Celebrity Coverage
Mykal-Michelle Harris on Giving a Voice to a New Generation of ‘The Little Mermaid’ Fans – Essence
DISNEY’S ARIEL JR. – “Disney’s Ariel Jr.” stars Mykal-Michelle Harris as Ariel. (Disney/Nathalie Gordon)
Since its June 27 premiere, it’s change into a phenomenon for young fans. As the voice behind Disney’s latest reimagining of Ariel, Mykal-Michelle Harris couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the subsequent chapter of her underwater adventures.
“It was so much fun to bring this exciting, vibrant, and so full of life character to life,” Harris tells ESSENCE. “The beautiful songs she sings and the funny quips and jokes she makes were amazing to put in my own way. I loved using the words on the page to put my own spin on things.”
This version continues the story of Halle Bailey — black, red, living within the Caribbean — and introduces her as a vibrant 8-12 months-old, still fascinated by human culture, but alongside her best friends Flounder (Gracen Newton), Fernie (Cruz Flateau) and Lucia (Elizabeth Caro), with the loving guidance of her father, King Triton (Taye Diggs), her older twin sisters Alanna (Jessica Mikayla) and Ayanna (Dana Heath), and her beloved aunt, “Tantie” Ursula (Amber Riley).
In each and a series of shorts, Ariel and her friends learn beneficial lessons about friendship, leadership, responsibility, kindness, consequences, and more, with an original, often Caribbean-inspired song in each episode. The vocal and animation work has been within the works for a while, and audience response because the first eight episodes premiered earlier this summer has been overwhelmingly positive—leaving fans clamoring for more.
“It’s so rewarding to see our hard work on screen,” Harris says. “I’ve had so many reports from friends, family and even strangers who have said they love the show and it’s amazing to hear that this show that we’ve worked so hard on and put so much blood, sweat and tears into is turning out to be a show that will last for generations.”
fans can rejoice because more of her adventures are coming this week. Episode 9, “The Happy Patty Clap,” charmingly incorporates a key part of black girl culture—hand-clapping games.
When Ayanna hurts her thumb and might’t compete within the Clap Game along with her twin sister Alanna, Ariel steps in so Alanna can still compete. But when Ariel puts pressure on herself to clap just like the twins, she quickly learns that doing things her own way is okay. Watch the EXCLUSIVE clip below:
“As a child growing up in Philadelphia, I was always outdoors, often playing one of my two favorite activities, Dutch jumping or working on clapping routines,” Lynne Southerland, executive producer of ESSENCE, tells us exclusively. “The memory of coordinating hand movements with a partner while singing nursery rhymes still lights me up.”
“When we were thinking about possible storylines for the series, my thoughts wandered back to those happy memories and I knew I wanted to celebrate this unique activity that is unique to black girls in Ariel’s world.”
For 12-12 months-old Harris, who remains to be on the age where clapping her hands is a regular pastime, incorporating parts of her real life into her role was a delight.
“I love learning clapping games, especially the ones we see on ‘The Happy Patty Clap.’ I’ve learned a lot of clapping games in the past and I can’t wait to learn new ones and for others to learn new ones from the show,” she says. “Learning these games is so much fun because it’s something I play on set to bond with my castmates and even at slumber parties with my friends!”
“Disney Jr.’s Ariel” premieres Friday, August 9 at 9:00 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Jr. and 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Channel.
Celebrity Coverage
How Diana Ross’s Halloween look was created Uche Moxama – essence
Courtesy of Cindy Romero
Halloween is the perfect time of 12 months to advertise an icon. This 12 months, for instance, Beyoncé morphed into funk rock star Betty Davis and Coco Jones referenced Donna Summer’s album covers. And for the content creator Uche Moxamrecreation of the 1969 Diana Ross film.I’ll wash this guy out of my hair” on the duvet, the immediate answer was “yes.”
“I grew up listening to great artists: Whitney, Diana, Donna Summer, the list goes on,” Moxam tells ESSENCE. “Not only were they the powerhouse of their decade, but they also provided representation of beautiful, strong and talented black women who were rarely represented in the media at the time.”
For a protracted time, Moxam had been waiting for the suitable moment to rework into Diana Ross’s mountain of curls (as if released from a set of very large curlers) from the GIT Broadway special. However, probably the most iconic a part of the look was also probably the most difficult to create. “The biggest challenge was supposed to be the hair,” she says, contacting a hair stylist Alan Schober.
“Alana managed to arrange each bundle of hair individually and artistically to achieve the effect shown in Diana’s film,” he says. “I wanted the hair texture to be three-dimensional, not just using Photoshop or a black board.” Using a 65-inch cardboard as a base and more bundles of hair than she could count interwoven with Moxam’s real hair, Schober turned her costume right into a masterpiece.
“I focus on a natural look [for everyday beauty] but Halloween is truly a time to become someone else,” she says.
However, Uche Moxam’s makeup veered away from Ross’s neutral lip with glazed lips and cheeks sculpted with blush, becoming an icon in its own right. “I’ve been wanting to bring it to life for some time and this year I managed to do it.”
Celebrity Coverage
The best beauty moments of Halloween 2024 – essence
@janellemonae / Instagram
Celebrities have been known to bring creative costumes every Halloween. From area of interest cosplay to Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween party with high-budget SFX makeup and rugged references, stars never fail to live as much as their past looks. And last night turned out to be no different.
For example, when Janelle Monaé called a surreal version of ET, it took a team of five SFX artists to create the life-size costume. Lizzo has 4 looks starting from red body paint to scissored skin: the set includes an Ozempic pack, a honey bunny, Edward Scissorhands, and a never-rejected face card.
Although Doja Cat as a sunflower is a reference to the 2001 video game, Halloween will not be limited to fictional characters. Beyoncé took on the persona of funk-rock singer Betty Davis, Winnie Harlow referenced Diana Ross, and Coco Jones referenced Donna Summer’s album covers. Meanwhile, Megan Thee Stallion proved that Halloween lasts all 12 months long by dressing up within the anime cosplay she probably would ever wear.
Below, ESSENCE rounds up our favourite beauty moments from Halloween 2024.
Celebrity Coverage
WNBA earnings are rising, but will they be enough? The real story behind the numbers – the essence
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 06: A’ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces brings the ball up the court against Betnijah Laney-Hamilton #44 of the New York Liberty in the first quarter of Game 4 of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs Semifinals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on October 6, 2024 . in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Liberty defeated the Aces 76-62, winning the series three games to 1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this image, User consents to the terms of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
When Angel Reese signed with the Chicago Sky and was chosen seventh overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, it entered a league completely different than five years ago. The compensation landscape has modified dramatically – but let’s be honest about whether these changes are truly transformational or simply an incremental step towards what these athletes deserve.
The raw numbers tell the story of progress. 2024 WNBA season boasts the highest earnings in the history of the leagueand top players will be capable of earn as much as $241,984. Supermax pay has increased 94% since 2019, when the league’s elite players reached $121,500. Even minimum wage for newbies increased to $64,154 – greater than double the amount in 2019. But that is where it gets complicated. While The WNBA salary cap has reached $1.4 million per team in 2024, The NBA salary cap is $140 million. Yes, you read that right. And before anyone makes the “but revenue” argument, let’s acknowledge that even after accounting for differences in league revenue, WNBA players receive about 33% of the league’s revenue, while NBA players receive about 50%.
For most WNBA players, to make it work, meaning playing year-round. According to AP, about 50% of players also compete abroad during the WNBA off-season. Stars like Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson can fetch top dollar in each markets, but this double duty comes at a value – physical fatigue, time away from family and the mental strain of never really having an off-season season.
Marketing dollars tell a totally different story. League Collective labor agreement for 2020 included provisions for increased marketing opportunities, but in 2023, only a handful of players have signed deals with major brands. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark’s NIL valuation has reached $3.1 million before she even declared for the WNBA draft – highlighting each the potential and the disparity in how women’s basketball talent is valued.
The racial dynamics are particularly striking. In the league where over 60% of gamers are black womenthe conversation around fair pay is not only about gender – it’s about racial equality in sports. When we discuss WNBA salaries, we’re talking about undervaluing the work of Black women, and it is a story that reverberates far beyond the basketball court.
The league has taken steps in the right direction. The latest CBA introduces progressive elements similar to fully paid maternity leave, improved travel accommodations and potential income sharing opportunities. These changes come after years of player activism, led by women like Angel McCoughtry and Nneka Ogwumike who weren’t afraid to demand higher.
But let’s be clear, higher than before does not imply ok. When the WNBA minimum salary is barely above median household income in the USwe’re not only talking about the gender pay gap – we’re talking about the fundamental devaluation of girls’s skilled sport.
The query is not whether WNBA players should be grateful for these raises. The query is why, in 2024, we still have to make the case for fair compensation for skilled athletes who consistently produce world-class results, drive civil conversations, and encourage the next generation of athletes.
Pay rises are the starting, not the end. As viewership increased, the 2024 WNBA Finals saw: Viewership increase by 115%. in comparison with the previous 12 months – the pace of real changes is gaining momentum. The numbers are growing, yes, but until they reflect the true value these athletes bring to the game, our work isn’t done.
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