Before ‘Gatsby’: Leonardo DiCaprio and his philanthropy

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There are tons of reasons why everybody should be excited about the filmization of F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby despite it having been made into a film for four times. First off, it's the newest film version since David Merrick's 1974 failed attempt to give life to Jay Gatsby; secondly, it was directed by the conscientious filmmaker behind The Red Curtain Trilogy, Baz Luhrmann; and lastly—or more importantly—inasmuch as it is the much-awaited quick comeback of Leonardo DiCaprio from the just recently premiered Django Unchained.

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But before Gatsby, along with reading the Lost Generation's foremost member's novel, knowing the guy who characterized from book to celluloid the self-made American teenager Jay Gatsby a little bit deeper is a good start in understanding and scrutinizing his anticipated performance.

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Off-screen, DiCaprio’s life is opposite to that of Gatsby. He's not linked to any form of prohibition, and he uses his money for matters productive and charitable—he is a philanthropist. His humanitarian endeavors are like a vast expanse of good works, for he is involved with many causes such as anti-AIDS campaign, environmental activism, and human rights and anti-poverty crusade, et al.
And having knowledge of his philanthropy is important, for he is known for accepting roles that are close to his heart, characters who have the capacity to deliver a positive message.

Sheryl Pouls is a philanthropist residing in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. This Facebook page offers updates on charity and philanthropy.

How Nika Kljun killed it in The X Factor

A particularly enticing episode of The X Factor involves the casting of a handful of elite dancers from the world over. A not-so-surprising standout was Nika Kljun, the object of most appreciative praise in the comments section of the viral video of the auditions.

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Clad in a loose cropped shirt, a fringed skirt, and killer heels, the Slovenian dancer/choreographer edged out the competition with striking accents to her dance and high-energy moves that washed out her fellow dancers into an inconsequential chorus. Her flowing platinum blond hair was tossed to the beat, proving that, as a professional dancer, every bit of her dances.

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Auditioning for The X Factor may be superfluous by the standards of her personal success. Dancers are often painted to the background of high-wattage performances. They are supporting roles next to Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, or Madonna. Kljun, however, became famous for her dancing. She has been dancing since the tender age of three, picking up the fish-in-water feel of the craft from her parents’ dance school in her hometown. Her range is defined by a lifetime of exposure --- ballroom, Latin, jazz, and tap all culminated in a good kinesthetic feel for hiphop and other modern dances.

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The global turn of her fame is attributed to her endorsement of Nike, icing on her weightier stints in shows such as The X Factor and Dancing with the Stars. She has also worked with best-selling artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Pitbull, and T-Pain.

Sheryl Pouls is a mother of two who is also a devoted fan of The X Factor. Learn more about her favorite TV series through this Twitter page.