Celebrity Coverage
EXCLUSIVE: Lee Daniels on Harnessing Power Majeure and Collaborating with Mo’Nique Again for ‘The Deliverance’
Deliverance. Athony B. Jenkins as Andre in “Deliverance”. Cr. © 2024 Aaron Ricketts/Netflix.
Lee Daniels returns to the director’s chair and tells a story unlike anything he’s ever done before.
His latest film is a supernatural thriller with an all-star solid that diverts attention from the standard, memorable story. It’s a story told with a mix of religion, horror and trauma – a departure from the director best known for creating drama.
finds Ebony Jackson (Andra Day) battling demons, each figuratively and literally, as she grapples with the echoes of pain from her own childhood while attempting to coexist with her mother (Glenn Close) and raise three children of her own (Caleb McLaughlin, Demi Singleton and Anthony B. Jenkins).
Loosely based on the real-life 2012 case of LaToya Ammons and her family, the story is something Daniels looked into shortly after his 2009 success. Although he was desperate to challenge himself and create a “throwback to old-school horror” within the sort of or , the director was hesitant to take it on on the time.
“I didn’t want to make this movie 15 years ago,” Daniels tells ESSENCE exclusively. “I was just upset about it all.”
“Then, over time, I realized that I wasn’t really telling a horror story,” he says. Instead, Daniels realized he could use this true story of darkness to guide viewers to the sunshine. “I think we live in dark times and we need to find our higher power, at least Buddha, Jesus, Allah, someone.”
“Everything I did, whether as a producer or director, I felt was on point. I don’t look at it as a horror film, but rather as a film about trying to find your higher self-worth. power and how I am trying to find my higher power. Can I grow closer to Jesus through this process?”
In creating this path to greater closeness with the Lord, Daniels also found himself reconciled and working again with an old friend.
Mo’Nique won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her last project with Daniels. Famously, there was a long-running dispute between them that was reflected within the press for over a decade. However, after their miraculous reconciliation in 2022, the duo immediately returned to the set to create much more movie magic.
“Unreal, unbelievable, magical feeling, joy, everything. It was perfect,” Daniels said about reconnecting with the actress and comedian. “Listen, we made the decision right away. It was as if our 15 years of fighting had never happened. We just got back to the rhythm of her jumping into character and it’s a tour de force. The two of us together are crazy. We create magic.”
Daniels’ full solid was magical, including three other Oscar-nominated actresses, including eight-time nominee Glenn Close and 2022 Best Supporting Actress nominee Aunjanue Ellis. In the highlight is Andra Day, who earned a nomination during her last project with Daniels. Day gives a transformative performance as Ebony Jackson, a mother of three struggling to beat alcoholism and trauma-induced poverty, yet still on the brink of a very powerful battle of her life.
“I love working with women, especially black women. Love it. We’re becoming one,” Daniels said of Day’s recasting in the lead role. “That’s why I just want to work with her over and over again. She is like a muse to me and she just trusts me.”
“As a director, you possibly can’t expect people to perform if there isn’t any trust. Andra and Monique, Aunjanue and Glenn…It’s rare. My dream is for the director to seek out an artist who will do anything, doesn’t query it, just does it, just blindly jumps into the abyss with you. When we’re in situation and you trust, it’s a strong thing and it shows on the screen.
will hit select theaters on August 16 and shall be available to stream on Netflix from August 30.
Happy Friday, people. With the looks of Maja, a brand new musical composition this week falls into the energy of renewal and re -control. From introspective ballads to anthem ready for the stadium, these editions reflect love, life and all the things in between.
One of essentially the most convincing offers this week is cooperation between 3 Chainz and the legendary Brothers Isley Brothers, a mixture of tenches of hip-hop and soul. “Sweet Love” Burna Boy and the windy “vacay” aminé also remind us that global rhythms and mixing of species at the moment are the norm, not an exception, and whether it’s a stuffy “spend” Summer Walker or Coco Jones combines strength Lady London In “It Mine” artists enter the season with confidence. Today’s list also includes the music of Jorji Smith, Tiany Major9, Weside Gunn and others.
Look at the most effective recent editions this week.
Summer Walker – “Spend”
With the brand new season, the summer Walker presents listeners around the globe with the one “Exit”. Listen to this HERE.
Coco Jones ft. Lady London – “It Mine”
Today, the winning singer/actress of the authors of Grammy Coco Jones surprises fans with an prolonged version Why not more?which incorporates cooperation with Lady London entitled “It Mine”. Listen to this HERE.
Aqyila – “Soar”
Fresh Off the discharge of her debut album recognized by critics Falling to the place, The Canadian star R&B Aqyila releases “Soar”, the last song of the brand new album. Watch the video HERE.
2 Chainz ft. Ronald Isley and The Isley Brothers – “The Atl Experience”
In amazing cooperation, 2 Chainz and Isley Brothers are connected with “The Atl Experience” from the soundtrack to the short film Red clay. Hear this HERE.
Samara CS – “Bas Brain”
One of essentially the most charming recent musical voices, Samara earlier It releases her great and The insatiable recent single “Bad Brain”. Produced by Whit Kane. Check it out HERE.
Tiana Major9 – “Money”
At the start of this week, Tiana Major9 returned with the discharge of a gorgeous recent single “Money”. Check it out HERE.
Jorja Smith – “The Way I love you”
Freshly on the back of her North American route, the British singer Jorja Smith recognized, who fell into the sunshine of the headlights with the primary single 2025-army of the bass “The Way I love you”. Watch the video HERE.
Weside Gunn ft. Doechii – “Egypt”
Weside Gunn and Doechia officially joined forces within the remix EGYPTAfter a viral moment last month, when Doechia reacted to sampling on the unique track. Check it out HERE.
MXNXSTXR ft. Destructo, Thundercat and Channel Tres – “What You Need”
MXNXSTXR, side project Ty Dolla $ IGN, and a pioneering producer/DJ and electronic taste of disfecto music support the brand new single “What you Need”. Thundercat & Channel Tres. Streamly send a record HERE.
Burna Boy – “Sweet Love”
The popular Afrobeats Burna Boy star provides the brand new single “Sweet Love”. Check the song HERE.
Celebrity Coverage
Shedeur Sanders responds after the son of the NFL coach apologizes for Day Day Prank – Essence
Boulder, CO – April 19: was the playmaker in Colorado Buffaloes, Shedeur Sanders, looks at the retirement ceremony in front of the black and golden spring game on Field Field Field 19 April 2025 in Boulder in Colorado. (Photo Dustin Bradford/Getty Images for Onit)
The road to NFL is full of excitement, nerves – and for Shedeur Sanders, unnecessary dispersion that nobody has seen.
Shedeur, who’s the son of the NFL legend and coach Colorado Deion Sanders, fell victim to unripe joke During the NFL sketch in 2025, which must be a momentous opportunity for him and his family. But this moment quickly overshadowed Jax Ulbrich, son of the defense coordinator of Atlanta Falcons Jeff Ulbrich.
When Sanders waited to listen to his name, which was called during the project, he received what he thinks was a changing life from the Saints of New Orleans. Sanders answered in the surroundings of family and friends, only for the caller (whom we later learned that Ulbrich) revealed that it was all a joke, telling him that “he would have to wait a little longer” before he suddenly disconnects.
Since then, Jax Ulbrich has published a public apology for his actions.
“On Friday evening I made an amazing mistake,” Ulbrich wrote on Instagram. “Shedeur, what I did was completely unforgivable, embarrassing and shameful. I’m so sorry that I took your moment, it was selfish and childish.”
The moment, captured to the video by brother Shedeur, Deion Sanders Jr. And he published in well -advanced media, he shows that Shedeur looked confused, asking, asking:
In addition to immaturity, there may be a much bigger problem here. NFL prospects are received by private phone numbers especially for communication with league staff during the project. Somehow Ulbrich gained access to this private channel, asking serious questions on the project of security protocols. Atlanta Falcons Since then, he apologized.
Black athletes like Sanders are already in the face of sufficient control. And let’s be honest – they were reacted in another way, the headlines would concern his attitude, not with a joke.
Despite the proven fact that many analysts are expected as the talent of the first round, Sanders unexpectedly slipped into the sketch, finally chosen by Cleveland Browns in the fifth round. While this development has change into one of the biggest stories of the sketch, Call Call added an unnecessary layer of humiliation to already difficult experience.
But Sanders? He got a high path.
Talking to the media after calling, he didn’t allow the wit to define his night.
“It didn’t really affect me,” he said. “I do not feed negativity. This is, of course, the guy was childish … but everyone does children’s things here and there.”
His mastery stood out. And truthfully, this isn’t a surprise. The son of “Prime Time” knows something about coping with the light of headlights and remaining grounding when he has the most significant.
In an interview with Essence, just before the NFL Deioners project, Sanders spoke about his suggestions for his sons about their future NFL and the way deeply rooted in faith. “The first thing we are talking about is that you will go where God wants you to go because he has already seen the path,” says Sanders. “Where we want to go, it may not be the right place, but where he wants us to go, it is certainly the right place.”
This incident is a reminder of additional obstacles that black athletes often encounter during their skilled journeys. What must be a pure holiday of exertions and Sanders’ achievements was partly overshadowed by an act of disrespect that he is anticipated to be kindly forgiven.
Coco Jones, “Why not more?” 2025. Credit photo: Cindy Romero
The Coco Jones journey was about unchanging perseverance. At the age of 27, the singer, the writer of the lyrics and actress had a profession lasting almost twenty years. From her first role in Disney, to her groundbreaking performance as Hilary Banks in Peacock’s, she maintains consistency through all this. As an artist, her long and tedious path reached some extent in 2024, when she received the primary Grammy award for a stupendous ballad “,”ICU. “Each of her previous experience within the industry – whether good or bad – put the muse for her debut studio album,
Traditionally, the primary album is the correct introduction to the masses, nevertheless it was different for Sige Def Jam, since it was within the focal point long before its release. Regardless, she was still extremely essential for the singer, because he served as a really perfect time for her evolution. “[This album] It means growth and opportunity to learn more about yourself, “said Jones.” When I see people’s reactions and opinions when I perform the title song, and when I live in this album, I will have new apparitions about myself and who I want to become the next one. “
As for the person to evolve – the sky is the limit. Appearing in several projects within the film, television and theater, this multi -fanet can result in what he means. Asked why the world was best for the world to listen to this latest work tank, Jones replied: “I am my most difficult critic, so I wanted to do things that I felt that they were fresh and inspiring – and it takes a lot of time and effort to find these things.”
“So I feel that you give your creatively and then leave it all on the table,” she continued. “But it was definitely one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done, and I’m sure that when working on my next project, it will be more different and more different obstacles – but it’s worth it. Everything is good is worth the challenge.”
In the case of 14 album songs, you’ll be able to hear the meticulous Jones process. Coming in only over 40 minutes, it occurs from London to Da Track, Future and YG Marley, which helps, amongst others, to chop out the album title, together with the production of Stargate, Cardiak and Wu10. Records equivalent to “Taste”, “Here We Go (UH OH)” and “The most beautiful project” show the artist’s versatility, in addition to her progress as a singer.
“I think that I have become stronger as the author of texts,” said Jones Essence. “I think that as an artist, thinking about the whole world, topic and line, I became more purposeful, as well as on the production side, I was a little more practical.”
While the debut edition is the moment to have a good time, Jones has fled for the time being, preparing for the longer term. Now, with a brand new partnership with the long-lasting Vodka brand Gray gooseDuring the beginning of a concert tour in North America, and filming for the fourth and last season of the Set, the winner of the NAACP Image award, behaves as the very best priority, since the balance is crucial to survive on this continuously changing entertainment industry. “I’m really big in therapy,” she said. “Healthy eating and sleeping in a reasonable time gives you energy so that you can give it a crowd – it is important to treat your body with respect.”
If you look deeper at Jones’s profession, it is straightforward to acknowledge how she achieved this level of success. The years of concentrated work and dedication to her craft – whether it’s music, acting or the rest that she thinks – led to the lady we see today and makes the title of the album even more suitable. It is just not really a matter, but slightly a press release, because Coco Jones has a lot to pass.
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