Wyllisa Bennett

CALL ME WYLLISA

WELCOME TO MY WORLD!

Thank you for stopping by!

I invite you to join me live on Zoom every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. PT / 8:00 p.m. ET  for my podcast, CALL ME WYLLISA. And while you’re here, explore my witty, little musings of Hollywood and commentary about all things poppin’ in pop culture from a Southern girl’s perspective  Oh, and one more thing: this blog comes with a disclaimer; so, be sure to read it. xo

EVERYBODY HAS A PODCAST!

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And now, so do I!

I’m finally putting my gift of gab to use with my new podcast, CALL ME WYLLISA. People have told me that I talk too much!!  Well, that sounds like the perfect reason to start a podcast. I’m excited to use the platform to connect with fascinating guests, share powerful stories, and inspire women around the world. The podcast  is a personality-driven podcast, offering a celebrity publicist’s POV on everything poppin’ in pop culture. It’s real conversations and unfiltered commentary mixed with personal stories and anecdotes from the world of entertainment, media and culture.

I’m excited to launch CALL ME WYLLISA in collaboration with Intentional Talk Radio Network during the month of August, which is National Black Business Month, marking my 25 years in the entertainment business. The podcast can be found on all major digital platforms including Apple, iHeart Radio, Spotify and Amazon. Just Google “Call Me Wyllisa podcast” Or you can check out the latest episodes below.

Let me know what you think.

JUST DROPPED!
Check out the latest episodes below.

Ep, 5 – Publicist to Publicist: Wyllisa Bennett & Zabrina Horton Talk BET, PR & Finding Purpose – CALL ME WYLLISA

In the latest episode of CALL ME WYLLISA, celebrity publicist and host Wyllisa Bennett sits down for a candid “Publicist to Publicist” conversation with former BET Networks publicist Zabrina Horton. The two entertainment industry veterans take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the early days of the BET Awards, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and reflecting on how entertainment publicity—and the industry itself—has evolved over the years. But Zabrina’s journey extends far beyond red carpets and celebrity events. She opens up about a life-changing experience that led her to leave Los Angeles, redefine her purpose and begin an entirely new chapter. Today, Zabrina is the founder of Music Memory Lane, a nonprofit organization that uses the power of music and movement to create meaningful engagement and enhance the quality of life for older adults, particularly those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. From Hollywood publicity to community impact, this inspiring conversation explores career transitions, resilience, reinvention and what can happen when you discover a purpose beyond the spotlight. Hashtags: #CallMeWyllisa #WyllisaBennett #ZabrinaHorton #PublicistToPublicist #BET #BETAwards #CelebrityPublicist #PublicRelations #EntertainmentIndustry #BehindTheScenes #BlackWomenInPR #MusicMemoryLane #AlzheimersAwareness #DementiaAwareness #CommunityImpact
  1. Ep, 5 – Publicist to Publicist: Wyllisa Bennett & Zabrina Horton Talk BET, PR & Finding Purpose
  2. Ep. 4 – Here Comes the Judge! The Honorable Tara S. Merchant Talks Race, Law & Justice
  3. Ep. 3 – Victoria Rowell: Fame, Family, Foster Care & Finding Her Father
  4. Ep. 2 – Wyllisa Answers Three PR Questions She’s Asked Most Often
  5. Ep. 1 – Rolonda Watts on Reinvention, Journalism & Betting on Yourself

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25

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HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME!!

May is always a special month for me, And this year, I’m celebrating a meaningful milestone of 25 years since I landed in Los Angeles, and started building my boutique public relations  agency, wrb public relations.  That’s 25 of years writing press releases. And 25 years of walking red carpets. And most importantly, 25 years of making people famous and keeping people famous!

This week marks National Small Business Week, which celebrates the contributions of entrepreneurs to the U.S. economy.  I’m proud of my many accomplishments over the years as an entrepreneru; but I’m most proud of the becoming a certified small business for the City of Los Angeles and the state of California.

CLASS OF 2025! Honored to be recognized by the city of Los Angeles for participating in the Small Business Academy, facilitated by the Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA)! I was selected from hundreds of applicants! This experience provided valuable tools, resources, and mentorship to help entrepreneurs like me grow sustainable and impactful businesses. Grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and continue building. .

The class of 2025 was recently presented with certificates at City Hall during a session with the Department of Public Works Board of Commissioners. Last year, I set a goal to become a certified small business, and I’m proud to have achieved it! Being part of the Class of 2025 for the city’s Small Business Academy is just the cherry on top!.

Special shout out to our fearless leaders John L. Reamer and Melissa Savage of BCA . Special thanks to Department of Water & Power (DWP), the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW), the Bureau of Engineering (BOE) along with the Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) for making the Small Business Academy possible.

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity; so always prepare to be lucky!

Always be ready when your name is called!

FROM LOS ANGELES TO LAGOS: Black Fashion + Beauty Shine During BET Awards (The Extended Version)

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PLEASE NOTE: This is my original, unabridged feature. A condensed version of this story was published by the Jacksonville Free Press due to print space limitations. https://jacksonvillefreepress.com/from-los-angeles-to-lagos-black-fashion-and-beauty-shine-during-bet-weekend/

Maleena Lawrence

As Black America gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate the BET Awards —  the culture’s biggest weekend —  the Jacksonville Free Press was on the scene capturing the sights, sounds and unforgettable moments of the BET Experience 2026 weekend. While music was undoubtedly at the heart of the festivities, the weekend also served as a vibrant showcase for high fashion, streetwear and beauty, proving that style is just as much a part of the culture as the performances themselves.

Leading up to the BET Awards, there was a plethora of red carpet events, exclusive industry gatherings and VIP celebrations that set the tone for the culture’s biggest weekend. Both men and women offered a stunning preview of the fashion to come, expressing their individuality, creativity and cultural pride through every look. Perhaps Los Angeles, in its own way, encourages both genders to be bold in their expression—still, it was interesting to observe how that boldness took shape individually.

Throughout the weekend, several trends stood out above the rest – that is, a conscious effort to support Black designers and creators as well as the embrace of statement-making designs by African designers, whose bold prints, striking silhouettes, and rich cultural influences were impossible to ignore. Plus, there was a celebration of natural hairstyles in all its glorious forms. Still, from locs, braids and Afros to silk presses, curls and elegant updos, to Caesar cuts and clean-shaven heads, both Black men and women embraced styles that reflected their individuality.

Wyllisa Bennett
Fashion designer Abiola Olusola
Angela White formerly known as Blac Chyna
Fashion designer Omar Cook
Rapper/Singer/Songwriter Tia P
Comedian Rolando “Lil Roc Tha God”  Breathwaite
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ME + THE DAYTIME DIVA!!!

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I can’t wait to chat with award-winning actress, author, and producer Victoria Rowell! The last time many of us saw her iconic character, Drucilla Winters on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLETSS, she fell off a cliff in 2007… but her body was never found! 👀.

A versatile actress of theatre, primetime, daytime and feature films, Victoria is known around the world for her various roles.  Of course, she’s an an icon in daytime television, and she’s been nominated twice for a Daytime Emmy and awarded eleven NAACP Image Awards.She also co-starred in the CBS hit primetime television series DIAGNOSIS MURDER with Dick Van Dyke for eight seasons while simultaneously continuing her role in daytime.

On the big screen, Rowell has worked with some of Hollywood’s award-winning leading men, including Beau Bridges, Jim Carrey, Dick Van Dyke, Mario Van Peoples, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy and Samuel L. Jackson. Her film credits include as THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMENwith Eddie Murphy, DUMB AND DUMBERwith Jim Carrey and EVE’S BAYOU, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Diahann Carroll – just to name a few.

Next year, Victoria will celebrate the 20th anniversary for the  release of her New York Times best-selling book, “The Women Who Raised Me.” It is a tribute not only to the amazing women who cared for Victoria when her birth mother could not, but also to the foster care system that brought them into her life

Having spent eighteen years in foster care, Rowellbecame a passionate voice for children like herself. In 1990, she founded the Rowell Foster Children’s Positive Plan (RFCPP), which enriches foster children through artistic and athletic expression.

✨ FUN FACT: Victoria was my very first client, and she discovered me on the red carpet at the BET Awards in 2003!

Recently, Victoria and I met up at a cool spot in West Hollywood to reminisce about the good old days, and let me tell you, I laughed so hard! She has an incredible sense of humor, and we had the best time catching up. Honestly, there’s so much to talk about, I don’t even know where to begin. Starting as a dancer with ABT II to modeling to her groundbreaking career in television to her work as an author, producer, and advocate, one conversation simply isn’t enough. We may have to do this interview in multiple parts, so let’s call this Part 1.

Join the conversation.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2026
5 p.m. PT | 8 p.m. ET

PHOTO CREDIT: Victoria’s photo by Stephanie Girard

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EVERYBODY HAS A PODCAST!

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And now, so do I!!

I’m finally putting my gift of gab to use with my new podcast, CALL ME WYLLISA, set to premiere today at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on the Intentional Talk Radio Network, which is one of the largest internet radio networks, heard in more than seven countries. ITRN can be found on all major digital platforms including Apple, iHeart Radio, Amazon and Pandora. Plus, I’ll be uploading the show on YouTube.  Soooooo, look for more deets about CALL ME WYLLISA on ITRNRadio.com.

People have told me that I talk too much!!  Well, that sounds like the perfect reason to start a podcast. I’m excited to use the platform to connect with fascinating guests, share powerful stories, and inspire women around the world. The podcast  is a personality-driven podcast, offering a celebrity publicist’s POV on everything poppin’ in pop culture. It’s real conversations and unfiltered commentary mixed with personal stories and anecdotes from the world of entertainment, media and culture.

Rolonda Watts

AND I’M HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE MY FIRST GUEST: Drumroll, please!! When I thought about my first guest   — I wanted someone who shares the same North Carolina roots as I do!! That’s why I tapped the very talented talk show host, actress, voice coach, comedienne, author and my very dear friend … the amazing ROLONDA WATTS!! For more than three decades, her name, face, and distinctive voice have been known by audiences everywhere, thanks to her many award-winning works in television, radio, film, digital media and comedy. Plus, she is the author of a romance suspense novel, titled, DESTINY LINGERS, which is endorsed by her Godmother, the late Dr. Maya Angelou. The National Book Club Conference awarded Rolonda with the Bebe Moore Campbell Award for Excellence in Storytelling. Plus, she received the Editor’s Choice Award, as well as the Rising Star Award.

Rolonda launched her own eponymous, internationally syndicated talk show, ROLONDA, which ran from 1994 to 1998, and produced by her company, Watts Works, in association with King World Productions. Interestingly, Rolonda began her television career as a local CBS news reporter at WFMY-TV in Greensboro, North Carolina, before she landed a television gig in New York City, and the rest is history1 Today, she continues to hone her many talents as an actress, comedienne and voice coach.

I’m so happy to have my home girl in the chat today!! ROLONDA WATTS!!

THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2026
5 p.m. PT | 8 p.m. ET

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FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH!

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ODE TO ANGEL AVILES, Life Coach, Influencer + Author

On the heels of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the “chingona” in my life. I got to give a shout out to my friend, my neighbor, my confidante and at times, my life coach! That is, Angel Aviles!

The best neighbor ever,  we exchanged  pots of food for the soul and our bodily nourishment. We borrowed each other’s clothes  and jewelry for celebrations and special events. We celebrated #girlpower with impromptu glasses of wine on a girls night. It was soooo empowering to hear the hopes and dreams of another woman of color. As a Latina, she offered a different perspective; but we shared the same experience as a woman.  But most importantly, she was one of the few people I could share my secrets, my intimate thoughts and my insecurities.

This year, Angel became an empty nester.  With two kids in college, she decided it was time for a life change, and sooooo she and her hubby, Rey, packed up for a temporary move to Mexico City! She wanted to experience life in a new way. I miss her!! But I can’t blame a girl for living her life like it’s golden! A look at her Instagram at @AngelAwakened tells me she’s happy as can be!

Angel is a Latinx  life coach,  influencer and the author of the new self-help  book,  “Too Happy to Be Sad Girl.”  I became her publicist when her new book dropped. For Mental Health Awareness Month, she was recognized by Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez —  the first woman and only woman of color to hold this position in the City of Angels.  The title is a nod to the famous role Angel portrayed in the 1993 cult film “Mi Vida Loca,” directed and written by award-winning filmmaker Allison Anders.

My Byline Is Back!

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In the news!! I was happy to have a front page story in Inglewood Today about award-winning radio host Dominique DiPrima and her new gig as the morning drive talk show host of the new KBLA Talk 1580.

At the stroke of midnight on June 19, 2021 – that is, Juneteenth 2021 — LA will have its first and only “Unapologetically Progressive” talk radio station for the AfricanAmerican listening audience!! Helmed by Tavis Smiley of Smiley Audio Media, KBLA Talk 1580, is the only Black owned and operated talk station in Southern California!! #Blackownedbusiness.

It’s fitting on that on this holiday, she will make history as the first Black woman on Los Angeles commercial talk radio to host her own morning drive show! #BlackExcellence #BlackGirlMagic Congrats Dominique!

I’m running out to get hard copies of the newspaper, meanwhile … extra, extra … read all about it here!

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Thank you for reading my rantings from the red carpet! xo

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#CALLMEWYLLISA #PODCAST 40 Million Dollar Slaves BET Awards BET Experience Beyonce Black Actress Black Beauty Black Girl Magic Black Hair Black Hollywood Black Lives Matter Blackout for Human Rights Clippergate Congresswoman Maxine Waters Dick Gregory Dominique DiPrima Donald Sterling Hands Up Harvey Weinstein I Can't Breathe Juneteenth KBLA Talk 1580 LA Clippers Lena Waithe Love in the City Lupita Nyong'o Mad Men Maya Angelou Most Beautiful NAACP Natural Hair Police Brutality Publicist du Jour Racism Rest in Power Rev Martin Luther King Jr RIP Sexual Harassment Single Life Tavis Smiley TMZ V. Stiviano Wyllisa Wyllisa Bennett