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Tag: Patti LaBelle

  • Morris Chestnut: Returning to Roots with New ‘V’ TV Series

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    Boyz n The Hood
    Black Hollywood heart-throb Morris Chestnut is making a return to where he began; the ‘Boyz n the Hood’ actor stars in the new ABC series ‘V,’ which premieres Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. ET.

    The thrilling new drama is a reimagining of the hit 1980s series about the world’s first alien encounter. With huge spaceships simultaneously appearing over 29 cities around the world, the Visitors (or V’s) seem to promote a message of peace. Through their generous offer to share advanced technology, the V’s quickly build a following that may be overlooking a more malevolent agenda.

    Chestnut plays Ryan Nichols, a Wall Street whiz who is faced with a life-altering decision when the V’s show up. It’s a long way from his early days – where he cut his teeth starring in the Patti LaBelle-fronted sitcom in the early 1990s.

    Since then, he’s become a urban movie box-office draw with movies such as ‘The Best Man,’ ‘Two Can Play That Game’ and ‘Not Easily Broken.’

    Doing a show like nothing else currently on TV is what prompted the Cerritos, California native to get back into the small screen.

    “This was not a science-fiction show that was going to be driven by special effects,” he told USA Today. “This was a science-fiction show that was going to be driven by the characters with special effects as a backdrop, and that was what appealed to me.”

     

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  • Tyler Perry: Responding to Spike Lee’s ‘Coonery’ Criticism

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    Tyler Perry: Responds to Spike Lee

    With eight consistent films under his belt, Tyler Perry has overcome the odds of not only his upbringing but also setting the bar as one of Hollywood’s most relentless and profitable directors. As his dear friend and mentor, Oprah Winfrey recently stated, “Do not play him small, because he is not some lucky rich negro!” This and much more was all discussed on tonight’s episode of the long-running newsmagazine show ’60 Minutes,’ where the critically acclaimed director-actor discussed an array of topics including being abused by his father, Emmitt, as a child to firing back at Spike Lee‘s controversial comments comparing Perry’s body of work to “coonery and buffoonery.”

    Check out a video clip of Tyler Perry’s reaction to Spike Lee below.

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    Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
    Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
    In just four years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.
    WireImage for TV Guide / Everett / FilmMagic
    BlackVoices.com

    Six Degrees of Tyler Perry

      Six Degrees of Tyler Perry
      In just three years, Tyler Perry has become the toast of Hollywood. Could you name another director black or white who can boast of having released six feature movie projects within a three year period? Nope. Not only did the New Orleans native write all of the storylines for the films, he starred in four. Combined, five of the films have grossed upwards of $250 million worldwide, some within budgets below $6 million. And with the major money train also comes associating with some of the biggest names in and out of the entertainment business. BlackVoices.com takes an introspective look at how a former homeless man turned chit’lin circuit theater czar has connections to the likes of Michael Jackson, Denzel Washington, Whitney Houston and Will Smith, to name a few. Check out Six Degrees of Tyler Perry.

      Tyler Perry
      The best-selling playwright turned Hollywood hot-shot (real name: Emmitt R. Perry, Jr.) was born Sept. 14, 1969 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

      Ray Nagin
      Another New Orleans native, Ray Nagin, Jr. was elected into the office of Mayor of the Crescent City on March 6, 2002.

      Labelle
      Known as the music capitol of the Gulf Coast, New Orleans was also the setting for ‘Lady Marmalade,’ a hit song from 1970s glam-soul trio Labelle, comprised of Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sara Dash.

      Lenny Kravitz
      Modern day rock & roll demigod Lenny Kravitz is one of the top-notch talents chosen to produce Labelle’s long-awaited reunion album, ‘Back to Now,’ due out later this year via Verve Records.

      Lisa Bonet
      ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘A Different World’ star Lisa Bonet eloped with Lenny Kravitz in November 1987. Their daughter Zoe Isaballe Kravitz was born the next year. The couple separated in 1991.

      Gary Dourdan
      ‘C.S.I.’ actor Gary Dourdan played Cree Summer‘s character’s love interest Shazza Zulu on the NBC sitcom ‘A Different World,’ which was originally developed as a spin-off vehicle for Lisa Bonet. The Philadelphia native appeared on 13 episodes from 1991 to 1992.

      Janet Jackson
      Gary Dourdan also played the love interest of Janet Jackson in the music video for her chart-topping ballad, ‘Again,’ in 1993.

      Tyler Perry
      Janet Jackson starred in the lead role of Tyler Perry‘s box office smash, ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ The twice divorced pop star won an NAACP Image Award for her performance.

      Ruben Cannon
      One of the most respected executives in Hollywood, Ruben Cannon has served as a casting director of film and TV projects dating all the way back to 1977. He co-executive produced Tyler Perry‘s ‘Why Did I Get Married?’

     

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