Check out two of my recent op-ed pieces with Essence.com on Kobe Bryant and Donald Trump.

Donald Trumps Thinks He Can Run America, We Think Not! …

Sound-Off: Why Kobe Bryant Should Shut-Up and Pay

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It’s always great to interview the legends and Wes Craven is certainly a legend.  His films are iconic and what all of us grew up on the eighties.  Craven was someone I never thought I would get the chance to interview and early  this week I chatted with the creator of Nightmare on Elm Street and the Scream franchises.  His passion for horror was amazing.  He talked about horror in the way that Diahann Carroll talked about acting. Although I am fan of the horror genre, I have a different respect for it after speaking to the king. Check out the interview below!

Q&A: The King of Scream, Wes Craven, Talks Race and Horror

In a portion of the interview that was cut, I asked him this:

What’s your reaction to people who say horror films are disgusting and they would never watch them?
Don’t go! [Laughs] Some people don’t like it or can’t handle it.  I think people who are psychologically adventurous can it take it a lot better than people who like roller-coasters and jumping out of airplanes.  You can’t argue somebody into going and enjoy it.  It’s just something you to go in, willing to surrender to and have fun with it.  But there are some horror films that I wouldn’t go back to or I wouldn’t go to because I feel like it’s just going to be blood-drenched. There’s not going to be much intelligence into them.  The people that say they don’t go to that kind of film, I wish they would at least open their mind to the point that there are some very fine ones made—some are junk but that’s kind of true of all films.  There’s always just a small percentage really worth seeing.

Scream 4 is in theaters today.

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Yesterday, Page Six reported that Nicki Minaj was diva-ing out after her Thursday night performance with The Roots at the Best Buy Theater in New York City.  You never know when someone will have a diva moment but I was surprised to hear  about this rant — I’m also not sure how true it is.  I interviewed Nicki in her dressing room hours before the show and she was polite, attentive and jovial.

The Queens native told me she had just landed in New York City at 3am so she was exhausted.  Nonetheless, when I walked in the room she immediately stood to greet me (you’d be surprised how standing is too much for many celebs) and looked me right in the eye during our interview (another rarity).  Once the interview was over we took a couple pictures and she said, “I wish we had more time together,” giving me a hug. She then gave an energetic, animated performance.

It’s not impossible that a few hours later Nicki went into this alleged diva mode.  However, I’d be surprised if she were diva-ing out in the V.I.P., but not with the press, which is usually where you see the most antics.

It was an honor to interview Miss Minaj.  Check out my AOL Music interview and review of the show.

Q&A: Nicki Minaj Addresses ‘X Factor’ Rumors and Selling Sex

Nicki Minaj, the Roots Team With Casio for New York City Show

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Check out my farewell to the legendary Elizabeth Taylor for The Root:

Remembering Liz Taylor: Michael Jackson, Cleopatra and the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Also, go over to Essence.com for my commentary on Chris Brown:

Is Chris Brown a Victim of F.A.M.E. or Petulant Diva?

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