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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.

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