Entertainment
‘This is not the era of the Minstrel Show’: Billy Dee Williams sparks online outrage after saying he doesn’t mind if actors do blackface
Actor Billy Dee Williams shocked his fans by expressing his opinion on actors wearing blackface, which is considered unacceptable in today’s climate and regarded a mockery of African Americans.
Williams is best known for his roles in the movies “Star Wars” and “Lady Sings the Blues.” He joined comedian Bill Maher’s podcast “Club Random with Bill Maher,” where they discussed British actor and film star Laurence Olivier wearing blackface in the 1965 film “Othello.”
The history of blackface dates back to minstrel shows in the mid-Nineteenth century, when white actors darkened their skin with shoe polish or a burnt cork, exaggerated their features, and wore tattered clothes to portray black people.
According to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, it was the first minstrel to introduce he imitated slaves living on southern plantations and portrayed them as lazy, ignorant, cowardly, or hypersexual.
Maher smoked marijuana while Williams, 87, sipped a glass of wine and a Colt .45 during the interview. Williams admitted that Olivier was also criticized for being “physical and doing things with his voice,” but when he saw Olivier as Othello, he thought it was funny .
“When he did Othello, I cried with laughter,” Williams recalled. “He stuck his ass out and walked around with his a—, you know, because black people are supposed to have big butts. …I thought it was hysterical. Love it. Love it. I love this kind of stuff.”
After Maher said actors couldn’t afford to wear blackface today, Williams pushed back and said that as performers, they need to have the option to play any role they need.
“If you’re an actor, you should do whatever you want,” he said. “As an actor, whatever you think you can do, you should be able to do it.”
Hollywood Unlocked shared clips from interview on Instagram, and fans welcomed Williams’ comments.
“He got old and now he just talks like that.” recorded one fan. “Sir, this is not the 19th century,” one other added. “Man, please… stop already. This is America!!!!”
“It’s crazy how old heads have gone soft in the face of disrespect towards their community. This is not the era of minstrel shows, nobody should feel comfortable in that shit. he replied one fan, while others joked that “the Dem Colt 45 beers impressed him the most.”
Other fans were just completely happy to learn that “What We Have Here?” the creator was still with us, but some weren’t surprised considering Williams “did an interview a few weeks ago where he said he was a brown actor, not a black actor.”
During Black History Month this February appeared on “The View,” where co-host Sunny Hostin asked about his experience working in Hollywood as a black actor.
“So you actually came out, as Whoopi (Goldberg) said, in an industry where there were very few people of color on TV and in movies,” she said, before Williams interjected, “Everyone is a people of color.”
Sunny replied, “Yes, well, a black man,” to which Billy corrects her, stating, “Well, a brown-skinned man.”
Did you notice the hot moment on The View when Billy Dee Williams corrected Sonny Hostin on-air? Things got interesting when he stated that he identified as a “brown” man! #View #BillyDeeWilliams #SonnyHostin #Star Wars #SocialJustice #Identity #RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/tuT4knzlIM
— Vlemx4u (@vlemx4u) March 9, 2024
It’s almost secure to assume Williams was also interested in Robert Downey Jr., who wore blackface in 2008’s “Tropic Thunder.”
The film faced backlash at the time over Downey’s character, Kirk Lazarus, a cocky Australian actor dedicated to his craft who insisted on wearing an afro while adopting brown skin for the role. Producers defended the use of blackface in the film, saying it was satire – a form of humor that uses mockery to criticize human stupidity or views equivalent to racism.
Downey claimed that along with his performance, for which he received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor, he wanted to show “tropes that are wrong and have been perpetuated for too long.”
The film’s director and star is also Ben Stiller defended this in X, stating that he “makes no apologies for Tropic Thunder. I do not know who told you that. Since its opening, this film has all the time been controversial. I’m proud of it and the work everyone did on it.
‘This is not the era of the Minstrel Show’: Billy Dee Williams sparks online outrage after saying he doesn’t mind if actors do blackface
Entertainment
Dr. Phil withdraws support for Donald Trump with shocking confession It was an ‘act of defiance’ after Kamala Harris refused to be invited to an over-25 job interview
Dr. Phil McGraw wants his political affiliation to remain a secret. But critics find it hard to imagine just days after his controversial speech by which he defended Donald Trump from calling him a political tyrant for nearly a decade.
During an Oct. 27 Madison Square Garden rally for the GOP presidential candidate, the talk show host suggested that the businessman-turned-politician is definitely an important debater who sometimes resorts to name-calling.
Now in a brand new interview with “Piers Morgan uncensored” psychologist, who stopped renewing his license to practice in 2006, says his alleged support for the grumpy character has been misunderstood.
“It was an act of rebellion on my part,” Dr. Phil told host Piers Morgan in a promotional clip distributed hours before their discussion premiered on YouTube on November 5, Election Day.
“I’m just not here to support Donald Trump,” he added, noting, “I don’t like celebrity endorsements.” This sentiment was reflected in his speech.
Speaking to the group of MAGA supporters, Dr. Phil continued: “I am here to talk to and stand up for people who have declared their support for Donald J. Trump, or have been discovered, or want to do so but are too intimidated. They are erased, intimidated, marginalized, excluded and even boycotted.”
Dr. Phil: This country was built on exertions. Not on DEI pic.twitter.com/QngDJKbDnc
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 27, 2024
However, the creator of “We’re in Trouble: How to Stay Strong for America’s Soul and Mental Health” told Morgan he felt rejected after being denied repeated opportunities to speak with Vice President Kamala Harris. So he showed up on Trump’s behalf.
“I have asked to speak to Kamala Harris more than 25 times and I have never received so many answers: yes, no, maybe,” he said.
Dr. Phil also stated that well-placed Democrats can attest that he wouldn’t attempt to conduct an “ambush interview.” Harris’ team was said to have been concerned about McGraw’s past of interrogating callers.
What’s more, the Daytime Emmy winner said he “offered to deliver an identical speech at the Harris rally,” even offering to provide a transcript of his remarks upfront.
Harris, the Democratic nominee, has used a lineup of guest speakers at campaign events, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Oprah Winfrey, just to name just a few who appeared.
Dr. Phil is an example of why you actually cannot trust these people. They lie, cheat, steal, manipulate and have a spirit of entitlement like no other race. The world knows the black woman, Oprah Winfrey is the explanation he and a whole lot of other white persons are the explanation for their success pic.twitter.com/TiGMHgcAbA
— Unapologetically black, positive and undisturbed (@KimWrites4U) October 28, 2024
Winfrey faced digital criticism as McGraw enraged liberal voters and organizations focused on the advancement of people of color with his alleged alliance with Trump. The mogul brought him into the limelight with quite a few guest appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” within the Nineties. She used her brand to help him construct his own by launching his consulting show, “Dr. Phil” in 2002.
McGraw went a step further and stated, “I don’t like a lot of what he says or does.” But when asked if he had decided who would get his vote, he replied: “I think so, but I’ll never say.”
People reacting to the interview on the Internet he tweeted“The same speech? This is so depressing. You principally haven’t any loyalty or feelings towards one or the opposite. You just wanted to talk. Narcissus.
A number of took jabs at some of the guests on Dr. Phil’s popular talk show, where he tried to help troubled teenagers. One of them said: “An act of revolt?! he is similar as these children interview.
Other he wrote“So Dr. Phil had a tantrum…. But he wants to heal people? No, Phil… stay there.
Third as well as“The man who preyed on vulnerable people in order to create a pro-Trump talk show… seems to have a point.”
As for the response, McGraw said he saw it coming and that folks are actually “shocked by all the vitriol.”
Entertainment
Stunning celebrity nights and monumental celebrations: the best black love in October
Getty
There’s one thing our favourite black celebrity couples will do: placed on a improbable performance and get noticed.
Even though the cozy season began this month, these couples had no problem getting outside to have fun their biggest moments. Take, for instance, Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Sterling K. Brown. We saw them close the gala at the Academy Museum 2024 and go to Miami for the unveiling of the NBA Heat statuette.
Ciara and Russell Wilson then celebrated Cici’s birthday, and Quad Webb honored her latest partner with a fun celebration in Atlanta. These celebrity couples lived their best lives, from steamy dates like Judy and DaBrat at an Usher concert to gallery openings like Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz.
Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade:
Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts:
Ciara and Russell Wilson:
Steve and Marjorie Harvey:
Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz:
Ryan Michelle Bathe and Sterling K. Brown:
Vedo and his wife:
Magic and Cookie Johnson:
Quad and her partner:
DaBrat and Judy:
Entertainment
Rihanna apologizes to Donald Trump supporters and tells her to stay away from politics after joking about voting
Rihanna, 36, a recording artist from Barbados, didn’t hold back when she addressed trolls within the comments section of an Instagram post about politics.
The nine-time Grammy winner’s joke about the 2024 US presidential election caused an uproar, with several commentators clapping at her words.
“POV: I’m trying to sneak into the polls using my son’s passport. #votecauseicant,” Rihanna wrote under the video of her driving a automotive.
The “Good Girl Gone Bad” singer did just that two sons born in America with her boyfriend, rapper A$AP Rocky, 36. RZA Mayers was born on May 13, 2022, and Riot Mayers was born on August 1, 2023.
Moreover, she captioned her Instagram post: “Protecting p… and releasing p… can happen in one voice. #votecauseicant #TanSuitSeason.” The mention of vaginas in RiRi’s caption seemed to be an announcement about the fight for abortion rights in America.
Former President Donald Trump, 78, has repeatedly taken credit for appointing three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. This landmark 1973 decision recognized that abortion is a constitutionally protected right within the United States.
“After 50 years of failure, with no one even close, I managed to kill Roe v. Wade, to everyone’s ‘shock’,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth in May 2023.
The MAGA leader added: “Without me, there would be no 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 15 weeks or anything that was finally agreed upon. Without me, the Pro-Life movement would still lose. Thank you President TRUMP!!!”
Rihanna’s light-hearted way of encouraging her followers to vote within the 2024 election became a serious topic when conservatives slammed the “Umbrella” hitmaker for her political opinions.
“Illegal voting is a crime. Maybe she should be arrested for trying,” one person commented. The Fenty Beauty founder replied, “Shut up, Karen.”
When one other person said the abortion issue “isn’t as important as you think,” Rihanna responded: “You’re f**ked up. And that is the America you dream of. I hope you will not have to experience this for yourself.
The “Ocean’s 8” star also hit back on the criticism, claiming the billionaire singer was misleading fans by saying she should persist with her “musical sister.”
In response, the Barbados-born businesswoman responded he asked“Where were you on January 6, sister? Stick with the discounted crotch. We are here fighting for his rights!”
Rihanna meant it crowd of Trump supporters storming the US Capitol. The Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol was allegedly a part of Trump’s failed coup plot to overturn the 2020 election after he lost to Democrat Joe Biden by a 306-232 Electoral College vote.
Trump currently faces a federal criminal case for his alleged role in the trouble to overturn his 2020 election defeat, which led to the Jan. 6 revolt on the U.S. Capitol. He pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy and obstruction.
On January 6, a violent Trump mob attempted a coup on the Capitol, leaving several people dead and a whole lot of cops injured – here’s a timeline of how that day descended into full-blown anarchy pic.twitter.com/P9uYlf0aR0
— KT “CIA Special Operation” (@KremlinTrolls) November 5, 2024
Additionally, 18 alleged co-conspirators were charged within the Georgia RICO case. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges. Four defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with the prosecutor’s office.
The presidential contest between Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris will turn out to be a reality on Election Day, November 5, while the newest national opinion polls show a near tie.
Rihanna joins the list of stars who’ve announced their support for Vice President Harris, 60, who shall be inaugurated on January 20, 2025 because the forty seventh president of the United States.
Harris also secured support from musicians including Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Common, Eminem, Fat Joe, GloRilla, John Legend, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, Megan Thee Stallion, Queen Latifah, Taylor Swift and Usher.
Donald Trump’s musical supporters include rappers 6ix9ine, Anuel AA, Lil Pump and Waka Flocka Flame, in addition to singers Billy Ray Cyrus, Justin Moore, Ted Nugent and Kid Rock.
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