Entertainment

Oprah Winfrey, left and Taraji P. Henson attend THR Presents Live: The Color Purple on December 11, 2023 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes/The Hollywood Reporter

Taraji P. Henson Finally Addresses Those Rumors of Drama With Oprah During ‘The Color Purple’

Taraji P. Henson is finally clearing the air when it comes to "The Color Purple" drama and those rumors of a rift between her and Oprah Winfrey. In case you forgot, Henson stepped into the iconic role of Shug Avery in Warner Bros' flashy musical film reboot of "The Color Purple" in 2023. While promoting the film, Henson went viral while sitting down with Gayle King, breaking down in tears over the pay disparity in Hollywood, especially as a Black actress. Many saw this as her taking a shot at Oprah, especially due to the fact that Winfrey was one of the main producers on the film. On the latest episode of "The Breakfast Club," however, she finally set the record straight. Host Charlamagne Tha God brought up the topic directly, saying that a lot of people thought Henson was "kicking Tyler Perry and Oprah's back in" when she made

Spoilers! Now That Sinners is Streaming, Here's Symbolism You Probably Missed

Entertainment

Entertainment, Music

It’s Official: Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city Is the Longest-Running Hip-Hop Studio Album in Billboard 200 History

Kendrick Lamar has made hip-hop history. His 2012 studio album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, has appeared on the Billboard 200 chart for the most weeks of any hip-hop studio album ever, pushing Eminem out of that No. 1 spot. As of Sunday, good kid, m.A.A.d city has sat on the Billboard 200 chart for 358…

By

Dara Sharif

Published

September 16, 2019
Entertainment, Television

SNL Cans (Not-So) Funnyman Shane Gillis Over Racial Slur, and He’s Like, ‘Whatever, I Liked Mad TV’

A moment when fans should have been focused on celebrating the fact that Saturday Night Live had (finally!) promoted an Asian American, Bowen Yang, to join its cast of characters on the long-running NBC sketch comedy, was rudely interrupted by the racially-slurred past of one of the show’s other new hires—that of basic comic Shane…

By

Dara Sharif

Published

September 16, 2019
Entertainment

Colin Kapernick Nabs Emmy For Controversial Nike Ad

Nike took a major gamble aligning its brand with exiled quarterback Colin Kapernick—and on Sunday, their risk yielded what most would’ve never expected: an Emmy. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Nike’s controversial “Dream Crazy” ad featuring the former NFL star won for Outstanding Commercial at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The controversial two-minute ad…

By

Jay Connor

Published

September 16, 2019
Entertainment

Lupita Nyong’o Will Be Spreading Black Girl Literary Magic as HBO Max Orders Series Based on the Novel, Americanah

Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o will soon be appearing on the small screen as star of her long-time passion project, Americanah, based on the best-selling 2013 novel by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. According to Deadline, HBO Max has ordered a limited series based on the book, of which Nyong’o has long been a fan and working…

By

Dara Sharif

Published

September 13, 2019
Entertainment, Music

Watch the Never-Made Music Video for Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’

Editor’s note: The Root was a media sponsor of this year’s Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference event and panel discussion exploring the marriage of art and activism. When Motown Records came up with the idea to celebrate its 60th anniversary by creating visuals for songs that preceded the music video era, perhaps no other…

By

Michael Harriot

Published

September 13, 2019
Entertainment

TIFF 2019: Harriet Isn’t the Epic, Raw Tale You’re Waiting For

“Harriet’s a film about freedom; it’s not about slavery,” director Kasi Lemmons mused amid the clinking and clanking of silverware as myself and several other black critics surrounded her during an intimate dinner at a swanky Toronto hotel. This line would stay with me as I warred with just how I felt leaving the theater…

By

Tonja Renée Stidhum

Published

September 13, 2019
Entertainment

Rihanna Says You’d Be a Fool to Ignore Climate Change

Our world is changing. Weather consistency is a thing of the past and we are clearly dealing with the repercussions of climate change. Glaciers are melting, sea levels are rising, and it’s not looking too good for mother earth. Your country’s current “leadership” scoffs at the idea that climate change is crippling our planet and…

By

Corey Townsend

Published

September 13, 2019
Entertainment, Music

Pop Up, Guess Who? That’s Right, Cardi B Leads 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards With 10 Nominations

Cardi B don’t need more press, but she’s getting some today! Okurrr! The “Press” artist leads the pack, racking in 10 nominations for the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards. She is in the running for top categories such as Best Hip Hop Video, Single of the Year, MVP of the Year and more. Second place…

By

Tonja Renée Stidhum

Published

September 13, 2019
Entertainment, Television

Through Thick and Thin: New Black-ish Episode Will Feature Girlfriends Reunion

It’s the cross-over many Tracee Ellis Ross fans (uhhh, all of us) have been thirsting for for years: watching her Black-ish and Girlfriends universes colliding. Golden Brooks, Persia White, and Jill Marie Jones will guest-star on an upcoming episode of the hit ABC show—the first time all four Girlfriends stars have reunited on the small…

By

Anne Branigin

Published

September 12, 2019
Entertainment

TIFF 2019: Hustlers Showcases Sisterhood at the Expense of Wall Street and I Love to See It

America can be a dog-eat-dog world, but what if the hungriest dogs are bad bitches? Hustlers stars Constance Wu (as Destiny), Jennifer Lopez (as Ramona), Julia Stiles (as magazine reporter, Elizabeth), Lili Reinhart (as Annabelle) and KeKe Palmer (as Mercedes). Cardi B and Lizzo make quick, yet memorable appearances, as well. IMDb breaks down the…

By

Tonja Renée Stidhum

Published

September 12, 2019