Entertainment
Phylicia Rashad: A Pioneering Actress in Black Media
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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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Entertainment
Kendrick Lamar Releases Surprise Album ‘GNX’; group chats are going crazy
There are few things more exciting than receiving an infinite barrage of text messages at the very same time in numerous group chats. This normally implies that something vital has happened in popular culture. Well, the exact same thing happened about noon on November 22, within the yr of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four. Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, higher often called Kendrick Lamar, released the album “GNX”, nod towards Buick Grand National Regal GNXa rare muscle automobile released in 1987 – which also happens to be the yr Kendrick was born.
“GNX” is coming to the tip of what has been a banner yr for Kendrick Lamar. From epic diss records geared toward Drake, to creating the largest song of his profession (and a Drake diss track) on “Not Like Us”, to the “Pop Out” concert streaming live to tell the tale Amazon Prime, Kendrick won this yr. He even received seven Grammy nominations, mostly for “Not Like Us.” And this victory will proceed in the brand new yr. In September, it was announced that Kendrick would stay Super Bowl 2025 headliner will happen in New Orleans. This announcement sparked some controversy and comments from several New Orleans legends similar to Juvenile and most notably Lil Wayne, who felt disrespected; Kendrick immediately refers to this topic within the opening song of the album (all stylized in lower case), “wacced out murals”.
The thing is, Kendrick didn’t sleep for many of 2024. And then, while the remaining of us were minding our own business, listening to other albums that had just dropped, like Ice Cube’s “Man Down,” I began receiving text after text… and I knew that would only mean that something vital happened.
At this point in my life (and possibly even yours), Kendrick Lamar releases are a drop-everything-and-listen event. I immediately went to the streaming service, launched “GNX” and pressed “Play”.
I need to admit that the primary time I heard the album I used to be a bit confused. Kendrick has probably never been more popular or famous; if there was ever a time to drag a Kanye West and release his own version of “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” – an album largely produced as Kanye’s best and most representative of Kanye’s greatness – now could be the time. “GNX” has a far more modern West Coast vibe and is certainly more for his die-hard fans than anyone who just began gaining attention due to his beef with Drake. Maybe that was the purpose; possibly not.
Either way, I can imagine that folks whose favorite lines are “OV-Ho” won’t be immediately thrilled. I wasn’t immediately blown away (though very amused by how sensitive Kendrick is to what people say about him on social media, well, everyone), but as is all the time the case with Kendrick albums, repeated listens are likely to correct any immediate monotony that I even have about his projects. For example, now that I’ve listened to it just a few times, I can not wait to listen to black college bands playing “tv off” style, which seems like a cousin of “Not Like Us.” The Shoot, Bayou Classic, which also takes place yearly in New Orleans on Thanksgiving Day, stands out as the first time we hear a band playing “TV off.”
Since the album didn’t come out long enough to be reviewed, group chats and social media were abuzz with immediate reactions. This is the a part of music releases I really like, where everyone seems to be listening to the identical thing, offering premature takes that will not even delay the following day. I’m not different; I’m sure I’ll say something about this album that can sound silly by Monday. Shoot, I can have already done it. But that is what happens when great artists release music. We spend time with others after which we refer to them, analyze them, criticize them, praise them, destroy them and let all our prejudices fly free. Love it.
It’s value noting that certainly one of Drake’s diss tracks that did not appear during last summer’s fracas was titled “The Heart Part 6,” and was an apparent try to usurp Kendrick’s pre-album practice of removing a non-album song titled “The Heart.” Well, Kendrick has a song on his recent album called, you guessed it, “The Heart, Pt. 6,” which I feel will probably be released soon Drake. Good job, Kenny.
Argue.
Entertainment
New music this week: Tyla, Lola Brooke, Coco Jones and more – Essence
Happy Friday, people! Whether you are drinking a warm beverage or preparing for a fun-filled weekend, this week’s latest music releases set the tone. From sensual R&B melodies to powerful hip-hop anthems, these songs have something for everybody.
Coco Jones leads the pack along with her seasonal album, and Tyla offers a heartfelt change of tone with “Tears.” Miguel’s smooth “Always Time” and Jorja Smith’s tender “Stay Another Day” showcase R&B at its finest, while Lola Brooke and Killer Mike turn up the warmth on “Go To Yo Head” and “Warryn’s Groove,” respectively. Today’s list also includes music from Eric Bellinger, Coi Leray, Blxst and more.
Below you possibly can read our list of latest products.
Entertainment
Serena Williams is cutting short divorce talks for a second time after the couple reunited and put months of rumors to rest
Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian are still doing well despite months of unconfirmed divorce rumors.
On November 17, Williams and the Reddit co-founder took a walk down memory lane and tested one another by asking questions on themselves and their family in a recent promotional ad. The couple ate a few of their favorite meals and meanwhile checked their glucose levels using Hello Lingo, a glucose monitoring device.
Nearly five minutes into the recording, Williams tested her husband’s memory by asking, “Who said I love you first?”
Ohanian, who shares two daughters, Olimpia and Adira, with the tennis legend, responds quickly by saying, “Mmm,” before writing his answer on the board.
“It’s like ‘The Newlywed Game,'” Williams said, writing down her answer, referring to the mid-Nineteen Sixties show “The Newlywed Game,” which tested couples who had been married for lower than two years to see if how much they learn about their relationship. amplifier.
Both Williams and Ohanian turn the board over to reveal their answers and, quite shockingly, they received two different answers. Ohanian wrote that Williams said it first, but Williams claims it was Ohanian.
“Come now. Are you going to lie about this? he declared to Williams, who responded with a laugh: “I said I would be honest.”
“That’s not an honest answer,” Ohanian continued. “I still keep in mind that phone call. Oh, you realize I felt the same, but you certainly said it first.
Williams joked: “My glucose levels were high. I ate some ice cream, my glucose level was too high. Then I tell this guy and I feel like saying things I would not normally say. The moment ended with Williams replaying how she told Ohanian those three special words.
Of course, there was no shortage of reactions from fans who showed their love for the couple and how well they interact of their normal element.
One YouTube commenter he wrote“It’s great to see Serena and Alexis in this normal environment, they are so lovely and have great charisma. I love them even more now and I feel great chemistry between them.”
Someone else said: “I liked this part. They seem to really like each other.”
However, as rumors swirled about problems of their marriage, one fan was confused by the video shared on Instagram.
“I thought I read that they got divorced?” he wrote one person in Williams’ comment section.
Someone else also addressed the rumors, writing: “Where are the haters who said divorce was imminent? Sometimes people will be crazy. Seriously, how are you going to even start assuming things like that about people you have never met?
We got married here 7 years ago. Now we will take these two out for donuts. Happy anniversary 🎉 Thank you for giving me two of the best people we’ve got ever met. You are a tremendous mom. I’m very glad to have met you @serenawilliams @olympiaohanian @adiraohanian pic.twitter.com/5ntPujrYDh
— Alexis Ohanian 🇦🇲 (@alexisohanian) November 17, 2024
This summer, fans began speculating that Williams and her seven-year marriage to Ohanian were in trouble after they noticed she hadn’t posted from him on her social media pages in some time.
Moreover, Ohanian was noticeably absent from the June premiere of the documentary “In the Arena: Serena Williams” and was also absent from her side at the Met Gala in May.
But they got back together this summer after they attended the Paris Olympics with their daughter Olympia in July.
Among the many viral moments spent with the Ohanian family, she organizes: umbrella for his wife and the European commentator – who didn’t realize he was her husband – and called Ohanian Serena’s “umbrella holder”.
The tech guru reacted to the moment hilariously by snapping a photo of himself holding an umbrella over himself and his daughter.
Ohanian joked, “I am also a personal Olympia umbrella owner. Sidebar: You all set the bar too low for me and celebrity daddies only get flowers for *admitting* they have kids.”
The proud dad is probably also Adira’s personal umbrella holder.
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