Latest news with #Greenleaf
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lovie Simone on Black Girlhood, Fashion and All Things ‘Forever'
Lovie Simone, previously known for her roles in Greenleaf and Raising Kanan, is now the lead star of the Netflix series Forever, alongside Michael Cooper Jr. Mara Brock Akil's adaptation of Judy Blume's 1975 coming of age novel of the same name shows Simone as Keisha, a teenager who experiences love and growing pains in the late 2010's in Los Angeles. Despite the challenges she faced, including being exposed by an ex-boyfriend, dealing with financial issues at home and working towards a track scholarship for Howard University, Keisha showed up every day for herself through her fashion choices. More from The Hollywood Reporter Sara Burack, 'Million Dollar Beach House' Real Estate Agent, Dies at 40 Lena Dunham Describes Her Netflix Series 'Too Much': "When a Loud, Messy Jewess Descends on a City of Deeply Repressed People" Kevin Williamson Talks 'The Waterfront' Finale and Insane Childhood That Informed Netflix Series 'She was a little nerd, so in my head and everyone else's heads, when you think of nerd, you don't think too stylish,' Simone explains. 'Mara was like, 'There's so much more to Black life' and Regina [King] was like, 'This is where you're at in your Black life as a woman,' and then Tanja [Caldwell] was like, 'We're going to throw the style in there because you're still stylish, you're a Black woman.'' Presentation and looking 'put together' at all times, despite what one is going through, is an experience many Black girls and women face to prove worthiness and capability, and to avoid judgment from others. 'I think when there's a lot going on outside of your control, we try to control what we can,' Simone explains. 'And a lot of the time, the only thing we can control is the initial image, so I'm happy that Keisha was a very put together person because it did describe her personality.' Integrating some of her own stylistic choices and partnering with costume designer Tanja Caldwell, Simone shares with The Hollywood Reporter how involved she was in the process of curating Keisha's look. From fittings to style collages, the actress talks about her favorite fashion moments, the impact of Black coming-of-age stories and what it really was like working with living legends on the set of Forever. I appreciated all of your looks in . It was giving Lauryn Hill, Black girl greatness. The Jordans, the bamboo earrings, the nails. I thought, 'They're very intentional over there.' They are. And I love how it goes to show that even with people who are struggling financially, they can look good too, and it's a norm for them. Because a lot of the time, I would think, 'Shelly (Keisha's mom) is going through a lot financially and all this stuff.' But everyone knows those parents that are like, 'Listen, I'm going through it, but my baby is going to look good so at the end of the day, we're going to figure this out.' When it came to you stepping into the world of Keisha, how did you prepare for that? Preparing for Keisha was a lot of conversations with Mara [Brock Akil], and with Regina [King] during the auditioning process. I know that when I found out she [King] was a part of it, I was just super excited because we worked together on Greenleaf, so this time I think we were both really excited to want to work with each other. And having her be an actor who's now a director, she knows how to speak to actors trying to maneuver in a scene and then also having that mixed with Mara's knowledge of the world of Forever and just that world building that she did. She knew all of the answers to the questions that I had and mixed with [costume designer] Tanja Caldwell's amazing style. It was hard for me not to be Keisha in every moment because all of these people kept reminding me of who Keisha was, so she was just already this being that I was able to step into. Keisha's a California girl and she's a teenager. I'm curious what went into curating her look. Did you guys have a mood board? When I got to the production office, I saw there was a whole collage of just the vibe for each character. For Keisha's vibe, I immediately saw and was like, 'Oh, this is that L.A. girl. OK, cool.' But when working with Tanja, she really brought everything full circle and wrapped the bow on top of everything. Because yes, I knew certain things about Keisha's personality, but that doesn't have to do with her style per se. She was a little nerd, so in my head and everyone else's heads, when you think of nerd, you don't think too stylish or you don't think all of these other things. But to know that Mara was like, 'There's so much more to Black life,' and Regina was like, 'This is where you're at in your Black life as a woman.' And then Tanja was like, 'We're going to throw the style in there because you're still stylish, you're a Black woman.' It was all of those key pieces and I know what I had to offer to Keisha's style. I knew I wanted to keep colors. I love colors in my personal life, so I just wanted to have fun with colors. Even down to Keisha's nails, I was like, 'Hmm, she's sad. So maybe she'd have blue right now.' You know what I mean? Baby boy blue kind of style. Just playing with pieces of me and then pieces of them and it just works so beautifully. When it comes to your own personal style, did you bring any of your own style to Keisha or have any input at all in Keisha's fashion? I did have some input. I know that there were some outfits that they felt like Keisha, but it felt like a stretch for me to get there. I was very grateful that Tanja was able to help me bring them closer together so that way it could be, once I put it on, it's seamless. And even in moments where I couldn't understand why I am wearing this — because I am in my 20s, mid-late 20s, so in my head sometimes I have these questions. Is that what teens are really wearing? — having Tanja have this fresh take on everything, it was nice to have her [explain] why you're going to be wearing this. She'll break everything down for me and it made me feel like I'm ready for this. Talk about the importance of coming-of-age stories specifically for Black youth. Why were you drawn to this story in particular? I was drawn to this project because I hadn't seen anything like it in a very long time and I don't think this generation has had that cutesy, unproblematic, just very teenage love story. I haven't seen it with Black teenagers. Then just outside of being Black teenagers, just teenagers in general, I feel as if in the storytelling, everything is just so dramatic and not too grounded so it was nice to have a grounded story, a grounded first meet-cute, all of these things. It is nice to also see being in the middle of these two ages, it's nice to see the parents not being villains, more so than being humans who are trying to make decisions for themselves and their kids. There were just so many aspects of this project where there's just range here and as an actress, I'm drawn to that. And you got to work with legends like Wood Harris, Mara Brock Akil and Regina King directing. What was that like for you? I love working with every single one of them; it felt like working with a family. Before, when I was working with Keith David and Lynn Whitfield [on Greenleaf], I was like, 'OK, how do I act on a set? How do I memorize easier? How do I do these things?' But now that they've taught me that, it's like now I can really exist and be with these legends, these living legends [on Forever]. It's so fun to just be able to work with them. It feels like family. It feels right. It feels like you should meet your idols. Walk us through the process of getting your hair and makeup done every day in your trailer? I think this is the first set experience I can say where I went to work every day and I could have fallen asleep in the trailer, in the seat. Because usually, as a Black woman in the industry, there's a lot of micromanaging that I feel like I have to do because I know how I like to look and be presented to the world. To be able to have people who know how I want to look and be presented to the world, even if they do have to switch it up for my character, it was nice to work with all of the [beauty team]. The whole set experience felt like everyone coming to work to work on this big project that we all had a personal attachment to. What was your favorite look of Keisha's? If you can pinpoint maybe a specific episode or a moment where you're just like, 'OK, Keisha girl, you did that.' I love Keisha's style. It's a toss-up for three looks for me. One, the pink prom we all love. Two, I'm going to say it would be the reconnecting outfit when she had the blue top and then the blue skirt with her little low ponytail, because that one we didn't see too much, but I really was obsessed with it. Then three, I would say the first party scene with Justin where we meet. I think that was an iconic look. There's so much feelings attached to it. There was a scene that I remember where Keisha was actually getting her hair braided from her cousin in the hair shop. This is such a coming-of-age, rite-of-passage moment. What was stepping into that scene like for you, as someone who probably experienced the same thing in real life? Definitely felt true to the Black girl experience. I'm from the East Coast, so this is what it would look like if I grew up on the West Coast and had a cousin like Tiffany. It felt natural, just like another version of life for me. Walk me through what that collaboration process with costume designer Tanja [Caldwell] was like. How closely did you work together? We worked really closely together. I know before we started filming, we did have a fitting so we were trying on Keisha's closet that Tanja put together. There was a lot of L.A. influence that I was also learning about, being from New York. Also I got to approve some things, some parts and pieces. I was like, 'Hey, I don't know if I'm too comfortable,' and sometimes she'll be like, 'Well, this is my reasoning' and I'm open to hearing just her mind. We would have those moments and then we eventually simmer that all down into a pot and got Keisha and it was amazing. I love the fact that Tanja had in mind the name chain. She was like, 'You're going to wear it every day. You're that kind of girl. You got them at the flea market.' She had stories behind each of the pieces too, and it helped me realize this is what Keisha would've done and the spaces she would've taken up on her free time or with [her best friend] Chloe or whoever. Despite the complexities of your character, she still made sure to show up for herself and still be put together and looking good regardless of the heaviness of her life at that time. What did that mean to you? I think when there's a lot going on outside of your control, we try to control what we can. And a lot of the time, the only thing we can control is the initial image, so I'm happy that Keisha was a very put together person because it did describe her personality. She was very Type-A, very go-getter, very like, 'I'm not going to let this affect me.' Even if she was tired at 4:00 a.m., she was going to have on a matching set and the matching sweatsuit on top. So I do love that Keisha kind of just is always thinking about herself throughout all of this. Favorite behind-the-scenes moments that you can share from set? I feel like all of the behind-the-scenes moments are super fun because we were always just having a blast. I love the in-between takes, photo shoots, that hair and makeup, and I would be a part of it and then we would get everybody in on it. We would also do TikToks together, try and learn dances in between takes all the time. I would say one of my favorites, because it was so sad, was the breakup scene with me and Michael Cooper Jr. (who plays Justin) at the end. It was one of my favorites only because it was like, dang, we really did it. We told the love story and this is the end of it. With the show already being renewed for a season two, can you tease where you personally would like to see Keisha's fashion evolve into? I would just like to see the evolution of it. I couldn't even have imagined a better style for Keisha with Tanja's mind. Where is she going to go next? Where does Tanja see? Because it all depends on the trajectory of Keisha's life. Where is she going to be? Is she going to be in suits? Is she going to be wearing baggy jeans? What is she doing? Before we wrap up, do you have any final comments or anything that you want to share with ? I just want to say I'm so happy to have played such a deep character who has been a mirror for so many people that I didn't realize before. And I love that I'm able to tell this story and I love that Keisha handles stuff with so much grace, and I'm happy other people can use this as a blueprint or just see that they were giving themselves grace in a very heavy moment in life. I'm just happy that I can tell this story. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Boston Globe
Man, 19, severely hurt in Hampton Beach swimming accident, reports say
He said it appears the teenager misjudged the depth of the water when he dove in. 'It looks like he was simply playing in the waves on a hot day, not doing anything wrong,' McMahon said, adding that he responded to a similar call several years ago. The teenager's condition wasn't immediately available Wednesday. His mother, Melina Burton, identified him as Aiden Sloan in an interview Advertisement Burton told the network there was 'a sandbar that nobody could have known was there, so he dove through a wave and he hit the sandbar head-on.' Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Burton said her son told her, ''When I came to, Mom, I could see the top of the water, but my arms and legs wouldn't work, and I couldn't get myself to the top to get air.'' She posted a photo of a smiling Sloan to her Facebook page on Wednesday. 'My boy doing what he does best, smiling and hanging outside [heart emoji] god just please let him be ok,' Burton wrote. A GoFundMe Advertisement 'He misjudged the depth of some water at Hampton and, as a result, broke his neck,' wrote family friend Jess Kinney, the organizer of the fundraiser. 'He is unable to move his legs and hands at this point but is able to move his arms. His mom, Melina, is a single mom and will need to be by her boy's side as he recovers. There is nothing anyone can do but help with bills, so please consider donating as much as you're able.' The appeal said Sloan works in the hospitality industry. 'Aiden is a chef in Nashua at the Noodle Bar inside the Nash Casino and will be unable to work for a while,' Kinney wrote. 'He has been a staple in my son's life and has been the best friend a mother could ask for for her child. Aiden, we are all pulling for you and love you!!' Greenleaf, a restaurant in Milford, N.H. where Sloan has worked, said on Facebook that it was donating 25 percent 'of net sales from all small plates ordered through the end of June' toward his medical expenses. 'Aiden joined our Greenleaf family at a young age and we watched him grow as a person and a cook over the years and he and his family have our full love and support during these difficult times,' the restaurant said. Travis Andersen can be reached at
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Adrienne Barbeau and Xander Berkeley join cast of Tyler Savage's horror thriller 'Oddities
's horror thriller 'Oddities' has added , , and Lilimar to the cast. An expansion of Savage's 2023 short film of the same name, 'Oddities' is a genre-bending thriller following two self-destructive best friends (played by Simone and Lilimar) who accidentally kill someone. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After finding refuge in a roadside antique shop, an older woman (Barbeau) initially offers help, but things soon take a dark turn, reported Variety. "'Oddities' is an irreverent celebration of so many of the things that first made me fall in love with film," writer-director Savage said in a statement. "I'm filled with gratitude for getting a chance to expand this world, and I'm thrilled with how this team and cast have come together. Huge thanks to Vicky Boone, Liz Kelley and my incredible fellow producers. We caused some mayhem in Louisville, so I can't wait to show people what we cooked up. " 'Oddities' is produced by Broad, Javier Gonzalez, Noah Lang, and Max Neace. Simone, Lilimar, Jamie Meyer, Lucas Fleisher and Adrienne Barbeau serve as executive producers alongside co-producers Travis LaSalle, Dash Hawkins and Jeff Smith. Principal photography recently wrapped in Kentucky. Producers are currently in potential sales discussions for a 2026 release. Simone recently appeared in Netflix's "Forever" and starred in "Greenleaf"; Barbeau was in "The Fog," "Creepshow" and "Argo"; Berkeley is known for "The Walking Dead" and "Apollo 13," while Lilimar provided her voice for both "Inside Out 2" and "Batwheels," reported Variety.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tyler Perry's Hit BET+ Series ‘Sistas' Gets ‘Divorced Sistas' Spinoff Starring LeToya Luckett
Tyler Perry is expanding the world of Sistas yet again with a brand new spinoff series, Divorced Sistas, set to premiere this summer on BET and its streaming service, BET+ — coinciding with the 2025 BET Awards. Leading Divorced Sistas is the talented LeToya Luckett, known for her role in Greenleaf, alongside a strong lineup that includes Khadeen Indréa (Ellis Ever After), Porscha Coleman (Dad Stop Embarrassing Me!), Briana Price (Step Up: High Water), Jennifer Sears (Madea's Family Funeral), RonReaco Lee (Survivor's Remorse), DeVon Franklin (Kingdom Business), Donovan Christie Jr. (The Oval), and Robert Christopher Riley (Dynasty). According to the series' synopsis, the spinoff centers on five close friends — Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette — as they 'navigate life, love and the challenges that come with divorce, marriage and dating. As they lean on each other through heartbreak and healing, their biggest test comes from within their own circle, challenging their loyalty, character and true bond of sisterhood.' 'This is a story of resilience and the power of female friendship,' stated Perry about the show. 'I hope audiences fall in love with these dynamic characters and are able to explore their own personal truths about healing and love through them.' This exciting new project marks the second spinoff of the Sistas franchise — following the success of Zatima — and is the first under Perry's expanded multiyear content partnership with BET Media Group. The series is created, written, and directed by Perry. Divorced Sistas premiers on June 9. See the trailer below. More from Terri J. Vaughn Stars In 'Tyler Perry's She The People' Comedy Series Maia Campbell's Ready To Revive Her Career With Tyler Perry's Help Tasha Smith's Update On 'Why Did I Get Married 3:' It's "Probably Not" Happening
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Forever Cast: Where Have You Seen The Stars Of Netflix's Teen Romance Before?
Having already won over the hearts of critics, the new teen romance Forever now has Netflix users falling for it, too. The eight-part series serves as a modern update on Judy Blume's classic novel of the same name, centring around Justin and Keisha, two teens who fall in love at a pivotal stage in their lives. Since it began streaming earlier this week, the show has received an overwhelmingly positive response and hasn't budged from Netflix's most-watched list. It also boasts an array of new, young faces in its cast, many of whom are only in the early stages of their acting career. But there are also a few familiar faces dotted around, too. With that in mind, here's a quick guide to where you might have seen the stars of Forever before... Before being cast as Keisha in Forever, Lovie Simone's biggest role to date was in the family drama Greenleaf, playing Keith David and Kim Hawthorne's on-screen daughter Zora in all five seasons. She also played a main role in The Craft's sequel The Craft: Legacy and the historical drama Manhunt, as well as making one-off appearances in Orange Is The New Black and Blue Bloods. Fans of The Mindy Project will remember Xosha Roquemore for her performance as Tamra Webb, a nurse who works at the same hospital as the title character. She also played Gabourey Sidibe's on-screen classmate in Precious, and has also appeared in The Butler, Space Jam: A New Legacy and Captain America: Brave New World, in which she portrayed Secret Service agent Leila Taylor. Michael Cooper Jr's performance as Justin has already earned him plenty of praise – which is particularly impressive given how few on-screen credits he had before being cast in Forever. Before joining the Netflix series, he had also appeared in the musical drama film On The Come Up and had a minor role in the horror series The Inhabitant. For her performance in Apple TV+'s The Morning Show, Karen Pittman earned an Emmy nomination, after which she was cast as Miranda's professor Nya Wallace in the first two seasons of Sex And The City spin-off And Just Like That. She's also appeared in The Americans, Yellowstone and the Paul Rudd comedy Living With Yourself. After taking the lead in the TV movie biopic Hendrix, Wood Harris played Avon Barksdale in the first three seasons of The Wire, and reprised the role in guest appearances later in the show's run. You might have also seen him opposite Paul Rudd in the first Ant-Man movie, playing Nandez in Blade Runner 2049 or Tony 'Little Duke' Evers in the Creed series. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marvin Winans III (@marvinwinansiii) Still early on in his career, child performer Marvin Lawrence Winans III might be a familiar face to Abbott Elementary fans, after playing student Chad in a handful of episodes. Known to friends and family as 'Three', the youngster previously appeared in ad campaigns for Google and Apple. Barry's past TV work includes Barbershop, Flashforward, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul, in which he played a police detective. As for his film work, you might have seen him in The Terminal, Rush Hour, Collateral, Miami Vice, A Star Is Born or Dolemite Is My Name. Last year, Ali Gallo played the main character's sister in the Netflix high school movie Incoming. Before that she appeared in Virtual Morality, The Sex Lives Of College Girls and the dark comedy I Hate Myself And Want To Die. For his work as Randall Pearson in This Is Us (a role he shared with Sterling K Brown, each playing the character at different stages of his life), Niles Fitch earned a SAG Award in 2017 and 2018. He's also appeared in Mixed-ish, That 90s Show and Disney's Secret Society Of Second-Born Royals. In the early years of her career as a child actor, E'myri Crutchfield played a main role in Amazon Prime's The Kicks. More recently, she landed the role of Ethelrida Pearl Smutny in season four of Fargo, and played Kelly in Dark Harvest. Forever is now streaming on Netflix. These Are Our 9 Top Picks Of The New Shows And Films Streaming On Netflix This May Black Mirror Fans Have Just Days To Watch The Show's Most Unique Episode Before It Leaves Netflix This Brilliant Cameo In Netflix's The Four Seasons Has An Extra Meaning You Might Have Missed
