Celebrity Coverage
9 Times Sanaa Lathan Proved She’s the Queen of Pink – Essence
Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET+
Actress Sanaa Lathan’s beauty first made her presence known in television shows like and , before starring in the addictive romantic drama opposite Omar Epps.
Since then, she has starred in some of the biggest noir movies of our time, appreciated not just for her talent but in addition for her sweet smile, brown eyes and rouge-tinged cheekbones.
For example, at the 2002 premiere, Lathan established her stance on blush, which framed her metallic eyeshadow. She doubled down on the circular application at the premiere in her most pigmented look yet, before dusting her eyes with body glitter and blush at the 58th Annual Tony Awards the following 12 months.
In the 2010s, she toned down her pink tone by attending BWIH’s sixth Annual ESSENCE Awards Gala with matte, lipstick in a shade of pink (by pumping up the pigment at a 2016 Beso party.) Over time, she began using shades of brown to sculpt her cheeks (think: Premiere 2022) for a hotter, more sensual moment — one which continues to today.
Now, on what would have been her 53rd birthday, we’re bringing you all of our favourite moments from Sanaa Lathan’s life.
Celebrity Coverage
EXCLUSIVE: Bilal’s unfiltered genius comes to life live at Glasshaus – Essence
Grammy Award-winning singer Bilal doesn’t need an enormous arena to dominate the room – only a studio in Brooklyn, 100 devoted fans and collaborators who understand the soul of music. On a December night in 2023, energy at Glasshouse was electrifying, with stars like Questlove, Common and Robert Glasper gathered close together, exchanging riffs and jokes as if the audience wasn’t even there. Now this magic has been closed and awaits its premiere on November 20, 2024 on Glasshaus’ YouTube channel.
Bilal isn’t only a concert film – it’s a mirrored image of his journey as some of the progressive and underrated musical talents. Directed by Glasshaus founder Jarrett Wetherell, the 65-minute documentary takes us on a rare, intimate performance. Alongside such influential collaborators as Questlove, Common and Robert Glasper, Bilal delivers performances which might be raw and electrifying, filled with the vulnerability and soul that make him an artist artist. The film captures not only the music, but additionally the unspoken bond between these legends and highlights Bilal’s position as some of the influential voices of our generation.
“This film is a love letter to one of the greatest singers of our time,” Wetherell reflects. “Bilal conveys a sense of vulnerability during his performances and interviews, which is rare among artists today. It is an intimate way that puts you in the studio with five legends, immersed in their music and the moment.”
it is a masterclass in creativity, captured in real time. Questlove turns a six-minute anecdote concerning the making of “Sometimes” into an unforgettable lesson in musical storytelling, while Common blurs the road between audience and performer, breaking into out-of-the-box freestyles and revisiting timeless verses from “Reminisce” and “Funkowo for You.”
In essence, the film is a love letter to some of the influential artists of his generation. From his genre-bending debut to underground hits like and , Bilal returns to his catalog with a fresh twist, delivering long-awaited releases just like the business release of “Something to Hold” and “All For Love.” Split-screen cinematography enhances the intimacy, drawing the viewer into every subtle moment – the movement of fingers over the strings, the glances exchanged during improvisation – all highlighting the magic of the music and the deep connection between these legends.
It’s Bilal who finally gets the flowers and each moment seems late. As Questlove put it best: “He’s Beyoncé’s favorite singer.” The film doesn’t just showcase Bilal’s vocals – it shows him as a cornerstone of the Soulquarian movement, whose influence is woven into the material of up to date music.
For fans, the experience goes beyond the screen. The limited edition 2xLP vinyl offers a tangible piece of magic, while the live album, released earlier this yr, is essential for collectors.
Watch the premiere on November 20, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET Glasshaus YouTube channel. Watch the video below.
Celebrity Coverage
Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction 2025 – Essence
Gordon Parks, Pastor Ledbetter, Chicago, Illinois, 1953.
The Gordon Parks Foundation will host its prestigious annual awards dinner and auction on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at Cipriani forty second Street in New York City. This highly anticipated event celebrates the legacy of Gordon Parks, an iconic photographer and multidisciplinary artist whose work championed social justice and the transformative power of creativity.
This 12 months’s honorees include legendary model and activist Bethann Hardison, renowned contemporary artist Rashid Johnson, Anna Wintour, Condé Nast’s chief content officer and global editorial director, and Ambassador Andrew Young, civil rights leader and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Mayor of Atlanta. Each honoree has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing culture, creativity and justice – values that Parks embodied throughout his groundbreaking profession.
“In a moment of division, Gordon Parks unites us all,” said Gordon Parks Foundation Executive Director Peter W. Kunhardt Jr. “His commitment to art and social justice transcends generations. Our 2025 honorees are pillars in their fields and support Gordon’s collective quest for a better life and a better world.” The Gordon Parks Foundation Gala is our homecoming – a night of celebrating art, activism and support for the subsequent generation of artists.”
The gala will feature special guests, including the son and grandson of the Rev. E. F. Ledbetter, whom Parks photographed in 1953 for a report on Chicago’s Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. These impressive images shall be the centerpiece of an upcoming exhibition at Howard University in early 2025.
Co-chaired by such luminaries as Alicia Keys and Kasseem Dean, Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, and Judy and Leonard Lauder, the evening will bring together decision-makers from the worlds of art, fashion, film and philanthropy. Proceeds from the event will fund the muse’s educational programs, grants, fellowships and awards, ensuring that a brand new generation of creators will advance Parks’ vision of equity and empowerment.
Tickets start at $2,000 and will be purchased on the Gordon Parks Foundation website website or by contacting Buckley Hall Events at gpfgala@buckleyhallevents.com or 914-579-1000.
Celebrity Coverage
Meghan Markle is investing in a Black-owned brand that is revolutionizing hair care products – Essence
Meghan Markle is no stranger to using her platform to support women and causes that matter, and her latest business move is no exception.
The Duchess of Sussex has officially invested High hippie levela Black-owned hair care and wellness brand co-founded by its longtime hair colorist Kadi Lee and Myka Harris.
Highbrow Hippie, which began as a lifestyle blog in 2012, has evolved into a full-blown brand that prioritizes each beauty and well-being. Their latest product line includes a scalp serum and a hair complement, each designed to handle issues corresponding to thinning hair and hormonal changes from the within. Backed by science, the road focuses on hair health in a holistic way, specializing in the basis causes of hair problems, not only the symptoms.
The partnership was officially announced on the brand launch event on November 14, 2024which took place in the Venetian Gjelina restaurant. Markle attended the ceremony with other beauty experts and presented Lee with a bouquet of roses from her Montecito garden – a thoughtful nod to their bond.
“I’m proud to invest in this [Kadi] as a friend and founder,” Meghan said in style on her investment in Highbrow Hippie: “Kadi is a master of hair health, and her Highbrow Hippie collection is a perfect reflection of that.”
For Markle, this investment is not nearly great products, but about strengthening a Black woman-owned business and showing what happens when women invest in one another. Her involvement with Highbrow Hippie is the newest example of how she is using her influence to make a significant impact in the wonder and wellness space. This is not her first time supporting women entrepreneurs – she’s constructing a portfolio of girls-led ventures, corresponding to a sustainably sourced handbag brand Cesta Collectiveand her own emerging lifestyle brand, Orchard on the American Riviera.
The co-founders of Highbrow Hippie are industry veterans, and Lee has over 25 years of experience styling a few of Hollywood’s most recognizable names. Together, she and Harris have built a brand that deeply resonates with women who see hair care as greater than just maintenance – it’s a part of their wellness journey. With products that promise fuller, healthier hair in just three months, they provide solutions for ladies fighting every little thing from postpartum shedding to emphasize-related hair loss.
Meghan’s investment speaks to a larger story: when women support women, especially in spaces where representation matters, the outcomes are transformational.
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