google-site-verification=cXrcMGa94PjI5BEhkIFIyc9eZiIwZzNJc4mTXSXtGRM WATCH: Zendaya Considers What Role Race Factor Plays in ‘Challengers’ Off-Court Romance - 360WISE MEDIA
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WATCH: Zendaya Considers What Role Race Factor Plays in ‘Challengers’ Off-Court Romance

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The actress details the role of Tashi Duncan, her biggest departure thus far, and the way her blackness affects her motivation

Zendaya is a robust presence as Tashi Duncan – her biggest departure yet – in her latest film. Tashi may be very independent with a laser focus, exuding confidence and sexuality, with a bent to be manipulative.

Not only does Zendaya capture this complex balance with expert precision, but she also does so by portraying the character at very different points in her life – from a pre-college teenager to a married mother in her 30s.

“I kept turning the pages,” Zendaya says of the film’s script. “It was like a challenge. The character was incredibly complex, chaotic and difficult.”

The tennis romantic drama directed by Luca Guadagnino and co-produced by Zendaya herself tells the story of the matches played each on and off the court between tennis prodigy turned coach Tashi and childhood friends and tennis partners turned distant enemies. Donaldson (Mike Faist) and Patrick (Josh O’Connor).

Married to Art and currently on a losing streak after achieving greatness because of her training, Tashi’s plans to redeem his profession are thwarted when the couple meets Patrick, Art’s former friend and Tashi’s ex-boyfriend. As the past and present collide, tensions mount and Tashi must decipher what it can take to win. From 2006 to 2019, we see Tashi in various stages of early maturity as she navigates her profession, family, and sophisticated love life.

“For me, it was just about keeping track of who she was emotionally,” the actress said of taking Tashi from her teens to her 30s. “Who is she, where is she and what is this injury doing to her. When she’s younger, there’s a certain level of carefreeness and joy in her – there’s a spark in her that fades over time and she becomes jaded and desperate to hold on as much as she can to keep her life together.”

Zendaya wonders what factor plays a role in 'Challengers' off-court romance.

Maintaining what Zendaya describes as a “false calm,” Tashi strives to attain goals and take responsibility – a state of being the actress says is all too familiar to many Black women.

The film never directly addresses Tashi’s racial identity, despite depicting a love triangle between a black woman and two white men. However, as Zendaya points out, her Blackness influences several key elements of the story.

“It’s something that’s been done in a sophisticated way,” he tells ESSENCE. “Her connection to tennis and why she is so obsessed with it is due to her access to it. Because he doesn’t come from the identical privileged background as these two boys. Because there may be nothing left to lean on. Because her family couldn’t afford the varsity they went to, and so they didn’t want her to go there anyway.

“There are certain aspects specific to her experience that I think seem very genuine and also inform her relationship with the boys,” Zendaya says. “It may not be the first conversation, but yes [woven] all the time in a very beautiful, nuanced way, because it’s true. This is her reality, her psyche and the reason why she goes through life the way she does.”

is already in cinemas across Poland.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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How did Jodie Turner-Smith’s ‘Angelic Rockstar’ gala hairstyles come together?

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Marleen Moise/Getty Images

Last night, Jodie Turner-Smith arrived on the 2024 Met Gala sporting a brand new wired hairstyle and tinted black eye shadow. What concerning the evening dress code? . “We went for an angelic rock star vibe – a look that exudes both rawness and sweetness,” says celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen to ESSENCE. “Taking inspiration from the cool girl aesthetic, we wanted the perfect balance of tough and cute.”

Paired with a white Burberry gown with floral detailing and feather trim, the actress’s bridal look took a less sophisticated turn with a blonde, ruffled cut. Use Moodboard on Pinterest as a reference, in search of inspiration: “I looked for everything from old hair and fashion magazines to cartoons and architectural details,” says Stephen. “We combined the fierceness of Charlize Theron with the timeless charm of Betty Boop.”

Ahead of the ball, Stephen completely transformed Turner-Smith with an asymmetrical cut adorned with a sideburn. “Starting with the hair clean, dry and shaped, I added discreet extensions to create a subtle mohawk at the back,” she says, then added a “stylish moustache” across the face so as to add some flair. She then used a razor cutting technique, refining the hair’s texture before using it Dyson Corrale™ hair straightener so as to add wildcard curls.

How Jodie Turner-Smith's Met Gala hairstyles came together

“To improve smoothness and manageability, I applied a few drops Living Proof Smooth styling serum” she says, reducing frizz but not making it completely wet or gel-like. Stephen used his (coated) fingers for the ultimate touch. Living Proof Flex Spray) to shape and magnificence the hair across the face. “I really liked how the statement hairstyle perfectly complemented the softness of the dress, adding a cool and bold element to the overall look.”

How Jodie Turner-Smith's Met Gala hairstyles came together
Ursula Stephen does Turner-Smith hair for the 2024 Met Gala.

At the top of the night, Turner-Smith hit the red carpet, gracing the Met Gala together with her “thorn in the garden” style. “My favorite aspect of performing at the Met Gala is the incredible creativity the event inspires, as well as the collaborative spirit and camaraderie among the glam squad,” says Stephen. “We come together to create the most amazing works. It is an environment of support and teamwork.”

How Jodie Turner-Smith's Met Gala hairstyles came together
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 6: Jodie Turner-Smith attends the 2024 Met Gala celebrating “Sleeping Beauty: The Awakening of Fashion” on the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2024 in New York City. (Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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ICYMI: 13 celebrity moments of beauty from the weekend

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@anokyai / Instagram

The weekend brought major glamor moments that had us excited for fashion’s biggest night of the yr: the Met Gala. On the other hand, some stars keep on with the classics: neutral beats, blonde or black hair and nude manis.

To start the weekend off right, Rihanna shocked Miami (before she was spotted in New York) with a photograph recent pink hairstyle. Doechii co-created the look, appearing in her own hot pink asymmetric bob as a substitute of RiRi’s classic waves. Meanwhile, Lizzo suggested leaving her black gloves under the pillow for the “Meth Fairy,” which paired with lots of pink, a cat eye, and intensely glassy lips. We also spotted Doja Cat arm-in-arm with Vetements Gurum designer Gvsalia, wearing Cartier diamonds to match her blonde hairstyle and ultra-long, natural looking nails.

Then Willow Smith showed off her round afro and grills during an appearance on Jimmy Fallon, and Lupita N’yongo went on a press tour to advertise her recent movie. She opted for a muted purple eyeshadow with a thick cat eye. What about Beyoncé? She was still in an American mood, offering marked French suggestions – ending the Pre-Met weekend with a red carpet lip.

In case you missed it, take a have a look at 13 of our favourite celebrity beauty moments from the weekend.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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2024 David C. Driskell Awards Gala: Naomi Beckwith Continues to Highlight African American Art and its Untold Stories

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Photo: David Head, courtesy of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

Atlanta’s art scene has grown lately thanks to the town’s stellar list of galleries and shops, in addition to the emergence of Atlanta Art Week. Among the growing creative community, the David C. Driskell Awards is a crowning jewel. The nineteenth annual ceremony honored Naomi Beckwith, who in 2021 became the Guggenheim Museum’s first Black deputy director and chief curator. Her efforts in the sphere of African American art have been invaluable and exude all the pieces that this coveted award embodies.

Founded by High Art Museum in 2005, the Driskell Prize recognizes groundbreaking contributions to black art from among the nation’s leading scholars and artists. Due to its prestige, the annual gala gathers the best and brightest participants on this planet of art. This 12 months, the event began with a trendy red carpet, where participants could immortalize this evening for a lifetime. With celebrities including Valerie Cassel Oliver, Tanya Sam, Egypt Sherrod, Charly Palmer, Jeezy, Sergio Hudson and more, the 2024 event was set to turn out to be probably the most memorable in its history.

After a pre-gala cocktail reception within the museum’s atrium, guests were ushered into the major hall where the awards ceremony was to begin. After taking their seats, everyone could enjoy appetizers and dishes inspired by Southern cuisine. Randall Suffolk, director of the High Museum of Art, soon took the rostrum, emphasized the importance of the Driskell Award and introduced the centerpiece of the evening – Naomi Beckwith.

Beckwith appeared on stage and was rewarded with a sea of ​​applause. She began by thanking the jury and showing gratitude for being chosen for such an honorable distinction. The Chicago native also spoke about Dr. Driskell’s legacy and how vital effective collaboration is for artists and curators. “I believe in this practice of working together,” she said during her moving speech. “I believe in collectivity because I know that for Black people especially, collectivity has been our strength and actually the source of our joy.”

The Courtauld graduate then spoke concerning the obstacles artists of color have had to overcome over time and the way it continues to motivate her work. “My job is to bring the gift of Black art and Black artists to the world, so until we truly see the canon of Black art history permeating global institutions, I will have no rest,” Beckwith said. She concluded by thanking her friends, colleagues, family and partner before delivering an ode to the award. “I am incredibly happy to hold this award so close to my heart,” she stated. “I make a public promise to all of you in this field that I will honor the legacy of this award, this gift and this work.”

After Beckwith’s speech, the celebration continued with an official afterparty featuring DJ Princess Cut and Grammy Award-winning DJ Drama. In attendance were Eva Marcille, Killer Mike, Tyler Mitchell and Ebony G. Patterson, amongst others, making the first-ever post-gala celebration truly memorable.

The David C. Driskell Award is the primary within the nation to recognize the importance of African-American art. This award alternates between an African-American artist based within the United States and an art historian whose artistic practice or scholarly work makes an original and vital contribution to the visual arts and black art studies.

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