Entertainment
Queen Latifah on Returning to Host This Year’s NAACP Image Awards: ‘I Want to Deliver Something to My People’
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 03: Queen Latifah speaks on stage throughout the thirty eighth Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on November 3, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Queen Latifah returns to host the NAACP Image Awards for the second yr in a row and admits she feels the pressure.
“I put a certain amount of pressure on myself with every project and everything I do because I want everything to go well and be good,” she tells ESSENCE from her makeup chair between rehearsals for a movie show. “I really just want to serve my people.”
Broadcasting live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16, the fifty fifth NAACP Image Awards will culminate a week-long celebration of Black excellence in entertainment. Distinguished honors will go to Usher, who’s the 2024 President’s Award recipient, poet Amanda Gorman, who will receive the President’s Award, and stylist June Ambrose, who will receive the Vanguard Award.
Not only can Latifah take the stage because the evening’s host, but she’s also an NAACP Image Award winner, as she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her starring role within the film, which she also executive produces. , a brief film produced by The Queen Collective – a Proctor & Gamble and Latifah-owned Flavor Unit Entertainment company that goals to expand opportunities for female and non-binary filmmakers of color – was also nominated for Best Short Film.
“I’m one among those individuals who appears like each time I try to make a movie, I’m doing all the pieces I can to share my vision and make it universally appealing to everyone. It’s nice to have such a prestigious organization that your parents find out about and everybody looks at your project and feels it deserves an award,” says Jenn Shaw, director of the film, which tells the story of a prepubescent girl torn between keeping a gap between her teeth. and the pursuit of a “perfect” smile. All vital measures.
“I’m incredibly impressed,” Shaw adds of the nomination, “but I also think it’s just the start of something for me as a filmmaker. I would like to earn more, I would like to develop and I would like to receive more opportunities.
Latifah is hopeful about Shaw’s future as a filmmaker and other Black creators, despite renewed conversations concerning the forms of Black stories studios proceed to allow to be told in light of the recent cancellation of popular TV series like “Issa Rae” and
“For us in the arts, I think we still have a lot to offer that no one else can do,” Latifah says. “I feel like if we stay on our path and keep doing what we’ve been doing and keep building things like the Queen Collective and other collectives, supporting each other, we’ll start to see these projects progress because there’s nothing different like them.”
He adds that awards shows also play a giant role on this effort. “When one of us wins, we win in a different way. We tend to win, and so does Cord [Jefferson] winning the Oscars in a way that our speeches are designed to promote each other, not just self-promotion or maintaining the status quo.”
This selflessness made it a no brainer for the Queen to return to host the NAACP Image Awards this yr. “It wasn’t a big deal to agree to it,” he says. “It was just a matter of whether I could make it happen within my schedule and, beyond that, whether we could make it well done, properly produced and with a large number of people involved. I’m more than happy to be on this show.”
Shaw is happy concerning the nomination and potential win, but like many viewers, she will be able to’t wait to see what Latifah will wear on the large night. Although the host didn’t reveal any details about her upcoming wardrobe, she did promise that she would dress in front of the audience.
“We’re going to bring it, and I know everyone at home will bring it,” Latifah says. “I like award shows and seeing what everyone wears and the way different they give the impression of being from one edition to the subsequent. I like all this melaninated beauty and I can not wait.
The fifty fifth NAACP Image Awards will air live on Saturday, March 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.
Entertainment
Sade shares a rare insight into her family life in a new music video dedicated to her son Isaac
Sade celebrates his son, Isaac Adu.
In the new music video for his first single in six years titled “Young Lion”, released on Friday, November 22, the 65-year-old Nigerian-British music legend gives a rare insight into his family life. In the song’s lyrics, she also reveals her perspective as a mother raising a transgender son.
The singer croons, “Young man/It’s been so hard for you/You must have felt so alone” originally of the music video, which features footage of her and Isaac over time. There are shots of the “Paradise” singer holding her son as a baby, him playing outside as a baby, and plenty of of them living and growing up together in the UK where they live.
The lyrics of the song proceed to illuminate Sade’s feelings as she watches her son grow up and realize his gender identity.
“Forgive me, son. I must have known,” she sings at one point.
Elsewhere in the song, he sings, “You shine like the sun.”
At the tip of the four-minute video, a clip of adult Isaac appears, after which the video ends with the classic shot of mother and son embracing on the beach.
Sade first shared the song in October as a part of an AIDS nonprofit Red Hota special compilation of the album “Transa”, which was released on Friday, November 22. The compilation goals to bring awareness to the transgender community and features songs from each members of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Other artists featured on the project include Andre 3000, Moses Sumney, Niecy Blues, Yaya Bey, Sam Smith and more.
I’m talking to Rolling Stone upon the song’s release, Isaac offered his response.
“Even though I didn’t have to forgive her for anything, the words, ‘Forgive me, son, I should have known,’ moved me,” he said. “My mother never tried to oppress the boy; Secretly, I always knew this was the case. She always let me be myself.”
He added: “I hope this will provide a sense of comfort, validation and a sense of being seen and understood.”
According to Sade, the song was inspired by a letter she gave Isaac on his twenty first birthday.
“I think a song where a parent apologizes for not understanding their child can be incredibly meaningful to the transgender community,” she said. “This song can serve as a beacon of hope and a reminder that parents can learn, grow, and ultimately accept their children for who they truly are.”
Sade, who shares Isaac with Jamaican record producer Bob Morgan, gave birth to their son in 1996. He is her only child.
Entertainment
Bishop TD Jakes’ Sunday sermon interrupted by illness scare, viewers believe he had a ‘stroke’
Beloved pastor and spiritual leader Bishop TD Jakes caused quite a scare amongst his faithful and online followers during his televised Sunday service on November 24 from The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas.
The church was filled with worshipers when the 66-year-old preacher suddenly suffered a health emergency while preaching, prompting many to fear he can have suffered a stroke or heart attack.
Sitting all the way down to deliver his message, Jakes began the service by expressing his unwavering passion for service.
“I still love preaching. I’m not uninterested in preaching,” he said, drawing thunderous applause from the congregation. He rubbed his face and admitted, “I miss you.”
Jakes then shared an analogy concerning the power of preaching. Comparing it to visiting patients within the hospital, he thought, “You think you’re giving something, but you get back more than you gave,” his voice was hoarse with emotion as he added, “I love you.”
Jakes’ hand began to shake, but at this point the shaking was not noticeable as he lowered the microphone.
His tone modified as he prayed: “Now, Lord, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. O Lord, my strength, my Redeemer, let them go in peace.”
The pastor’s body trembled much more as he dropped his handkerchief, signaling that something was fallacious to his team and the armor bearers who sprang into motion, rushing to his aid. They might be heard over microphones calling on people to “step back” and “give him some space.”
The camera recording the image moved forwards and backwards, showing people within the pews reaching out to the preacher and praying.
Bishop TD Jakes had a medical emergency during today’s service. I’m unsure if it was a stroke.
Pray for TD Jakes pic.twitter.com/6eUc5X7TwF— Lutomia Goddy (@LutomiaMGodfrey) November 24, 2024
Page six he stated that the live broadcast was interrupted shortly thereafter, however the moment had already sparked widespread concern online.
Social media platforms were soon flooded with reactions, prayers and speculations.
“It looks like a stroke. The same thing happened to me, I sat too long with my legs dangling. I even have a blood clot. That’s exactly what happened,” one person said common.
Someone else he said“I hope it’s not pneumonia.”
Another concerned copycat he wrote“The probate was due to the stress of the allegations.”
Others chimed in with messages of support, including “Prayers for him and his family.”
As hopeful news continues to trickle in, Jakes finds himself at the middle of the storm once more – amid multiple allegations surrounding his involvement with Sean “Diddy” Combs following the arrest and indictment of the Bad Boy Records founder.
Likely a results of the stress of the accusations
— HCH (@Sammy20545318) November 24, 2024
YouTuber Tasha K sent viral video of Jakes throughout the service, although reactions from her followers ranged from concern to disrespect.
“Everyone has been struggling since Diddy went down,” one person joked.
Others said, “He must repent. Rumor has it that he attended Diddy’s parties.
“I hope this wasn’t a skit! It seems strange that this happened right after all the things he said. I even have so many questions,” one person commented, adding, “Was he sick to the purpose that he had to sit down all the way down to preach? He seems exhausted, so should he have preached there? Is this some stunt he’s pulling because he knows he’s (perhaps) about to hit the fan? I hope he’s okay.
Several followers were outraged by the remark and wrote: “You should be ashamed of these comments.”
Jakes and Diddy are closer than many thought. In 2021, they announced “Kingdom Culture with TD Jakes” on Revolt, the network founded by Diddy. The following yr, Bishop was captured on video at Diddy’s 53rd birthday celebration.
While some viewed his latest statements as denials, reps claimed that Jakes only showed as much as Diddy’s party since it was a “respectful order” for the one that hosted your show on the network.
In February 2024, Jakes’ name appeared in one other lawsuit against Combs, this time filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, producer of Diddy’s “The Love Album: Off the Grid.” Jones sought $30 million in damages, claiming he was drugged, sexually harassed and possibly assaulted, and compelled into compromising situations involving prostitutes.
Although Jakes was not a defendant within the lawsuit, Jones accused Diddy of wanting to “use his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to mitigate the impact on his public image” stemming from the fallout from a previous lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura, which Diddy settled inside 24 hours of filing application in November 2023.
Since then, the Justice Department has raided Combs’ homes before bringing a series of great charges against him.
Although Jakes has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his relationship with Diddy, which dates back a few years, raises eyebrows.
In response, his team issued a blanket denial. Jordan A. Hora, executive director of public relations and communications for TD Jakes Group, TD Jakes Ministries and The Potter’s House said via statement to The Christian Post: “Recent claims circulating on social media about Bishop TD Jakes are unequivocally false and baseless.”
Jakes himself briefly touched on this topic in his sermon last Christmas, stating, “I will not use this holy day and this holy pulpit to speak of lies when I have the opportunity to preach the truth.”
Now, almost a yr later, that very same pulpit has develop into the positioning of his health scares. Hours after the incident, The Potter’s House released a statement assuring followers that Jakes had received medical attention.
“During today’s service, Bishop TD Jakes experienced a minor health incident and received immediate medical attention following his hour-long message,” the statement read. “Bishop Jakes is stable and under medical care.
“The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from the community. Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers.”
Statement from the Potter household in Dallas
November 24, 2024During today’s service, Bishop TD Jakes experienced a minor health incident and received immediate medical attention after his full hour-long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under medical care… pic.twitter.com/QupVK29mQd
— TD Jakes (@BishopJakes) November 24, 2024
Singer Fred Hammond also reported the news on his Instagram: “The last news I received is that the bishop is doing well and resting!!!”
He later wrote: “Latest news. Bishop was in a position to rise up and walk to the wheelchair. And when he was near his chair (pulpit), he walked as much as the microphone and said, ‘I’ll see you next week.’
Queen Latifah was also one among many individuals to reply, writing, “God bless you Pastor Jakes! God actually heals. I already know that your assistance is on the way in which. I thank God upfront for all the things that is occurring in your behalf. Amen.”
As Bishop Jakes recovers, the church community and his hundreds of thousands of supporters unite behind him in prayer, hoping that their beloved leader will soon return to the pulpit where he inspired so many.
Entertainment
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ fiancée reacted harshly to marriage plans days after ‘low cost and classless’ selfie shocks fans
Journalist Lauren Sánchez resides proof that life after 50 may be filled with surprises and billionaire weddings.
The former “Good Day LA” host and current fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos stopped by “Today with Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie” to talk to the hosts about some pretty essential topics, like awarding $110 million to 40 scholarship recipients to fight homelessness and her upcoming space adventure with an all-female crew.
But naturally, the conversation turned to what everyone really wants to know: When will she walk down the aisle with the third-richest man on this planet?
When asked concerning the alleged winter wedding, Sánchez initially acted shy. “So you asked?” – she said with a sly smile, looking around as her face turned pink. Her nervousness made Hoda and Savannah burst out laughing.
Trying to change the situation, Sánchez began talking about her busy schedule, but eventually let her excitement get the higher of her.
“You, as far as the book tour goes, we’ve been talking about the book tour and, you know, getting grantees… takes up a lot of my time and then the holidays… That’s what I’m getting to,” she said previously, adding, “I’m very excited thinking about the dress.”
She even admitted that despite her billionaire fiancé, she is just like several other bride.
“I have to admit, I have Pinterest. I’m just like any other bride. So I have a Pinterest board,” she said. Then, reflecting on where she is now, Sánchez added: “I never thought that at the age of 54… I would become a writer, that I would get married. I mean, life is just beginning. When I was 20, I thought, “Oh my God, life ends at 50.” Let me tell you, that’s not the case, ladies. It’s not over yet. It just keeps getting better.”
While the helicopter pilot’s luck is clear, the web stays skeptical. Daily Mail readers weren’t ashamed participatory their opinions.
“There seemed to be something off about her reaction about the wedding. This is not the man of her dreams. It was hard for her to say it and she said it twice,” wrote one commenter. Another joked: “This is the bank account of her dreams.”
Some have speculated concerning the delay in wedding planning. “She is not interested in wedding issues because he has no plans to ever marry her,” one commenter suggested, while one other said: “Lawyers on either side are still negotiating and arguing concerning the terms of the marriage, details about how much money. ought to be allocated to her cosmetic surgery fund. Some are asking for thousands and thousands, others for billions.
However, it doesn’t appear that this murmuring has reached Sánchez in any respect.
In November, she gave Vogue a sneak peek at her wedding plans, or lack thereof.
“We are still thinking about getting married. What will it be? Will it be big? Will it be abroad? We don’t know yet. We’ve only been engaged for five months!” she said, hinting at a possible destination wedding.
Despite all of the talk, Lauren resides her best life. She recently posted a horny photo of herself wearing a skimpy black minidress, knee-high boots and a red trench coat, accessorized with a diamond necklace with the letter “B” on it – likely a nod to her man’s name, Bezos. But even her fashion selections have drawn criticism. Some said her appearance was tacky, while others accused her of trying too hard to flaunt her wealth and status.
Either way, the young lady who sat behind the category because she had dyslexia will now turn out to be one among the richest women on this planet, so she is going to have the last laugh. Rumors say that the marriage will happen later this yr.
Say what you would like about Sánchez, but she’s clearly benefiting from her middle-aged glow.
Whether the marriage is a small, intimate affair or a billionaire’s blunder, one thing is definite: she doesn’t let anything – or anyone – dim her shine. After all, as she says: “Life keeps getting better.”
-
Press Release8 months ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Press Release8 months ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Business and Finance6 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Business and Finance8 months ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump7 months ago
Another lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Fitness7 months ago
Black sportswear brands for your 2024 fitness journey
-
Theater8 months ago
Applications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Ben Crump8 months ago
Henrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests