What does it mean to be a HERO Caitlyn Jenner ?

Photo credit : Caitlyn Jenner

Ever since Caitlyn Jenner came out as Transgender on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine and received the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award live at The Espy awards there is still an ongoing debate concerning what a " Hero" actually is. Amongst many people on social media this is still a hot topic with various memes and statuses arguing that Caitlyn Jenner should have not received this award and that she is not courageous, brave or a " Hero" for just deciding to live her life as a woman after 65 years. They go on to compare her to the men and woman injured while serving our country that still have the spirit to persevere and break records in sports as being the " real " heros. While I agree these individuals should be commended and are definitely courageous ...I am not so sure that I believe Caitlyn Jenner doesn't deserve the same title as well.

About the award as copied from http://espn.go.com/espys/arthurasheaward  

" The Ashe Award is one of the most prestigious in sports. Recipients reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost. The award is inspired by the life that Ashe lived, using his fame and stature to advocate for human rights, although, at the time, those positions may have been unpopular and were often controversial. From speaking out against apartheid in South Africa to revealing to the world his struggle with AIDS, Ashe never backed away from a difficult issue, even though doing so would have been easier. Winners of the Ashe Award strive to carry on Ashe's legacy in their own lives - - inspired by those who do so each day."

In my opinion many people acting out were not even aware of the criteria that Mr.Ashe intended for the award recipient and we saw people jumping on a bandwagon mostly for a chance to be snarky about a still taboo topic ...transgenderism. On the scarier side Caitlyn received death threats and hate tweets.
Caitlyn Jenner has not just decided to become a woman overnight. This is something she has struggled with since she was a young child. Due to obvious pressures of society , on top of being a world renowned Olympian, Caitlyn stopped an earlier attempt at transitioning and further hid her true feelings with secrets and lies. Ultimately after much soul searching  Caitlyn decided she rather live as her authentic self than go on any further  and in doing so , being the public figure she is, faced a media firestorm where no one could have guessed the outcome. Many people were accepting however this is not the case for the average person who is transgendered out of the public's eye.

As seen in Caitlyn's new docu-series on Entertainment Television " I Am Cait" we see a woman willing to take on the burden for a life she is just becoming a part of ( not trying to be a martyr) and just beginning to understand. I Am Cait was filmed as she just transitioned and they even covered the ESPY award and Cait's now infamous acceptance speech. I see a Cait who is taking on the role of advocate and is trying her best to stay humble, aware of her privilege, while shedding a light on a topic that rarely gets the attention it needs and deserves. The facts are, whether you are aware or not, that people who are transgender have the highest murder/suicide rate in our world today all because they are trying to live their lives as who they really are. Just think about that for a moment.Really think about it as if it were as real to you as it is to them.How can anyone not think this needs to be addressed/stopped?!
Many people who are transgendered are homeless, can not find employment due to discrimination, can not find health care and often times are shunned by their families left to fend for themselves. In watching I Am Cait we are seeing ground breaking television spotlighting what it means to be transgendered and hopefully normalizing it as it should be and there is still a long way to go. Caitlyn has cleverly inserted many new friends who are transgendered so they may share their stories which are unique as they are...they themselves being skeptical of Caityln as their new spokesperson however you can see they are genuinely appreciative for the media attention and awareness that I Am Cait is bringing to the community. This no way negates all the pioneers that have come before, and there has been many...the best part is Cait knows this and makes us aware she is only a vessel. I am not sure what your definition of a " Hero" is but I do know the way I see it...Caitlyn Jenner is courageous, brave and a " Hero" for making an attempt to save lives while you sit on your couch and judge her.



For information on how you can help www.Iamtransgendered.com

Watch Caitlyn Jenner on " I Am Cait" Sunday's 8/7C on Entertainment Televsion 
 
Follow Caitlyn on Twitter @Caitlyn_Jenner

Follow the show @IAmCait

Follow me @BillyCharlesNY

When Breast Cancer Awareness Month Hits Close To Home ...

It's been quite a while since I have posted to this blog. Many things have happened in my life since the creation of  BillyCharlesNY.com both personally and professionally. I took a hiatus back in March of 2014 because I wasn't sure which direction I wanted to go in and frankly The Real Housewives , the interviews and The Gina Cutillo Show were just burning me out while leaving me creatively unfulfilled. Since that time, Gina decided to end her show to concentrate on her new album and her music career. I also took a new challenge on professionally. We have and always will remain friends.I was blessed to do the show and to get to know her.

I have kept in touch with many of the fabulous people that I met along my journey one of which is celebrity hairstylist David Antunes who I interviewed back in 2013 before he became a well known name amongst Bravo TV Housewives fans,  especially fans of Teresa Giudice from The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, with whom he is a friend of and also her go to hair guy. Ironically one of the newest cast members of  The Real Housewives Of New Jersey, and a friend of David's ,  is Amber Marchese who just happens to be a breast cancer survivor herself and through her new found fame is bringing a lot of awareness to the topic as well. My family received  some upsetting news  recently so I decided to reach out to Amber  and she could not have been more genuine and supportive.

Amber Marchese and David Antunes

The news was that we found out my  Mom, who has been recovering from a stroke , was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have personally known many friends and family  members who were affected by this terrible disease but there is nothing like when it strikes so close to home. It is scary to say the least as the word cancer often is. We are hopeful because my mother's cancer was caught in the early stages through a mammogram . She will be meeting with a surgeon and they are going to do a lumpectomy after that we will take it from there. She is in the care of an informative and wonderful Doctor who has told her to take it day by day and that she is in good hands ...which we truly believe. Besides being a hair guru, David Antunes guest writes for the

Las Vegas Informer Magazine on all kinds of topics... most recently he shared his article with me and I want to share it with you all because it is on Breast Cancer Awareness! It really couldn't have come at a better time in all of our lives...mine especially. David told me that he wanted to remind people on the importance of bringing awareness to Breast Cancer and that he also wants his article to serve as a daily reminder to those in need!

Thank you David Antunes and Amber Marchese for being  sincere and caring people  and using your celebrity to bring awareness to a topic that is often met with fear and for  shedding light on the fact that we have come a long way in the fight with this disease.The recovery statistics just keep getting better.Watch Amber Marchese on the current season of The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo TV and please take the time to read and share David's article and we both thank you in advance.

Please read and share the link below to David's article for The Las Vegas Informer Magazine

http://lasvegas.informermg.com/2014/10/01/october-is-national-breast-cancer-awareness-month/

                                                       My beautiful mother Nancy and I...


Please Follow  Las Vegas Informer on Twitter @LVInformer
Please Follow David Antunes  @DavidAntunesNJ
Follow Amber @AmberNMarchese

Quick and Easy Parmesan Asparagus Quiche!

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I have posted a cooking blog so I thought I would share my recipe for a quick and easy delicious Asparagus Parmesan Quiche! Not only is this recipe fast to make it is also vegan and can be served as a main course or as a  side dish. You can also double the recipe for a larger pan! Please give it a try and share your thoughts with me on this blog in the comments...who knows maybe I will post my recipes more often! Until next time !
 Mangia! Xx Billy Charles



What you will need to prepare: 
A medium sized bowl , a whisk, a cup for liquid measure, a 9x9 glass baking dish.

Ingredients: 
An 8 oz bag of steam fresh asparagus ( or fresh your choice ) prepared to instructions.
Grated and shredded Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder , a cup and 1/2 of milk, 6 eggs and butter.

You will first cook the asparagus. I highly recommend the steam fresh as it is delicious and a time saver! Once it is cooked you will remove it from the bag and place it in the 9x9 glass baking dish. You will then cut it up in bite size pieces and coat with a few tablespoons of butter and cover with the shaved Parmesan cheese mix and then set it a side.

Next you will whisk together eggs , milk and a cup of grated Parmesan cheese in your bowl and season with the spices to taste... how much or how little is up to you! When the mixture  it is nice and blended ( don't beat make sure and whisk ) you will dump it  in your coated asparagus from the glass dish and gently mix. When it is all mixed together pour the mixture back into the 9x9 glass baking dish and bake for a 1/2 hour on 350... or until it is fully cooked and the top is golden brown ( an inserted fork should come out clean).

Mangia! You will have a quick and easy Asparagus Parmesan Quiche that is sure to be a real crowd pleaser!

Please share this blog with your friends and follow me on Twitter @BillyCharlesNY 

Gina Cutillo... Behind The Music!

Gina Cutillo is getting ready for world domination! Already a well established  singer, songwriter and recording artist  ( resume includes songs on Nickelodeon, MLB baseball, FOOD Network and Oprah Winfrey's OWN Network just to name a few ) she has recently decided to add television host to her list of titles. Gina is currently starring in a weekly entertainment show named after herself  which is airing live weekly on  inravio.com....but make no mistake she is still all about the music! Now more than ever! Getting ready to release a new album and  also having recently taken on the role of wife and new mother,  Gina has redefined herself and what her artistry means to her...  through the joy that this new challenge has brought to her life ( and career )  there have also been some growing pains along the way . Gina however takes them in stride and knows that life isn't always roses and daisies. Gina tells me that its in these times we can learn and evolve which she has done seemingly effortlessly. It's in these peaks and valleys that Gina was able to channel her triumphs and tribulations into her writing.
 Gina's magnetism is undeniable and this comes through in her performances be it in concert or while hosting her show. Gina possesses a sharp wit and is natural funny in an organic way which isn't easy to come by these days. There is also her artistic side which comes through in an array of emotions conveyed in her writing as well as  in the way she sings her songs. Recently I had the privilege  to go " Behind The Music"  picking  her sexy brain to ask the questions that many of her fans want the answers to! 
So " Let's Go! " ... kick back and relax getting to know Gina Cutillo the way I see it Xx Billy Charles 

" Behind The Scenes" on a Gina Cutillo and co photo shoot !

BC: I hear your working on a new album... what is the vibe with the sound? Is there a title yet that you can share with my readers? 

GC: The vibe is sexy. Its also fun and artistic at times. There's one song that will be on the album called "Pop Hysteria" that I fully wrote over a beat box. Very artistic and fun. I wasn't worried about creating huge hooks and big choruses. Funny thing it's super hooky and super catchy!!! I don't have a title yet. But the running joke is "Gina Cutillo at 128 BPM" a few songs are set in 128 BPM (beats per measure) - but I will name the album when all the songs are completed. I like the album title to encompass the overall statement of my songs. 

BC: How will the new songs be different from your previous recordings? 

GC: Well I'm in a different place in my life so that will always be portrayed in my music. I almost want to say more reflective so far. Tempos are a little slower on some.  As for the writing process I started with researching and choosing some really interesting synth sounds influenced from Sweden. I also did some lyric writing first too on a couple which is very unlike my process. 

BC: How has being a mother influenced your writing or you as an artist? 

Gina and her son Cole

GC: Becoming a mother is something that changes and rocks your world like no other. Nothing can prepare you for this type of change. So at first I wasn't even writing too busy having late night feeding sessions with the little guy. Lol But then it all just sorta " bursted " bursted out! I also think this is where the reflective part of my current songs are coming from. You think harder as a mother which has made me love harder as a person. 

BC: What are some new goals that you would like to achieve regarding your career? 

GC: My goals have always been the same. #1 hit. Grammy. World Tour. These types of goals will drive you to success every time. And insanity.. ;) 

BC: Who are you digging right now on today's music scene? 

GC: I'm a huge lover of music. I'm always listening to pop radio. I like to hear what's happening and I have always loved nice commercial sing along songs. I'm also digging into my archives listening to some Sheryl Crow, Oasis and Goldfrapp lately. 

Ellie Goulding is super special and talented, I'm enjoying her a lot. 

Gina with her long time friend and guitarist Ron Labriola

BC: What advice would today's Gina Cutillo give a younger Gina just starting out? 

GC: Don't be so stubborn! Yes Billy I was more stubborn in the past then I am now. Lol Also let go of things that aren't working a lot quicker. 

BC: Describe your creative process and the way you write...

GC: Hmm... usually I feel this jolt of inspiration like the song is already there inside and has decided this is the day it's coming out. Something like going into labor. I run to my MAC open up a protools session and start recording. Sometimes I will write a beat 1st or as I said lately it's been a synth part then start singing away to a melody that just comes out. I will then break out my guitar so on and so forth. Come to think of it - it's very similar to birth minus the intense pains.  haha unless you delete a whole writing session like I did once. Which left me on the floor curled up crying like a baby... yea that was painful. 

BC: What are some  of the things that inspire you in your creative process? 

GC: People I'm surrounded by. The love I'm feeling for someone. The experiences I have had and am having. Music on the radio. 

Craig, Cole and Gina

Gina and her husband Craig

BC: What is an average day like for you? 

GC: A whirlwind of very different events. I go from feeding my son breakfast to answering business calls to showing my son how to play with puzzles to my laptop with a new song I'm working on. Sometimes it's very busy but I choose for it to be. I do take down time too, it's very necessary. 

BC: If you had a dream vacation what would you be doing and where would you go? 

GC: I take dream vacations haha - My husband and I love to travel and have been to many Caribbean Islands. St Lucia was my favorite. We also have been to Belize, the Mayan Ruins were amazing. My other favorite outside of Caribbean was England. It's been a couple of years since we have had a proper vacation so this December we are going away. The baby will be almost 3 so we are ready to show him the beauty of blue waters and white sand. I'd like to go to Hawaii. And of course Italy is a must! 

Gina Cutillo and the men behind the music her band...

BC:Tell my readers what's coming up next for Gina Cutillo.... 

GC: I will be releasing my next single "Fly (Feel Love Tonight)" which will coincide with a video that I am shooting as we speak. This song is a #1 hit. I sing it and tear up almost every time.  I'm also performing at some festivals this summer with my band: Ron Labriola, Zeke Zuclich and John Von on May 3rd Popfest at Dewey Beach, DE. Also playing Jersey Shore Festival May 17th and several others so be sure to hit up reverbnation.com/ginacutillo for more updates!

Please follow Gina Cutillo on Twitter @GinaCutillo and click the photo above to go to her reverb nation music page!

For booking info contact ginacutillo@gmail.com

Heather Marianna Announces Monthly Beauty Box Subscritption From Beauty Kitchen!

Announcing Beauty Box by Beauty Kitchen!

Heather Marianna creator of Beauty Kitchen all natural beauty and spa products has introduced a new way to get your Beauty Kitchen fix! You can now sign up to receive a monthly shipment right to your door for only 23.95! The boxes are filled with full sized products and no two boxes will be the same ...however with Heather Marianna anything is possible so just ask! The box I received was filled with all kinds of goodies including lavender sugar scrub, chocolate body butter, a scented organic soap and the new clay mask inspired by Heather's recent trip to Sedona retails for 13.95 alone! Also when you subscribe, which can be canceled at anytime, you will become a Beauty Kitchen VIP and have access to Heather's VIP code on all re-orders! All Beauty Boxes come with full product descriptions and instructions for you Beauty Kitchen newbies. Once you see how amazing these products work and how awesome they smell you will be hooked! There are so many different Beauty Kitchen creations  from cellulite scrubs and soaks to bath bombs and even soap paints for kids! You really have to visit Heather's site to see her full and ever expanding line!

In other exciting Beauty Kitchen news ...Beauty Kitchen has been selected to make an exclusive soap for The Cannes Film Festival 2014 that will be in all the celebrity's swag bags! Heather is including this amazing new soap in all April Beauty Boxes so be sure and sign up! 

Heather is also traveling the globe this year and is embarking on a trip to Thailand soon to bring you more beauty secrets from around the world for a fraction of a price! 

Check out www.HeatherMarianna.TV for Tips , Tricks, Blogs, Videos and Shop!

Follow Heather Marianna on Twitter @HeatherMarianna for all the latest Beauty Kitchen news !

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills... Drama Table of 7

Wow! This season of  The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on Bravo TV has definitely not disappointed!
The season started off with the introduction of two new cast members... actress , model and former Miss Puerto Rico Joyce Giraud de Ohoven , who is married to movie director Michael Ohoven,  and Carlton Gebbia who is a former actress, mother as well as a  practicing Wiccan. There has been countless mixed reviews on both new additions and the temperature amongst fans of the show  and on social media  has been they either equally love or hate the new ladies . There has already been  talk of rumors that Bravo will be firing them after this season and a loss in ratings but in my opinion this has been one of the best seasons yet due to the cast shake up. I especially loved watching Joyce who absolutely  brought her A game to The Hills hosting two trips and several fun events while Carlton's risque behavior and crass language were often lost in translation. Right out of the gate the topic of Carlton's religion, Wicca, came up and the ladies in the group were interested to learn more about the it. Kyle Richards, cast veteran, asked a few questions that Carlton felt were contrived ( although seemingly innocent and expected )  and the disastrous relationship between the two began almost immediately....and still remains strained after countless attempts from Kyle to make amends. Also Joyce and cast member Brandi Glanville's relationship took a turn for the worse after Joyce tells Lisa certain things that Brandi said about her that Brandi felt were in confidence as well as taken out of context. The theme of the season was Brandi going after Joyce and Joyce defending herself while Carlton and Kyle couldn't seem to get on the same page because anything  Kyle did offended and annoyed Carlton. Many fans including myself  were left wondering what the real reason behind Carlton's dismay with Kyle was  due to the fact that she tolerated and was accepting of all the other ladies who asked the same type of questions ...
Needless to say the drama and tensions this season were high. Spotlighted in the story line of this season's drama was the demise of  Lisa Vanderpump and Brandi Glannville's once close friendship ...former bffs last season we saw their relationship deteriorate with each passing week. Brandi launched another successful book and Lisa was burning the candle on both ends with opening a new bar , filming for Bev Hills and  a second season of Vanderpump Rules. Gossip online and in the magazines fueled the fire and there were lies, accusations, tears and fights. Brandi allegedly found out from a mutual friend that Lisa may have known about Eddie cheating with Scheana Marie long before she claimed to have which was during filming last season. ( Scheana has worked for Lisa for five years and is now a Vanderpump Rules cast member good friends with Pandora Lisa's daughter ) This caused Brandi to say some scathing things about Lisa in turn...Ultimately The drama came to a head on a trip that Joyce arranged to Puerto Rico which occurred sadly after her father passed. Besides Brandi, most of the other ladies also all seemed to have a bone to pick with Lisa from Kim who felt Lisa was dismissive towards her, Yolanda who felt like Lisa was a " Hollywood" friend and not a real friend, and Kyle who felt that Lisa was still holding a grudge from last season causing Lisa to " Punish her". Yolanda recovering from a flare up with Lyme disease that she was just getting through as filming began, became a closer friend to Brandi who was dealing with issues from her ex, to a break in to a rocky relationship with her father. We also saw a more confident and out spoken Kim Richards who made us laugh and agree with her when she was the new voice of reason. The season was peppered with a few laughs but mostly we saw the ladies arguing every chance they got  ( especially at group dinners ) and as Yolanda said the dynamics of the group changed. Kyle became upset with Lisa again when Brandi alleged that Lisa told her to bring a tabloid in her suitcase that claimed Mauricio was unfaithful to her on their trip with the group to Palm Springs which Lisa denied ever happening. This was brought up on the Puerto Rico trip along with several issues the resulted in Lisa leaving the conversation in tears.
The subject came up again on the trip at a group dinner and a  heated debate ensued resulting in a fight between the cast and the Vanderpump -Todds.
With only a few episodes left and the reunion already filmed fans are excited to see how the season will end and how the reunion will play out...the way I see it...it's not over until the pink lady sings. Until next time Xx Billy Charles

Catch me on The Gina Show Wed 11 am est www.inravio.com where host Gina Cutillo and I break down your favorite Bravo TV shows on Reality Reel weekly and follow us on Twitter @BillyCharlesNY @GinaCutillo @inravio

The Billy Charles Journey Continues...

It's been a while since I sat in front of my computer and shared my thoughts with you all. I have been in kind of a rut for the last few months. What has changed for me you may ask? Leading up to my fortieth birthday I was going  through a lot personally ( too young for a mid life crisis? ) including my mother having a stroke ( happy to report she is on the road to recovery thankfully ) . I was also recording a song that I wrote and getting prepared to release it on my birthday ....prior to that,  and during this time ,  I was already feeling a change or a shift in my interests anyway in my  life regarding career overall.
I began to contemplate what is it that will fulfill me and bring me joy? Am I satisfied with what I am doing?
Is talking about  The Real Housewives  weekly and interviewing  Reality Stars really helping anyone?
 Everyone goes through ups and downs ....when you are a creative person you always feel a void if you are not creating and you have to stay busy.
I think I fell more off track after releasing and promoting my song which took up most of my free time and with holding a full time job my website and other things I was doing got pushed to the way side ( interviews etc)  Although in retrospect that may have been intentional.
 It has been a little over a year and I have accomplished a lot in a short period of time that I am proud of and have met many amazing  ( and not so amazing ) people that I otherwise wouldn't have. I am not sure where I am headed in the future and I am still struggling with what it is that I want to do. Using my voice for positive change is one area that really interests me and where my heart lies. How this will manifest remains to be seen as it still is not clear to me. I feel the need to be introspective and do some  soul searching... I will only be active on the blog when I am really moved to share content and will not be posting content just to satisfy a quota or to  " stay relevant " . I hope you will stay with me on my journey as I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and I always love connecting with people and exchanging ideas and opinions. This is all I have been inspired to write at this point and I will reveal my thoughts as they reveal themselves to me. Wishing you all the best Xx Billy Charles @BillyCharlesNY