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JuJu Watkins’ time is not coming. It’s here. — Andlandscape

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America begins one other campaign cycle. That means primaries, an ungodly amount of polls, speeches and ads that might have an impact Source Awards in 1995 they’re like a Bible study. At any given moment, everyone is in search of a talking point and candidates are in search of a vote.

Well, apart from Judea Skies Watkins USC’s freshman guard, higher often known as JuJu. The votes were forged and Watkins was chosen as the following big star of American basketball.

Watkins’ impressive on-court exploits are an enormous reason why the Los Angeles native has exploded onto the sports scene. In this season All-American recipient he was the ESPN National Freshman of the Year and runner-up for National Player of the Year. She was also named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year by Athletic. She has a set of lucrative NIL deals. USC’s third-place rating is its highest in 38 years, and Watkins led the Trojans in scoring in 27 of 31 games this season, including a 51-point masterpiece on the road against Stanford (a season-high for each men and girls). USC’s scoring records were once held Cheryl Miller AND LisaLeslie They belong to Watkins. In short, she is a walking bucket and is exciting to observe.

“JuJu has a probability to do something we have needed in women’s basketball for an extended time. And meaning going beyond sports and really being on the intersection of girls’s basketball and culture,” she added. LaChina RobinsonWNBA analyst and ESPN host, he said.

“At Lakers games, the first thing you think about is who are all the stars that are on the court and want to watch LeBron or Kobe when he plays or even going back to Magic (Johnson). “It’s a staple in Los Angeles because of everything the city stands for, music, art, entertainment, etc.” Robinson continued. “(JuJu) could create this unique space where women’s basketball can be appreciated by greater than just sports fans. It could take the sport into popular culture and easily right into a larger space than up to now.

If it seems a number of pressure for an 18-year-old from the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, it’s true.

These words can only place additional, unrealistic expectations on her. But like her classmate and friend Bronny James, only Watkins’ expectations of herself matter. Still, there’s nothing flawed with finding excitement in her game and being enthusiastic about what someone along with her talent could mean for much broader social conversations. She is not a savior because women’s basketball does not need saving.

However, where Watkins might take the sport has yet to be properly mapped out. She is a basketball specialist whose goal goes far beyond scoring points. Watkins is young, talented and Black-like R&B singer Donny Hathaway he once preached and Tupac Shakur he rapped.

Her time is not coming. It’s already here.


Former USC forward Cheryl Miller (right) congratulates USC guard JuJu Watkins (left) after a basketball game against the Colorado Buffaloes on Feb. 23 in Los Angeles.

Kirby Lee/Getty Images

There’s a moment that symbolizes Watkins’ freshman campaign and its historical consequences. In a Feb. 23 game against Colorado’s conference foe, USC, boosted by Watkins’ 42 points, won 87-81. But midway through the second quarter, she cut the fast break short by pulling up just a few feet behind the three-point line and draining it. The crowd erupted and nobody was prouder than Miller, who leaned forward in her seat and commenced clapping. Miller has been a daily at USC games this season, and his return was an emotional reunion a long time within the making.

“For everything you have done for the former players, it has been a very long time since we were embraced and were part of the younger generation growing up, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Miller said in a robust locker room speech after the sport following USC’s victory over cross-town rival UCLA. “You have changed the culture… You have shown in this country that you are bad MFs.”

In a sport like basketball, where eras often clash, an important thing is the mutual respect and love of many generations of Trojans. Still, it’s unimaginable to quantify USC’s resurgence of place in basketball lore. Reviving a dormant program is one thing. Another thing is to resurrect this system as proud as USC is of its history national championships, Final Four appearances and a number of the best talent the sport has ever seen. But being a daughter of the sphere, like Watkins, and helping to take this system to heights not seen in generations is a wholly different responsibility.

“Having (all of USC’s legends come to light) and being celebrated gives us the opportunity to bask in the rich history of USC’s achievements and what dominance has meant to women’s basketball, not just college basketball,” Robinson said. “We can still rejoice these players with the resurgence of USC. For me, this is really essential for the history and development of this sport.

While Watkins stands on the shoulders of the ladies before her, she is also a gateway to the longer term. He is from Watts, a town about 10 miles from the USC campus. Her family is rooted within the basketball scene in Los Angeles and the community at large.

“My great-grandfather founded a foundation in consequence, many resources and a spotlight were directed into the community to profit those in need. I actually look as much as my great-grandfather and grandfather, Ted Watkins.” Watkins said in a 2022 interview. “When I’m on the court, I’m at all times playing for something greater. I performed for my city.


The one thing Los Angeles at all times has is star power. A star, for higher or worse, is an ecosystem. But in a city of megastars, Watkins is greater than only a candle within the sun. Her star power is as vibrant as anyone’s, with stars including rappers 2 Chainz, YG and Saweetie, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, comedian Kevin Hart and former NBA star Marques Johnson sitting on the sphere at their matches. Flea from Red Hot Chili Pepperslong Watkins superfan She was wearing a T-shirt with a magazine cover on it for a Lakers game earlier this month.

“I would say this is the hottest ticket in Los Angeles right now, even with Shohei Ohtanis and LeBron James in the world.” Los Angeles sports reporter Lauren Jones he said about USC women’s basketball games. “He has that caliber of energy. People who shall be at these matches.

USC guard JuJu Watkins shoots during a game between the Colorado Buffaloes and USC Trojans on Feb. 23 on the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Beyond the USC Women’s Games on the Galen Center, there is one other essential truth as the brand new hot spot. What makes Watkins a cultural magnet is that he is an offensive machine. Last month, LisaLeslie joined Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green’s podcast in February and discussed Watkins’ play.

“A lot of people come to Los Angeles, but a lot of people aren’t from Los Angeles,” the three-time WNBA MVP he said. “But these guys in Los Angeles have a little bit of a dog in them. She’s from Los Angeles.

Basically, Watkins’ game is good in any environment – identical to that of one other basketball legend.

“I would compare JuJu to the way people talk Diana Taurasi– said Robinson. “Diana was respected on every playground, no matter what. Now she’s much more demonstrative on the court than JuJu, but the way JuJu plays to her abilities – three-level scoring, crossover, pull-up – is certified on every basketball court in the world. That’s why we see it attracting so much attention and support from people who don’t typically visit the women’s basketball space but love basketball. She plays like that.”

Watching Watkins, who has lower than a 12 months left to graduate from highschool, looks like watching a possible generational talent perform. Watkins seems shy, almost embarrassed by the highlight, but not in a way that does not look cute. She doesn’t “play the game the right way,” whatever meaning. She plays to win. And there is no more respected love language in sports.

Watkins’ laid-back attitude and her signature bun are a part of who she is and what could make her one in all the largest basketball stars of her generation – male or female. She excels at being herself in a world where successes and failures are sometimes reduced to 60-second clips. She’s an 18-year-old young black woman trying to seek out her place on the earth. The only difference is that Watkins is doing it in the general public eye. There are actually mistakes on the horizon. No man, even one as incredibly talented as Watkins, is proof against them. But let’s hope that lessons will come from these mistakes. Lessons that might be applied on the court and in life, because the most effective often do.

What this implies for ladies’s basketball and beyond is anyone’s guess. But it’s Watkins who chooses the trail he chooses to follow.

After Watkins dropped 51 points last month through the road game against Stanford, you needed to think there was no way they might let that occur again within the Pac-12 title game on March 10. They took an “everyone but JuJu” approach and ended up on the flawed side of the fiddle and checking out. Watkins scored a season-low nine points as Stanford threw her towards an limitless supply of double and triple teams, but her teammates helped her to a 67-58 victory at Maples Pavilion in Las Vegas.

“When you have a player like JuJu who goes to practices like this every day, all of a sudden you feel empowered as a player around her,” Robinson said. “You come out and perform, especially out of respect for everything JuJu has done to get the team to this point. It’s a beautiful thing.”

If Watkins and USC advance to the Final Four in Cleveland to make their first trip since 1986, they are going to need more of a team effort like this. However, her future is vibrant no matter how the season ends.

“JuJu has the opportunity to create a strong presence in women’s sports on the West Coast,” Jones said. “It sets the groundwork for (USC) to be part of a larger, more national conversation about some of the best programs at the collegiate level.”

Watkins’ dominance throughout the season is one in all the largest stories in college basketball. However, due to the tournament, her matches shall be broadcast when many of the country will finally give you the chance to observe her play live. For those that have yet to experience the tenacity and fantastic thing about her game, March Madness ought to be a nice surprise.

“When I first saw her play, I told myself she can go to the WNBA now,” Robinson said. “In almost twenty years in this sport, I don’t think I’ve ever said those words about anyone.”

Women’s basketball, like many points of American life, was created by Black energy and creativity that gave the sport its style and image. Watkins builds on this story and is able to create her own. The stages will get greater and greater, and the mythical statistics will result in conversations that can happen in sports bars, airports and barbershops across America. The lights will turn out to be brighter and more intense.

Not all moments require scoring, but every moment requires presence. The excellent news is that Watkins is built for each.

Justin Tinsley is a senior culture author at Andscape. He firmly believes that “Cash Money Records Takes the Eggs in the ’99s and ’00s” is probably the most influential statement of his generation.


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Simone Biles torn apart after giving George Strait’s wife a ‘vulgar look’ while fans came to her defense

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Did Olympic gymnast Simone Biles cut George Strait’s wife’s eyes on the Country Music Awards?

Some people think so after a viral video of Biles, 27, showing her frustration within the audience on the 58th annual CMA Awards on November 20.

In several clips circulating online, the 27-year-old gave Strait’s wife, Norma Strait, a “dirty look” on the annual awards show where her husband was honored with the John Paul II Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson.

The seven-time Olympic gold medalist asked viewers if she had glanced out of the corner of her eye on the Lifetime Achievement Award winner’s wife through the 2024 CMA Awards. (Photo: @simonebiles/Instagram)

“Does anyone know if there is a dispute between Simone Biles and George Strait’s wife?” – one in all the X users asked on the evening of this system.

X’s post included a clip of Biles looking nervous as Norma and other attendees danced in the gang on the Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony tribute performance.

The tribute to the “King of Country Music” featured country stars Lainey Wilson, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Parker McCollum. Additionally, Chris Stapleton joined Strait on stage to walk through the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” to conclude the segment.

Speculation about Biles’ possible disdain shown on the CMA Awards has turn into a topic of debate online, with fans and critics taking sides in the controversy.

“I watched it live and wondered the same thing, and then death looked up and down, she definitely hated!” answer on X platform he stated.

Original X poster he replied“As long as I’m not the only one who saw it.”

However, the legendary gymnast had her defenders. For example, user X sent“He’s probably just watching her reaction (honestly) without thinking about the cameras.”

“Nothing happened” – another person he argued. “George Strait’s wife doesn’t care about messy things like that. It looks like Simone could have a resting face. She wasn’t the one black person either. There are many Black people in country music, from singers to musicians.

Similar entry To read“I saw it and cringed, it’s just her face, but she should politely decline if she doesn’t like country music.”

Another fan he wrote“She probably saw the camera give attention to George Strait’s wife and just looked around curiously. I do not think she’s giving a mischievous have a look at all, she just looks like she’s noticed that the camera is specializing in the people next to her.

Despite questions on Biles’ on-screen response, the multiple-time world champion expressed her excitement to attend the 2024 CMA Awards on the day of the event.

Biles reposted photos from the evening on her Instagram Story. In one photo, shared by hairstylist Justin Revenge, the Olympic gold medalist showed off the short red dress she wore to the red carpet, in addition to the silver off-the-shoulder dress she wore to the CMA Gala.

The star of the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising” appeared at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to present the Female Vocalist of the Year award to country singer Lainey Wilson.

Lainey Wilson won the Female Vocalist of the Year category, beating out fellow nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.

Biles herself had a successful 12 months as an athlete. The Texas native won 4 medals on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, bringing her profession total to a record 11 victories for an American gymnast.

However, Vice President Kamala Harris couldn’t replicate Biles’ success because the Democratic presidential candidate in 2024. Harris lost to former President Donald Trump within the nationwide election.

Biles publicly called on current Democratic President Joe Biden to take a stand on behalf of American women before Republican MAGA leader Trump enters the White House on January 20, 2025.

“Mr. Biden, you need to stand up, straighten your back and shake some things up before you go… xoxo women of America,” the Olympian wrote on Twitter on November 6 in response to the election results.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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What do you know about Cynthia Erivo?

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Cynthia Erivo, Wicked, Cynthia Erivo controversy, Black Hollywood, theGrio.com

With the discharge of Wicked fast approaching, it’s protected to say that Cynthia Erivo is on fire straight away.

The film adaptation of the Broadway musical (which is an adaptation of a best-selling novel based on one other novel) is about to open to over $175 million worldwide this weekend, and Erivo has just landed a significant deal.

Universal Pictures has struck a first-look cope with its production company Edith’s Daughter, Deadline reported.

“Having spent the last three years working with Donna Langley, Peter Cramer and the Universal team on Wicked, I have experienced first-hand the love and fearlessness with which they tell stories and uplift narrators,” said Erivo. “I am absolutely delighted to take the next step in our cooperation under our first-look agreement. This is not only a milestone for my production company, but also a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of diverse voices in film. I can’t wait to bring our visions to life and share them with the world!”

However, some could also be just discovering the 37-year-old from Stockwell, London (where she was born right into a family of Nigerian immigrants) or may don’t know about her background and profession to this point. There’s quite a bit to like about the Emmy, Grammy and Tony winner – and much more to grasp beneath the surface. Below we have gathered some things you have to know about Erivo, including some very necessary ones.

He is a Broadway sensation

Before Erivo became a star of the silver screen, she made a reputation for herself on the stage. The actress’ breakthrough role was the role of Celie within the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple” on Broadway. From 2015 to 2017, she delivered critically acclaimed, groundbreaking performances, winning the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

She has played several iconic black characters

Aretha Franklin, Harriet Tubman and Recy Taylor are black American historical figures immortalized on screen by Erivo, who has played all of them in movies. Shortly after her Broadway run in 2017, Erivo played Taylor in “The Rape of Recy Taylor.” She then starred as Tubman within the 2019 film “Harriet.”

In 2021, Erivo played Franklin within the National Geographic anthology “Genius: Aretha”. While critics praised her performance, Franklin’s family had a special tackle the project, claiming she was never consulted and even felt “disrespected” by the production team.

He is a queer icon

Earlier this yr, Erivo received the Schrader Award from the Los Angeles LGBT Center as a self-proclaimed member for her talent and support of the queer community.

“Acknowledging that I am queer publicly – especially in the public eye – means taking a risk to claim my freedom,” she said in her speech through which she agreed to return out as queer later in life. “It seems we prefer to see the world in black and white rather than accept the difficult (but beautiful) complexities of our humanity.”

Although it has never been explicitly confirmed, Erivo has long been considered one half of a fairly powerful Black Hollywood power couple, as she is commonly seen at red carpet events alongside fellow industry heavyweight Lena Waithe.

He has a novel sense of fashion

From shaving her eyebrows to her signature long and ornamental nails, Erivo is understood for her daring sense of fashion. Her uniqueness was even incorporated into her makeup for “Wicked.” The makeup artist used stencils to attract eyebrows and add freckles. Meanwhile, a special shade of green face and body makeup was developed to make Erivo’s melaninated skin appear “clearly” on screen, and the shade was named “Cynthia Green,” the film’s makeup artist said People Magazine. It’s value noting that despite the hours-long application process required day by day for months of filming, she also said that Erivo “never, ever, ever complained.”

She doesn’t suffer fools

Social media was abuzz this week with response to actor/podcast host Dax Shepard’s invasive query about Erivo’s signature elaborate manicure, specifically how he moves through it while using the lavatory. When footage of her interview with Shepard hit the Internet, many individuals were quick to sentence its inappropriateness, asking her how she wipes herself while having very long, jeweled nails.

“My answer is that no one wipes their ass with just their fingers. You use wipes, right? And you wipe it off,” she replied calmly.

Erivo further expressed her annoyance with this query; the one she had exhibited before.

“I understand, it annoys me. Come on, guys,” she said. “I understand, but I’m a functioning adult and I’ve never walked around smelling like… you know.”

People participating within the discussion found this query rude, disgusting and invasive. It can also be, as Erivo identified, unoriginal. In response to this viral exchange, some have responded by demonstrating how they adapt these very human processes to long fingernails – and shockingly, it’s just about the identical process we have all been doing since potty training. It’s really not that complicated.

Cynthia Erivo Recalls Her Reaction to Fan-Made 'Wicked' Poster: 'I Probably Should have Called My Friends'

He has some questionable tweets in his search history

When it was announced in 2018 that Erivo would play Harriet Tubman within the biopic “Harriet,” the British actress’s seemingly problematic comments made years earlier about the language of Black Americans inevitably resurfaced. As previously reported by theGrio, this compounded existing questions about the choice to forged British-born Erivo because the historical African-American hero, given what some perceived as a disdain for African-American culture.

“As for the tweets, they were taken out of context, giving me no room to explain what they meant – and they weren’t actually mocking anyone,” she explained on the time: Complex reported. “It was not intended to be (offensive) at all. It was to celebrate a song I (wrote) when I was 16.”

Speaking further about the controversy during an event on the Toronto International Film Festival, she said: “I actually have never… never spoken negatively about people because I don’t desire to; I don’t desire this energy to be passed on to others.”

She continued: “I do not think it’s good for us in any respect; I do not think it serves any purpose apart from to bring negativity into my life and yours, and I just don’t desire that.

Perhaps he has some tension with the band in “The Color Purple.”

For unknown reasons, Erivo claims she was not invited to a special screening of the musical “The Color Purple” for family and friends, which was also attended by other members of her Broadway forged. It’s a bit strange that the Tony-winning revival star wasn’t on the guest list. When asked about her apparent rejection in the course of the interview and whether it reflected her initial considerations for Celie’s role within the film adaptation, Erivo suggested she couldn’t talk about it.

Despite every little thing, he’s capable of admit his mistake

Erivo can have had mixed emotions previously as a result of questionable comments or her unwavering passion for her craft, but she is ultimately capable of admit when she was incorrect. In the lead-up to Wicked’s premiere, fan-made art got here to light that edited the film’s poster to look more like the unique Broadway Playbill, obscuring Erivo’s direct gaze with the brim of her witch hat. The actress was initially very offended, but later admitted that she can have overreacted.

“I think for me it was a human moment…” she later explained. “I probably should have called my friends, but I’m fine.”

Cynthia Erivo accepts Los Angeles LGBT Center award for speech on freedom to 'be different'

After all, she is an expert

Say what you want, but Cynthia Erivo is robust and talented. He can also be a one that is alleged to place the nice of the team ahead of his personal glory. During a recent appearance on “Cutting room floor” podcast, she described her technique of coming into harmony together with her “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande and the way the 2 worked together to create a unified sound fairly than resorting to diva-like behavior in an try and outshine one another.

For example, although she and Grande have very different voices, Erivo noted that what they’ve in common is way more necessary.

“I think what connects us is the way we hear music, so we can hear each other,” she explained. “And the beauty of singing with someone who can also hear is that you follow each other back and forth. We can find ways to make our textures and sounds make sense, and that’s really hard with humans.”

Erivo added: “It also signifies that you found someone completely selfless because they care about working with you, and being an element of that’s essentially the most amazing thing. When you find someone who’s committed to creating sound together, (there may be) no ego.

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Snoop Dogg Takes Over ‘Amazon Music Live’ in Season 3 Finale – Essence

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Snoop Dogg attends the Los Angeles Premiere of “Gladiator II” held on the TCL Chinese Theater on November 18, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

When Snoop Dogg takes the stage at Amazon Music Live on November 29, it is the moment hip-hop fans have been waiting for. The West Coast legend ends Season 3 with a performance that guarantees to be nothing in need of legendary.

Airing after Black Friday Football at 7pm EST on Prime Video and Twitchthe show will showcase his expansive musical journey, combining chart toppers with deep cuts that defined a complete generation.

Sponsored by the brand new 2025 Nissan Kicks, fans can expect an exclusive first hearken to songs from his upcoming album ‘Missionary’, which might be released next month. The announcement comes at a critical point in Snoop’s profession and marks the following evolution of an artist who moves seamlessly between music, acting and entrepreneurship.

(*3*)Snoop Dogg takes over

Amazon Music Live has change into a powerhouse of musical innovation, and Snoop’s final performance epitomizes what it’s all about. Throughout Season 3, the series featured standout moments from artists resembling Jelly Roll, who brought together country and rock stars for an epic performance, and Big Sean, who paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities together with his breathtaking tribute .

For those that wish to have fun in advance and luxuriate in the final word Snoop experience, Amazon Music has REDISCOVER Snoop Dogg playlist it’s the proper foundation. It’s a musical time capsule chronicling his journey from the Long Beach underground scene to world-famous superstardom. Each track tells the story of an artist who not only survived in the music industry, but fundamentally modified it.

With 16 Grammy nominations to his name, Snoop continues to prove that he’s greater than only a rapper – he’s a real entertainment icon. His influence extends far beyond music, touching on film, television, cannabis culture and entrepreneurship. The Black Friday performance might be the following chapter in a profession defined by constant reinvention.

The performance isn’t only about music – it’s also a presentation of, amongst others, recent nissan kicks 2025. As an official sponsor of Amazon Music Live, the compact crossover was integrated throughout the season, giving fans a glimpse of its modern style and advanced technologies through pre-show and in-person experiences on the show.

For those in the Los Angeles area, a limited variety of tickets can be found from DICE. But for everybody else, Prime Video and Twitch will bring the magic of Doggfather right to your screen. It’s a probability to see a living legend in top form, delivering a performance that guarantees to be as unpredictable and electrifying as Snoop himself.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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