Celebrity Coverage
How Ursula Stephen Tackled All of Zendaya’s ‘Challengers’ Premiere Hair
Justin Tallis/Getty Images
It’s no wonder that Zendaya won fans over along with her stunning glamor (2024) premiere ahead of today’s nationwide release. Dyeing her hair honey blonde, the actress kicked off her latest romantic sports film – during which she plays tennis star-turned-coach “Tashi” – with striking hairstyles, viral tennis braids and bouffant ’70s hairstyles.
“One of the things I love most about working with Zendaya is the challenge,” celebrity hairstylist Urszula Stefan says ESSENCE. Using an intensive arsenal of hair care products, Stephen supports the actress in taking care of her hair health with low-temperature hairstyles. “I’m always finding alternative ways to create these fantastic red carpet and editorial looks using the right products.”
Game, set, match! Below, Stephen breaks down all the gorgeous moments from Zendaya’s tour.
‘Old Money’: Sydney, March 26
The first stop on Zendaya’s press tour was a blonde bob and a courtside ride. “We wanted to feel the atmosphere of old money,” says Stephen. Referring to the million-dollar tennis clubs in old Hollywood mansions, her fashion stylist Law Roach “wanted it to appear like she was dragging [her hair] she got up on her own. As if she was just walking off the court with a racket in her hand, Zendaya turned her perky bob right into a feathered hairstyle paired with a Loewe gown for the State Theater ballgame.
After shampooing and conditioning, Stephen prepped his hair with conditioner Heat protection foundation and drying with a SexHair dryer before you blow it out. “Once the hair was blown out, I added Velcro rollers to each section to add volume,” she says. “After styling my hair, I removed the rollers and brushed the hair to soften the look” – hence the feathery, flying details. Then she added volume with The Hair Shop 18 inch tight clip ins round her head, teasing her brown roots, before gathering her hair right into a low bun and securing the look with rubber bands and pins.
“Finally, I styled my fringe and left it down to frame my face for a casual look,” closing it with Big SexyHair And Play volumizing hairspray.
“The bomb explodes”: Paris, April 6
Heading to Paris, Zendaya visited town for the second time in two months (the primary for her premiere) and third time this yr. But it so happens that she showed three looks in someday. First, the old French money look with a white headband worn with Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs checkerboard coat. Then she livened up her upturned bob with a playful bang. She ended the night at UGC Normandie with a bombshell paired with Bulgari diamonds.
For that last look, Stephen stretched out Healthy Smooth Stunner Blowout sexy hair cream, blow-dry the actress’s hair straight for a silky finish. Then she added, from the neck to the temple clip-in clips from The Hair Shop so as to add length to your bob. “The Hair Shop has the best color selection to highlight Zendaya’s new blonde look,” he says, who looked like Sandy Blonde (#840). After application heat protectantStephen went through the spraying section by section Big Sexy Stay hairspray Intense hold before curling your hair with a big curling iron.
“Since we wanted a smooth and shiny look, I added a few drops The Hair Shop silk drops to enhance the shine,” she says. “I brushed my hair and tucked it behind my ears on both sides to make it effortless,” after which applied hairspray to carry it in place overnight.
“Sharon’s Stone in Rome”: Rome, April 8
“We wanted to create a strong but sexy effect. Think: Sharon Stone – she was our inspiration,” says Stephen. During the third stop of the tour, Zendaya showed off her claw-clip hairstyle in Rome. With Stone’s major 65-year power outage cleared, the 27-year-old stepped into the role of leading lady in . To do that, “we began with clean, damp hair and added SexoHair root and root pump– says Stefan. “This volumizing spray mousse will give us the firmness and lift we need to maintain all night long.”
Drying his hair away from his head, Stephen added volume after which curled the mid-sections with a big curling iron. Silk drops from her Parisian bombshell were massaged in, making her hair shine like Bulgari jewels. “Then we caressed the top of her hair, used a brush to tie it into a low bun, secured it with a rubber band, and pinned the loose hair close to her head.” As the ultimate detail, the hairdresser pulled and separated the crown, after which the style was set with volumizing hairspray.
‘Braid and Bow’: London, April 10
In London style, Stephen referenced Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. It’s probably essentially the most overt nod to the “literal approach to the braid and bow,” she says. As easy because the look – combined with the custom Thom Browne a sporty halter-neck mesh dress and red lips – the execution had us wondering. A chunk the scale of 1 / 4 Strongly holding SexHair Hard Up gel the look began; apply to your complete length of the hair, hairline and nape for strong hold.
“Then we combed the hair into a ponytail and secured it with a rubber band,” she says before putting it on Wrapped ponytail in a hairdressing shop extension for an extended look. Holding the extension with hairspray, “we braided the ponytail, securing it with a tiny invisible elastic band.”
“Unfinished Do”: Los Angeles, April 16
“We didn’t want to compete with the dress,” says Stephen, referring to the deconstructed version of Zendaya Vera Wang ball gown. At home in Los Angeles, the actress’ lace bra mimicked underwear, and her hair complemented her bedtime outfit well. “We thought simplicity was the most sensible thing,” says the hairdresser. “The slightly open lacing matched the sex appeal of the corset.” The bedhead ballerina bun, prepared with blowout cream, was blow-dried with a voluminous root.
Adding narrow clips to the highest of her head, “I then tied all the hair into a ponytail, secured it with a rubber band, and then twisted and pinned the hair into a donut,” she says. The well-rested look would not be complete without some texturizing powder, which Stephen applied to the hairline and nape of the neck. While working with the product, she “used her fingertips to move the hair in circular motions to create a fluffy, airy, ‘messy’ texture.” In this manner, the unfinished “done” is the right style to finish a month-long press tour.
Celebrity Coverage
Nafessa Williams in Disney+’s Rivals [Interview] – Essence
Photo credit: Cécile BOKO
Nafessa Williams attracts attention with a role that combines strength, complexity and uncompromising self-confidence. Set in the vibrant media world of 1980s London, the Disney+ series immerses viewers in a world of passion, betrayal and ambition. At the heart of this Jilly Cooper adaptation is Cameron Cook, an ambitious American television producer brought to London by Lord Tony Baddingham to shake up his Corinium company. Cook navigates a predominantly white, male-dominated industry with poise, charm and her signature red lips – an expression of the boldness and confidence of black women that Williams set out to authentically portray.
Known for her breakout role as Anissa Pierce in , Williams has gained a reputation for bringing depth and dynamism to her characters. In the series, she takes on a role that uniquely reflects her own experiences. As the only Black character on the series, Williams brings her Philadelphia roots and personal journey to Cameron’s story, highlighting the dual challenges and triumphs of standing out in an exclusive space.
Through meticulous research, collaboration with the show’s stylists, and a curated playlist featuring icons such as Whitney Houston and Vanity 6, Williams brought Cameron’s ambitious and uncompromising personality to life. In this interview, she talks about putting on her character’s power suit to represent black women on screen, and how she made the character her own. With the film, this talented actress proves once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.
ESSENCE: First of all, congratulations you gave an amazing performance. How did you land the role of Cameron Cook?
Nafessa Williams: Yes, so I auditioned. It was an audition that passed and I actually decided not to work that year. Last year I had just finished filming the 2021 film and I thought: I knew that whatever I did after that, it just had to be elite and next level. I got the scripts, I had all this stuff throughout 2022 and it just didn’t feel right. And I just told God I’ll hang on until I find this job for me.
As soon as I read the script, I thought, “OK, God, you just helped me with this. This is what I’ve been waiting for all year.” So I read it and immediately recognized the way they wrote the script. The text was amazing. Cameron, I thought, “I have to voice this character.” How strong and commanding she was, and how beautiful she was. The only black cast member, the only black character in the series. Plus, just for fun, the fact that she came from America and was recruited from New York to London to become a powerhouse producer was something I had to weigh in on. So that’s how it happened. And so, from that point on.
So you said she was the only black character on the show. In terms of portraying this situation, how did you bring this perspective to life in this predominantly white, male environment?
You know what, I just stayed true to the writing and the character. I’m from Philadelphia, the character is from New York, so it’s almost the same thing. So I just wanted to make sure that I brought the authenticity of a black woman, a black woman from New York, a black woman who is ambitious and confident and secure in who she is. So I wanted to make sure that I brought all those elements to it and just be true to who black women were at the time in the ’80s, how we wore our hair, what our clothes looked like, and I just wanted to make sure it was authentic down to that moment.
I’m actually glad you mentioned the ’80s and everything, because for me one of the coolest things about this show is the ’80s fashion. How did the fashion and style of the time help you get into Cameron’s character and how did it influence how did you portray her on screen?
Yeah, I think a lot of 80s fashion was about confidence and making sure she was on her own, whether she was clothed or not, she was just a very confident woman. But I think fashion helped us situate and tell her story. I also love 80s fashion and I make sure I stay true to what I saw as a little girl in the late 80s and 90s, seeing my mom, grandma, aunts and their friends all dressed up, red lips and red nails, making sure that the hair is also authentic. Since I’m the only black character on the show, representation means everything to me. And also, like other black women, when they watched this show, whether they lived in the ’80s or not, it’s a true representation of what we really looked like, from French rolls to slicked ponytails to pumps and curls and beyond. we just make sure that when we tune in, we see ourselves.
The show’s stylist was very open to my ideas because I know what it looked like, right? And I know what it was like in America. So I just made sure she brought that American flavor, that New York flavor. He was very open to my ideas and collaborative. And if there is no such moment, you will see Cameron unless he wakes up in the morning without red lips. I think this also shows her boldness and self-confidence. Red lips and red nails are her trademark, but they are also a signature of the 80s. So again, making sure we put those elements into it to make it feel as real and nostalgic as possible.
I also think it’s interesting because I think Cameron’s journey and where she’s at is also reflective of black women in the entertainment industry. What similarities do you see between yourself and Cameron’s character? How did it work out?
Yes, there was a time that I found myself in that situation where we were talking about whether I was the only black cast member or the only black woman on set. And I think what I exuded and what I’ve always carried within me is confidence and knowing that I’ve worked and I have a right to be in the room and my talent is just as amazing and just as important and my story is just as important to tell.
It’s just walking in with so much confidence, like I knew I was supposed to be there. Another thing that reflects both her and me is ambition. When Cameron wants something like me, I don’t take “no” easily. If I set my mind to something, it will be achieved, and she has the same quality in her. So yeah, it’s just going in knowing that you’ve earned this place and you’ve worked hard to be here, and you walk in with your head held high knowing that your ancestors sent you. Go do it. Go do your job. So I wanted to make sure he exuded that too, and that was very important to me to show that.
When people portray a character or make a movie in a “different era,” did you do any preparation beyond understanding what life was like back then? Did you do a lot of research into the history of your character?
Yes, I always go back and check if I am serving that era well. For me it was just going back and observing women that I had seen, maybe glimpses of, that I didn’t know very well as a child but who were popular in the 80s. Lots of Diahanna Carroll and Pam Grier. I also watch a little bit of Phylicia Rashad and make sure I bring that cool, sassy, sexy but intelligent approach to the character.
Besides, music helps me empathize with a given character. I always create a playlist for each character. It really helps me get into that time and understand the character’s mind, what they’re thinking: “How do they party? How do they dance? What is their wardrobe like?” So I studied it a lot and told everyone because I always got to the heart of the Cameron thing. “Nasty Girl” by Vanity City. Remember Prince’s group?
Absolutely. 1000%.
Yes. Yes. So “Nasty Girl” helped me get inside Cameron’s mind and get to know her boldness, confidence and attitude about who she is. So yeah, I just go back and watch it again, get Diane Carroll, and she was very strong, Dominique Deveraux, she was very strong in who she was. When she appeared on screen, there was no denying her energy and essence as a black woman. This was part of the research I did.
It’s interesting because I definitely want to know that now when I think about the ’80s, I think about Whitney Houston, I think about Cyndi Lauper. Tell me, who was on your playlist when you were putting together the music list for this particular character?
Surely. Lots of Whitney Houston, lots of Teddy Pendergrass. I’m from Philadelphia. So I come from a huge musical culture. A lot of Teddy P., a lot of Barry White, a lot of Sadé. Sadé was also on the playlist, getting into this just sexy vibe, kind of laid back, at home, relaxed. There was a lot of Madonna on the playlist. Prince was on the Jackson Five playlist. I also thought about this: “Who was Cameron when she was a child? Who was she listening to? Not even as an adult, but I like to think that when she was an adult in the ’80s, in her teenage life, in her earlier life, she listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder and a lot of the Jackson Five, a lot of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
So these were some of the songs, or rather artists, that were on my playlist that I just listened to all day, played in my trailer before I went to set, and just walked out and was ready to have it.
Celebrity Coverage
Sony Music has settled a lawsuit regarding the Whitney Houston biography
Sony Music has reached a settlement with the producers of the biopic.
The lawsuit, filed in February, alleged that 4 production firms – Anthem Films, NYBO Productions and Black Label Media – didn’t pay for licenses to 24 of Houston’s songs.
The request seen by Reuters shows that Sony Music has agreed to this to reject case last month. The parties informed the court that that they had agreed to the settlement but requested an extension to finalize the details.
The lawsuit claimed that the labels signed a sync licensing agreement that allowed them to make use of audio recordings of nearly 30 Houston classics, including “How Will I Know,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Will Always Love You” and her 1991 version “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Sony Music claims that under the agreement, royalties were to be paid in July 2023, but as of August 2023, it has still not received payment. Sony Music claims that Anthem was awaiting a tax break from the state of Massachusetts. According to the plaintiff, payment was never made.
“As a result of Anthem’s failure to pay fees to SME, it is clear that no license or authorization existed to use the SME recordings used in the film,” the lawsuit states.
Sony Music claimed that the film’s producers, Anthem Films, entered into a licensing agreement with the record label on December 5, 2022, two weeks before the film’s release.
“Unlike other types of films, musical biopics by their nature require the use of a musician’s music because it is almost impossible to explain the significance of a musician’s creative genius or his unique style and talent without using that musician’s music,” the record company’s lawyers wrote.
The original lawsuit sought damages of not less than $3.6 million. Details of the settlement aren’t yet known.
Celebrity Coverage
Shaboozey on her YSL – Essence fragrance partnership
Courtesy of YSL
Masculinity just got a brand new scent – and that is what it smells like Shaboozey. Starring Lil Nas XPeso Pluma, Vinnie Hacker and The Kid LAROI in the newest Yves Saint Laurent fragrance project “Bar song (tipsy)” artist is the newest to define the meaning of “modern masculine” beauty.
“The collaboration with YSL Beauty is truly exciting because the company has always been at the forefront of culture, redefining what it means to be bold and timeless,” Shaboozey tells ESSENCE. The musician’s true self-expression, showcased within the brand’s digital design “Born MYSLF, No Matter What”, represents the message behind their latest men’s fragrance MYSLF Perfume.
“I liked how we explored the concept that being strong doesn’t have to mean fitting into a box,” he says, topping off the country music genre with bleached-tipped wicks. “It’s about owning who you are, being real, and YSL Beauty gave me the space to show that.”
Known for his 18-week #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (one week away from breaking Lil Nas the important thing to Shaboozey’s success is easy: balance.
From gym workouts to meditation sessions and knowing when to walk away, “for me, self-care was about finding balance,” she says, which is a chord that also strikes in the brand new fragrance. Vanilla bourbon in a YSL bottle, the extreme masculine aroma hits each floral and oud notes, providing sensuality and strength in equal measure. “She has that presence and stays with you, which is exactly what I need when I’m on the move.”
The global men’s grooming market is anticipated to be price $115 billion by 2028 (up 77 percent year-on-year) the boys’s cosmetics boom represents a obligatory shift not only from two-in-one shampoos and overpowering fragrances, but in addition within the definition of masculinity as an entire. According to Shaboozey, YSL’s latest fragrance is ahead of the curve. “YSL Beauty has a track record of pushing boundaries while staying classic, and that’s a vibe I’ve always admired.”
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