Entertainment
Bad Bunny’s Halftime Show Was a Master Class in American Culture
Published
8 months agoon
A reminder that diversity is not a threat — it is America’s strength.
By The Honorable Rick Singh
Former Orange County Property Appraiser
Bad Bunny’s halftime performance reminded us of something every American needs to hear right now:
We may come from different places, but we share far more in common than we sometimes realize. Our greatest strength has always been our willingness to embrace diversity — not fear it.
As an elected official, I delivered many speeches over the years. But one of the most meaningful moments of my public service was speaking to newly sworn American citizens — individuals who had taken their oath of citizenship just minutes before I addressed them.
I can tell you this: they were some of the proudest Americans I have ever encountered — men and women from every corner of the world, united by one oath and one dream.
For many, English was a second language. For some, this was the first country they had ever traveled to. But the pride in their eyes was unmistakable.
Watching them always brought me back to my own story.
I still remember arriving in America as a 10-year-old after spending my first decade of life in tropical Guyana — and experiencing so many things for the first time: winter in New York City without a coat, running water, electricity, trains, cars, and even an escalator, which absolutely terrified me.
I shared those experiences with them. I also shared my mother’s journey — her strength and sacrifice — which inspired me and reminded me of what so many immigrant families endure with quiet courage.
And I reminded those new Americans of something important:
Be proud of your culture.
Be proud of your food.
Be proud of your faith.
Be proud of your music.
Not only be proud of it — share it.
Share it with your American neighbors and friends, because that’s how we foster harmony and understanding.
When we share our traditions, we don’t just celebrate who we are — we educate. We break down stereotypes. We replace fear with familiarity. And we turn strangers into neighbors.
That is how we grow closer. That is how we build community.
And that brings me back to Bad Bunny.
His performance spoke powerfully to the idea of diversity — and to the universal language that connects all people: music. In many ways, it was world culture presented on one of America’s biggest stages.
It was also a master class in Puerto Rican culture — which I must remind some people is American culture.
Like so much of Latin America and the Caribbean, it also carried a deeper story: slavery and the legacy of indentured laborers, including those brought from India, who cut sugar cane and planted crops that fueled global empires.
When I saw the sugar cane fields in the performance visuals, I was reminded of where I was born — Guyana — where I spent my first ten years of life. My parents were humble sugar cane farmers.
The coconut stand selling fresh coconuts reminded me of Bourda Market in Georgetown.
And the vibrant Latin music took me right back to my childhood in the Bronx — hearing legends like El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, and Iris Chacón playing from apartment windows or speakers on fire escapes.
Different cultures.
Different rhythms.
Different drums from different lands.
But one shared spirit.
That’s America.
And when we embrace that truth, we don’t become weaker — we become stronger.
Because the reality is simple:
Together, we are all American.
Across Latin America and the Caribbean — regardless of language, flag, or heritage — we share lived experiences shaped by common history: agricultural roots, multi-generational homes, the neighborhood bodega or corner shop, struggle and resilience, rhythm and resistance, elders playing dominoes, and families gathering around food and music.
It’s not geography.
It’s identity.
It’s music.
In the end, Bad Bunny delivered something meaningful — not just for Puerto Ricans, but for every immigrant and every family with a story like mine.
His performance wasn’t just music and spectacle. It was a reflection of who we are, where we come from, and what we’ve overcome.
It reminded millions that being American isn’t about looking a certain way or speaking a certain language. It’s about owning your story, celebrating your roots, and contributing that richness to the shared tapestry of this country.
Boricua love, baby — you’ve got to love it.
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Entertainment
“4000 Days,” “Frampton” Set for Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25
Published
1 week agoon
October 22, 2026NAPLES, Fla. (FNN) — Two documentaries exploring families’ fight against college hazing and the career of musician Peter Frampton will screen at the Naples International Film Festival Oct. 24–25, according to an announcement from 10 Lives Studios.
Both films will be shown at Pavilion Naples, 833 Vanderbilt Beach Road.
“4000 Days”: Families Turn Grief Into Advocacy
Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Daniel E. Catullo III and executive produced by Paris Hilton, “4000 Days” follows three families whose sons died in fraternity hazing incidents.
Gary and Julie DeVercelly, Linda and Eric Oakes, and TJ and Kim Burch joined forces to challenge hazing practices, seek accountability and push for legislative reform. The title represents the approximately 4,000 days of their struggle to turn personal loss into change, according to the filmmakers.
The 111-minute documentary premiered at Tribeca and won the Grand Jury Award at the Jersey Shore Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Catullo, Julie and Gary DeVercelly, and Eric Oakes are scheduled to participate in question-and-answer sessions following the Naples screenings.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 25: 11 a.m.
“Frampton”: A Career of Setbacks and Comebacks
Directed by Frampton’s longtime bandleader, Rob Arthur, and produced by Catullo, “Frampton” traces the guitarist’s rise through the Herd and Humble Pie, his breakthrough as a solo artist and his continued performances while facing a degenerative condition.
Marking the 50th anniversary of “Frampton Comes Alive!”, the documentary combines archival footage, interviews and recent performances to examine the musician’s career and resilience.
The 102-minute film features appearances by musicians and entertainers including Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Alice Cooper and Nancy Wilson.
After premiering at Tribeca, the documentary won the Audience Award for Music on Screen at the Calgary International Film Festival, according to the announcement.
Screenings:
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 7:05 p.m.
Entertainment
Kym Whitley, Yvette Nicole Brown to Headline First Ladies Health Initiative Brain Health Luncheon
Published
1 month agoon
September 15, 2026The Sept. 19 luncheon in Marina del Rey will spotlight Alzheimer’s, dementia, caregiving and brain health as the First Ladies Health Initiative celebrates new grant support for programs empowering girls.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FNN) — Emmy-nominated actresses Kym Whitley and Yvette Nicole Brown will headline a First Ladies Health Initiative luncheon focused on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, caregiving and brain health on Saturday, Sept. 19, in Marina del Rey.
The First Ladies Health Initiative, or FLHI, will host its leaders summit luncheon, “Mindful of the Memories: A Path to Better Brain Health,” beginning at 11 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey.
Whitley, whose credits include Act Your Age and Raising Whitley, and Brown, known for Community, Act Your Age and The Mayor, will participate in a fireside conversation moderated by Dr. Shalonda “Sunshine” Crawford, co-pastor of Experience Christian Ministries.
The discussion will address the experiences of families affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the demands placed on caregivers and the challenges of balancing caregiving with careers and other responsibilities.
Personal Experiences Bring Caregiving Into Focus
FLHI Co-Executive Director Marquisé Alston-Allison said Whitley and Brown were selected in part because both have personal experience caring for their fathers.
“Alzheimer’s disease has a devastating impact on the African American community, where individuals are approximately twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia,” Alston-Allison said in the organization’s announcement.
The luncheon takes place two days before World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21.
Brain Health and Prevention Take Center Stage
FLHI is also partnering with the INSPIRE-Faith program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, led by neurologists Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai.
The program emphasizes lifestyle factors associated with brain and overall health, including nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management and social connections.
The initiative brings prevention-focused health education into faith and community settings while addressing conditions such as dementia, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and stroke.
Luncheon to Feature Music and Special Honors
Radio personality Aundrae Russell of 102.3 KJLH-FM will serve as emcee, with a musical performance by recording artist David Daughtry.
FLHI will also pay tribute to its founding president, Tracey Alston, who died last year.
Dr. Betty Ruth Price, former first lady, co-founder and matriarch of Crenshaw Christian Center, will also be honored during the event.
FLHI Among Organizations Receiving Girls Opportunity Alliance Support
The event comes as FLHI celebrates its selection for support through the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance.
According to the announcement, a total of $500,000 will be distributed among 10 organizations working to empower girls, with FLHI among the selected recipients.
FLHI is currently led by second-generation co-executive directors Marquisé Alston-Allison and Taylor Alston-Cleveland, alongside co-founder and National Chair Jamell Meeks of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago and Los Angeles Chair Crawford.
The organization also acknowledged support from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Healthy Mind Initiatives, Black Girl Vitamins and The Ritz-Carlton.
For additional information, visit First Ladies Health Initiative.
Central Florida News
Orlando International Fashion Week 2026 Opens Early Bird Pass Sales for November Runway Shows
Published
1 month agoon
September 15, 2026OIFW returns Nov. 8-15 with fashion, entertainment and cultural events across Orlando, culminating in a runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Orlando International Fashion Week is opening early bird access for its Fall 2026 “The Shows Pass,” giving guests an opportunity to secure admission to the event’s final weekend runway experiences before individual show tickets go on sale.
Orlando International Fashion Week, or OIFW, returns Nov. 8-15, 2026, with a week of fashion, art, music, entertainment, runway shows and cultural experiences throughout Orlando.
Select events will be invitation-only, while public ticketed programming will be offered throughout the week. The celebration will culminate with runway programming at Caribe Royale Orlando, the host hotel for OIFW’s final weekend experiences.
Early Bird Shows Passes
The Shows Pass is designed for guests seeking early access to OIFW’s featured runway experiences during the final weekend.
Early bird options include:
- 2-Day General Access — Nov. 14-15: $275
- 2-Day Preferred Access — Nov. 14-15: $425
- 2-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 14-15: $650
- 3-Day Front Row Access — Nov. 13-15: $750
Two-day passes include access to featured OIFW runway experiences on Saturday, Nov. 14, and Sunday, Nov. 15, at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Select three-day pass options also include FEN Social on Friday, Nov. 13, at Society Orlando, along with the final weekend runway experiences.
Individual show tickets are expected to be released at a later date.
Fashion, Entertainment and Tourism Come Together
“Orlando International Fashion Week continues to grow as a platform where fashion, entertainment, culture, and tourism come together,” said Rob Henlon, co-founder of Fierce Entertainment Management. “The Shows Pass gives our audience a first opportunity to be part of the final weekend experience as we prepare to announce more designers, models, featured guests, vendors, and special programming.”
OIFW is a Fierce Entertainment initiative produced and coordinated by Fierce Entertainment Management LLC.
Fall 2026 Model Casting Set for Sept. 26-27
Ahead of fashion week, OIFW will hold its Fall 2026 Model Casting on Sept. 26-27 in continued collaboration with the Global Peace Film Festival.
The casting will give models an opportunity to be considered for fashion, media, festival, promotional, live-event and runway opportunities connected to the Global Peace Film Festival and OIFW’s November 2026 shows.
Fierce Entertainment Management will manage and coordinate the casting.
Vendor Opportunities Available
Vendor opportunities are also available for select Fall 2026 events, including FEN Social at Society Orlando and the OIFW runway weekend at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Participation is subject to approval, space availability, venue guidelines and production needs.
Additional designers, models, featured guests, performers, vendors, partners and special experiences will be announced as details are finalized.
Early bird Shows Passes are available through the Orlando International Fashion Week official website.
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