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Colman Domingo Holds Back Tears While Discussing ‘Sing Sing’

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Colman Domingo, thegrio.com

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.”

Colman Domingo speaks on stage as CÎROC Limonata & The House Of Creed have fun the film “Sing Sing” and Colman Domingo throughout the opening of the 2024 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival on the Performing Arts Center on August 2, 2024 in Edgartown, Massachusetts. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for CÎROC Limonata)

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.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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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.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

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.

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.”

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.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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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.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

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.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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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.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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