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Phylicia Rashad: A Pioneering Actress in Black Media

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Phylicia Rashad

Phylicia Rashad is understood for constructing a legacy of excellence as a black actress on stage and screen. From her formative years in Houston, through her college years, and into her later profession, Rashad has broken barriers. Despite uncertainty about one’s appearance and considering she wasn’t beautiful as a toddler, Rashad said she was bitten by the performing bug when she was chosen for her school’s music program at age 11.

“I wanted to be like my mother because she was so beautiful, but I had a voice, and my mother insisted on good speech, and my teachers appreciated that, so when I was 11, I was chosen for a music program that all the schools in our community participated in,” Rashad is quoted as saying. Against societal expectations, she embraced her passion for performing, and the remaining is history.

UNDATE ARCHIVE PHOTO: Phylicia Rashad. (Photo by Newsmakers)

Early life and education

She was born Phylicia Allen in 1948 in HoustonTexas, Rashad had three siblings. Her sister Debbie Allen was also an actress and creator, and her older brother became a jazz musician. Rashad father was a dentistand her mother was a Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet and one among the Hidden Figures behind the Apollo 11 mission.

Rashad graduated from Howard University magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the theater in 1970 before immediately pursuing a profession in the entertainment industry. When asked about his early influences on her life and profession, Rashad regularly quotes writer and speaker Maya Angelou.

"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" Opening – After Party
NEW YORK – MARCH 6: Director Debbie Allen and actress Phylicia Rashad attend the after party for the opening of “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” at Strata in New York City on March 6, 2008. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Career Highlights

Rashad appeared in several series and moviesincluding “Watch Your Mouth” and “We’re Fighting Back” in the Nineteen Seventies and early Eighties — playing Phylicia Allen. She also appeared in a two-episode arc on “One Life to Live” before landing her breakthrough role as Clair Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.”

Rashad continued to seem on each small and massive screens after The Cosby Show ended in 1992, including Tyler Perry’s For Colored Girls in 2010, Creed and Creed II in 2015 and 2018, and various episodes of This is Us and David Makes Man from 2019 to 2021. However, it was from the early Nineties through the early 2000s that Rashad appeared on the massive screen. mark on the stage. Rashad broke recent ground on Broadway together with her starring role in the historic 2006 all-black production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, a strong statement of excellence and representation for black people in American theater.

NEW YORK – JUNE 6: (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER OUT) Actress Phylicia Rashad, winner of the “Best Performance By A Leading Actress In A Play” award for “A Raisin In The Sun” performs on stage through the “58th Annual Tony Awards” at Radio City Music Hall on June 6, 2004 in New York City. The Tony Awards are presented by the League of American Theatres and Producers and the American Theatre Wing. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)

Some awards and nominations Throughout her profession, Rashad’s accolades include:

  • Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1985 and 1986 for her role as Clair on The Cosby Show.
  • Nominated for an Emmy Award in 2008 in the category “Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Television Movie” for her role as Lena Younger in “A Raisin in the Sun.”
  • Three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for This Is Us (2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Five People’s Choice Awards for Favorite TV Actress (1985 to 1990)
  • AND Tony Award 2004 for her role in “A Raisin in the Sun” on Broadway – the primary time in history a black actress won a Tony Award for a number one dramatic role
  • AND Tony Award 2022 for best supporting role in a play for his role in Skeleton Crew

Rashad’s awards also include nominations and wins on the Drama Desk Awards, Black Reel Awards, the BET Honors, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the NAACP Image Awards, cementing her status as a cultural icon and symbol of excellence in the humanities. In 2010, Rashad was named “Mother of the black community” on the NAACP Image Awards.

Rashad said Oprah Everyday she didn’t feel pressured to live as much as expectations as a trailblazing black actress. “I feel grateful,” she said. “I feel grateful that I did work that meant something to people.”

Personal Life and Advocacy

Rashad was married thrice and has two children: William Bowles III and Condola Rashad. Rashad married her third husband, Ahmad Rashad, in 1985, and the couple divorced in 2001.

When asked about motherhood In a 2020 article, the actress, who has played multiple moms in movies, TV shows and plays, said she doesn’t consider herself a black mother or her children black children. She considers herself a mother and her children children. “Ethnicity is obvious,” Rashad said. “It’s in the food we eat, the music we listen to, the books we read… the way we live… the company we keep and the dances we do. I don’t have to consciously say it because I know who I am.”

NEW YORK, New York – SEPTEMBER 19: Condola Rashad (R) and Phylicia Rashad attend the after party for the Broadway premiere of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” at The Edison Ballroom on September 19, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images)

Rashad served as dean of the College of Fine Arts at her alma mater, Howard University. Although the actress-turned-dean doesn’t prefer to speak about herself, by friend and playwright Pearl CleageRashad is understood for working behind the scenes to support others. While she is understood for her unwavering support of her peers, Rashad’s public defense of Bill Cosby in 2015 sparked controversy, reflecting the complexity and nuance of her advocacy.

Rashad has he served as an advisor to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and is understood for offering encouragement and advice other Black women in interviews and speeches. In 2021, while talking to the narrator of a documentary about her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Rashad highlighted the culture of service and dedication to lifting others inside the nation’s first Black Greek-letter sorority.

Phylicia Rashad’s story is one among resilience, talent, and unyielding dedication to her craft. Her legacy as an actress is a reminder of the facility of pursuing your dreams.

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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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