Oprah Winfrey and Ava DuVernay Covers The Hollywood Reporter!
Oprah Winfrey was once all for talking about diversity, but now the media mogul wants to shift the conversation toward inclusion.
In a joint interview with filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who directed Queen Sugar for the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), Winfrey got frank about issues of race and representation, both on and off screen.
"I used to use the word 'diversity' all the time. 'We want more diverse stories, more diverse characters ...,' " she told The Hollywood Reporter. "Now I really eliminated it from my vocabulary because I've learned from [Ava] that the word that most articulates what we're looking for is what we want to be: included."
She added, "It's to have a seat at the table where the decisions are being made."
Pointed out DuVernay: "We aren't sitting around talking about diversity. Just like we aren't sitting around talking about being black or being women. We're just being that."
Oprah Winfrey on Why She Eliminated the Word 'Diversity' from Her Vocabulary| Civil Rights Movement, The Oprah Winfrey Show, TV News, Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey, 62, and DuVernay, 43, also discussed the Black Lives Matter movement in the context of Queen Sugar, which follows African-American siblings who take over their family's sugar plantation in present-day Louisiana.
"You see integration of Black Lives Matter from the beginning of [Queen Sugar] because it is literally black lives having meaning and mattering in the everyday," said DuVernay.
She continued, "With the Black Lives Matter movement, a lot of the focus is on the protest and dissent. I'm hoping to dismantle the public notion – for folks outside of the community – of what Black Lives Matter means. It's really about saying that black lives matter, that humanity is the same when you go inside people's homes."
Said Winfrey, "Everybody gets caught up in the slogan and the hashtag and the protest," added Winfrey. "What we're trying to do is get you to feel it. You get to feel it when Ralph Angel [Kofi Siriboe] is putting his son to bed, laying with him and reading a story. Intimacy and connection between a father and son? We've just not seen it [with black characters on series TV]."
Drawing from her own experience on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey summed up, "I realized that the best way to show that black people are just like everybody else, or that gay people are just like everybody else, is not to do a show about gay people or black fathers raising their children [but] just to include them in a story about raising children. That's how you normalize it and make it okay for everybody else."
Queen Sugar premieres Sept. 6 and 7 on OWN
R.H.o.A: Kim Zolciak-Biermann Says Goodbye to NFL Hubby After Buffalo Bills Trade: 'This Has Been One of the Hardest Days Ever'
Kim Zolciak-Biermann had a tough start to the week. The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum, 38, took to Instagram Monday to document the difficult day after her NFL player husband Kroy Biermann, 30, who previously played for the Atlanta Falcons, signed with the Buffalo Bills – meaning he had to head to Buffalo, New York, to train with the team, leaving his wife and their children back home in Georgia.
The deal happened to come on the same day as their son Kash's 4th birthday and his first day starting preschool, as well as 5-year-old son KJ's first day starting kindergarten.
"This has been one of the hardest days ever for me," she captioned side-by-sides of her husband hugging their children. "Kash turning 4 and starting Pre-K, KJ starting kindergarten and my best friend, my everything left this morning to play for @buffalobills."
"Although Kroy is so excited as I am (my parents grew up there, half my family still lives there) never mind the fact the fans are AWESOME, the team is AWESOME and my hubby is ecstatic ... It was hard to say good bye!" she admitted. "Im so thankful for @briellebiermann taking Kroy so early this morning, @cheftraceybloom coming to the rescue to be here for me, @nikitpressley texts and ALL of you who have welcomed my husband with open arms! THANK YOU. #HeIsMyCalm #HeIsMyStrength #HeIsEveryThingAManHusband&FatherShouldBe."
Biermann and her hubby tied the knot in 2011, and in November the star took to Instagram to celebrate their fourth anniversary.
In addition to KJ and Kash, Zolciak-Biermann – who now stars on her own Bravo spin-off, Don't Be Tardy – shares twins Kane and Kaia, 2, with Biermann. The reality star is also mother to daughter Brielle, 19, and Ariana, 14, from a previous marriage.
Don't Be Tardy returns Sept. 14 at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo.
New Empire trailer reveals your first look at teenage Lucious & Cookie
Empire is about to show viewers how its royal couple, Lucious (Terrence Howard) and Cookie (Taraji P. Henson), first met. As shown in this trailer, season 3 of the Fox hit will flash back to show the pair as teenagers and the beginnings of their epic, on-again, off-again romance.
In the clip, Cookie tells Lucious, “When I first saw you rap, it changed my life.” Viewers then get to see their first glimpse of teenage Lucious (Jeremy Carver) and Cookie (Ajiona Alexus).
Also heavily teased is the arrival of Lucious’ half-brother Tariq (Morocco Omari), who was introduced in the season 2 finale and seems hell-bent on bringing down the Lyon patriarch in season 3.
WATCH HERE
Empire premieres Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on Fox.
New Music from Tank – I Gotta Be Honest
For the latest release in his #TankTuesday series, the R&B General gets open and introspective in his own truths on “I Gotta Be Honest.” Taking a route most male egos won’t allow, the crooner begs for his ex to come back, while admitting that he can’t change and cautioning others about getting into a relationship with him.
“Cause I could lie to you, but I’d rather clear my soul / I know I ain’t ever gon’ change / Don’t ever f*ck with me,” he sings.
Listen to Tank bare his soul and pride in the new ballad HERE
Watch Remy Ma Freestyle Over Jay Z’s ‘Where I’m From’
Hot off last month’s “Hip Hop Honors,” where she paid tribute to Missy Elliott, Remy Ma hit up Tony Touch’s “Toca Tuesdays” to show that her own bars are up to par.
Reminisce appeared on the show alongside her husband Papoose. However, she went solo with the punchlines, offering a vicious freestyle over Jay Z’s classic “Where I’m From.”
“Wash these bitches,” raps Remy. “They a mess / Still trying to see who let these birds out the nest / Bulletproof everything, not just the vest / Fuck make you think I’m aiming just for your chest?”
“I’m trying to see what’s up,” she added. “I’m about a check / It’s the school of hard knocks, I done passed every test.”
WATCH HERE
Earlier this month, Remy and Fat Joe dropped their new single “Cookin,” while their joint album Platas o Plomo is due later this year.
Will Smith: Jada and I are always in Marriage Counseling!
Will Smith has spoken out about having marriage counselling with Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Suicide Squad star has revealed that the couple worked on their marriage problems by attending sessions together where the focus was on getting the truth out.
He told The Sun: ‘I’ve done a lot of marriage counselling. What happens in a marriage once you do counselling, the truth comes out. And you sit across from your wife and you’ve said all of your truth and she has said all of her truth. You look at each other and you can’t imagine you could ever possibly love each other again now the truth is out.’
He went on to say: ‘It creates a dark moment. But for me it’s the dark before the dawn. When the truth comes out and people have to say who they are and what they think, you get to know who they are. I think that’s the cleansing before you get to the other side that is understanding and moving forward in our relationship.’
The couple have been together for 19 years and have two children together: Willow, 15 and Jaden, 18.
Their marriage has been under heavy scrutiny for years after rumours of an open marriage and divorce circulated, but the couple have never admitted to seeking help before.
Their marriage has been under heavy scrutiny for years after rumours of an open marriage and divorce circulated, but the couple have never admitted to seeking help before.
Jada appeared to address the claims last year whilst speaking with The Howard Stern. She said: ‘At the end of the day, I’m not here to be anybody’s watcher. I’m not his watcher. He’s a grown man. I trust that the man that Will is is a man of integrity. So, he’s got all the freedom in the world, and as long as Will can look himself in the mirror and be OK, I’m good.’
Will also took to Facebook to try and dispel the gossip, referring to it as ‘redundant’ and ‘repetitious’.
Meanwhile, Will recently gushed that Jade was ‘magical’, and went on to finish with: ‘It’s like you take Jada Pinkett Smith and an obscure town in Mexico and some tequila and you end up with great kids!’
Young Thug Celebrates 25th Birthday & PUMA Campaign
Y’all know Atlanta peeps love to party. And it was no different for Young Thug’s birthday bash a few days ago.The Atlanta rapper hosted a soiree to celebrate his 25th birthday and to unveil his new PUMA editorial. The PUMA ambassador is featured in the athletic shoe brand’s newest campaign, which you can check out below:
Several Atlanta notables were in the building....
Rapper T.I., who’s featured on few tracks with the birthday boy, and his wife Tiny Harris left most of the Harris clan behind for some grown up turn up festivities.
Rapper Future took a break from his Summer Sixteen Tour with Drake to show Young Thug some love.
“Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” stars Mimi Faust and Karlie Redd, along with reality star Dice, came out to party with the ATL rapper for his birthday.
"Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" stars DJ Traci Steele and Erica Dixon posed it up for a cute pic during the party.
Tip's homie Young Dro, styling in his POLO threads, was on the scene for the fun.
Before kicking off a tour with Lalah Hathaway and Eric Benet, soulful singer Anthony Hamilton stopped by to celebrate.
And comedian Tony Rock was spotted cooling out.
Fun times!
Tina Campbell lifts her voice to benefit The National Museum of African American Music
Award-winning solo gospel singer, Tina Campbell, who recently postponed her world tour, is using her vocal gift for good.
The Mary Mary group member will be lifting her voice to benefit the National Museum of African American Music at this year’s Black Music Honors: Celebrate the Soul event at Andrew Jackson Hall in Nashville, TN, August 18 at 7:00 p.m.
The two-hour television special will honor legendary African Americans who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music.
GRAMMY® Award-winner Campbell, 42, will be in the company of other revered performers such as Andra Day, Eddie Levert, The Bar-Kays, Ann Nesby, Stokley Williams (Mint Condition), Chubb Rock and many more.
The star-studded event, hosted by Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Ledisi, will pay homage to music legends: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Big Daddy Kane, Dionne Warwick, Clarence Avant and Stax Records.
The only museum dedicated to all dimensions of African American music, The National Museum of African American Music is committed to showcasing more than 50 music genres created or impacted by African Americans, honoring the legacy and legends of this diverse music and detailing the impact this music has on musicians and consumers around the world.
The museum is designed to tell the story of genres, instruments and vocalists that have shaped and influenced music around the world, thus providing a platform for a national and global landscape to celebrate and honor the legacy and legends.
Former NFL Star Darren Sharper Sentenced To 18 Years In Federal Prison For Rape!
Former NFL star Darren Sharper is about to start serving Fed time. He was just sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for drugging and raping (or attempting to rape) 16 women across four different states. All in a matter of months. Details inside...
It hasn't exactly been the swiftest justice (initial charges were filed January 2014), but former New Orleans Saints safety Darren Sharper has finally reaped his punishment.
After admitting to raping or attempting to rape women in four states, the 41-year-old was handed down the 18 year federal prison sentence today in a New Orleans court. U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo issued the sentence, just months after turning down a plea deal to only serve 9 years. She said the deal was too lenient.
The sentence falls just 15 months short of the maximum sentence based on the number of victims. It's within the range of the 15 to 19 years that a federal probation report recommended. His nine year sentence he recently received in Arizona will be served at the same time. He will also receive credit for the time already served behind bars.
The New Orleans Advocate reports about his admissions saying:
Sharper has pleaded guilty or no contest in various courthouses to raping — or trying to rape — nine women in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Tempe, Arizona, between Aug. 31, 2013, and Jan. 15, 2014.
All of his admitted crimes took place while Sharper was retired from football and working as an NFL Network analyst.
In New Orleans, he has admitted to drugging and raping two women the night of Sept. 23, 2013, at a condominium where he lived in the Warehouse District.
Sharper also admitted, as part of a guilty plea in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court, that he raped another woman a few weeks earlier at a hotel across the street from the condo after she had been drugged.
In his federal plea, Sharper admitted to three counts related to a conspiracy to ply women with drugs such as Ambien, Xanax, Valium and Ecstasy to prime them for sexual assault.
One of his victims made sure to show up and give him a piece of her mind today, yelling at him to "go to hell." The Advocate reports:
She said the arrogance and stupidity he showed in attacking so many victims in so short a period handed authorities their case against him "on a silver platter."
Darren also sobbed and spoke today in court -- wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles -- saying, "They didn't deserve anything being a part of my heinous decisions. I still don't know why I lived my life right for 38 years, and then I took this path."
Two co-defendants, one is former St. Bernard Sheriff's Office deputyBrandon Licciardi and the other is promoter Erik Nunez , also have pleaded guilty on a number of related charges in New Orleans' state and federal courthouses. The charges include battering, drugging and raping a number of the 16 women.
GOOD RIDDANCE!
Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill Move Into Beverly Hills Mansion Together!
Things are still going strong for Nicki Minaj and boyfriend Meek Mill, who have reportedly moved into a mansion in Beverly Hills together!
Things are still going strong for Nicki Minaj and boyfriend Meek Mill, who have reportedly moved into a mansion in Beverly Hills together!
According to TMZ, the couple is renting the home for $30,000 a month, and the property boasts nine bedrooms, eight bathrooms and a five-car garage.
Since they began dating in early 2015, Nicki has often alluded to the fact that the duo is engaged, flashing giant pieces of bling on her ring finger.
But the rapper, 33, has since explained, "I have two rings from this boy that likes me. That’s not my engagement ring though. He said that that’s my second ring and that if I get a third ring that that would be the engagement ring."
So could this major relationship move be followed closely by a third ring?!? Only time will tell
What’s the Tea with Keri Hilson Trolling On Snapchat with It Involves A Monkey Emoji?
Keri Hilson is trending on social media for the wrong reason if you missed the story about her getting x rated with popsicle well here ya go. Social media went crazy after after watching Keri and her popsicle. I see you Ms. Keri!
Wink:) Keri responds on social media about the extra attention on social media.
This time Ms. Hilson goes a little more raunchy on social media. When Keri post a monkey emoji near her lovebox. If that what they call these days…
Ms. Keri’s Snapchat is better than yours…….
Trends
Change
•Keri Hilson
6,619 Tweets
•USA vs Argentina
2,700 Tweets
•#UFC202
66.4K Tweets
•#blackcatappreciationday
@DizzyBlanco is Tweeting about this
•Team USA
45.5K Tweets
•#BetterPOTUSCandidates
35K Tweets
•#USABMNT
7,179 Tweets
•Harrison Barnes
1,852 Tweets
•#SometimesWhenImAloneI
10.7K Tweets
•Dr. Miami
9,197 Tweets
Brandy Sings Etta James’ ‘At Last’ At Ray J & Princess Love’s Wedding Reception
Ray J, his new wife, Princess Love, and the guests at their wedding reception were treated to the sounds of Brandy‘s beautiful vocals filling the room, during the couple’s first dance.
As the Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood stars took to the dance floor, the singer and actor wowed with her rendition of Etta James‘ “At Last.”
The couple tied the knot at the Vibiana in Los Angeles Friday evening, and it’s been reported that viewers will get a glimpse of Ray and Princess’ ceremony during the new season of L&HH which premiered on Monday.
Tune in to a clip showcasing Brandy’s performance, via TMZ, HERE
So Beautiful!
Fake ‘Birth of a Nation’ Posters Tag Director-Star Nate Parker as ‘Rapist?’
Nate Parker rapists birth of a nation sago poster
As “The Birth of a Nation” writer, director and star Nate Parker continues to dominate the headlines on Wednesday for a 1999 sexual assault case, altered versions of his upcoming movie’s poster have popped up in Los Angeles.
The posters have been reimagined in PhotoShop by street artist Sabo and feature Parker’s face emblazoned with the word: “Rapist?”
“I wouldn’t normally do something like this but [Parker] pissed me off right off the bat with the trailer and the poster,” Sabo told TheWrap on Wednesday, explaining his motivation to create and post the provocative poster.
The artist said he was provoked by news reports that Parker had been arrested, and later acquitted of sexual assault charges stemming from a 1998 incident while he was a student at Penn State.
Multiple copies of Sabo’s altered version have been plastered all over West L.A., including right outside of the 20th Century Fox studio. Fox Searchlight, which is a part of Fox, is releasing Parker’s well-received indie drama on Oct. 7.
The poster has very clearly been changed from an original version in which Parker appears as the film’s lead character, real-life slave revolt leader Nat Turner, with a noose around his neck made of the American flag.
“I find it very offensive someone is using the flag as a noose,” said Sabo, a Texas-born artist who has been associated with right-leaning politics. He recently produced artwork to promote Dinesh D’Souza‘s anti-Clinton documentary “Hillary’s America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party.”
Sabo, who described himself as “brown,” also expressed his concern that Barack Obama has been fanning the flames of racial discord. “Obama wants to pick up the mantle [of racial division] before he gets out of office,” he told TheWrap, adding that he thinks “black people should stop voting for Democrats.”
Parker said on Tuesday he was “devastated” after news of a 1999 sexual assault case resurfaced during promotion for his upcoming film”The Birth of a Nation,” but insisted that he would not run from his past.
Parker wrote, directed, and produced and starred in the acclaimed film, which the coveted Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and was bought by Fox Searchlight in a historic bidding war this year. As an early awards favorite, 36-year-old Parker has been the subject of recent profiles in which the old rape case was brought up.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Finalize Divorce
Amber Heard has reportedly dismissed her domestic violence restraining order petition against Johnny Depp after the former couple settled its bitter three-month divorce battle on Monday (August 15).
The actress has filed legal documents withdrawing her request for protection from her estranged husband.
Amber, who claimed Johnny had abused her throughout their relationship, dismissed the case with prejudice, which means she can never re-file it. The divorce case is also resolved - Johnny has reportedly agreed to pay Amber approximately $7 million to walk away.
His lawyers, Laura Wasser and Blair Berk, crafted the settlement with Heard's legal team after quizzing her about her abuse allegations during a six-hour deposition on Saturday.
Amber and Johnny have released a joint statement, which reads: "Our relationship was intensely passionate and at times volatile, but always bound by love...
"There was never an intent of physical or emotional harm."
The statement, obtained by TMZ, also reads: "Neither party has made false accusations for financial gains."
It concludes, "Amber wishes the best for Johnny in the future. Amber will be donating financial proceeds from the divorce to a charity."
The actress ended her 15-month marriage to the Pirates of the Caribbean star in May 2016, following an alleged fight at their home in Los Angeles. She turned up at court to seek a protection order sporting a bruised face, claiming her estranged husband had thrown a cell phone at her.
Last week, footage showing the furious actor arguing with Heard while appearing to throw a bottle and a glass while swearing was leaked online. On Monday, documents detailing another a fight, during which Depp lost the tip of his forefinger, were obtained by TMZ.
The legal papers suggested the actor flew into a rage as he accused his then-wife of sleeping with her London Fields co-star Billy Bob Thornton, and he lost his fingertip as he smashed a plastic phone against a wall of the villa he and his wife were renting in Australia.
Thornton has since denied the allegations, telling TMZ.com they are "completely false."
#EGGPLANT NATION Meet Ben Hur!
Meet Ben Hur Bearish and Bearded! Well to see more you can GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSWF!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
ENJOY!
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘Pool Party In The Snow’
When you’re too lazy to go outside to see if it’s hot or cold…3
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND EVERYBODY!!!!!!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment