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Jussie Smollett’s ‘Jamal’ to Be Removed from Final 2 Episodes of Season 5, Empire Executive Producers Confirm
Jamal Lyon is tapping out for a bit. According to a statement provided to The Root via 20th Century Fox Television, Jussie Smollett’s role will be removed from the final two episodes of Empire’s 5th season. The statement was released on behalf of Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Brett Mahoney, Brian Grazer, Sanaa Hamri, Francie Calfo…
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Official Statement Report: Jussie Smollett Feels 'Betrayed' by 'Organized Law Enforcement Spectacle'
Following Jussie Smollett’s arrest and the subsequent press conference by the Chicago Police Department led by Superintendent Eddie Johnson and Commander of Area Central Detectives Edward Wodnicki, we’re hearing from the Empire actor’s legal team. “Mr. Smollett is a young man of impeccable character and integrity who fiercely and solemnly maintains his innocence and feels…
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The Twilight Zone Trailer: Jordan Peele's Mind Is Out of This Dimension
We’re entering Jordan Peele’s dimension—also known as his mind, y’all. Peele’s reboot of the Rod Serling classic The Twilight Zone now has an official trailer, and I can’t wait to get lost in the world he creates. “Everything that happens in this universe has to be the way it is,” we hear in the voiceover…
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Showtime Orders New Lena Waithe/Cathy Kisakye Pilot to Show You How to Make Love to a Black Woman
Lena “Scooping Up All The Creative Projects Because This a Black Renaissance Redux, Bih” Waithe has a new and super interesting project in the works. As you may know, the writer-producer-actress currently has a first-look deal with Showtime, with its first notable project being The Chi. Now, the premium cable network has given a pilot…
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Jussie Smollett Arrested, Police Claim Actor Was Upset Over Salary as Motive for Apparent Staged Attack [Updated]
This is a mess. Less than a month since news surfaced of Jussie Smollett’s alleged homophobic and racist attack on Jan. 29, things have spiraled into an unexpected circus. Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi has confirmed Smollett was arrested and is currently in custody, Deadline reports. A bail hearing will be scheduled for Thursday…
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Oscar Nominee Hannah Beachler Talks Breaking Ceilings and What’s Next: ‘Black People Belong in Space’
It’s almost been a year to the day since Black Panther production designer Hannah Beachler walked The Root (and our readers!) through the enticing world of Wakanda—a world we’d come to uphold forever. Speaking to Beachler, her husky voice warms over you like the homegirl you always had—or wanted. Making history as the first African…
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Steve Harvey Admits He Used 'a Bad Choice of Words' During Heated Debate With Mo'Nique
It’s settled—Steve Harvey just needs to “slow down.” Harvey recently invited Mo’Nique on his daytime talk show, Steve, to finally address the elephant in the room, comedian-to-comedian. Both held their ground, with Mo’Nique refusing to sacrifice her integrity for money, despite Harvey’s almost-pleading protests. Harvey’s argument was that she was essentially destroying her legacy with…
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Crusted-Over Mayo Casserole Michael Rapaport Tried to Come for Meek Mill and Got That Same Energy in Return
The sentient scab known as Michael Rapaport is once again overusing whatever cookout invite coupon, someone, unfortunately, decided to give him, obviously ignoring the “single use only” caveat. According to Philly.com, Rapaport’s latest overstep went down like this: After Meek Mill performed at the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday… No one: Michael Rapaport: Okay, but…
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Daniel Kaluuya and Lakeith Stanfield in Talks to Star in Fred Hampton Film Produced by Ryan Coogler
A film about Fred Hampton is coming from Warner Brothers, reportedly titled Jesus Was My Homeboy. Hampton was the founder and chairman of the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther Party. On Dec. 4, 1969, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation ordered Chicago police to infiltrate the party’s headquarters.…
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Negro Noir: The Preacher’s Son Truly Pops Off During the Last 15 Minutes
Movies that are “so bad, they’re good” are one of life’s unsung treasures. And like anything, adding blackness to that principle is like adding proper seasoning. Thus, I introduce you to our new series reviewing/recapping bad black movies, Negro Noir. As our queen-in-chief Danielle Belton pointed out, it’s so black, the title of the series…
