Mary J. Blige Joins Jason Mitchell in Dee Rees Film ‘Mudbound’
*Mary J. Blige has joined the cast of “Mudbound,” a drama helmed by “Bessie” director Dee Rees. The film follows two men returning home from World War II to work on a farm in rural Mississippi. Once there, they struggle to deal with racism and adjust to life after the war. Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedland, […]
‘Empire’, Will Smith, Regina King, Idris Elba Among Golden Globe Nominees
*They were snubbed yesterday by the SAG Awards, but “Empire,” Will Smith and Regina King had their names called early Thursday as nominees for the 73rd annual Golden Globe Awards. “Empire” is nominated for Best Drama, and star Taraji P. Henson is again nominated for Best Actress in a Drama. For the second consecutive year, she’ll face […]
‘Compton’, ‘Beasts’, Latifah, Aduba Among SAG Award Nominees
*The main cast of “Straight Outta Compton” was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild award this morning, adding to a 2016 award season collection that already includes nods from the People’s Choice Awards, the Satellite Awards, five from the NAACP Image Awards and three wins from the African American Film Awards, including Best Picture. Nominations for the […]
Bessie Smith’s Estate ‘Thrilled’ Over Four Emmy Wins for ‘Bessie’
*In a year in which television’s annual award derby The Emmys took tremendous effort to recognize racial and cultural “diversity,” HBO’s presentation of “Bessie” – a made-for-television movie about the life and legacy of pioneering blues singer Bessie Smith – won four of the twelve awards for which it was nominated. For the individual winners […]
Queen Latifah Moved By Her Own ‘Bessie’ Performance: I ‘Made Myself Cry’
*Queen Latifah will vie for her first Emmy Award next month. The actress is nominated for her lead performance in the HBO film “Bessie,” but her portrayal of blues legend Bessie Smith has already had its own personal rewards. “It was the first time I ever watched a movie with me in it and made […]
Oh, the Irony: Mo’Nique on Her Emmy Nom & Lee Daniels’ Emmy Snub
*The fact that Lee Daniels’ hit show “Empire” failed to get nominated for an Emmy for Best Drama Series came as a surprise for many in Hollywood. For Mo’Nique, the snub came as an ironic twist after the “Empire” co-creator stated that she was “blackballed” by the entertainment industry after winning an Oscar for her […]
Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, Queen Latifah Nominated for Emmys
*Cookie Lyon is headed to the Emmys! Taraji P. Henson received a nomination this morning for her breakout role on Fox’s “Empire,” joining fellow nominee Viola Davis for ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder” in the Lead Actress in a Drama category. Other top nominees included Queen Latifah for her role as Bessie Smith […]
Emmy Noms Coming up July 16 Three Days After ‘Bessie’ Digital Release
*In the “brawling, crowded and unfailingly compelling” (Wall Street Journal)“Bessie,” Oscar nominee Queen Latifah gives a heralded performance as blues legend Bessie Smith, a role she had been eager to play since she was 22. As Bessie, “she is vulnerable one instant; sexy and bombastic the next” (The New York Times). The acclaimed film […]
Taraji P. Henson, Viola Davis, ‘Empire’, ‘Bessie’ Up for TCA Awards
*Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis were nominated for Oscars in the same category in 2009. Last Sunday, they faced each other a second time at the 2015 Critics’ Choice TV Awards. This summer, they will meet again in the same category for the third time in their careers – with Davis looking to even the score. Award […]
Tabloid: Queen Latifah Checks Fan Who Praised Her for ‘Coming Out’
*A “Bessie” fan reportedly got an earful of Queen Latifah after running into her on the street and gushing over how great it is that she’s playing a lesbian and finally “coming out.” A spy for the National Enquirer explained: “Latifah, who never comments on her sexual choice, was exiting a meeting at a Century […]
‘Bessie’ Soundtrack Adds ‘Pigfoot’ 2015 Remix from Queen Latifah
*With “Bessie” finally airing on HBO, fans of the Dee Rees-directed biopic are now waiting on the June 2 release of the soundtrack, featuring the film’s star Queen Latifah performing Bessie Smith’s material. The CD will include Latifah’s rendition of “Young Woman Blues,” “Preachin’ The Blues,” “Long Old Road,” “Down Hearted Blues,” “Work House Blues” […]
Queen Latifah on ‘Bessie’ Lesbian Love Scenes: ‘It is what it is’
*The buzz on Queen Latifah’s performance in HBO’s upcoming original movie “Bessie” is strong as critics are praising the entertainer for delivering a strong piece of work. Chatting with BET’s Clay Kane, Latifah detailed how she was able to fully capture the essence of legendary blues singer Bessie Smith for the biopic. “I had to […]
Shonda Rhimes Teams With ‘Bessie’ Director Dee Rees for FX Drama
*Shonda Rhimes is taking her talents to cable. She and Betsy Beers of the Shondaland shingle – home of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal” and “How to Get Away With Murder” – are teaming with “Bessie” director Dee Rees to adapt Isabel Wilkerson’s The Warmth of Other Suns as a limited series for FX, The Hollywood […]
‘Bessie’ Director on Film’s Music: ‘It’s Not Going To Be the Songs That You Know’
*Dee Rees, the director of HBO’s upcoming biopic on Bessie Smith says don’t expect to hear a lot of her popular hits in the film. Queen Latifah plays the blues icon from her days as a struggling young singer to becoming a national superstar on such signature tunes as “Gimme a Pigfoot (And a Bottle of […]
Queen Latifah Talks Sexuality, Getting Naked and Playing Bessie Smith
*Queen Latifah has done it all — from music to TV to film. She’s a well-rounded entertainer who has taken on the role of iconic Bessie Smith in HBO’s “Bessie.” She opened up to Uptown Magazine about getting naked onscreen for the first time and talked with the publication about Smith’s sexuality and its significance.