Entertainment
Colman Domingo Holds Back Tears While Discussing ‘Sing Sing’
Colman Domingo gave his all in his latest role as a wrongly convicted man.
In “Sing Sing,” Domingo plays John “Divine G” Whitfield, a real-life figure who served as a pacesetter in Rehabilitation through art program while in prison. RTA is a program that gives creative arts workshops to over 230 incarcerated men and ladies across the country. As Whitfield fights to be released from prison, he finds belonging with a gaggle of incarcerated men who create a theatrical production as a part of this system.
The role required Domingo to stretch himself emotionally and provides what he calls his most liberating performance yet. The Oscar-nominated actor had just wrapped filming “The Color Purple” and was preparing to shoot “Rustin” when he began production on “Sing Sing” in 2022. Domingo says in a brand new interview with theGrio that he had just 18 days to complete the film, which forced him to let go and go deep.
“I usually put myself through a very rigorous process of research and all these other details that can drive someone crazy, but that’s my process,” the 54-year-old actor shares. “But for this (film), I had to liberate myself in a different way. I just had to figure out what was human, what was deeply connected to me as just a black man in the world.”
“I could have been in that situation, or I could have been in that situation, and my life path would have been different,” he adds. “But holding on to life and hope and art in the way that (Whitfield) did, because I think that’s what he had to do, and that’s the true essence of the spirit.”
Domingo says he also had to interrupt free “from the company of men who may not have been professional actors but who respected their craft.” “Sing, Sing” features several formerly incarcerated actors and RTA participants playing past versions of themselves, including Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, who received critical approval for his performance.
“I couldn’t come in with any preconceived notions about them or their process. I had to be completely free, and that’s the only way we could create a film that I think has more soul work than anything else.”
Domingo tells Grio that he was the “leader” on set among the many forged, but made sure the opposite actors, whom he calls “artisans,” felt supported and had “the space to do their job.”
“I trusted that these were men who had actually done the work when they were in these programs, when they were incarcerated, and some of them were doing the work outside of them,” he explains. “A lot of them had never done a movie before. I never looked at it as something that wasn’t great. I thought, ‘Oh, what a great opportunity that we can create something different.’ The texture will be different; the authenticity will be different because they have life experience.”
Domingo gets emotional during an interview with theGrio, talking about one scene where his character hugs Maclin after he gets out of prison. In that scene, Whitfield has an entire breakdown, sobbing and unleashing years of emotion as Maclin hugs him.
“That scene was rewritten at least 20 times,” Domingo says of the scene, which director Greg Kwedar shot in a single take.
“When we were going to shoot it, I asked Greg to give us a take where—we already have the skeleton of the scenes in us, but I think we just have to let them play out,” he says. “All I need to know about my character is that he’s been incarcerated for 25 years, wrongly convicted of a crime for 25 years. His last parole was seven years earlier, when he had to stay in prison. My own secret is that his mother had also died, so he had no one waiting for him at the end.”
“We shot that scene once and we knew that was it,” Domingo explains. Describing the scene as “organic and guttural,” Domingo says he had no idea he would “let out that wail” like that.
“It came from my brother Clarence hugging me. The shared story of ‘this man can carry my pain, my trauma.’ It became for me a little bow tied around our story of these two men who you never thought would get along, and suddenly they’re really accountable to each other on the outside. You have someone there — Oh, I’m about to cry — you have someone there who has your back.”
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Domingo, who was previously nominated for an Oscar for his role in “Rustin,” is already reaping the rewards for his role in “Sing Sing.” The actor says the accolades are nice — not due to the glamour and glitz, but due to the light they shed on the film and its significance.
“I think if it leads people to the film and its message, then great,” Domingo concludes. “I did it with love. I did it with respect for these men, believing that their stories matter. That’s why I produced the film. I think stories like that matter. That’s what I want to tell the world. And if we get the amplification and all the buzz and nominations and awards, I say go for it.”
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg’s wife Shante looks like herself again, months after sparking health concerns from fans who noticed a drastic change in her appearance
Shante “Boss Lady” Broadus is popping heads again for all the best reasons! Snoop Dogg’s wife of 27 years has spent months under the watchful eye of fans who have grown concerned about her health amid years of infidelity rumors.
She appears to have lost a lot of weight in photos shared on Instagram in June. Now, three months later, those self same fans are praising her for looking higher than ever.
Shante added a carousel of photos of herself and others from her cousin’s birthday celebration, which took place on September 16.
For the all-white event, she wore a pantsuit with cascading layers of sheer material that gave her outfit the look of a gown. The fashion selection also camouflaged her figure well, effectively stopping onlookers from commenting on whether she looked too big or too small.
This comments the post was proof that not only did everyone find her style “flawless,” but in addition they loved all the pieces about her subtle, glamorous look.
Shante kept her makeup easy, choosing a natural look and a twin-braided hairstyle, prompting one fan to comment that she “looks like a teenager.”
Elsewhere in the comments, someone wrote that she “still looks 20.” Several people called her beautiful, gorgeous, and even “stunning.” “BossLady, what kind of water are you drinking, because honey, listen, your skin is “skinning,” one other blissful fan joked.
Another person who was present and saw earlier comments accusing Shante of hiding health issues said her stunning appearance put an end to any speculative jokes. “They were talking s**t about you and you came back looking 20 times better, well you were always beautiful, you feel it. But you show off, boss.”
Snoop Dogg and His Wife Shante Broadus, 25 Years Later: Yes, Marriage Can Work photo: twitter.com/Kqka4yzkIp
— Dr. Penking™🇳🇬🇦🇺 (@drpenking) August 26, 2023
Snoop’s wife and mother of his three children, sons Cordae and Cordell and daughter Cori (the rapper also has a son named Julian, who was born in 1998, a 12 months after his wedding) has never addressed the rumors about her health.
Although the posts that raised eyebrows, all of them have a few things in common. In them, Shante often wears headscarves and loose clothing, and never a little bit of makeup. Whether she’s dressed elegantly or not, her husband’s love and admiration are unwavering.
The “Doggystyle” artist recently told People magazine that despite their marriage going through a “rocky road,” she is basically the yin to his yang, saying “the good to the bad is her,” and that there’s nothing that might ever tear their relationship apart.
The couple has long struggled with quite a few cheating rumors, mostly involving Snoop.
And while Shante is tight-lipped about her personal life, some followers can’t help but wonder if a few of her cryptic relationship posts are inspired by her marriage. Only Broadus’ family knows the reality.
“I have a strong wife with a strong backbone and a good heart — she loves and cares, and we were meant to be together,” Snoop said. “When we said we were going to get married, we were married until death do us part. Isn’t that what it sounds like? Not until the fights, arguments, or finances do us part, but until death do us part.”
Entertainment
Will Black Excellence Shine at the 2024 Emmys?
Hollywood’s journey toward diversity has been long and infrequently slow. But the 2024 Emmy Awards were one other step forward in recognizing the contributions of creators, actors and directors of color. Of the 96 possible acting nominations this 12 months, 30 nominees they were people of color, including 17 black people nominatedRecognition of talent transcended racial lines, with nominations also coming from the LGBTQ and Indigenous communities.
This 12 months’s level of diversity continues to be a positive trend for Black creators, actors and directors, signaling long-awaited recognition from the industry, making history times.
An awesome (and unexpected) victory
The 2024 Emmy Awards Gala brought some surprises, including a special moment when Lamorne Morris won his first Emmy for his role in . In a lightweight and emotional acceptance speech, Morris thanked God, his mother and jokingly acknowledged his daughter’s approval while gushing about fellow nominee Robert Downey Jr. The win not only highlighted Morris’ talent, but in addition contributed to the growing representation of black actors who’re recognized for his or her craft.
Black Actors and Actresses Nominations and Past Trends
Here are a few of the 17 black nominees who were recognized for his or her work on screen:
- Idris Elba, Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “Hijack”
- Donald Glover, Lead Actor in a Drama Series for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”
- Quinta Brunson, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, for “Abbott Elementary”
- Ayo Edebiri, Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, for her role in the film “The Bear”
Supporting actors and actresses from series like “Abbot Elementary,” “Fargo” and “The Bear” also ranked high amongst the nominees, with the likes of legendary Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams and Lionel Boyce amongst them.
For a few of the nominees, this wasn’t their first time on the Emmy red carpet. This 12 months’s nomination was Idris Elba’s sixth, while Donald Glover previously took home acting and directing awards for his work on “Atlanta” in 2017. He was the first black director to win Emmy for Directing for a Comedy Series.
While the 2024 Emmys signal progress, the industry still has an extended technique to go. Historically, black performers have been severely underrepresented at the Emmys. Between 1966 and 2014, fewer than 5% of nominations for lead actor in a comedy or drama went to black actors. The deceased Sammy Davis Jr. was one among the first black performers to be honored for “Best Special Performance” in 1956, but it surely could be years before similar honors became more common.
In 1963, Harry Belafonte made history as the first black person to win an Emmy for a special appearance, marking an early win for black representation in an era when such recognition was rare. But it wasn’t until the Eighties that black actors began to make more consistent strides. Isabella Sanfordfor instance, she became the first black woman to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1981 for her role as Louise Jefferson in .
In 1990, James Earl Jones he won for his performance Jackie Harry made history as the first and only black woman to win the award in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series category.
Recently, historic nominations have included: Viola Daviswho in 2015 became the first black woman to win the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in . Her iconic acceptance speech underscored the ongoing battle for opportunity in Hollywood: “The only thing that separates women of color from everyone else is opportunity.” The moment became a cultural touchstone, inspiring future generations of performers. Sterling K. Brown in 2016 and 2017 for his roles in the movies and , he won two Emmy Awards in a row.
Black Excellence Behind the Camera
The 2024 Emmy Awards also saw an increase in recognition for Black talent behind the camera. Salli Richardson-Whitfield was nominated as director of a drama series for guiding “Beat LA” in Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, making her the first Black woman nominated in the category — a groundbreaking achievement for gender and racial diversity at the awards show.
In addition to his nominations for his work on camera, Donald Glover has been nominated as a author for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” This isn’t Glover’s first foray behind the scenes at the Emmys, but his continued presence on the nominee list bodes well for black creators in Hollywood.
Diversity also appears on the nomination lists for lesser-known awards, equivalent to the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Program (Prerecorded), which incorporates comedian Trevor Noah’s “Where Was I” and Dave Chappelle’s “The Dreamer.”
What the 2024 Emmys Mean for Black Representation in Hollywood
The increased attendance at the Emmys and other elite Hollywood awards shows in recent times reflects calls from artists and activists to acknowledge their labor. “Issa Rae”I support all blacks“The comments from 2017 and 2022 likely still ring true, and she or he’s probably not the just one rooting for more representation amongst Emmy winners.
Just like the ancestors, equivalent to Harry Belafonte—the first Black person to win an Emmy—broke molds and pioneered diversity on the small screen. The Black actors, actresses, creators and directors who earned a spot at the 2024 Emmys, whether or not they won of their category or not, are breaking barriers and helping to construct a more inclusive industry that may welcome more Black talent in the future.
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Entertainment
Cécred Beyoncé presents new product with pop-up – Essence
Courtesy of Cécred
First she ripped out our edges. Now she’s going to bring them back. Beyoncé’s hair care company, Cécred, has unveiled the new addition to the road with a pop-up installation in SoHo… and it’s thick.
On Saturday, International news has been transformed right into a Chrome launchpad for the new product: Restoring hair and drop edgesFormulated to extend hair density by 1.5x, the elixir comes packaged in a chic silver dropper bottle – a packaging that stands out from other products within the line.
The drops, aptly encapsulated within the slogan “Get Thick,” goal breakage and thinning hair on the ends and lengths. The product has a serum formula, meaning it’s lightweight and absorbs directly into the hair and scalp. There isn’t any must rinse and is designed for each day use.
For best results, the team encourages consumers to make use of the serum twice each day for at the very least 16 weeks. The science behind the formula relies on patented Bioactive Keratin Ferment technology and delivers five peptides that support hair growth. “1 drop, 5 powerful peptides,” the corporate declares.
Members Cecred The team, including Beyoncé’s hair stylist Neal Farinahand Brand Education Director Dr. Kari Williamswere present to support the product launch and engage participants. The pop-up attracted over 500 people We cannot wait to check the new drops and learn more about them.
Chrome windows were lined with shiny new bottles, and a metal kiosk delivered a special edition of the Get Thick newsletter, offering detailed product information. Meanwhile, a sweet station dishing out champagne-flavored drinks cotton candy with edible glitter accomplished the entire.
The first 500 guests received a full-size bottle of Restoring Hair and Edge Drops, while subsequent guests received product samples. All were also capable of purchase the larger Cécred line at a reduced price. The event staff, wearing all-white Cécred jumpsuits, moved the road of Bey stans—who, after all, sang along to Beyoncé’s discography while they waited—along with the friendly, communal energy that the brand itself strives to cultivate.
Bobby, a fan dressed head to toe in Renaissance gear, arrived at 3:30 a.m. to be sure that he was first in line. Aden, 18, boarded a bus from Philadelphia for his first solo trip, while Ciera and her friends followed, hats in tow, three hours before the event began. Several got here prepared to attend in line with folding chairs and Renaissance tour fans.
Fans were asked in the event that they would still use the products without the queen’s name, and all responded with a convincing yes. “It’s in the name,” Aden told ESSENCE. The products work and encourage consumers to pour love and respect into their crowns.
Consumers of various hair types, ages, and ethnicities shared their personal experiences with the brand, citing the moisturizing balm and deep conditioner as repeat favorites. “My favorite product is the conditioner because I really like how silky it makes my hair. My hair gets really tangled, but after 2-3 washes it’s so much easier to detangle,” Ciera shared.
Two clients, one with less dense, straight hair and the opposite with thick, wavy hair, described how Cécred restored moisture and strength to their hair after multiple bleaching and coloring cycles. Estela detailed how the products worked on her own dry, loose curls and her daughter’s tight curls. “It’s hard to find curl products that are good and work. These work.”
Protection, health and hydration were crucial goals of the participants by way of hair care. That is why the new regenerating serum, already available on the market on cecred.com, is certain to arouse interest.
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