Entertainment
Otis Williams’ Extraordinary Long Play with The Temptations
I am unable to let you know how again and again I’ve watched “The Temptations,” a miniseries that aired during my sophomore yr in college in 1998 that chronicled the rise, rise, and fall of certainly one of my favorite vocal groups, The Temptations. The Temptations, after all, are the legendary Motown band that gave us a few of Motown’s most iconic classics, including “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” “Ball of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today)” and my personal favorite, “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” amongst many, many others. You know The Temptations’ songs even when you do not know you already know The Temptations’ songs. Their songs have been covered by countless artists, featured in movies, and sung by choirs. And when you’re black, you are probably familiar with their version of “Silent Night.” That’s… The Temptations.
The original lineup was probably the most famous lineup of the group—David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams. And when the group had problems with David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards joined, and people six are people most of us know and might name by heart. The miniseries “The Temptations” was on repeat in my house when it first got here out on VHS. My sister Spelman bought me a VHS tape and I let it play until it popped. And then, after we all graduated from VCRs, I got the DVD. Between “The Five Heartbeats” and “The Temptations,” I probably watched one or the opposite each day for years, and I’m not exaggerating.
The Temptations took on a lifetime of its own when social media threw the world for a loop. There are just a few scenes within the film which can be perfect for visually expressing any variety of human situations. One of the web’s favorites, though, is when Otis Williams (Charles Malik Whitfield) and Melvin Franklin (DB Woodside) confront David Ruffin (Leon) about his scheming and why they’re kicking him out of the group. Otis notes that nobody is above the group and that nobody involves see David, they arrive to see The Temptations, to which David responds: “Nobody’s coming to see you, Otis!” Those seven words have develop into the stuff of legend. It’s value noting that Otis Williams (real-life member of The Temptations) is certainly one of the manager producers of the miniseries.
I rewatched the show (it’s mainly only a movie at this point) since it had been some time, and once I got to that scene, I laughed, like I all the time do, but then it hit me: If you’re going to look at The Temptations now, you’re actually going to see Otis, because he’s the last surviving member — at age 82 — of the unique Temptations. Paul Williams died in 1973. David Ruffin died in 1991, followed by Eddie Kendricks in 1992. Melvin Franklin died in 1995. I imagine those ’90s were really tough on Otis and all of the fans of the group. Dennis Edwards eventually died in 2018, leaving Otis Williams because the last surviving original member and certainly one of the explanations you’d wish to see The Temptations.
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Sure, they’ve had a ton of lineup changes, members have come and gone; they have been touring for six a long time now. But all of the individuals who were the magnets for the overwhelming majority of the songs we all know and love within the Temptations canon, well, Otis is the just one who’s still alive on those records. I’m not saying he’s outlived everyone else out of spite, but I’m saying that Otis’s longevity is impressive. Especially when the miniseries got here out, Otis and Dennis were the one guys left. He mainly needed to outlive Dennis by one other 20 years to find a way to say, “After all, they’re just coming to see me, Otis.”
By all accounts, Otis Williams looks as if an awesome guy. I’ve listened to countless interviews with him, and he’s an awesome storyteller who speaks highly of everyone within the band. But I’m wondering if he’s ever, within the quiet of a room, alone before he goes on stage, said to himself, “They’re coming to see Otis tonight.” I do know I might. Maybe he’s got good genes. Maybe he’s been maintaining a healthy diet for a long time and that is what’s kept him going. I’m sure it’s a mixture of luck, healthy habits, and the life he’s chosen. But after watching the Michael Jordan documentary The Last Dance , which exposed his ultimate competitiveness and pettiness, you could have to wonder if sometimes these guys whose talent and determination prove they’re built in a different way don’t have anything to prove and might’t rest until they do.
Sure, “Ain’t nobody coming to see you, Otis” is a line from the show, however it’s taken on a lifetime of its own. I can’t let you know how again and again I’ve said it to people I do know and random strangers. It’s a component of black popular culture. I’m wondering if Otis didn’t pass though all of them to prove David fallacious. Who knows if David ever said it (apart from Otis)? Either way, Otis William remains to be alive, concert events and performances and when you plan on watching The Temptations in 2024…
…you will certainly see Otis.
Entertainment
Oprah Winfrey under fire for controversial leadership of Academy amid criticism of her political affairs
Oprah Winfrey became a trending topic on social media across multiple platforms on September 16. The billionaire’s upcoming live broadcast with Vice President Kamala Harris drew negative reactions from conservatives.
The Unite for America event will feature Winfrey, Harris and representatives from greater than 100 grassroots Democratic organizations. Winfrey posted a video of the announcement on the TikTok account @oprahdaily.
“It’s going to be incredibly exciting to have all the different groups from all over the country come together,” Winfrey, 70, said on social media.
The OWN founder added: “Everyone is coming together for what I think will be one of the biggest election rallies in history.”
Winfrey officially endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in a surprise speech on the 2024 Democratic National Convention in August. Every time the previous talk show host shows support for Harris, supporters of Republican candidate and MAGA leader Donald Trump go on the attack.
In light of Oprah’s popularity online, Trump supporters have begun to allude to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy scandal. South African boarding school faces allegations of physical and sexual abuse within the late 2000s.
“Where are all the missing children???” one of the self-identified MAGA members asked on X in response to the “Unite for America” livestream. Someone else she tweeted: “Oprah, what about the girls at your South African school, huh?”
Some Sponsored by Oprah posted: “No girls disappeared, but girls were being sexually harassed at this school. As we know, Oprah is a victim of harassment, so she hopped on a plane to South Africa and made sure the person who did this was arrested. Why do you want her to be so angry? Because she’s a billionaire?”
The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls was founded in Gauteng Province, South Africa in January 2007. Later that yr, multiple female students accused the dormitory manager of physical and sexual abuse.
Winfrey apologized to oldsters of Leadership Academy students after allegations were made about a faculty worker. She also visited the power to talk on to the community.
In October 2010, Tiny Makopo he was acquitted of all 14 charges related to the harassment allegations. In addition, Winfrey defamation case resolved with former Lerato Lerato director Nomvuyo Mzamane, who was fired amidst the abuse controversy.
Winfrey has followed the progress of some Leadership Academy graduates after they leave school. In June 2024, she celebrated the graduation of one of her “daughter-daughters” with an M.D. from Stanford University.
“I have attended 22 graduation ceremonies for all of my daughters who graduated from the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy in South Africa and went on to colleges across the United States.” The star of “The Color Purple” wrote in an Instagram caption from June 17.
Oprah Winfrey’s “Unite for America” Virtual Rally will probably be presented in partnership with the Win With Black Women volunteer network on September 19. The livestream will begin at 8:00 PM ET on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitch.
Entertainment
Lamorne Morris takes home his first Emmy and other notable Black moments from the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards
The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards took place on Sunday evening at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, returning the annual awards to its usual place in the fall. Another returning vibe: few non-white nominees and even fewer non-white winners. Out of 14 Black acting nominees across multiple categories shown during the televised broadcast, there was only one Black winner. Lamorne Morris, who not only attended his first Emmys on Sunday evening, also took home the gold for outstanding supporting actor in a limited or anthology series or movie for his role “Fargo.”
During his endearingly bumbling remarks, Morris thanked his mother, with whom he attended the awards, and jokingly shouted out his 3-year-old daughter, Lily, for not believing in him. He thanked everyone he loved, saying, “If you got my number, that means I love you,” as he wrapped up.
In an interview after his big win, he said, “This is strange, but it’ll sink in at some point. I just need to spend more time with it. If I wake up in the morning and it’s still in my room, then I know it’s real.”
Throughout the live broadcast, the Emmys paid homage to classic television characters, including a TV cop homage featuring Niecy Nash for her “Reno 911” days, a TV mom moment that included Susan Kelechi Watson for her portrayal of Beth on “This is Us,” and a tribute to TV lawyers featuring Viola Davis for “How to Get Away with Murder” and Gina Torres for “Suits.” The solid of “The West Wing” reunited to introduce the nominees and winner of the outstanding drama series. While Bradley Whitford was noticeably absent from the reunion, actor Dulé Hill was there.
Before the broadcast, Maya Rudolph won Outstanding Character Voice-over Performance for her role in Netflix’s hit animated series “Big Mouth.” Liza Colón-Zayas made history as the first Latina actress to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in “The Bear.” Other big wins for the night included “Shōgun,” which took home a history-making 18 Emmys for its first season, including best drama. HBO/Max’s “Hacks” won for best comedy.
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While Black talent could have been sparse on the big stage, they definitely won on the red carpet. Leading as much as the awards ceremony, Black television stars peppered the red carpet with style and vigorous interviews. Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who was nominated for her guest appearance role in “Only Murders in the Building,” arrived in a vivid yellow hooded gown. Meanwhile, Ayo Edebiri, who was nominated for her supporting role in “The Bear,” wore a colourful Bottega Veneta strapless gown with a sultry slit.
When chatting with Laverne Cox, Edebiri said, “Danielle Goldberg, my stylist, said (the dress) was really reminiscent to her of Gaetano Pesce, this amazing Italian artist who just passed away. And for me, I’m also getting Nollywood vibes.”
Elsewhere, Sherly Lee Ralph, nominated for her role in “Abbott Elementary,” arrived in a custom black Versace halter gown and said her look styled by her daughter Ivy Coco was “classic.”
“I just love everything about it,” she gushed while chatting with Robin Roberts. When asked what she enjoys most about playing Barbara, Ralph said she loved the proven fact that Barba “as a teacher is a constant student.”
“She continues to learn every year, every season. She is growing just a bit. She is evolving just a bit,” Ralph continued. “I love that in people in general, that you are forever learning. You are forever a student of life. And that’s what I love about Barbara Howard.”
Black and other darker hues were major themes on the red carpet. Pops of color included pinks, reds, and multicolor prints. Men continued to experiment with the suit, pushing the boundaries on cuts, sleeve styles, and colours. Take a take a look at a few of the best looks in the gallery below.
Jalen Hurts has been “on the books” for years, but he’s now officially off the market. ESSENCE can exclusively confirm that the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Bry Burrows.
The couple shared exclusive photos with ESSENCE from the day the star athlete popped the query, including a have a look at the romantic backdrop of the moment. It included a violinist, candles, and red roses scattered around. We also get a glimpse of the intimate moment because the two hold hands while searching to sea.
Burrows, who’s a synthetic intelligence partner at IBM, met Hurts while they were students on the University of Alabama; she is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and he’s a star quarterback in the faculty and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. They have been dating on and off since then, going public with their relationship in 2023. She joined Hurts on the sphere after the Eagles won the NFC Championship and has remained a personal but crucial a part of his life. But the 2 left the sphere for one night to make their red carpet debuts on the Time100 Next Gala in October 2023, wearing black and megawatt smiles.
The glad news comes as people have been whispering a couple of possible engagement. It all began when Burrows showed up on the Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers game in São Paulo, Brazil, on Sept. 6 with an enormous rock on her finger. The girls celebrated online earlier, sharing their excitement for “our good sister.”
It was only a matter of time before he asked her to marry him, as Hurts told ESSENCE of their May/June 2023 cover story that he had known for a very long time that she was special. Make it something spectacular.
“I knew a long time ago,” he said. “I mean, up until this point in my life, it’s an irreplaceable feeling. I think that’s what got us to where we are now.”
We love black love normally, but there’s something special about college students finding their strategy to the altar. Congrats to the gorgeous couple!
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