Cory Hardrict (@coryhardrict)– Destined for Greatness!

Cory Hardrict silently dominated the 2016 independent film festival circuit with his film, “Destined”.

In addition to playing dual roles in the film, Hardrict also served as executive producer. Initially, Hardrict was producing the film and not starring in it, but the director felt like he was the perfect fit for the leading man. Destined follows two separate paths a young man takes after he comes to the fork in the road of life. The film is about choices and how consequences to actions can result in a lifetime of differences. “One character is an architect—sometimes in that world you have other people that make decisions for you. He is dealing with gentrification which results in  him making a decision for an entire
community. The parallel character is a drug Lord desperately trying to save his son. It’s a real life thing two paths and parallels,” Hardrict explains. “Destined” quickly became the project to beat, garnering eight awards at twelve festivals throughout 2016. “I knew from what we shot the work was great. After you shoot it and put it together, the rest is in God’s hands. The success has been a blessing, but the mission is to get it to the world,” Hardrict shares.

Hardrict enjoyed a number of films released last year, including most recently “Spectral” an action thriller purchased by Netflix, but much like the message in his film “Destined”, Hardrict is both strategic and selective with his career. His brooding yet unforgettable presence along with his selective-ness when choosing roles are just a few of the reasons Hardrict has been compared to the legendary Denzel Washington. When asked about the constant comparison, Hardrict is humbled. “Denzel is a living legend, so I just shake my head. He is like a God, he is the best actor on the planet. I got a lot of work to do before I could come anywhere close to that. He has a lot of strength and power. He’s been consistent. Antoine Fuqua was the first person to say I reminded him of a young Denzel. It made me want to step my game up, those are heavy words.” Besides his on camera likeness to Denzel, Hardrict is also an outspoken family man, attributing his success to the title of fatherhood he enjoys with wife Tia Mowry. “Becoming a husband and father made my heart open up more because I love my wife and son to death. It’s been fun, nothing but joy. It’s made me a better man and better actor.”

[PHOTOS] FX (@FXNetworks) Screens “Snowfall” (@SnowfallFX) in Atlanta w/ John Singleton And Cast!

FX’s Snowfall has to be one of the most anticipated series debuting this summer.

The series is set in Los Angeles in 1983 during the city’s first crack epidemic. The show follows the lives of several characters whose lives are intersect “Crash” style; 19-year-old drug dealer Franklin Saint, Mexican wrestler Gustavo Zapata, CIA operative Teddy McDonald, and Luica Villanueva, the daughter of a Mexican crime boss. We promise you will fall in love with this amazing cast!

Last night, FX Networks hosted an advance screening of the new drama series Snowfall in Atlanta. Despite the nasty rain and threatening tornado warnings, guests eagerly lined up ahead of show time in anticipation of the exclusive preview. After the screening, Yung Joc of Streetz 94.5 moderated a Q&A with co-creators John Singleton and Dave Andron along with cast members Damson Idris, Carter Hudson, Isaiah John and Angela Lewis.

Attendees included Jovita Moore (WSB-TV), Judge Terrinee Gundy (Municipal Court of Atlanta), Marlo Hampton (Bravo’s “Real Housewives of Atlanta”), Mary HoneyB Morrison (NY Times Best-Selling Author), Reece Odum (Bounce TV’s “Saints & Sinners”) and Reg Rob (actor).

We had the opportunity to catch the first episode of the series and we have to say we are already hooked! John Singleton is the master of urban dramas and action. The way this series unfurls and how its characters intersect is going to have you glued to your screen weekly. We are super happy to see Snowflake out this summer, as you know the season rarely has anything worth watching with all the bigger shows on hiatus. Check out the trailer for the Snowflake  below and tell us what you think of it in the comments section. Will you be watching? Happy viewing!

#SnowfallFX premieres Wednesday, July 5th at 10/9c on FX.

Photos by James Pray for FX Networks

Kontrol Exclusive (@kontrolmag): Behind The Scenes w/ Actor/Singer Chris June!

Written By: Mark Pollard

Chris June is a young entertainer with a resume that includes some of social media’s most talked-about shows.

With an equally appealing stage presence to match, this DC area native is definitely a star on the rise and someone who is going to make waves this summer all over your social timelines. Get into this inside scoop behind the scenes with About Him and Raising Eli Actor/Singer Chris June.

Chris June was born Chris Williams and raised in Largo, MD to a single mother. The arts embraced Chris from a young age, indulging him in creative outlets frequently. Theatre, drawing, and even designing clothes in high school were just some of his endeavors. However, it wasn’t until drama class that he’d find belongingness in his ability to embody characters. After a few years, he’d cleaned up his gift and go on to Salisbury University where he’d obtain his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Why a degree in Psychology do you ask? June goes on to explain how he puts to use his degree through every character he portrays on television and stage.

[VIDEO] Happy Father’s Day! Men’s Products & Shaving Tips w/ Boardroom Salon for Men at Avalon (@BoardroomSalons)!

Tomorrow is Father’s Day and if you are anything like us you probably waited until the last minute to get something for your old man. The typical/traditional Father’s Day gift is usually a tie or something dressy, but there is so much more to a man that just what he wears. How about those things called hair and skin that cover most of his body?

Kontrol Magazine’s Entertainment & Lifestyle Editor and Atlanta blogger, Michael “Hey Mikey” Fanning, got a few amazing tips from the staff and stylists of Boardroom Salon at Avalon in Alpharetta, Georgia.

 

First let’s talk ambiance! Walking into Boardroom Salon is breathtaking and you instantly get the feeling you have stepped into an upper echelon of grooming and pampering. The salon is very old school, gentlemanly, and most of classy! Those hardwood floors and paneling, black leather seats, and a comfy lounge is nothing short of timeless.

Kontrol Exclusive (@kontrolmag): Discover The Life Behind The Music of Normani Kordei (@NormaniKordei)!

Written By: Tanisha D. Davis

Normani Kordei is a singer originally from Atlanta, Georgia who is a member of the girl group, Fifth Harmony.

Her sweet and humble personality adds to why she has remained such a successful performer in recent years. Kordei has been singing and dancing since the age of four and although she has had an early start in the field of music, she doesn’t allow that to steal away from her ability to remain humble in the midst of all the excitement and success. Kontrol truly enjoyed discovering more about the life of the young singer and was excited to find out that she will be appearing on the hit TV series, ‘Dancing With the Stars.’

“Dancing with the Stars has been an incredible experience. Honestly I feel like I have grown in the last three weeks. I really have the best partner and he has been really encouraging me, and allowing me to see the beauty in me and what I have to offer. Growing up, I didn’t really believe in myself the most, especially since I started out at such a young age. Having people judge you in every little thing you do, even as a teenager and experiencing life for itself can be tough. He’s helping me to realize that it’s okay to be vulnerable, like don’t keep it all to yourself, so I really thank him for that, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of the season with him. The cast has really become a family and learning all of the dances and genres has really been cool.”

Kontrol Exclusive (@kontrolmag): From The Street to The Throne—It’s Dreezy’s (@dreezydreezy) World!

The rise and reign of rap is perhaps the biggest and most inspiring aspect of modern music. From simple “Get Downs” in basements and dance offs on street corners, rap has become the most popular genre on the face of the planet! The sheer number of rap stars the genre has generated is immense, forever evolving, and revolving. The rap game is fierce and “competitive” just does not sum up the nature of the business when it comes to being a star or wannabe. When you add being a woman on top of that the stakes become astronomical.

Enter 2017 and the rap world of Dreezy!

Strong, independent, and determined Dreezy is the future of female rap in an industry determined to overlook, undermine, and underestimate her every step of the way.

It seems like forever ago when we first bobbed our heads to Dreezy’s hit single, Body, and now the stars are within her reach. In a candid conversation with Kontrol Magazine she goes on to discuss her goals for 2017, hopes, dreams, and what it means to be a female rapper. “It [2017] has started off great…I messed up with my resolution, it was to stop smoking, but I did slow down, shout out to that [she laughs]. I have been working out. The year came in and I said I wanted to work out and have been doing that like every day and I’m seeing the results from that. I said I’m just gonna take care of my hair and hygiene and focus more on me and my music…” Interestingly she described 2016, on a scale of one to ten as a four or five! “Last year was so bittersweet for me. I dropped my first album and that was good. I had like four singles on the radio and that was good, but I lost my best friend last year and that was one of the worst times. So yeah it was real bittersweet, a lot of ups and downs—real weird. [In 2017] I feel rejuvenated, I lost my friend at the beginning of last year so we had our plans and resolutions and it was New Years and we were celebrating. It all happened the day after and I feel like I got set back. This year I feel like it’s my second shot to make everything good I just had to recoup. No excuses.”

6 Habits to Incorporate Into Your Beauty Routine

6 Habits to Incorporate Into Your Beauty Routine

It’s easy to get comfortable in your makeup routine and fall into a beauty rut. If you’re looking for ways to revamp your beauty routine, incorporate some of these essential habits. From cleaning your makeup brushes to removing your makeup before falling into bed, these are simple changes that can totally revamp your beauty routine.

1. Regularly Clean Your Tools

One of the most important things you can do in your beauty routine is to regularly clean your high-quality makeup brushes. If you’ve never washed your makeup brushes, it’s time to start. If you’re continuously dipping dirty brushes into your makeup powder and liquid, you’re creating a breeding ground for bacteria—that you will then apply to your face. Most makeup experts recommend washing beauty tools at least once a week. It should take you less than a half hour to clean up your brushes, blenders, and other applicators. Cleaning your brushes does more than protect your skin from bacteria; clean brushes help improve application of products for a smooth look.

2. Remove Your Makeup Before Going to Bed

Whether you’re coming home from a party or just getting ready for bed after a long day at the office, it can be tempting to skip the makeup removal and make your way beneath the sheets. This is a mistake. Leaving your makeup on thwarts your skin’s efforts to repair the damage it faced during the day. Don’t rely on makeup wipes; these simply aren’t enough to clear your skin of the dead skin cells, bacteria, and grime that can build up throughout the day.

3. Moisturize

You should already be moisturizing, but consider this a gentle nudge if you’re not. Our skin goes through a lot every day, and even if you have oily skin type, it’s important to give your skin the moisture it needs. It’s important to choose your moisturizer based on your skin type. Those with excessively dry skin should look for thick, cream-based product to help restore the skin’s moisture barrier. Those with oily skin should use lighter, water-based moisturizers. Those with combination skin often find they must use two different types of moisturizing product on the various parts of the face.

4. Be Consistent with Your Skin Care Regimen

It can be tough to stick to a strict skin care regimen. In the morning, you’re rushing around trying to get dressed and arrive at work on time. At night, you’re exhausted and want to fall into bed. Spending 15 minutes going through a regimented skin care routine can sound less than enticing. But it’s important to set up a daily practice with your chosen product. This is especially true for those suffering with extreme breakouts. The causes of severe acne can’t be prevented, but they can be controlled through regular care. Consistency can keep your skin looking and feeling its best, and prevent signs of aging. Be sure to select products based on your individual needs.

5. Invest in a Humidifier

The benefits of a humidifier are vast. You’ll breathe better while you sleep, and give your skin the restoration time it needs. Combining an air humidifier with a moisturizer will help you hydrate and plump up your skin. This allows you to moisturize during your slumber, to wake up with skin that looks better and feels softer.

6. Change Your Shampoo Regularly

To get the most out of your hair products, it’s important to switch up your shampoo and conditioner regularly. Depending on the season and the way your body reacts to certain weather conditions, your scalp and hair can require different things throughout the year. If you’ve noticed flaking, you may need to look for shampoos that contain sulfur to help cut down on excess skin cell shedding. If your hair seems lifeless and dull during the winter months, you may need a product that offers added moisturizing capabilities. You can also try mixing and matching between products; your shampoo and conditioner don’t need to be from the same brand to be effective. Do some experimentation and find the products that fit your hair best.

Don’t fall into a beauty rut. Give your daily beauty routine a boost and revamp your skin care, hair care, and makeup habits to look your best.

Kontrol Exclusive (@kontrolmag): “The Real Housewives of Potomac Star,” Charrisse Jackson Jordan (@CharrisseJordan), Break Out Star of Season 2!

The Real Housewives of Potomac is back for a second season and the cast is bigger and better. All the original ladies return with a newbie in the mix, but so far this season it is all about Charrisse Jackson Jordan.

She has broken out of her shell, and is showing a different more authentic side of herself. Jackson is shaping up to be the breakout star this season.

“Looking at season one it made me be myself from a different perspective. I saw a sad person. I was going through things in my marriage. I was reserve with a lot of my actions last season. I wanted the audience to see the real Charrisse. I needed to do it again to show a different side of me, and I have a different mindset,” said Jackson-Jordan.

This season you see Charrisse show a more light hearted side of herself.  The mother of two is seen dancing around with her daughter, and enjoying life more this season. She even shows the more assertive side, going head-to-head with standout cast mate, Gizelle Bryant.                       

I’m a lot lighter, trying to have a great time and being a good mom.  I will go through a lot of arguments with my cast mates this season. I hope people see a positive side this season. Last season, they saw a bougie side. They saw a character, and I didn’t like anything about that,” said the reality star.

Spotify (@Spotify) To Release New Rap Show, “Traffic Jams!”

The music streaming service Spotify is trying to break its way into show business. In efforts to compete with Apple Music’s Carpool Karoake, Spotify has come up with its own musical show.

Recently, Spotify premiered a trailer for its new rap show called Traffic Jams.

Courtesy: Google Images

The show will feature a different rapper and producer each episode. The rapper and producer duo will be challenged to create an original song while in the middle of Los Angeles rush hour traffic. Once the team completes their song, they will be required to perform their new hit in front of a jam packed audience.

Kontrol Exclusive: Fit Mom & Superwoman—Laura Govan (@LauraMGovan) Won’t Be Stopped!

 

Whoever said a woman’s life as she knows it ends when she becomes a mother must have been born in the fifties. Gone are the days when being a mother is a woman’s “be all and end all.” Do not get us wrong; any good mother should be there for her kids, but modern moms know their own well-being is intricately tied in with their children’s.

Enter the world of Laura Govan, reality television star, businesswoman, and “Fit Mom.”

This astonishing woman is still taking the world by storm. “…so much [is going on], so much! I’ve been working on my fitness line, my clothing line, my accessory line is booming and doing amazing…I’ve gotten crazy support from a lot of people—Amber Rose, [Blac] Chyna, Neicey Nash, Karreueche [Tran], Christina—so a lot of women are wearing it and loving it…It’s so funny because I had no intention of starting a business or doing anything…I didn’t realize the passion that I had for it…it’s such a blessing…”

            We all know and love Laura from her appearances on shows like VH-1’s Basketball Wives LA and TV One’s The Next 15, but honestly as you can tell there is much more to her than just reality television. Ms. Govan is now a “Fit Mom.” A fit mom is a term used to describe mothers who have not allowed childbirth and motherhood to keep them from being healthy and fit. When asked would she define herself as a fit mom she replies; “You know I most definitely feel like anyone who works out is definitely fit…it’s hard to wanna get up and do something. It takes a lot, just the will to want to be motivated, especially when you’re not in the right frame of mind…” Many people might argue that because Laura does not have a typical “nine to five” job she has the time to work out and develop her body. “Not necessarily. I beg to differ. Because my job is twenty four hours, not only do I have my children all day, every day; even when they’re at school I’m on call [she laughs]…I  make time to work out. Even if that means I have to get up at five AM to get ahead of my children to do that then that’s what I’ll do. Also, working out does not mean you have to go to the gym. I hate that people think that. It’s such a stereotypical thing, I feel like it’s an excuse. ‘People are like oh I can’t get to them.’ I’m like shit I can’t either! Do things in the house, you have to figure it out. There are so many things you can do…”