Connect with us

Celebrity Coverage

Kandi Burruss Shines as Eboni Phillips in ‘Reasonable Doubt’ Season 2 – Essence

Published

on

Blonde Hapa / Getty Images

Executive producers Raamla Mohamed, Kerry Washington and Larry Wilmore captivated us with their portrayal of influential Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Jacqueline “Jax” Stewart (played Emayatzy Corinealdi). Throughout the series, Jax balances the extreme pressures of her profession, past trauma, a failing marriage, and the complexities of motherhood. As he tackles high-stakes cases, the primary season set the tone for a gripping legal drama where personal struggles intertwine with skilled battles.

This is what the second season is built on – barely recovering from the emotional and skilled toll of last season’s trial and a dangerous affair, Jax tries to regain control of his life. However, as she begins to get well, one in all her closest friends confesses to killing her husband, claiming it was an act of self-defense. The case takes a darker turn when a ruthless prosecutor refuses to consider the story, leaving Jax in an not possible situation. With every thing at stake, Jax hires an ambitious latest defense attorney to take the case, Corey Cash (played by Morris Chestnut).

As the season progresses, Jax returns to motion, fighting for her best friend’s freedom while attempting to balance her personal life with the demands of her husband and kids. The introduction of latest characters adds a fresh dynamic to the plot, including former Atlanta housewife Kandi Burruss, who plays Eboni Phillips, a personality fighting addiction. Eboni first appears in episode nine as the mother of JT’s child, Natasha, who has a troubled past with drugs and alcohol but is attempting to turn her life around.

Burruss reflects on her experiences as Eboni, highlighting her character’s struggles. (*2*) Eboni’s journey in the series was a strong reminder of the hidden consequences that usually accompany a glamorous lifestyle crammed with excess – drinking, drugs and the lure of wealth. As Burruss points out, Eboni is at a crossroads: “She’s at a place where there’s something from her past weighing on her that she can’t shake.” This authenticity allows viewers to attach with Eboni on a private level as she navigates the shadows of her past.

Drawing from her own observations and experiences, Burruss needed to dig deep inside herself to play Eboni. “You know, in our community, we grew up with various family members or people we knew who had dealt with addiction,” he explains.

When preparing for the role of Eboni, Burruss was inspired by a real story she encountered on social media a few woman’s relationship with an athlete who took over her children. “I don’t know this woman from anyone, but I thought about her and what it must feel like to have to fight someone who has all the money and you don’t have any to fight your battle.” This helped Burruss portray the struggles Eboni faced as she faced her past while coping with the results of her lifestyle decisions. “So when I had to drink Eboni, I thought of this girl,” she explains.

As events unfold, Eboni’s character shows her struggle with addiction and the results of her past. In just just a few concise episodes, we witness the complexity of her character as she faces a relapse, grapples with the temptations of her old lifestyle while attempting to forge a brand new path.

After filming these emotional scenes, Burruss admits, “When you walk away from that moment, the anxiety you felt continues to be there; it takes a minute to recover from it. This lingering anxiety reflects the load of Ebonia’s journey and is a testament to the impact of the character’s experiences on Burruss herself.

Burruss notes that Eboni’s character stands in stark contrast to her other roles, such as Roselyn’s character on the series. “I like that it’s completely different from playing Roselyn in The Chi. There is night and day,” he explains. “Eboni is fighting her demons. Some of the opposite roles I got to play did not have that type of stuff that they were fighting internally.

Burruss was keen to showcase her acting skills in the role, delving into the complexities of Eboni. The character’s journey towards redemption allowed Burruss to reveal her acting talents. Reflecting on her experiences, she shared a strong lesson from her role as Eboni: “Never let people take you to a dark place.”

With a talented forged that features Morris Chestnut, McKinley Freeman, Tim Jo, Angela Grovey, Aderinsola Olabode and Thaddeus J. Mixson, the show’s second season delivered stories with depth to every character. Burruss’ role, though small, was a pivotal character, difficult viewers to reconsider their perspectives on justice and redemption.

Watch season two on Hulu and watch Kandi Burruss shine in this latest role, bringing Eboni Phillips to life.


This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Celebrity Coverage

WATCH: Gabby Thomas, Noah Lyles and More Win Olympic Gold in ‘Sprint 2’ Trailer – Essence

Published

on

By

Photo credit: Steve Christo – Corbis

The highly anticipated premiere will once more delight viewers when it premieres on November 13, 2024. This four-part series takes a deep dive into the minds of the world’s fastest athletes as they compete in competitions Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. Following the success of its predecessor, it offers a fair more intense have a look at the struggles and triumphs of players on the largest sports stage.

The second a part of the series features elite sprinters including Noah Lyles, Gabby Thomas, Fred Kerley, Letsile Tebogo, Shericka Jackson and many others as they race for Olympic gold. One of the highlights of the series is Lyles’ dramatic victory in the boys’s 100-meter race, during which he was crowned the fastest man in the world. However, his Olympic journey took an unexpected turn in the 200 meters final, where he won the bronze medal before revealing a Covid-19 diagnosis that complicated his performance.

Gabby Thomas shines along with her three gold medals, making a brand new name for herself in American track and field. Her dominance in the ladies’s 200-meter dash and the U.S. 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams exemplifies the continued drive this series reflects.

With behind-the-scenes access and intimate storytelling, you will get an inside have a look at the physical and mental resilience required to compete at the best level, offering viewers a compelling journey beyond sports. The official trailer is now available and allows fans to experience the unforgettable stories of the world’s fastest athletes.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Celebrity Coverage

Victoria Monét hugged the star rapper after her breakup with John Gaines

Published

on

By

Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Victoria Monét is in talks with one among the UK’s biggest MCs after announcing she was single in September.

In photos obtained by a British tabloid On October 10, Monét was seen kissing rapper Stormzy at London’s Heathrow Airport. The singer looked quite tiny in comparison with the British superstar, born Michael Owuo, who is claimed to be 5ft 7ins tall. In addition to the kiss, there was an embrace.

Victoria Monét cozied up to the star rapper after her split from John Gaines
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 18: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – Non-editorial use requires permission from Fashion House) Stormzy attends the Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2025 Menswear show during Paris Fashion Week on June 18, 2024 in Paris, France . (Photo: Antoine Flament/Getty Images)

Both parties recently broke up with serious relationships. In September, Monét announced that she and John Gaines, with whom she has 3-year-old daughter Hazel, had separated 10 months earlier.

“Yes, we have seen all the questions and extremely false accusations regarding our origin story and we have thought long and hard whether we owe anyone an explanation of where we are in recovery because we understand how social media can amplify truths or run far from untruths.” they shared together. “Ultimately, we have decided to remain open and address this matter in the hope that for the sake of our healing process we can put the question marks to rest.”

“We have spent the last 10 months trying to respectfully and privately deal with the fact that we are no longer in a relationship. Although we still absolutely adore and respect each other, we are no longer a couple,” they added. “There was no infidelity, toxic behavior or drama. We both just have fundamental growing up issues that are best handled separately so that we can remain the best version of ourselves for our daughter.”

Victoria Monét cozied up to the star rapper after her split from John Gaines
John Gaines, Hazel Monét and Victoria Monét attend the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards held at the Crypto.com Arena on February 4, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)

As for Stormzy, he has separated himself in July, his long-time partner, host Maya Jama. They began their relationship in 2014, broke up after five years and reunited in 2023. They also shared the news of their split in a joint statement posted on Instagram.

“We still think of each other as the absolute world, we still care and respect each other, we are still grateful for the time we spent together, we are still friends and always will be.”

Stormzy is understood for being one among the biggest rappers overseas and a grime star with hits like “Vossi Bop”, “Own It”, “Shut Up” and 2024’s “Backbone”.

That said, a kiss and a hug don’t make a pair. But whoever they’re, they appear to be having fun with one another’s company at once, and that is why we’re here.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading

Celebrity Coverage

Our Favorite Beauty Moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards – Essence

Published

on

By

Mindy Small/Getty Images

Awards season is not over yet. Tonight, hosted by Fat Joe, BET Hip-Hop Awards 2024 premiered in Las Vegas, kicking off several moments of beauty on the red carpet.

While last season bob hairstyle took over all award shows, lace fronts turned out to be the leader at the moment of 12 months. Da Baddest B**** Trina wore a classic middle part with loose, tight curls. The styling was joined by artists Leys MC and LightSkinKeisha, who cut her hair right into a bob. Meanwhile, Teyana Taylor and GloRilla introduced a brand new look; entering the stage with slicked bangs – Taylor opted for shiny red.

When it involves makeup, the star of the show was a glossy nude lip. While fall is the season for intense, dark lips, Tyla, Lola Brooke and influencer Ari Fletcher (amongst many others) opted for a mid-tone lip liner with a light-weight, neutral glossy finish. The lip, every time paired with lashes and thick, filled-in brows, signaled the temporary return of the long-lost fantastic thing about the 2010s.

Below, let’s take a have a look at the stars’ best red carpet and runway beauty moments.

Ewa Marcel

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – October 8, 2024: Eva Marcille attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards – arrivals at Drai’s Beach Club – nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.. ( Photo: Prince Williams/FilmMagic)

GloRilla

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 8: In this photo posted on October 15, 2024, GloRilla performs on stage at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Ari Fletcher

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Ari Fletcher attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards – Arrivals at Drai’s Beach Club – Nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Leon Bennett/WireImage)

Teyana Taylor

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: (L-R) In this photo posted on October 15, 2024, Teyana Taylor and Tyla speak onstage at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, State of Nevada. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Silence

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 8: In this photo posted on October 15, 2024, Tyla speaks on stage at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Fair SkinKeisha

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: LightSkinKeisha attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards – arrival at Drai’s Beach Club – nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by: Prince Williams/ FilmMagic)

Trina

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: In this photo posted on October 15, 2024, Trina performs on stage at the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Connie Orlando

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Connie Orlando, vp of specials, music programming, music strategy and news, BET Networks, attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beach Club, a nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas in on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Mindy Small/Getty Images)

Lola Brooke

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Lola Brooke attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards – Arrivals at Drai’s Beach Club – Nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Leon Bennett/WireImage)

Cheyenne Smith

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Cheyenne Smith attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Leys MC

Our favorite beauty moments from the 2024 BET Hip-Hop Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 08: Leys MC attends the 2024 BET Hip Hop Awards at Drai’s Beach Club – Nightclub at The Cromwell Las Vegas on October 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Mindy Small/Getty Images)

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending