ARAB TIMES, TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13

People & Places

People

Empowering others Singer with disability ‘shines’ in Ali’s book By Brooke Lefferts roadway star Ali Stroker says she always Bfelt like her “most powerful self” when on- stage, and now as the co-author of a new book for kids, she’s trying to empower others. Stroker teamed up with her friend and middle grade author Stacy Davidowitz and set out to cre- ate a familiar character: a young girl in a wheel- chair named Nat who wants to perform in a local musical. “The Chance to Fly” — published this week — was a way for the actor to share her own ex- periences as a person with a disability and big dreams. Stroker, who has used a wheelchair since a car accident paralyzed her when she was 2, says she wanted to help kids with disabilities recognize them- selves in the book. Even before winning a Tony in 2019 for her role in the Broadway revival of “Oklahoma,” Stroker served Stroker as an example of a person who doesn’t let limitations prevent her from achieving her goals. She made history as the fi rst actor in a wheelchair to win the award and dedicated it to all kids with disabilities J Balvin performs at ‘Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World’ on May 2, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. (AP) waiting to be represented in theater. Stroker said she was driven to write “The Chance to Fly” because she didn’t have any sto- ries like it to read when she was in middle school. Television In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Stroker talked about the challenges of writing a story similar to her own, representing people with disabilities, and naming her wheelchair. ‘I’m going to fi ght to make sure that my voice is heard’ AP: Nat loves musicals and performing. How did performing make you feel at her age? Stroker: On stage, I felt like I was my most Hilson basking in ‘manifestation season’ powerful self because people were looking at me and staring at me. But it wasn’t just because By Gary Gerard has not seen the “Framing Britney ating and has “a lot of work in the ar- of my wheelchair and it was a safe place to be Spears” documentary and says she senal.” But her priority now is acting. different kinds of people. For a long time, I felt eri Hilson is projected to have a isn’t familiar with any of the polar- “I have to be in an authentic space to like I had to be, you know, like happy and OK Kbusy year, but it doesn’t include izing allegations, but does remember pursue anything. It’s got to be genuine and inspirational for other people. And when I releasing new music. The two-time getting a sample of the pop star’s life. for me,” said Hilson. “For now, all of was on stage and I was playing a character who Grammy nominee is preparing for the “I knew her to be just a genuine my focus is in learning a new craft.” release of several film projects, and if young woman who was in very unfor- More wise and confi dent now than was going through something, I got to express all that surprises you, you’re not alone. those other things that were living inside of me. tunate type of surveillance at the time the young, bright-eyed songwriter just “It took even me by surprise,” said when we worked. It was ridiculous. happy to pursue her dreams, Hilson Writing this book as well and going back to those the singer-turned-actor. “I always really vulnerable, scary, fi rst time moments was Two-time Grammy nominee Keri Hilson People cut the bushes out of the stu- says she’s in control of the direction of poses for a portrait in Atlanta on March dreamt of leading a fi lm — never dio — like, they cut holes in the bushes her life, and much like her music, she’s so healing. And I think teenage Ali was just re- 31, 2021 to promote her TV movie thought that I ever actually would or where we worked for weeks,” recalled the one penning the lyrics. ally brave and really tough. And I feel so proud ‘Lust: A Deadly Sins Story,’ which pre- even feel capable of doing so.” Hilson of the paparazzi. “That would “Don’t allow others to impose their of where I am now. miered recently on Lifetime. (AP) Hilson stars in the TV movie “Lust: literally affect anyone to be under that beliefs, their methods upon you,” said AP: Nat sometimes feels embarrassed about A Seven Deadly Sins Story” which pre- kind of scrutiny.” Hilson. “That’s the way I approach so miered last month on Lifetime. It’s part much in life. Not just music, not just her wheelchair. Was it hard to write about that? Support Stroker: It was a challenge for me to go of a two-fi lm partnership between the career, it’s like anything — I’m going network and megapastor and entrepre- While adamant she’s not taking to fi ght to make sure that my voice is back to those moments. One of the ways I de- neur T.D. Jakes. The collaboration also scribe it is just like you feel like you’re like so sides, Hilson said her own family has heard… it’s always worth the fi ght. It falls within Lifetime’s “Broader Focus” had the diffi cult experience of mak- always has been, and I believe it al- hot and you feel like people are looking at you initiative dedicated to hiring female di- ing decisions for a relative unfi t to ways will be.” for the thing that you are most self-conscious rectors, writers and producers. make choices for themselves. So she’s of, and maybe the thing that you have the most “I love throwing myself in situa- thought of Britney often. Also: shame about. And it’s just overwhelming. But tions where I’m forced to grow and “I’m obviously going to support NEW YORK: Actor Elliot Page is re- I wanted to write it because whether you have a learn and catch up and be challenged,” her,” said Hilson. “I’ve actually prayed vealing how happier he feels after hav- disability or you’re in a wheelchair or not, you said Hilson of her rapidly budding fi lm and meditated for her.” ing top surgery and how important he have those self-conscious and really difficult career. “I’m really loving this shift that Hilson is no stranger to the pres- believes it is to support health care for moments in your life, especially as a teenager, Franceschini Bailey just occurred so naturally.” sures of the music industry herself. At transgender people. “Lust” follows Tiffanie Cooper the height of her career, her reputation “I want people to know that not only when you just want to be like everybody else, (Hilson) as she prepares to marry Da- but you’re not like everybody else. And the took a massive hit when an unreleased has it been life changing for me, I do mon King (Tobias Truvillion). Her remix of her 2009 single “Turnin Me believe it is life-saving and it’s the case reason it needed to exist in this book is because Variety life is interrupted by an unexpected On” was leaked. In the record, Hil- for so many people,” the actor tells I want young people to know that they’re not passionate interest in her fi ancé’s ex- son threw subliminal jabs at unnamed Oprah Winfrey on her new show for alone in feeling like that. convict friend (played by R&B artist female R&B artists, causing fans to Apple TV+. AP: The adult directors of the show cast Nat ROME: A project to build a high-tech, Durrell “Tank” Babbs). speculate at least one was Beyoncé. During the interview, Page teared but tell her she doesn’t have to dance, which up- lightweight stage inside the Roman Col- Labeling this her “manifestation Denying it at the time, she admitted up when Winfrey asked him what has sets her because doesn’t want special treatment. osseum will allow visitors a central view- season,” the “Pretty Girl Rock” singer last year on “ Out Loud with Claudia brought him the most joy. point from within the ancient structure starred in TV One’s “Don’t Waste Why was that important to include? “to see the majesty of the monument,” Jordan ” that Queen B was the target. The Oscar-nominated star of “Juno,” Stroker: What’s so beautiful about living Italy’s culture minister said Sunday. Your Pretty” in February, and the ac- But there was more to the story: The “Inception” and “The Umbrella Acad- with a disability is that your creativity to solve Dario Franceschini announced a 18.5 tor will also appear in a short fi lm later songstress, young at the time, said she emy” said it was the little things — problems is so accessible. It’s so heightened be- million euro ($22 million) contract to this year. She’s expected to be in a full- didn’t write the lyrics and was actually like wearing a T-shirt, having a towel build and install the retractable structure length theatrical release, too, although forced to record them under the threat around his waist after a shower or cause this is a part of your everyday life. Nat is that will restore the traditional “arena,” there have been no public announce- of career-threatening retaliation from touching his chest — that made him really disappointed, but then she goes away and or stage for combat for gladiatorial ments. parties within her camp — a move she “feel comfortable in my body for prob- she shares with her friends, her peers what’s go- shows in ancient Rome. Making a giant musical splash the regrets. ably the fi rst time.” ing on, and then they offer to help her and they The stage was original to the fi rst- late 2000s, the songstress released Hilson, who hasn’t released an offi - Page urged offi cials to support health are going to not wait for the adults to solve the century amphitheater and existed until hits like “Turnin Me On” featuring cial album since 2010, has kept a rela- care for transgender people and allow problem, but they are going to come up with the the 1800s when it was removed for Lil Wayne, her empowerment anthem tively low profi le throughout the last them access to sports. Some lawmak- answer. That’s an ideal situation when you can archaeological digs on the subterranean “Pretty Girl Rock” and “Knock You decade as she’s nourished her mental ers are seeking to ban transgender youth levels of the ancient structure, Frances- Down,” a smash featuring Kanye West health, publicly acknowledging her from playing sports that match their gen- ask your home team, the people that you trust the chini said. most for help, and then you can come up with a and Ne-Yo. Prior to solo success, she bouts with depression. But she’s cau- der identity. “Children will die,” Page The project should be completed by started as an in-demand writer whose tiously emerged from her self-imposed said. “And it really is that simple.” creative solution. 2023. The mobile system will be able to quickly cover or uncover the under- credits include songs for Chris Brown, cocoon, and even prepared to drop new He said the surgery has given him AP: There are more opportunities recently for Mary J. Blige, The Pussycat Dolls, music last year before the sudden loss newfound energy “because it it such a stories about people with disabilities. Is that en- ground structures below, to both protect them from rain or allow them to be aired Jennifer Lopez, Timbaland, R. Kelly of her father halted her plans. freeing, freeing experience,” adding: couraging? out. The project is reversible, meaning and Britney Spears. Despite her hiatus, the hit maker still “This is incredibly new. I feel like I Stroker: I really believe that one of the it can be removed if plans for the Colos- Hilson, who collaborated on several receives calls from musicians request- haven’t gotten to be myself since I was shifts that needs to happen is that actors with seum change in the future. songs on Spears’ “Blackout” album, ing her magical pen. She’s always cre- 10 years old.” (AP) disabilities are cast in roles where the storyline The new stage will allow visitors to is not about disability and that we are able to stand in the center and view the Colos- seum’s vaulted walls as they would have just exist in stories and have disabilities and years working on, came out April 6 and CHAPEL HILL, NC: Pulitzer Prize- and racial justice for The New York been seen by gladiators in ancient Rome. sold well enough to reach The New York have that not be the storyline. Because that’s It also will permit the staging of cultural winning New York Times investigative Times Magazine, won the 2020 Pulitzer one of the ways in which I believe some of the Times’ nonfi ction bestseller list. Remain- journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will for commentary for an essay she wrote events that are respectful of the Colos- ing copies appear to be in demand - as change can happen. I think that we are in a di- seum as a symbol of Italy, Franceschini join the University of North Carolina at as part of The 1619 Project, which of Wednesday afternoon, “Philip Roth” Chapel Hill’s journalism school in July highlights the long-term consequences versity movement, but oftentimes disability is said. ranked No. 35 on the Amazon.com best- The Colosseum reopened to the public as the Knight Chair in Race and Investi- of slavery and the contributions of Black not included in that movement because there seller list. (AP) gative Journalism. Americans. last week after a 41-day closure because ❑ ❑ ❑ is an opinion that in order for disability to be of rolling pandemic restrictions. Offi cials Hannah-Jones, who covers civil rights The appointment marks a return to the included, it has to be addressed. And I am here have set up a one-way itinerary as part of university for Hannah-Jones, who earned to say that you can cast somebody — like what safety measures, and visitors are limited a master’s degree at its Hussman School happened with “Oklahoma.” I can play Ado to 1,260 a day, compared with as many of Journalism and Media in 2003. as 25,000 a day in 2019, pre-pandemic. “This is the story of a leader returning Annie — my wheelchair is never addressed in to a place that transformed her life and the entire show. And yet we get to live this ex- (AP) ❑ ❑ ❑ career trajectory,” Susan King, dean of perience with a character who has a disability the journalism school, said in a statement and we get to watch it and we are there with it, NEW YORK: The audiobook publisher posted on UNC’s website. but we don’t have to talk about it. of a new Philip Roth biography is pull- “Giving back is part of Nikole’s DNA, AP: Nat names her wheelchair Peaches. Have ing the release, following W.W. Norton and now one of the most respected and Company’s announcement that it investigative journalists in America will you named your chairs? was withdrawing the print edition amid be working with our students on projects Stroker: It’s just this really beautiful way to multiple allegations against author Blake that will move their careers forward and personalize this thing. You know, my wheelchair Bailey of sexual harassment and assault. ignite critically important conversations.” is a part of my every moment, every day my “Recorded Books contracted directly The 1619 Project marked the 400th wheelchair sits right next to my bed when I sleep. with WW Norton to publish the au- anniversary of the fi rst enslaved Af- ricans being brought to what became My wheelchair is my access to the world. And I diobook version of ‘Philip Roth: The Biography.’ As such, we are follow- the United States. The project has like to have a good relationship with my chairs. ing Norton’s lead on this title and are been among the most widely read And so a really fun way of doing that is for me removing the audiobook version from and debated works of journalism in to name them. And sometimes there are days sale,” according to a statement provided recent years. While many praised it as that you just want to use those names instead of Wednesday to The Associated Press. a needed reassessment of American talking about your equipment. My last chair was Norton has announced that it had history, some scholars disputed it as stopped publication of the Roth book excessively harsh in places. Twilight Flake — that was her racing name. She and a Bailey memoir, “The Splendid Then-President Donald Trump and had sparkles! (AP) Things We Planned,” it released in 2014. Ben Affleck and Jimmy Kimmel speak at ‘Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the other conservatives rejected it entirely. “Philip Roth,” which Bailey spent nine World’ on May 2, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. (AP) (AP)