“It was a dream come true for me hearing publicist and producer Ericalane Brown mentioning my name as host of such a high-profile event to interview Grammy Awards nominees as well as Hollywood celebrities right inside Los Angeles just a day before the 2017 Grammy Awards. As if that wasn’t enough, I was doing that with Grammy Awards nominee, Tony Grant, someone I have over the period had the opportunity to watch on television several times”, according to Nana Churcher.
The 59th Grammy Awards was held at the Staples Center on Sunday February 12th, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. And as expected, the celebrities came out in their numbers just like in previous years amidst the pomp and pageantry the event has become known for. It’s always one event all movers and shakers within the industry wouldn’t want to miss.
It won’t be hard to say exactly how the 2017 Grammys will be remembered by patrons on the night and the millions of people who watched the live broadcast around the globe. In fact, it's hard to recall an award show in recent years that managed such a confluence of stunning and electrifying performances, controversial award winners, acceptance speeches and real-world relevance. That’s the 2017 Grammy awards for you!
Prior to the Grammy Awards night, there were several events within the week in Los Angeles in preparation for the main event, most of which were private and only opened to Hollywood celebrities, Grammy nominees and members of accredited media houses. Notable amongst these events was “The Nana Lounge”. Held on Saturday 11th February in Los Angeles, “The NaNa Lounge” was the most anticipated media event during the 2017 Grammy week with a record invitation request. The event provided the perfect opportunity for live interviews with Grammy nominees and Hollywood celebrities while honoring the press.
“The Nana Lounge” was attended by about two hundred industry professionals across the media, creative arts and entertainment industry across the United States of America in attendance with Ghanaian international talk show host and motivational speaker, Nana Churcher, partnering with Grammy nominated singer and top Tyler Perry theatrical as well as Sitcom Actor, Tony Grant, as presenters.
“Being the only Media-Meets-Talent preview mass Grammy party which offered various brands the opportunity to interact with celebrities, bookers, producers, editors, bloggers and writers, there was a lot of pressure on the team to ensure it was done right. You had giant media houses on the guest list such as US Weekly, Playboy, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, TV Guide, People Magazine, Rolling Stone, LA Times, VOGUE Magazine and Los Angeles Magazine, so everything had to be on point”, Nana Churcher said.
Speaking about how she landed the role to host the event and whether she felt intimidated by co-hosting with Tony Grant, Nana Churcher attributed it the God’s blessings. She further said “I have been shooting in the United States for some time now, covering the BET Awards, Essence Festival, and having interviews with celebrities. Earlier last year, I was in Los Angeles shooting and I was introduced to Ericalane Brown and we discussed the possibility of working on projects together. By the way, Ericalane is an established publicist and her clients include The Africa Music Awards, Jamaican musician Beenie Man, R.A.K.E Foundation, Janay's Herbal and R&B Singer Brandy Norwood. Being paired with Tony meant I had to bring my A game to the event but I wasn’t intimidated. I was rather looking forward to having the great and successful event with him”.
About her preparation for the show, Nana Churcher said “I got to Los Angeles four days before the event. The daily schedule varied from having team meetings at the venue, working out the technical rider to going through the event flow and creating the running order. I also spent time researching the backgrounds of some of the key guests and celebrities to be interviews on the red carpet to ensure the sessions were engaging and also, I ask the right questions”.
Nana Churcher is the presenter of The Nana Churcher Show (TNCS), a weekly exciting television content which features captains of various industries as guest who open up on their rise to fame and fortune as well as share their success stories. A thirty-minute motivational chat show, it seeks to inspire viewers to become change leaders in their chosen fields of specialty and also empower them to become agents in transforming their societies.
“The NaNa Lounge” was sponsored by Rebecca Laclair, Dizaind, Chipotle, Pizza Hut, Adwoa Design, Tracy Lynn Jewelry, Movie Star Leather Stickers and To Whom It May Chocolates. Others are Reboundwear, The Bullet Studio (www.thebulletstudio.com), Watch Ya Mouth and Earin M-! True Wireless.