Entertainment

Each year APEX recognizes local entertainers and performers to help in creating a memorable evening for the Annual APEX Awards Gala.

(Scroll down or click below for more information.)

Master of Ceremonies
Leonardo Nam

Mistress of Ceremonies

Jeannie Mai

Singer/Songwriter
Judith Hill

Singer/Songwriter
Bobby Choy "Big Phony"


MASTER OF CEREMONIES > Leonardo Nam

Born in Argentina and raised in Sydney, Australia, Nam began his career studying in Sydney at the prestigious Actor's Lab under Annie Swann while appearing in numerous local theatrical productions including Shakespeare In The Park. Whilst in New York, he trained with the legendary Uta Hagen, Austin Pendleton and Billy Carden and was a member of Sigourney Weaver and Jim Simpson's The Bat Theatre Company. His work in New York also included the New York Public Theater/Shakespeare in The Park Shakespeare Lab company. Nam began his career with his breakout role came in the 2004 Paramount comedy "The Perfect Score" directed by Brian Robbins which saw him starring opposite Scarlett Johansson. In 2005 he went on to star in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" directed by Ken Kwapis for Warner Bros., the festival hit "Little Athens" and began work on "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" for Universal.


2006 saw him star in The San Francisco Film Festival Audience Award winning film "The American Pastime" directed by Desmond Nakano, about the Japanese Interment camps in the US during World War 2, before working opposite Robin Wright Penn in Jennifer Aniston's directorial debut "Room 10." Rounding out the year, he performed in the world premiere of the play "365 Days: 365 Plays" by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Susan-Lori Parks in Los Angeles.


2007 will see the premiere of the comedy "Finishing the Game," directed by Justin Lin, a 2007 Sundance Film Festival entry and the December release of "Crossing Over" also starring Harrison Ford and Sean Penn, directed by Wayne Kramer. Just wrapped the sequel to the 2005 movie "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and then reteams with Ken Kwapis for "He's Just Not That Into You" with Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Aniston and Scarlett Johansson.


In January 2008, "Half-Life," directed by Jennifer Phang, premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. 2008 will see "Vantage Point" directed by Pete Travis, "Quid Pro Quo" directed by Carlos Brooks, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" directed by Sanaa Hamri, "Crossing Over" directed by Wayne Kramer and "He's Just Not That Into You" directed by Ken Kwapis.


MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES > Jeannie Mai

When Jeannie Mai was a little girl, she would create a "backstage" by sweeping the drapes over the television set, use her mom's makeup to add her finishing touches of gloss and glitter, and leap out with a microphone in hand to "interview" one of the 16 family members living in her 3 bedroom home. The daughter of a hard working immigrant father from Vietnam and a vivacious trendsetting local celebrity mom, Jeannie learned early on how to make people smile. "I became an expert at observing individuals. My parents brought my relatives over from Vietnam because they believed they deserved an American life, and I believed they all would LOVE a makeover."


It's no wonder how this dreamy, passionate little girl from a humble upbringing became America's one and only entertaining, fashionable, and playful television host, Jeannie Mai.
With a famous stroke to start trends, Jeannie Mai kicks off 2009 with four shows to celebrate style starting with TLC's "10 Years Younger," Style Network's "Lucky Shops" and "Go Fix Yourself," and the continuing fourth season of "Character Fantasy" on USA Network where she can be seen every week inspiring people to bring their dreams to life on reality tv. In 2008 she took part in tv history's first ever attempt to revamp Miss America's 52 hopefuls on TLC's "Miss America Reality Check.," starred in her very own Style Special of turning men from cute to couture on "Dude, Where's Your Style," and toured the world as the official spokesperson of Never Accept Ordinary, a line of cosmetics that promotes individuality through color.


This hardworking girl kept her passion for people bright when she started out teaching women how to "color in their spirit" with makeup and wardrobe in her hometown of San Jose, CA. She caught the eyes of MAC Cosmetics, where she became a trainer and worked her way from face to face until she traveled around the world to dress the face of celebrities such as Kelly Osbourne, Alicia Keys, and Christina Aguilera, Here she discovered her passion to bring smiles from behind the scenes to the front of the camera. By representing herself to local television networks and auditioning with self-written scripts to demonstrate her unique hosting talents, she snagged a position as the spunky, fashionable host to an Asian American magazine-style show, STIR, broadcasting on International Channel Networks worldwide March 2004, which also picked up its first Emmy Nomination for 2005. Soon after, the San Francisco local music channel, CMC, invited her on as the first female VJ to host her own music countdown. Eager to learn the wraps on writing, she took on the role of entertainment reporter and producer on the WB's "Daily Mixx," before moving to LA after being cast as co-host to Frankie Muniz in the MTV pilot, "Granted." Since then she has been a popular reappearing host for E!, Style, MTV, TLC, USA, and Lifetime to name a few. With a dream to help people gain confidence each day, it's no mystery why in 2006 she was chosen to team up with USA Network to take a successful campaign to an exciting new level of brand integration:


"We were looking for talent with tremendous energy, a sense of adventure and amazing style for these new 'Characters,'" said Libby Hansen, vice president of alternative series & specials, NBC and USA Network."


"We found the perfect personality who we feel the audience will respond to and love."


Always showing viewers a brighter side to life, Jeannie Mai grants must-see TV. "I'm not stopping until everyone's gotten styled with a smile."


SINGER/SONGWRITER > Judith Hill

Judith Hill is a singer/songwriter who was born and raised in Los Angeles. Her parents, both professional musicians, introduced her to performing and recording at a very young age. In her high school and college years, her passion for music flourished as she absorbed every genre from world music to classical. Her thirst for knowledge also grew during her years at Biola University, where she received a Bachelor of Music in Composition. She emphasized in writing for orchestras, chamber ensembles, jazz bands, solo instruments, and voice.


During her college and post college years, she also worked as a session singer in Los Angeles. She had the opportunity to sing on several movies including We Are Marshall, Pride, and Dreamgirls; as well as television shows including David Foster & Friends: The Hitman, MADtv, and the The 39th NAACP Image Awards. Judith also shared the stage with several artists including Smokey Robinson, Babyface, Brian McKnight, Josh Groban, Eric Benet, Boz Scaggs, Kirk Franklin, Lionel Richie, Peter Cetera, and Usher. A year after her college graduation, she toured Europe with the French pop star, Michel Polnareff.


A couple months ago, Judith had the privilege of working with Michael Jackson, preparing for his "This Is It" tour. Tragically, he passed away during the rehearsal period. At his memorial service, she had the honor of singing "Heal The World" at the closing.


This year, Judith is completing her first solo album, where she opens her diary to the world with stories of love and pain. Drawing from personal experiences, she communicates a very organic, powerful message of hope. Musically, she creates a unique and innovative blend of soul, rock, reggae, and folk. Overall, she achieves her own signature sound that is very refreshing to pop culture.


SINGER/SONGWRITER > Bobby Choy "Big Phony"

Bobby Choy (Big Phony) is a Korean American singer/songwriter born and raised in New York City. At the age of 14 Bobby's family relocated to Los Angeles, leaving him in New York City so he could attend the legendary School of Performing Arts and Music and Art. Living alone at such an early age, Big Phony devoted his time to writing in his New York City apartment.


With strong religious conviction, Big Phony left for Boston to attend a Christian college to study to be a pastor. He quickly realized that this was not the path for him and returned his focus to his music. After college, he moved to Los Angeles to be closer with his family. It was in Los Angeles where Big Phony began his pursuit to be a singer-songwriter. He quickly built a devout fan base with his songs and performances. In early 2006 he returned to New York to build that same kind of following and has since been splitting his time between both cities crashing on couches and aerobeds.


Big Phony's latest album "Kicking Punching Bags" is set to release Fall 2009.

 

 

             


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