A night at the 48th Gracie Awards in Hollywood | Bill Lee’s Passing | amfAR Gala

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Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO, A Wonder Media (left), Katrina Barilla, Gracie's Award Winner, Nationally Syndicated Producer of the Year, Nessa On Air (middle), Tanya Hart, Host, Hollywood Live (right)
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The 48th Annual Gracie Awards Gala celebrated individual achievement and programming by, for, and about women in media. Boy, did we have a great time, and I just have to congratulate our own Katrina B. She won the award for producer of the nationally syndicated radio show Nessa On Air.

It was an unforgettable evening. Lots of celebrities, storytellers, content creators, and influencers impacting the future of women in media. Diane Warren performed her Oscar-nominated song “Applause,” with Shayna Zaid to the empowering acceptance speech from Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Marlo Thomas.

We also covered this on video, so look for lots more content of our big celebration with the Gracie Awards. I’m so excited for Katrina. Congratulations.

Spike Lee is mourning the passing of his father, Bill Lee. He was a bassist and composer of films. Bill died at age 94. The New York Times has an incredible obituary about him. He composed and scored early films of his son, Spike Lee. Uh, he wrote folk jazz operas, led an acclaimed ensemble of basses, and was really a prolific sideman for Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and a whole bunch of other people.

Bill Lee died at home in Brooklyn. He left such an impact on the music industry and of course, he also left us his son, Spike Lee, who is still providing lots of content and will continue to do so. Spike, we send you and your family condolences.

And if you’re online or still reading newspapers or whatever you do, or just watching television or listening to the radio, you will probably know that the Cannes Film Festival is going on as we speak. And boy, the glitz got turned up for the amfAR Gala to raise money for AIDS research. Queen Latifah is hosting the lavish bash that will collect millions through its auction of one-of-a-kind items and experiences. The evening’s co-chairs include Angela Bassett, Robert De Niro, Scarlett Johansson, Gladys Knight, and a whole bunch of other people that apparently are over there in France having a good time. That’s going to be great.

And for all these stories and a whole lot more, don’t forget to follow Tanya Hart on social media @tanyahollywood and @aurnonline.


Click play to hear the Hollywood Live report from Tanya Hart:

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