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Posts published in “Entertainment”

Octavia Spencer Covers Elle Magazine’s Women in Hollywood Issue

By goodblacknews on October 4, 2012

(Photo: Elle Magazine)

Bet.com reports that Academy Award-Winning actress Octavia Spencer graces the cover of Elle Magazine’s Women in Hollywood issue this month. Spencer wears a Tadashi Shoji cocktail dress in the photo, and in her article, she recounts her struggles and triumphs in the entertainment industry, including needing to stand up for herself when she was bullied by an industry icon in a room full of people.

“Early on I had to stand up to a producer — I won’t say who, but he is famous, famous. He dressed me down in a crowded office. I told him right there in front of a hundred people, ‘You don’t know me well enough to use that tone’…And then I ran to the bathroom and cried like a baby. But he never addressed me that way again. And he is known as a yeller.”

The Women in Hollywood November 2012 issue, which also features young actresses Elle Fanning and Emma Watson on two other covers, hits newsstands October 16.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Quincy Jones Accepts Montblanc Lifetime Achievement Award

By goodblacknews on October 3, 2012
 It was an evening suitable for a legend at the historic Chateau Marmont hotel in West Hollywood, as internationally acclaimed composer, filmmaker and philanthropist Quincy Jones was on hand to receive the Montblanc Lifetime Achievement Award.  There to introduce the iconic producer were Hollywood legends Sidney Poitier and Morgan Freeman as well as Quincy Jones’ daughter, actress and filmmaker Rashida Jones. 

Tracee Ellis Ross Launches New Website With Focus On Fashion, Health and Well-Being

By goodblacknews on October 2, 2012

“Girlfriends” and “Reed Between The Lines” actress and style icon Tracee Ellis Ross launched traceeellisross.com on Monday, offering a digital outlet for her fashion, beauty, health-consciou, humorous and inspirational posts.  The site, which is part of the Women’s Influencer Network, is chic and well-designed, with its clean-meets-modern layout.  The site also seamlessly loops in all of the actress’ social media profiles (twitter, facebook, instagram, pinterest) for easy shareability.  Check it out by clicking the link above.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

Rihanna and Oprah Top Forbes’ List Of Hollywood’s Highest-Paid Women

By goodblacknews on October 2, 2012

Singer Rihanna and media mogul Oprah Winfrey have topped Forbes‘ list of Hollywood’s highest-paid women for 2012. Out of a short list of only ten high-powered ladies in entertainment, Oprah landed at the number-one position with her take of $165 million for the period ranging from May 2011- 2012. Britney Spears came in second by earning $58 million. Rihanna’s take for 2012 was $53 million, from her album sales, endorsement deals, and touring revenues. Yet, it was close in the upper echelons of this ranking, with Britney Spears being followed closely by Taylor Swift, who landed at number three with her $57 million dollar income. Ellen Degeneres tied with Rihanna, earning $53 million as well through her television deals.

RZA Is Making An 'Iron Fist' Animated Short w/ 'Afro Samurai' Creator, Ahead Of Feature Release

By goodblacknews on October 1, 2012

The rapper turned actor/director’s feature film directorial debut, and one of the projects that made it on my fall 2012 list of films to see, The Man With The Iron Fists, will see a USA theatrical release on November 2.  It stars RZA himself, Russell Crowe, Pam Grier, Lucy Liu and others; Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth served as producers on this $20 million project. 

RZA Is Making An ‘Iron Fist’ Animated Short w/ ‘Afro Samurai’ Creator, Ahead Of Feature Release

By goodblacknews on October 1, 2012

The rapper turned actor/director’s feature film directorial debut, and one of the projects that made it on my fall 2012 list of films to see, The Man With The Iron Fists, will see a USA theatrical release on November 2.  It stars RZA himself, Russell Crowe, Pam Grier, Lucy Liu and others; Quentin Tarantino and Eli Roth served as producers on this $20 million project. 

Shonda Rhimes Sells Dramedy and Comedy Projects To ABC

By goodblacknews on October 1, 2012

shonda rhimes

Deadline.com reported today that “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” creator/Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes is expanding the reach of her Shondaland banner into half-hour comedy and hour-long dramedy at ABC.  Rhimes and her producing partner, Betsy Beers, have set up “I Hate L.A. Dudes,” written by “The Misadventures Of An Awkward Black Girl” creator and star Issa Rae and “The Mix,” by John Hoffman (“Igor”).  For more details, click here: Shonda Rhimes’ Sells Talk Show Dramedy & Comedy Project To ABC.

article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

 

Nigerian Director/Producer Tony Abulu Creates Film "Doctor Bello" To Help Legitimize Nollywood

By goodblacknews on September 30, 2012
Tony Abulu, center; with Bern Cohen, left; and Andre Leigh during the filming of “Doctor Bello.” (Ángel Franco/The New York Times)

On the surface the production that commandeered a few dormant rooms at the Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital on Roosevelt Island this year resembled many other low-budget film projects in New York City. Crew members were each handling multiple jobs. Those from out of town were spending their short nights on friends’ couches. The catering consisted of a box of Dunkin’ Donuts and a carton of coffee, both empty by late morning.

The film “Doctor Bello” also features Genevieve Nnaji, left; Isaiah Washington, center; and Olumide Bakare.
But despite the production’s humble appearance there was a lot riding on it. Its director and producer, Tony Abulu, and his financial backers say the film, “Doctor Bello,” has the potential to chart a new direction for the booming Nigerian film industry half a world away.
That industry, known as Nollywood, is perhaps the world’s third-largest filmmaking industry in revenues, producing more than 1,000 titles every year. But the industry is known for churning out slapdash films with feeble story lines, amateurish acting and sloppy production values. Nearly all go straight to video and are soon forgotten.

Nigerian Director/Producer Tony Abulu Creates Film “Doctor Bello” To Help Legitimize Nollywood

By goodblacknews on September 30, 2012
Tony Abulu, center; with Bern Cohen, left; and Andre Leigh during the filming of “Doctor Bello.” (Ángel Franco/The New York Times)

On the surface the production that commandeered a few dormant rooms at the Coler-Goldwater Specialty Hospital on Roosevelt Island this year resembled many other low-budget film projects in New York City. Crew members were each handling multiple jobs. Those from out of town were spending their short nights on friends’ couches. The catering consisted of a box of Dunkin’ Donuts and a carton of coffee, both empty by late morning.

The film “Doctor Bello” also features Genevieve Nnaji, left; Isaiah Washington, center; and Olumide Bakare.

But despite the production’s humble appearance there was a lot riding on it. Its director and producer, Tony Abulu, and his financial backers say the film, “Doctor Bello,” has the potential to chart a new direction for the booming Nigerian film industry half a world away.

That industry, known as Nollywood, is perhaps the world’s third-largest filmmaking industry in revenues, producing more than 1,000 titles every year. But the industry is known for churning out slapdash films with feeble story lines, amateurish acting and sloppy production values. Nearly all go straight to video and are soon forgotten.

Dance Theatre Of Harlem Makes Triumphant Return

By goodblacknews on September 29, 2012

dance theatre of harlem
The legendary Dance Theatre of Harlem Company is back after an eight-year hiatus and they are in top form. Almost a decade of re-organization, leadership building and increased fundraising efforts culminated into a dazzling preview performance in Manhattan at El Museo del Barrio.