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Tyler Perry’s New Series at Netflix ‘Beauty in Black’ Announces Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson and More

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Tyler Perry Puts $800M Studio Expansion on Hold After Seeing Possibilities of OpenAI

Tyler Perry’s going all out with his deal at Netflix. He just announced the cast of his new series Beauty in the Black, which includes Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, and, let his, 14 others!

Naturally, Perry is out front for this project. He will write, direct, and produce the 16-episode, hour-long series, which is expected under his creative partnership with Netflix.

Here’s the casting breakdown for Beauty in Black. The series will star Taylor Polidore Williams, Amber Reign Smith, Crystle Stewart, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Steven G. Norfleet, Julian Horton, Terrell Carter, and Shann on Wallace. Also starring are Bryan Tanaka, Joy Rovaris, Xavier Smalls, Charles Malik Whitfield, Tamera “Tee” Kissen, Ursula O. Robinson, Ashley Versher and George Middlebrook.

As Shadow and Act reports, Perry’s new series follows Kimmie (Williams) and Mallory (Stewart) two Black women whose lives become intertwined. According to the logline, “While Kimmie is struggling to make a living after her mother kicked her out, and Mallory is running a successful business, they find themselves entangled in each other’s lives.”

Here’s a recap of other projects Perry has rolled out under his Netflix deal, including A Fall From Grace, A Jazzman’s Blues, and Mea Culpa, the latter of which was a top-watched movie on the streamer. 

Perry’s upcoming film, Six Triple Eight, tells the story of the only all-Black Women’s Army Corps or WACs during World War II. It’s set to star Kerry Washington. Perry is serving as a writer, director, and producer and is on track to hit Netflix sometime this year.

Perry is flexible and has a lucrative deal with Amazon MGM Studios. His upcoming film Joy Ride will star Shannon Thornton and Tosin Morohunfola. Keep em’ coming, Tyler!

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Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film ‘Tow’

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Octavia Spencer and Ariana Debose Join Demi Lovato for Drama Film 'Tow'

Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer and Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) are starring alongside Demi Lovato and Rose Byrne in Tow, an upcoming drama feature film currently in production. 

As reported in Deadline, the film also stars Dominic Sessa. Tow dramatizes a true story based on the experiences of Amanda Ogle, who was homeless in Seattle while living in her car and was forced to reclaim her livelihood after being handed an impossible tow bill for $21,634. It sounds like some foul stuff that happens often, and it most certainly went down in real life for Ogle. Her story was profiled around the who’s who of news outlets, and Tow takes the story head on every step of the way.

Tow is being directed by Stephanie Laing from a script by Jonathan Keasey, Brant Boivin, and Annie Weisman, with Ogle herself executive producing with DeBose, Keasey, Jonathan Tropper, Josh Ricks, Danny Gusman, The Exchange’s Nat McCormick and Giovanna Trischitta and Kevin Eggers. Liang also makes cakes and death pictures through her newly formed company. Byrne also produces with Votiv Films’ Justin Lothrop, Brent Stiefel, The Exchange’s Danyelle Foord, and Brian O’Shea.

DeBose is known for starring as Anita in the Oscar-nominated West Side Story. She recently starred in Disney’s latest animated film, Wish, and Apple Original Films’ action/adventure Argylle. DeBose is also starring in Sony’s upcoming R-rated anti-hero film Kraven the Hunter.

Spencer recently starred in Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker and Truth Be Told, among other projects. She is also set to star in the new Prime Video action series with Hannah Waddingham.

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[WATCH] Faizon Love Questions Taraji P. Henson’s $80M Demand Amidst Pay Controversy

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Comedian Faizon Love recently stirred controversy with his remarks questioning the merit of Taraji P. Henson’s demand for an $80 million payday in Hollywood. Love’s comments came during a conversation with VladTV, where they discussed Henson’s dissatisfaction with pay discrepancies in the film industry.

The discussion was sparked by Henson’s interview during the press tour for ‘The Color Purple,’ where she openly expressed her frustration over the unequal payment and recognition she receives compared to her white counterparts in Hollywood. However, Love seemed skeptical about Henson’s demand, asking, “What Taraji P. Henson movie have you seen where she deserves $80M?”

During the conversation with Vlad, Love expressed his discomfort with certain depictions in Henson’s film, suggesting that the quality of her work might not justify such a hefty paycheck. Vlad, on the other hand, speculated that the controversy surrounding ‘The Color Purple’ might have overshadowed Henson’s comments on pay inequality.

As the discussion progressed, Vlad proposed that after decades in the industry, Henson should consider transitioning into producing or creating her own films to have more control over her career and earnings. This suggestion opened up a broader conversation about the complexities of success in Hollywood, especially concerning overseas markets and different genres of films.

Love challenged the notion that action films are inherently more successful internationally, citing examples of his own comedic films that have performed well overseas. This led to a deeper exploration of the global appeal of various genres and the potential for actors like Henson to leverage their talents in different ways to achieve financial and creative success.

The conversation between Love and Vlad highlights the ongoing debate surrounding pay equity and recognition for actors of color in Hollywood.

Thoughts?

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Sony Pictures Releases Trailer for ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

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Trailer for 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' Starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence

Sony Pictures has released the first trailer for Bad Boys 4, officially titled Bad Boys: Ride or Die. This is the fourth installment of the classic franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

The film’s synopsis reads:

This Summer, the world’s favorite Bad Boys are back with their iconic mix of edge-of-your seat action and outrageous comedy but this time with a twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run.

Joining the stars in the film are Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paolo Nunez, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, Tasha Smith, with Tiffany Haddish and Joe Pantoliano.

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RHOP Star Karen Huger Charged with DUI Following Crash In MD

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According to reports, Karen Huger has been charged with a DUI and DWI following a car crash in Maryland.

According to court documents obtained by People Magazine, The Real Housewives of Potomac star, 60, was driving her 2017 Maserati when she was stopped by the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland at 11:50 p.m. on Tuesday. She was officially charged with driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and driving while under the influence of alcohol. She has a mandatory court appearance.

The reality star and entrepreneur is also facing charges of negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.

Other charges include failure to control vehicle speed on the highway to avoid a collision, driving a vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on the highway, driving a vehicle on the highway with suspended registration, and failure to notify administration of change of address within 30 days.

Bravo and the Montgomery County Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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Teyana Taylor’s Directorial Debut: ‘Get Lite’ Set at Paramount, Starring Emmy Winner Storm Reid

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Teyana Taylor Met Gala

Teyana Taylor is poised to go behind the camera in her directorial debut for Get Lite, an upcoming film at Paramount, and get this, Emmy Winner Storm Reid is starring. Reid, a rising star is producing the film through A Seed & Wings Productions her production company, and Kenya Barris is producing under his banner, Khalabo Ink Society.

Deadline exclusively reported and here’s the description:

The film follows a studious New York City teenager who has his world upended when he falls for a charismatic beatmaker (played by Reid) who recruits him to join her Litefeet dance crew, forcing him to choose between a safe academic path and his rekindled love of dance.

Get Lite, is written by Eric Gross and will be produced by OFFBRND’s Bill Karesh, along with Reid’s mother Robyn Simpson under A Seed & Wings Productions and Anni Weisband. Taylor is executive producing and Coco Gilbert is co-producing. 

Taylor, has been more than exploring Hollywood as of late as she has been expanding her film/TV resume. This includes great reviews for her leading role in A Thousand and One, a critically acclaimed film.

Reid, who’s known for her role in Euphoria, has become one of the most in-demand young stars in Hollywood. As mentioned she’s an Emmy Winner for her guest role in HBO’s The Last of Us and was seen in Missing and The Nun 2. 

The post Teyana Taylor’s Directorial Debut: ‘Get Lite’ Set at Paramount, Starring Emmy Winner Storm Reid first appeared on The Source.

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“Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” Director P. Frank Williams Launches Multimedia Venture ‘For The Culture By The Culture’

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P. Frank Williams, a recipient of Emmy and eight NAACP Image Awards for his work in television and film production, has launched his multimedia production company, For The Culture By The Culture Media Inc. (@FXCXC). This venture comes on the heels of his recent success directing and executive producing the highly-anticipated “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” set to premiere on HULU this Thursday, March 21. 

Williams has produced and directed several acclaimed projects centered around Black culture and music. These include TV One’s renowned documentary series “Unsung” and “Unsung Hollywood,” BET’s award-winning series “American Gangster,” “Hip Hop Homicides” executive produced by 50 Cent and Mona Scott-Young and films such as “Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan,” “A Hustler’s Ambition” by Universal/Def Jam Records, and award shows such as BET Awards and BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Williams explains, “After working in newspapers, magazines, TV, and film for over 25 years, producing content for major networks and streamers, I noticed a recurring issue: stories about people of color were often not being produced by people of color themselves. For The Culture By The Culture aims to fill that void by ensuring representation both in front of and behind the camera. Specializing in Black culture, hip-hop, sports, true crime, and music, @FXCXC is a unique one-stop content studio that handles everything from idea generation to production, editing, and delivery. @FXCXC stands out as one of the first global culture content companies led by individuals who are deeply rooted in the culture they represent.”

The launch of the new multi-media venture follows Williams’ latest project, directing and executive producing the eagerly awaited documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told,” in partnership with Swirl Films & Mass Appeal and co-executive produced by Jermaine Dupri, Luke Campbell, and 21 Savage. The documentary is a celebratory exploration of the boisterous times of Freaknik, the iconic Atlanta street party that drew hundreds of thousands of people in the 80s and 90s, helping put Atlanta on the map culturally. It takes a close look at the rise and fall of the event that began as a Black college cookout, impacting culture, race, politics, and the 1996 Olympics.

“Freaknik left an undeniable mark on American and Black culture. Its legacy is timeless. With ‘90s nostalgia everywhere and millennials fascinated with their parents’ fun times, it has reemerged into the pop culture consciousness,” describes Williams. “Executive produced by Black music icons like Jermaine Dupri and Luther Campbell, ‘Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told’ also breaks down how Atlanta became the capital of Black culture that it is today. It laid the foundation for the explosion of Black southern music and style that dominates the world today.” 

“For many of us golden era twenty-somethings coming of age in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Freaknik was our Woodstock, a street festival rooted in the energy of American classic films like ‘American Pie’ and ‘School Daze’. At its height in the mid ‘90s, Freaknik was a traffic-stopping, city-shuttering juggernaut cult classic non-stop party. Us Gen Xers created this weekend long rebellion against our parents and authority that still continues to resonate with audiences and people all over the world decades later.”

For The Culture By The Culture has production offices both in Burbank, CA, and Atlanta, GA. Stay tuned for official announcements regarding upcoming productions with Tube, TV One, BET, and other partners.

The post “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” Director P. Frank Williams Launches Multimedia Venture ‘For The Culture By The Culture’ first appeared on The Source.

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[WATCH] Chris Tucker Talks About The Difficulty Making Another “Friday” Movie

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Chris Tucker Reveals He Was Only Paid 10K For Friday

Comedian Chris Tucker has previously spoken about why he hasn’t appeared in any of the Friday sequels, even though the movie’s producer Ice Cube says that he offered Tucker $12 million to appear in an upcoming sequel. In an interview with Big Tigger on V-102 FM in Atlanta, Tucker has spoken again about the challenges that would have to be faced if he were to participate in another Friday sequel.

Tuckwer noted that the studios and producers make shooting a new Friday challenging saying, “It’s studios, and they got to want to do it, and then it’s uh producers and all that stuff,” adding, “it’s a lot, it’s a lot that goes with it.” Tucker cited he wants to be in a space where he can create while on set, as that mindset is what actually birthed a lot of the best moments in the first ‘Friday’ film.

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Top Female-Centric Documentaries to Celebrate Women in Hip-Hop

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Top Female Centric Documentaries to Celebrate Women in Hip Hop

With Women’s History Month in full swing, female artists are taking over in almost every genre of music, including hip-hop. While current artists such as Doja Cat, SZA, and Beyonce continue to dominate the charts, it’s important to understand the history of trailblazing women in the genre who helped carve out a place for females in what was once considered a male-dominated space. In honor of Women’s Month, check out some of our top documentaries about women in hip-hop as well as how they overcame some of the many challenges that they faced along the way.

Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop (2023 mini-series): This Netflix documentary takes viewers on a 50-year journey, highlighting the groundbreaking achievements of women within the genre. Featuring artists such as Queen Latifah, Saweetie, Coi Leray, MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante, Latto, Angie Martinez, and more, this mini-series showcases the vital role that females have played and continue to play in creating music and contributing to the culture.

First Ladies of Hip-Hop (2023 mini-series): Narrated by Neneh Cherry, this mini-series tells the stories of both American and British early female rappers and hip-hop artists including Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Roxanne Shante, Estelle, Sha-Rock, Salt-n-Pepa, Speech Debelle, and more.

The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion (2019 documentary): This documentary examines how hip-hop music and culture influenced  fashion, leading to the stratospheric and global rise of street wear and influenced both fashion trends and cultural movements on a global scale.

Queens of Hip-Hop (2003 movie): An oldie but a goodie, this film (available on Amazon Prime) tells the story of early female pioneers such as Salt “N” Pepa, Lady Luck, Rah Digga, Charlie Baltimore, and more as they broke down stereotypes and barriers to secure their rightful place in what was once almost exclusively a male-dominated industry.

Roxanne Roxanne (2017 film): This film, which was showcased at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, is a biography of Lolita “Roxanne Shanté” Gooden, a teenage girl who defied all odds in the late 1980s to become one of the most feared battle MC in Queens, New York, before eventually becoming a hip-hop legend.

Queens of Rap (2021 documentary): This BAFTA award nominee documentary focuses on Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion and the creation and cultural influence of WAP as well as its broader implications on the role of women within the hip-hop and music industries in general.

Nicki Minaj: Queen of Rap (2022 documentary): This documentary explores the multi-talented and multi-faceted Nicki Minaj, diving into her ever-changing looks, iconic sound, and unique alter-egos, all while exploring the impact that they have had on hip-hop’s complex culture.

Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes (2007 documentary): This PBS special documentary takes a deep dive into the masculinity that plagued hip-hop culture for decades and explores the challenges that females within the industry faced and how creative genius, poetic beauty, and mad beats all collided with misogyny, violence, and homophobia to create the good and bad of the culture.

The post Top Female-Centric Documentaries to Celebrate Women in Hip-Hop first appeared on The Source.

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[WATCH] Mike Epps Explains Why The Richard Pryor Biopic Didn’t Happen

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Everyone just knew that seasoned comedian Mike Epps would be the perfect actor to portray the late comic icon Richard Pryor in his biopic, but in a recent interview on the All The Smoke podcast, Epps revealed that his role fell through because Pryor’s ex-wife was in opposition to him playing the legendary comedian. Epps spoke on the atmosphere at Pryor’s funeral and conveyed his disappointment at the fact that none of Pryor’s friends were not in attendance.

Epps also delved into the current state of comedy and how heightened sensitivity to special groups in society has given the cancel culture a unique impact on creativity and praised comics like Dave Chappelle and Katt WIlliams for having no fear of sensitivity in their acts.

The post [WATCH] Mike Epps Explains Why The Richard Pryor Biopic Didn’t Happen first appeared on The Source.

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