Entertainment
Laila Ali, Bobby Bones, Jessie James Decker, Randy Jackson, Soledad O’Brien, Alli Webb and Carnie Wilson celebrity judges of The 2019 Miss America Competition
Published
8 years agoon
By
Willie David
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – The Miss America Organization and ABC today announced the celebrity judges for the final night of “The 2019 Miss America Competition” airing live on ABC from Atlantic City’s Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 (9:00 – 11:00p.m. ET/PT).
This year’s judge panel includes a diverse group of artists and entrepreneurs from various fields, including music, television, radio and health & wellness. Featuring former boxer, author and television personality Laila Ali; nationally syndicated on-air personality and author Bobby Bones; country music singer/songwriter Jessie James Decker; award-winning music producer and television host Randy Jackson; news anchor Soledad O’Brien; entrepreneur and founder of Dry Bar Alli Webb and singer, songwriter, author and television host Carnie Wilson, these judges will evaluate the candidates during the “The 2019 Miss America Competition” when 51 exceptional women take center stage showcasing intellect and talent while representing their home states (and District of Columbia) all competing for the job and coveted title of Miss America 2019.
Laila Ali:
Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness & wellness expert, TV host, cooking enthusiast, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and mother of two. The youngest daughter of late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, she is a three-time boxing hall of fame inductee and four-time undefeated boxing world champion, whose stellar record includes 24 wins (21 of which were “knockouts”) and zero losses. Laila is heralded as the most successful female in the history of women’s boxing. In 2012 when women’s boxing was included in the Olympics for the first time in history, Laila was the first woman in history to provide expert commentary for NBC Sports. Laila is the host of OWN Emmy award-winning series, “Home Made Simple” and the author of the best-selling cookbook, “Food For Life: Delicious & Healthy Comfort Food From My Table To Yours!”
Bobby Bones:
Dubbed “The most powerful man in country music” by Forbes Magazine, Bobby Bones continues to be an unstoppable force. His nationally syndicated radio show, The Bobby Bones Show, broadcasts to more than 120 stations and is the #1 Country morning show with millions of listeners each week. The show recently garnered its third ACM Award for National On-Air Personality of the Year, also winning a 2017 Country Music Association award for National Broadcast Personality of the Year and earned Bones the title of youngest ever inductee into the prestigious National Radio Hall of Fame. With his undeniable knack for recognizing and supporting new talent, Bones brought his expertise to the latest season of ABC’s American Idol as mentor. Bones is also a touring stand-up comedian, philanthropist, a two-time #1 New York Times best-selling author and chart-topping comedy artist – a true “jack of all trades” (ESPN).
Jessie James Decker:
Jessie James Decker is a country music singer/songwriter, style entrepreneur, television personality and author. Her most recent album, Southern Girl City Lights, debuted as #1 on the iTunes Top Country Albums Chart and billboard hot 100 following the success of her gold-certified single “Wanted.” A star of the hit reality show Eric and Jessie, she is the creator and designer of Kittenish, a playful fashion line inspired by her personal style. Decker’s first book, Just Jessie, is her guide to love, life, family and food, and will be released October 2 from Harper Collins Publishers.
Randy Jackson:
Randy Jackson is a Grammy Award®-winning producer, musician, songwriter and record-industry executive, business entrepreneur, best-selling author, talent manager, television producer and beloved television personality. Jackson has lent his talents to hit records by Smokey Robinson, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin and Madonna, to name a few. He’s also lived in the rock ‘n’ roll world, recording and performing with legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Keith Richards, Journey, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and countless others. All in all, he has over 1,000 gold and platinum plaques to his name, with collective sales exceeding 200 million copies. However, it is on television where Randy Jackson became a household name and reached iconic status within pop culture as a judge on American Idol for 13 seasons.
Soledad O’Brien:
Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, speaker, author and philanthropist who anchors and produces the Hearst Television political magazine program “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien.” O’Brien, founder and CEO of Starfish Media Group also reports for HBO Real Sports, the PBS NewsHour, WebMD and has authored two books. She has appeared on networks, Fox and Oxygen and anchored and reported for NBC, MSNBC and CNN. She has won numerous awards, including three Emmys, the George Peabody award, an Alfred I DuPont prize and the Gracie. Newsweek Magazine named her one of the “15 People Who Make America Great.” With her husband, she is founder of the PowHERful Foundation that helps young women get to and through college.
Alli Webb:
Alli Webb is an Entrepreneur, N.Y. Times Bestselling Author, and Founder of Drybar. After spending 15 years as a professional hair stylist, Webb left the hair industry in 2005 to start a family. A few years later, she began offering affordable in-home blowout services to mommy friends, which quickly expanded into a mobile operation by 2009. In 2010, Webb opened the first Drybar in Brentwood, CA. Eight years later, there are over 100 locations across the U.S. Webb also diversified the Drybar brand, creating a line of products and tools. Webb has been named one of the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company, featured on Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list, and Marie Claire’s “Most Fascinating Women.”Recently, Webb launched a podcast with her brother and business partner Michael Landau called “Raising the Bar” the latest extension of her ever-expanding empire. The weekly show provides a platform to budding entrepreneurs.
Carnie Wilson:
Carnie Wilson, daughter of legendary Beach Boy founder, Brian Wilson, has a varied career as a singer, songwriter, actress, voice over artist, author and talk show host. She currently is a regular guest co-host for CBS’S “The Talk” and has guest co-hosted “The View” and is Emmy-Award®-nominated for hosting “The Newlywed Game” and E!’s “100 Celebrity Slimdowns.” As a member of Wilson Phillips, Carnie achieved unparalleled first album success, selling ten million albums with three #1 hit singles, including the song “Hold On,” which was featured in her cameo role in the movie “Bridesmaids.” The group’s second album achieved international multiplatinum success selling three million albums. Carnie is the founder and co-owner of a national dessert company featuring delicious bite size desserts called “Love Bites by Carnie.”
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Entertainment
‘SPAMALOT’ Joins Dr. Phillips Center’s 2026-27 Broadway in Orlando Season
Published
2 days agoon
August 10, 2026
Tony Award-winning musical will play Walt Disney Theater Nov. 3-5, 2026
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts is expanding its 2026-27 Broadway in Orlando season with the addition of SPAMALOT, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, scheduled for Nov. 3-5, 2026, at Walt Disney Theater.
Inspired by the classic comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT brings Monty Python’s distinctly British humor to the stage through a comedic adventure following King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail.
The production comes to Orlando following a celebrated 2023 Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre, directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes.
Monty Python Comedy Comes to Orlando
Described as “lovingly ripped” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical features British royalty, flying cows, dancing girls, shrubbery and the Lady of the Lake.
The 14-time Tony Award-nominated musical features well-known numbers including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Find Your Grail.”
SPAMALOT features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, with music by John Du Prez and Idle.
Cast Announced for Orlando Production
The cast features Major Attaway, whose credits include Aladdin, as King Arthur; Sean Bell (Harmony) as Sir Robin; Chris Collins-Pisano (Forbidden Broadway) as Sir Lancelot; Ellis C. Dawson III (Hamilton) as Sir Bedevere; Leo Roberts (Les Misérables) as Sir Galahad; Amanda Robles as the Lady of the Lake; Blake Segal (Mary Poppins) as Patsy; and Steven Telsey (The Book of Mormon) as the Historian and Prince Herbert.
The company also includes Lindsay Lee Alhady, Delaney Benson, Jack Brewer, Connor Coughlin, L’ogan J’ones, Graham Keen, Claire Kennard, Ben Lanham, Nathaniel Mahone, Maddie Mossner, Emilie Renier, Mark Tran Russ and Meridien Terrell.
Creative Team
The production’s creative team includes scenic and projection designer Paul Tate dePoo III, costume designer Jen Caprio, lighting designer Cory Pattak, sound designers Kai Harada and Haley Parcher, and wig designer Tom Watson.
John Bell serves as music supervisor, with Jonathan Gorst as musical director and conductor.
Derek Kolluri is associate director, Michael Fatica is associate choreographer and casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA. RCI Theatricals serves as general manager, and Jeffrey Finn is the producer.
Tickets on Sale Now
Single tickets for SPAMALOT are on sale now through Dr. Phillips Center.
Performances: Nov. 3-5, 2026
Venue: Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Location: Orlando, Florida
Tickets and additional information are available through the Dr. Phillips Center website.
Central Florida News
Dr. Phillips Center Generates $227.6 Million Annual Economic Impact, Supports Nearly 2,500 Central Florida Jobs
Published
2 weeks agoon
July 30, 2026
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts generated $227.6 million in annual economic impact, supporting 2,483 jobs and producing $13.2 million in state and local tax revenue, according to a newly released independent study by Tourism Economics.
The analysis, conducted by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company specializing in economic impact and tourism research, measured the direct, indirect and induced economic activity generated by the arts center’s operations, performances, visitors and related spending throughout Central Florida.
The findings underscore the Dr. Phillips Center’s role as both a premier performing arts destination and a major contributor to the region’s economy.
“For more than a decade, we’ve seen firsthand how the arts inspire people, bring communities together and create lasting value,” said Kathy Ramsberger, president and CEO of Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. “This study confirms that our impact reaches far beyond our stages—supporting thousands of jobs, driving business growth, attracting visitors from around the world and helping position Central Florida as a more vibrant, competitive and connected region.”
Economic Impact by the Numbers
According to the Tourism Economics report, the Dr. Phillips Center generated:
- $227.6 million in annual economic output
- 2,483 jobs supported across Central Florida
- $70.8 million in total labor income in Orange County
- $13.2 million in state and local tax revenue
- $73.1 million in off-site spending by event attendees, performers and production crews
- 61,600 hotel room nights generated annually
The study highlights the ripple effect created by visitors attending performances, benefiting nearby hotels, restaurants, retailers and other local businesses.
A Global Destination for Arts and Entertainment
Now in its 11th year, the Dr. Phillips Center welcomes more than 910,000 guests annually, attracting visitors from all 50 states and more than 80 countries.
Since opening in 2014, the venue has hosted:
- More than 6.2 million guests
- More than 6,200 performances and events
- Programming presented 99% of the year
- Venue occupancy rates ranging from 82% to 97%
The center has become one of the world’s busiest performing arts destinations while helping position downtown Orlando as a leading hub for arts, culture and entertainment.
Community Investment Beyond the Stage
In addition to its economic impact, the Dr. Phillips Center continues investing in arts education, community outreach and cultural programming throughout Central Florida.
According to the organization, it has:
- Served 935,920 students and community participants
- Supported and hosted 202 regional arts organizations
- Received support from 24,085 donors
- Benefited from $256 million in philanthropic contributions since its inception
Through partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, community groups and touring productions, the center continues to expand access to the performing arts while strengthening the region’s cultural and economic vitality.
Looking Ahead
Eleven years after opening, the Dr. Phillips Center continues to demonstrate that investment in arts and culture produces measurable returns through tourism, employment, education and community engagement.
As Central Florida continues to grow, the independent analysis reinforces the performing arts center’s importance as both a cultural landmark and an economic engine for the region.
Additional information about the economic impact study is available through the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
Entertainment
Blue Man Group Orlando Launches $25 Kids Ticket Offer at ICON Park Through Dec. 31
Published
1 month agoon
July 6, 2026
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Families can enjoy Blue Man Group Orlando for less this summer and fall thanks to a new ticket promotion that allows children to attend performances for $25 with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.
The limited-time offer is available for online purchases through Dec. 31, 2026, making one of Orlando’s newest live entertainment attractions more affordable for families.
Special Kids Ticket Offer
Under the promotion, guests who purchase a full-priced adult ticket may purchase a children’s ticket for $25.
The offer is valid for performances:
- Monday through Thursday
- Fridays at 5 p.m.
The promotion is not valid for:
- Saturday performances
- Sunday performances
- Fridays at 8 p.m.
New Orlando Production at ICON Park
Blue Man Group opened its new resident production at ICON Park in May inside a custom-built theater located along Orlando’s International Drive entertainment district.
The production blends music, comedy, technology and audience participation, while featuring many of the signature moments fans expect from Blue Man Group alongside new material created exclusively for the Orlando production.
Global Entertainment Phenomenon
Since debuting in 1991 at New York’s Astor Place Theatre, Blue Man Group has entertained more than 50 million people worldwide through resident productions and international tours.
The show continues to expand with performances in Orlando, Las Vegas, touring productions across North America and an upcoming tour in Japan.
Blue Man Group is owned and operated by Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.
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