leslie odom
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My Favorite Books by Black Authors for 2023
A rock legend's memoir, a beautiful book of poems about fatherhood and a history book that's real AF were some of my favorite books by Black authors this year
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'There's a Double Standard': André Leon Talley Talks Possible Eviction and Pay Inequity at Vogue in Discussion With Tamron Hall
One of the most formidable forces in fashion is also known for his forthcoming commentary—legendary editor André Leon Talley rarely minces words, whether giving incisive commentary on a runway look, or writing a bestselling (and bombshell) memoir, 2020’s The Chiffon Trenches. The latter is making its debut in paperback this week, which should be a…
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Critic’s Choice Awards 2021: Chadwick Boseman, Daniel Kaluuya, John Boyega Among Winners
On Sunday night, the 26th Annual Critic’s Choice Awards ceremony aired live on the CW. Hosted by All American’s Taye Diggs, the evening kicked off with some expected wins but y’all know how we roll over here— so let’s get to a few of the Blackity-black highlights. Per a press release sent to The Root,…
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Glamour Optional: In a Very Unbecoming Year, Black Celebs Gave the Golden Globes Some Style
If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to have Al Pacino on your biweekly Zoom meeting, you likely found out Sunday night. In addition to all the woker-than-thou snide remarks about the all-white Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the 78th Annual Golden Globes, were, in a word, awkward. While we’ve all become well-accustomed to…
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Exclusive: Regina King Explains Why She Chose Kingsley Ben-Adir to Portray Malcolm X for One Night in Miami
Regina King’s feature directorial debut may chronicle one epic night, but she has many prominent days and nights to follow as the buzz mushrooms into a cloud of pressure, anticipation and attention. Recently premiering at the 2020 Venice Film Festival, One Night in Miami made history as being the first-ever film helmed by a Black…
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10 Things I Do That Make My Wife Think I'm Addicted to Hamilton. I Disagree; Everybody Does This Stuff, Right?
My wife made a comment to me the other day that implied that maybe she thinks I’m addicted, or perhaps overly enthusiastically engaged with the extremely famous musical, Hamilton. Yes, that one. I made some comment where I slyly—and aptly— worked in a quote from a song and when she didn’t know what I was…
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Regina King Says Her Feature Directorial Debut Could 'Open Doors or Close Doors for More Black Female Directors'
I don’t know if you know this, but Regina King is kind of a big deal. The Oscar-winning actress is specifically a big deal at the 2020 Venice Film Festival having made history as the first Black woman director to have a film selected for the prestige festival with her feature directorial debut, One Night…
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Tune-In: The AAFCA TV Honors Are Going Virtual in 2020 and Janet Mock Has Been Named Creative of the Year
It’s time to celebrate the best in Black entertainment, hosted by the African American Film Critics Association! Due to the global pandemic, I’m sure y’all know things will be a bit different this year. The inaugural AAFCA TV Honors were held in Marina Del Rey, California, but of course, 2020 is the year of the…
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A List of Characters in Hamilton Who Also Should've Shot Alexander Hamilton in the Face
1. At least once a week, 50 Cent does or says a thing that makes you think “Yeah, I see why people want to kill you.” Alexander Hamilton was (spoiler alert) killed by Aaron Burr, but like 17 different people had good reason to kill him too. The homie Bassey put it best: “Not enough…
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I Know I'm Late and Maybe Exaggerating a Bit but Renée Elise Goldsberry's 'Satisfied' Performance Is the Best Thing That's Ever Happened in the History of the Universe
I was prepared to hate it. While in London last year, I was invited by Ebele Okobi—my host the week I was there—to attend a showing of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, and I had my “I’m gonna hate this shit” cup of tea ready to sip. I knew it was Founding Father fan…