Essence Film Fest 2025 Exclusive: Producer/ Author Steve Jones talks new book ‘Hollywood Confidential: 12 Secrets to Becoming the Star of Your Own Life’
Among the talent that came and showcased their work at the 2025 Essence Film Festival was producer, mentor and now author Steve Jones with his new book ‘Hollywood Confidential: 12 Secrets to Becoming the Star of Your Own Life.’
Jones is the host of the Hollywood Confidential panel series, a platform for celebrating, supporting, and informing Creatives of color. Jones was the Executive Producer of a special called "OWN Presents Inside Hollywood's Wearable Art Gala." He was a producer for OWN Network's show Black Love, and Motherly Love.
What is the book about?
Steve Jones: The book is revealing 12 secrets that I've learned from working with 12 of the biggest stars in my career. So someone like J-Lo, Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Tyler Perry, I've worked with all of them in various productions, or on our stages at Hollywood Confidential where I moderate, and the genesis of Hollywood Confidential has been being a north star to creatives who are looking for opportunities to break in the industry. And so this book, 12 Secrets to Becoming the Star of Your Own Life, underneath the banner Hollywood Confidential, is literally giving people practical advice on how they can lay hold to these principles and become a star regardless of location. You don't have to be an actor, you don't have to be in Hollywood for this book, you just have to have a dream, and that's what this book is for.
Is this a self-help confidence book?
Steve Jones: You got it, and you're literally hearing and learning from the stories of 12 creatives of color who have already blazed a trail. I don't believe that we have to blaze a trail. You went, I can research, don't gatekeep that information from me. I'm literally putting their success stories and 12 principles they've used to become stars so that we can lean into that same principle.
Why did you decide to do a book?
Steve Jones: Great question. We've been doing Hollywood Confidential now for 12 years, so again, myself moderating conversations with Regina King, Angela Bassett, Snoop Dogg, and Issa Rae. 2,000 creatives are coming together for free to hear this information. We've never monetized it. I look at this like my give back. I don't charge. I work with brands and partners to offset the cost. This has been 10 years in the making. People have been begging for information. What can you give us that we can take, because it's almost like a church service. Sunday morning, everybody comes, they're feeling inspired, and by Tuesday you're like, what did the pastor say? And then Wednesday, you need inspiration again. So this book is now a part of our legacy where people can have something to take home with them after our events that can keep them inspired through the days of the week.
Where can they get the book?
Steve Jones: They can purchase the book on barnesandnoble.com and in stores at Barnes and Noble, walmart.com, and don't cancel me with them, but it's also available in stores at Target and on target.com. You can purchase it on a platform that aligns with your value system.
Can they pick it up on Amazon?
Steve Jones: Absolutely, Amazon as well.
Besides the book, what’s next for you?
Steve Jones: I just signed on to direct my first project. I've produced projects like Black Love, I actually produced a show called The Wearable Art Gala, which had Beyoncé's first TV interview in six years. But now I've picked up a project to direct a documentary with a huge name in black Hollywood, and maybe I'll have to break it exclusively with you on your page. So stay tuned.