Entertainment
Malcolm Washington and the cast of “The Piano Lesson” about family and the creation of historic black cinema – Essence

(Photo: Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Netflix)
Filmmaker Malcolm Washington and the cast of the Netflix series – Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler and John David Washington – discuss the importance of family, healing together and letting go of generational fears.
August Wilson’s historic film adaptation of Washington, D.C. has turn into a family-friendly cinematic endeavor. A theatrical release on November 8 and on Netflix on November 22 signifies that filmmaking is outwardly an inherent gene in the Washington family’s DNA. Denzel Washington, two-time Oscar winner and Malcolm’s father, produced the film and starred his other son, John David. “My mom is a pianist,” says first-time director Malcolm Washington. “She couldn’t play the piano for a long time. She had a strange relationship with the piano and that became very powerful in the story.”
In 1990, Wilson’s play won the Pulitzer Prize for its dramatized narrative presenting a realistically complex portrait of family life for Black Americans in Mississippi and Pittsburgh from 1911 to 1936 during the Jim Crow era. The successful 2022 Broadway version of Wilson’s work starred Jackson as “Doaker” and John David as “Boy Willie.”
“He was so generous” – John David talks about working with Jackson, who played many of the roles of August Wilson. “He has 40 years of experience with this text alone.”

Jackson’s repertoire of characters in cinema tends to convey a palpable sense of armed masculinity and toughness. Doaker could be very much the latter, which adds depth to Jackson’s varied game. From taking over the role of “Boy Willie” at Yale Theater School in 1987 to playing the quiet “Doaker” on Broadway in 2022, Jackson’s return gave him an entire recent perspective on these harrowing characters. “When you adapt, you have to lose a lot of things because you’re going beyond the original material and expanding the scope of the script itself,” Jackson states. “People and places will come together, and Willie is the engine that drives this story, while Doaker is the unwavering spirit.”
Next to him, Jackson was the headstrong Deadwyler, who took on the role of consciously protective mother and daughter, Berniece. Her character makes it her life’s work to take care of the most precious family heirloom, the piano that stood of their front room day by day. This piano was stolen from the Charles family by their ancestors’ slave owners, the Sutters. The instrument is a manifested vessel of blood, cultural and generational heritage, and knowledge that has outlined a family’s lineage; despite living in times that attempted to erase their each day existence. “When we were shooting the movie, my mom came on set and I saw her play the piano for the first time in years,” Washington recalled. “I haven’t heard this since I was young, it touched everyone and got everyone emotional.”
Black music and spirituality have been intertwined for hundreds of years, and Wilson’s raw play shows how collective trauma and the refusal to face fear can hinder a family’s healing. John David’s fiery portrayal of Willie shows that the pursuit of opportunity doesn’t all the time equate to true manhood and a fruitful legacy. His siblings’ conflicts with Berniece cause tension to mount in the family home, causing unexpected, terrifying ghosts to linger and resurface. “I think about stories and how important they are in keeping us connected across generations,” Deadwyler says, sitting next to John David. “I have a set of earrings from my grandmother and it speaks to how possessions can contribute to folklore in creating a family.”
When it involves collaborating with esteemed Black performers who’ve had illustrious careers on stage and screen, Deadwyler goes back to pure basics. “It’s an education,” Deadwyler describes his craft. “Art is a spiritual endeavor. It’s a political and personal endeavor, and doing it with serious people makes it all seem real. Filmmaking is meant to change who you are, and in turn, possibly change others, as well as create a rich conversation within the larger community.”
Growing up in Los Angeles, Malcolm Washington credits movies like these with giving him the artistic dimension to tackle his first film project. His directorial debut is all about sparking conversations and letting emotions run high. uses dialogue as a dynamic tool while moving the audience without clear directives or resolutions for the Charles family. It focuses on character relationships that leave audiences reeling – “the material found me when I needed it most, and I’m grateful it did,” Malcolm explains to me.
“Malcolm has a very clear vision,” says John David of witnessing his brother’s first directorial appearance. “He has always been a director I am a fan of. He was an artist I admire and someone I was ready to spread my wings with… and he took off.”
When adapting from stage to film, the creative collaboration of Malcolm and his family knew they’d to succinctly tackle confronting scenes related to grief, acceptance of loss and familial uncertainty. “My approach to the house, where most of the film was shot, was to chase dynamism,” Malcolm details his directing techniques. “I really wanted a camera that was moving, wandering and dynamic, speaking to the subtext of the scenes, able to communicate what was between the lines and sometimes working in opposition to the lines, something that would represent the subjective experience of the film and reach inside the characters.”
Although the dialogue Wilson had originally created was of great value to the filmmaking, Malcolm focused on allowing his multi-talented cast to take a relaxed approach to bring the organic performances to life. “I wanted the cast to find a rhythm that felt good for us as a whole, so we would break through the kind of stiffness that can sometimes come with a sacred work when we are so afraid.”
In this case, viewers can follow the events in the Charles family home as tensions rise when Berniece touches the piano keys. She and the piano are a tethered source and conduit for a lot of of her family’s invisible guardian angels – their ancestors. Earth, wind, fire and water are seasonal because despite the fact that family and community dynamics may change, nature will all the time remain, but the most significant thing is when everyone comes together.
When Willie’s dad shows him the land and notes that it’s the land that may take more,” Washington continues. “His father puts his hand on his back and I remember my dad doing the same thing and putting his giant hand on my little back.” This idyllic, easy scene is the quintessence of the essential story that Malcom creates, which goals to firmly root and ground Black people in the family despite confusion and troubles. The full gathering of the Charles family in the final minutes is conflict, climax and resolution – together they only archive their presence through memory. “I will never take for granted the love that goes into a project. Sacrifice required from everyone, from top to bottom,” Washington says.
Entertainment
The second Kehlani concert in New York was canceled, this time due to “security and safety problems”

Another upcoming Kehlani concert, which is to happen in Summersage at Central Park in the Pride month, has been dismissed.
On Monday, May 5, just just a few weeks after her concert was canceled on the University of Cornell, Summerstage announced that they cancel the upcoming Kehlani concert after receiving security and safety problems from the office of the mayor of New York Eric Adams.
“We were notified by the mayor’s office that they have concerns about security and safety problems in connection with the Kehlani concert of June 26,” said the organizers Statement published in social media–Sums that the fears result directly from the “controversy regarding the decision of the University of Cornell” to cancel its program.
“We strongly and definitely believe in all kinds of artistic expression. However, the safety of our guests and artists is of great importance,” the organizers continued. “In the light of these fears, the concert was dismissed.”
The 30-year-old R&B singer responded to the news by publishing “Lol” and noticed that their post was the primary to hear about news, together with fans, AP News Reported.
In posts about news concerning the threads, the singer “After Hours” wrote: “The second program canceled by the state of New York! Reminder: We were played Barclays. :)”
On Tuesday, Adams said that officials wondered if the Kehlani concert in Central Park would affect public safety before making a call CBS messages.
“We wanted to conduct an analysis and make sure that it is not so, and on the basis, without the need to review this full analysis (City Parks Foundation) made this determination,” said Adams.
This cancellation occurs after the Cornell University decision concerning the cancellation of the Kehlani program in April for its constant and loud support of Palestine in the course of the ongoing conflict in gas. Michael Kotlikoff, Michael Kotlikoff, was to perform in the course of the annual “Slopa Day”, when the president of the University of Cornell said that she would now not perform after she allegedly “was in favor of anti -Semitic, anti -Israeli sentiments in performances, films and social media.”
After dismissal, Kehlani began to social media to clean the air round her position.
“I am not anti-Semitic or anti-war. I am an anti-denominant, counteracting the Israeli government, anti-excist to whole people, antibulating innocent children, men and women. This is what I am anti-anti-“-said the singer Instagram video. “The first living at the beginning of this genocide was a really beautiful Jewish organization called Jewish voices (sic) for peace, and I still learn and work with really influential Jewish organizers against this Ludobom.”
In the signature, she continued to write that in addition to Cornell University, other attempts to cancel her programs were made.
“If you want to cancel me on your occasion or because of your Zionism. Do not do it anti-Żyko,” Kehlani wrote in the signature.

(Tagstotransate) Israel Palestine Conflict (T) Cornell University
Entertainment
Hanna John -Kamen at Thunderbolts* and always ready for a rapprochement – essence

Killer Action Role on television, science fiction Odyssey Outlaws and Hyper Dystopian Stories are stuffed with the film Hanna John-Kamen as a performer with strength in her emotional performance on the screen. A 35-yr-old English actress known for her roles in movies reminiscent of Andas, just like the television program, Likeand is ready to bring her to her because she had large roles supporting in lots of successful franchises. He represents his role Ghost (Ava Starr) in Marvel. Directed by Jake Schreier, The Asterisk within the title of the film is a real show Way Marvel, and the filmmaker intended to be this story to be the departure of Disney franchise and resign how very different it’s from the more shiny repertoire of Marvel’s movies.
“Jake’s lens of this film was very, tonally specific”, he describes John-Kamen through the conversation. “It was like creating an independent film in the Marvel universe – Jake had a level of sensitivity and nurturing this story.” Re-reembodiment John-Kamena Ava Starr as a spirit, a killer for employment, is a key paria of the newly formed group, which was later recognized within the film as Thunderbolts, the name developed by the character of David Harbor, Aleksiej Andreovitch (Red Guardian).

The family roots of John-Kamen reach her Nigerian father and Norwegian mother, who performed significantly different works as a criminal psychologist and fashion model. With her established experience in Performance’s art, she was in a position to introduce her history of upbringing in a house stuffed with beauty and brains in her roles on the screen. The English contractor doesn’t stop his roles on television and film and cooperated with the maestros cinema, reminiscent of Steven Spielberg (), and now Jake Schreier. “It’s quite difficult, because when you filter abroad, you revolve with a time difference that is easier to say than to do,” says John-Kamen. “In this world it can be a lonely lifestyle that concerns the spirit, and I grounded, taking breath and seeing my loved ones, friends and hugging my dog.”

Florence Pugh leads as Yelena Belova, a self -sighted super agent who suffers from disturbing episodes that recreate memories of the past that persecute her. The unusual childhood injury Belova led her to becoming a one who acts essentially the most alone. Belova and Starr are a fortress behind Anti Hero Alliance of the Thunderbolts. They are the one women in a six -person organization who meets with controversial forces. “He, very, controls himself, his body and making decisions very much,” the John-Kamen explores. “She is Fort Knox and is a lonely wolf.”

The unusual moments of the comedy from the forged, which incorporates Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lewis Pullman and many others, does so related and feel more human than OR. Without having shiny superpowers, which make up lightning, they’re forced to face their reality without pursuing fandoms and public support. In the film Arch Nemesis Thunderbolt is the vengeful figure of Louis-Dreyfus, Valentina Allegra de Fountaine-infiltrating director who tries to control and remove the Marvel Hero team.

During the 2 -hour journey, which makes up the history of Thunderbolt’s origin, the audience experiences the best way these qualified warriors are still fighting for the worst problems. Ava Starr stays under the radar for many of the film because he has more sequences than words. “Her guard is very elevated,” says John-Kamen. Ava Starr appears when Yelena Belova needs her most to avoid wasting the world overtaken by darkness. The character of Lewis Pullman, Robert “Bob” Reynolds, is armed against Thunderbolts, and his arch symbolizes how our minds could be as powerful because the uncomfortable villain.

Schreier’s approach to this film within the Marvel series was to enlarge greater than outside, removes all glamorous aesthetics that makes the heroes so aspirative. Even in Thunderbolts marketing, a wheat box standing in the midst of the box is caught to satirize the trail of superheroes created within the Marvel cinema. Each anti -hero character stands in front of its own internal battles created by the trauma and wounded within the script by Eric Pearson. “We really laughed between shots,” Hanna warns me, talking concerning the heavier facets of the film. “I really created this beautiful family in this cast.”
In general, that is a story that follows wounded individuals who learn to treat. Along the best way, they establish a family bond and support system. In 2025, when people can feel more disconnected, the narrative of Thunderbolts hits the home harder, watching the characters construct sufficient confidence and mental Harta to face in themselves and their newly discovered friends. “I think that at the end of this movie I want you to hug a loved one or make sure someone feels safe and informed him that they do not have to boldly smile,” John-Kamen says.
Entertainment
The shocking commitment of Larsa Pippen towards a new younger man lights a furious warning a year after parting from his son Michael Jordan

Lars Pippen knows find out how to make boys from basketball in love.
The star “The Real Housewives of Miami” is in a relationship with the previous international basketball player Jeff Cobym, and he already has several necessary intentions after only 4 months of dates. On Sunday, May 4, Coby, a graduate of the University of Columbia, who played in Pro Ball mainly in Spain and Latin America after graduation, and happily shared the plans to marry Pippen within the near future, and even revealed their alleged wedding date.

They each walked through the noisy part of Miami TMZ paparazzi. Initially, they ignored the crew and walked on – so long as Cobby suddenly shouted over his shoulder: “We got married in November 2025!” Then he quickly improved the year to 2026.
Cameramnik was falling back to ask the previous Ivy League player to repeat himself and met with the reply “Let’s get married”. Lars, who remained mute during interaction, suddenly checked out Coby, after which raised her hand to her face and closed her eyes with seemingly embarrassment.
But he continued: “Let’s get married. It will be a beautiful marriage. November 2025.”
Another person paparazzi asked Coby: “Are you proposing now?” He replied: “I can’t tell you when I’m going to propose.”
The new couple met in January through the tenth anniversary of Bash to the DBC Fitness gym David Alexander. According to TMZIt was Alexander who played in Matchmaker between them, and so they quickly became exclusive.
Fans commented In the news under the Baller Alert post.
One person asked: “He can get them, why can’t he stop them?”
The second person wrote: “Good, so he will give up the name Scottie, please.”
This wouldn’t be Larsa for the primary time, when she was a lady, she was married to Chicago Bulls Scottie Pippen for 19 years and together she welcomed 4 children: Scotty Pippen Jr., 24, Preston Pippen, 21, Justin Pippen, 18 and 16-year-old Sophia Pippen. Larsa submitted a divorce application with Scottie in 2016, reconciled, but again submitted the applying in 2017 and finalized in December 2021.
Someone else in TMZ comments She criticized Larsa for her dating men who’re much younger than her because she is 31 years old and she or he is 50 years old.
“He will meet with people Scottie Jr.

Larsa was about 45 years old when she began to fulfill with 23-year-old Beasley.
The player Detroit Pistons had an affair with Larsa in 2020, when he was already married to a woman named Montana Yao. There were disputes in social media, and Yao calls him to cheat, and Lars claimed that Beasley was separated from Yao. Yao even submitted an application for separation. When Lars and Beasley finished all the things 4 months, he publicly apologized to Yao and returned together.
But from March 2025, Yao has filed for separation for the second time. Just a few weeks later – still in March – Beasley submitted a divorce application, and later confirmed that he saw the model on Instagram named Natalia Garibotto.
After this defeat with Beasley, Lars began to fulfill with Marcus Jordan, the second son of the NBA player Michael Jordan, who was a former colleague from Scotti’s team.
Her and Jordan’s relationship began in 2022 and were together in July 2024. It was one other relationship during which Lars was condemned for the age difference. She was 48 years old and he was 32 years old. As for Cober, there have been conversations about wedding Between her and the previous basketball player of the university, but they never reached the engagement point before their relationship broke up.
Time will tell if Lars and what they really jump from the brooms.
(Tagstranslate) Larsa Pippen
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