8 Actresses Who Could Play Whitney Houston in Lifetime's Upcoming Biopic

 Angela Bassett rose to fame portraying iconic African-American women like Tina Turner and Betty Shabazz in Blockbuster biopics, so it is only fitting that in her directorial debut, the legendary actress will help bring the life of the late Whitney Houston to the small screen.Lifetime's  telepic Whitney Houston (working title) is slated to premiere in 2015.

 According to Lifetime, the made-for-tv movie will chronicle the tumultuous relationship between Houston and singer-songwriter Bobby Brown — from the time they first met at the very height of their celebrity through their courtship and rocky marriage.

 I don't know about you but when Whitney passed away, I cried for about a week. I cried in car as I listened to WBLS play "The Greatest Love of All".  I cried every time I turned on the tv and saw the young, exuberant Whitney we all fell in love with. In downward facing dog, there were tears falling on my yoga mat as my fellow yogis pretended not to notice the only Black girl in class having a breakdown. And during the televised funeral, at parts, I was straight hysterical.

 Please, don't laugh. I'm from Essex County, New Jersey. We claim Whitney s our own and we are forever proud of her, regardless of how the media has tried to spin her ups and downs. Nobody is perfect. Everyone has demons.

 Having said that, I feel relieved to know that Angela Bassett is at the artistic helm of the inevitable Whitney Houston movie.   Not only am I sure that Yale trained (shameless plug) thespian will make a solid director, I think it's safe to assume that as a master of her craft, and a personal friend of Whitney's, Bassett will coax an incredibly nuanced performance from the movie's lead actress.

 Which of course begs the question, who will play Whitney Houston? The actress will have to possess some physical likeness (don't pull a Nina Simone) and a deep emotional range in order to avoid playing Whitney as a one-dimensional erratic diva, the way the media often portrayed her in the years leading up to her death. Many names are being tossed around (including Willow Smith. #HaveASeat) but here are a few actresses that I personally think would do the role justice.  


Former soap star Renee Goldsberry is a triple threat. She can act, dance, and yes, she can saaang. She'd easily be able to put herself in Whitney's shoes and even recreate some of her earlier videos. Watch this clip of her singing on One Life to Live and you too will be convinced.  

Sharon Leal doesn't have the same name recognition of some of the other actresses on this list but in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married she proved that she had chops, and in Dreamgirls we learned that she could work a stage.

If Lauryn Hill is cast as Whitney Houston it will be OVAH! I mean, that would literally make my 2015. Lauryn is strikingly beautiful, she and Whitney share the same New Jersey roots, she's a great actress (remember Sister Act) and at home on a stage. Even more, I think Lauryn would be able to draw upon her own experience of  battling demons while under the glare of public scrutiny. More than any other actress, if properly coached,  Lauryn could deliver the most authentic performance. It would also be amazing for her career.

Tika Sumpter played Whitney Houston's daughter in the movie  Sparkle and I think she resembles a young Whitney Houston with her striking features, chocolate skin and statuesque body. Though she'd able to draw on her own experience with Houston, the role would likely be a stretch. Appearance wise, however, she'd be a great fit.

   

Yaya Dacosta is another actress who would probably have to step up to the plate skill-wise, but in terms of looks, DaCosta could be a dead ringer for a young Whitney Houston. There's also something about her presence, a certain je ne sai quoi, that makes her a very convincing super star.

Taraji P. Henson is the most skilled technician on the list and the Oscar nominated Baby Boy actress seems the most capable of expressing the seemingly contradictory aspects of Whitney's personality.  Whitney was at times a walking anomaly, one part world-class diva and one-part round-the-way. The thing about Whitney is, though  was heralded as one of the greatest singers of our time and by all means was a super star, she never stopped being Whitney from East Orange, New Jersey. People were shocked when she told Wendy Williams "If this were back in the day in Newark, I'd meet you outside," but that's who she was. That's why she loved Bobby. Not because he was so different from her, but because she could be herself around him. For this reason's, I think Taraji's own lack of affectation, her candor, would lend itself nicely to the role.

Joy Bryant is a strong actress (and Yalie) who's yet to get her big break. This movie could be her Introducing Dorothy Dandridge moment.

And finally, Meagan Good is my wild card. As an actress, it may be a stretch. We've never seen her in a nuanced role since Eves Bayou, and even then, her character was somewhat one-dimensional. Still, the real-life preacher's wife has gone on record to say she wants nothing more than to play the woman who once starred in The Preacher's Wife. Without a doubt, she will campaign for the role and likely be a front runner.

Ciara Poses Nude for Vibe...At what cost?

Ciara poses in the buff for the latest issue of Vibe Magazine. My thoughts: a gimmick to promote her latest project. Let's call a spade a spade. I hate to dismiss a public figure for posing in the nude, but I do question it.

One of the primary challenges that young Black women face is body consciousness, that is the manner in which we, as Black American women, conceptualize our bodies while growing up in a society that has historically sexualized us. When media images implicitly places value on the Black woman's sexuality, sensuality... her "vixenhood"... how do we develop a sense of respect for the divine gift that God gave us? When a notable star, an icon for young Black women, takes it all off for the sake promotion, it adds to this conflict.

Do some research on HIV/AIDS statistics. Black women between the ages of 15-24, the age group most influenced by media outlets like Vibe and the likes of Ciara, are contracting the disease at the fastest rate in this country, and primarily as a result of unprotected heterosexual intercourse. This means that there is a grave number of Black young women who don't feel strongly enough about their bodies to negotiate condom use and to not give themselves liberally to men who probably do not deserve them. We can not isolate the prevalence of promiscuity and unprotected sexual activity amongst young Black women from the culture. I'm not being holier than though, or puritanical, but seriously ladies... let's look at the picture. It's bleak.

Black women of all socioeconomic echelons are waging a battle for their sexual health and losing. We can no longer afford to be irresponsible about the mass messages that we dissiminate . Ciara's display treats the nude black body as a commodity. And let's face it, she is doing this to sell albums, sell magazines, and increase her star power. Her body, in this sense, is a commodity. Look at the second spread... it's not even 'artistic'. It's blatant, parted-lips, XXL, King-Style, sexual nudity intended to tittilate and suggest. When someone of her star power conducts herself in this manner, it says to her vulnerable fans that the exhibition of the body at whim is normal. It is okay. It is cool. It implies the sexuality is a viable path to notoriety and success. And as young women yearn to be popular and feel good about themselves, and many will model themselves after their cultural icons in doing so, it is no wonder that you can go to a Myspace or a Facebook page and see a half dressed young woman screaming for attention. It is no wonder that for many young ladies of color, their greatest aspiration is to dance half naked in a rap video for a paltry sum. And it is now wonder that there are countless Black women who would give of themselves and not even think twice about protection.

Please, let us as Black women and especially Black women in the public eye be sensitive to the plight of our young females for self-respect and sexual health. Let's be responsible. We owe at least that much to ourselves.

-Ike

Interview with Ananda Leeke, author of Love's Troubadours- Karma: Book One

Her self published debut novel, Love's Troubadoures-Karma: Book One has been described as "extraordinary", "soulful", "inspirational" and "one of the best written books of the year" by it's readers. In it, the author, Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke takes us on a spiritual and personal journey with heroine Karma Francois, a self proclaimed BOHO B.A.P., as she recouperates her life and learns to know and love herself in the process. I recently chatted with this phenomenal artist, yoga instructor and novelist about the book, of course, spirits that can talk, and a few things that her readers can learn from Karma Francios.


So, what was the inspiration for "Love's Troubadours"?

It was a long process. It took 10 years. The characters came to me at the Essence Music Festival in 1997. I was shaking my groove thang and the characters came to me. So instead of going to the workshops I was going to the book stores to get poetry books and to the voo doo sites and places the main characters would go. Karma's family is from New Orleans.


So the characters came to you? What was that like?


My spirituality is open to seeing and feeling my ancestors. I've always had a connection. Sometimes I'll see their face and I'll know that they're here with me. I don't have family in Louisiana but these characters came to me. First they came out in the poetry and I was like whose that?! I didnt' know how the novel was going to end. People would ask and I'd be like, "They didn't tell me yet". And it was over, I was like "Damn!" So that's how it ended.

Wow! Why do you think you felt a connection to Nawlins'.... ? It is a special city.

When my mom was pregnant with me she was close to a family from Lousisana and they'd always say we're going to put a hex on someone in the church. I stood up at Thanksgiving and I said, "It was you!" I kept trying to say why am I so connected to voo doo? And she said "Yeah, they were always talking about that and I was around them." I've always felt connected to New Orleans.

So you said that when the characters came to you, you responded with poetry. How did this morph into prose?

All I wrote was poetry and journal writing so there were these voices and I turned them into poetry. And I didn't want to write anything longer because I was lazy but these poems started to get into epic poems. They weren't meshing together because they were skipping around different periods of times---A few years later one of m y co workers suggested that I write a novel and I said, "No!" I thought it was too much. She was a published writer. She writes childrens books and I was sharing with her, how should I go about doing this. She told me, "this is not a poem any more. It's a story."

A year later I sent my friend a segment of my work. I asked him to read because I wanted to know if this was what a man would say. And then he called and said this is a novel this is so good. I said, I can't write this by myself."

So we started that journey in May of 2001 and in 2003 we finished it. He died and that shook me to my core. I didn't want to keep writing but I had a couple of agents who were very interested in my processs. They encouraged me and told me what I needed to do and it would take another two years.--- It's not somethign that I volunteered to do because I was resisting. I chose it, it didn't choose me.


So what do you think sets "Love's Troubadours" apart from other books in the genre?

It's very different than most books who are there now about African American women. I wrote a book that I wanted to read. The way it's different, and there's some great books that are out there, is that [in the novel] there are a wide variety of people of African descent and their lives and their sexual orientations and their spiritualities and you don't see that in most books.

The cover is different. It's not a woman that is barely clothed or holding a martini or coming out of bed, and not that there arent any erotic scenes, but it makes you think and realize that there are different types of women. The other thing is that I dont 'think they're are a lot of books that celebrate what it's like to be in our communities with Black poeple who are educated, who've gone to HBCU's or ivy-leagues. You don't see museum curators. I popped alot in---I wanted to make people aware of what our life is like. The messsage is that we are different.

I read the synopsis and I'm definitely intrigued. Can you tell us a little bit more about what your novel is about?

"Love's Troubadours" is about a 30 somehting african-american women named Karma Francois. She hails from Oakland California and she is a BOHO BAP (Bohemian Black American Princess) Her mother is a socialite with very deep upper middle class upbringing from New Orleans and she's a hurricane! And Karma has a twin sister who is nothing like her. She follows her mother and is controlled by her. Karma has lived an interesting life in NYC and she loses her job as a museum curator, not because she did anything wrong. She was just on the wrong side and she doesn't have a plan b. She's lived a good life. Her credit cards are maxed out and she doesn't want to return home to her mother, so she ops to go to DC where she has family who owns a condominium.

She lives in this condo at 16th and U. She's cropping out a gypsy existance as a Jo' of many trades. She trained to be a yoga teacher in college and she ends up having to do that to make ends meet. She's an art consultant and she's a museum curator at Howard University Gallery of Art. All of these are periodic gigs. It's not a full time job.

She teaches Yoga at the Our Womanist Spirit Center and it's like a community center for sisters an dthey have this monthly events. And while she's htere her ant arranges for her to see a therapist threatens "If you don't go I'm giong to tell your mother and you know you don't want that." So, Karma starts to get therapy and she runs away and she goes back to it. In this process she gets to know 6 other women and they call themselves the sister 7. None of them get into her life but they're all sharing. And finally she begins to share and she gets so much affirmation and support.

She discovers some family secrets about her dad and it throws her for a loop. It causes so much drama between her family and she has to forgive her family. And during all of this she is guided by faith. She learns a lot about trusting the universe and to stop resisting the challenges and to be right there with them.



Fly Funky Diva features a lot of posts about relationships that emphasize to women that we must first love ourselves, and complete ourselves, before we can truly love another. We can't seek a relationship from a place of shallowness because we will inevitably attract a shallow relationship in return. I understand that your book touches on this same philosophy. Can you elaborate?

Karma has that same experience. I think society tells us as women that you're supposed to nurture and be concerned about the relationship.It's programmed in you that a relationship is the be all and end all. Karma discovers that she has to have a relationship with herself.

The scripture says" Love your neighbor as you love yourself", you know? Love yourself!There's something about that that we don't quite get. Karma learns by watching her mother. She thinks she's loving herself but she doesn't realize that it is a process. She learns how to accept herself; the stuff she likes, the stuff she doesn't like. She learns to embrace all of that and when she does she starts to attract people her accept her. The level at which you can accept yourself is the level at which you can attract people who can acccept you.

The moral of the story is to take the time to find out who you are, and it's important to know your likes, but find out inside of you what makes you tick. From your spirit and not necessarily the spirituality you got as a child. That may not be it. Maybe you need to explore meditation or yoga. But things like over drinking and eating, smoking, choosing partners that may not be good for us; anything you do in excess is a sign that you need to look inward.




I don't have a perfect life but I have learned that being by my self and being still and surrendering to the spirits and finding wisdom works for me.




















For more information on Love's Troubadour's you can visit the official website or purchase the book at Amazon.



You can also take a virtual walk tour of places featured in the novel with Ananda.









Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke is a yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, artist, and writer. Her poetry appeared in Beyond the Frontier: African American Poetry for the 21st Century. Leeke is a graduate of Morgan State University, Howard University School of Law, and Georgetown University Law Center. She lives in Washington, DC.

Jill Scott to Star in HBO Detective Series

HBO will partner with The Weinstein Company and the BBC to bring Alexander McCall Smith's international bestselling book series "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" to television. Grammy Award winner Jill Scott ("Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married?") stars in the series, whose two-hour pilot was recently filmed on location in Botswana under the direction of Academy Award(r) winner Anthony Minghella ("Cold Mountain," "The English Patient") from a script by Minghella and Academy Award nominee Richard Curtis ("Four Weddings and a Funeral," HBO's "The Girl in the Café"), who also executive produce.

(Courtesy of Black Talent News)

Angela Basset Recieves Star in Hollywood's "Walk of Fame"

Actress Angela Basset recieved a star on Hollywoods "Walk of Fame" this past Thursday March 20, 2008 and it was an emotion-filled experience. "Today my cup runneth over" said Basset to a crowd of proud on-lookers including former co-stars Laurence Fishburn and Forest Whitaker. "I am crying now, I cried yesterday and the day before."Angela Basset, veritably one of the finest actresses that Hollywood has ever seen, is finally getting the recognition she deserves. Her performance as Tina Turner in the biopic "What's Love Got to Do With It" earned her a Oscar nomination. Other powerful and memorable performances include her portray of Betty Shabbazz in Spike Lee's "Malcom X" and of Bernadine in the film adaptation of Terry McMillan's "Waiting to Exhale". She is currently cast to portray Voletta Wallace, mother of late rapper Notorious B.I.G. in his biopic film "Notorious".

Suzan-Lori Parks to direct Broadway Revival of August Wilson's "Fences"

"Fences," the first play in August Wilson's 10-play cycle, will be revived in the fall in a Broadway production to be directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks ("Topdog/Underdog"). Carole Shorenstein Hays, the San Francisco-based producer who presented the original production of"Fences" is behind the revival. Set in the 1950s, "Fences" tells the story of Troy Maxon, once a famous baseball player in the Negro Leagues and now a proud garbage collector, father and husband. When his youngest son is offered a football scholarship, Troy must reconcile his anger at past racial inequities with wanting the best for his family's future. James Earl Jones won a Best Actor Tony as Troy in the original production, which also starred Mary Alice, Courtney B. Vance and Frankie Faison. The original production earned the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as four Tony Awards, including Best Play.
"Fences" is currently being presented as part of the Kennedy Center's "August Wilson's 20th Century" series.The production is expected to open in the fall, with specific dates, theater, and cast information to be announced at a later date.Wilson died of liver cancer in 2005, at the age of 60. During his lifetime he was the recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony Award, two Drama Desks, seven New York Drama Critics Circle Awards, and numerous other honors, all of which he achieved before . His other plays include "Gem of the Ocean," "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "The Piano Lesson," "Seven Guitars," "Two Trains Running," "Jitney," "King Hedley II," and "Radio Golf."

(Courtesy of Black Talent News Feed)

Tyler Perry Plans to Direct a Barack-Michelle Inspired Love Story

At a press conference for his upcoming film, "Meet the Browns," Tyler Perry announced that he's working on a film project inspired by the relationship between Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle. "For the Love You" is about a man's love for his woman. "It's an amazing story," Perry says. Perry came up with the idea after having dinner with the Obama's and after watching Barack debate with Hillary. He described it as "a love story with a political twist," Perry says he hopes he can cast Angela Bassett and Denzel Washington.Perry is determined to get this project made. The actor-writer-director who has partnered with Lionsgate on his five feature films, says "if they won't do it, I'll do it with someone else." Producing partner Reuben Cannon hinted that the project might go into production by the end of the year.

(Courtesy of Black Talent News Feed)

India Arie to star in Broadway Revival of "For Colored Girls"

Grammy winner India.Arie is headed to Broadway to star in a revival of Ntozake Shange's "for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf." The Tony Award-nominated and Obie-winning drama which tells the interwoven stories of seven women, is expected to open early August in a theatre yet to be announced.
Shirley Jo Finney will direct the production, which will feature choreography by Tony winner Hinton Battle. Whoopi Goldberg and DreamTeam Entertainment Group (Victor Walker, Harold Wheeler and Ned Goldstein) are the executive producers.
Arie's previous acting credits include a short run portraying Nina Simone on NBC's "American Dreams."

(Courtesy of Black Entertaint News Feed)

Beyonce, Idris Elba to star in "Obsessed"

Beyonce Knowles ("Dreamgirls"), Idris Elba ("American Gangster") and Ali Larter ("Heroes," "Resident Evil") have been tapped for Screen Gems' thriller "Obsessed." Knowles will play the wife of a successful asset manager (Elba) who has a Fatal Attraction-type temp office worker (Larter) stalking him. Steve Shill (NBC's "Knight Rider" telepic) will direct from a script by David Loughery. Beyonce will executive produce along with her father, Mathew Knowles and Will Packer ("This Christmas") of Rainforest Films. Screen Gems topper Clint Culpepper is overseeing the project.Knowles is producing and co-starring as Etta James in Sony BMG's "Cadillac Records." Elba next stars in Screen Gems' "Prom Night."Production will begin this summer.

(Courtesy of Black Talent News Feed)

The Boondocks Episode, "Hunger Strike", that was Banned From TV

WATCH WHILE YOU CAN!!!

This is the episode of "Boondocks" that was banned from television by network execs (Viacom) who would have had a fit if this was shown. It is a brilliantly done satire about an evil Cruela Devil-like BET executive( at the beck and call of her white superiors) out to do what "hundreds of years of slavery, Jim Crow and malt liquor" could not; destroy the Black race. Now, we all know that BET is carcinogenic. We all know that watching that network ritually is about as good for you as inhaling second hand smoke on a daily basis. Nevertheless, what this episode does best is shed light on the nature of our contemporary Black leaders, some of whom (I won't name names, that's tacky) in their attempt to enlighten the "hip hop generation" about social change, fall into same decadence of those they criticize. In this epoisode, "Hunger Strike" food becomes a metaphor for this decadence of which I speak. The activist figure, Rollo Good Love, who oddly resembles a cross between Al-Sharpton and Ronald Isley, believes that he can effect change from within by joining the very entertainment world that he speaks against. But in doing so, he becomes blindsighted by his own celebrity. We should remember that a civic leader is a position of service. While notariety may come with it, the moment that a leader is motivated by achieving self glory he becomes ineffective. It's just a good episode. Watch it while you can. I'm sure that it will mysterioulsy vanish from the internet as it has done several times before.

"It's 2 PM, time for our morning staff meeting."
"When I sit and watch BET my dignity is sucked away."

Girlfriends' Creator Releases Statement on its Cancellation

Mara Brock Akil, creator and executive producer of The CW's "Girlfriend," released a statement today regarding the series' abrupt cancellation this week. Fans were outraged that the eight-year-old series did not have a proper finale episode.





"Although it's always difficult to say goodbye, I choose to focus my energy on the history that Girlfriends has made, the human stories that we told, the beautifully complex images that we projected and the blessings 172 episodes bestowed on us, both personally and professionally," Akil said."I am immensely thankful to the amazingly talented cast, writers, directors, staff and crew for their endless dedication and hard work for eight seasons, to the network that always wanted us and the studio that always supported us, but mostly to the audience, especially African-American women, who took the time to tune into us every Monday night at nine to have a dialogue with us and who have been our partner in this journey. I am currently in talks with the studio and network on putting together a retrospective show which will honor and celebrate this landmark series, so please stay tuned."





Girlfriends, said to be the Black "Sex and the City" was witty, provacative, and one of the few shows willing to portray women of color in a positive light. It will be missed by many and we can only hope that another sitcom will emerge in its place. Reality TV has bared a catastrophic effect on the reputation of the Black female in the eye of the world. "Flavor of Love", "Charm School", and more have gone out of their way to make the Black female archetype hyper-sexualized, abrasive, and crude. In fact there is nothing reality about it. We must thank Girl Friends for telling a story of four women that conveyed realities to which many Black women really do relate.

On a final note, Toni Child's exit was really when the show jumped ship. I loved her character and honestly related to her the most. However, I thought Keesha Sharpe was a wonderful and beautiful actress and she ultimately added to the show, not as a replacemnt of course, in lieu of Toni's exit. I wish her and the entire cast of Girlfriends the best.




( a portion of this blog was provided by http://www.blacktalentnews.com/)

Beyonce to portray Etta James in Movie

Beyonce ("Dreamgirls") is big screen bound to portray legendary blues singer Etta James in "Cadillac Records." She will also serve as one of the movie's executive producers. Jeffrey Wright, Cedric the Entertainer, and Columbus Short also star in the film.

(http://www.blacktalentnews.com/)

Ruby Dee and Queen Latifah win SAG Awards

Veteran thesp Ruby Dee was honored with the coveted Screen Actors Guild Actor® statuette in the supporting-actress category for her turn as Denzel Washington’s mother, Mama Lucas, in Universal Pictures' “American Gangster.” Queen Latifah won for outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or miniseries for her role as Ana in HBO's "Life Support."

(photo and feed credits attributed to www.blacktalentnews.com)

Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans star in The Color Purple

Legendary vocalists Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans joined the Broadway cast of The Color Purple in the roles of Sofia and Harpo respectively on January 9th 2008. Chaka will only perform in evening performances. American idol finalist, Lakisha Jones, will perform Sofia during matinees and 'church soloist' in the evenings. If you haven't seen this amazing musical, now is a great time to do so. For the chance to see Chaka on broadway, I would even suggest seeing it again.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" starring Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis

2008 appears to be the year for Blacks on Broadway. Already The Color Purple still reigns supreme on Broadway and Debbie Allen's bringing an all star line-up for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in April. Now former Idol stars Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis will star in an off-Broadway national tour of "Ain't Misbehavin'". The musical comedy is set to the incredible music of "Fats" Waller with the exuberant backdrop of 1930's Harlem. This show, which originally debuted on the Great White Way in 1978, is considered a musical theater classic. Specific tour dates will be announced at a later date. See it if you can.

This Christmas

Morning Divas,

So last night my friend and I saw "This Christmas". This modern day interpretation of "Mama I want to Sing" was suprisingly cute. It had a rich plot and a great cast; Loretta Devine, Sharon Leal, Chris Brown, Regina King, Mekhi Pfeiffer, Idris Elba, that guy from Soul Food... And it really spoke to the importance of family. Friends come and go, but family is the rock.

Now I must say, I adore Sharon Leal. This is like her moment as the 'it' black actress. Dream Girls, Why Did I get Married, and now This Christmas. But she's stunning, multi-talented (she's a singer), and she has this wonderful charisma on the screne.

I didn' t know why little girls went crazy about Chris Brown but now I do. Yeah, he can hold a tune, but more than that, he has presence on par with Little Michael. He really can light up a screne with just his smile. Both of his performances in the movie, Try a Little Tenderness and This Christmas had me bopping my head and grinning.

And finally, thank you Regina King for looking amazing! Regina had two scenes in nothing but bra and panties, a rarity for actresses who are over 35 or size 2. May I just say, Regina's is a Brick House Diva, with beautiful hips and thighs, but she was so toned and fit. She reminded the world how beautiful the Black woman's body is... God's greatest work of art. Thank you Regina!

With flyness and funk,

Ike

Cat on the Hot Tin Roof Coming To Broadway!!!

Terrence Howard will make his Broadway debut as the lead in Debbie Allen's production of Cat on the Hot Tin Roof. This will be the fourth time that the play is on Broadway, and the first time it is done with an all African American casts. Other notable cast members include stage legends Phyllicia Rashad, James Earl Jones, and Dreamgirls' Anika Noni Rose. The play goes up March 6, 2008 at the Broadhurst theater and tickets will be on sale through April.

Visit the official website for tickets and more show info.

You won't want to miss this historic event.

Saleisha Wins

Evening diva's,

Listening to the dream girl soundtrack, nursing a hurt stomach in and a little bit of a broken heart. It's final's week. Life is crazy and so is learning about humility.

Nevertheless, congrats to Saleisha Stowers on winning America's Next Top Model. I, like Tyra, never thought she'd make it into the final 3. She is, at best, pretty "black girl next door" and her sweet personality is often times exasperating and a bit forced. I originally cheered Bianca. I thought she had a wonderful exotic look, but a rotten personality... almost reminescent of Jade's arrogance and inability to empathize with others. I hated how she treated Heather. Jenna, hands down, was the strongest model in the house, but seeing that Tyra feels she must humble the girls and impose emotional break downs break downs in order to create some Cinderella Effect, guarded Jenna had no chance.

But after the Covergirl commercial, it was a wrap. Saleisha has fantastic camera presence. She's charming, confident, and articulate (so important). Plus, her runway walk is fierce. So more power to her. You go girl!

... I wonder if BET will take Saleisha under their wing, as they've done with previous Top Model Queens Eva and Tacara.

More flyness to come, promise. Soon as I get finished writing these papers!

-With flyness, funk and finals,
IKE

Raisin moves from Broadway to NBC to Sundance

The all-star Broadway cast of Lorraine Hansberry's legendary play "A Raisin in the Sun" reunited to do a made for TV movie that will premiere on Feb. 25th, 2008 on ABC. It has also been selected for showing at Sundance, a rarity for tv movies.