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Black America Web
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
TV One & CLEO TV Celebrate Black Culture & Flavor At Essence Eats
Source: Courtesy / TV One TV One and CLEO TV turned up the heat at this year's Essence Festival of Culture, serving up more than just good food. They dished out soul, storytelling, and Black excellence. Read more about the conversation inside. During the Essence Eats segment of the Essence Food & Wine Festival, TV One and CLEO TV hosted a lively panel titled 'Celebrating Culinary & Lifestyle Storytelling,' spotlighting the richness of Black culture through food, travel, and design. Moderated by Bossip Managing Editor Dani Canada, the conversation featured an all-star lineup. Emmy-nominated entertainer and culinary personality Tamar Braxton, celebrity chef and host Jernard Wells, and lifestyle expert Jazz Smollett all discussed the beauty of culinary and lifestyle storytelling. Together, they unpacked the magic behind their hit series—Braxton's hilarious and heartwarming Cooking Sessions with Tamar and Ms. E , Wells' flavorful travel show Savor the City , and Smollett's soulful and stylish Living by Design . In just 20 minutes, the trio dove deep into the power of storytelling through culture. Tamar spoke candidly about the importance of representation. 'TV One and CLEO TV allow us to be unapologetically Black,' she commented. 'We get to live out loud and be proud.' Wells echoed the sentiment, praising the platforms for their authenticity. 'They let us tell OUR stories. Unfiltered,' Wells shared. Smollett highlighted the joy of connecting with real people through her work saying, 'It's a lot of fun to touch people's lives.' The panel was informative and electric. Audience members laughed, clapped, and nodded along as the conversation touched on everything from preserving cultural traditions to breaking barriers in lifestyle programming. The stars reflected on how food, travel, and design are more than content. They're tools for celebration, healing, and connection. With Black creators at the helm, TV One and CLEO TV continue to elevate voices that mainstream media often overlooks. This Essence Eats panel was a perfect example of the networks' mission: to amplify authentic, resonant stories that reflect the richness of the Black experience. From kitchen laughs to cross-country flavors and bold design inspiration, these creators are proving that lifestyle content isn't just about aesthetics. Instead, it's about heart, history, and community. This weekend, TV One and CLEO TV reminded everyone that Black storytelling is not just thriving, but it's leading the way. SEE ALSO TV One & CLEO TV Celebrate Black Culture & Flavor At Essence Eats was originally published on
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Love Island fans have worked out ‘real reason' behind Conor's brutal recoupling decision
LOVE Island fans were left shocked tonight after Conor decided to recouple with Yasmin over Billykiss. But some fans think the surprise move was actually motivated by another girl. 4 Conor shocked fans as he ditched Billykiss during tonight's recoupling Credit: Eroteme 4 Billykiss was left stunned by his decision Credit: Eroteme 4 Conor decided to recouple with Yasmin Credit: Eroteme Earlier in tonight's episode, Conor encouraged Shakira to end her romance with Harry after being mugged up over the past few days. Shakira then pulled Harry for a chat and told him that they were over, paving the way for Conor to make his move. Shortly after a recoupling was called, with Conor deciding to couple up with Yasmin, and ultimately dumping Billykiss. During Conor's speech he said: "The last couple of days have been interesting, I've obviously been getting to know one person, we have loads to talk about. READ MORE ON LOVE ISLAND "I would like to couple up with this girl because I don't really know her as well as I probably should and I this will be a good opportunity to get to know her. "Obviously I find this girl attractive and over the last while she's really changed my opinion on her and I never really got the chance." The move left Billykiss surprised and was forced to couple up with only single lad Gio. But some fans think Conor is secretly using Yasmin as a placeholder until he can get with Shakira. Most read in TV One wrote: "Okay but Ben should've went last cause Conor would've chosen Shakira then." A second posted: "The couple that would make the most sense is Conor and Shakira." A third said: "I think Conor is just using Yasmin and really wants Shakira," while a fourth added: "Conor doesn't want Billykiss or Yasmin, he's got his eye on Shakira." Later that evening, Conor and Yasmin headed to the terrace and enjoyed a kiss. Elsewhere, Harry recoupled with Helena and Ben picked Shakira. 4 Fans think Conor is using Yasmin until he can get with Shakira Credit: Eroteme
The Irish Sun
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Watch ‘petrified' man get worshipped by THREE women in front of girlfriend in shocking Channel 4 show
CONTROVERSIAL new series Open House: The Great Sex Experiment aired some of its most shocking scenes yet on Friday – as a woman watched a man being 'worshipped' by a string a of ladies. 5 Tom is left terrified as his girlfriend wants to open their relationship Credit: Channel 4 5 The girls quickly stripped down to racy lingerie Credit: Channel 4 5 The couples joined Tom and Lauren as they got to grips with the experiment Credit: Channel 4 Looked after by non-monogamy coach Effy Blue, the group are encouraged to have sexual encounters with each other in order to test their relationship boundaries. On Friday's episode, After getting engaged three months ago, it was Tom who was struggling most with the idea, admitting he has found himself struggling to perform in a multiple-person sexual scenario. He's also suffering from self-esteem issues after being diagnosed with Sudden Death Syndrome, a heart condition that has meant he can no longer go to the gym, putting on weight as a result. READ MORE OPEN HOUSE The bisexual bride-to-be admitted to Effy that Setting up a barn dance mixer, the couple were told to invite others into their room for foreplay, with Tom taking the lead in a situation that doesn't necessarily lead to sex or his need to perform. However, when three couples say yes, Tom admits he 'felt petrified and sick' as he's tied and blindfolded to a bed. With Lauren watching on excitedly from the sidelines with a glass of wine, Tom lets the women take control as they start caressing, kissing and touching him. Most read in TV One purred to him: 'You're getting worshipped, you're getting all the attention.' Sharing his fears, Tom said: 'I definitely want to make Lauren happy, I will try anything. To jump this hurdle this early, in my head, I can't perform. I just freeze. Overwhelmed husband wipes away tears after partner romps with another woman in Open House 'Once I'm in that rut, I can't get out of the rut.' As the episode came to an end, it seems the events of the night take a toll on Tom, who is heard vomiting in the bathroom. However, with Lauren insistent on wanting to make the open relationship work, will they be able to survive the retreat? Open House: The Great Sex Experiment airs on Channel 4. 5 Tom admitted he was petrified as he was tied to a bed Credit: Channel 4 5 Lauren encouraged her boyfriend to lean into the experiment Credit: Channel 4
Black America Web
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
‘Moviefone' Is Back: Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay On Reviving The Iconic '90s Brand For Today's Media World
Source: Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay (President & COO of 'Moviefone.') Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay's journey through the entertainment industry has been nothing short of amazing. Over the past two decades, the Brooklyn resident has navigated a career filled with bold moves and unexpected turns—from major media networks to groundbreaking new ventures. He spent a decade at TV One, driving advertising revenue across national linear, digital, VOD, app, direct response, and paid programming platforms. Before that, he spent eight years at Viacom Media Networks as Vice President of Client Strategy, holding key roles at MTV, Comedy Central, Spike TV, and more. But in 2020, Lindsay's career took an exciting new direction when award-winning film producer and entrepreneur Cleveland O'Neal III approached him with a game-changing opportunity: helping to revive Moviefone, the iconic '90s dial-in entertainment platform that once shaped how audiences discovered films and bought tickets. O'Neal—best known for his syndicated talk show, Made in Hollywood —acquired Moviefone out of bankruptcy for $1 million and tapped Lindsay to help reimagine it as the ultimate movie discovery hub. Now poised for a major comeback, Moviefone is being rebranded as a go-to guide for showtimes, streaming, reviews, and more—and it's proudly the only Black-owned movie service of its kind. Lindsay sat down with NewsOne to talk about his dynamic career, the evolution of Moviefone, and what's next in the platform's ambitious revival. NewsOne (NO): Mr. Lindsay, it's a pleasure to speak with you today. Your resume is incredibly impressive, with key roles at TV One, MTV, and now as President and COO of Moviefone. But I couldn't help but notice—you also had a brief stint in acting. Tell us about that! Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay (RL): Yeah! I mean, I don't even know if it was brief. I was acting probably for a good 15 years, but, you know, like a lot of people, you have to [juggle] a job and you're auditioning and trying to see what's what. I did the soap operas, commercials— and unfortunately, never got that big break, so to speak. It was still a lot of fun. I still do it now and then, but I just do it for fun, which is nice. It's nice to have something you love, but not have any pressure to make money at it. NO: What was your favorite project to work on during that time? The most exciting thing I did was this film called Cold Feet . The reason it was so exciting is because I had only been in New York for about six months or so when I booked it, and I had a short period where I booked, like, three different projects. Cold Feet was the biggest of the three. I was a lead in the film. That was probably the most exciting thing in the world at that point. That was also when—I mean, this is going to sound really old—when people would still read actual magazines. Variety would list all the castings and my name showed up three times in a very short period. That's probably the biggest thing that I did, but it didn't make me the most money. You know, the funny thing is, the commercials made me the most money. I did a Miller Genuine Draft commercial that paid pretty well over time. I did a Lowes commercial and some other stuff. Those were a lot of fun because you get treated like a movie star, even if it's just for a couple of days—it was a lot of fun. NO: With all of this incredible experience underneath your belt, you've now become a driving force behind Moviefone's revival. How did you and Cleveland O'Neal III meet? I've known the owner, Cleveland, for about 25 years. [We] have never worked together formally, but always kind of bounced ideas off each other. I've always had a lot of respect for him. He's one of those entrepreneurs who really has done it on his own. He started out making after-school specials—that's really what they were— the first of which was called, What About Your Friends? It ended up winning an Image Award. It was the first Black after-school special. And at the time when he did it, not only did he get to make it, but he actually got to own the IP. So, he started to build a library. He shot this movie called Phat Beach , which he did on his own as well. It was one of those things where he probably could have signed a deal, but he didn't. He wanted to continue to do things on his own because he's an entrepreneur. Eventually, he started a show called Made in Hollywood , which has been on the air now for about 20 years. I was a correspondent for the show for probably 10 years or so, which I also really enjoyed. [I] got to sit down with a lot of A-list actors, directors, producers. I just loved it as a fan and as a creative person, but never thought, he and I were going to work together in the capacity we are now. NO: So, how did the two of you first start talking about bringing Moviefone back? I mean, it's crazy! I remember over the years, we kept in touch, periodically. And five years ago, Cleveland called me and said, 'Oh guess what? I just bought Moviefone. I go, 'What? Like the Moviefone that we all know?' I couldn't believe it. I mean, first of all, a Black man owning an entity like that? It's just not very common. Several companies were looking at [buying] Moviefone , including the big boys like the NBCUniversals and those guys of the world. Cleveland and his team thought they might have a shot. There were a number of people in it, and then the pandemic hit. And what happened in the pandemic? The stock market tanked—lots of uncertainty. So, they instantly bowed out and [Cleveland] ended up being the winning bid. NO: What are you and Cleveland's vision for Moviefone's role in today's crowded media landscape? Well, we still sell tickets, but now we also have all this content that people come to us for. They come to watch trailers. They come to watch interviews. It's not just about theatrical films, right? You think about how much content now is in streaming. When you go to if you type in a film or a show, now, it will tell you exactly where it's playing. If it's in theaters, obviously that'll pop up, but if it's streaming or digital, it'll tell you where it's playing. It'll even tell you if it has a cost, too! The goal, now, is really more to be a discovery tool, especially because there's so much content out there. NO: I hear you're also launching a TV show and an app as well for the platform. Yes! We're launching a new show called Moviefone TV in the fall, and that's a huge part of the strategy. One, because everything kind of lives at the Moviefone studio level. Moviefone Studios produces content for Made in Hollywood , for Moviefone TV , for the app, obviously, and for social. But this is going to be a weekly show that is very much a lean-back experience. We tell you what's playing, what's hot, what to expect at the box office, etc. But then there's all that content that we can push out over all the other channels. It's also a way to market the name. Believe it or not, there's a whole generation of people who don't know about Moviefone. In today's world, people are so used to doing everything on their phones, like buying movie tickets, sometimes they're watching on their phones. So, we're probably about 60% mobile now [thanks to the forthcoming app.] We think once we launch, we'll be more like 90% mobile. Right now, it's just in beta. NO: That's amazing. Looking back on your journey with Moviefone and your broader career in entertainment, what are some key lessons or insights you've picked up along the way that have stuck with you? There are a lot of people who want to be in this space, right? It seems really sexy. It can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a real slog. There are plenty of opportunities for things to go well and also not to. I think the biggest thing is to stay true to yourself and know what your brand is about. Also being willing to bet on yourself. A great example for me and somebody I admire, is Cathy Hughes. Ms. Hughes bet on herself. Everybody was counting her out as a young Black woman to do what she did. But that's because she bet on herself. There are plenty of people who paint inside the lines and follow all the rules and things don't work out anyway. So, if nothing else, at least, take a shot and see where you land. NO: That was beautifully said. To wrap things up—what's the last movie you watched that got you excited or left a big impression? The last thing I saw was Sinners. I mean, I hadn't seen anything like it in a while. One, it was pretty original. It's beautifully shot and I care about stuff like that. The cinematography, the music was incredible. I also thought Michael B. Jordan was really good. There's something about him in general that's magnetic. But this was different. Every time he was on screen, you just had to wait for what was gonna happen next. I'm gonna watch it again because I'm sure I didn't take it all in. SEE MORE: Black Movie Soundtracks As Good As The Film Itself Ryan Coogler Thanks Fans For 'Sinners' Box Office Win SEE ALSO 'Moviefone' Is Back: Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay On Reviving The Iconic '90s Brand For Today's Media World was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Carlos King: The Media Mogul Making Diversity Reality on TV
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. When it comes to reality television, Carlos King is undoubtedly one of the most influential minds in the genre. As the CEO of Kingdom Reign Entertainment, he has produced some of the most talked-about shows shaping the landscape of unscripted television. From his groundbreaking work on The Real Housewives of Atlanta to creating hit series like Love & Marriage: Huntsville, King's journey from behind-the-scenes producer to media mogul has been nothing short of remarkable. His ability to craft compelling narratives and showcase diverse perspectives has positioned him as a leading industry force. Profile shot of Carlos King Profile shot of Carlos King Kendrick Ken Beauty King, who had left college after being offered a production assistant job at BET, got his break in the business in 2008 when he became an associate producer on The Real Housewives of Atlanta—"You know, a little show you may have heard about," he told Newsweek. "It was my first reality show. Real Housewives of Atlanta became an instant hit, and I sort of climbed the ladder. I had every single position up until becoming the first Black man to executive produce a Real Housewives franchise, which was in season six. I just kept falling in love with the ladies, the production, the audience." After accomplishing so much with the franchise, and believing he'd done everything he could with it, King said he felt divinely guided to move on. Despite his success, he felt there was a gap in the industry—there weren't enough Black-owned production companies creating these types of shows. "I'm very ambitious, but I also believe in God's timing," the Detroit native said. "God has this thing where he whispers to you and you have to be still in order to hear the small, still voice. I was doing that, and God just kept saying to me, 'Carlos, you need to move on. I know you're happy, you're making all this money.' All of that was great, but I knew there was more for me. When I decided to leave the show, I wanted to be somebody who was an agent of change, and that's what led me to create my production company Kingdom Reign Entertainment." His first major project under Kingdom Reign was Hollywood Divas for TV One. The series gave Black actresses—including Golden Brooks, Paula Jai Parker, Elise Neal, Countess Vaughn and Lisa Wu—a platform to share their personal journeys and ran for three seasons, helping to establish King's company as a major player in the industry. (L-R) Actress Countess Vaughn and Executive Producer Carlos King attend TV One's "Hollywood Diva's" Reunion Special Filming on July 13, 2016 in Glendale, California. (L-R) Actress Countess Vaughn and Executive Producer Carlos King attend TV One's "Hollywood Diva's" Reunion Special Filming on July 13, 2016 in Glendale, California. Earl Gibson III/Getty He has since gone on to build a diverse portfolio of projects, but one of his biggest successes has been the Love & Marriage franchise, which launched with Love & Marriage: Huntsville in 2019 on OWN. The concept for the show was born from King's vision to make the reality TV landscape richer in representation. "I am an openly gay Black man in this business where there's not a lot of us, so my mission statement when I created Kingdom Reign Entertainment was to make sure that I told diverse stories—that could be diverse in race, sexuality, but also diverse in terms of an equal playing field when it comes to men and women sharing the spotlight on television," he said. "Love & Marriage: Huntsville was created because, after coming from Housewives and Hollywood Divas, I wanted to do a show where men have great perspectives too. I don't think husbands are just somebody who comes into the kitchen [to observe]. "One thing I know about couples, pillow talk is at an all-time high. And men have strong opinions about their ladies' friends." The show became a ratings powerhouse for OWN, paving the way for multiple spinoffs. With Kingdom Reign now responsible for nearly 70 percent of OWN's original programming hours over the past year, King's impact on the network is undeniable. His work extends beyond OWN. He has collaborated with major networks like Netflix, producing Styling Hollywood, BET with BET Presents: The Encore and Lifetime's My Killer Body with K. Michelle. King's ability to tell diverse and engaging stories has been a driving force behind his success. "I'm most proud that I have created a safe space to give people of color the opportunity to tell their stories," he said. "I think that's the most fruitful blessing that I have in terms of creating a space for that for people in front of the camera. "But behind the cameras I have a large, diverse group of producers who come from all walks of life. To know that I've given opportunities to people of color to be first-time executives, first-time producers. I grow my team to excel in their own endeavors." Stepping in Front of the Camera In recent years, King has made his own moves from behind the scenes with his hit podcast and YouTube series Reality with the King, a shift that started after he was encouraged to host the reunion for the first successful season of Hollywood Divas. "That put my face on the map," King said. "I started to ride that wave by doing more speaking engagements. It was definitely something that I said, 'OK, I'm good at this, I think the audience likes me, let me see where this can go.' Thankfully it has been rewarding but also challenging." The move proved fruitful and now King hosts reunions for Love & Marriage and Belle Collective (which follows the lives of a group of businesswomen), twice-weekly episodes of his podcast—which drop Tuesdays and Thursdays—and YouTube live segments every Monday. "It's called Monday Night Live," King said. "Every Monday, I talk to my fans, called the 'Reigndrops.' We get 50,000 to 70,000 views per episode weekly. "So, I drop three episodes a week, I run a production company, we're in current production on my shows right now, I have to do meetings for the networks, do meetings with my producers. I've got to watch these episodes, get my notes on it. But because I love what I do, it doesn't feel like work." Stepping into the spotlight has not been without its challenges. "Being in front of the camera has a lot of blessings, there's a lot of pros with it; the cons are obviously I wasn't prepared for people just to make stuff up about me," King said. "That was sort of weird. No one prepares you for that until it happens. And it's a gut punch. "Thank God I'm spiritual and have my faith, so I'm able to understand that this isn't real. These are a bunch of strangers who just want to see you in this way. They may join in on negative conversations, but you know who you you have to always stay focused. So that's something I always tell myself. "It's easier said than done. However, it's the best advice that I give my reality stars. And when the tables turned, I said, 'Oh, I gotta practice what I preach.'" (L-R) Maurice Scott, Kimmy Grant Scott, Carlos King, Latisha Scott and Marsau Scott attend OWN's Love & Marriage: Huntsville Event with Carlos King at Nya Studios on November 06, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (L-R) Maurice Scott, Kimmy Grant Scott, Carlos King, Latisha Scott and Marsau Scott attend OWN's Love & Marriage: Huntsville Event with Carlos King at Nya Studios on November 06, 2024 in Los Angeles, OWN Staying True to Oneself Reality with the King continues to be popular in Apple's podcast charts, but the media mogul refuses to chase trends to stay ahead of the curve, instead preferring to listen to his gut when deciding which guests to pursue for the show and which concepts to develop for TV. "The beauty of my audience, they're very diverse," King said. "It's funny because my audio podcast listeners are largely white people and my YouTube channel is largely viewed by Black people, but in both arenas, I'm myself. I don't code switch for the audio. I'm just me. "As long as I remain myself, I feel like I can continue to have what we call in the business 'The Oprah Effect,' which is that she had the number one talk show for 25 consecutive years and she never changed who she was. "I don't want to cater to the younger audience by bringing on this young person who I don't have a connection with. You see a lot of podcast hosts who just interview anybody and I'm sure their team is saying, 'Interview this person. They have 20 million followers and they have a young demographic.' I don't look at myself that way. I look at it in terms of, if I'm not intrigued or curious, my audience [is] going to say, 'Carlos, you are phoning this interview in.' I'm known as the guy who asks the questions for the people." With the continued success of Love & Marriage: Detroit, which returned on April 12, and new projects in development, King shows no signs of slowing down. "We were greenlit for another season of Belle Collective, so the Belles are back and they are ringing," he teased. "I can't wait for you guys to see that. And of course many other things that I will wait until the network announces because I don't like to get in trouble, but we are cooking up some great things."
