Soap Star Ilene Kristen and Soprano Star Brandon Hannan chat with Cognac Wellerlane at the World Trump Bar – Evening Hosted by Gloria Cressler Enterprises
Hello darlings,
Welcome back to Cognac’s Corner Magazine.
Kenneth McClure General Manager of the World Trump Bar and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op – Photo by Mauro Botero
Soprano Star Brandon Hannon, Gloria Cressler, Telemundo Producer Carlos Otero, Cognac Wellerlane and Pianist Igor Yahilevich pose for a photo-op – Photography by Mauro Botero
Model Pearl Running Dear and Cognac Wellerlane pose for a photo-op – Photography by Mauro Botero
Cognac chats with General Manage Kenneth McClure of the World Trump Bar – Video by Mauro Botero
When I think of the United Nations, I think of ambassadors, diplomats, politicians and dignitaries all negotiating on the U.N. Security Council. Such was the case on Thursday, July 16th. As my entourage was stuck in traffic on route to The World Trump Bar located at 845 United Nations Plaza. Security was tight and in full force surrounding the area as President Obama drove by on first avenue across from the United Nations.
The evening was dynamic with a celebrity guest list inside the Trump Bar enjoying cocktails as they discussed policitics, fashion and entertainment. Three very controversial subjects.
Fashion Designer Anthony Cruz Legarda, Dr. Thomas Mallios Imogene Raypon, Gloria Cressler, Model Christine Sienicki and Cognac Wellerlane pose for photo-op – Photography by Mauro Botero
Model Christine Sienicki, Pianist Jean Nabong and Imogene Raypon pose for a photo-op at the World Trump Bar – Photography by Mauro Botero
I started the evening interviewing Kenneth McClure, General Manager of the Trump Bar. The World Trump Bar is on the first floor of the luxury Trump World Tower condominium and overlooks the United Nations and its lavish gardens.
Afterwards Actress Helen Promos and her son “Soprano Star” Brandon Hannan stopped by to give me the latest scoop on his career and film projects that he is working on. Brandon, maturing into manhood, sat and chatted with me about his love for acting, his idle, Actor James Gandofini, his appearance at the Emmy Awards, his role as Vito Jr. on the “Sopranos” and his latest accomplishments.
Actress Helen Promos chats with Cognac Wellerlane about her son Actor and Soprano Star Brandon Hannan
Cognac interviews “Soprano Star” Brandon Hannan – Video by Mauro Botero
Even before reknowned casting director Georgianne Walken called him ‘a natural’ when he landed the dynamic lead role of Vito (Spatafore) Jr. on the HBO TV series hit, “THE SOPRANOS” Season 6-Part II (2007) The Final Episodes, 13 year old actor, Brandon Hannan, was auditioning and wowing many indie film casting directors around New York City.
Working one-on-one in dramatic scenes with veteran actors James Gandolfini and Frank Vincent was an honor for Brandon. “They are such terrific actors and so nice.” Brandon’s most memorable episode is “Chasing It” due to its intensity.
Some of Brandon’s other TV credits include commercials and TV pilots including The Murray Hill Show as Murray Jr.; Gagsters; and The Bubblebuds.
Cognac interviews Actress Helen Promos – Video by Mauro Botero
Independent film roles keep Brandon honing his craft. Some of his latest are “Slingers” where he plays the comedic relief role of the cowboy, Hamster; “Out Of The Fog” finds Brandon as David Samuels the serious child genius; in “Bloody Mary” we see him as Sean the ‘cool kid’. “Emporer Of Ice Cream” we see him as Matthew a good friend to have. Filming “Pier 45″ was different. It is a black and white short with no sound filmed on Pier 45 in NYC with only two characters, one being Brandon.
In 2006 “The Day They Came Back” which won Best Feature in the L.I. Film Festival and Best Feature at The Pocono Mountains Film Festival finds Brandon in the role of Brandon Stevenson running from zombies. Also featured in the movie is “Friday the l3th” star Paul Kratka. In “Marcus Story” (2006) we see Brandon as a questioning Nathaniel asking why the man is taking a bath in the sink. This film hit the festival circuit as well.
“Husky” (2005) in which Brandon plays the role of Ruby an overweight ‘husky’ boy who yearns to become his superhero idol for Halloween won the Best Short Film award at The Pocono Mountains Film Festival and was also in the Craic Fest, L.I. International Film Expo, L.I. Film Festival, L.A. Shorts to name a few and can be viewed on line at www.atomfilms.com.
That same year the star studded movie “The Signs Of The Cross” (2005) in which Brandon was Chris (a school boy) won the Best Feature Film award at The Pocono Mountains Film Festival and Best L.I. Feature at the L.I. International Film Expo. In “Dead End” Brandon plays Jason, a bully, and in “My Valentine” he is Luke Waters protecting his abused mom from further violence. This film was nominated for Best Screenplay.
Brandon has done stage plays in school and in local theater including “Oklahoma” (Marshall Cord Elam), “Everything In The Garden” (Roger), and “Mary Poppins” (a dancing doll). Brandon grew up in Dix Hills, N.Y. on Long Island and attends Candlewood Middle School. Brian will be presenting an award this year at the Long Island International Film Expo.
For more info please visit www.brandonhannan.com
Cognac interviews Native American Indian Model Pearl Running Dear – Video by Mauro Botero
Lovely Native American Indian Model Running Pearl Dear stopped by to tell me some news about herself including a realty TV show that is set to go into production.
Inner Circle-NYC LLC, is an online magazine dedicated to covering all aspects of
the fashion industry from several perspectives. With contributors from different
sections of fashion, Inner Circle can offer its readers a more complete picture
of what’s going on in the fashion world.
Recently Pearl is the TV host of Fashion In Action and writes for
http://www.theinnercircle-nyc.com/
Theinnercircle-nyc.com is all about the sophisticated world of high fashion, designers, models socialites and fashionistas.
The Inner Circle group travels around the world for the latest trends in fashion and is always on the cutting edge. Their journalists and photographers report on the who’s who on the fashion scene.
Founder Sue Phillips of Scenterprises Ltd. poses with Cognac Wellerlane for a photo-op- Photography by Mauro Botero
Cognac chats with Founder Sue Phillips of Scenterprises Ltd. – Video by Mauro Botero
I also had the chance to chat with Sue Phillips of Scenterprises.com
Founded in 1992, Scenterprises Ltd. is a global fragrance consultancy focused on product development, sales and marketing initiatives and brand development. Sue promises to create and develop your own personal fragrance using the the very finest and best natural ingredients that will never leave you with that awful headache that is often associated with heavy scents and perfumes.
For more info please visit www.scenterprises.com
Cognac Wellerlane poses for a photo-op wearing a Grace Edwards Couture Design- Photo by Mauro Botero
Cognac interviews Designer Grace Edwards and Designer Anthony Cruz Legarda at the World Trump Bar – Video by Mauro Botero
Cognac interviews Pianist Prince Igor – Video by Mauro Botero
Cognac chats with CEO Gennady Litvin from debtsettlement2.com at the Trump Bar – Video by Mauro Botero
Lovely Soap Star Ilene Kristen stopped by with her friend TV Producer Lance Gutterman. Ilene and I sipped cocktails while she talked about her character “Roxy” on the ABC-7 Soap “One Life to Live,” and her next appearance date which will be at the Triad in Manhattan on July 30th.
Ilene Kristen is perhaps best known for playing Delia Reid Ryan Ryan Coleridge Crane Coleridge on the daytime drama Ryan’s Hope, a role which she originated in the show’s first episode in 1975 and played on and off until the show’s end in 1989. She has appeared on the daytime dramas Loving and Another World as well.
Cognac chats with Soap Star Ilene Kristen from “One Life to Live” – Video by Mauro Botero
Ilene’s prolific career has also included multiple primetime guest appearances, roles in several independent films, professional singing and song writing, and extensive stage work – including a role in the original Broadway production of Grease.
Currently, Ilene can be seen in her Emmy-nominated role as Roxy, the drunken mother from hell, on One Life to Live. She also performs her original music regularly in the New York City cabaret scene.
For more info on this petite but dynamic actress please visit
www.ilenekristen.net
Until my next celebrity interviews darlings,
Pink Champagne Kisses
Cognac Wellerlane