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JuJu Watkins’ time is not coming. It’s here. — Andlandscape

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8 months ago

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America begins one other campaign cycle. That means primaries, an ungodly amount of polls, speeches and ads that might have an impact Source Awards in 1995 they’re like a Bible study. At any given moment, everyone is in search of a talking point and candidates are in search of a vote.

Well, apart from Judea Skies Watkins USC’s freshman guard, higher often known as JuJu. The votes were forged and Watkins was chosen as the following big star of American basketball.

Watkins’ impressive on-court exploits are an enormous reason why the Los Angeles native has exploded onto the sports scene. In this season All-American recipient he was the ESPN National Freshman of the Year and runner-up for National Player of the Year. She was also named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year by Athletic. She has a set of lucrative NIL deals. USC’s third-place rating is its highest in 38 years, and Watkins led the Trojans in scoring in 27 of 31 games this season, including a 51-point masterpiece on the road against Stanford (a season-high for each men and girls). USC’s scoring records were once held Cheryl Miller AND LisaLeslie They belong to Watkins. In short, she is a walking bucket and is exciting to observe.

“JuJu has a probability to do something we have needed in women’s basketball for an extended time. And meaning going beyond sports and really being on the intersection of girls’s basketball and culture,” she added. LaChina RobinsonWNBA analyst and ESPN host, he said.

“At Lakers games, the first thing you think about is who are all the stars that are on the court and want to watch LeBron or Kobe when he plays or even going back to Magic (Johnson). “It’s a staple in Los Angeles because of everything the city stands for, music, art, entertainment, etc.” Robinson continued. “(JuJu) could create this unique space where women’s basketball can be appreciated by greater than just sports fans. It could take the sport into popular culture and easily right into a larger space than up to now.

If it seems a number of pressure for an 18-year-old from the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, it’s true.

These words can only place additional, unrealistic expectations on her. But like her classmate and friend Bronny James, only Watkins’ expectations of herself matter. Still, there’s nothing flawed with finding excitement in her game and being enthusiastic about what someone along with her talent could mean for much broader social conversations. She is not a savior because women’s basketball does not need saving.

However, where Watkins might take the sport has yet to be properly mapped out. She is a basketball specialist whose goal goes far beyond scoring points. Watkins is young, talented and Black-like R&B singer Donny Hathaway he once preached and Tupac Shakur he rapped.

Her time is not coming. It’s already here.

Former USC forward Cheryl Miller (right) congratulates USC guard JuJu Watkins (left) after a basketball game against the Colorado Buffaloes on Feb. 23 in Los Angeles.

Kirby Lee/Getty Images

There’s a moment that symbolizes Watkins’ freshman campaign and its historical consequences. In a Feb. 23 game against Colorado’s conference foe, USC, boosted by Watkins’ 42 points, won 87-81. But midway through the second quarter, she cut the fast break short by pulling up just a few feet behind the three-point line and draining it. The crowd erupted and nobody was prouder than Miller, who leaned forward in her seat and commenced clapping. Miller has been a daily at USC games this season, and his return was an emotional reunion a long time within the making.

“For everything you have done for the former players, it has been a very long time since we were embraced and were part of the younger generation growing up, so thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Miller said in a robust locker room speech after the sport following USC’s victory over cross-town rival UCLA. “You have changed the culture… You have shown in this country that you are bad MFs.”

In a sport like basketball, where eras often clash, an important thing is the mutual respect and love of many generations of Trojans. Still, it’s unimaginable to quantify USC’s resurgence of place in basketball lore. Reviving a dormant program is one thing. Another thing is to resurrect this system as proud as USC is of its history national championships, Final Four appearances and a number of the best talent the sport has ever seen. But being a daughter of the sphere, like Watkins, and helping to take this system to heights not seen in generations is a wholly different responsibility.

“Having (all of USC’s legends come to light) and being celebrated gives us the opportunity to bask in the rich history of USC’s achievements and what dominance has meant to women’s basketball, not just college basketball,” Robinson said. “We can still rejoice these players with the resurgence of USC. For me, this is really essential for the history and development of this sport.

While Watkins stands on the shoulders of the ladies before her, she is also a gateway to the longer term. He is from Watts, a town about 10 miles from the USC campus. Her family is rooted within the basketball scene in Los Angeles and the community at large.

“My great-grandfather founded a foundation in consequence, many resources and a spotlight were directed into the community to profit those in need. I actually look as much as my great-grandfather and grandfather, Ted Watkins.” Watkins said in a 2022 interview. “When I’m on the court, I’m at all times playing for something greater. I performed for my city.

The one thing Los Angeles at all times has is star power. A star, for higher or worse, is an ecosystem. But in a city of megastars, Watkins is greater than only a candle within the sun. Her star power is as vibrant as anyone’s, with stars including rappers 2 Chainz, YG and Saweetie, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, comedian Kevin Hart and former NBA star Marques Johnson sitting on the sphere at their matches. Flea from Red Hot Chili Pepperslong Watkins superfan She was wearing a T-shirt with a magazine cover on it for a Lakers game earlier this month.

“I would say this is the hottest ticket in Los Angeles right now, even with Shohei Ohtanis and LeBron James in the world.” Los Angeles sports reporter Lauren Jones he said about USC women’s basketball games. “He has that caliber of energy. People who shall be at these matches.

USC guard JuJu Watkins shoots during a game between the Colorado Buffaloes and USC Trojans on Feb. 23 on the Galen Center in Los Angeles.

Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Beyond the USC Women’s Games on the Galen Center, there is one other essential truth as the brand new hot spot. What makes Watkins a cultural magnet is that he is an offensive machine. Last month, LisaLeslie joined Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green’s podcast in February and discussed Watkins’ play.

“A lot of people come to Los Angeles, but a lot of people aren’t from Los Angeles,” the three-time WNBA MVP he said. “But these guys in Los Angeles have a little bit of a dog in them. She’s from Los Angeles.

Basically, Watkins’ game is good in any environment – identical to that of one other basketball legend.

“I would compare JuJu to the way people talk Diana Taurasi– said Robinson. “Diana was respected on every playground, no matter what. Now she’s much more demonstrative on the court than JuJu, but the way JuJu plays to her abilities – three-level scoring, crossover, pull-up – is certified on every basketball court in the world. That’s why we see it attracting so much attention and support from people who don’t typically visit the women’s basketball space but love basketball. She plays like that.”

Watching Watkins, who has lower than a 12 months left to graduate from highschool, looks like watching a possible generational talent perform. Watkins seems shy, almost embarrassed by the highlight, but not in a way that does not look cute. She doesn’t “play the game the right way,” whatever meaning. She plays to win. And there is no more respected love language in sports.

Watkins’ laid-back attitude and her signature bun are a part of who she is and what could make her one in all the largest basketball stars of her generation – male or female. She excels at being herself in a world where successes and failures are sometimes reduced to 60-second clips. She’s an 18-year-old young black woman trying to seek out her place on the earth. The only difference is that Watkins is doing it in the general public eye. There are actually mistakes on the horizon. No man, even one as incredibly talented as Watkins, is proof against them. But let’s hope that lessons will come from these mistakes. Lessons that might be applied on the court and in life, because the most effective often do.

What this implies for ladies’s basketball and beyond is anyone’s guess. But it’s Watkins who chooses the trail he chooses to follow.

After Watkins dropped 51 points last month through the road game against Stanford, you needed to think there was no way they might let that occur again within the Pac-12 title game on March 10. They took an “everyone but JuJu” approach and ended up on the flawed side of the fiddle and checking out. Watkins scored a season-low nine points as Stanford threw her towards an limitless supply of double and triple teams, but her teammates helped her to a 67-58 victory at Maples Pavilion in Las Vegas.

“When you have a player like JuJu who goes to practices like this every day, all of a sudden you feel empowered as a player around her,” Robinson said. “You come out and perform, especially out of respect for everything JuJu has done to get the team to this point. It’s a beautiful thing.”

If Watkins and USC advance to the Final Four in Cleveland to make their first trip since 1986, they are going to need more of a team effort like this. However, her future is vibrant no matter how the season ends.

“JuJu has the opportunity to create a strong presence in women’s sports on the West Coast,” Jones said. “It sets the groundwork for (USC) to be part of a larger, more national conversation about some of the best programs at the collegiate level.”

Watkins’ dominance throughout the season is one in all the largest stories in college basketball. However, due to the tournament, her matches shall be broadcast when many of the country will finally give you the chance to observe her play live. For those that have yet to experience the tenacity and fantastic thing about her game, March Madness ought to be a nice surprise.

“When I first saw her play, I told myself she can go to the WNBA now,” Robinson said. “In almost twenty years in this sport, I don’t think I’ve ever said those words about anyone.”

Women’s basketball, like many points of American life, was created by Black energy and creativity that gave the sport its style and image. Watkins builds on this story and is able to create her own. The stages will get greater and greater, and the mythical statistics will result in conversations that can happen in sports bars, airports and barbershops across America. The lights will turn out to be brighter and more intense.

Not all moments require scoring, but every moment requires presence. The excellent news is that Watkins is built for each.

Justin Tinsley is a senior culture author at Andscape. He firmly believes that “Cash Money Records Takes the Eggs in the ’99s and ’00s” is probably the most influential statement of his generation.


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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Entertainment

‘Wicked’ star Cynthia Erivo gets pushed aside for Ariana Grande in British newspapers despite being British

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38 mins ago

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November 25, 2024

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Everywhere you switch you can find some promotion for the highly anticipated film “Wicked” starring two of its leading castmates, Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda.

However, fans on social media have noticed something strange: the British press – in fact, just some elements of it – as a substitute of highlighting Erivo – a homegrown talent and the lead in the film – appear to put Ariana Grande at the middle of their coverage.

The British press is using Ariana Grande to advertise the movie “Wicked”, not her hometown star, Cynthia Erivo. (Promotional photo)

The irony here is nearly too palpable. “Wicked” tells the story of Elphaba, who was rejected and overshadowed by Glinda due to her green skin. Replace green with black and the real-world similarities turn into inconceivable to disregard.

Elphaba Erivo, the emotional heart of the story, is once more overshadowed – this time by a blonde and white star on newspaper covers. Fans saw it as a textbook example of racial prejudice, turning what must have been a celebration of British talent into an uncomfortable reminder of persistent inequality.

Many fans find it painfully ironic that Erivo’s country is reluctant to spotlight her while supporting Grande, who, let’s face it, is not even starring.

“Cynthia Eviro has never appeared on the cover of this newspaper. She literally plays the MAIN character Elphaba and it’s so easy to find a picture of both of them. I hate what the white media is doing in the UK” – one among the X users he tweeted together with a viral video featuring the front few pages of The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail. All three newspapers are News Corp. publications, owned by the identical conservative-leaning media conglomerate that has subsidiaries resembling Fox News in the United States.

One newspaper only highlighted Grande’s appearance on the London premiere, but not Erivo, who was also present.

Another person sent“Cynthia Erivo is the HEAD lady, she is also British. Do you know how racist the British media is by cutting out THEIR OWN HOME LADY from photos to focus on a White American woman?! SMDH.”

Third comment To read“The British press does not show Cynthia erivo on the covers of newspapers… the aggression is not so micro.”

The irony of this lack of respect is that Erivo may be very happy with her British identity.

A couple of years ago, quite a few tweets got here to light in which she appeared to make disparaging comments about black Americans and emphasize her Nigerian and English heritage. In one tweet from 2013, she was called out for saying that she used the “ghetto America” ​​style when writing words in an African-American language.

The backlash was swift, with critics questioning her for insulting black Americans when her biggest roles were playing characters from the United States.

“Well, there’s something like this. Cynthia Ervio desires to play famous black Americans while disrespecting black Americans. That’s my problem,” one person wrote on Twitter.

For a story about difficult norms and supporting marginalized people, “Wicked”‘s media premiere struck a sour note with some fans.

Many people in America focused not on the story, but on the small size of each stars. People say that each Erivo and Grande look extremely slim, which has sparked discussion that each are competing to be smaller than the opposite.

Another controversy arose when the Nigerian-British woman complained a couple of fan-made poster posted online that appeared to cover her face but clearly featured Grande. The original artwork shows her face prominently.

“This is the wildest and most offensive thing I have ever seen, comparable to the terrible artificial intelligence of our fight… Our poster is a tribute, not an imitation. Editing my face and hiding my eyes means erasing me. This is just deeply painful,” she wrote on Twitter.

For her, it was a matter of erasure. Fans consider the identical erasure is going on in the media in her home country.

“Cynthia Erivo is an award-winning triple threat, TALENT on at least two continents” – one fan he argued before declaring: “The British press is rubbish.”

The United Nations Working Group on People of African Descent conducted a study in 2012 which found that the UK has an issue with the mistreatment of black people in the press and in on a regular basis life.

This is clearly visible in the British media’s treatment of former Duchess Meghan Markle, throwing mud at her in various headlines and, in one case, promoting that she is just not black.

While the ‘Harriet’ star is poised to deliver a shocking performance because the misunderstood Elphaba, the British press’s deal with the favored former Nickelodeon star and pop princess looks as if a missed opportunity for self-celebration.

Like Elphaba herself, Erivo can have the last word and prove that regardless of who’s on the quilt, it is the underdog’s story that counts.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Mother of woman shot by Alec Baldwin condemns ‘Rust’ actor for ‘unfairly profiting’ from daughter’s death

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4 hours ago

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November 25, 2024

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Even though his trial was dismissed with prejudice in July 2024, New York-born actor Alec Baldwin, 66, continues to be coping with the fallout from killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza on the set of “Rust” in October 2021.

Hutchins’ mother, Olga Solovey, is speaking out about her daughter’s death in response to the Nov. 20 screening of “Rust” in Poland.

Hutchins lost her life on the age of 42 when Baldwin held a gun loaded with live ammunition during filming. A fatal shooting occurred on the Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Actor and producer Alec Baldwin catches the fad from the mother of a 42-year-old cinematographer who was shot while filming “Rust.” (Photo: Ramsay de Give-Pool/Getty Images)

The premiere of the film “Rust” will happen on the Camerimage International Film Festival in Poland. In addition to his role in “Rust,” Baldwin also produced the Western.

Solovey provided The Hollywood Reporter with an announcement explaining why she declined to attend the event.

“I always hoped to meet my daughter in Poland and see her work come to life on the screen” – Solovey he said. “Unfortunately, that was taken away from me when Alec Baldwin shot and killed my daughter.”

She added: “Alec Baldwin continues to add to my pain by refusing to apologize or take responsibility for her death.”

The Ukrainian woman accused Baldwin of attempting to “unlawfully benefit from the killing of my daughter. That’s why I refuse to participate in a festival promoting , especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.”

“They did not get justice for their daughter. Even a court case was denied. This must be irritating,” one person said he wrote on X. However, Baldwin’s defender he tweeted“It’s time to move on… accidents happen. RIP Halinka.”

Commentators on Daily mailThe article about Halyna’s mother hitting Baldwin was also necessary. For example, someone wrote: “They shouldn’t have made this movie. Poor lady. RIP to her and condolences to her family.”

A like-minded commenter wrote: “No shame. The project should be rejected.” Others suggested boycotting “Rust.” The comment read: “I definitely won’t watch out of respect and I think a lot of people will think the same.”

The support concerned the premiere of the film distributed by The Avenue. The fan argued: “It’s a movie. There was a tragedy. Many famous films have death associated with them.”

The initial manslaughter charges filed against Baldwin in January 2023 were dropped before a New Mexico grand jury indicted the Emmy winner in January 2024 on manslaughter charges.

Baldwin’s criminal trial was dismissed since the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Office improperly inventoried ammunition from the case. A judge ruled that the previous “30 Rock” solid member couldn’t receive a good trial since the defense team did not have access to evidence.

“As prosecutors, we have an obligation to disclose all evidence. “When I learned of the undisclosed evidence this morning, I believed it was the right decision to dismiss the case,” said Special Prosecutor Erlinda Ocampo Johnson. TMZ in July 2024

In February 2022, the American Hutchins family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Baldwin, the production of “Rust” and other defendants. In October 2022, a settlement was reached by which Halyna’s husband, Matthew Hutchins, received an executive producer credit on the film.

“We all imagine that Halina’s death was a terrible accident. “I’m grateful that producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s latest work,” Matthew said in an announcement to per. Hollywood reporter.

In response to the legal agreement, Baldwinattorney Luke Nikas stated, “Throughout this difficult trial, everyone had a special desire to do what was best for Halyna’s son. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to resolving this tragic and painful situation.”

There appears to be a disagreement amongst members of Halyna’s American and Ukrainian family regarding the Rust shooting. Attorney Gloria Allred represents the deceased operator’s mother, father and sister, who live in Ukraine.

Allred told The Hollywood Reporter: “The decision to not even call the family to say he’s sorry is cruel and a disgrace to Halyna and her memory. Now the choice has been made to advertise “Rust” to buyers in an effort to profit Alec Baldwin and others who played a task in Halyna’s death.

The Camerimage International Film Festival focuses on the art of cinematography. The interest in seeing “Rust” on the event was so great that a festival website was created apparently it crashed on November 19, when tickets for the premiere went on sale.

A message appeared on the web site: “The Camerimage portal is currently undergoing system maintenance.” Director Souza and recent cinematographer Bianca Cline were chosen as post-show panel speakers.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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‘Martin’ finale photos surfaced after years of blame on Tisha Campbell’s lawsuit against Martin Lawrence prompting fans to change the script

Published

7 hours ago

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November 25, 2024

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Fans of the beloved Nineties comedy series “Martin” are investigating the circumstances behind the popular series’ questionable ending after online discussions.

It began after a number of easy X-plots that brought up the sexual harassment lawsuit that Tisha Campbell-Martin filed against the show’s star, Martin Lawerence, which contributed to its conclusion in 1997. The lawsuit and its aftermath left a fancy legacy amongst fans, who consider they never received full closure.

Fans are torn on who to blame for the end of “Martin”: Martin Lawrence or Tisha Campbell. (Photo: Arnold Turner/Getty Images for BET)

On November 18, an unrelated post read: “What TV show had the worst ending?” which once more led to a renewed conversation about “Martin’s” legacy.

Several responses stated that the Fox series’ ending left much to be desired, and a few detailed why.

This person he blamed it on Campbell. “Only because Tisha Campbell filed a lawsuit against Martin, the producers and HBO after accusing him of sexual harassment.”

One follower posted: “You are too young to remember that Gina (Tisha Campbell) had a very limited role after leaving the show due to sexual harassment and harassment claims from her and Martin’s cast. That was one of the reasons for the ending.”

Another user posed the query is, “Tisha Campbell is lying to Martin or has it just changed?”

However, some consider that Lawrence played an enormous role in the demise of his own program.

“Imagine all the insults and fights because I said big-headed Martin molested Tisha Campbell,” she added. questioned one person.

Another said: “It was ruined by Martin’s weird obsession with Tisha Campbell that gave us this ending. In this scene they’re in two separate rooms and it is gloomy. Like he ruined his own ending.

A separate post on November 16, which appeared after the spectacle of Mike Tyson and Jake Paul’s boxing match, expressed the same sentiments.

Some User X urged people to remember Tyson’s violent past against women and to think of the victims as he received the praise and admiration that followed his efforts during the fight.

Replies to the post reflected on the impact this event had on Tyson’s profession and the way, despite the fact that he was convinced, he received support from people like Lawerence.

“Martin Lawrence wore a Free Mike Tyson T-shirt on his popular TV show in support of the convicted rapist. This is how much “rape accusations ruin a man’s life and career” – one of them person published with a photograph of the comedian as proof.

Other user then issued a cryptic message encouraging people to “Sue Google Martin Lawerence Tisha Campbell…”

“Martin” enthusiasts’ mixed feelings about the series’ ending are nothing latest.

Campbell was involved in several viral moments during which fans suggested she was “lying” or exaggerating her claims against Lawerence, especially as the comedian continued to deny her accusations.

However, others say Campbell had every right to report any alleged misconduct and comment on her speech.

Before the show, Campbell and Martin had been working together for a very long time. They were forged members of the movies “House Party” (1990) and “Boomerang” (1992). Their extensive skilled relationship eventually blossomed into a private friendship, which Campbell says ultimately became a guiding light that helped them see the other side of legal matters.

In 2022, the forged of “Martin” celebrated the series’ thirtieth anniversary and took part in several interviews as the series was praised for its impact on television.

While interview on “CBS Mornings,” Campbell frivolously alluded to their ability to move forward.

“I wasn’t nervous about meeting the cast because we’re still friends,” she said. Campbell ultimately stated, “We have worked really hard to reconnect and forgive.”


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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