Entertainment
‘Homecoming’ Star Weaves Real HBCU Experience Into Character — Andscape
actor Gefry Maja found her character, Simone Hicks, caught up in a love triangle at the top of the CW series’ second season, sparking heated debate on social media. Now, viewers know her answer, and her decision is a central storyline throughout the show’s third and final season, which premiered Monday night.
Maya, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, got her start as a recurring character on the CW sister series before starring in its own spinoff, which is about at Bridston University, a fictional historically black college in Atlanta. The campus serves because the backdrop for the show as Maya’s character navigates young maturity as a mother and student-athlete, and Maya’s time as an HBCU student helped her portrayal, she said.
On Friday, Andscape spoke with the Los Angeles native in regards to the show’s final season, Simone’s love triangle, and the impact of a TV series set at an HBCU.
What is it like being an HBCU student in real life and playing one on the show?
It’s very coincidental. … In this life that all of us undergo, there are specific things that we do with none expectation that they are actually going to occur. So I feel that having the ability to play an HBCU student from LA was just my thing. It was all the time a part of my goal, and I’m grateful that I had a showrunner like Little Carrollwho saw that in me and gave me the chance to play that role in a way that was reflective of little girls who appear like me, come from similar backgrounds, and just allowed me to honor the undeniable fact that these stories really do matter. … I consider that is my purpose, which is to inform stories.
To what extent is your personality reflected in Simone?
The humanity aspect of acting, basically, is to bring just a little little bit of yourself to the role, regardless of what it’s. I feel most of (Simone’s) personality, by way of the silliness and the little South Central LA moments, though she’s from Beverly Hills. It just would not feel right to not play her that way. Because, again, do not get me incorrect: black is black. So you possibly can be from Beverly Hills, but you could have aunts and cousins who live in Crenshaw or somewhere – it doesn’t matter. I just knew I desired to bring just a little little bit of my L.A. upbringing to the character and really to any character I play. … I just need to be authentic, so I needed to bring my South Central roots to this little Beverly Hills girl.
Season two ends on a cliffhanger, with Simone deciding between two suitors. Will the love triangle be resolved this season?
Absolutely, and I feel it resolves in a way that is more for Simone than for anyone else. And I feel like I’m not saying much because there’s a lot happening for her this season. But I feel by way of love, I feel it resolves for her. That’s a very powerful a part of this puzzle, her and her decision for herself.
What’s it wish to play a task in a love triangle?
Simone had more suitors than I ever had in my life and I’m not mad at her for that. I feel especially with girls, allow them to live, allow them to have their alternative. In retrospect, at my age and at this stage in life, I feel you should not put all of your eggs in a single basket because truthfully, you only do not know. Whether it is a man or a job, life is about living and experiencing, so I all the time encourage women to explore life in all the pieces it has to supply.
What can viewers expect from Simone this season?
I might say resilience because I feel like while you’re younger and also you undergo so lots of the trials and tribulations of life, we do not take a look at it as something that happens to us, but relatively it happens to us. … When you are capable of change your perspective … and you are able to have a look at it through the lens of growth and maturation and evolution, and really give up to life and all the pieces that it has to give you, whether it’s good and higher and different, I feel you only have a unique perspective on coming out of the hearth.
I feel Simone will certainly experience numerous things that may help her grow as an individual, as a girl, as a mom, as an athlete. Simone has so many roles to play. But I feel numerous it’s her resilience within the face of adversity, and it was really beautiful to play this season. … I do know individuals are so invested in Simone and this love triangle since it’s a lot fun. We want the women to win, but at the identical time, life happens, and when life hits you, it changes you. It changes you. … It was really refreshing to play a more nuanced, grounded version of her this season.
What do you think that How will the image of HBCUs impact future generations of scholars?
I feel the impact will just be more visibility and more opportunity to see yourself. One thing I’ll say is just being in business so long as I even have my purpose, that is starting to vary. I consider that this wasn’t a chance that was only for me and my dreams and my purpose and my work. It was really a chance for generations of youngsters who need to go to a historically black college or university, who need to learn more in regards to the legacy, who need to act, who need to play tennis, who need to be a featured character or who need to tell stories. So I feel that chance is incredibly necessary. But I feel the impact is a blessing. … I’m grateful that I can take a look at my art, in all the pieces that I create, as something that is just beyond me. I’m glad that I can serve a generation in that way, so I hope that it inspires people to simply do what they need to do and pursue what they need to pursue.
How necessary was it for the show to portray the problems that took place on HBCU campuses?
As Black people, we’ve a responsibility that we do not necessarily ask for, but we’ve a responsibility to reflect truth, authenticity, resilience, elevation, art, culture, and history. … It’s just too necessary due to how we impact other people, not only our own people, but literally the world. Black culture is all over the place on the planet. … That’s why it is so necessary that history is taken out of colleges. You cannot erase history after which sit here and have fun other cultures and histories because, again, all of that’s in the material of this world, of this country. … We have to offer credit to who deserves credit. And you understand, Black people, that is how we move, that is how we work. So it deserves that quantity of visibility and time and education because … we’re real individuals with real impact and we matter.
This will likely be the last season What was your initial response to the news of the series’ cancellation?
I’m really happy with this season, and though our fate is what it’s, I discussed it before: it’s about quality, not quantity. And I feel the standard of the work that we have done over the course of three seasons has affected people.
My character, being a recurring guest (on ), I didn’t know in the event that they would get attached to that version of that world, especially coming down from the heights that they still are. He’s still doing an astronomical job of celebrating the culture and giving back to the youngsters and families that actually love the show. I didn’t know what we were going to do, and it exceeded my expectations. So I feel how we began and definitely how we ended is rooted in something much greater than how long we have been on the show.
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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