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 CBS brings high-powered black role to the ‘Young and the Restless' with actress Julia Pace Mitchell as Chief Financial
Officer Sofia Dupre
Julia Pace Mitchell, a formerly trained actress (Howard University) and daughter of two legendary
actors, lands reoccurring role on CBS's "Young and the Restless" as high-powered Chief Financial Officer Sofia Dupre.
Julia credits a Facebook message from a friend about the casting of a new role on "Young and the Restless" as to
what lead to this historical role.
"I auditioned for six weeks...each week," Julia recalls. "There
were tons of actors there that I admire. The last day I was there with Kristoff (St. John) and Shemar. Kristoff gave me a
look (like you got it). I got a call from my agent...I think he was surprised." Mitchell goes on to describe her character,
"She's Chief Financial Officer...a business woman, at the top of her game. I am really excited!"
Mitchell
confessed that she was a bit surprised herself, because not only is she black, but a full figure woman. Her legendary parents
are daytime stars also - mother Judy Pace was on ABC's "Payton Place" and her father, Don Mitchell, was on CBS's
"Capitol." Both parents had leading roles elsewhere, for Judy there was film roles in Brian Song and Cotton Comes
to Harlem and for Don there's television series such as NBC's "Ironside," "The Fugitive" and "CHiPs."
Taking after her parents Julia Pace Mitchell's credits are impressive as well, appearing in the stage production
of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," CBS's "Cold Case," comedy film "Meet Bill," and the Fox Searchlight
film Notorious.
Julia's also appeared on TNT's "The Closer," NBC's "Law & Order: Special
Victims Unit," Lifetime's "Strong medicine," and "NBC's "Law & Order." Later this year Mitchell
will appear in an action film, Faster, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. In fact, you may have already seen Julia
in the current national "Playtex Fits" bra commercials and print ad campaign for the full figured woman.
When I asked Julia to give advice to others struggling actors not only did she make me visualize her answer when she said,
"Image all the people who said your skin color or body type wasn't right." Just as the visions of those doors closing
in my face started to sadden me Julia picked my spirits back up immediately, with a philosophy that is very similar to my
own, by adding, "You have to trust in yourself. You have to do it with dedication; training...comes down to your craft."
Young saxophonist Eric Darius
releases new project, ‘On a Mission,' on Shanachie
 "I started writing music for this project a year a half ago," composer and saxophonist Eric Darius said about his
newest CD release, "On a Mission," on Shananchie Entertainment. "It wasn't until the beginning of this year
that I started recording. I like to put out (a CD) every two years." A protégé child, Eric said he started writing music at age twelve."The concepts are constantly floating in my mind," Darius confessed to me. "Writing music is a gift." He admitted that what is in his mind is the music: the horns, the strings...every note.
This is Eric's fifth album and he believes with each CD he is continuously involving. His influences include Herbie Hancock,
Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis. "I don't want to be in a box,"
Darius stressed. "I want to reach everyone! ...To incorporate Jazz, R&B, Pop, Hip-Hop and Reggae. There is so much
going on in my life." As a musician Eric Darius started professionally
at the age of 17 and was soon sharing the stage with Prince, Wynton Marsalis, George Benson and Brian McKnight. One of his
CD releases even reached #1 on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts. His
latest CD, "On a Mission," features the contributions of Rick Braun, Rex Rideout, Micah Otano, Chris Andrew, Rohan
Reid and an original song of James Lloyd (Pieces of a Dream). My favorite cuts on the "On a Mission" project include
"Kingston's Flavor" because of its' Reggae feel with a layer of some funky Jazz support; "Move It on,"
"Soulful Stride," a finger popping selection; "Uptown Swagger," featuring James Lloyd, because of its
great piano support, and "My Prayer for Haiti," a sweet love song for the people of Haiti. I asked Eric to also give advice to struggling musicians and
he didn't hesitate to say, "We live in a digital time and (you) can get songs for free. Artists need to understand the
business side. Labels are closing and artists are taking control of their music. They have a direct link to their fans to
promote themselves...its' an exciting time...an interesting time." To
learn more on Eric Darius and his latest CD "On a Mission" log onto his website at www.EricDarius.com.
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