Archive for category People Who ROAR
People Who Roar: Brad Pitt
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on October 23, 2009
As with our previous posts about Bono and Alicia Keys, ROAR supports those celebrities who use their fame for good will. Brad Pitt is another one of those celebrities who sincerely and genuinely wants to help out causes he cares about in the world. He is our next Person Who ROARS!
Brad Pitt is one of those rare actors who embody talent, good looks, and a good heart all in one. He’s also a loving father of 4, and along with his partner, Angelina Jolie, they both have traveled the world to third world countries to help bring awareness to the atrocities that occur across the world everyday, most specifically visits to extremely impoverished nations. His various roles in movies have shown his versatility, and he’s proven he can play any role that’s given to him. His most recent work, Inglorious Bastards, with Quentin Tarantino has been a success. You may know some of his other acting credits — Seven, Fight Club, Ocean’s 11 – but do you know about his other work? Most specifically involving the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans?
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Pitt witnessed first hand the destruction of the storm when he visited the Lower 9th Ward of the city. The houses were obliterated by floods and heavy winds due to the horrible construction and foundation of the homes. Brad Pitt took it upon himself to help rebuild this section of New Orleans.
He created the Make It Right Foundation (MIR), which aims to help “build over 150 houses with 14 blocks using green design principles.” Pitt has publicly expressed his love for architectural design, and wants to apply his passion to helping recreate this section of the city. With the help of acclaimed local, national, and international architects, they’ve successfully designed homes that have “hurricane window fabric, rooftop access, increased durability, raised elevation, native landscaping, and pervious concrete.”
There are beautiful images on the website, so I highly suggest you take a look at the amazing project the foundation is trying to complete. If you’d like to contribute something to the cause, there’s a donation link on the site, as well.
People Who Roar: J.J. Abrams
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on October 16, 2009
ROAR adheres to the quote “think outside the box.” ROAR supports those who’s imaginations flourish and know no boundaries. Writer/Producer/Director J.J. Abrams has decided to share his creative ideas with the world, and he’s become extremely successful because of it. He is our next person who ROARS!
J.J. Abrams has become some sort of cultural icon in recent memory. With such projects as Alias, Lost, and Star Trek, he’s emerged as one of the most creative and successful producers/directors/writers in Hollywood today. He has a trademark technique of incorporating mystery and encouraging audiences to participate in speculation regarding the answers to all the clues he carefully leaves behind. He’s reinvented the mystery-drama genre, which is a breath of fresh air in the industry.
Abrams ROARS because he utilizes his creative prowess successfully, while at the same time understanding there is no limit to what he can do. For a great explanation on why he believes the creation of mystery is so necessary in our daily lives, watch this excellent keynote speech he did at the TED, technology, entertainment, design, conference in 2007:
In an article he wrote for Wired magazine, J.J. posed an interesting question regarding the aspect of mystery in this day and age of immediacy, to which spoilers (i.e. wanting to know the answer of something prior to everyone else) are widely accepted in many communities: “Who among us has the self-control to choose to not go for the easy answer?”
Abrams want to promote the experience rather than the result. He aims to make the mystery just as thrilling as the aftermath. Though he no longer has a hand in the series, Lost is an imaginative world that organically created a community where fans could become involved. As a Lost fan, myself, a huge part of what makes the show so incredibly intriguing is the way it allows for me to figure out and piece together what’s going on, while at the same time relying on outside theories from people just like me. The story isn’t handed to me.
In a time where many great ideas are stifled, Abrams has somehow cultivated his ideas into a level of success that resonates well with a mainstream audience. His ideas are powerful, and the work he presents are true manifestations of his ideas.
People Who Roar: Tyra Banks
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on October 9, 2009
Los Angeles native TV personality and former supermodel Tyra Banks is our news person who ROARS. Why does she ROAR? Because she had a goal, an ambitious one at that, and fought her hardest to achieve it. She also had a very important message: she wanted to utilize the medium of television to broadcast a positive societal message. Though she was first known prominently as a runway model, she originally had a passion television, getting accepted to schools like USC and UCLA for their media programs.
Not only is she a supermodel, but she’s an entrepreneur, who is intent on showing a positive representation of average women on television. Even as one of the most well-known (former) supermodels in the world, Tyra understands the incessant need for including a diverse range of people in the media. She was the epitome of beauty, and it was in her best interest to keep her appearance up to par as much as possible. Once she stepped out of the modeling world, she immersed herself into the television industry, where she made it her goal create a comfortable media outlet for women of all looks, shapes, and sizes.
Beginning with the creation of the hit show America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), Tyra was interested in finding a seemingly normal girl to make in big in the fashion industry as the next popular model. In the first few cycles, they were always 5’8 and taller models with slender bodies. Then, during cycle 3, a beautiful woman by the name of Tocarra Jones was a contestant on the show. She was, by model standards, “plus size”, but Tyra made it well known on the show that she appreciated Tocarra’s efforts to try to fit into an industry where she is the minority. Tocarra has since become one of ANTM’s most memorable and successful contestants.
Despite her model looks, Tyra has a reputation of trying to include a diverse set of women on her television shows, including her daytime talk show. Recently, she just did a show about “Fat Discrimination” spotlighting people, more specifically women, who have been discriminated against according to their weight. Tyra is a strong believer that everyone is beautiful and has something to offer, which is why she chooses to empower these women by giving them a voice in the national media. She even went as far as to immerse herself into a social experiment which involved her wearing a fat suit for a couple of days, witnessing from a first hand point of view how it felt to be judged by your appearance.
Tyra understands how our society works – we put physical attractiveness high on the importance ladder. She knows how insecure young girls may get about this issue, so she created the Tzone Foundation, which is a non-profit organization meant to help empower girls at a young age. It’s described as a “fierce cause for young girls” meant to raise awareness and cultivate the tremendous abilities they already have.
ROAR supports Tyra Banks, and celebrities like her who use their influence to spread a positive message in the world.
People Who Roar – Diddy
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on October 2, 2009
ROAR supports those who continue to strive for more even after they’ve reached great heights. ROAR understands the importance of persistence, and the never ending desire to keep on pushing to be the best they can be. Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is the epitome of relentless drive, as he constantly tries to better himself and expand his business that he created from the ground up.
In 5th grade, I didn’t even know what mainstream, contemporary music was. My parents near forbade me from listening to “rap music” and had forced me to listen to their radio stations all the time. Because of this, I have memorized every single Earth, Wind, and Fire song. True story.
But I was determined to fit in with all the cool kids, so I remember one day, I was with my mom at Rasputin’s (you know, that old music store. Yeah, believe it or not, they actually sold albums in stores. We didn’t always have the option of downloading). And it was around this time that Did–ahem–Puff Daddy and the Family released the album No Way Out. I had saved up enough allowance money to buy it, but I had to buy it quickly and sneak it in my bag so my mom didn’t see that I had bought a rap album. If she did find out, I was toast. Good thing she never did.
Nevertheless, at the time, I thought the CD was amazing! It boasted songs such as “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” “Been Around the World” and “I’ll Be Missing You.” It also had the lovely “Senorita”, which ended up being my favorite song on the album. It was then that I decided, at 10 years old, that Puff Daddy was my favorite rapper — along with almost everyone else in 1997.
I was obsessed. I had to follow Puff Daddy’s every move and know his history. I found out he helped catapult this rapper named Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G. to extreme heights. I also heard that this Notorious B.I.G. guy was murdered. I also heard about some other guy named Tupac, who was murdered, too. Remember, though, I was extremely sheltered, so these names were all foreign to me. Puff Daddy was the only recognizable name to me (as sad as that is).
I followed Puff Daddy, through all his ridiculous name changes — Puffy to P. Diddy to Diddy back to P. Diddy back to Puffy back to who knows now, but yeah…I think it’s just Diddy. Anyways, these name changes I realized also chronicled his phases as a growing entrepreneur. Diddy was one of the first contemporary music artists to create himself as a brand by branching out into different aspects of the entertainment industry to further expand his reach. First, he conquered the music business by owning his own record label, Bad Boy Records, featuring high profile artists such as the aforementioned, now deceased Biggie Smalls (RIP), Mase, Total, Faith Evans, and 112. Then, he stepped into the fashion world by starting his own streetwear collection named Sean John, which has become extremely successful. And now, he’s establishing himself as a bonafide television producer by producing such MTV shows as Making the Band 2, 3, and 4, while helping Day 26 and the now defunct, Danity Kane, become top selling artists.
I realized, as I got older, that Diddy was more than just a rapper. He was a businessman who understood the industry. He was a businessman who did everything he could to continue to build his business.
Nowadays, kids know Diddy as a fashion designer/television producer/music act. But I remember Diddy when he was Puff Daddy, Puffy to most, and when he was just Puffy, the rapper. After tons of hard work and dedication, now look what he’s become.
People Who Roar: U2
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on September 4, 2009
As mentioned earlier with our Alicia Keys post, ROAR supports those who use their celebrity reach to spread a global message and help a cause. ROAR especially supports those who continually do this year after year after year. Musical legends, U2, exemplify the ROAR lifestyle by consistently participating in humanitarian work around the world.
Having been around for over 30 years, U2 has been a global force not only as musicians, but as humanitarians, as well. Being able to use their celebrity persona to help spread a global message has been a staple of this band’s reputation for many, many years and counting. U2 tends to focus issues relating to world hunger and Africa.
Going back about 2 decades ago to the 1980′s, their first philanthropic role took place during “Band Aid”, an event benefiting Ethiopian famine relief. This event led to the production of the hit charity song “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Following this performance, they then participated in Live Aid, which also allowed Bono and his wife, Ali, a chance to visit Ethiopia and see the problem first-hand. As many of us very well know, this was only the beginning of U2′s vast humanitarian efforts.
In 1986, they participated in A Conspiracy of Hope, a benefit meant to support Amnesty International and their home country of Ireland. On top of that, in the exact same year, Bono and his wife we able to venture on a trip to Nicaragua and El Salvador, where they were able to witness the effects of the El Salvador Civil War, which spawned inspiration for one of their more popular albums, The Joshua Tree.
Other efforts that the group has donated their charitable time to are Project Red, The ONE Campaign, and various organizations that helped victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Most recently, they showed support for the Green Revolution during the Iran protests in June.
U2 is pretty well known for all their activism in the global community, and they’ve gotten more than just worldwide praise for their efforts. In recognition of their humanitarian achievements, Portugal awarded U2, the first ever musical group chosen, with it’s highest honor, “The Order of Liberty.”
artistic creation with civic and humanitarian intervention to help build a better world.”
Bono was also knighted in Great Britain for his philanthropic work in Ireland. Though it’s not correct to call him “Sir” (because that title is reserved for people of British descent only), he’s officially an honorary knight.
Bono not only takes part in these great organizations, but he, along with Bobby Shriver, also created his own non-profit, in 2002 called DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa). It’s primary goal is to help eradicate poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa, all the while encouraging Americans to contact senators and other legislators and elected officials to help them voice their opinion regarding the issue at hand.
ROAR has an enormous amount of respect for celebrities of such stature as U2 who bring awareness to the problems of the world that they care deeply about. It’s one thing to say that you care about the world; it’s another thing to show you care about the world. U2 not only express their concerns about global problems, but they also have an active role in helping fix the issues.
Source: RealityTvWorld , Daily Mail (UK) , Iran. Why We Protest , Wikipedia
People Who Roar: GSP
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on August 28, 2009
ROAR is a big supporter of those who dream big and stop at nothing to achieve them. ROAR supports those who have a passion and know that with hard work and countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears comes desired success and happiness. George St. Pierre, current Welterweight Champion of the UFC, knew this very well, and is one who defines the ROAR Lifestyle.
Within the past couple of years, MMA (or mixed martial arts) has become a huge sensation resonating with a majority male audience, while at the same time capturing its fair share of female fans, as well. Emerging from this sport have been a plethora of hard-working, passionate, and beastly fighters, who have become an example to viewers that with a clear focus in life, you can achieve your dreams. Fans have especially been treated to behind the scenes of MMA fighters’ training with Spike TV’s series spotlighting UFC athletes as they prepare for their next fight. One fighter who has particularly become a fan favorite is none other than George St. Pierre, otherwise known simply as GSP.
“It’s hard to be a champion, but it’s a little harder to stay a champion.” – George St. Pierre
Hailing from our neighbors up North, GSP of French-Canadian descent was born in Saint-Isidore, Quebec, Canada where at 7, he learned Kyokushin Karate to help defend himself from a school bully. He then learned wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and boxing (and is currently training in muay thai). This colorful fighting background has helped GSP become one of the most well-rounded and decorated fighters in the sport.
GSP has fought and trained hard to be at the position he is now. His first shot at the title came against the then most dominating figure in the welterweight division, Matt Hughes. In dramatic fashion with one-second left in the first round, GSP gets arm barred into submission, later claiming he was “nervous and starstruck”. He then went on a 5-win streak, and had another shot at Hughes, whom he destroyed in a two-round bout leaving Hughes in a brutal headkick knockout. GSP radiated confidence, and it seemed no one could challenge him. After winning The Ultimate Fighter, Matt Serra had a chance at the title. Fans of the sport (even St.Pierre, himself) immediately wrote off Serra as a washed up jiu-jitsu fighter with no juice left. At UFC 69, the two met in an epic David vs. Goliath battle, where Serra surprisingly defeated St. Pierre and stole the title. Devastated, GSP laid low and disappeared from the spotlight, later mentioning the defeat was a humbling experience. When he returned, the world saw a new and improved GSP with more sharp jiu-jitsu skills and more incredible wrestling techniques. He eventually got his revenge against Serra, and won back his title.
One of his most memorable career moments came not when he was in the octagon. Instead, it was a moment that came prior to his championship fight with BJ Penn in UFC 94. When a fighter prepares for the match, part of being successful majorly depends on being able to pinpoint their opponents’ weakness. As BJ Penn was making his entrance towards the octagon, an unsuspecting man came out from the audience and laid a big fat kiss on his cheek, rattling his focus. Needless to say, GSP won the match, and defended his championship title, proudly. However, some time after, GSP wholeheartedly admitted that he was the one who hired that man to kiss Penn. GSP wanted to get in Penn’s head so he was unfocused during the fight, which ended up working in his advantage. Rather than taking the Tonya Harding approach (ala bashing his knee in), GSP found a weakness and exploited it in a non-violent way. He wanted to do whatever it took in order to win the title, and this non-violent action assisted in his achieving that.
A reason for GSP’s unmatched success is because he trains in all of the different disciplines of MMA separately. Accordingly, he has an individual coach for each discipline, which helps him perfect his skills and improve his versatility. One of his coaches, Greg Jackson, mentions that he [GSP] is one of the most “coachable” athletes he works with because he “works to learn, and is truly a student of the game.” GSP’s willingness to continue to learn and become better at his craft is a big part of what makes him such a feared fighter in the world of MMA.
Make sure you catch UFC 102 tomorrow, August 29th, Couture vs Nogueira!
People who ROAR: Johnny Depp
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on August 14, 2009
ROAR supports those who remain true to who they are, and rather than succumb to harsh criticism, they rise above it. Johnny Depp defines the ROAR lifestyle.
Johnny Depp is a chameleon. Though his career choices have at all times been questioned, he has never allowed the critics to dictate his life. With his exceptionally good looks, he could have easily become a Hollywood golden boy taking on roles as a romantic lead or a dashing hero. While those roles could have easily made him more commercially appealing, he decided to embark on a different route. Instead, he opted for off-beat, eccentric, multi-layered roles which allowed him to explore his acting craft. Roles that weren’t always the protagonist and often times included a somewhat-distorted physical appearance, which made it difficult to recognize the handsome actor’s face. These roles included the charming, yet somewhat-frightening Edward Scissorhands, the cross-dressing B-List director Ed Wood, and the Keith Richards carbon-copy, Captain Jack Sparrow.
Though he was already well-known due to his time spent on the 80′s television series 21 Jump Street, he began to undertake obscure roles in films such as Dead Man, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, and the self-directed project, The Brave, which allowed Johnny to stay under the radar to fine-tune his craft.
It wasn’t until his role in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that he was ushered into true commercial success and became solidified as a bonafide superstar. With this decision, one might have considered Depp a “sell-out” and questioned his motivation to abandoning the indie world for the big-budget, Jerry Bruckheimer-produced blockbuster flicks. Being that he was already a well-known celebrity, living comfortably in the South of France, his decision to accept the invitation from Disney to partake in this film was never to make more money or to become “more famous”. He mentioned that his main motive for participating in the film was merely for his children. He wanted to make a film that they could watch and enjoy. In remaining consistent with his earlier career decisions, he chose to play the bemused Captain Jack Sparrow, a devious, yet resourceful, multi-layered character, who was betrayed by his first mate, Barbossa, and his mutinous crew. Johnny was also very open about Sparrow being inspired by Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, and though apprehensive, at first, it was well-received with the mainstream audience and critics, even garnering Depp his very first Oscar nomination.
Johnny Depp is a true example of what happens when you stay true to yourself and never compromise what you believe in. Despite endless critiques from his detractors, he continued to pursue projects at his own discretion, which only helped him grow as an actor and gain a reputation as a versatile, adaptable, and well-respected actor in Hollywood.
Storming the Internet a couple months ago was the trailer for Alice in Wonderland, Johnny Depp and Tim Burton’s 7th collaboration, of which Depp plays the bizarre Mad Hatter. True to Depp-fashion, it’s clear that he invented a one-of-a-kind mad-hatter who’s a cross between the joker from Batman and Carrot Top.
This duo, always so innovative, always so creative. Look for Alice in Wonderland to hit theaters early next year.
Jason Aufsesser – NYC What a TRIP!
Posted by Carlisa Hamagaki in People Who ROAR, Roar News Blog on August 11, 2009
By Jason Aufsesser from ROAR!
ROAR is in the process of touring the country to visit stores. While in New York, after completing an appointment I waited for a taxi . . . . along with many other New Yorkers leaving work around 5:00PM . . . while waiting I was approached by a motivated and polite pedicab driver. He offered to take me and a 3 foot tall rolling case filled with clothing samples to my destination . . . from 6th Ave all the way to 3rd Ave.
He drove the pedicab with the 80 pound case and me all the way across town . . . . and up 15 blocks . . . through rush hour traffic. Cars were honking, J-walkers on their cell phones got in the way, buses, nothing stopped us . . . . we made it safely and quickly back to the hotel.
What a great way to see the city. If you are ever in New York, try a pedicab ride and sit back and enjoy the view. I still can’t believe Brian offered me a ride without hesitation – and completed the drive seemingly without any struggle. Brian from the Bronx is living the ROAR life . . .
People Who ROAR: Criss Angel
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR on August 7, 2009
courtesy of google.com
ROAR supports those who pursue their dreams and defy the odds – those who epitomize positivity and continually silence skeptics. Performer Criss Angel embodies the ROAR Lifestyle.
Imagine walking on a gorgeous day at the park when suddenly you see a small crowd of people surrounding a bench. You’re curious as to what merits such attention, so you decide to take a look. You see an average woman, laying with her back down on the bench. You’re still a little unsure of what’s happening, but from the corner of your eye, you see this mysterious-looking man with long, messy hair wearing a black, rock n’ roll t-shirt and combat boots. He casually surveys the audience for two individuals to assist him. He instructs the two participants to stand on either side of the woman to hold her limbs. One holds her arms, the other holds her legs.
He then walks up to the woman and slowly lowers his hands to the middle of her body. With subtle force, he starts to press down. You’re in disarray because it doesn’t look like anything fascinating is happening, yet you can’t keep your eyes off of what’s occurring. After about 15 seconds of the bizarre, the man emphatically tells the two brave souls to start pulling. As they pull, the woman laying down splits into two parts – her legs are split from her upper body. Terrified, the two helpers scream and run away in disbelief. There’s a resounding gasp among the observing audience, and your jaw drops to the ground. You think to yourself, “What the…? That’s impossible! There’s no way!”
These are the kinds of emotions and reactions Criss Angel generates from his audience who come to watch his performances. He creates unique experiences for everyone by using magic to make the impossible…possible.
He started performing magic in Las Vegas approaching random, unsuspecting people on the streets. Soon after, he had his own show on A&E titled Mindfreak chronicling his street magic in Sin City. Angel’s repertoire includes walking through solid windows, impaling his body after laying on a pointy fence, and making a coin travel through his skin (no, that’s no typo, and yes, I really mean that. WARNING: link is not for the faint of heart) . The show was an instant hit, as television audiences continued to be awed by Angel’s casual demeanor and mind blowing tricks.
This led Angel to headline his very own live show at the Luxor in Vegas. He teamed up with Cirque du Soleil to create Believe, a circus act with a magic show, which is described as “a world of surrealism while exploring imagination and mysticism.”
Criss has repeatedly mentioned that “believe” is his favorite word, hence the name of his Vegas show. He’s confident that belief garners success, and if one constantly believes in themselves, then they are destined for greatness. He applies this concept to his life and continues to pursue his passion, while at the same time sharing his truly special gift with the world.
Here’s a glimpse of some of his work:
ROAR SUPPORTS CRISS ANGEL! For more info on his Cirque du Soleil show Believe, click here.
Season 5 of Mindfreak premieres on August 12th @10:00pm/9:00pm CST on A&E
People who ROAR: Derek W. Clark
Posted by Jenna Q in People Who ROAR, Roar News Blog on July 31, 2009
photo courtesy of iwillnevergiveup.com
Derek W. Clark ROARS everyday in his life.
After spending 13 years in foster care, battling depression, and surviving brutal child abuse, Derek Clark emerged as a true success and became a true inspiration to those facing difficulties in their lives. The trauma for Derek began early in his life when his mother put him in foster care, yet decided to keep his brother and sister. Not only was he motherless, but his father was in jail for the criminally insane, too. In his early years, he was diagnosed as mentally handicapped having an IQ of a two and a half year old, which his foster parents soon found to be untrue. He had longed to live with his biological mother, but he was unable to do so. Consequently, when dealing with his anger, he felt rejected and became a violent teenager having difficulties respecting and trusting the people around him. Despite the unbearable hardships, Derek somehow remained optimistic through “music, laughter, will power, and positive decision-making to triumph over adversity.”
He barely graduated high school with a 1.83 GPA, and only survived a few semesters at night school. However, Derek doesn’t believe that an education is the only thing that will define how successful you will be. He “believes never giving up and trusting yourself are keys to success.” As Derek continued to believe in himself, he soon found himself as an independent contractor making six figures by the time he turned 25.
Today, at 37, he’s a motivational speaker living by the mantra “MAKE NO EXCUSES AND BECOME WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME.” During his speeches, he also performs his original songs, an eclectic and unique mix including rap and acoustic sets, in concerts meant to “embolden, enliven, and invigorate”.
Derek currently resides in Northern California with his wife and three children. To watch videos and learn more about Derek’s amazing and inspiring life, check out www.iwillnevergiveup.com or pick up a book in his 3-book series with the same title “I Will Never Give Up.”
He not only represents ROAR by wearing our clothes to his speeches, but he also represents the ROAR lifestyle by constantly overcoming obstacles and making the best of what is handed to him.
source: courtersy of www.iwillnevergiveup.com
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