Connect with us

Celebrity Coverage

Salli Richardson-Whitfield Was ‘Totally Surprised’ by Her First Emmy Nomination – Essence

Published

on

Salla Richardson-Whitfield’s mid-career change of favor has paid off.

The actress-turned-producer/director earned her first Emmy nomination this yr for her work on the critically acclaimed HBO series, making history as the primary black woman nominated for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Ironically, it was for her work on the series that was prematurely canceled, .

But before she dominated the director’s chair, Richardson-Whitfield was a star of film and tv within the ’90s, starring out and in of The Jamie Foxx Show, ROC and even lending her voice to a classic animated drama.

We caught up with Richardson-Whitfield just after news of her historic nomination broke to seek out out what led to her going from in front of the camera to behind it, finding success in underappreciated spaces and ultimately getting invited to the party of a lifetime after a three-decade Hollywood profession.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield was 'completely surprised' by her first Emmy nomination
Salli Richardson attends the sixth Annual AAFCA TV Honors at The Hollywood Roosevelt on August 24, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by River Callaway/Variety via Getty Images)

ESSENCE: Despite a profession spanning nearly 35 years, 65 acting credits, and 37 directing credits, these two Emmy nominations are your first. How did you are feeling once you heard you were nominated in not only one, but multiple categories?

Richardson-Whitfield: Completely absent! I used to be on set and I used to be more focused because I knew HBO was promoting the show, so I used to be hoping they’d get a nod, and after they did, I used to be like, “Great, I can go to the party.” But nothing in my wildest dreams said I’d get multiple nominations, let alone be nominated for guiding. So I used to be very, very surprised.

This was surprising, especially to many fans, for the reason that show was, unfortunately, canceled last September.

Part of me was very surprised since the show was canceled. Really, out of all of the shows I’ve done in my profession up to now, I used to be really blissful that it was this show and this particular episode because I used to be very pleased with it.

Unfortunately, I believe it just got here out on the flawed time. Some of the players had issues with not being a component of it, after which we had COVID, after which we had the strike – it was just the flawed time. But I believe it should be certainly one of those shows where people look back and say, “We really missed the opportunity.” It’s a extremely cool show. Great characters, and visually something different than what’s been on TV before.

Salli Richardson-Whitfield was 'completely surprised' by her first Emmy nomination

For those that are unfamiliar with the topic, and particularly ’90s kids who know you all too well, especially as an actress, explain the way you ended up making a profession as a director.

I’d say it has been about eight years since directing took over for me. I used to be shooting Ava Duvernay’s first feature, . During that process, probably because I used to be talking a bit an excessive amount of, Ava said to me, “I think you’re a director, but you don’t know it.” And only for her to breathe those words from God into me made me say, “Hmm… that’s how I think.”

Then I used to be on a show where I talked to them about perhaps giving me a probability to direct. And in fact I did my due diligence, I did a bit little bit of shadowing and I read books, and Ava gave me some tapes on blocking. They trusted me and gave me a probability. And after that first episode I knew that eventually this was going to be something that I used to be going to enter. It’s almost like all those 20, 25, 30 years of acting were my training ground to develop into a director.

How do you’re thinking that this Emmy shall be different from others you’ve got attended previously and now that you just’re nominated?

Well, I’ve never been to an Emmy! So I’m super excited.

Really?? That’s shocking.

Again, that is why I used to be so excited once I got nominated. I assumed, “Okay, I produced this show. At least I can go.” So the proven fact that I’m nominated for 2 Emmys for the primary time makes it that a lot better. Win or lose, at the least I’m there.

What are your immediate plans beyond the Emmys?

Well, I even have a brand new show that I’m shooting for HBO called , and it stars Mark Ruffalo. It’s produced by the identical showrunner, Brad Inglesby, who was behind So that is one other show that I’m really enthusiastic about, a unique type of crime. I’ve done a bit little bit of that, but this time I can really delve into that genre more. And the forged is amazing. And I hope I’ll be there next yr when the following Emmy nomination comes out.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Celebrity Coverage

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Arrested in New York After Grand Jury Indictment – Essence

Published

on

By

Sean 'Diddy' Combs arrested in New York after grand jury indictment

Photo credit: Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images

Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday night on the Park Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan after being indicted by a grand jury, authorities said. Combs, who has faced multiple sexual assault lawsuits and a federal human trafficking investigation over the past 12 months, was detained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, CNN reports.

The specific charges against the music mogul remain unclear, but U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams confirmed the arrest in a press release. “Earlier this evening, federal agents arrested Sean Combs on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY,” he said. “We expect to file a motion to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time.”

Combs’ attorney, Marc Agnifilo, criticized the choice to file charges, calling the indictment “unfair.” According to the report, Agnifilo said, “We are disappointed with the decision to bring what we believe is an unfair indictment against Mr. Combs by the United States Attorney’s Office. Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, a self-made entrepreneur, a loving family man, and a proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years constructing an empire, adoring his children, and dealing to uplift the black community.”

Agnifilo continued by emphasizing his client’s cooperation with investigators, adding, “To his credit, Mr. Combs has cooperated with this investigation and voluntarily moved to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve judgment until you know all the facts. These are the actions of an innocent man who has nothing to hide and is eager to clear his name in court.”

Combs, 54, has been under intense scrutiny in recent months, and the arrest is the most recent in a series of legal challenges he has faced. The federal investigation features a human trafficking probe and a series of sexual assault lawsuits. In one in all the most recent cases, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard filed a lawsuit on Sept. 10 accusing Combs of verbal abuse, sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Earlier this 12 months, Homeland Security agents raided Combs’ properties in Los Angeles and Miami as a part of a human trafficking investigation. HSI confirmed the searches in a press release, saying, “Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York conducted the law enforcement action as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.”

Combs also got here under fire in May when CNN released a video of him physically attacking his then-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, in 2016. The video was consistent with allegations made in lawsuit filed by Ventura in November 2023. Although the lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed, it added to a growing list of legal issues the entrepreneur has faced.

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

Celebrity Coverage

ICYMI: Megan Thee Stallion’s Bob and More – Essence

Published

on

By

@lizzo @theestallion / Instagram

Between fashion month, awards shows, and fancy dinners, celebrity beauty moments are at their peak. And over the past week, we’ve spotted quite a lot of pre-fall hair and makeup looks. From black bobs with bangs to doll makeup and oval nails, A-list stars are leaning toward soft power.

For example, Naomi Campbell and 2024 VMA host Megan Thee Stallion swapped their trendy blonde bobs for black ones and added thick, blunt bangs as a “power” beauty moment. Sabrina Elba, however, opted for a medium brown color (which matched her earthy-toned makeup and oval nails), curtain bangs, and sides tucked behind her ear.

Meanwhile, artists Tems and Lizzo had an almost equivalent makeup moment, transforming into life-size dolls: Diana Ross lashes, round blush, under-eye powder, and dark, glossy lips. While the previous preferred to say innocence, Halle Bailey’s red lips and Flo Milli’s bronze finish showed that sex appeal can be on this season.

In case you missed it, take a look at 18 celebrity moments from this week.

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

Celebrity Coverage

Primetime Emmys 2024: Full Winners List – Essence

Published

on

By

Photo by VALERIE MACON

The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards was an evening of celebration, triumph and recognition of excellence in the tv industry. The ceremony took place on the LA Live Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, just eight months after last 12 months’s postponed event, sending shockwaves through viewers all over the world.

One of the night’s standout moments was when Liza Colón-Zayas accepted the award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role within the FX series. Colón-Zayas delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech, recognizing the importance of diverse representation in television. Her performance as Tina, a fiercely loyal member of the kitchen staff on the critically acclaimed series, resonated with viewers, and her win contributed to the show’s growing success, which has already earned seven Creative Arts Emmy Awards this 12 months.

Lamorne Morris also had an excellent night, winning for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology for his outstanding performance in a series on FX. Known for his comedic brilliance as Winston in The FX Series, Morris has shown his range in popular dramas, delivering nuanced performances in a task that has charmed audiences. His win was met with huge applause, as he became considered one of the few black actors to receive recognition within the category.

The 2024 Emmy Awards also featured plenty of notable Black performers. They received several nominations, and Damon Wayans, Giancarlo Esposito, Niecy Nash, Viola Davis and Susan Kelechi Watson took the stage as presenters, highlighting the growing visibility and influence of Black actors in Hollywood.

The In Memoriam segment, all the time a moving moment within the ceremony, paid tribute to a few of the most cherished names in entertainment. The emotional ballad “I Am Not Okay” provided the backdrop for the moving tribute because the audience remembered the abilities lost this 12 months, including legendary black actors Louis Gossett Jr., Carl Weathers, James Earl Jones. Their contributions to the industry were honored with deep respect, and their legacy continues to encourage future generations of performers.

FX had an excellent showing at this 12 months’s Emmys, leading the drama categories with a powerful 14 Creative Arts Emmys. It continued its winning streak within the comedy race, coming inside a whisker of breaking its own record for probably the most wins by a comedy series. Meanwhile, Netflix dominated the limited series categories.

Overall, the 2024 Primetime Emmy Awards showcased not only the perfect of television, but in addition a big shift toward more inclusive representation and storytelling. With people of color like Colón-Zayas and Morris taking home top honors, the evening was a testament to the industry’s progress in recognizing diverse voices on screen.

To see the total list of winners, click HERE.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending