Entertainment
Celebrities and social media react to the death of Louis Gossett Jr., the first black man to win the Oscar for best supporting actor
The world is reacting to the loss of one of its most legendary actors and the first black man to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, Louis Gossett Jr. He was 87 years old.
According to the Associated Press, Gossett died in Santa Monica, California on the morning of March 29. The cause of his death was not revealed.
Gossett began his acting profession in highschool in the Brooklyn production of “You Can’t Take It With You” after an injury on his highschool basketball team. An English teacher, who was 16 at the time, persuaded him to audition for “Take a Giant Step” in Manhattan, and he landed the role, making his Broadway debut in 1953.
In his 2010 memoir, “An Actor and a Gentleman,” he wrote: “I was hooked – and so was my audience. … I didn’t know enough to be nervous. In retrospect, I should have been scared to death walking onto that stage, but I wasn’t.
Gossett attended New York University on scholarships in basketball and theater, and later studied acting with Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen and Martin Landau at the Actors Studio. He later starred with Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee in the 1959 Broadway production of “A Raisin in the Sun.” Gossett also starred in the 1961 film version and went on to appear in over 50 films.
In 1977, Gossett played Fiddler in the groundbreaking miniseries about slavery, Roots, with John Amos, Ben Vereen and LeVar Burton. The Broadway star won an Emmy for her role and in 1982 starred as Sgt. Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman” – a role that won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the first black man to win an Oscar in that category in 1983.
The Oscar winner later told CBS News that he didn’t hear his name called after winning the coveted award.
“My agent punched me in the chest and said, ‘They mentioned your name!’ I had to look at him because I thought I was sleeping,” Gossett said. “I looked around and there was applause. This shouldn’t be possible. So it’s a piece of history.” Gossett also won a Golden Globe for his role.
Gosset also starred in quite a few television shows and movies, including “The Iron Eagle” and three motion movie sequels. He also starred in movies corresponding to “Diggestown”, “The Josephine Baker Story”, “A Good Man in Africa”, “Why Did I Get Married Too?” and “The Book of Negroes,” to name a number of.
In 2023, Gossett also starred in a musical version of “The Color Purple” as the grumpy patriarch. The film also starred Fantasia Barrino, Colman Domingo and David Alan Grier, with all three sharing touching tributes to the legendary actor on social media.
Barrino shared a post that included a photograph of the duo on the set of “The Color Purple,” in addition to a video of her serenading Gossett on the last day of filming.
“Louis Gossett Jr., what a wonderful man you were and the stories you told us, I will never forget,” she said. he wrote. “You left so many marks for us and paved the way for Black Actors and Actresses. We will miss you, but Man, you lived a Blessed Life. #We loveyouforever.”
Domingo also shared a post on the site signature, “We have lost a true great. A true legend. What an honor it was to present him flowers on his last day of work on his final film, The Color Purple, in which he played my father. Fantasia sang it best… He ran the race for us. We are eternally indebted. May we stand firmly on His shoulders. Pick it up today. TEAR”
Grier shared the story about Gossett years ago at the Toronto Film Festival.
“Rest in peace Lou Gossett Jr., one of my favorite acting heroes. I met him many years ago at the Toronto Film Festival,” he says he wrote. “I left at 2 a.m. when he wished me good evening and walked down the street with the girls by my side. The next morning I saw him at breakfast, looking as fresh as a daisy. He winked at me and said, “You couldn’t hang yourself, could you?” My man!!!!!!”
Tyler Perry, who directed Gossett in “Why Did I Get Married Too?” he also paid tribute to Gossett on social media.
“It’s always hard to say goodbye to a legend! Thank you, my friend, not only for giving me the opportunity to work with you, but also for all the amazing work you have done for us,” he added he wrote. “May your soul rest in perfect peace. God bless you!”
Fans also expressed their condolences on social media.
“It’s painful. Like a family member growing up in our home. RIP Louis Gossett JR.” recorded one fan on X. “We lost a true legend today. Rest in power, Louis Gossett Jr.” added other.
Gossett is survived by two sons, Satie and Sharron.
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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