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How Iantha Richardson controls the narrative in Hollywood

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Iantha Richardson arrives at the premiere of ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ held at the El Capitan Theater on May 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Salangsang/Variety via Getty Images)

Iantha Richardson never desired to be an actress.

“I just knew I would dance abroad in Europe and perform contemporary ballet, but life wasn’t like that,” the star tells ESSENCE. However, by coincidence, she discovered a brand new passion that saw her appear on screens in over 9 million homes weekly.

The star of the popular ABC cop drama and the recent all-black remake of the 1991 cult classic, the DC native moved from New York to Los Angeles in hopes of using her punchlines professionally. Instead, she landed in front of the camera after taking acting classes with a friend.

One class led to several, which led to an agent and management, which led to Benny Got Shot, an AFI thesis film directed by Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel and Pauletta. This led to her playing the adult Tess, which opened the door to even greater opportunities for her.

While she’s going to at all times be in love with dancing – “it’s something that’s still in my back pocket,” she tells us – acting on certainly one of Primetime TV’s hottest shows currently takes up most of her time. And rightly so.

How Iantha Richardson controls the narrative in Hollywood
WILL TRENT – ABC’s “Will Trent” starring Ianta Richardson as Faith Mitchell, Jake Mclaughlin as Michael Ormewood, Ramn Rodr’guez as Will Trent, Erika Christensen as Angie Polaski and Sonja Sohn as Amanda Wagner. (ABC/Streiber’s Art)

As Faith Mitchell, the title character’s reluctant GBI partner, Richardson brings a depth, wit and charm to the character that in many other police procedural shows could be irrelevant to the overall story. Faith is a black woman in a politically precarious position, harboring contempt for her partner for whistle-blowing to other cops, while consistently striving to be on the “right side of the law.” Faith is complex and interesting, and her own insecurities could also be obstacles and personal demons to beat.

“I like her perseverance. I like her resilience. I like her heart above all else,” Richardson says of her character. “I think as a black woman in a male-dominated space, a space that in 2024 would not be considered for someone black or brown who wants to be a police officer. But I think he’s doing it for the right reasons and not sacrificing who he is.”

Inspired by her close friend, a real-life black female detective from Washington, D.C., Richardson portrays her character’s compassion and caring through lived experience.

“I like the fact that she went from being a police officer to being a detective. And I said, “Well, how do I do that?” How do you feel with it? What does it look like there? Because the police have a very bad reputation, especially through our lens. “But she is literally one of the most compassionate officers and she does it because she wants to help people.”

How Iantha Richardson controls the narrative in Hollywood
WILL TRENT – Iantha Richardson plays Faith Mitchell on the ABC series Will Trent. (ABC/Streiber’s Art)

“Episode seven is really cool,” Richardson says of tonight’s episode . “For me personally, not even for Faith. I actually have to do a number of stunts, which inserts perfectly with what I need to do in the future, which is to develop into an motion hero sooner or later in my life.

“There’s a lot of family themes, there’s a lot of really cool action, and Will and Faith work together in such a beautiful way that their relationship has evolved and you can see that in this movie.” Richardson irritates. “They’re on the verge of communication right now and they’re really just understanding each other.”

In addition to his work in front of the screen, Richardson is behind the lens, producing and directing his own projects. The star is currently purchasing for her first appearance. The film, tentatively titled “Attached,” takes place in Detroit and relies on the concept of soul ties. He’s also looking forward to directing his first TV episode soon.

“As I get more into this business, I realize that it’s very important to be able to control the narrative in your own way,” he says. “As actors, we often support someone else’s story – which is also really cool, to be able to be a servant and to be able to play these wonderful characters like Faith. But I’m very excited to collaborate with other artists to tell other stories that I think should be spotlighted, and I think producing gives you the opportunity to manage and bring together different voices to create something new, fresh and unprecedented.”

In the wake of last 12 months’s strikes, Richardson recognizes the challenges she faces as a creator of color looking for the green light for original content. But she never let the statistics discourage her – “I think if something’s going to be done, it will be done,” she tells us – she believes in what she creates and trusts that it would find its platform and audience.

“I think people are still looking for content from people of color. I think it just has to be really special,” he explains. Richardson is enthusiastic about shedding light on narratives and their points that will not be often dropped at the fore.

“I like to tell stories that are not necessarily what people want to hear, but stories that are true.”

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Celebrity Coverage

ICYMI: Lupita Nyong’o’s festive red lips and more – the essence

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Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Just before Thanksgiving, stars give a taste of the cosmetic makeup looks from their holiday palette. Peachy shades of cobbler lipstick (with matching pink), jagged red bobs, and embellished nail plates are the height of fall beauty. Meanwhile, versatile styles like glazed lips and festive tresses can transcend any season.

Cynthia Erivo gave her character Elphaba a set of unique French suggestions paired with holiday-approved glitter makeup. Keke Palmer and Chloe Bailey’s peach lipstick and blush are must-have shades for next week’s family gatherings. Meanwhile, Fantasia served up a chocolate reality with brown shades on the lips and nails.

Broad beans are never in season. See: Bailey’s loc bob, Teyana Taylor’s curled ends, and Mary J. Blige’s ginger hairstyle. Lupita Nyong’o, meanwhile, paired her festive red lips with a micro-braided, finger-wavy bun.

What about Doechii? She participated Camp Flog Bite in swamp claws (which resembled alligator skin and teeth) and green contacts.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at our favourite celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Nafessa Williams in Disney+’s Rivals [Interview] – Essence

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Photo credit: Cécile BOKO

Nafessa Williams attracts attention with a role that combines strength, complexity and uncompromising self-confidence. Set in the vibrant media world of 1980s London, the Disney+ series immerses viewers in a world of passion, betrayal and ambition. At the heart of this Jilly Cooper adaptation is Cameron Cook, an ambitious American television producer brought to London by Lord Tony Baddingham to shake up his Corinium company. Cook navigates a predominantly white, male-dominated industry with poise, charm and her signature red lips – an expression of the boldness and confidence of black women that Williams set out to authentically portray.

Known for her breakout role as Anissa Pierce in , Williams has gained a reputation for bringing depth and dynamism to her characters. In the series, she takes on a role that uniquely reflects her own experiences. As the only Black character on the series, Williams brings her Philadelphia roots and personal journey to Cameron’s story, highlighting the dual challenges and triumphs of standing out in an exclusive space.

Through meticulous research, collaboration with the show’s stylists, and a curated playlist featuring icons such as Whitney Houston and Vanity 6, Williams brought Cameron’s ambitious and uncompromising personality to life. In this interview, she talks about putting on her character’s power suit to represent black women on screen, and how she made the character her own. With the film, this talented actress proves once again that she is a force to be reckoned with.

Nafessa Williams on the boldness and elegance of her performance on Disney+'s 'Rivals'
Photo credit: Cécile BOKO

ESSENCE: First of all, congratulations you gave an amazing performance. How did you land the role of Cameron Cook?

Nafessa Williams: Yes, so I auditioned. It was an audition that passed and I actually decided not to work that year. Last year I had just finished filming the 2021 film and I thought: I knew that whatever I did after that, it just had to be elite and next level. I got the scripts, I had all this stuff throughout 2022 and it just didn’t feel right. And I just told God I’ll hang on until I find this job for me.

As soon as I read the script, I thought, “OK, God, you just helped me with this. This is what I’ve been waiting for all year.” So I read it and immediately recognized the way they wrote the script. The text was amazing. Cameron, I thought, “I have to voice this character.” How strong and commanding she was, and how beautiful she was. The only black cast member, the only black character in the series. Plus, just for fun, the fact that she came from America and was recruited from New York to London to become a powerhouse producer was something I had to weigh in on. So that’s how it happened. And so, from that point on.

So you said she was the only black character on the show. In terms of portraying this situation, how did you bring this perspective to life in this predominantly white, male environment?

You know what, I just stayed true to the writing and the character. I’m from Philadelphia, the character is from New York, so it’s almost the same thing. So I just wanted to make sure that I brought the authenticity of a black woman, a black woman from New York, a black woman who is ambitious and confident and secure in who she is. So I wanted to make sure that I brought all those elements to it and just be true to who black women were at the time in the ’80s, how we wore our hair, what our clothes looked like, and I just wanted to make sure it was authentic down to that moment.

I’m actually glad you mentioned the ’80s and everything, because for me one of the coolest things about this show is the ’80s fashion. How did the fashion and style of the time help you get into Cameron’s character and how did it influence how did you portray her on screen?

Yeah, I think a lot of 80s fashion was about confidence and making sure she was on her own, whether she was clothed or not, she was just a very confident woman. But I think fashion helped us situate and tell her story. I also love 80s fashion and I make sure I stay true to what I saw as a little girl in the late 80s and 90s, seeing my mom, grandma, aunts and their friends all dressed up, red lips and red nails, making sure that the hair is also authentic. Since I’m the only black character on the show, representation means everything to me. And also, like other black women, when they watched this show, whether they lived in the ’80s or not, it’s a true representation of what we really looked like, from French rolls to slicked ponytails to pumps and curls and beyond. we just make sure that when we tune in, we see ourselves.

The show’s stylist was very open to my ideas because I know what it looked like, right? And I know what it was like in America. So I just made sure she brought that American flavor, that New York flavor. He was very open to my ideas and collaborative. And if there is no such moment, you will see Cameron unless he wakes up in the morning without red lips. I think this also shows her boldness and self-confidence. Red lips and red nails are her trademark, but they are also a signature of the 80s. So again, making sure we put those elements into it to make it feel as real and nostalgic as possible.

I also think it’s interesting because I think Cameron’s journey and where she’s at is also reflective of black women in the entertainment industry. What similarities do you see between yourself and Cameron’s character? How did it work out?

Yes, there was a time that I found myself in that situation where we were talking about whether I was the only black cast member or the only black woman on set. And I think what I exuded and what I’ve always carried within me is confidence and knowing that I’ve worked and I have a right to be in the room and my talent is just as amazing and just as important and my story is just as important to tell.

It’s just walking in with so much confidence, like I knew I was supposed to be there. Another thing that reflects both her and me is ambition. When Cameron wants something like me, I don’t take “no” easily. If I set my mind to something, it will be achieved, and she has the same quality in her. So yeah, it’s just going in knowing that you’ve earned this place and you’ve worked hard to be here, and you walk in with your head held high knowing that your ancestors sent you. Go do it. Go do your job. So I wanted to make sure he exuded that too, and that was very important to me to show that.

Nafessa Williams on the boldness and elegance of her performance on Disney+'s 'Rivals'
Photo credit: Cécile BOKO

When people portray a character or make a movie in a “different era,” did you do any preparation beyond understanding what life was like back then? Did you do a lot of research into the history of your character?

Yes, I always go back and check if I am serving that era well. For me it was just going back and observing women that I had seen, maybe glimpses of, that I didn’t know very well as a child but who were popular in the 80s. Lots of Diahanna Carroll and Pam Grier. I also watch a little bit of Phylicia Rashad and make sure I bring that cool, sassy, ​​sexy but intelligent approach to the character.

Besides, music helps me empathize with a given character. I always create a playlist for each character. It really helps me get into that time and understand the character’s mind, what they’re thinking: “How do they party? How do they dance? What is their wardrobe like?” So I studied it a lot and told everyone because I always got to the heart of the Cameron thing. “Nasty Girl” by Vanity City. Remember Prince’s group?

Absolutely. 1000%.

Yes. Yes. So “Nasty Girl” helped me get inside Cameron’s mind and get to know her boldness, confidence and attitude about who she is. So yeah, I just go back and watch it again, get Diane Carroll, and she was very strong, Dominique Deveraux, she was very strong in who she was. When she appeared on screen, there was no denying her energy and essence as a black woman. This was part of the research I did.

It’s interesting because I definitely want to know that now when I think about the ’80s, I think about Whitney Houston, I think about Cyndi Lauper. Tell me, who was on your playlist when you were putting together the music list for this particular character?

Surely. Lots of Whitney Houston, lots of Teddy Pendergrass. I’m from Philadelphia. So I come from a huge musical culture. A lot of Teddy P., a lot of Barry White, a lot of Sadé. Sadé was also on the playlist, getting into this just sexy vibe, kind of laid back, at home, relaxed. There was a lot of Madonna on the playlist. Prince was on the Jackson Five playlist. I also thought about this: “Who was Cameron when she was a child? Who was she listening to? Not even as an adult, but I like to think that when she was an adult in the ’80s, in her teenage life, in her earlier life, she listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder and a lot of the Jackson Five, a lot of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

So these were some of the songs, or rather artists, that were on my playlist that I just listened to all day, played in my trailer before I went to set, and just walked out and was ready to have it.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Sony Music has settled a lawsuit regarding the Whitney Houston biography

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Whitney Houston


Sony Music has reached a settlement with the producers of the biopic.

The lawsuit, filed in February, alleged that 4 production firms – Anthem Films, NYBO Productions and Black Label Media – didn’t pay for licenses to 24 of Houston’s songs.

The request seen by Reuters shows that Sony Music has agreed to this to reject case last month. The parties informed the court that that they had agreed to the settlement but requested an extension to finalize the details.

The lawsuit claimed that the labels signed a sync licensing agreement that allowed them to make use of audio recordings of nearly 30 Houston classics, including “How Will I Know,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Will Always Love You” and her 1991 version “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Sony Music claims that under the agreement, royalties were to be paid in July 2023, but as of August 2023, it has still not received payment. Sony Music claims that Anthem was awaiting a tax break from the state of Massachusetts. According to the plaintiff, payment was never made.

“As a result of Anthem’s failure to pay fees to SME, it is clear that no license or authorization existed to use the SME recordings used in the film,” the lawsuit states.

Sony Music claimed that the film’s producers, Anthem Films, entered into a licensing agreement with the record label on December 5, 2022, two weeks before the film’s release.

“Unlike other types of films, musical biopics by their nature require the use of a musician’s music because it is almost impossible to explain the significance of a musician’s creative genius or his unique style and talent without using that musician’s music,” the record company’s lawyers wrote.

The original lawsuit sought damages of not less than $3.6 million. Details of the settlement aren’t yet known.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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