Queen Latifah chats with to UPTOWN About Playing Bessie Smith, and Homosexuality In The Black Community And Bill Cosby
Following the cancellation of her daytime talkie, The Queen Latifah Show, it's obvious that Oscar-nominated actress Queen Latifah is moving into a new phase of her career. In "Queen Latifah's Next Move," for UPTOWN Magazine, she talks very candidly about the HBO film Bessie, a powerful biopic of blues singer Bessie Smith, and tackles some very serious subjects which have followed her throughout her career (e.g. sexuality).
The wide-ranging article (read it in full here) also covers Queen Latifah's thoughts on homophobia in the Black community, marriage equality, and she reveals what she would have asked Bill Cosby regarding sexual assault allegations (if he hadn't canceled his interview with her). It's very interesting....
Here are the highlights:
On her nude scene in HBO's Bessie: “I’ve never done that before. It was a little odd but it was also a quiet, relaxing thing. Sometimes she was so alone, and it was a moment for Bessie to acknowledge her vulnerability, which I can completely relate to ... I don’t find [this nude scene] any more uncomfortable than kissing a girl in Set It Off and sticking to the script. You have to take your mind off of yourself and honor that character. Respect Cleo, respect Bessie."
On marriage equality: "Who you choose to marry is really up to you and it’s not something you should be judged on. I don’t find being gay or lesbian to be a character flaw. Couples should be protected under the laws of this country period. It actually angers me."
On her talk show, The Queen Latifah Show, being canceled: "Obviously it was disappointing but I don’t look at these things as catastrophic failures. We have a lot going on in our company alone, so I’m not worried about my next job opportunity."
On Bill Cosby amid the rape allegations: "It’s unfortunate because he has done so much in terms of entertainment, culture and black folks. But right is right and wrong is wrong. All these women, all these stories, it’s just – what a big stain on such an amazing career."
On homosexuality: "People’s ideas in general are antiquated when it comes to who you love. We haven’t moved as quickly as we probably should. And the reality is that there’s always been gay people in the black community, so it’s not foreign to us. And not just as a black community but just a society as a whole."
Bessie, starring Queen Latifah, Michael Kenneth Williams and Mo’Nique, premieres on HBO on May 16th.
“Orange Is The New Black” Unveils Catholic-Themed Promo Poster
Nobody has ever accused “Orange is the New Black” of ever being too religious, though the new Season 3 poster definitely has a ‘holy’ glow to it.
Starring Uzo Aduba, Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon, Kate Mugrew, Danielle Brooks and Natasha Lyonne/a>, the hit series is slated to return on June 12th.
Per the synopsis, “The women of Litchfield unapologetically return for the third coming. With a crisis of faith and their beliefs and loyalties being tested, each character must decide what and who to believe in.”
Steve Harvey on Bruce Jenner: I Can’t Wrap My Mind Around It
Steve Harvey is keeping it all the way real about Bruce Jenner’s sit-down with Diane Sawyer Friday night. While many called the Olympic champion’s coming out as transgender brave, Harvey doesn’t quite agree.
Our friends over at HipHollywood caught up with him at the Daytime Emmys, and they got this very honest answer. “Everybody says it’s the bravest things they’ve seen, that’s the politically correct thing to say,” said Harvey. “I can’t wrap my mind around it at all, zero. I have no concept of what that means. Nothing negative, he has every right to live his life the way he wants to, but I can’t come in the house and make that announcement to my wife, to my children nothing.”
We also asked Harvey if he’d have Jenner on his show to discuss it for himself. “Yeah, but [Diane] covered it all,” said Harvey whose show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. “My wife told me I couldn’t do the interview. She said your faces are too expressive.”
We agree. But boy that sure would have been entertaining. What are your Thoughts?
Raven-Symoné Headed To The View?
Back in March, while co-hosting daytime talk show The View, actress Raven-Symoné set off a firestorm after she defended a Hispanic talk show host who compared First Lady Michelle Obama’s facial features to a character from The Planet of the Apes. Looks like The View is hungry for more.
Insiders tell Page Six ABC chiefs are desperate to sign Raven as a regular host and want to get the deal done before the May 12th up fronts.
An ABC source tells Page Six. “She was interesting and provocative. Raven would be great as a regular host.”
If so the controversy will HEAT UP!
Mariah Carey bring THE SHADE For Nick Cannon?
New song from Mariah Carey sounds an awful lot like a diss track aimed at her estranged husband Nick Cannon…
On the track called Infinity Mariah sings,
'Why you mad/Talkin' 'bout you're mad/Could it be that you just lost the best you've ever had/how is over/Boy you actin' so corny like Fritos/Wouldn't have none of that without me, though/Ain't none of my business its tea though.../
...Is it lack of ice got you so cold?/Have you ever felt this on your own?/Why you tryin' to play like you're so grown?/Everything you own boy you still owe...'
Listen HERE
Well I guess standby for the Rap track that Nick was going to deliver!
Nicki Minaj Performs At A Bar Mitzvah!
Over the weekend, Nicki Minaj made the dreams of one 13-year-old fan come true.
She performed a private concert at the Bar Mitzvah of one of her biggest fans, Matt. Afterwards, she and Matt posed with his fellow KenBarbz (pic atop).
Matt's parents (shown above) even booked retired NBA baller John Starks (above, far left)! Wow....we can't wait to see what type of party they throw for his 16th birthday!
Believe it or not, Nicki's performance wasn't all "T-n-A." She had some words of wisdom for the young guests. She told the kids, "Get an education, stay in school, and don’t be a slouch or a bum. And ladies, never let a man take care of you. Be your own woman, be your own person.”
Today in Who’s Amber Rose is dating THIS MONTH? It’s Machine Gun Kelly!
The last time we checked, socialite Amber Rose was dating French Montana‘s brother Zack; television magnate Nick Cannon, Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte, and NBA baller James Harden — and that was within the past 6 months.
This month she’s reportedly dating rapper Machine Gun Kelly.
From In Flex We Trust:
Amber Rose was spotted picking Machine Gun Kelly up from the airport in NYC yesterday, and sources say the pair were very hands-on as they walked to the exit. This is a pretty interesting situation – considering MGK has collaborated with Wiz Khalifa a ton in the past, and Amber was JUST talking up her ex in interviews – but it seems like Wiz is the last thing on their mind right now!
Stay Tuned in May for who she will dating next!
BALTIMORE THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT! Baltimore City Police Say Black Guerilla Family, Bloods and Crips Have Entered Into A Partnership To Take Out Cops
Police said in a statement that they have received information that Black Guerilla Family, Bloods and Crips entered a partnership to harm police officers.
It’s total mayhem in Baltimore city where officials say Black Guerrilla Family, Bloods and Crips will partner up and “take-out law enforcement officers. “Rival gangs agreed to march and stand side by side against police brutality in behalf of Freddie Gray. Baltimore Police Department urged officers to exercise precaution and good judgment. Freddie Gray died in police custody, while being transported in a police van and was not buckled in properly. He did not receive medial attention when had difficulty breathing and spinal injures.
The Black Guerrilla Family gang is one of the biggest gangs in Baltimore, prosecutors say their leader essentially took over Baltimore’s jail in 2014, while an inmate there was the government’s star witness. BGF makes tons of money on the streets and has a lot of power, so the chances of this being a huge treat is absolutely true.
I just hope the message of the urban community can he heard with out violence
Close friends come together to Join Ludacris & Eudoxie At Their Secret Garden Themed Baby Shower
As they prepare to welcome their baby into the world, Ludacris and his wife Eudoxie celebrated with a Secret Garden theme baby shower. Monica was amongst those who came out to join them, as well as LeToya Luckett (who Eudoxie revealed will be their baby’s Godmother), Luda’s daughter Karma, and other friends and family.
LeToya posted a pic of the floral decorated tiered cake.. “& yes that’s a donut tree!” she wrote, as she shared a snap of the goodies guests enjoyed.
View more pics from their Secret Garden shower below…
BEAUTIFUL!
In R.H.o.A SHADE: NeNe Leakes Says “RHOA” Needs To Get Rid Of All UNMARRIED Cast Mates!
After the airing of Part 1 of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” reunion, NeNe came through NYC to throw shade at her single cast mates.
While chatting with Michael Strahan and Robin Roberts (who was filling in for Kelly Ripa), the last standing original castmember (dubbing herself as the “queen” of the show) said she would have NO problem coming back for the next season if “RHOA” producers got rid of “everybody who ain’t married.” Bloop!
She said, “Well the show is called the Housewives isn’t it? So you need to be married to be on the show!” The shade honey!
NeNe, who recently nabbed a new reality show with former “RHOA” star Zolciak-Biermann, thinks the show has become very negative and producers should re-cast. She said one or two single ladies on the show is fine, but “RHOA” needs to drop a few of the single ladies on the show. NeNe then talked about why she was there for co-star Phaedra Parks as she went through all of the drama with her husband Apollo Nida.
BLOOP! Your Thoughts?
Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom Not Ready For Divorce But Are Secretly Talking!
I knew they weren’t going to let Bruce Jenner keep that spotlight for long!
Well it looks like the Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom saga is far from over as the two are not ready for divorce but instead are secretly talking.
Sources connected to both Khloe and Lamar tell TMZ Sports, the two of them are not romantic and are not talking reconciliation, but they don’t want to close the door on the marriage either. That explains why Khloe’s divorce has been laying dormant in the courts for more than a year, the judge has even said if she doesn’t s*** or get off the pot, he’ll dismiss it.
TMZ’s Lamar sources says there’s bad blood on both sides. It’s not as if he’s begging her to reconcile, he feels betrayed by Khloe as well. The Lamar sources say she’s told him he has to make some sort of “grand gesture” before they can go the next step, and so far he’s not willing to do it.
For her part, she reportedly has “a big heart” and doesn’t want to hurt him by sealing the deal on the divorce. But it’s more than just mercy, sources say she still has feelings for him.
As for the pic Khloe posted showing her “LO” tattoo on a gearshift, according to TMZ it’s not a sign she’s going back with Lamar she just digs her new Bentley.
Well alrighty then…
In Atlanta: Jamie Foxx Private listening session and Breakfast Event
Way back when Jamie Foxx was a star on In Living Color, his movement into serious acting and a serious music career couldn’t have been foretold, despite the release of his debut album in 1995, Peep This, which peaked at No. 78 on the Billboard 200.
But his portrayal of Ray Charles, which earned him an Academy Award, helped usher in a musical Jamie Foxx in the same year of 2004, where he featured on two smash singles, Twista’s “Slow Jamz” and Kanye West’s “Gold Digger.” Since then, Foxx has been a GRAMMY winner and became a kind of show-biz lifer that can pick and choose his projects across a number of different art forms.
Foxx’s next album Hollywood was announced last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live and will be released on May 18 via RCA. The album’s first single, “You Changed Me” featuring Chris Brown, has already been making the rounds. Fans welcomed Jamie to Atlanta for his Breakfast event with v-103 and later on his private listening session at the Glen Hotel.
Please take a look and Oscar winning Jamie Foxx and see the fun that was had by all!
Pics by Briana Crudup
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
PERSONAL PROPERTY
Hey! You staring at dat ass? Just because it looks like someone threw paint on her personal seismograph doesn’t mean you get to look. That’s his ass and he wants you to know it. Back off son.
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
EFREM
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