Fieldy about the book, the band's response to his conversion, and an interesting conversation he had with a member of Flyleaf. Check out the interview and let me know what you think.

Last night's finale of the hit TLC reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" was pretty much a snore--aside from the last few minutes. Commercial teasers for the finale made it seem like we'd eventually witness a blowout between the...

Nicholas Hughes, 47, the son of revered poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath has hanged himself at his home in Alaska. According to family, Hughes had been suffering from depression for some time. Tragically, his mother, who also suffered from...

And more of this month in Christian celebrity infidelity... First Jon Gosselin and now LeAnn Rimes? According to US Weekly, married singer Rimes is having an affair with married actor Eddie Cibrian, whom she met on the set of a...

I'm not going to pretend that I've been following "American Idol" this season (Joanne Brokaw over at Gospel Soundcheck has been doing a very good job at that), but when I heard one of the finalists, Adam Lambert, covered one...

According to various media outlets, actress Natasha Richardson has been critically injured in a skiing accident in Canada. Richardson, the daughter of legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave and wife of actor Liam Neeson, reportedly suffered what's being called a "traumatic brain...

In honor of St. Patrick's day, check out these 8 Irish blessings for luck. Here's one of my favorites: May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon...

A young boy (Bill Milner) who lives in a nursing home run by his parents befriends an elderly man (Michael Caine) who teaches him magic tricks and shows him what life is really about....

In a new article on CNN, "American Idol" finalist and Christian music star Mandisa talks about her weight loss (75 pounds and counting) and her new album, "Freedom" which hits stores March 24. She says she has forgiven "Idol" judge...

In this comedy, a young Jewish teen struggles with finding a date to the prom, pressured by the fact that the school's biggest nerd already has one, and has even booked a hotel room. The film stars Steven Kaplan, William...

In this upcoming documentary journalist Nick Rosen travels the world talking to mystics, gurus, and others in search of the true meaning of yoga. Here, he speaks with yogi Norman Allen of Hawaii about the connection between yoga and enlightenment....

Although I am certainly not one to fall down at Oprah's feet and praise every word she says like some people, I do have to give her props for her latest public message to singer Rihanna, whose boyfriend, singer Chris...

With Barbie celebrating the big 5-0 this year, some might say she's experiencing a mid-life crisis by going out and getting herself inked up. "Totally Stylin' Tattoos" Barbie--which comes with small tattoo stickers for Barbie and a "tattoo gun" for...

Say it ain't so! Star Magazine is reporting that Jon Gosselin, star of the hit TLC reality show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8" may be cheating on his wife. According to the Magazine, Jon--who along with Kate and the rest...

One day four years ago Jonas Elrod woke up with the inexplicable ability to see and hear ghosts, angels, demons, and auras. The documentary "Wake Up" follows his journey across the country and overseas for the next three years to...

Rapper and sometimes actor Snoop Dogg has revealed that he has joined the Nation of Islam, according to the BBC. After appearing at the group's Saviour's Day event in Chicago, Snoop told reporters why he decided to officially join the...