ARAB TIMES, SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2021 NEWS/FEATURES 13 People & Places Music John’s farewell tour Ramos ‘sexy & dark’ in new R&B album NEW YORK, June 26, (AP): For his sophomore album, Anthony Ramos wanted to go “sexy and dark” while adding an R&B vibe in honor of the artists who inspired him growing up. “Love and Lies,” released on Friday, follows 2019’s “The Good & The Bad,” a “more autobio- graphical” effort, according to the “In the Heights” star. It features 12 songs, including “Échale” and “Right Now.” Ramos, who got his break in Lin-Manuel Mi- randa’s smash musical “Hamilton,” is having a breakthrough year as an actor, also appearing op- posite Uzo Aduba in the HBO reboot of “In Treat- ment.” His next projects in- clude a sci-fi epic, “Distant,” as well as the next “Trans- formers” installment. But “music was my fi rst love”, he told The Associat- ed Press in an interview this week from Montreal. And being a recording artist is a “sueñito” (little dream) that only grew bigger with time. Ramos Ramos also spoke about the colorism debate around “In the Heights” — “The people have spoken. There’s nothing to debate,” he said — and the fi lm’s lackluster theatrical box offi ce after being praised by critics and hailed as the movie of the In this video image provided by NATAS and the Daytime Emmys, host Sheryl Underwood introduces a tribute to the late talk show hosts, (pictured on screen from summer. The fi lm was released simultaneously in left), Regis Philbin, Alex Trebek and Larry King during the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, June 25. (AP) theaters and for streaming on HBO Max. Answers have been edited for brevity and clar- ity. AP: There’s a strong R&B sound in “Love and Television Lies.” Would you call it an R&B album? Ramos: There’s defi nitely a heavy R&B vibe in this album, for sure. I wanted to add that ele- ment because R&B music is the music I grew up Older actors claim supporting trophies listening to. It infl uenced the way I sing, the way I write, and I think I didn’t have enough of that on my fi rst album. AP: Who did you listen to growing up? Daytime Emmys salute late TV icons Ramos: I listened to Usher and Donell Jones, even now I’m listening to H.E.R., I love Kehlani. LOS ANGELES, June 26, (AP): The was honored as host, beating out day- coronavirus pandemic. There’s one song that I wrote called “Satisfy You” Daytime Emmys turned into a love time newcomer Drew Barrymore, that was infl uenced by “Just in Case” by Jaheim. letter to Alex Trebek, honoring the be- among others, and the show won in the Also: (He sings a bit of both to show the similar vibe.) loved “Jeopardy!” host and the show entertainment talk category. NEW YORK: Actor Brian Stokes It was that feeling that I wanted to capture when seven months after his death. Trebek was remembered in a special Mitchell will be hosting a new stream- listening to that song. Trebek won as game show host and tribute segment, along with Regis Phil- ing talk show focusing on fellow art- AP: Why “Love and Lies”? “Jeopardy!” earned game show honors bin and King. Philbin died last July at ists like him who have made the jump Ramos: I think this album started to shape it- on Friday night. age 88. Among those honoring Trebek from stage to fi lm, television or music. self into that. We wrote that one song (“Love and ABC’s “General Hospital” claimed in taped comments were US fi rst lady The fi rst clutch of guests on “Cross- Lies”) and then that title started to linger. I was four trophies, including best drama. Jill Biden and Canadian Prime Minis- overs: Live!” include Bernadette trying to fi nd a title for this album but I couldn’t, Maurice Benard took lead actor honors ter Justin Trudeau. Peters, Kristin Chenoweth, Marc and this one just kept poking itself out. It’s like, for the third time as Sonny Corinthos. “I got to talk with him a few years Shaiman and David Hyde Pierce. In this video image provided by NA- Jacqueline MacInnes Wood of CBS’ ago, and he expressed to me how proud The six-episode fi rst season starts July sometimes what feels like love is a lie, and some- TAS and the Daytime Emmys, Jac- 26 with Vanessa Williams as guest. times what we sabotage ourselves out of, what we queline MacInnes Wood accepts the “The Bold and the Beautiful” won as he was to be a Canadian,” Trudeau award for outstanding performance lead actress, adding to her trophy from said. “I had to tell him that all Canadi- “I want it to be a show that really think is a lie is actually love, because we think oh two years ago for her role as Steffy ans are incredibly proud that he’s one lights people up and makes people no, it’s too good to be true. This album started to by a lead actress in a drama series for ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ dur- Forrester. of us as well.” go, ‘Yes! Look what we can do! Look feel like that story. That was the title of the story It was a family affair, with the chil- what we human beings are capable of ing the 48th Daytime Emmy Awards Informative that was being told. on Friday, June 25. (AP) dren of Trebek and Larry King accept- and I’m going to go out and do that AP: This is your second album in two years ing on their late fathers’ behalf. King, who died in January at age 87, same thing,’” Mitchell tells The As- and I’m sure every song comes to you in differ- Trebek’s son, Matt, and daughter, won as informative talk show host for sociated Press. ent ways but, have you found any patterns in your Emily, stood behind the host’s podium his eponymous show on Ora TV. His “I hope it inspires everybody and creative process? on the quiz show’s set. Trebek died of sons, Chance and Cannon, accepted. they also have a lot of fun watching it. Ramos: I love to tell stories. You know, even pancreatic cancer in November at age “This last season was a testament And it gives them lots of joy and delight if the beat is about, “We’re going out and we’re 80. to his love for broadcasting,” Chance and they learn things that they didn’t gonna have a party,” it’s still like, “We’re gonna “For as long as we can remember, King said. “As much as he is gone, he know about these people before.” have a party AND we’re gonna do that. We’re he was always so proud to be a part of is with us in our hearts forever.” “Crossovers: Live!” will be avail- gonna have a party AND I’m feeling this.” And ‘Jeopardy!’, to work on a show that Marla Adams and Max Gail won able on Steller, a new pay live-event was based on knowledge, risk and the supporting actor trophies. platform created by Goldstar. Sub- I started to learn that I’m really enjoying writing challenge — people had to think,” Tre- Adams plays Dina Mergeron on scription tickets for the series are $49 songs with my friends too. Sometimes you write bek’s son said. “He loved every bit of CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.” and go on sale Wednesday. the best music with the people you’re close to, it.” The 82-year-old actor accepted at Mitchell is in many ways the perfect who know you the best. The pattern is that the Emily added, “He was always ex- home with the Emmy statue on a table host for such a show, having a career more I write, the more I’m starting to get to know Glass Spears cited to go to work, even during his behind her. “Y&R” also won the best that spans Broadway, television, fi lm myself not only as an artist but as a person. That’s battle with cancer. He was so fortunate writing category. and concert appearances. He won a one of my favorite things about writing songs, you that he was able to do what he loved, Gail appeared on stage while social- Tony Award for his work on “Kiss keep fi nding out things about yourself every time Variety and we know that he not once took it ly distanced because of the coronavi- Me, Kate” and had a seven-year stint you go to the studio. for granted.” rus pandemic to accept for his role as on “Trapper John, MD.” He’s since al- AP: Back to “In the Heights,” what do you It was Trebek’s third straight vic- Mike Corbin on “General Hospital.” It ternated between shows like “Mr. Ro- think about the colorism debate and the box-offi ce LOS ANGELES: Britney Spears’ powerful tory and sixth overall in the category. was the 78-year-old actor’s second tro- bot” and Broadway’s “Shuffl e Along.” results? Many expected it to be the biggest release plea to a judge to end the conservatorship He was nominated a record 32 times phy in the supporting category, having “So much of what I’m talking about that has controlled her life since 2008 during his career.