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South African talk show host, Trevor Noah, to anchor Grammys for third-straight year

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South African talk show host, Trevor Noah, has been selected as host of the 2023 Grammy Awards, for a third-straight year, but the former “The Daily Show” host says he still has some nervousness about leading the ceremony with big-time acts like Beyoncé, Adele and Harry Styles, in attendance.

“The nerves come in because you’re standing in front of not just some of the best, but some of the biggest performers in the world,” the multiple award winner said on Wednesday while looking forward to the event coming up on Sunday.

But Noah says he expects his diligent preparation to get him through show.

“Nerves are part of what I do,” the comedian said as he returns for his third hosting stint at the Grammys which is returning to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles after relocating to Las Vegas for the first-time ever because of rising COVID-19 cases in 2020.

Noah said each year of hosting the Grammys has offered him a different experience because of the logistical challenges stemmed from the pandemic.

“Every year, I notice that I develop a different rapport with the people in the room.

“That opens you up to a few more jokes and a few more conversations in a way where people understand the context of who you are in relation to them.

“It means you get to have a little bit of fun without anybody feeling like you’re dunking on them,” Noah said in an interview ahead of the Grammy Awards.

Noah said he is looking forward to checking out the popular performers who will hit the stage including Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, Lizzo, Steve Lacy and Brandi Carlile.

Beyoncé is leading the nominations with nine, including record and song of the year for her song “Break My Soul,” while Kendrick Lamar has the second-most nominations with eight, with Adele and Carlile entering the show with seven nominations.

Styles, Mary J. Blige, Future, DJ Khaled, The-Dream and mastering engineer Randy Merrill each received six nominations.

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Egypt produces 3D animation series for kids named ‘El Mahmia’

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The United Media Services (UMS), in conjunction with the Egyptian government has produced a 3D animated series for children titled “El Mahmia” which means “The Reserve.”

“El Mahmia” is the latest animated series coming shortly after the “Yehia W Kenooz” (Yehia & Treasures) which was released last year in the North African country’s continuous efforts to develop the characters of Egyptian kids, according to UMS in a statement on Saturday.

“El Mahmia” which is the first Egyptian 3D animation series is produced by Hashtag and will be screened on Al Hayat TV channel during the month of Ramadan, the producers said.

“El Mahmia’s plot is full of suspense. It revolves around the reserve’s residents who are Farah and Hamza, the two grandsons of the reserve’s guard,” the statement reveals.

“The reserve is exposed to danger, and Farah and Hamza will manage to overcome this danger using smart and innovative ways.”

“The episodes carry many adventures inside the reserve, and will introduce the children to the world of nature reserves and their creatures, the importance of preserving the environment, and how to use technology to serve these goals.”

El Mahmia consists of 30 episodes and the duration of each episode is 15 minutes. The animation series stars Zeyad El-Gendy (Hamza), Lama Hany (Farah), Ahmed Khaled El-Sharkawy (the grandfather), Gehad Abou Elenien (the fisherman), and Galal El Hagrassy (Hakim).”

“Others are Hany Abdel Hay (Bebo), with the participation of Nevin Mahmoud, Alaa Gawish, Osama Fawzy, Eyad El-Gendy, Amr Essam, Taghreed El-Nagar, Hind Kamel and Mohamed Azizi ( Shark), and Moataz El-Shazly,” the series director, Ahmed Mahdy said at the launch in Cairo.

“The series is tailor made to raise the awareness of children about the importance of preserving natural reserves as well as preserving fish from extinction,” Mahdy said.

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Zambian model, Christina Sakala, dreams of appearing on cover of Vogue, Elle Magazines

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Zambian top fashion and runway model, Christina Sakala, says she has big dreams of appearing on the cover of international fashion magazines, Vogue and Elle, as that would be a “dream come true” for her.

The 24-year-old who has taken the south-central African country modelling industry by storm, has been the face of the Zambia Fashion Week from 2015 to date and has also participated in Swahili Fashion Week as well as other runway shows across the region.

She has also represented her country at fashion events in other parts of the world, notably her participation at Shanghai Black fashion week held in Shanghai, China, last year.

Sakala has won loads of laurels in her career, including being crowned as Top Model of the World Zambia 2015, Miss Globe Zambia 2017/18, Vodafone Jump Brand Ambassador, Mumba Children’s Project Brand
Ambassador and the Face of Lace by Mwengz.

Sakala who spoke of her dream of being one of the world’s top models on Friday with Zambian Monitor, said her road to the runway started when she was tricked into the sector by her boyfriend, but insisted she has had no regrets since then.

“I started modeling when my boyfriend at the time tricked me into auditioning,” she said.

“He said we were going on a date and I found myself at an audition. He had been trying to get me to start and I was just not interested.”

“So I guess that was his last resort. Now looking back I’m glad he did it.”

“There are so many people looking up to me, including myself and I cannot disappoint them. I know I’m a great model and one day I’ll put my country on the map.”

Thought Sakala has achieved so much in such a short period, she says her dream is to appear on the cover of the two international magazines, Vogue and Elle, as well as walk the runway at some of the biggest fashion shows in the world.

“I’m going to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine, Elle Magazine and all the big names. I’m going to walk for the biggest designers in the world and walk the biggest most glamorous shows in the world. Be the brand ambassadors for the biggest brands and names. I’m coming for it all,” she said.

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