Entertainment
Nicole Byer talks about “magical negroes” and refuses to change the code
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Nicole Byer attends the fifty fifth NAACP Image Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Monica Schipper/Getty Images)
Nicole Byer is literally bringing her own brand of dark girl magic to the screen along with her latest role as the proverbial HNIC from .
Byer stars in the acclaimed satirical comedy through which Aren (Justice Smith) and his mentor Roger (David Alan Grier) navigate a secret society of black people gifted with magical powers whose entire lives are devoted to keeping white people comfortable. Based on the media trope of the “magic Negro” – a term coined by Spike Lee – which depicts black characters playing second banana or right hand to white characters who need their help to be their best selves (think Michael Clarke Duncan in , Will Smith in , or Jennifer Hudson in the first film), the film takes this idea and asks what happens if we just give attention to ourselves as a substitute?
We caught up with Byer just before the film’s March 15 premiere to talk all things magical, showing up in person, and why she doesn’t want to undo code-switching in real life or on screen.
BEING: When the titled script got here across your desk, what did you’re thinking that? What about the plot made you say yes?
Cities: Honestly, the name could be very polarizing. I assumed to myself, “What is this?” I do not know if people know that it’s based on a trope in film and television, the magical trope of the Negro, where there’s often a best friend or a clever black man who helps the white hero on his hero’s journey.
I actually like what Kobi {Libii, author and director} created by taking a movie trope and then wrapping it in a love story. I assumed it was so clever and smart. When I read this, I assumed, “Oh shit, this really resonates with me!” While this just isn’t a story about a black woman – it’s a story about a biracial man – but about how he finds his voice and the ability to speak up for himself and defend himself. I believe everyone can find themselves on this.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 13: Nicole Byer attends the New York screening of “The American Society of Magical Negroes” at Metrograph on March 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Speaking of this magical Negro trope, while the film is satirical and literally portrays this idea, the idea of carrying the pressure to make white society comfortable with our presence is something very real to a lot of us every day. Is this something that has shown itself to you in real life, especially working on this industry?
In industry? Yes! There’s an countless string of best friends bits where you possibly can’t be the major character; where people of color turn into character actors fairly than major characters. Code-switching is something we do to make white people feel more comfortable.
I sound the way I do, and people were like, “Oh, you sound white” or whatever. But I never felt the need to code-switch to turn into a stereotypical black man [for the media]. I’ve had people ask me this in auditions, and I believe it’s sort of funny – not sort of funny – because Black people usually are not a monolith. There are many Black individuals who sound like me and we deserve representation.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 14: Nicole Byer attends the NAACP Image Awards Dinner at the Hollywood Palladium on March 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for the NAACP)
For those that have not seen the movie yet, tell us about Dede.
Dede is the head of the American Society of Magical Negroes and wants to maintain the establishment. Helping white people gives us power and that is what she’s all about. When that is questioned, he gets upset and upset.
I feel like this speaks to something greater: some black people don’t mind accommodating white people and making white people feel more comfortable. I believe we’d like to shake up the establishment. We need to shake things up a bit. Otherwise, how will all our stories be told if nobody goes in there and tells people who our stories need to be told? I mean not only entertainment, but life generally.
In this role you might be essentially commanding David Alan Greir, the comedy legend all of us grew up watching. What was it like working with him on this project?
David Alan Greir is really amazing. It was a dream for me to have the opportunity to share the screen with him or have him acknowledge me, and he’s so insightful, wonderful and wonderful. In the breaks we talked about comedy and stuff, really, it was amazing. He is an icon.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 13: Julia Lebedev, Kobi Libii, Justice Smith, An-Li Bogan, Nicole Byer and David Alan Grier attend the New York screening of “The American Society of Magical Negroes” at Metrograph on March 13, 2024 New York City of York. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
I’m sure you saw when the trailer first hit the web there was quite a lot of response online and now that it has hit the box office there was much more. What conclusion do you’re thinking that viewers should draw from this?
I believe the takeaway needs to be a way of empowerment, a way that your life matters. Your voice matters. Your thoughts matter. And talking about it could be scary, but it is going to enable you in the end. This will relieve you and make you’re feeling more comfortable. I never truthfully said what I assumed and then regretted it.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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