The 29th Annual Divas Simply Singing Event

Photo Courtesy of Diva Foundation

On Sunday, December 1, 2019, I covered the 29th Annual Divas Simply Singing event at the Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood presented by The Diva Foundation. The DIVA Foundation (acronym for Divinely Inspired, Victoriously Aware) is a nonprofit 501c (3) charitable organization founded by Sheryl Lee Ralph in 1990 as a memorial to the many friends she lost to HIV/AIDS while in the original Broadway company of Dreamgirls. The organization focuses on generating resources and coordinating activities to create awareness and combat against HIV/AIDS. The DIVA Foundation utilizes music and entertainment as a vehicle to inform, educate and erase the stigma still attached to this disease. In 2005, Sheryl Lee Ralph and the DIVA Foundation received the first Red Ribbon Leadership Award at the United Nations on World AIDS Day for the unique use of the arts in fighting HIV/AIDS.

Quencie Thomas - Host of Studio Q

Grammy, Golden Globe, Emmy winning, and 10-time Oscar nominee, legendary songwriter Diane Warren was honored with the DIVAS Legacy Award. The show featured spectacular performances of Diane’s many hits by amazing singing divas like Deborah Cox and Shanice and divos such as Terrell Carter and Brandon Victor Dixon. Project Angel Food is a proud beneficiary of the longest-running musical benefit of its kind in the country! If you missed the show you can watch the live stream video here on KTLA’s Facebook page. Also if you would like to donate to this worthy cause click here!

Check out my Studio Q red carpet coverage below:

Check out a few red carpet photos below:

The 28th Anniversary of Divas Simply Singing!

On Sunday December 9, 2018, I attended the 28th Annual DIVAS Simply Singing! It is a musical AIDS Benefit concert and dinner fundraiser created and hosted by actress and activist Sheryl Lee Ralph. The concert is produced in conjunction with The DIVA Foundation to help raise money and awareness about HIV/AIDS. DIVAS Simply Singing! is the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit concert in the country, raising awareness and erasing stigma, one song at a time, to help and assist AIDS organizations in Los Angeles and around the world.

This evening of song and entertainment spotlights the talents of D.I.V.A. (acronym for Divinely Inspired, Victoriously Aware) individuals from all walks of show business.

Joining Sheryl Lee Ralph on stage was an all-star lineup, which included the incomparable Jenifer Lewis (Blackish), J’nai Bridges (The Metropolitan Opera), OurLady J (Golden Globe Nominated POSE), Media Queen, Ada Vox (American Idol Finalist), Renee Lawless (The Haves and the Have Nots), Elaine Gibbs, XFactor and the amazing Terrell Carter (Empire) wowed the house as the resident Divo for the evening. It is a fantastic event that I’ve had the amazing opportunity to cover many times. Check out some of my red carpet photos and interviews from the event above and below.

Quencie Interviews B. Slade

I interviewed singer B. Slade on the red carpet of Divas Simply Singing.  We talked about his music and working with some of the greats including Faith Evans, Chaka Khan, and more. I even got him to sing a little something something. I always love when that happens. Check out our conversation below. 

Quencie Interviews Luenell

I interviewed comedian Luenell on the red carpet of Sheryl Lee Ralph's Divas Simply Singing which supports HIV/AIDS awareness. We talked about how the disease has touched her life personally. Check out my conversation with Luenell below. 

Quencie Interviews Vashawn Mitchell

I interviewed gospel superstar VaShawn Mitchell on the red carpet of Sheryl Lee Ralph's annual charity event 'Divas Simply Singing.'  We talked about his music, Tasha Cobb and supporting the event. Watch our conversation below. 

Quencie Interviews Carolyn Malachi

I interviewed Carolyn Malachi at the 23rd annual Divas Simply Singing event. Carolyn Malachi is an artist who went from making music on her lunch break to playing the Kennedy Center in two years flat.  Check out our red carpet conversation about the HIV/AIDS charity event. Watch below. 

Quencie Interviews Kiki Haynes

I interviewed Kiki Haynes of Tyler Perry's 'For Better or Worse' on the red carpet of 'Divas Simply Singing' which is a Aids charity founded by Sheryl Lee Ralph. I talked to Kiki about what is what like working with Whitney's daughter Bobbi Kristina when she had a small role on the show.  Find out what she says in out conversation below.