All Good Things Must Come to an End....

Indeed, all good things must come to an end. I’ve made the announcement to some a while ago, but today, I am officially closing down The Spotlight. 

Moving forward from Spotlight was something I was silently considering for a while now. Not because I felt a disconnect from entertainment writing (I still do that with other sites), or from the entertainment world in general. I’ll always love music, movies, and TV, and continue to write about it elsewhere. But, being a Christian, I’ve been hearing God calling me towards another path. As I started listening and meditating, His voice has become louder, not only through His own words, but through conversations and moments I’ve had with others. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to be influenced by outside advice. This was a discussion simply between me and God, and I see now where He would have me go.

EDITORIAL: Celebrating Seven Years with The Spotlight!

Today marks SEVEN years since I've started The Spotlight! I'm truly blessed to have been able to start and grow this website, and being able to do what I love. I say this all the time to people that ask. Spotlight was able to open other doors for me that I never would've imagined for myself. Not only was I able to grow in my writing and editing skills, working towards my own dreams, but I was soon able to interview and showcase other people's talents and creativity. That's been one of the coolest parts of what I do.

So I just wanted to share some honest thoughts about the site, and share with some retro pics with y'all!

Marvel Announces Ant-Man Sequel

Marvel's successful comedy heist Superhero movie Ant-Man has been officially green lighted for a 2018 sequel. Officially titled Ant-Man & The Wasp, it will hit theaters July 6th, 2018. According to Marvel's official website, the sequel will mark the first Marvel Studios film named after its heroine.

Additionally, Ant-Man’s second adventure will lead to a couple of other films shifting their dates, with Marvel’s Black Panther moving up to February 16, 2018 and Marvel’s Captain Marvel landing on March 8, 2019.

As a fan of pretty much all of the Marvel movies, I'm excited about this next phase of movies! Stay tuned to The Spotlight for all updates!

Power Rangers Movie Casts Pink Ranger

Most 80's babies should be excited to hear a Power Rangers movie is in the works for a 2017 release. To hear that one of the Rangers has been casted is MAJOR news that the movie is moving forward nicely. Actress Naomi Scott has been casted as the Pink Ranger! Naomi was recently seen in the Ridley Scott-directed movie The Martian starring Matt Damon as an astronaut trying to survive and make his way back to Earth.

Soul Food Sequel In The Works

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 1997 hit ensemble film, Soul Food, will be getting a sequel! George Tillman Jr., who wrote and directed the original, is writing the new script with Nathan Skulnik.

The Spotlight Celebrates Six Years!

Wow. The Spotlight is six years old today! Six years ago, I was 18, sitting at an internship, bored and feeling the need to just create something. I didn't have a clue what I was really getting into. I just knew that I loved to write and I loved entertainment news. What started out as a hobby turned into a true passion for entertainment writing. It's a LOT of hard work, balancing working full time, other freelance projects, personal life, and running the site. It doesn't come without its share of stress and problems. However, this is what I love, and so I have been consistently working towards it every day.

2015 has been a great year so far for Spotlight. I've taken on two great writers, Smilez and Aubrianna, who have been doing a great job so far. I've been able to talk with more artists, publicists, designers, and more, developing more connections in the industry and featuring more amazing upcoming stars. I've also been working behind the scenes to learn new skills and concepts that I hope to use in the future with the blog and my media career as well. So, as much as it's been great growth for the blog, it's also been great growth for me. I have specific goals this year that I plan to reach for myself and Spotlight and I'm not stopping.

The blog has come far, but still has so far to go. I'm proud of the work that I've put in, and now the work of the blog's other writers. I look forward to the future!

Thank you to everyone for the constant love and support shown! I appreciate it so much!

In The Spotlight: Travis Caudle

I absolutely love how many international artists I have had the opportunity to feature on The Spotlight this year! It’s always cool to feature people outside of the U.S. to give you all a little taste of what the outside world really has to offer. It’s also allowed me to talk with a lot of awesome people! Getting back into the swing of things after all of these vacations and whatnot, so I have even more in the works!

Today, we have Australian pop/rock artist Travis Caudle! Travis admitted that he fell in love with music at a really young age. “Dad was always into stereo systems in a big way and buying the latest records and Mum plays piano, so it was always around,” he said, even recalling his first concert experience at the toddler level! “I clearly remember being at a Neil Diamond concert in Perth, Western Australia where I’m from, when I was two or three and wondering why he had red, green and blue hair (the lights!!!). Mum and Dad must not have been able to find a babysitter that night!” he joked.

In The Spotlight: Vanessa Elisha

I am on the train back from a beautiful vacation in Montreal, which I plan to blog on sometime this week on my personal site, BrittanyShawnte.com, as well as showcase some pictures and video here of the LEGENDARY Diana Ross, who I saw on the Fourth of July! In the meantime, I'm working to get quite a few spotlights up (the backlog on these is honestly a mess due to my outside jobs and issues, but I'm working on them!). As always, if you are interested in being featured on The Spotlight, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com. (With the huge amount of requests, please allow a few weeks for response).

Today, on The Spotlight, we have Australian singer-songwriter Vanessa Elisha! Vanessa became involved in music rather early, growing up in a musical environment. From the TV to the radio, Vanessa heard music everywhere she went. Her dad would even drum on her back as a baby (softly!). “He always says he ‘drummed the rhythm into me,’ the singer said.

Five Years of The Spotlight!

Wow, FIVE YEARS! The Spotlight has hit a milestone people! I literally remember creating this blog like it was yesterday, bored during my internship and needing something to make myself busy. Little did I know that I would find my purpose that summer of 2009. I still can't believe it sometimes.

I'm not quite where I want to be, but the journey over these past five years has been remarkable. I've been able to network and form bonds with various people, grow in my skills, and write about what I love! It's a hard job balancing everything, and I still don't have it all down pat yet, but I'm growing every year, and I thank God for that. I thank Him that He showed me what I'm meant to do at such a young age, for giving me something that I'm truly passionate about, that motivates me to work hard every day.

Thank you all for the love shown, and the continued support of The Spotlight!

In The Spotlight: Super Jay

Excited to have quite a few new spotlights in the works, so be on the lookout for those in the coming months! As always, singers, rappers, publicists, etc. email me with any amazing work you would like to be featured on The Spotlight!

A few weeks back, I featured music from upcoming singer, Super Jay! His track, "Yo Body," was sexy and smooth, and perfect for radio! I wanted to feature a little bit more about him to give you guys a good look into who this great artist is! Often compared to Trey Songz because of his sultry vocals, Super Jay is a triple threat previously opening up for Trey Songz, and J. Holiday, and already embarked on his own "All of Me" tour that began April 4, 2014 in Ardmore, OK.

In The Spotlight: Jaybird

Another spotlight for you all today! As always if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc., and are interested in a feature on the blog, please email me with a request!

Today on The Spotlight, we have hip hop artist Jaybird! Hailing from San Diego, CA, Jaybird got his start in music very early. Growing up in a musical family and influenced by his own father’s R&B group, “The Isles,” the rapper started singing at the age of five. However, all wasn't easy for him. “My parents were divorced, though both stayed in my life,” he said. “My mom always kept me and my big brother in nice neighborhoods, but because of that, money was tight.” Holding on to faith and family, Jaybird acknowledges his upbringing is what made him a stronger artist.

Updates!

A few people were asking me about the new name, new domain name, and new look. When I first started this blog, it was merely a side hobby. Something that I started when I was out of school, trying to keep busy. But now, it's branched out further than I imagined. I've talked about this each of the two years that Spotlight has been around. Now I'm ready to take it even further. I might not be Necole or Perez, but I'm working towards it. I want to take this blog to another level, because it's become much more than just a side project for me.

Name change? I cut the "In." The blog is now The Spotlight. Part of it is because my editor-in-chief  Marjorie, if I may call her so haha, of the new online magazine we are trying to build (JWWWD.com--Just What We Wanna Do) has been making me banners for the blog. She came up with different versions the other day, calling it merely "The Spotlight." (Isn't she amazing?! I love the final one!) It stuck. Plus, I was thinking of changing it to just Spotlight or One Spotlight anyway, mostly because all of the domain names of any variation of "In The Spotlight" were taken.

That being said, domain name change. The blog's official domain is now Only1Spotlight.com. Again, couldn't find an open domain of just TheSpotlight.com, so I made that one. And there is only ONE Spotlight, only one of me, only one of this blog. I decided to make a domain name change just to be more professional. I've been reading Angel's Laws of Blogging by blogger Angel Laws, who heads up one my favorite blogs, Concrete Loop, highlighting and taking notes. One of the things she suggested was to buy your own catchy domain name. It simply looks better, and is easier to remember. So I did.

If I want to grow this blog, I have to change things up a bit, and that's what I'm doing. I never started with the intent of making money or getting recognition on this blog. It's my passion, and that's why I keep going with it. But who says passion can't have benefits? ;-)