The Original Manhattanite is a pop culture blog focused on entertainment, television, music, art, fashion and more, written by pop culture enthusiast, freelance writer, and the queen who wears her New York crown proudly and many hats, Chloe Jewel Riccardo her blog has been published and was created on October 21, 2008 in New York City.
Blogging 15 years has been such a labor of love the experience. I get tons of creative fun ideas every day and I am the kind of person who needs to release it. Needs to just set all of those ideas, those beautiful dreams popping into my mind come true. I feel like they’re little gifts from up above. Like hey why don’t you try this, or write about this. This will spark their attention or get readers, people buzzing, and thinking too. I literally found my blog during a college project for my Basic Reporting class. My professor changed my world in about 20 minutes the entire class had blogs. We were introduced to a new world of writing, of social media, and a way to not only express ourselves. I found a way to promote other people too. I found how I was going to be able to tell people’s stories. My blog was originally called “Life and Times of Ms. Chloe J” it was inspired by the New York Times newspaper and Life magazine. Then I felt like let’s do something different…”Inside the World of Honey Brown Sugar” it was cute, fun, and a nickname I created after all I am a “Honey Brown Sugar babe” (African American young woman) I thought it was something that was feisty, sassy, fun, and cute.
15 Years later as I got older I kept feeling like this isn’t sticking…It’s not representing me now when I got into my twenties I realized…no let’s spice it up. Let’s make it more mature, sophisticated, classy, and feminine too. You can be cultured, sophisticated, and tell fun. I can still be a modern-day writer informing people on different topics, events, and how we live our lives daily. The Original Manhattanite speaks to who I am. I am a New Yorker, I am a native New Yorker, I can tell you now pretty much about anything regarding the city. I also love to travel and step outside of my borough too. I am never afraid to do that you have to in order to grow. I wanted to represent the class of New York City.
The beauty, the amazing architecture that changes every day the old pre-war, the brick buildings, the modern new futuristic buildings, the cobblestone streets, the vendors outside selling their coffee, muffins, and donuts. The bodegas on every corner, the Starbucks on every corner too.
The bright lights of Broadway in Times Square when it’s lit up with all of the shows scheduled to perform every matinee and at night time. I realized I needed to find a way to express everything about New York I adore, appreciate, value, have witnessed, and seen too. So I did and it has worked for me. I was able to discuss not only my life but then put in my passions…music, fashion, television, discussing topics we all identify with love, friendship, heartbreak, job changes, finding our true identity, finding what fulfills us, and thenalso finding a way to express it all to people.
So I am so grateful to my professor, my classmates, pop culture, and of course this city for allowing me to celebrate it. I get to discuss everything all in minutes on my little blog and its not little anymore…..no the blog has hit its teen years now. She’s 15 with it’s on personality and she’s just getting started. I cannot wait to discuss so much more with you all. I have a lot going on and it’s been quite a ride in 2023…so please bare with me. I have a lot to share and I cannot wait to get everything out there. So to the next 15 years and after that my dear sweet blog happy 15th birthday. We did it we are in the fight changing lives, promoting businesses, promoting brands, and most of all discussing life and the beauty. Also informing people on this amazing city with 5 boroughs connected to it. This blog really gave me a voice and a chance to really get out my voice as opposed to just working for someone or freelance writing, staff writing,
I could actually come up with my own ideas, control, and more. This blog has given me a chance to really showcase all of my passions and abilities. I am so glad that I can get a fast way to do that and people are
able to feel the same connection especially in this time and generation as well. It has given me a chance to learn so much about a variety of topics not just one. Also most of all share and give people the spotlight. So in honor of my blog’s birthday and the 15th anniversary just want to say thank you blog for giving me a chance to showcase my abilities and skills to the world and connect with others in this digital age. You changed my life and gave me another purpose and fulfilled some goals. Thank you to every reader and viewer whether if you read 10 minutes, 20 minutes, years ago, I appreciate the love. Happy Birthday blog we are in for an amazing ride. I am so excited to talk about a lot of different topics. Not just in my own personal, professional, family, or business life. Also pop culture ventures, ideas, and so much more happening buckle up buttercups get ready. I am really excited to dive into this 2023-2024 season.
In the summer of 2003 on June 24, 2003 Beyonce’s solo album debuted selling 317,000 albums the very first week. The excited, hardworking singer who was already apart of the multiplatinum group, “Destiny’s Child” took a challenge against her group mates on going solo. They each wanted to challenge themselves to see what it would look like if they each went solo in their musical careers. The mega superstar chart topping group all separated after their Survivor, Destiny Fulfilled albums together. Kelly Rowland went on to create monster hit number one singles, along with Michelle Williams creating number one hit songs in the R&B and gospel genre. Along with all three members tapping into the acting field of movies and Broadway. Each of the artists all went their separate ways collaborating with different producers, musicians, and going on to different projects.
So for Beyonce's first solo project, "Dangerously in Love" which featured the album’s titled track, along with “Crazy in Love”ft. Jay-Z, “Me, Myself, and I”, “Speechless”, and “Baby Boy” ft. Sean Paul
I am..Sasha Fierce (Platinum Edition)debuted November 12, 2008 featuring "Single Ladies (Put A Ring on It), "If I were a Boy", "Telephone" ft,Lady Gaga", "Sweet Dreams"
"4" debuted June 24, 2011 featuring "Love On Top", "Countdown", "Dance For You", "Party"
Beyonce self titled album debuted with a surprise drop album, December 2013 featuring "XO", "Partition", "Pretty Hurts", "Grown Woman", "Flawless" ft. Nicki Minaj
"Lemonade" debuted April 23, 2016 featuring "Formation", "Six Inch Heels" ft The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), "Freedom" ft. Kendrick Lamar , "Don't Hurt Yourself"
Everything is Love ft both Beyonce & Jay-Z featuring "Top Off", "Shining", "Apeshit" (2018)
Homecoming Live Album featured with her live performances at Coachella in 2019 is on Netflix.
Renaissance album covers (2022)
This was her first album that was an instant hit taking Beyonce out of her R&B genre and taking her straight into crossover success with collaborations of other artists featured on her album widened her music appeal to audiences.
It was the beginning of Beyonce tapping into different genres of music and showing her abilities as an artist. She became a crossover queen collaborating later with Latin, Country, Jazz, R&B, Rock, House, Disco, and Oldies using samples from other artists she loved in her
other 7 albums in “B’Day” (2006), “I am…Sasha Fierce”(2008), “4”(2011), “Beyonce”, “Lemonade”, “The Carters” and “Renaissance”(2022). When you hear songs like “Deja Vu”ft. Jay-Z, “Mi Gente”, “Dancing on the Sun”, “Single Ladies”, “If I were a boy”, “XO”, “Partition”, “Six inch heels” ft. The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), “Irreplaceable”, “Alien Superstar”, “Cuff It”, and “I am that girl” you hear the influences of different genres of artists.
So in honor of her 20th anniversary of Dangerously in Love the album that led to an artist’s dream and stepping out of their comfort zone, their shell, and going solo to prove something not only to themselves, their record industry, their label, and even anyone else who may have been deep in the shadows or doubted her. She proved as a solo artist believe in yourself, your talent, trust your instincts, trust the moments where you learned to love your craft, people or moments may have inspired you. Congrats on 20 years as a solo recording artist, 27 years as a international artist along with your accomplishments with Destiny’s Child, with your husband, Jay-Z, and achievements as an entertainer in general.
Some of the cast of Barbie film hitting theaters Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Helen Mirren, Simu Liu, Dua Lipa, and Will Ferrell along with an entire ensemble of actors & actresses will star in the live action film this summer.
She’s iconic, with multiple jobs, you know her name, she’s has a handsome looking boyfriend with a six pack and everyone wants to be like them since they were little kids. Who am I talking about the original California girl, You know her by her popular moniker just like other famous women, Cher, Jlo, Janet, Tina, and Beyonce but she’s known as “Barbie”. Barbie Millicent Roberts was born on March 9, 1959 unveiled to the world when Hasbro toys released the first classic doll. Barbie was created originally by the
innovator, genius, and businesswoman, Ruth Handler and her husband, Kenneth Handler.
They based the dolls off of their children names.
The doll is beloved by children and adults everywhere including today. Barbie’s image and her impact and goal on girls and boys you can accomplish or be whatever you want to be when it comes to your occupation. If you envision it in your mind you can become it.
Ruth Handler (November 4, 1916-April 27, 2002) from Denver, Colorado is the creator, business woman who first invented Barbie.
Barbie of course inspired me and all of us to go out there and achieve it. Some emulate her clothing style, her hair, her look, even her lifestyle. The happy, go-lucky, perky personality is one that is positive and influential for all children and adults. This film is going to be one that inspires this generation of children and will make teens and adults all fall in love with the doll again.
So who gets to play the famous Barbie, Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling will play Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken. There is an all-star cast I mean huge ensemble cast of about 50 principal actors and actresses all playing every version, image of Barbie & Ken.
This movie will bring all of the nostalgia, feelings for everyone who had a doll growing up.
One of my first Barbie dolls I received growing up for Christmas back in 1994 Spotlight Barbie
My first doll was actually “Spotlight Barbie” she came out in 1994 my mother bought her for me for. I was about 8 when I received it for Christmas from my mom then I also received Pocahontas, Shani, Barbie the camper doll, and a few other Ken Dolls. I loved coming up with hairstyles for my dolls (if she had hair) and making little outfits for them. I once took a sock and cut out sides and made my doll a mini skirt outfit.
So yes Barbie is my girl all the way. She changes, evolves, and makes people want to be creative, follow their dreams, be good to people, and stay positive too. Barbie has evolved in every shape, skin color, hair style, lifestyle. Barbie has conformed to society where she embraces everyone.
One of my other dolls I remember was Shani which embraced all African cultures and ethnicities to honor and celebrate their backgrounds & heritage.
Celebrities as well some of our gorgeous and handsome stars have all had dolls dedicated and honored to them in their image and branded by Hasbro.
Holiday 2022 Barbie from last year cannot wait to see what they come up with for 2023
Laverne Cox was presented with her own Barbie doll by Mattel which embraces the transgender and LGBTQ community. Showing how Barbie and the brand continues to evolve in the 21st century for all people, children, and fans.
The late, legendary singer, Ella Fitzgerald's image became a miniature Barbie doll celebrating this musical the stylish jazz singer's life.
Destiny's Child were presented with their own Barbie dolls in 2001 when they released their Survivor album.
This movie is one that everyone will be emulating and copying all of the fabulosity happening with the costumes, hair makeup, nails, and more all inspired by one little doll who gave girls hope, love, and joy.
Go see Barbie take your daughter, nieces, sisters, cousins, even the kids in your neighborhood to see it. It's in theaters goes worldwide officially on July 21st, 2023 Friday. Visit https://www.barbie-themovie.com/ for more information follow Barbie the movie on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and all social media sites.
Female hip hop artist Megan The Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Doja Cat, Cardi B, Trina, Latto new generation of hip hop artists
If it weren't for hip-hop music these artists wouldn't have been able to make a contribution to their city (New York City) and leave a legacy. Create awareness in society
Dreams come true 3 young men from Hollis, Queens would become international stars and recognized where they came from too.
Just a few artists who paved the way from the West Coast
June is Black Music Appreciation Month so celebrating this month and the anniversary of hip-hop
5 boroughs in NYC then crossover control and world takeover
Five boroughs in New York City started a musical genre that transformed and took over the entire world and would affect the 7 continents, affect all people, musical sounds, even the instruments themselves around the world. Influencing fashion, business, real estate, jewelry trends, car trends, even language how we communicate to each other. For example, “What’s up my G?”, “Oh you a playa hater”, “That’s Stupid”, “That’s Fire”, “That’s Wassup”, “That’s the Bomb”, “No Cappin’”, “Cuffin’”, “That’s aThirst Trap”, or “That’s LIT”. 5 melting pots called boroughs in New York City led to storytellers, rappers, songwriters, producers to define an entire generation of hip-hop.
The first borough “The Bronx” is the borough where hip hop was found and born 50 years ago, August 1973 when one dee-jay took out a boombox and a musical moment in history started.
Do you remember that movie, “Brown Sugar”? It came out back in 2002 it starred Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan…do you remember the main character, Sidney “Syd” Shaw she was a young journalist who later became the female editor in chief of “XXL Magazine” who fell in love with hip-hop as a little girl along with her childhood friend “Dre”.
I would consider myself similar and the real life “Sidney Shaw” my name is Chloe Riccardo a young girl who fell in love with not just hip-hop but music in general. “Sidney Shaw” went to all of the forefathers, the pioneers of deejaying of the late 70s, the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. She asked them all “When did you fall in love with hip-hop?”
That’s the question I am asking everyone including myself…I remember vividly that time. My generation got so lucky we didn’t just hear hip-hop music on the radio, buying tapes, CDs, or eventually later streaming. We also had the opportunity to see music videos, to watch the songwriter’s lives, to see how they started from the very beginning then watch the transformation of where they were currently in their lives. If you had three networks in your house BET, VH1, and MTV in your house growing up in the 1980s you were able to see all of the hip-hop recording artists influence and begin the hip-hop generation.
So when did I fall in love with hip-hop music. I had to be around five or six years old probably listening to MC Hammer first, then later TLC one of the biggest international groups actually was one of the first groups who had both R&B and hip-hop influences in their song lyrics in the early 1990s I heard on the radio where R&B was also infused with hip-hop music.
I grew up with my mom taking me to work with her as a young woman in her late twenties, thirties, and so forth. My mom exposed me to the world of R&B and hip-hop even further. I didn’t just get to listen to the music on the radio. I got to see the actual artists in person at live concerts, I got to see how the business was ran behind the scenes too. I witnessed the people in one of the number one radio markets, New York City take hip-hop from its infancy to a full-grown beast ready to take over the entire world. I remember sitting in the lobby waiting for my mother to come meet me at the front receptionist’s desk at Hot 97’s office in down New York on Hudson Street.
When my mother told me, she got the job offer this was around September 1998 I was in Catholic school in seventh grade and she called me to tell me she was going to go in a new direction. She was going to leave WBLS 107.5 and a new station Hot 97 was calling her to start a new senior account executive role in the promotional, sales, and accounting department. That time while she was there from (1998-2004).
I loved going up there as a child because I would get a chance to see
Hip-Hop music the chameleon, the evolving temptress that continues to evolve he started out and went through some dark stages, like all of us he started out fun, innocent, sweet, naïve in a positive way. I was literally watching the behind the scenes journey of the music industry.
Then he took a change, he went through some transformations in the 1970s, the 1980s he became edgier, more rock & roll influence, pop based, gold chains, Adidas sneakers, dancers maneuvering the bodies on the floor to beats being scratched by deejays.
The 1990s he became bolder in his ‘twenties’ experimenting with harder, thumping, rugged, beats. Sampling from past heroes from generations before him to create hits, become more evolved, telling stories that would make you more introspective, conscious, tales of struggle, hurt, disappointment, harm, even stories where you rise from the ashes and become something greater again.
Hip Hop has what we all resonate with as a whole society and can gain a connection, healing, teach you about strife and fight, survival, encouragement, uplift, heal, we feel love, joy, sadness, but then we bounce back and celebrate where we all come from.
Some of my favorite hit songs over the years you might be surprised gave me a boost of confidence, of course I wanted to always have a good time, dance, party, emulate the artists, but they taught me not only about the recording artist’s journey, their life story, the time period, the issues they faced, it made me feel a sense of hope about the present time and where we could progress in the future too.
It inspired me that you can make a way in life out of any difficult situation too. I remember when I officially moved and came to live in Jersey City with my mom in the summer of 1997. The very first album I started blasting was “No Way Out” by Puff Daddy & The Family, my father is a huge Notorious BIG fan, him being originally from “Bed-Stuy” Brooklyn it was engrained in me.
It just so happened that my stepfather who worked in the music industry bought home the album. He bought home music frequently one of the perks of being a part of Sony/Columbia/Epic Records. This became my musical education early. One of the first gifts of music he gave me was a Sony CD Walkman player. I fell in love with it always blasting my music everywhere.
Imagine a skinny 5 feet 4 inch 10 year old girl with glasses walking to her Catholic school blasting her hip-hop music. This was the fall of 1997 when I first started really diving into the music itself. I remember attending one of my first concerts the Bad Boy and the Family World Tour. I developed my passion not only for hip-hop music but all music.
I was that girl walking around my neighborhood with my music blasting. I learned to love hip-hop hearing stories from Biggie, Tupac, Diddy, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dre, and so many. I was always in love with hip hop but this took everything to a new level for me as a kid. Especially when I got into my middle school and high school years. I was able to connect with more people who shared that same of love music too.
I realized a lot of my classmates, people my age, and my peers did too. The late nineties took a huge role for me when it came to hip-hop music. I think this is also the time when hip-hop music went to a different level. They were influencing pop culture and crossing over into different music genres but also branching off into different business opportunities. Hip-hop as a whole was taking over influencing people to branch off into films, television as actors/actresses, merchandise was expanding, and hip-hop was expanding itself. I saw a shift in hip-hop people went from wearing Kangol hats, Adidas, gold chains to shiny suits, diamond encrusted chains that can spin, people dancing on yachts, in huge mansions, high tech images. Hip Hop grew up in the nineties elevating taking us on a full-fledged transformation. I remember my stepdad joking saying at one point as a kid I wanted a Chanel purse.
He realized I had been listening to a lot of hip hop and Lil’Kim lyrics. He saw the influence on me, his own children and his family as well. During the time people had so much to discuss not only about material wealth. Hip hop artists evolving into activism, creating conscious rap music, telling their own personal stories from childhood to adulthood. Activism created awareness for listeners because it allowed them to decipher on how their neighborhood, how they wanted their world to make changes for progression.
I also want to discuss the political side/controversial side of hip-hop music affected censorship, even the white house was affected, this when in the nineties, “Parental Advisory” label was created in the late 1980s but it wasn’t just hip-hop music that was affected so was pop, rock & roll music was impacted. It was beneficial for all people, lifestyles, and different point of views. This was created as a way to protect and block mainly children from seeing the images parents/guardians to expose their children and teens at an early age. Hip-hop has always had a controversial side with many social groups because they often don’t just see it as a form of artistic expression.
They also can see an impact on people it can have on a younger generation, it can change their mentality, viewpoint as well. Nonetheless, in the end it’s really about broadening the view and perspective for all people when they listen to hip-hop/rap music and view videos online streaming and television.
Hip-Hop has affected business not just the music and entertainment industry. It has affected every single industry. Real estate you ever notice those large houses in music videos with the poolside pool in the backyard and the "Lambo" (Lamborghini) sitting in the garage? Shout out to the real estate agents and lenders who allow hip-hop/rap artists to shoot their videos with some of these rentals.
So yes if it wasn’t for hip-hop elevating and going to the next level. We wouldn’t see it reach the highest potential. 50 years it’s elevated all the way up. The jewelry industry was impacted with people buying “grillz” which is big in the south, the long chains, the earrings, and more. People shouting out “Jacob the Jeweler” in every other rap song or him appearing in a cameo of a music video. Hip Hop has gone through a glamorized phase, but also a huge entrepreneurial phase now too.
It has evolved where every recording artist has expanded themselves into full-fledged business men and women. They are now moguls, CEOs, owning production companies, their own record labels becoming independent, passing down the torch to their children, appearing on reality television series like Reverend Run on “Run’s House”, One of Master P’s son, Romeo Miller who has appeared in films and reality television series, Brother Love/Diddy/Puff Daddy passing down the torch creating groups, “Da Band”, “Day 26, “Danity Kane”, and “Dirty Money”.
Or watching artist like Lil'Kim on reality television series and films. Or Cardi B appearing on reality television shows blowing up as a social media personality, and then making her mark in hip-hop. You cannot deny the way that hip hop has gone on to this incredible evolution that has changed millions of lives. It didn’t just change the life of the recording artist, the solo artist, or group. It also impacted five decades of the music business, the television industry, interns (me and the other interns included), it affects the crew of people they work with even those they first started with or were discovered by too.
Hip Hop is so massive and global I may have to split my blog posts into 6 parts just to commemorate the entire impact all around the world even in other countries just to really showcase the love of the music genre to the listeners and viewers.
So, this will be my formal introduction and then I will dive in deeper going by decades of the beginning in the 1970s to its current state in 2023. I am going to divide this into 6 parts until the actual anniversary celebration in August. I hope all of you will enjoy this journey and of course I have some music for you to go back down memory lane. For the younger generations get ready to learn something new, some new music, the stories behind the songs, and the artist.
The classic Disney movie, “Little Mermaid” will be a live action film starring an all-star ensemble cast. This film of course is fun, enchanting, visually stunning just like its other previous live action films like “Cinderella” “Mulan”, and “Aladdin”. I believe we are all in for a special treat. This film gives a new generation to see the film in a different way where they see a diverse cast playing the beloved characters of “Ariel”, “Eric”, “King Triton”, “Ursula”, “Sebastian”, and “Flounder”. Some new editions have been added to the cast making the story line more broader and exciting for the cast and the audience. I wonder do the 80s babies, 90s kids, and Millennials
remember all of the classic songs “Part of your world”, “Kiss the girl”, and other fun classic songs featured in the musical.
This live version of the film is starring
1. Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
2. Halle Bailey as Ariel
3. Jonah Hauser-King as Eric
4. Simone Ashley as Indira
5. Jacob Tremblay as Flounder
6. Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
7. Jessica Alexander as Young Ursula/Vanessa
8. Javier Bardiem King Triton
9. Akwafina as Scuttle
10. Lin Manuel Miranda as Chef Louis
11. Emily Coates as Rosa
12. Noma Burrezweni as Queen Selina
13. Lorena Andrea as Perla
14. Kajsa Mohammar as Karina
15. Art Malik-Grimsby
16. Karolina Conchet as Mala
17. Russell Dalogh
18. Jude Akuwudike-as Joshua
19. Adrian Christopher
20. Chloe Grace Moretz
21. Martina Lavid-Carlo
22. Nathalie Sorrell-Caspia as Lashana
23. John Dalgeesh as Mulligan
This film version of "Little Mermaid" is so significant and important to the masses. Halle Bailey starring as Ariel is groundbreaking, trail breaking, because the original Disney animated character has flaming red hair, she’s Caucasian, with bright blue eyes, and she’s beautiful. So when film casting, Disney team decided to go in a different direction. They wanted the character to reflect the times of today in the twenty-first century. They wanted to display inclusiveness of all different ethnic background to show how important little children, tweens, and preteens would see themselves in theaters and on television. I love their approach now because they want audiences to identify themselves, to feel relatable to the character. They nailed it Halle Bailey originally a child actress and started off as a duo with one of her older siblings, Chloe Bailey is one half of the singing duo, “Chloe & Halle”.
Photo of Chloe and Halle's album, "Ungodly Hour" (2020)
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Chloe's Album, "In Pieces" out now download and stream.
Child stars now mega triple threats, Chloe X Halle
Chloe and Halle were child actresses appearing in Disney series, Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne”, "Meet the Browns", and many other films. They were discovered on the internet on YouTube by the new, “Queen of Pop”,Beyonce. They performed with her initially were both groomed going on to debut an album together, “Sugar Symphony”, “The Kids Are Alright”, “The Two of Us”. They were also featured at “On the run” part 2 tour they were Beyonce’s opening act . They both have reached mass success with their fourth album “Ungodly Hour” debuted in 2020 and achieved hit success on the Billboard charts. The duo decided to challenge each other a bit focus on their other musical pursuits and goals. Chloe went into the studio producing, writing, and recording her album. Also focusing on other television and film projects, “Hair Tales”, “Swarm”, and “Praise This”. Look out for her new album, “In Pieces”. Halle was discovered and selected for “The Little Mermaid” it was a no brainer her operatic, soprano voice, her acting abilities, this sweetness and her genuine personality it was brought that to the character. She’s bringing Ariel to life with a fun twist. So I hope all of the little kids, big kids, and the young at heart will be going to see this amazing film.
Please check out the interviews and trailers for more information on the cast, soundtrack, and more. Follow everyone on your social media platforms too. Also get ready for Halle’s performance as “the Young Nettie” in this coming Christmas will be a revival of the Oscar winning film and Broadway play, “The Color Purple”.
Visit https://movies.disney.com/the-little-mermaid-2023 for more information
And for the Little Mermaid and Disney fans check out http://www.disney.com. Visit https://halle-bailey.com/ for more information and https://www.chloebailey.net/
The Fast and Furious multi-billion-dollar franchise, yes I said multi-billion-dollar franchise that has crushed the film industry for the last 22 years since 2001 the first film came out and this film rocked the movie box office. I am a huge lover of this dynamic, energetic, creative, and thrilling franchise. June 22, 2001 is the first time the “The Fast and the Furious” franchise made its debut worldwide in all movie theaters globally coming in at 207.5 million in totally globally and debuted in the United States at $40 million its first week. Fast and the Furious is a story about a young mechanic who is the head leader of a group of young fast car drivers who can race in pretty much anything with wheels. The head leader, patriarch of street car racers is Dominic Toretto along with his sister, Mia and his entire crew Letty Ortiz, Jesse, Leon, and others meet a young promising driver new in California and undercover officer named Brian O’Connor played by the incredibly talented, handsome, late, Paul William Walker ( September 12, 1973- November 30,2013). (Side note: I had the biggest crush on him and still do taped a poster of him on my wall as a teenager from People magazine as one of the most beautiful people).
He certainly was and every one of his cast mates and crew can attest to that fact too.
Now back to the Fast and Furious film franchise I think an entire generation of actors, actresses, and entertainers were discovered within the 22 years and counting of this film series. It should be commended and celebrated now and for years to come. The film franchise has affected the car business industry, driving, entertainment, travel industries, along with the stunts of the dynamic, fearless stunt doubles who sacrifice their lives for every single actor, actress, and crew on set for all eleven films. All of these films pop off screen because of them and come to life with everyone involved.
As all of you continue to step back into movie theaters, you go buy your popcorn, your favorite snacks, and beverage I want you to take into account the whole experience of the movie. The quality, the actors, actresses, their performance because Fast and Furious gives you an entire experience. Yes, it’s an action film jam packed, it’s about cars, but the whole story line is more than that. It is about love, life, family, sacrifice, tragedy, hope, risk, fight, and determination too.
As time progressed, the more films that were produced and made over the years.
Many of the street car race drivers tried to compete and race against Dominic and his entire crew. Especially discovering that “Brian” has impeccable skills behind the steering wheel. He expands the whole street car family with tons of new talent and people who have skills for every aspect not only of racing but driving a car too.
You see the growth for all of the characters in the film whether they are the main protagonists, antagonists, or sidekicks in the film. You see how the writers, directors, and team transfer you to a whole different world and take you on a ride somewhere else. More explosions, more twists, more unexpected turns, additional story lines. It becomes part soap opera saga, action, and then entices you again with these incredible stunts that we never would have imagined. Everything on wheels from scooters, motorcycles, trucks, buses from domestic cities in the United States to international cities like London, South America, and others. I remember seeing the buses, trucks going overboard on cliffs of mountains now some scenes could have been made with high tech images, greenscreens, and others also could have used stunts. I am sure one day all of the cast will go in depth behind the scenes on the entire franchise and the stories behind their impactful scenes. I love watching because it sparks my inner risk taker, that daredevil like take a little action, try something new, and the adventurous spirit is like go ahead go for it. That’s the vibe, energy you get from all of these films. So now that we are winding down to one of the final chapters what is next for this franchise. Will this be the last film, will there be more spin offs possibly, and what will happen next in the future for the entire cast with this amazing brand and business.
“X” will feature and will star the following along with some surprises:
1. Vin Diesel-Dominic Toretto
2. Jason Momoa- Villain character
3. Alan Ritchson- Agent Aimes
4.Rita Moreno-Abuela Toretto
5. Michelle Rodriguez-Letty Ortiz
6. Brie Larson-Tess
7. Sung Kang-Han Lue 8. Jason Statham-Deckard Shaw
9. Tyrese Gibson-Roman Pearce
10. Charlize Theron-Cipher
11. Jordana Brewster-Mia Toretto
12. John Cena-Jakob
13. Scott Eastwood-Little Nobody
14. Daniella Melchior-Dom
15. Nathalie Emmanuel-Ramsey
16. Michael Rooker-Buddy
17. Ludacris- Tej Parker
18. Belcalis Alamanzar-Cephus aka “Cardi B”-Leysa
19. Helen Mirren-Queenie
20. Meadow Rain Walker-appears as herself
21. John West Jr.
22. Leo Abelo Perry-Brian Marcos
In the past 22 years the Fast and the Furious have killed it at the box office here are some numbers for all of the movie lovers and movie goers who may want some more backstory and history according to Business Insider.com and Box Office Mojo:
1. “The Fast & the Furious 1” (debuted June 22, 2001) 207.5 million globally.
2. “2 Fast 2 Furious” (debuted June 6, 2003) 127 million globally
3. “The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift” (debuted June 16, 2006) 62 million globally 4. “Fast & Furious” (debuted April 03, 2009) 360 million globally
5. “Fast Five” (debuted April 29, 2011) 209 million globally
6. “Fast & the Furious 6” (debuted May 24, 2013) 238 million globally
7. “Furious 7” (debuted April 3, 2015) 353 million globally
8. “The Fate of the Furious” (debuted April 14, 2017) 1.2 billion globally
9. “Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs & Shaw” (debuted August 2, 2019) 759 million globally.
10. “Furious 9” (debuted June 25th, 2021) 726 million globally
I will update and include “X” the film’s numbers a month after it debuts for global totals in June 2023.
So Buckle Up Buttercups! and on tight to “X” the tenth film of Fast and Furious, the 11th in the franchise debuts on May 19, 2023 Friday for more information please visit https://www.universalpictures.com/movies/fast-x and be sure to follow everyone on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, for more information.
I want to give a special shout out to the entire cast, crew, and all of the celebrities who made appearances over the years bringing to life
Blogging 15 years has been such a labor of love the experience. I get tons of creative fun ideas every day and I am the kind of person who needs to release it. Needs to just set all of those ideas, those beautiful dreams popping into my mind come true. I feel like they’re little gifts from up above. Like hey why don’t you try this, or write about this. This will spark their attention or get readers, people buzzing, and thinking too. I literally found my blog during a college project for my Basic Reporting class. My professor changed my world in about 20 minutes the entire class had blogs. We were introduced to a new world of writing, of social media, and a way to not only express ourselves. I found a way to promote other people too. I found how I was going to be able to tell people’s stories. My blog was originally called “Life and Times of Ms. Chloe J” it was inspired by the New York Times newspaper and Life magazine. Then I felt like let’s do something different…”Inside the World of Honey Brown Sugar” it was cute, fun, and a nickname I created after all I am a “Honey Brown Sugar babe” (African American young woman) I thought it was something that was feisty, sassy, fun, and cute. 
