Ashley Cruz; Photo Credit: Wes Klain, used with kind courtesy of the artist, all rights reserved.
Born and raised in the South Bronx by her hard working single mother; Ashley Cruz was her mothers only daugther of two children. Regularly receiving straight A’s, making honor roll, and numerous awards throughout her childhood, her extracurricular activities including dance made her family even more proud.
Beginning dancing in elementary school, talent shows, block parties, and anywhere she could find, Ashley competed and won the title of “Miss Bronx Queen of the Puerto Rican Day Parade.” Always feeling passionate about performing, Ashely says she felt at home on the stage and in front of the camera.
Eventually, Ashley states she began taking her talents more seriously. In high school she began making her way out of the Bronx and into Manhattan. Training at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance Capezio Center, and enrolling in some of the top commercial industry programs; Ashley realized that her passion for dance could become her career. Ashley says she turned down a scholarship to one of NYCs most prestigious schools; NYU, taking the risk of disappointing some of her family in order to live out her dream.
As noted in her official biography, “Refusing to do anything short of making it in the professional dance industry, Ashley Cruz infused all of her hard work, dedication, blood, sweat and tears into becoming the professional dancer and elite performer she is today.”
Ashley Cruz’s top energy, charisma, and talent has allowed her to perform on stage with some of the music industry’s biggest stars, including; Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Meghan Trainor, and Saweetie, among more.
Determined to follow in the footsteps of multi-talented business women such as Jennifer Lopez and Adrienne Bailon, Ashley says that she hopes to use her voice to inspire young girls in the Latin community to think big, and follow their dreams.
Listen to Part 1 of Hollywood Sentinel’s exclusive interview with Ashley Cruz, here below:
Listen to Part 2 of Hollywood Sentinel’s exclusive interview with Ashely Cruz, here below:
Award Winning Author Veera Mahajan gives here an exclusive interview to Hollywood Sentinel, discussing her new book UNREPORTED: Learning to Live Free, concerning domestic abuse, and how to stop it.
“UNREPORTED; Learning to LIVE free” Author Veera Mahajan, Photo Credit: Leonard Monje.
It is better to be alone than to be lonely with someone who does not respect you or make you feel good about yourself.” –Veera Mahajan; UNREPORTED
“Unreported: Learning to LIVE Free” Author Veera Mahajan Reveals in her awarded book, how to spot signs of abuse, and even more importantly, how to leave an abusive relationship. The following details several excerpts from the powerful contents of that book, as well as additional advice exclusively from the author.
Esteemed Author, Mediator, and Public Speaker; Veera Mahajan is one of Malibu’s most valued community leaders. The beautiful and intelligent woman is also author of the critically acclaimed book “Unreported: Learning to LIVE free,” about recognizing and overcoming domestic abuse and stopping domestic violence. Veera Mahajan is also a highly praised Educator, Mediator, and Publisher, having created and published the landmark publication “Malibu Chronicle.”
As noted earlier on ABC News, with a master’s degree in Dispute Resolution from the prestigious Pepperdine School of Law; Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Veera Mahajan leads a multi-faceted team of private clients; educating them on the causes and solutions of crisis and conflicts.
In the institutional, educational world, Veera successfully leads a position as Communications Coordinator; bridging understanding, and wisely teaching peacemaking for both the student-body and parents, as well as faculty. Through Veera’s guidance and expertise, students and peers learn to listen and respect each other, resolving conflicts with calmness and logic, rather than anger or violence.
A licensed Mediator; Veera’s motivation to help others lends itself to her work with attorney’s in resolving conflicts in the areas of business, and family among more. Her proven successes help save time, money, and most importantly–relationships.
Signs of Abuse to look for as detailed by “UNREPORTED” author Veera Mahajan, are the following:
–Abusers may beg you for forgiveness –Abusers may try to buy your love back with gifts –Abusers may shower you with praise –Abusers may then hurt you physically or emotionally all over again
Veera states, “Once they know that you bought their excuses and you are back, they will turn back to the same perpetrator that they were. This is called the “cycle of abuse” or “honeymoon period.” It happens again. You have to look for patterns. If the behavior is not changing for good and keeps coming back, see that as the pattern–and run. It is not going to get better. They are only nice when they want to be forgiven, but they are not capable of maintaining the good behavior. You have to stop accepting the apologies, and see them for who they are, and figure out how to separate yourself from them. Believe that you deserve better and say “no” to abuse!”
Veera Mahajan; Exclusive Interview with The Hollywood Sentinel
Hollywood Sentinel: There is a great quote in your book which I love that states, “Do you know that you were born as good as anyone else? Well you were. No one has the right to make you feel afraid or make you feel bad about yourself.” What was the single most important thing that helped “you” get over your fear of others or of those that abused you?
Veera: Seeing my growing son, still afraid of his father when he was hitting him, killed the fear inside me and made me finally take the action that was so overdue. I finally decide to give up trying to beg him to stop abusing us instead I decide to “stop” accepting the abuse and I told him I was leaving him. That day I freed my sons and myself to live our lives the way we wanted to live and put and end to abuse.
Hollywood Sentinel: That’s powerful Veera. You have stated that love is stronger thank hate. Please explain further why this is?
Veera Mahajan: It all starts with how much you love yourself. Since our childhood, we are taught to be nice to others and love others. Most of us are not taught or encouraged to love ourselves. Most of us never learned self care. Since the very beginning, we are made to feel bad about taking care of ourselves. We are told it is selfish if we think about our own happiness. So we learn to take care of other people and when we don’t get the care back, we start building resentment.
We expect people we care about to care about us and when we don’t get it, we are disappointed and hate it. Hate makes us fight and be mean to each other. If we teach our children to love themselves, they will have better expectations from their relationships. We expect less than respect because we don’t love ourselves enough to believe that we deserve the best.
Hollywood Sentinel: That’s so true, I love that. What is the best way to achieve and maintain a positive mental attitude?
Veera: A healthy mind, and a healthy body! Taking care of your physical health by regular workout’s and maintaining healthy eating habits will make you feel better about yourself. Feeling good about yourself is very important for making sure you respect yourself in all aspects of your life, whether it is in business or personal situations. Taking care of your physical self lets you see the positive results.
Once you learn that positive things happen with healthy habits, it teaches you to build a healthy and positive attitude towards everything else you do in life. So, I think to maintain a positive attitude; maintain a healthy body. It takes a positive self-image and positive mental attitude to maintain good physical health.
Listen to the latest exclusive interview with Veera Mahajan here below:
After Madonna signed Prodigy to Maverick, the band went from rising underground rave rockers to world famous industrial legends. The band shocked then Maverick CEO Madonna by reportedly refusing her invitation to join her on a world tour opening for her. Madonna was reportedly livid, and reportedly had to let their contract play out. Madonna fans in the know were insulted, some hardcore Prodigy fans respected their cred.
After the major club hit of “Firestarter” which brought international acclaim to the band, they soon later released the catchy, albeit sexist “Smack My B— Up.” Women I knew at the time were divided. They loved the song, but hated the message. The band later released a video of the song showing violence against a woman and drug use, with the abuser later turning out to be a woman.
The band had recently released their latest album, “No Tourists,” and were set to embark upon a 2019 world tour. Sadly this month, Keith Flint was found in his home, allegedly having taken his own life. Knowing some of the history of Prodigy however, one may wonder if in fact it was drug related.
While not the first of their style as some media wrongly claim–they are certainly a great, legendary band. Keith Flint was a huge part of that legacy, along with Liam Howlett and Maxim. He will be greatly missed.
