Celebrity Coverage
Susan Kelechi Watson shines in Good Bones – Essence
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
The very topical topic of gentrification takes center stage in a comedic and moving show, the newest from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames. Starring Susan Kelechi Watson, well-known for her acclaimed role as Beth Pearson on , and Mamadou Athie, who recently starred on the Hulu series, the show offers a nuanced exploration of gentrification, community, and identity.
centers on Watson’s Aisha and her husband as they renovate a house in Aisha’s old neighborhood, creating suspense over the long run of their once famous community. At first glance, this may increasingly seem to be a straightforward story about urban revitalization and displacement, nevertheless it goes deeper and asks necessary questions on how people interact with the neighborhoods they find yourself in. Through the character of Aisha, the play explores what happens when people determine to remodel a community, relatively than understanding how they will contribute to it.
For Watson, returning to the stage was like coming home. “Theater is one of my greatest loves,” she explained. “For me, theater is the basis of acting. The return is always full of emotions. It’s a completely different muscle than film and television.” Watson, who boasts an in depth film and tv resume, also starred in the Public Theater’s 2022 production a singular version of Shakespeare’s play with an all-black forged set in South Harlem. “There is nothing like it,” he says of live performances. “Every time you perform, the audience is different and the atmosphere on stage will be different. There is nothing higher than doing something and it only exists in this space at the moment for these people.
For this particular series, Watson, who grew up in New York, was particularly drawn to the story and characters. “She is just. She’s just a real person. She’s very close to me,” Watson said. She connected deeply with Aisha’s background and experiences, noting how gentrification – one of the play’s main themes – mirrored her own observations of life in New York. “It’s only now that I’m coming to terms with the fact that it’s so different here. Much of what made this film special is no longer there, and that’s hard to regret. I saw things that seemed very steeped in culture completely change.”
Through , viewers are encouraged to think about the usually neglected complexities of gentrification. The dialogue between Aisha and her husband Travis highlights contrasting perspectives on whether to simply accept or resist the changes in their neighborhood. “What I like about our play,” Watson noted, “is that it delves into the complications of arguing about gentrification in the same community. Two Black people are talking about it. So what does this mean and what are these two points of view?”
Aisha’s journey reflects the strain between the need for positive change and respect for the lived experiences of those that already call a spot home. Watson says the play asks, “How can these two things exist at the same time and leaves room for people to be more understanding and compassionate about it.”
The balance of humor and social commentary that may be a hallmark of Ijames’ work allows the art to have interaction with a difficult subject in a way that’s more approachable and accessible, yet deeply moving. “When things are very deep, we often look for humor to lighten them up, and James is really good at that,” Watson says. “I love doing comedies, so it’s really nice to find those moments where it’s lighter, sharp, witty, where there’s just funny laughter, where it’s exaggerated, where it’s the most subtle. There are so many different types of comedy that it’s easy to fall back on the fact that this play has this tone.”
Watson personally finds humor especially funny. “I’m a big comedy fan – that’s what I mostly watch. That’s how I grew up. I am in such a family. Everyone is funny. That’s how we dealt with everything – with humor. In my opinion, sometimes this way you can make people hear something in a more relaxed way, allowing the sound to penetrate deeper.”
ultimately challenges us to rethink the dynamics of belonging and consider what it means to actually integrate right into a community, not as a force for change, but as a part of its fabric. It is a thoughtful and insightful exploration of the complexities of home, identity and community in a rapidly changing world.
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There is barely one biggest player of all time in tennis and that’s champion Serena Jameka Williams. She is a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion (with 14 doubles wins) and a 4-time Olympic gold medalist with a formidable 367 profession victories.
But thanks to its foundation, it will not be only a tycoon within the cosmetics industry Wyn Beautya brand inspired by her movement on the court, she is a trendsetting beauty icon.
It can be a sin to mention the heroine without informing her about her relationship hair beads. Since her first Grand Slam on the US Open in 1999, Williams (and her iconic sister, Venus) dazzled with multi-coloured beads as their first signature look.
Although she ditched beads in 2001 (see: French braid at Wimbledon), she never lost her beauty balance, evolving through a wide range of looks over time: from blonde box braids to brown wigs, natural bobs, and draped bangs.
Just like her iconic hair moments, her makeup looks are equally noteworthy. We saw her shimmering lip gloss and thick black eyeliner in the course of the French Open 2013. Then, nude matte lips on the 2017 Met Gala and the set full eyebrows on the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar party. Recently? Purple eye shadow and curled eyelashes on the Louis Vuitton Olympic event in Paris in 2024.
To have fun the tennis star’s forty third birthday, take a take a look at 9 moments that mark the evolution of her iconic beauty.
Serena Williams’ first Grand Slam on the 1999 US Open
2000 ATP Lipton Tennis Championships
Wimbledon 2001
A series of portraits from Los Angeles 2005
Wimbledon 2008
ITF World Champions Dinner 2013
Met Gala 2017
Vanity Fair Oscar party 2022
Paris 2024 Olympic Games event organized by Louis Vuitton
Celebrity Coverage
Simone Biles to Bring ‘Taste of Gold’ to George Bush Airport in Houston – Essence
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 5: Simone Biles of Team United States poses together with her Paris 2024 Olympic medals after the ladies’s free exercise final in artistic gymnastics on day 10 of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Bercy Arena on August 5, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Simone Biles — or reasonably, probably the most decorated female gymnast in U.S. history — is taking her talent to recent heights, but this time it is not on the mat.
Biles is preparing to raise the bar on airport dining with the opening of its first restaurant, scheduled to open on George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston in early 2025. Known for her grace, strength and determination in gymnastics, Biles is now bringing that very same winning spirit to a wholly recent arena: the culinary world.
“I’m a foodie at heart” – Biles commonexpressing her excitement on the thought of offering travelers something unique at her hometown airport.
Partnering with The Playmakers Group, Biles will likely be strategically situated in Terminal A near Gate A8. The menu will highlight daring flavors inspired by Tex-Mex cuisine, drawing on the culinary creativity of renowned restaurateur Mark Brezinski. Renowned for his work on prestigious dining projects, Brezinski leverages his experience to create a menu that reflects the excellence that Biles embodies. With dishes designed to provide each comfort and a touch of luxury, travelers could have a reason to stop and savor before their flights.
“Simone Biles is the ultimate symbol of excellence,” said Derek Missimo, managing partner, in a press release. “Her incredible accomplishments, inspiring leadership and spirit align with our values at Playmakers Group. We are incredibly honored to partner with her on this restaurant, which will offer something truly special to our guests and the Houston airport community.”
The restaurant’s design and offerings can pay homage to Biles’ storied profession, combining her passion for food together with her commitment to excellence. Whether you’re a weary traveler or a Biles fan passing through Houston, you’ll have the opportunity to sample flavors that resonate together with her journey—from childhood favorites to globally inspired cuisine.
Biles shared her excitement about creating a singular experience for those passing through the busy airport: “We hope to offer a wonderful culinary experience, including award-winning signature menus that feature my favorite flavors, for our guests.”
Just because it revolutionized gymnastics, it now wants to bring a fresh, sophisticated touch to airport dining, which for a lot of is unfortunately an unimpressive experience.
For Biles, the restaurant is greater than only a business enterprise—it’s a private project. It reflects her love of food and her desire to share her journey with the world. Her foray into the culinary industry reflects her determination to proceed to construct on her legacy, even outside of the world of gymnastics.
“I always want to give my all in everything I do,” she said, and that’s exactly what she does.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – SEPTEMBER 15: Actress Lupita Nyong’o attends the Atlanta Screening of “The Wild Robot” presented in association with Elizabeth & Minnie Publishing featuring Lupita Nyong’o on the Fernbank Museum of Natural History on September 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Dreamworks tells the story of unit ROZZUM 7134 – or “Roz” within the shortened version – a crashed machine that must adapt to the tough conditions of an uncharted island. Starring Lupita Nyong’o, viewers will see the emotional evolution of Roz, who’s initially limited by this system but learns that she can have a modicum of humanity, no matter its composition.
In anticipation of the film’s release, Universal and Elizabeth & Minnie Publishing hosted an exclusive screening at Atlanta’s Fernbank Museum of Natural History, bringing the beloved story to the large screen. Before the major event, attendees were treated to activities that included crafts, exhibits, and photo opportunities that added to the family-friendly atmosphere. The event drew Atlanta’s elite, including Kandi Burruss, Todd Tucker, Ace and Blaze Tucker, Mel Mitchell, the McClure twins, and Sean the Science Kid, amongst others.
The Oscar-winning actress participated in an inspiring Q&A that explored the film’s themes, emotional depth and more. The discussion also highlighted the film’s impact and resonance with audiences. Lupita spoke about how she prepared for the long-lasting role, the intrigue of animated projects and the way she worked with Chris Sanders, the film’s director, to bring “Roz” to life for audiences all over the world. “My main focus was staying true to the character,” Nyong’o told the group.
Nyong’o stars alongside Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor and Stephanie Hsu. Based on the book of the identical name by Peter Brown, the story is written by Anthony Bagarozzi, Charles Mondry and David Lee Henry.
The live screening of the film was a magical experience that completely combined film, family, and fun. With a full of life conversation with Nyong’o and a star-studded guest list, the event truly celebrated the project’s powerful themes of adaptation and connection. With audiences all over the world seeing the film in its entirety, it guarantees to depart an enduring impact on children and adults alike.
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