Off the Record: A Reporter Lifts the Velvet Rope on Hollywood, Hip-Hop, and Sports

"Off the Record" is an insightful, funny, and oftentimes moving behind-the-scenes look at the boldfaced names of Hollywood, hip-hop, and sports. Featuring celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Eddie Murphy, Lil' Kim, Tyra Banks, Alex Rodriguez, Shaquille O'Neal, Whoopi Goldberg, Snoop Dogg, and Denzel Washington, Off the Record goes beyond the red carpet with stories that capture who they are as people--sometimes vulnerable, sometimes inspiring, but always human.Moved by a Barbara Walters interview that she saw as a young girl, Allison Samuels began her journalism career as a college student, with an impromptu interview of Francis Ford Coppola while visiting the film set for Gardens of Stone. She has since evolved into an esteemed reporter at one of the top news magazines in the world. Samuels's stories have received national attention, including her cover feature on Kobe Bryant's alleged rape charges, and a dialogue-provoking cover story on the state of black women in America that featured then rising international superstar Beyonce and controversial former daytime talkshow host Star Jones.