Celebrity Coverage
“30 for 30” ESPN celebrates its 15th anniversary – Essence
The ESPN docu-series began with a daring vision: showing the largest stories in sports through the eyes of the world’s most talented filmmakers. The series launched in 2009 with a debut that set the tone for what would change into a groundbreaking series that will endlessly change the best way audiences view sports narratives. Since the premiere, has change into an industry phenomenon, showcasing the intersection of sports, politics and society, thus cementing its place as a staple of popular culture.
Fifteen years later, the series continues to please audiences all over the world. “We want you to feel,” says Marsha Cooke, vice chairman of ESPN Films and executive producer of ESSENCE, reflecting on the series’ profound impact. “It’s not just about servicing the fan; we want to tell stories grounded in emotion that reflect the human spirit through sport.”
An organization’s legacy is defined by its reach. Traditionally, the series focused on stories that were about greater than just victories and defeats. The episode chronicles the tragic story of Len Bias, a budding basketball star whose death from a cocaine overdose shocked the nation. highlighted the brash, controversial, yet culturally significant rise of the University of Miami football team, which broke conventional norms in sports and influenced black culture in Miami. Then there was , which captured the extreme, entertaining rivalry between the NBA Hall of Famer and the long-lasting franchise within the mid-Nineties.
As the series developed, its viewership increased. Each episode marked a moment in time, and a few of them served as a mirrored image of society as an entire. , touched on the themes of race, injustice and media madness surrounding the 1993 court case of the then-phenomenal highschool student. The episode resonated deeply with fans and critics alike, demonstrating how sports might be used as a lens to look at broader social issues.
“Representation matters,” explains Cooke. “It’s something we think about with every story we greenlight. Our goal is to tell stories that reflect the full spectrum of sports experiences, including voices that are often overlooked.”
One of the culminations of the series was a five-part documentary directed by Ezra Edelman in 2016. While Simpson’s story was widely covered within the media, this documentary delved deeper, using the previous football star’s life and trial as a window into broader issues reminiscent of skin color, fame and justice on this country. The film, which aired as a part of a weeklong event on ESPN, was praised for its nuance, depth and storytelling. The film made such an impact that it won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. “It captured the complexity of American life told through an athlete,” Cooke says. “It wasn’t just OJ Simpson; it was about how America looks at race, power and identity.”
set a brand new bar not only for sports documentaries, but usually. As Cooke explains, it stands out for its ability to tackle complex, sometimes uncomfortable topics while maintaining universal appeal. “We’re not afraid to tackle bigger topics, but we do it through the lens of sports, making these stories accessible to everyone.”
Throughout his profession, he has explored countless sports, from their cultural significance to the founding of AND1 in . With quite a lot of themes and storytelling styles, the series has change into synonymous with high-quality filmmaking and polished storytelling within the sports world.
“We have an excellent development team,” notes Cooke. “The key is character development. It’s not just about who won the game, but also about who these athletes are as people, what they represent and why their stories are so important.” The success also paved the best way for broader changes on this planet of sports media. Once area of interest, sports documentaries have now change into big business, with platforms like Netflix and HBO creating their very own high-quality content. But ESPN stays the gold standard because of its authenticity, diversity of topics and commitment to allowing directors to inform stories in their very own voices.
As it celebrates its 15th anniversary, its influence on the documentary genre is undeniable. The series modified the best way we view athletes by giving us a deeper understanding of the human stories behind the statistics. He pushed the boundaries of storytelling, combining nostalgia, insight and emotion in a way that resonates far beyond the world of sports.
As for the longer term of documentaries, Cooke goals to inform more women-centric stories, global stories and stories about emerging sports. He also desires to showcase more directors and producers, promoting diversity within the industry and beyond. “I try to find new, different filmmakers who bring different perspectives and whose life experiences reflect how they tell stories,” he says.
“This is what will set us apart and I think the next 15 years will be not only bright, but incredibly exciting,” adds Cooke. “We will not forget where we come from and what is important to our audience. That will be part of the equation.”
Celebrity Coverage
How Glam connects with the concert tour of the singer Adi Oasis – Esencja
Courtesy of Marvin Parisi
Adi Oasis not only is it making a splash on the funk and R&B music scene. The singer performed, amongst others, KAMAUU’s hit “MANGO”, creates a wave of admiration with his distinctive, soulful sound and magnetic stage presence.
Regardless of whether she recently appeared in your channel – or on stage in… hotel bathrobe or her star KOLORYxSTUDIOS performance – the French-born Caribbean-born singer and bassist has been performing for over a decade.
As a brand new mom navigating motherhood while touring Brazil, Adi assures that self-care is non-negotiable and her beauty treatments are essential to make sure her confidence on stage.
Adi’s pre-show preparation begins with an intensive morning program specializing in hydration, nutrition and rest. “I stay hydrated, eat a well-balanced breakfast and get as much sleep as possible,” she says. While the latter is usually a challenge on the road as a brand new mom, she starts her day with a mild cleansing in the shower after which applying Derma-E Serum with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to maintain the skin brilliant and moisturized. The most vital part of her routine is moisturizing her face with oil. “I take advantage of it IN GROOV Every Mood facial oil it also hybrids as a cleansing oil that I can use to remove makeup after a show. The scent and texture are perfect, and in the morning I feel like I’m in a mini spa.”
Before applying makeup for the show, Adi sometimes refreshes her skin with one other cleanse and application of facial oil, so “my skin stays vibrant and dewy all night long,” she says.
When it involves makeup, adopting a “less is more” philosophy is an ode to her minimalist French roots. “I generally don’t follow makeup trends; I walk quite casually,” explains Adi, who considers Grace Jones to be her greatest muse of style and beauty. The first step in her makeup routine: Eyebrows! “I like them in a particular way and I am unable to live without eyebrow pencil,” she says.
Her favorite place is MAC eyebrow pencil in Spikedthat he collects during his travels. Because skincare is a vital part of her every day routine, whether she’s traveling or at home in Brooklyn — she opts for a skinny layer MAC Studio Fix liquid foundation just to enhance its appearance after which uses it Bronzer Mineralize Skinfinish by MAC in “Gold Deposit” for a warm glow. To come full circle, she applies a fairly, semi-daring lip, and recently discovered a berry-brown lip color called L’Avenue by MERIT It became “a staple in my kit,” he says.
Balancing self-care with motherhood and touring is usually a difficult task. Adi used to meditate every morning, but now that she has a baby, it’s harder for her. Instead, sneaking briefly training sessions when possible was a self-care practice. “When I’m on the road, I still find time for calisthenics training,” she says, noting that even training in a hotel gives her energy.
Adi also often does things like having a shower in the dark, all to be sure the baby sleeps. “Sometimes I accidentally use body shampoo to avoid waking up,” she says. “But hey, cleanliness was a comfort,” he laughs. Even though her priorities modified, her superpower was learning to adapt to latest expectations. “As long as my baby and I are in good health, the rest is just a bonus.”
With her glowing skin and soulful sound, she is undoubtedly an independent artist value watching. Next, Adi says she dreams of sharing the stage with artists like HER, whose work resonates deeply with hers. Until then, for those who’re in Brazil, you could find her live at Attention Blu in Rio De Janeiro on November 15 and Factory Down Everyday people in Sao Paulo on November 16.
Celebrity Coverage
Fenty Beauty celebrates its expansion into the Caribbean with the launch event of Barbados – Essence
Courtesy of Kristopher Streeks
It was a special homecoming season for Rihanna. This week, the makeup artist and popular culture icon officially celebrated the launch of Fenty Beauty in the Caribbean with a launch event in her home country of Barbados!
Rihanna announced via Instagram come early October that the brands might be officially available at select retailers in nine different Caribbean territories. This includes Antigua, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and St. Maarten from October 24, 2024.
“I always felt awkward that my brand wasn’t in my home, so I always wanted to do it,” the Barbadian native told ESSENCE at the launch event. “I always insisted,” she said. “The moment we received permission to come here, we arrived.”
She also said she plans to proceed rolling out Fenty Beauty in the Caribbean. “The Caribbean, I carry it on my back, just like Barbados. Even though we have now launched operations on nine islands, we will continue to open and expand. We intend to cover the entire Caribbean and beyond,” said the superstar.
Stars prefer it Queen Carterand the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, were present at the launch event. The ceremony took place last Thursday at the idyllic QP Bistro, an oceanfront restaurant overlooking the island’s west coast. Rihanna, who can be one of Barbados’ national heroines, delighted the participants by having fun with the guests and even taking up the DJ’s microphone.
Rihanna also touched on how her Caribbean heritage has influenced the development and trajectory of her brands, stating: “Beauty has all the time been a really honest space. But now I incorporate ingredients from the island into my skincare, my beauty and the reason I even have the only powder that may mattify you at any time, especially when wet!
“The launch in the Caribbean actually reinforces what we built this brand to be from the starting – which is that it’s inclusive. Everyone found shade, everyone found their soul mate in our gondola,” she said. “I want to keep pushing it. The first person I saw applying foundation was my mother, a black woman. I never knew there was a void. I just did it from the bottom of my heart because that’s what I know.”
For Rihanna, “inclusiveness does not mean being limited to one space. This means insulting everyone. I want to be able to shop at Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, Fenty Hair – that’s my goal.”
Celebrity Coverage
FIRST LOOK: ‘Harlem’ Season 3 Returns with New Faces – Essence
Angie (Shoniqua Shandai), Quinn (Grace Byers), Camille (Meagan Good) and Tye (Jerrie Johnson) in HARLEM S3 Photo: Courtesy of Prime © Amazon Content Services LLC
Just when winter begins to fade, the warmth returns as Camille, Tye, Quinn and Angie return to our screens. The Prime Video favorite will eagerly return for a 3rd season on January 23, promising more drama, laughter, and life-changing decisions for our favourite Harlem Four.
The second season’s cliffhanger left everyone wondering what would occur next, and this 12 months guarantees much more twists and turns as the ladies enter latest stages of their often tumultuous lives. Now they’re able to set their priorities and begin a brand new life. Expect mother-daughter dynamics, romantic complications, and profession crossroads like never before.
The excitement doesn’t end there – season three introduces some latest faces which might be sure to cause a stir. Joining the solid are Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, Jerrie Johnson and Tyler Lepley, Kofi Siriboe as Seth, a captivating MLB player who quickly catches the attention of certainly one of the women. Meanwhile, Logan Browning steps into the role of Portia, Ian’s former love, whose return to Harlem brings back greater than just memories. Gail Bean and Robin Gives also appear, with Bean playing Eva, a passionate enterprise capitalist working alongside Tye, and Gives playing her powerful mother.
From the creative mind of Tracy Oliver, it continues to explore the complexities of black womanhood with humor and heart, making it a novel comedy that captures the wonder and grit of life in New York City. The latest season, produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Television, reaffirms the series’ position as a source of living storytelling – returning just in time to warm up the winter. So mark your calendars and prepare for a New York minute filled with style, surprises and sisterhood.
Here are some First Look photos from the upcoming third season.
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