Memphitz: The Man Behind The Style, The Music and The Woman

            Memphis, Tennessee is known to be one of the most noted cities in the country. It is a marker in the fatal demise of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It is the birthplace of many of music’s greatest hits; one even yielding an Oscar. For Memphitz it is a stable and a driving force in his personal and professional life.
Born Mickey Wright, Jr., Memphitz is more than familiar with the role his birthplace has played in his life inside and outside of the music industry. “Memphis holds a lot of memories for me, both good and bad. Before my father was killed I told him that I wanted to get out of Memphis and go to New York, he was all for it.”  Fed up with the boundaries that Memphis had placed on his innate talent to succeed at anything he tried, he packed his bags and left. “I was tired of what I saw around me. There was this older guy who said he had never left Memphis. I refused to end up like that. I mean, there is this whole world outside of this place and all you know is what’s around you”.  After his father was kidnapped and murdered Memphitz knew that it was time for a change of scenery and a change of pace. “When my father was murdered it really hurt. And to not even have his body for a funeral did something to me. We had a memorial for him. They kidnapped him, killed him and chopped his body up.” Memphitz channeled his frustration and pain into a vehicle and used it as a means to leave a place that assassinated his reality, but gave birth to many of his dreams and aspirations.

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It would probably be expected to say that Aubrey O’Day has something to prove. The Girl Next Door turned Bombshell Next Door has weathered her share of storms beginning with receiving the bulk, if not all, of the blame for the collapse of mega-group Danity Kane, to the constant criticism about her personality, style and looks. All of this scrutiny continuously contributes to incessant rumors that seem to follow her wherever she goes. Most people would have walked out of the kitchen and attempted to avoid the flames, but Aubrey prefers to face things head on no matter how hot it gets.
“I don’t censor myself for people. I’m the one that stands out.” Since we were first introduced to her on MTV’s “Making the Band,” Aubrey O’Day has had a knack for standing out. She walked into reality television and music stardom alongside Aundrea Fimbres, D.Woods, Shannon Bex and Dawn Richard as part of the now defunct “Danity Kane,” the girl group formed by and signed to mogul Sean Combs’ Bad Boy Records. With each season, the girls morphed more and more into personalities before our eyes, but none more drastic and seemingly out of character than Auberella, both in spirit and personality. “Auberella,” she laughs “that’s my ‘Making the Band’ nickname.” This topic brings us to the fond yet hurtful memories of what it is and what it should have been. “When we were in Danity Kane, we thought we were the shit. The big reason people loved us was beyond the music [so] it was really personal when we broke up. Everyone saw us fight for our dream [and] we promised each other we would never get like that. It sucks but it's just like a relationship...you expect your man to honor you, then he cheats. It's like what the fuck? We were gonna be different...but everybody responds to it differently.”  Many have labeled Aubrey’s apparently overnight transformation as the catalyst that led to the 2009 publicly played out demise of the group, even now as Diddy and former DK member Dawn have moved on to find solo and collaborative success through Diddy Dirty Money, but Aubrey seems unaware. “I never paid attention to it,” she says of the highly successful Dirty Money. “Unless you’re immersed in it, you don't notice it.” While it’s clear she wishes the absolute best for all of her former group members, it seems that regardless of where our topic seems to turn, there’s just no escaping addressing one rumor or another. I can tell from the candor that’s displayed that she’s not the one to shy away from sharing her truth. “I have no ability to be full of shit. I wasn't given that gene in life.” So I decided to go ahead ask about everything and Ms. O’Day holds nothing back.

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As an actress, singer, and choreographer, Elise Neal is an all-around triple threat. From her role on Disney’s hit show, “A.N.T. Farm,” her ambitions as a choreographer, or her more recent ventures in screenwriting, Elise is a force to be reckoned with.
It’s already a wrap for the first season of Ant Farm. “It’s something that’s really fun to be a part of, I usually have more serious roles,” she stated when I asked about her character, Roxanne Parks. I like when I get to be a little silly. I’ve gotten to play an astronaut and Xena: Warrior Princess.” Elise also mentioned her pride about the lead of the show, China Anne McClain, who is in Elise’s description, “A bright and talented 12-year-old African-American girl.”
Elise is currently putting the finishing touches on her screenplay, “Timeless.” “I’m sick of people not seeing all of these different sides of me,” she said. “I really didn’t have any desire to be an actress at all. I started out in Broadway and off Broadway productions and musicals.
‘Timeless’ will finally let people know everything about me, who I am, and what I do.”
This project, which is in the final stages, will reintroduce her to the world as Elise Neal; the actress, singer, screenwriter, and choreographer.
            Most who know anything about Elise Neal knows she exudes effortless style. When she’s not on the set or in the office typing away, you can easily find her on the red carpet sporting bright colors or bold prints. “My style is whatever I’m feeling at the moment. I’m addicted to shoes, I love Louboutins,” the actress gushed. “I also believe in staying active. I work-out maybe two or three days a week. I think a little sweat is good of the skin.”

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