Celebrity Coverage
Meet Lynnzee Brown: The Woman Who Made History as Haiti’s First Olympic Gymnast – Essence
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 28: Lynnzee Brown of Team Haiti celebrates after her performance on the asymmetric bars through the women’s artistic gymnastics qualification on day two of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on July 28, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Lynnzee Brown, a former student gymnast and current head coach of the Penn State women’s gymnastics team, made history on the 2024 Paris Olympics when she became the primary artistic gymnast (male or female) to represent Haiti.
Brown, who has Haitian heritage through her father, who was born within the Caribbean country, says she simply desired to make her country joyful. But what began as a purely personal goal soon became something larger than she could have imagined.
“It started as an exploration of my own identity, but the deeper I dug into it, the more I learned about the country, its history and what’s going on there,” Brown tells ESSENCE, fresh off her experience on the Paris Olympics. “I also got to meet the people of Haiti and see firsthand the impact I could have.”
Her Olympic adventure was fraught with difficulties, as she had to start out from a position behind the starting line to be able to wear her country’s name and colours on her uniform.
“Trying to get dual citizenship was a bit difficult in itself. I had to make multiple trips to the embassy in Chicago and D.C. to provide my father’s birth certificate and prove that I was his biological child and that I had Haitian citizenship.”
From there, the University of Denver graduate needed to post competition results from the 2023 World Championships in Belgium to qualify for the squad for Paris 2024. Brown, the one Haitian gymnast on the Games, made her official debut in history on July 28, 2024, through the women’s all-around qualification.
She achieved her highest rating in international competition so far – 48.832 points in all events – and never let the incontrovertible fact that she was the lone gymnast carrying Haiti on her back distract her from her goal.
“Even though I was a solo gymnast, it was a cool experience,” Brown says. “I was put in with other gymnasts who were also solo, so that helped. But meeting the other Haitian athletes, there were seven of us, was just amazing. They were so encouraging. It motivated me even more to continue representing Haiti and learning more about my people. We were a really great group, the seven of us.”
For Brown, the chance to delve deeper into her heritage story through her sport was an honor and a source of pride. The 25-12 months-old says many other Haitians have reached out to her to inform her how incredible it was to see a Haitian gymnast on the Olympic stage.
“I’m proud to show that Haitian athletes are here, in a different space. I know most of us train in the States. But talking to the Haitian Olympic Committee, their goal is to eventually get facilities in Haiti and encourage more people to play sports and compete internationally.”
“I know they hope that all seven of us will go to Haiti when things stabilize. And I hope that what I’m doing now will directly help athletes and young people in Haiti. I definitely hope to go there soon, as soon as possible.”
However, the road to Paris was demanding for the Brown family financially. They founded GoFundMe to assist cover the young gymnast’s expenses as she competed on the world’s biggest stage. It was the unwavering support from those closest to her that was the primary thing that got her through the entire experience.
“Throughout my studies and training, I was always reminded to think about my why when things got tough or when I needed to be more grateful. In the case of these Olympics, my why was definitely my mom and family and how much they sacrificed. Seeing them get so emotional at the watch party, where they sent me videos, confirmed that this is all for the people who helped me get here.”
Celebrity Coverage
ICYMI: Cardi B’s rally look, Adut Akech’s baby bump and more – Essence
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Ahead of the 2024 election week, stars supported each political and classic hair and makeup moments. From micro bobs and presidential updos to butterscotch lipsticks with matching manicures, moderate shades complemented this season’s trendy hairstyles.
Cardi B’s updo meant business Kamala Harris rally in Milwaukeeturning a straightforward sleep pin-up right into a political statement. The rapper’s beauty moment was the most recent after last week’s rally star look “dance party” with Beyoncéblonde bombshell and microbob Kelly Rowland. However, dominant hairstyles weren’t limited to election campaigns.
Traditional, edgy styles like Coco Jones’s bob and supermodel Anok Yai’s ponytail are transformed into prim and proper with curled ends. The former combined an asymmetric cut with undecided French suggestions: black on one side, white on the opposite. Meanwhile, a sensual nude manicure rested between her lips. To end the week, pregnant Adut Akech styled her baby bump with blackberry nails to match the thick, dark line of her fall lip.
In case you missed it, take a have a look at 9 celebrity beauty moments from the week.
Celebrity Coverage
Quincy Jones, iconic producer and entertainment mainstay, dies at the age of 91 – Essence
Quincy Jones at TIFF in 2018 (Photo: Chris Pizzello / Invision/AP)
Quincy Jones, a outstanding figure in the music and entertainment industry, died peacefully on Sunday at his home in Bel Air, California, surrounded by family members. He was 91 years old.
“Tonight, it is with full but broken hearts that we must share the news of the death of our father and brother Quincy Jones,” Arnold Robinson, publicist for the 28-time Grammy winner, said in an announcement. “And while this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the wonderful life he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Born on March 14, 1933 in Chicago, Quincy Delight Jones was raised in a turbulent environment marked by the Great Depression and his mother’s mental illness. At the age of 11, discovering a piano at a neighborhood recreation center in Bremerton, Washington became the pivotal moment that modified his life from petty crime to a profession in music. He eventually mastered the trumpet and at the age of 14 was performing in jazz clubs with a young Ray Charles, which allowed him to showcase his limitless talent and set the stage for a unprecedented profession.
Jones’ journey began in earnest when he played trumpet in Lionel Hampton’s band at age 19, and continued as he collaborated with jazz legends equivalent to Dizzy Gillespie. In the Sixties, he began pursuing film scores, earning three Academy Award nominations in 1968 and 1969 for his work on , and , breaking barriers as one of the first black composers in Hollywood. His groundbreaking role as the first black musical director of the 1971 Academy Awards cemented his pioneering status.
Despite serious health problems in the Nineteen Seventies, including two life-threatening brain aneurysms that left him unable to play the trumpet, Jones remained undeterred. He then composed iconic themes for and Emmy Award-winning movies.
Most notably, Quincy’s profession peaked in the Eighties when he teamed up with Michael Jackson, producing the movies , and . itself secured eight Grammy Awards and became a cultural touchstone that transformed the music industry. In 1985, Jones organized and produced the all-star film “We Are the World,” which raised thousands and thousands for African famine relief and won three Grammy Awards. His work continued to influence the industry, from producing Sinatra to overseeing (*91*) Davis’ final album.
Known for his enduring versatility, Jones was the first African-American to carry an executive position at a significant record label, was a movie and television producer – directing such hits – and co-produced the 1985 and 2023 film versions of the film.
A loyal father, Jones’s personal life was full of complexities, including three marriages and seven children, amongst them actresses Kidada and Rashida Jones. The autobiography details his extraordinary journey from the gang-infested streets of Chicago to the pinnacle of global recognition, marked by each triumphs and challenges.
The iconic artist leaves behind an unparalleled legacy, combining music, film and television and inspiring future generations. His contributions to the arts and philanthropy proceed to resonate, highlighting the indelible mark left by a remarkable man whose story will remain a testament to resilience and innovation.
Celebrity Coverage
This Week’s Best New Music: The Weeknd, Kiana Ledé, Tyler, The Creator and More – Essence
Happy Friday, people. As we enter November, the music scene is buzzing with fresh releases that can surely boost your playlists. From genre-mixing collaborations to introspective solo projects, this week’s lineup offers a various range of sounds to suit every listener’s taste.
Headlined by Tyler, Creator’s latest album, EARTHGANG returns with , and The Weeknd teams up with Anitta on “São Paulo,” combining their unique sounds right into a fascinating track. Kiana Ledé offers soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics, while Pink Sweat$ serves up smooth single “Coffee.” Our list also includes music from Freddie Gibbs, IDK, Sheryl Lee Ralph and more
You can try today’s news roundup below.
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