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Cord Jefferson Wins Adapted Screenplay Oscar for ‘American Fiction’

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Cord Jefferson won an Oscar on Sunday for his debut film “American Fiction.” The author and director took home the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay on the 96th Annual Academy Awards.

On Sunday, Cord Jefferson will accept the award for best adapted screenplay for “American Fiction” on the 96th annual Academy Awards. (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

As theGrio previously reported, Jefferson’s “American Fiction” relies on Percival Everett’s novel “Erasure.” Starring Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown and more. The film tells the story of author Thelonious “Monk” Ellison (Wright), who struggles with the publishing industry and the whole media looking for him to work, i.e. “Black” is enough. The satirical drama won quite a few accolades throughout the awards season, with Jefferson winning the Film Independent Spirit Awards for best screenplay and the British Academy Film BAFTA.

“My God, thank you so much,” an astonished Jefferson said in his speech, before thanking the academy and everybody who worked on the film. He then made an impassioned appeal to studios to take more risks with latest talent.

“I’ve talked a lot about how many people missed this movie… I’m afraid it sounds vindictive at times,” he continued. Joking that this wasn’t the case because he had “worked very hard” to now not be vengeful, he described it as “a request for recognition and acknowledgment that there are so many people who want the chance” he has been given.

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He then added that he understands that the film industry is “not afraid of risk,” but that $200 million movies are also dangerous. “Instead of making one $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies.” He added that the subsequent Martin Scorsese, Greta Gerwig, Christopher Nolan and others are “out there.”

He again thanked everyone who worked on the film for “trusting a 40-year-old black guy who had never directed anything before.” He concluded: “It changed my life.”

Jefferson, an Emmy Award winner for his work on the acclaimed HBO series “Watchmen,” made his film debut in “American Fiction” after years of working in television and previously as a journalist. As previously reported by theGrio, Jefferson has also worked on series similar to “Succession” and “Master of None.”

 

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Tina Turner turned to Cher for advice years before 1976. The beating that led to Ike Turner’s breakup reveals new memories

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Pop singer Cher has never forgotten the connection advice she gave to her longtime friend Tina Turner; a conversation that could have helped save Tina’s life.

In her bomb new memoir, Cher: The Memoir Part 1, Cher recalls how Tina turned to her for advice on how to leave her abusive husband, Ike Turner. The memoir gives an insight into the “Believe” singer’s personal life and reveals shocking details of her early relationship with Sonny Bono, who she says was “abusing” her.

Cher’s new memoir reveals that Tina Turner got here to her for advice on how to escape Ike Turner’s molestation. (Photos: Christian Charisius/picture Alliance via Getty Images; Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

In the Seventies, the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” appeared twice on Cher’s variety show along with her husband Ike. Cher recently left Bono, citing infidelity and involuntary servitude, and the 2 singers became fast friends.

One day while filming, Tina broke down and asked her friend and fellow singer to apply makeup to cover up a bruise on her arm. In her memoir, the Grammy winner recalled the “Private Dancer” artist, asking how she found the courage to leave Bono, who owned all of the rights to her music.

“I looked at her and said, ‘I just left and moved on,'” Cher writes.

The “I Got You Babe” singer met Bono when she was 16 and he was 27, and the couple moved in together while waiting to get married. Bono had just divorced his first wife, Donna Rankin, which required a waiting period under California law, and Cher was too young to legally marry. It was during this time that Cher had a terrifying encounter along with her late ex-husband, during which he pushed her against a wall after pushing their dog together with his foot.

“He didn’t scream or hit me, but he held my arms and his face was tight,” Cher revealed in her memoir via “People” “I was so against the abuse because I saw my mom go through it that I was like, F— this.”

“If you touch me like that again, I will leave your ass and that will be the last time you see me,” Bono said. They married in 1969 and in the identical 12 months their child Chaz was born. The pop duo eventually divorced in 1975.

Meanwhile, Tina endured much worse horrors while living with Ike, as she wrote about in her autobiography, “I, Tina,” published in 1986, during her meteoric rise as a solo artist – and nine years after the divorce. Their story was also documented within the film “What’s Love Got to Do with It” starring Angela Bassett and Lawrence Fishburne.

Like Cher, Tina was just a teen when she met 25-year-old Ike, and three years later they’d a son, Ronnie Turner.

In a 1981 interview with People, the “Nutbush City Limits” singer recalled the terrifying night of July 1, 1976, when she finally escaped from her abusive ex while on tour and staying in a Dallas hotel. Two more years passed before they officially divorced.

“Ike got a bit irritated that day and hit me with the back of his hand. I wagged my finger at him and said, “Okay, you.” Then he beat me all the best way from the airport to the hotel,” she said. “When he fought, he used things, not only his hands. When we got to the hotel, the left side of my face was swollen like a monster. But I never cried. I laughed. I laughed because I knew I used to be leaving. No more of this.

Turner convinced a friend to buy her a plane ticket to Los Angeles, and he or she flew out that evening with 36 cents in her pocket. Ike eventually died of a cocaine overdose in 2007, and Tina later admitted that she never forgave him for abusing her.

In her memoir, Cher writes that she noticed Ike’s stoic personality during his time on her show. She stated that during rehearsals, Ike “didn’t smile once” and played the guitar “without any emotion”.

“I just knew that whatever I was feeling, it wasn’t good,” she recalled.

After leaving Ike, Tina returned to the Cher show in 1977 as a solo star, making her first television appearance without Ike, singing “Makin’ Music is My Business”. Cher and Tina would remain lifelong friends until Tina’s death in 2023.

Reactions to the reports have been mixed on social media, with some wondering why Cher, now 78, is digging into Tina’s personal life. “Cher, don’t comment on Tina, give her a break, thanks to the management,” one among them commented Instagram user as one other said: “Why are you bringing this up now, Cher!?”

However, many praised Cher for telling the reality about her dear friend. One person wrote: “I LOVE TT and Cher!!! And one thing Cher doesn’t do is lie.”

“Tina probably almost overdosed, or read her book, or watched what love has to do with it. Ike gave her hell,” said one other person.

Another added: “You can tell who really knows their friendship story and who doesn’t. Cher was one among the last people to see Tina alive and visited her. Tina and Cher have been dead for a long time. You guys are weird with this false failure.

Part 2 of The Cher Diaries is scheduled for release in 2025.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s surprise date for ‘Moana 2’ Hawaii premiere steals the show

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Professional wrestler-turned-actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, 52, stars in the latest film “Moana 2.”

He attended the animated sequel’s world premiere on November 21 in Oahu, Hawaii, along along with his 76-year-old mother, Mataniufeagaimaleata “Ata” Johnson.

Disney’s verified Instagram account posted a video of The Rock and Ata during the premiere. They danced together alongside the Polynesian dance group Nonosina.

MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 19: American actor Dwayne Johnson attends the "Black Adam" photo shoot at the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding hotel on October 19, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo: Pablo Cuadra/WireImage)
MADRID, SPAIN – OCTOBER 19: American actor Dwayne Johnson attends the “Black Adam” photo shoot at the NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding hotel on October 19, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo: Pablo Cuadra/WireImage)

“I all the time say that if you’ve a great mother, you’ve a likelihood to turn out to be a great, caring person. This weekend, let’s all give our moms great gratitude and make them glad,” The Rock stated about Ata in a ceremonial speech Instagram post in June 2022

More Instagram users were excited to see the Hollywood entertainer lovingly interacting along with his mother during the “Moana 2” event.

One person in the Disney comment section on Instagram sent“I like it very much! “I can’t wait to take my children and my Samoan husband to see it.”

A second commenter wrote: “I absolutely love the way he loves his mom. You can see the love they’ve for one another. This bond is so strong that not only do they show you what love is, but once you see it, you may feel it.

Another mother shared her own child’s response to the clip, writing: “My daughter talks about this all the time! Can’t wait!”

As for Moana’s possible future plans, someone suggested, “They need to make a live-action movie ASAP.”

Other members of The Rock’s family joined him in Hawaii. His wife, Lauren Hashian, and their two children also saw the musical adventure film for the first time.

In addition to the former WWE champion being a part of the solid of “Moana 2,” Johnson’s daughters, 9-year-old Jasmine and 6-year-old Tiana, also participated in the film.

“It was the sweetest and funniest day! So exciting that Munchkins voiced characters in MOANA 2!! MOANA-BE!” Hassian wrote on Instagram.

Hashian added: “This film has truly always been the most important thing to them, and now they have an even more special bond.”

She also uploaded a behind-the-scenes video of Jasmine and Tiana recording dialogue for “Moana 2” at Walt Disney Animation Studios.

The Rock was born into wrestling on either side of his family. Ata Johnson (née Fitisemanu Maivia) is the adopted daughter of former Polynesian Pro Wrestling owner “High Chief” Peter Maivia.

Former WWF World Tag Team Champion Rocky Johnson is The Rock’s father. Rocky was one in every of the first black champions in WWF/WWE history.

Dwayne inducted his history-making father and legendary grandfather into the WWE Hall of Fame as a part of the 2008 class.

Due to his grandfather Maivia, The Rock has loose family ties to the famous Anoaʻi family, which incorporates WWE Superstars akin to Rikishi, Yokozuna, and Roman Reigns.

The Rock’s eldest daughter with ex-wife Dana Garcia, 23-year-old Simone “Ava” Johnson, currently works for WWE as the on-screen general manager of the NXT brand.

Ata gave birth to The Rock on May 2, 1972. The Seven Bucks Production founder’s childhood and teenage years were dramatized in the short-lived comedy series “Young Rock” on NBC, airing for three seasons from 2021 to 2023.

Three actors portrayed The Rock at different stages of his life – Adrian Groulx (10 to 14 years old), Bradley Constant (15 to 17 years old) and Uli Latukefu (18 to 26 years old).

Stacey Leilua played Ata on “Young Rock,” which ran for three seasons from 2021 to 2023. Joseph Lee Anderson played Rocky Johnson.

After conquering the pro wrestling world, The Rock turned to Hollywood to guide blockbusters akin to “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” and the “Fast and Furious” franchise.

In the original “Moana,” a TKO executive voiced Maui, a shape-shifting demigod. “Moana” premiered in 2016 and grossed over $643 million worldwide.

“The character of Maui, which I was fortunate enough to bring to life, was inspired by my grandfather and he is buried here. Damn, this is… something special,” The Rock said, in keeping with ABC7NY.

“Moana 2” will hit U.S. theaters on November 27. The voice solid also includes Auli’i Cravalho, Temuera Morrison and Nicole Scherzinger.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Wendy Williams’ predictions about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s relationship resurface after reality star reveals family drama

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Wendy Williams has at all times been unrivaled in the case of predicting celebrity drama.

She once famously shouted out Sean “Diddy” Combs, hinting that something fishy was occurring behind the scenes. So when he was arrested in September 2024, many individuals immediately noticed that this media specialist had been ahead of the curve for years.

It seems that Wendy could have also seen the tip of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s marriage long before it happened.

Wendy Williams’ marriage to Kevin Hunter is on the rocks within the wake of her previous predictions about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s marriage. (Photos: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images; Robert Kamau/GC Images)

AND restored clip The June 13, 2013 episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” went viral on TikTok, with fans calling Wendy an “oracle” for predicting Kim and Kanye’s eventual split.

In the video, also available on YouTube, Wendy casually shares her thoughts on their relationship while viewers applaud her for being right.

“What do you think about Kim and Kanye?” – asked Ellen DeGeneres throughout the segment.

Wendy replied, “I mean, I’m pleased for her. She wanted a baby. “I said (please don’t laugh and don’t encourage me), but I said she would be a single mom and he would have a lot of problems.”

Fans immediately understood what gave the impression of a prophecy.

“Wendy said so,” one person wrote within the comments.

Another joked: “Wendy can tell you a joke but she’ll never lie,” while another person declared: “Wendy was an oracle.”

“Wendy tried not to say what was on her mind,” one other fan added.

On YouTube, one viewer excellent“He’s right about Kim and Kanye and this is what’s happening before our eyes.”

Wendy had an undeniable talent for reading celebrities and spilling their “tea,” and her tackle Kardashian and West was no exception.

The couple began dating in 2012, quickly becoming one in all Hollywood’s most famous couples. They welcomed their first child, North, in 2013 and tied the knot in 2014 in a lavish Italian wedding. After the marriage, they’d three more children: Saint, Chicago and Psalm.

In early 2021, Kimye’s relationship fell apart and the influential billionaire filed for divorce after months of speculation about Kanye’s mental problems and public outbursts. The divorce was finalized in late 2022, with the mother awarded primary custody of the youngsters.

Kardashian recently opened up about her experiences with single parenthood on an episode of iHeart’s “What The Winkler?” of November 12. podcast together with her best friend Zoe Winkler, daughter of actor Henry Winkler.

After the comment, it gave the impression of Wendy’s prediction had come true in an uncanny way.

The reality star’s ex-husband and father of kids has been in Asia for months together with his recent wife Bianca Censori, leaving her to lift the youngsters alone. The last public sighting of the youngsters with the “Vultures” rapper was almost two months ago.

During the podcast, Winkler called Kardashian’s situation “crazy.”

As the “Kardashian” star explained why she avoids talking about this topic publicly“These conversations tend to be judgmental,” she said, adding that “I’m basically raising four kids on my own.”

West spends many of the 12 months traveling around Asia together with his second wife, Bianca Censori. Therefore, on a regular basis child-related responsibilities fall on Kim, but she noted that she has great support in the shape of her siblings and mother.

“But sometimes in the middle of the night,” she continued, “when everyone’s sleeping in your bed and kicking you and crying and waking you up — it’s not something I talk about a lot because I feel like there’s always a lot of judgment, otherwise people always they’ll immediately say, “Oh, but you have the means to have nannies and have help.” And I think that no matter what help I get, I’m basically raising four kids on my own.”

The mom also addressed the concept that she had the “resources” to have a military of nannies.

For her, doing many things on her own gives her “bonding time” together with her children. She said. “This is really important to me. (…) Taking them to school every day is just what I have to do, no matter what.”

Kardashian even compared her morning routine to a pit stop in a race. “Brush your teeth, brush your teeth, brush your teeth, OK, get dressed, get dressed, do your hair,” she described.

Regardless of Williams’ previous predictions about what sort of mother Kim could be, several social media users wondered why she did not have the identical revelation when it got here to the turmoil that ended her 22-year marriage.

One person he said“Interesting! But she didn’t see her own marriage fall apart? while another said: “She didn’t expect her marriage to collapse like this!”

The former media activist married Kevin Hunter on November 30, 1999, and filed for divorce in 2019, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce got here after Williams discovered Hunter had welcomed a toddler together with his lover Sharina Hudson. Their divorce was not finalized until 2020.

Hunter received monthly child support checks in the quantity of $250,000 until “The Wendy Williams Show” resulted in June 2022. Due to suspicions about Wendy’s health, she was placed under guardianship. However, her ex-husband, with whom she shares 24-year-old Kevin Hunter Jr., now claims she “falsely concealed” $48 million in reference to their divorce.

During the interview, Kardashian even touched on discipline, mentioning how her son Saint once posted an anti-Kamala Harris message on Instagram and promoted his Fortnite account to hundreds of thousands of followers right after the presidential election.

“It’s like if your child said a bad word or something that made you feel humiliated…” Kim said.

She added: “When Saint took my phone and posted… my publicist texted me, ‘This is what you’re posting on Election Day?’ And I said, “It’s a baby.” He has no idea.

The reality star said that despite all of the pressure she feels about being a single mom, she loves every moment of being a mom.

While Wendy didn’t predict how the Kardashian-West kids would end up, she did nail it when it got here to their parents: Kanye’s lack of reliability and Kim’s deep desire to be a mom.

Reflecting on Wendy’s predictions, fans enjoyed her spot-on insight into Kim and Kanye’s dynamic. As one fan wrote, and many individuals said, “I miss her so much.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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