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Interview with Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwanga, and Martin Kabanza #QueenOfKatweEvent #QueenOfKatwe

September 27, 2016 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

I’m still floating from a whirlwind adventure last week. I’ve relived walking the red carpet in Hollywood, and I’ve reviewed Queen Of Katwe urging my readers to see it in theaters this weekend. Last night as I was reading over the transcripts of our exclusive interview with Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwanga, and Martin Kabanza, my eyes welled up with tears for probably the hundredth time in the last eight days. Expression emotion through crying is who I am, I’m sensitive to happy and sad moments in life and this interview touched on a little bit of both.

Walking into the room holding hands, we applaud Lupita, Madina, and Martin. They stand tall and proud and their smiles glow. Read my movie review and you’ll know the back story of Madina and Martin, it helps explain the first question posed to the trio. We started off curious of what it was like for the three of them working together.

Exclusive Interview with the Stars of Queen of Katwe — Photo by Carol Jones/AllMommyWants.com

Lupita : We like each other. And we had a lot of fun together. I met them before we started shooting. Once Madina was cast, it was a long process and then when she was finally cast, I walked into a rehearsal workshop situation where they had my whole family there and I walked in and she just, she said, hi, Mom. I gave her a big hug and they were both just so receptive to me and Madina actually taught me how to cook. She sold corn in her past and I asked her to show me to go shopping in the market. She did all the shopping. My whole onscreen family, we went and did it together and then we went back to her house and she showed me how to prepare the meal. We all played a role in the preparation of the meal. [To Martin] I feel like he chopped a few things. You washed a few things. He participated. So we broke the ice that was and we had a really great working relationship. They’re really hungry and curious and present as actors and it was so lovely for me to have that present kind of immediate condition to work in.

Martin : …Mama.

Lupita : They still call me mama.

This is where you will find us all sniffling. You even see Lupita choke up and wipe a tear from her eye. Moms of the world will understand the depth of this statement especially considering their real-life circumstances!

Martin : It was my first time acting, but I never knew anything about acting, but she taught us how to get into character we used to copy her everything she do. We tried to do it so she was so good. She was a good mom.

Madina : I really used to copy her and I named myself copycat because every time I could see her getting ready, getting to character and then I do what she was doing in quiet ways and she can’t see me, but she was really good and she really helped me in some of the hard scenes that are really hard because I could not really cry. You’ll never find dancers sad. We are always happy and she was there for me to make sure that I get into character so that I can cry. She really helped me so much.

That’s why I still call her mom because ever since I was young and I ever since I left my mom (because she wanted me to go to school and that’s why I left her) I’ve never had anyone else that I’ve ever called Mom since I was four up to last year. She was the first one to be called mom from my mom and it was so, so nice for me to call her mom. And she really acts it. Do you want this? So it was really nice for me to meet her and she was amazing for me and when I called mom for the first time, she replied to me, and I got touched inside my heart.

Martin: I was raised by my grandparents. My mother left me when I was three months, me too my first time to say mom in my mouth.

These children lived as Phiona did, they’ve experienced adversity and it’s awe-inspiring how they took their experience to heart and reflected this in the movie. Their connection to Lupita is still strong and goes beyond a working relationship.

Our next question asked was were there any scenes that were especially touching? Lupita took the reins with this one.

Lupita : Touching, my goodness, what wasn’t touching? I do remember once we were about to shoot the eviction scene, I was sitting in our tent where we’d wait and these two [Martin, Madina] were very quiet and quite pensive, I asked them how they felt. They both mentioned how this was their life. They both experienced evictions in their past and I just remember being really moved at how this was reflecting a real life in Phiona, but also a real life in both of them. They were having this chance to tell their story, to bring it to a larger audience that would understand the challenges of poverty, but also the triumph of people who live through it. Poverty is not one’s definition, and that they were going to have this chance to put that experience of their past into good and immediate use in the scene were about to shoot. Obviously, I come from a very different background. I come from a background of privilege and so I was very humbled in that moment. Here I am playing the mother and being the shepherdess of these two going through this experience and yet, I was learning so much from them, being able to take their lead as we went to do that scene.

"Vogue," October 2016. Photo: Mario Testino/"Vogue" — “Vogue,” October 2016. Photo: Mario Testino/”Vogue”

Such a powerful interview so far. For a moment we switched focus and asked Lupita how she felt when she saw the cover of Vogue.

Lupita : …bring words to that moment. I mean, I was just so touched. When Vogue said they wanted to do another cover with me, of course I was like elated and then they said they were interested in doing a trip to Africa. I said the only place to go was home, it’s home and the place that means the most to me is my village, Ragda, where my grandparents are. It’s my ancestral home and I spent my vacations there as a child and it’s where my whole extended family would come together and we’d pass the holidays together and so to see that place, that light, that equatorial light on the cover of Vogue, and to find my grandmother in the pages inside, oh my God, it was everything I hoped it would be.

Kenya is known to be a tourist destination. We have all the wildlife and that attracts thousands, hundreds of thousands every year, but Kisumo, the Western part is not at all, and yet it’s magnificent. I think it’s magnificent with the rock formation of Kitmekai and just the colors. The Lake Victoria. The fishing. And it’s the thing that actually brings Uganda and Kenya together. We share the Lake Victoria and we shot Queen of Katwe on one side of Lake Victoria and you see that in the film and then the Vogue shoot was on the other side of it, and so for me, that was a tie-in and it was a thing that I felt brought the film and me being on the cover together.

Lupita continues on to explain what it was like learning the language of Luganda.

Lupita : I didn’t know anyLuganda. These guys were my teachers, that’s what’s was so great about being in Uganda is that I got to immerse myself in the culture and I had to learn Luganda. I came to Uganda and I was like I’m gonna pick up a few Uganda words and then I was introduced to Baby Ivan who plays Baby Richard and he didn’t speak any English. The first time he was given to me, he went right back to the person who gave him to me because he didn’t trust me and I couldn’t have a conversation with him. I realized that Luganda was my lifesaver. It was going to really be my lifesaver and soI got to work learning Luganda and I would ask all the time how to say things and write them down and I needed to say very basic things to this boy like, do you need to pee? Are you hungry? Stop doing that. Keep quiet. Yeah, so it came in very handy and I loved learning it.

It was hard for me to think in my head what I liked best in the film. Many parts were favorites for different reasons. We asked the cast what their favorite scenes in the movie were.

Lupita : Favorite scenes… Handsome man first.

Martin : My favorite scene was where I run for the chicken, all the time I was eating chicken!

Lupita : I made this mistake in Twelve Years [a Slave] when they give you food, you can’t eat too much of it because there’s going to be so many takes and you’re going to be sick by the time you finish the scene. I wasn’t there for that scene, but we had a scene where we had to eat this stew and the art department made this stew so good. All the kids were scarfing it down and I said you’ve got to slow down because you’re not going to make it and then before you know it, they didn’t want. By the time we’re shooting, they’re were pushing it away. They didn’t want anything to do with it.

Madina : So with me, my favorite part in the movie was seeing David running around doing the cat and dog scene because not in my life I’ve never had someone who has time for me, who has time for all of us. He had time for us, so he could do the cat and dog playing for us. It was fun for me. I liked it, because for all of my life, I’ve never had someone like that. He had time for us, so I respected him, his time and I enjoyed watching what he was doing for us and it was so amazing to see him jumping. Jumping over the bed, collapsing so that was my favorite.

Martin : Another scene that I liked in the movie is the flood scene . I like Mama doing it. She was so real, and me I didn’t have that power of crying, but she made me cry in that scene because she was so real.

We were all crying in that scene.

Lupita : It was, it was really cold and, and we shot that in South Africa over four days and it was the winter time in South Africa, so it was a little shy of thirty degrees. So we would get into our costumes, go into a hot tub, get wet and then go into this freezing cold water all day and every time they said, cut, we’d run to this hot tub. We’d just sit in and then we got all muddy because of the mud in the water and we’d just sit there and sing and talk and play until we had to go again.

Madina : I also had another scene. This scene where by he is to be knocked by a boda boda [motorcycle]. It was so bad for me because I had an accident with a car when I was little, so I saw a human being knocked down, so I knew it happens and how it feels to see someone in that much pain. So it was so bad for me and to make me remember the conditions that I was in when I was knocked down by a car, so that was my favorite one.

I too was hit by a car when I was young, two years old actually. Though I don’t remember, my family has spoken on it a few times (they care not to relive it) and that scene too is powerful in the movie to me.

Our time with the three of them was short. Lupita was on her was on her way to the Ellen DeGeneres show following our interview, so one last question was posed and Lupita fielded it. Do you prefer roles in stories that have never been told and what do you hope to bring to the forefront in playing those roles?

Lupita : Well, I love playing roles that that stretch me and help me to learn something new and deep about the human experience. It was not by design that I set out to play African women, but how happy I am to have had these opportunities because I think Africa all to often a blanket statement. There’s so specificity. It’s very general wash of ideas that people have of this continent where I’m from. I know, being from there, that it is many splendored and to be able to bring to the forefront particular and specific stories about African women is so exciting to me because I’m a child of global popular culture. I grew up watching Mexican, Brazilian, Australian, English, American TV and cinema and I think I was able to identify with all those people that I met and learn something new about those cultures. I’d never worn a winter coat, but I know when you’re in New York, you have a winter coat. So for an African story to be playing that same kind of role, a universal story as we find with Phiona Mutesi in this story of Queen Of Katwe, it is my pride and my joy. I am so happy to be able to play a part in, in making the African woman the global woman.

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for more #QueenOfKatweEvent posts, interviews, and red carpet experiences from our trip, check out the following link, http://jenisonajourney.com/tag/queen-of-katwe.

Like QUEEN OF KATWE on Facebook: Facebook.com/QueenOfKatwe/

Follow QUEEN OF KATWE on Twitter: @queenofkatwe #QueenOfKatwe #QueenOfKatweEvent

Queen Of Katwe is in theaters everywhere September 30!

My trip that included the interview with Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwanga, and Martin Kabanza was hosted by Disney but every personal moment documented is 100% my own.

3 Reasons You Should See Queen Of Katwe #QueenOfKatweEvent #QueenOfKatwe

September 26, 2016 by The Mom Jen Leave a Comment

Last week I had the chance to watch Queen Of Katwe, a movie that will hit theaters everywhere this Friday, September 30. Actually, I saw it twice. Once in a small Disney Studios lot theater and a second time on Hollywood Boulevard in a theater with the cast and crew of the movie sitting just a few rows behind me. I was brought to tears each time because we had met the actors, we met the real-life inspirations of the movie, we met the director, and truly because it was a beautifully made film based on a true story. The tears shed were because Disney has done it again, bringing magic to life, they’ve created something where the small one becomes the big one and given us all lessons to learn along the way.

Queen Of Katwe is based on the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

Here are the 3 reasons you should see Queen Of Katwe.

3 Reasons You Should See Queen Of Katwe

It’s a True Story and It’s Relatable. Despite the extreme life of a third world country, there are many ways this movie moved me and will move my family when they watch it as it’s relateable on many counts. It’s sad but true, 9-year-old Phiona Mutesi didn’t go to school, instead she worked in the slums of Uganda selling corn to make money for her family. I cried when Phiona says she cannot read after Robert hands her books on learning chess. Having a 10 year old daughter myself, I immediately felt a connection to this movie. Imagining what it would be like if my daughter could not read, write, or have a formal education is something that I cannot fathom yet you watch the film and see happiness, hope, and determination in the lives of these children despite their daily challenges. Phiona’s mother is a widow with four children making ends meet, but her love for her children is the same as mine, fierce, passionate, and desperately protective. Robert Katende, a university trained civil engineer, finds himself in Katwe where his faith steered him into the development of a chess program for at-risk youth. My husband, also a civil engineer, would drop everything if he could provide for our family and also do something he was passionate about. In the past, he’s coached baseball and soccer to our children and community leagues, so he understands how meaningful it is to develop skills within children and to see them shine. As a former school teacher, I also know what it’s like to work with children (some who had challenging home lives) and have seen the beauty of growth, determination, and achievement. I also want my children to see this movie. They’re aged 10, 15, and 17 and they all have taken up a hobby/passion for sports, dance, and scouting that like chess cultivates abstract thinking, innovation, and creativity in some form. I think everyone should see this film because it will touch a nerve in some way.

The Cast. The film stars Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o who brilliantly plays Harriet, Phiona’s mother. Harriet is a mother of courage and director Mira Nair believes that is the strength and beauty found in Lupita when they were casting the film. Lupita broke down and cried after reading only 10 pages of the script and was challenged and inspired like never before that she wanted in immediately! David Oyelowo recently played Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma and was inspired by the passion and humility of Robert Katende who chooses to use his talents to give back to the community in which he resides. Their roles in the film are outstanding and they both hoped to portray their characters to the best of their ability. Their emotions in the movie were so real that they brought me to tears and their fellow actors also felt the same way! In an interview I’ll discuss later this week, Martin Kabanza (Brian) stated that his favorite part of the movie was the flood scene because Lupita was so unabashedly real in the scene. Now, what was phenomenal was the children in the film. The main characters had never acted before and they were all found literally within miles of the town of Katwe. 14-year-old Madina Nalwanga (Phiona Mutesi) was discovered in a dance rehearsal at the Sosolya Undugu Dance Academy where she’s studied for 10 years (my daughters are dancers so this is so meaningful to me). She like Phiona sold corn on the streets until the owner of the dance academy, which offered shelter, education, and dance and drama skills to socially disadvantaged and vulnerable youth, rescued her. Their stories are are identical so it is amazing how this translated into Madina’s first experience as an actress. Nair first noticed 14-year-old Martin playing soccer down the road from her home in Buziga and was impressed with how he managed to hold his own and come across completely genuine without being overly cute. “I had never acted before,” says Kabanza, “But I learned a lot of things from the acting workshops like how to concentrate and stay in character. We also learned how to play chess and I got to ride on an airplane for the first time, too.” Their innocence, youthfulness, and honesty was very humbling as we experienced in our interviews with Madina and Martin. The Pioneers in the film were a mix of both middle class and slum children. Filmmakers realized the enormous responsibility involved when working with young children, especially when they come from under-privileged backgrounds, and provided tutors, workshops and training exercises to help provide them with transferable life skills they could take with them when production wrapped. Having so many locals in the film makes it that much more genuine and be sure to watch this movie to the very end of the credits, you’ll be applauding and probably teary at the outcomes of the characters in the film!
Inspiration. There are dozens of life lessons throughout the film that you’ll be nodding your head to. Family first was a big one. This is no doubt something I already focus on in my life and for my family. Harriet wants the best for her family, wants them to succeed, but also has fear and will protect them as much as she can. I also want to applaud Robert Katende’s wife Sarah for giving her husband encouragement and support as he does spend time away from his family in some instances for the sake of the ministry and others. Taking risks by stepping outside your comfort zone is another lesson. Both Phiona and Harriet had to let go to some extent to allow Phiona to pursue her dreams. I can relate that my current job as a blogger pushes me to places I never thought I’d go, especially with social and generalized anxiety. Have a plan, this is something that I say to my college freshman each week when we face-time and it’s relateable to playing the game of chess. Also, consider the other side of the board, when you see the movie you’ll know exactly what I mean! You should see Queen Of Katwe, it will inspire you, you don’t need to understand how to play chess, nor do you need to think of this movie as negative side of Africa. It goes deeper than that and into the human spirit. It’s about love, hope, determination, and success and I hope you see it and come back to tell me how you enjoyed it!

Queen Of Katwe is in select theaters now, everywhere on September 30th, bring tissues!

for more #QueenOfKatweEvent posts, interviews, and red carpet experiences from our trip, check out the following link, http://jenisonajourney.com/tag/queen-of-katwe.

Like QUEEN OF KATWE on Facebook: Facebook.com/QueenOfKatwe/

Follow QUEEN OF KATWE on Twitter: @queenofkatwe #QueenOfKatwe #QueenOfKatweEvent

My trip that included the Queen Of Katwe screenings was hosted by Disney but every moment documented is 100% my own.

Queen Of Katwe Hollywood Premiere and After Party #QueenOfKatweEvent #QueenOfKatwe

September 23, 2016 by The Mom Jen 1 Comment

After 3 whirlwind days in Los Angeles and one day to decompress, I’m ready to fill you in on my Queen of Katwe Hollywood premiere and after party experience! I mean, this is my fourth time doing it and every single time it’s unique and different and also wonderful and awe-inspiring. Just hours before, we were sitting in a room at Walt Disney Studios interviewing the director of the film, Mira Nair. Soon after that, Lupita Nyong’o, Madina Nalwanga, and Martin Kabanza were seated before us in tears and bringing tears to our eyes recalling precious moments of the filming experience. That in itself is pretty surreal, and when they were leaving we didn’t say goodbye, but see you later at the premiere and after party. Pinch me because I think it may all have been a dream!

As per tradition for these trips, we lined up on the famous Dolby Theater steps, the very same ones that celebrities walk when attending the Academy Awards. Thank you to Marshall for snapping this fantastic photo of the group!I brought along 4 dresses to choose from for the red carpet. All black dresses because that is my comfort color, but they were all very different. The other 24 bloggers and I chatted and shared photos and inspiration of our outfits in a Facebook group and I grew more and more nervous as I saw the beautiful selections they were choosing. I had a few great thematic jewelry pieces I had borrowed and was hoping for a sign to help me decide what to wear. Fashion is not my strong point. As a stay-at-home mom/work-at-home mom, I don’t leave the comfort of casual clothing and my favorite place to shop is Target. Ultimately I opted for a short patterned dress with black wedge heels that made me feel like a million bucks. It was abnormally hot and muggy this particular evening, I wore my sweater at first but immediately had to shake it off soon after. We approached the burgundy carpet and began our stroll down Hollywood Boulevard. As you can see, I was constantly surrounded by beauty! Flash bulbs, fans, paparazzi, you get a chance to feel like what it’s like to be famous for 15 minutes of fame. It’s funny to hear the crowd ask eachother, “is that someone?” as us bloggers walk by and take our time to pause for photos. More often than not, we hear “please keep moving” as we photograph the cast of Queen of Katwe and their families on the carpet. As we approach the entrance to the historic El Capitan Theater, I was lucky enough to be in a great position to photograph the young stars. Their smiles were genuine and brought me to tears again (theme of the trip), we learned that Madina (who plays Phiona Mutesi) is quite the dancer, and my daughters both study dance and perform so these photos I captured were extra special. The inspirations for the movie Phiona Mutesi and Robert Katende arrived as did Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo, and Mira Nair and I got another fantastic set of pictures! We were ushered into the theater with time to grab popcorn and a drink. We sat second row as the venue filled with families and friends of the cast and crew of Queen Of Katwe. As the curtains opened and the movie began, hoots and hollers came from the crowd. It’s an amazing feeling to know the very special people behind every aspect of the film were potentially in attendance of this Hollywood event and with pride they cheered for their grand accomplishment.

It was the second time we saw the film in the same amount of days. We watched the screener the night before to prepare for our interviews. I need to tell you to bring a BOX of tissues with you. The movie will move you, especially if you are a mother, especially if you have young children, especially if you have a beating heart. It’s emotional, it’s inspirational, and it’s a true story! My review will come next week, so stay tuned for that! Watch the trailer below:

The night was not over. Though I was exhausted from crying and our long day, a second wind came over me. I left the theater and headed to the Hard Rock Cafe across the street for the after party! The vibe was electric. Music was pumping, people were everywhere, there was food, drinks, dessert and it was a fun time! We found a spot to sit and I was impressed by a mother and her young daughters so polished and beautiful. I find out one of the girls is Disney Channel star Skai Jackson. As they are literally at our table, I didn’t take a photo but instead complimented the mother on her outfit and the beauty of her girls.

The music picked up and soon dancers filled the floor. I walked over to see Madina and Martin tearing it up and shot this video of them having so much fun along with a host of many other teenagers.

Lupita joined the crowd and I got to see her gorgeous lavender outfit up close.

The day and night were so memorable. I came home to brag to friends and family about our experience, but mostly to encourage them to see the movie with their families, with their children, with their friends!

Queen Of Katwe opens in select theaters today; everywhere on September 30th and I cannot wait to take my family to see it!

for more #QueenOfKatweEvent posts, interviews, and red carpet experiences from our trip, check out the following link, http://jenisonajourney.com/tag/queen-of-katwe.

Like QUEEN OF KATWE on Facebook: Facebook.com/QueenOfKatwe/

Follow QUEEN OF KATWE on Twitter: @queenofkatwe #QueenOfKatwe #QueenOfKatweEvent

My trip that included the Queen Of Katwe Hollywood Premiere and After Party was hosted by Disney but every moment documented is 100% my own.

Follow Me Down the Red Carpet for the Queen Of Katwe Premiere #QueenOfKatweEvent

September 15, 2016 by The Mom Jen 4 Comments

Pixie dust has reached my inbox and next week I’ll be hopping off a plane at LAX with a dream and my cardigan. Well, maybe not a cardigan, but YES! I’m going to Los Angeles with 24 remarkable bloggers to walk the red carpet at the Queen Of Katwe premiere! This is my fourth time attending such a grand event and I’m honored to have been asked! Follow along on social media with the hashtags mentioned and experience the amazing adventure right there with us!

#QueenOfKatweEvent

Our adventures start Monday, September 19 when we arrive in LA and check into the “Hotel of the Stars,” Sheraton Universal Hotel and await old and new friends. Then it’s off to Walt Disney Studios for a pre-screening reception wit the African-American Disney Resource Group for dinner and drinks. On this first night we actually get to screen Queen Of Katwe for the first time.

“Queen Of Katwe” is based on the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion.

Here’s the trailer for you to see, I’ve just noticed seeing it on television and it gives me the good chills every time! Queen Of Katwe opens in select theaters on September 23rd; everywhere on September 30th!

#ABCTVEvent #OnceUponATime

Tuesday starts off an unforgettable day by first jumping in a van and heading to the ABC Building for an exciting Once Upon a Time event! We will be getting a sneak preview of the Once Upon a Time Season 6 Premiere, “The Savior,” which will be followed by a Q&A with co-creators and executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz! This is unreal, my husband and I have always wanted to get into this program and I’m thinking now is better than never! The show is returning to ABC for its sixth season, Sunday, September 25 (8:00–9:00 p.m. EDT).

Welcome to Storybrooke, a small town in Maine that you won’t find on any map. This town is full of magic, populated by fairytale characters once cursed by the Evil Queen Regina to live in our world—deprived of their memories and happy endings. Until Emma Swan came to town and changed everything. With the help of her son, Henry, Emma embraced her true identity as the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming—the Savior destined to break the Curse. But even after returning everyone’s memories, Emma’s mission was far from over. With the Curse broken, Mr. Gold (aka Rumplestiltskin) was free to bring magic to Storybrooke. And magic ALWAYS comes with a price…

Once Upon a Time” stars Ginnifer Goodwin as Snow White/Mary Margaret, Jennifer Morrison as Emma Swan, Lana Parrilla as the Evil Queen/Regina, Josh Dallas as Prince Charming/David, Emilie de Ravin as Belle, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook, Jared S. Gilmore as Henry Mills, Rebecca Mader as the Wicked Witch/Zelena and Robert Carlyle as Rumplestiltskin/Mr. Gold.

#QueenOfKatweEvent

Press Day begins with lunch and I’m so thrilled to announce that we will be meeting the real life inspirations for the Queen Of Katwe, Phiona Mutesi and Robert Katende for a rare group interview! It doesn’t stop there because then we’ll interview Madina Nalwanga (who plays Phiona), Martin Kabanza (Phiona’s brother Brian Mugabi in the movie), the Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o (Harriet Mutesi), Selma’s star David Oyelowo (Robert Katende), and movie director Mira Nair! Following the interviews, we’re heading back to the hotel to spiffy up for the Red Carpet and the Queen Of Katwe premiere! I may also need a glass of wine to relax and prepare me for the night. I mean, how often do you get to walk down Hollywood Boulevard with dozens of celebrities then enter the El Capitan Theatre with them to watch the Queen Of Katwe?! If that doesn’t knock your socks off, after the movie we will venture to the Hard Rock Cafe with those same celebrities and the cast for the premiere party. Is this real life, or just fantasy? Wow, just wow!

#ABCTVEvent #AmericanHousewife

The fun definitely doesn’t stop there. Wednesday morning we are up bright and early and we’re on our way to visit the set of ABC’s new comedy American Housewife as well as some cool behind-the-scenes action! Now, I just watched the screener of the first episode and I totally laughed to tears. The one-liners, the parent-child relationship, this is my kind of comedy and if you love Modern Family, The Middle, and Black-ish as much as I do, then this is a perfect addition to your favorites! I loved Diedrich Bader from the Drew Carey Show days and he is so funny in this, I’ve already set my DVR to record the series! The show premieres Tuesday, October 11 at 8:30/7:30c.

Katie Otto, a confident, unapologetic wife and mother of three, raises her flawed family in the wealthy town of Westport, Connecticut, filled with “perfect” mommies and their “perfect” offspring. Katie’s perfectly imperfect world is upended when her neighbor’s decision to move notches her up from her ideal social standing and sets her on a path to ensure that doesn’t happen, regardless of the consequences. Watch the trailer:

#ABCTVEvent #TheMiddle

Speaking of The Middle, to round out our super exciting three days, we are going on set and behind-the-scenes of a show that we love to watch as a family! I mean, I still have Sue’s graduation episode saved on my DVR as my oldest just graduated from high school. It’s a combination of laughing to tears, and just plain tearing up at some of the reality of this great show! The Middle premieres Tuesday, October 11 at 8/7c.

Two-time Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country in Orson, Indiana, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to get her family through each day intact. Frankie works as a dental assistant, and her unflappable husband, Mike, is manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average – yes, most definitely average – family.

#ABCTVEvent #TheRealONeals

JUST ADDED to our itin! We will be visiting the set of The Real O’Neal’s and getting a house tour! The Real O’Neals will premiere October 11 at a new time, Tuesdays at 9:30/8:30c on ABC!

The O’Neal family continues its journey of self-discovery and growth, resulting from Kenny coming out and his parents, Eileen and Pat, getting divorced. After finally coming out, Kenny will discover that life outside the closet isn’t that easy. Luckily for him, his older brother, Jimmy, will always be there to offer his often-misguided advice. And finally, there’s Shannon, the youngest O’Neal, whose unique views on life make her wise beyond her years. Eileen and Pat will continue to deal with starting their separate lives while still living under the same roof. Through it all, Aunt Jodi will be there offering her unusual brand of support, as the O’Neals continue to explore new relationships, friendships and acceptance of one another in the next, messier chapter of their lives.

This trip is going to be epic and many thanks to Disney for hosting me on this all-expenses paid adventure. Stay tuned to those great hashtags and follow along on my social media to feel like you’re right along side me!

Play Chess Like the Queen Of Katwe #QueenOfKatweEvent #QueenOfKatwe

September 8, 2016 by The Mom Jen 10 Comments

As a parent of three children, I’ve seen them explore hobbies and passions, I’ve seen them succeed and fail. No matter what, they need encouragement, support, and love and often a little spark to encourage taking risks. Now take that concept and apply it to living in a third world country. QUEEN OF KATWE is an inspiring true story of a young girl named Phiona, who sold corn on the streets of Uganda and then had her life altered when she is introduced to the game of chess. Confidence, determination along with the support of her family leads Phiona on a journey as she pursues her new found dream of becoming an international chess champion. It’s a story of overcoming the odds and finding your inner Queen.

Does this sound like the kind of movie you want to see, not only am I excited to see the QUEEN OF KATWE movie, I’m honored to be invited to the movie’s Hollywood premiere!

In celebration of attending the Red Carpet Premiere of QUEEN OF KATWE later this month, I have teamed up with several of the #QueenOfKatweEvent bloggers to bring you NOT ONE BUT TWO amazing chances to win a this gorgeous Jarilo chess board along with a copy of QUEEN OF KATWE. Entering is simple and easy, just follow the steps in the giveaway tool below, however once you are done entering my giveaway, head over to The Michigan Mom and enter the second giveaway. See I told you it was easy! Good luck.

Queen of Katwe Giveaway 2

Rules of the Giveaway: Winners are subject to verification of eligibility. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter, a U.S. Resident and provide a physical mailing address for the prize (P.O. Boxes will not be accepted). The giveaway starts at 12:00 am CST on September 9th, 2016, and will be end at 11:59 pm on September 16th, 2016. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. Failure to respond will result in forfeiture of prize and a new winner will be selected.

Now that you have entered, please be sure to follow the hashtag #QueenOfKatweEvent to learn more about this amazing movie and to follow the journey of the 25 #QueenOfKatweEvent Bloggers who will be attending the Red Carpet Premiere.