Category: Interviews

Go Away With … Kenny Loggins

Jae-Ha Kim

Kenny Loggins has had an impressive string of radio-friendly hits (“Footloose,” “Danger Zone,” “I’m Alright”) in his long career. With his latest album “All Join In” — in stores later this year — the veteran musician aims for a multi-generational audience that includes children. It’s only fitting, since the album includes collaborations with all five of his kids — ranging in age from 11 to 28 years old. “It was very fun to work with them,” says the 62-year-old singer-songwriter, who resides in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Go Away With … Michelle Williams

Jae-Ha Kim

Often referred to as the shiest member of Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams defied that description with her solo album “Unexpected.” The singer, who has a penchant for gospel tunes, had no problem belting out dance-friendly pop songs on the high-energy CD. “I had boxed myself in as a gospel singer and didn’t think anyone would be interested in hearing me sing a different way,” says Williams, 29. “It was either Destiny’s Child or gospel.”

Go Away With … Apolo Anton Ohno

Jae-Ha Kim

Apolo Anton Ohno will be competing in his third Olympic Games this month. The short-track speed-skating champ already has five Olympic medals, two of them gold. Ohno also showed his dexterity on the dance floor by winning the mirror ball trophy on “Dancing with the Stars” three years ago. As for the sport that made him famous, Ohno, 27, says, “I’m just enjoying my sport and taking it day by day. Anything can happen in short track and I’m blessed that I still have the talent to skate competitively and the desire to want to represent my country.”

Go Away With … Lucy Lawless

Jae-Ha Kim

Though Lucy Lawless is best known for playing the title character in “Xena: Warrior Princess,” she once made a living as the host of a travel show for Air New Zealand. The program was shown on the airline, as well as on television in Asia, Australia and her native New Zealand.

Go Away With … Andrew Friedman

Jae-Ha Kim

Andrew Friedman’s knowledge and love of food and sports comes through loud and clear in his latest book, Knives at Dawn: The American Quest for Culinary Glory at the Legendary Bocuse d’Or Competition (Free Press, $26). The 42-year-old author covers the rigorous international competition — which by comparison, makes “The Iron Chef” look like a kiddie cooking show — with gusto, flair and suspense.

Go Away With … Laila Ali

Jae-Ha Kim

Following her father’s footsteps into the boxing ring was a no brainer for Laila Ali. The second youngest of Muhammad Ali’s nine children — Laila was a knockout, in and out of the gym. While athletics always come easy for her, competing on “Dancing With the Stars” definitely took her out of her comfort zone. “That was so much fun, but also hard,” says Ali, 32. “I was in it to win it but Apolo (Anton Ohno) won. That’s OK. He’s cool.” Ali and her husband, former NFL wide receiver Curtis Conway, have a toddler son. Find out where they plan on taking their baby for his first big trip.

Go Away With … Ivanka Trump

Jae-Ha Kim

Ivanka Trump could’ve coasted on her good looks and her father’s money, but that’s not her style. Armed with a degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, Trump, 28, may be more low-key than her famous father, Donald, but she may be just as driven. Besides being a vice president at her family’s real estate company, Trump has authored the new book The Trump Card: Playing to Win in Work and Life (Touchstone, $24.99). She also has a line of fine jewelry featured in her Ivanka Trump Collection.

Go Away With … Rob Thomas

Jae-Ha Kim

Born in West Germany on a U.S. military base, Rob Thomas was born to travel. The frontman for Matchbox Twenty, Thomas also collaborated with Carlos Santana (he was the voice of the hit single “Smooth”) and is currently finishing up a U.S. tour to promote his second solo album “Cradlesong.” After that he’ll head off to Australia in February to perform concerts there. “My first time out of the country was to Australia,” says Thomas, 37. “Every first trip is fun, but after you’ve visited a few times, you get the lay of the land down and find favorite spots. Each spot gets better every trip.”

Go Away With…Paul Potts

Jae-Ha Kim

Before Susan Boyle made a name for herself on “Britain’s Got Talent,” there was Paul Potts. The former cell phone salesman and amateur opera singer won the first season of the talent show in 2007 and sparked both interest and controversy. Some naysayers said he was a working musician and should’ve been disqualified from the competition. In truth, Potts did have stage experience, but he had never received payment for his work. In other words, he hadn’t relinquished his amateur status.

Go Away With … Larry Harris

Jae-Ha Kim

For a good chunk of the ’70s, disco was synonymous with Casablanca Records, thanks to its roster of artists such as Donna Summer and the Village People. Label co-founder Larry Harris, 62, writes about the wild and crazy times in his book And Party Every Day: The Inside Story of Casablanca Records (Backbeat, $24.99). Currently residing in Port Angeles, Wash., Harris talks about his love of New York and why he really wants to get to Italy.

Go Away With … Justin Guarini

Jae-Ha Kim

“I got the travel bug early,” Justin Guarini says. “Some Americans don’t like going outside of the U.S. Although that’s not my choice, I can understand it to a certain point. But with what’s going on with the rest of the world’s views on America, I do think that it’s imperative that Americans travel and try to understand other cultures if they can. Besides, it’s so much fun to get a glimpse of other parts of the world.”

Go Away With … Sung J. Woo

Jae-Ha Kim

With his critically acclaimed debut novel “Everything Asian,” Sung J. Woo succinctly and poignantly captures a year in the life of a 12-year-old immigrant who tries to navigate life in the United States, while also trying to understand his estranged father. A resident of Washington, N.J., the 38-year-old author chats about his recent trip to Alaska, how he gets the best hotel deals and why he often feels like a tourist — even when he’s not far from home.

Go Away With … Carlos Mencia

Jae-Ha Kim

Best known for his comedy series “Mind of Mencia” and roles in films such as “The Heartbreak Kid,” Carlos Mencia works nonstop. Whether he’s writing standup material, new skits or developing film ideas, Mencia says he often is wary of taking a few days off because he doesn’t want to get in the “vacation mode” — unless he’s heading for Maui. “It is the closest to paradise a living person can hope for,” says the 42-year-old comic.

Go Away With … Neil Strauss

Jae-Ha Kim

His background as a New York Times rock music critic and Rolling Stone contributing editor made Neil Strauss the perfect candidate to co-write books with Marilyn Manson, Motley Crue and Dave Navarro. But few people expected that the intellectual, slightly built journalist would earn fame writing about his real-life experience as a pick-up artist in the bestselling book The Game.

Go Away With … Harry J. Lennix

Jae-Ha Kim

Besides co-starring in Joss Whedon’s critically acclaimed series “Dollhouse,” Harry Lennix has a thriving career in films (“State of Play,” “Ray” and “The Matrix” sequels). Newly married and living in Los Angeles, Lennix, 44, is an avid traveler for work and play. Though he has been to Europe, Australia and South Africa, Lennix has fond memories of Eureka Springs, Ark., where he shot the 2004 Billy Bob Thornton movie “Chrystal.”

As for one of his favorite new hangouts? The Wild Turkey in Junction, Texas. Be sure to ask for Rosie or Cesar.

Go Away With … Alan Parker

Jae-Ha Kim

Born in England, Sir Alan Parker knows a thing or two about traveling. The acclaimed director of “Evita,” “Angela’s Ashes” and “Mississippi Burning” has vacationed around the world. But ask the 65-year-old icon what his most memorable trip was and he’ll answer, “Turkey.” That is where the director filmed part of his controversial film “Midnight Express.” The Blu-ray version of the classic movie is now available (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) and includes some of Parker’s personal observations and photographs from the filming.

Go Away With … Emo Philips

Jae-Ha Kim

His high-pitched voice and shaggy bangs are as much his trademarks as his dry, sardonic wit. And Emo Philips, 53, a comedian for most of his adult life, can’t imagine doing anything else. “It’s just something that works for me,” says Philips, who resides in Los Angeles. “I get to travel and tell my stories on stage. It’s the ideal life for me.” Though he executive produced the original 1992 version of “Meet the Parents” (the film that didn’t star Robert DeNiro) and dipped his toes into film and television work, Philips isn’t looking to make a mark for himself as an actor.

“I’m a good stand-up comedian and can’t say the same about my acting abilities,” he says. Philips talks about his travels, including a trip to Nepal where he got to witness — among other things — a cremation ceremony.

Go Away With … Peter King

Jae-Ha Kim

Sports Illustrated writer Peter King knows his football. The winner of this year’s Dick McCann Memorial Award for his coverage of the game, King has written a new book — Sports Illustrated: Monday Morning Quarterback: A Fully Caffeinated Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the NFL, which will be in stores Oct. 13. The 52-year-old Boston resident includes his list of all-time favorite players in the book. But here, King tells us about some of his favorite places to travel.

Go Away With … Rebecca Minkoff

Jae-Ha Kim

Rebecca Minkoff, whose line of handbags is a favorite with A-list celebrities, says though she enjoys a nice hotel with a luxurious spa, it’s also fun to “rough it a bit and carry everything you need on your back.” Though she could easily create a chic knapsack for herself, Minkoff says her practical side uses her Samsonite backpack, which she admits should work well for her for a few more trips.