Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Thanks Keke Palmer for ‘Making Me Famous,' Aaron Pierre Breaks Out Viral ‘Mufasa' Dance Moves and More Inside ABFF Honors
Ellis-Taylor was among the special honorees at the awards show, feted not just for turning another year older, but for delivering another year full of dazzling performances, including in the best picture Oscar-nominated film 'Nickel Boys.' Though the spotlight was on Elllis-Taylor, she seemed less interested in accepting her well-deserved flowers than in doling them out to her fellow honorees.
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'Keke Palmer made me famous,' Ellis-Taylor declared as she took the stage at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills to accept ABFF's Excellence in the Arts trophy from her 'Origin' director Ava DuVernay.
A dozen years ago, Ellis-Taylor and Palmer — who was honored with the Renaissance Award for her varied career accomplishments thus far — co-starred in the Lifetime TV movie 'Abducted: The Carlina White Story.' According to Ellis-Taylor, Palmer and her mother Sharon Palmer fought to ensure that she had the opportunity to do meaty work that reached a wide audience.
'And I've been chasing that feeling ever since,' Ellis-Taylor said. 'Because it was the first time I felt the line between who I was and who I played merged.'
Ellis-Taylor also saluted Marla Gibbs, the evening's Hollywood Legacy award honoree, explaining that one cannot be honored 'alongside' an icon like 'The Jeffersons' and '227' alum, 'because [she] will always be in the distance — unreachable, unmatched. She was my understanding of what it was to be a comedian. They had Carol Burnett. We had Marla Gibbs.'
Then, she offered words of affirmation to Rising Star award winner Aaron Pierre, explaining that she only knew him by rumor, but that what she'd heard 'portends a world-changer.'
She saved her final praise for Giancarlo Esposito, who picked up the evening's other Excellence in the Arts prize. 'I was born an agitator, probably. But there was no definition to it, until I saw you. I was given words to what was churning inside of me,' Ellis-Taylor said of watching Esposito in Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing.'
His insightful and inciting quote ('How come you ain't got no brothers on that wall?') inspired her activism moving forward, as the film opened her eyes to the structural inequities that need to be addressed in the fight for equality. 'This is why these messages of 'another seat at the table' is deaf to me. I don't want to hear that. I'm not interested at no seat at no table. I don't want the seat or the table. I want the structure. I want the land that the structure belongs,' Ellis-Taylor preached. 'Why? Because it's mine. … Thank you ABFF, because you are encouraging me to tear down that wall, to tear down that house and reclaim the land.'
Ellis-Taylor's rousing speech might've been the most potent of a night that felt more church revival than awards show. In fact, the black tie gala kicked off with the gospel choir from Victory Bible Church in Pasadena, Calif., singing a rousing rendition of 'The Best Is Yet to Come,' by Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers, to honor the historically Black communities affected by the L.A. wildfires.
The show, hosted by comedian Zainab Johnson, was packed with sincere moments, like Anthony Mackie sharing the advice Esposito gave him, a kid fresh off the boat from New Orleans, about how to be a successful working actor, decades before they were Marvel co-stars; or Palmer discussing the importance of creators owning their rightful share of their content; or a 93-year-old Gibbs saying that she's not done yet, and sharing her mantra: 'Long as you're still here and still breathing, you've got another shot.'
But the event was far from a somber affair. Case in point, Pierre was played onto the stage to accept his award with the viral anthem, 'Aaron. Pierre. That's Mufasaaaa,' which was created by the crew of 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' for his 'Spirit Tunnel' entrance last December. In on the joke, Pierre gave the people what they wanted and gamely did his little dance — suavely two-stepping, spinning and high-fiving the trophy presenter, while the crowd clapped and sang along.
Scroll on for a look inside the ceremony:
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Yahoo
13 hours ago
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‘P.I. Moms' Was a Train Wreck for Lifetime. Now It's a ‘Trainwreck' on Netflix
Lifetime, branded as 'Television for Women,' is all about empowering women. (Sometimes to kill their husbands, sure, but not always.) There is perhaps no better example of that mission than with 2010's P.I. Moms. If only the show actually happened. Fifteen years ago, Lifetime ordered a reality TV series about a private investigation agency staffed by soccer moms. In terms of synergy and branding, it was a no-brainer. In execution, it was a complete train wreck. (Hey, maybe that's why it made Netflix's excellent eight-episode series of documentary films, Trainwreck, produced by Raw.) More from The Hollywood Reporter Venice Strikes Back: Alberto Barbera on His Powerhouse 2025 Festival Lineup Jussie Smollett Speaks in Netflix Doc 'The Truth About Jussie Smollett?' 'Are You My First?' 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I would say that the Moms that I spoke to were incredibly easy to deal with. I love Ami [Wiltz] and Denise [Antoon]. It was fantastic getting to know them. It was easy because they were at a point where they were ready to talk about this — I don't know if that had always been true. It was the right time for them after 12 to 13 years had passed. It probably helps being on Netflix. Not necessarily. I've worked on a lot of different channels, and the process feels similar. It's never about convincing people to do this, because you only want to speak to people who want to tell their stories and who see a value in it — whether that be true crime or something super harrowing that has happened to someone, they have to have a legitimate reason within themselves to want to take part. It's sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. You don't necessarily always want the person who raises their hand and [says], 'put me on TV' — you're looking for the people doing it for right reasons. And that's certainly true of our Moms. The interesting thing about all of this is that they had legitimate reasons for wanting to take part in the reality TV show in the first place: At surface level, empowering other moms and saying, 'Hey, this is a career you could do that you might not know about,' and seeing how far that [message] spread. Then obviously, the personal stories that are touched on that they had told at the time that got blown away. They really put themselves out there, and then it all got crushed. So that was one of the things I felt most passionate about making this film was, like, 'We're giving them that chance back.' How close were you to getting the other Moms, Charmagne Peters and Michelle Allen, and for that matter, Chris (who is out of prison) and Carl? Raw and Netflix encouraged us to have a dialogue with everyone, and everyone was presented an opportunity to take part in this story. 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USA Today
2 days ago
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Adam Sandler cast his daughters in 'Happy Gilmore 2': 'I'm just proud'
Adam Sandler has grown up at least a little bit in the past three decades. His 'Happy Gilmore' co-star Julie Bowen noticed. In the first film in 1996 featuring Sandler as the accidental golfer, Happy's 'happy place' is a dreamy scene where love interest Virginia (Bowen) is clad in white lingerie and double-fisting pitchers of beer. (Happy's bad place? Virginia in black lingerie and canoodling with rival Shooter McGavin, played by Christopher McDonald.) Cut to 29 years later. In 'Happy Gilmore 2' (streaming now on Netflix), Sandler, 58, includes a moment when present-day Virginia shares screen time with her younger self and quips to Happy that she "can't believe" this was his happy place. "I'm sorry," he says, and Virginia replies: "Oh, sweetie, don't worry. I'm not here to judge your fantasies." Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox 'When I read that he wanted to update it a little bit and comment on it, I wasn't sure anybody even needed that,' Bowen, 55, says in a video chat with Sandler and McDonald. 'I love that scene. I love it when it's the bad place and Shooter grabs my (rear). I didn't feel objectified. It was too much with the tongue, though.' ('Oh, sorry,' jokes McDonald, 70.) Filming the new scene felt 'exactly right' to Bowen, though, 'because Happy would have grown up, too,' she says. Bowen figures that Sandler was making a little 'love you' ode to his two daughters 'as far as saying 'Yes, maybe I was a little immature.' But maybe I am really immature because I always liked that scene.' Adds Sandler: 'Seeing you at this age talk to a young version, you still look phenomenal and you're sweet as hell and people love you. It was nice to watch it.' 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Julie and Chris, this movie is packed with cameos. Who were your favorites to see walk on set? Sandler: None of them would talk to Julie. Bowen: Also, my trailer was a mile away from set. McDonald: By design. Bowen: The call sheet was coded. It did not have anybody's names on it and there were 135 different cast members. I was flying back and forth because I still have kids in school in California and we shot in New Jersey. I would see Polaroids in the hair and makeup trailer and I saw a person that no one's mentioned yet. And I'm like, "When was he here?!" "He's Newscaster No. 4." And I'm like, "Are you kidding me?" Sandler: Bubba Watson. You loved your Bubba. Julie knows her golf, by the way. McDonald: He's a good man, Bubba Watson. I have known a few of these golf legends and legends-in-training. But seeing them one-on-one, it's like: "Oh, my God, that's Rory McIlroy. That's Bryson DeChambeau. That's Scottie Scheffler." It was mind-blowing for me. And I came in on my days off just to hang out with them. Sandler: They all love seeing Shooter. Adam, both your daughters and wife are in the sequel. What does it mean to you to have these kinds of movies that you used to make with your friends now become part of this bigger family legacy? Sandler: It is just all happening fast. Kids are growing up − they really are into acting and movies, and it's always been our thing to work with our friends and family. It's cool to see them getting better. They work hard and they go to school for it, and they love it. So, yeah, I'm just proud. Couldn't love them more. Was there anything from the first movie that you all used in the new movie? Bowen: I got my hair back. Was that your OG jersey? Sandler: I got a different size (laughs). The hockey jersey went from a medium to a something. There were a couple Xs in there. The real grandpa's clubs (from the first film) are in the movie. Bowen: Finger guns? McDonald: I brought the kids out. Chris, how many times in a week do people do the finger guns to you? McDonald: Well, it depends on where I am. Airports, 4,000. Walking the city streets of New York, 9,000. It seems like it's every day when I'm out in public. It's really cool. People are kind enough just to go, "Shootah!" and we have a good laugh. The fans are what keeps this classic going. So I have no problems at all pulling out the guns when necessary.
NBC News
2 days ago
- NBC News
All the celebs who make cameos in the 'Happy Gilmore' sequel
Happy Gilmore has returned to the golf course, and he's brought a lot of famous friends with him. ' Happy Gilmore 2,' which began streaming on Netflix on June 25, packs a U.S. Open gallery's worth of cameos in the sequel to the 1996 classic about a hockey player turned unorthodox golfer. Professional golfers, Hollywood stars, prominent athletes, old favorites from previous Adam Sandler movies, members of Sandler's family — the list of credits is longer than one of Happy's drives off the tee. Here are all the familiar faces who pop up in the movie and their roles. Music Stars Bad Bunny: The Puerto Rican superstar plays Happy's new caddie. Post Malone: The singer pops up as DJ Omar Gosh. Eminem: The rapper portrays the son of the heckler played by the late Joe Flaherty in the original. Just like his dad, Donald Jr. calls Happy a jackass on the course. Cam'ron: The rapper makes an appearance as himself. Kid Cudi: The rapper plays an FBI agent. Professional Golfers Of course, a golf movie has to feature some golfers, and there's enough current and former stars to fill a clubhouse. They all appear as themselves, including golf legend Lee Trevino, 85, who famously shook his head at Happy's antics in the original film. Nelly Korda and Nancy Lopez: The current women's golf star and the retired women's golf legend appear as doctors. Other Sports Figures Travis Kelce: No, the Kansas City Chiefs star tight end didn't end up appearing as Happy's son. He shows up as an angry waiter. Dan Patrick: The longtime sports radio host plays the character Pat Daniels. Stephen A. Smith: The ESPN personality appears as himself. Chris Berman: The former longtime ESPN host appears as himself. Jim Gray: Another veteran sportscaster, Gray appears as himself. Reggie Bush: The Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back appears as the character 8 Ball. Verne Lundquist: The legendary sportscaster, 85, is back after appearing as a golf commentator in the original 'Happy Gilmore.' Paige Spiranac: The golf social media personality plays a woman working for Dick's Sporting Goods. Sean Avery and Chris Chelios: The retired NHL stars play a pair of henchmen. Kelsey Plum: The WNBA star from the Los Angeles Sparks plays a golf course worker. Rebecca Quin and Nikki Bella: The WWE wrestlers play characters named Flex and Medusa. John Daly, Keegan Bradley, Fred Couples, Bryson DeChambeau, Nick Faldo, Tony Finau, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Charles Howell III, Brooks Koepka, Hunter Mahan, Rory McIlroy, Collin Morikawa, Jack Nicklaus, Corey Pavin, Xander Schauffele, Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Lee Trevino, Bubba Watson, Will Zalatoris. Fernando Marrero: The pro wrestler plays a character named Screech. Boban Marjanovic: The former NBA cult favorite and 'John Wick' actor, who is 7-foot-4, plays Drago Larson, the son of the character played by the late Richard Kiel as a zealous Happy Gilmore fan in the original film. Adam Sandler's Family Members Jackie Sandler: Adam Sandler's wife plays a dance instructor named Monica. Sunny Sandler: Adam's other daughter plays Happy's daughter, Vienna, in the sequel. Judy Sandler: Adam's real-life mother plays the mother of Boban Marjanovic's Drago Larson character. Jana Sandler: Adam's cousin, Jana plays a 'Jeopardy!' contestant. Christopher Titone: Adam's brother-in-law plays a repo man. Lila Titone: Adam's mother-in-law plays a character named Lila. Assorted Celebrities Haley Joel Osment: The actor plays rival golfer Billy Jenkins. Martin Herlihy: The 'Saturday Night Live' star and son of Sandler's co-writer on the sequel, Tim Herlihy, Martin also plays in the group with Qualley and André. Tim Herlihy shows up as Dr. Hertz. Marcello Hernandez: Another 'Saturday Night Live' cast member, Hernandez plays a character named Esteban. Ken Jennings: The 'Jeopardy!' host plays himself. Guy Fieri: The Food Network star plays a character named Maxi Starter. Jena Sims: The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model appears as a crazed fan. Alix Earle: The social media star plays herself. Sean Evans: The 'Hot Ones' host plays himself. Bobby Lee: Comedian Bobby Lee also plays himself. Kym Whitley: She plays a friend to Happy. Oliver Hudson: The actor and son of Goldie Hawn plays a character named Harley. Returning Characters from the Original 'Happy Gilmore' Ben Stiller: The actor and director returns as Hal L, the threatening nursing home worker from the original. Now he runs the group 'Alkies for Life.' Stiller's children, Quin Stiller and Ella Stiller, also appear as a caddie and liquor store cashier, respectively. Kevin Nealon: The former 'Saturday Night Live' star is back as Gary Potter, the fellow golfer who calmly gives Happy tips. Christopher McDonald: The villainous Shooter McGavin returns for another round with Happy. Julie Bowen: The 'Modern Family' star is back to play Happy's now-wife, Virginia Venit, but she meets a sad demise early in the movie. Lavell Crawford: Crawford plays Slim Peterson, the son of the late Chubbs Peterson, the character played in the original by Carl Weathers, who died in 2024. Slim also has a prosthetic hand just like his dad, except his wasn't bitten off by an alligator. Adam Sandler Favorites Benny Safdie: One half of the brother duo who directed Sandler in 'Uncut Gems,' Safdie plays Frank Manatee, Happy's main rival in the sequel. Steve Buscemi: A frequent cameo guest in Sandler films dating back to the 'Billy Madison' days, Buscemi plays in an insane neighbor of Happy's. Jon Lovitz: The actor has appeared in numerous Sandler movies over the years. He plays a dapper gentleman in 'Happy Gilmore 2.' Rob Schneider: It wouldn't be an Adam Sandler movie without a character played by Schneider delivering his 'You can do it!' line that originated in 'The Waterboy' in 1998. It has been a running gag in many Sandler films since.
