Uzo Aduba Covers Essence September 2016 Issue
There are plenty of reasons to love Uzo Aduba. She gives the best pep talks, makes inspiring award show speeches, and slays season after season as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren on Orange Is the New Black. On top of all that, Uzo's cover story in Essence's September issue is chock-full of quotes that will make you want to punch your fist in the air.
The Emmy winner touches on everything from perseverance in a difficult industry to how she maintains her self-esteem, all of which we can add to her long list of encouraging quotes:
•On the time she almost quit acting: "There have been times in my life where I have doubted, questioned, felt tired, but I had never quit before in my core. My heart never quit. And that was the first time I felt my heart give out on me."
•On her elated reaction to hearing she'd been cast as Crazy Eyes: "I lost my mind. I'm running around my apartment crying. I was like, 'You don't understand. I just quit.' And my agent quoted The Godfather line: 'Just when you thought you were out, they pull you back in.'"
•On why people can't get enough of Orange Is the New Black: "People were thirsty, but they didn't even know what they were thirsty for until they saw our show. They wanted stories that felt inclusive of their existence, where they could see themselves . . . I never imagined a Bantu knot-wearing woman named Crazy Eyes would do all of this. Definitely not."
•On her self-worth: "This business will try to convince you that you're not enough. That you're not pretty enough, thin enough, talented enough, interesting enough, experienced enough, and I say, 'Enough. Enough with that!' Who are you to tell me that I am not enough when I know that I am more than enough? I cannot subscribe to anyone else's idea of how I am meant to look, what size I am meant to be, whether I have a gap in my teeth, how I'm supposed to behave, what your idea of what my black womanhood is supposed to look like. No. This is me. I am just Uzo. I can't be anything other than that, and I don't want to be."
Beautiful! Next up for the two-time Emmy winner -- a West End play and two films this year.
The September issue hits newsstands this Friday.
R.H.o.A: Get a look at Cynthia Bailey’s former Atlanta Townhouse!
Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey and Peter Thomas have sold their Atlanta home amid their ongoing separation and expected divorce.
The sale of the four-bedroom, five-bathroom home for an estimated $699,000, according to TMZ, comes less than a month after Thomas and Bailey put it up for sale in late July, and about five months after the couple separated in March.
The home is currently in escrow, as Peter has moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, while Cynthia has sought to remain in Atlanta for now.
Take a look
What a beautiful home!
TCA: ‘Empire’ Taraji and Team Talks Season 3!
*Taraji P. Henson and her “Empire” executive producers Ilene Chaiken and Sanaa Hamri made a TCA appearance on Monday and spoke at length about the direction of season 3 and the ongoing rumors regarding a spinoff.
“There certainly could be and we talk about it,” she told reporters of a possible spinoff series. “I think the show offers so many opportunities. There are potential spinoffs with Lucious and Cookie’s characters, sure.”
Granted, this comes exactly one year after “Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels famously told Fox’s 2015 TCA press tour, “there will be a spinoff.” It’s been crickets on that front ever since. Instead, Daniels developed the forthcoming drama “Star,” which centers on an up-and-coming girl group.
Chaiken hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a crossover between “Empire” and “Star” at some point in the future. “We haven’t talked about it yet. I think the show needs to launch first,” Chaiken said of “Star,” which premieres midseason on Fox. “But certainly, there’s potential for it. The worlds, they’re both grounded worlds and stories about music, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility.”
As for season 3 plot details for “Empire,” Chaiken said Cookie will attempt to leave Lucious. Henson reminded folks that season 2 ended with her character telling him “I’m done.” But, when asked if Cookie could ever really be done with Lucious, she conceded that he is the father of Cookie’s children and joked, “Not unless she kills him.” Then she glared at Chaiken and Hamri.
Chaiken said season 3 would also delve into Cookie’s backstory, in depth. As previously reported, younger versions of Lucious and Cookie have been cast for multiple flashbacks this coming season.
Chaiken also spoke about the negative attention the show received for killing off not one but two LGBT characters, Naomi Campbell’s Camilla and Marisa Tomei’s Mimi. Both were killed off in the same April episode just as the Bury Your Gays trope was heating up due to notable character demises on shows such as “The 100” and “The Walking Dead.”
“The Kill Your Gays trope, I personally didn’t think that we were falling into it, but we did get drawn into it and I’m respectful of the way it’s been taken up in the public conversation,” said Chaiken. “Anytime we go near any issue like that, we try to be very mindful of it and responsible.”
The showrunner said the experience had informed the writer’s room going forward: “Apart from some specific entertainment industry trends that we fell into a little bit, what we try to be mindful of is that even though we’re telling stories, you can’t do that lightly. Killing is not your go-to move. It’s a huge move and we always challenge ourselves to find other places to go before we go there because that’s an endgame.”
However, the show “went there” again in the season two finale, which teased the death of either Rhonda (Kaitlin Doubleday) or Anika (Grace Gealey) after a rooftop argument that seemed to end with one of the two ladies being thrown off a high-rise building.
“We answer the question,” said Chaiken. “The question that was posed gets answered in a fabulous and heart-stopping way.”
“Empire” season 3 premieres Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Fox.
Anthony Hamilton Performs ‘Live Lounge’ Session on BBC 1Xtra
Anthony Hamilton has been one busy fella since releasing his latest album What I’m Feelin’. Following his co-headlining tour with Fantasia, the soulful singer has been performing at some major spot dates, but recently he traveled across the pond to the U.K.
In promotion of his recent work, Hamilton visited BBC Radio 1Xtra studios and gave a special performance for their ‘Live Lounge’ sessions series.
Supported by his band and famous background singers, The Hamiltones, the North Carolina native performed his No. 1 single “Amen,” along with classics “Comin’ From Where I’m From” and “Everybody.”
Enjoy his full performance
Coming Where I’m From HERE
Everybody in the 1Xtra Live Lounge LISTEN
Anthony is still THE MAN!
New Hip Hop: Waka Flocka – ‘Get Busy’
Waka Flocka. Backed by rock guitars, Flockaveli demands that hands go up on his Pretty Lights-produced single, “Get Busy,” where he shouts out his mother, mogul Debra Antney.
“We all insane,” he raps. “I’m a motherfu**in’ gangster / My mom the same / Let’s get busy / Yeah, who’s with me?”
Waka has no shortage of new material. Late last month, he also dropped his LeBron Flocka James 4 mixtape, featuring production from Southside.
Listen to Waka “Get Busy” HERE
Waka is embarking on a tour of sorts, taking “Conversations with Waka Flocka Flame” on the road, starting in San Diego. After that, he’s hitting Mountain View, Pomona, and Portland.
Rihanna in Talks to Joins Female-Driven ‘Ocean’s Eight’ Cast
Rihanna’s flexing her acting muscles of late. In addition to signing on to play an exotic alien dancer in the upcoming sci-fli flick, Valerian and The City of a Thousand Planets, the singer will be reportedly be joining the cast of Ocean’s Eight, the star-studded female spin-off of heist caper Ocean’s Eleven.
Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett have already been tapped to take part, but Rihanna, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Mindy Kaling and Awkwafina may soon be joining those two principal actresses. According to Deadline their deals are close to being finalized.
Ocean’s Eleven director Steven Soderbergh will be producing the new film while Gary Ross will direct. Ross co-wrote the script with Olivia Milch. The movie is still in casting, but is set to begin production in October.
In addition to these latest parts, Rihanna will also be playing a key role in A&E’s Bates Motel for its upcoming final season.
Yay! Welcome to Sweetie Pies Renewed by OWN!
Welcome to Sweetie Pies renewed for a 7th season... Welcome to Sweetie Pies has been renewed for 13 episodes on OWN.
Last month Miss Robbie filed a lawsuit against her son Tim Norman for theft and copyright infringement after accusing him of misappropriating funds to open competing restaurants
It is not clear if their issues will play out on the next season or not. Nevertheless CONGRATS Miss Robbie!
U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team Wins Gold! They’re New Nickname #Final5
*The inevitable happened this afternoon in Rio as the U.S. women’s gymnastics team scored 184.897 points to annihilate the competition and win a second consecutive gold medal in the team all-around.
Competing in her first Olympic Games, 3-time world champ Simone Biles slayed on her floor routine to give the team its final score, which was more than 8 points higher than second place team Russia (176.988). China took bronze with 176.003 points.
In unison, Biles, Aly Raisman, Lauren Hernandez, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian also shouted their new nickname: “The Final Five.”
Also with that win, Raisman and Douglas are now the only two U.S. women to have won three Olympic gold medals.
The Rock and Vin Diesel Have Secret Meet Up Over ‘Fast8’ Feud
*Earlier it was reported that The Rock was not at all happy with some his male co-stars of “The Fast & the Furious 8” which is being filmed in Atlanta. Now we know he was specifically referring to of all people, Vin Diesel .
According to TMZ, the two had a “secret” meeting to hash things out, but as of now, it’s not clear as to how things turned out between the superstars.
As we reported, when the Rock went off on social media Monday night, claiming certain male co-stars were not stand up guys and too “chicken s*it” to confront him … he was referring to Diesel.
Apparently The Rock and Diesel have been butting heads during the production of the film, in part because Diesel is a producer and made decisions that The Rock wasn’t feeling.
As far as the meeting Tuesday, sources say The Rock and Vin had a mid-day Tuesday sit-down on the set mostly because tensions were running so high, it was almost impossible to shoot scenes.
Also it was reported that after The Rock issued his initial statement, the entire cast is now pissed at him for causing a rukus even though filming ends in just a week and a half.
Stay tuned story developing …
Big Freedia’s Sentencing Delayed In Theft Case
Big Freedia’s (real name Freddie Ross Jr.) sentencing has been delayed. On Monday, a federal judge delayed the bounce artists sentencing until Aug. 25. U.S. District Judge Lance Africk cited an unspecified court conflict in delaying the sentencing.
As previously reported, Freedia pleaded guilty earlier this year to the theft of federal Section 8 housing voucher funds. She pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $35,000 in federal funds and faces a maximum 10-year sentence and $250,000 fine.
Last month, she was ordered to a halfway house, after failing a drug test, testing positive for marijuana and methamphetamine use.
Tika Sumpter Accidentally Reveals The Sex Of The Baby On V103!
The gorgeous actress Tika discuss her latest projects and her baby.What Tika says about her pregnancy?
I’ve had a really good pregnancy to be honest and know I’ve been feeling full all the time. I’ve been waddling a lot. (5:44).
During the interview Tika slip up and reveals her baby gender.
The radio hosts joked about being the baby God parents.
Tika responds..“Ok, we will see when SHEEE comes.” (7:47) mark.
After, Ryan joke about this news making TMZ and other blogs. Tika gives in and confirms she is having a baby girl. (8:20)
WATCH HERE
Congrats to Tika and her baby girl. Tika is currently on Tyler Perry’s ‘The Haves and Have Nots’ on OWN.
Future and Giorgio Armani Are Your New Favorite Celebrity BFFs
Real recognize real. In unexpected but absolutely delightful news, rapper Future and fashion designer Giorgio Armani debuted their friendship via a joint interview in GQ Style.
While the premise of the interview centered around a Bugatti (Future raps about them, Armani is currently doing a capsule collection with them), there was lots of respect shared between the pair, despite some major differences in age, lifestyle, and profession.
The Atlanta-based rap star of the moment made no secret of his admiration for the designer. “He’s seen all kinds of artists over the years,” he said. “He can basically just look at you and tell. Sometimes I get nervous about being accepted by people like him, because you never know. But some way my walk of life and his walk of life have connected.”
As for Armani, the feeling was mutual. “I know how much he suffers to be where he is,” he said. “He’s suffered just like I’ve suffered. So…we’re friends in a way.”
However, Future might have summed up the new relationship best. “He’s the top designer in the world. I’m the top rapper in the world. Some hits are going to come from this experience for sure.”
#EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Bobby Donkey Kong
Folks Meet Booby! You’ll see why they said Donkey Kong when you GO HERE FOR THE PICS! And remember it’s NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome!
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘Conceal It, Don’t Reveal It’
It would be great if you could please start holding up the “concealed” part of concealed carry.
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
