Entertainment Archives - L.A. Focus News

Brittney Griner Sentenced to Nine Years

Written by lafocus on August 4, 2022. Posted in Entertainment. Leave a Comment

Kisha Smith, Staff

Today, in a Russian court, WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian penal colony and a fine of $16,000. This, despite defense team’s arguments that the two-time Olympic gold medalist said that she mistakenly packed the medical marijuana—used to treat pain from injuries suffering playing basketball—while rushing.

Before the sentence was handed down, the eight-time WNBA All-Star apologized to her teams in Russia and the United States as well as to her wife and family. “I never meant to hurt anybody, to put in jeopardy the Russian population or violate any Russian laws. I made an honest mistake,” she said, while noting that she had not promoted talk centering on her being a political pawn and hoped it would not impact sentencing.

Biden did not however hold back upon hearing the sentence.

“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence that is one more reminder of what the world already knew: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney…I call on Russia to release her immediately so she can be with her wife, loved ones, friends, and teammates. My administration will continue to work tirelessly and pursue every possible avenue to bring Brittney and Paul Whelan home safely as soon as possible.”

In a joint statement, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “Today’s verdict and sentencing is unjustified and unfortunate, but not unexpected and Brittney Griner remains wrongly detained. The WNBA and NBA’s commitment to her safe return has not wavered and it is our hope that we are near the end of this process of finally bringing BG home to the United States.”

Griner has been jailed since her February 17 following her arrest at a Moscow airport after vape cartridges containing 0.252 grams and 0.45 grams of cannabis oil in her luggage.

Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), also condemned the nine-year sentence.

“The sentencing of Brittney Griner to nine years in prison is a moral outrage and a legal atrocity in any court in the world. In most places, including the United States, what she pled guilty to and was charged with, would not even have merited a misdemeanor. It is a shameful and dark day when global athletics is subjected to politics and not due process.

“She and Paul Whelan are clearly pawns in some global political chess game that has nothing to do with them. We call on President Biden and the United States government to redouble their efforts to do whatever is necessary and possible to release both immediately.”

Sharpton noted that he continues to ask for the Russian and U.S. governments to permit him and a delegation of clergy “to at least have an immediate visit with her as we’re concerned, even more now with this heavy sentence, about her spiritual and mental wellbeing.”

In the meantime, the U.S. is continuing its efforts to negotiate a prisoner exchange for the 6’9” Phoenix Mercury center.

Added Sharpton, “We ask for people all over the world to pray for Paul and Brittney and pray that we live in a world that those we may have political differences with are respected and regarded, and not used in some other way.”

Michelle Obama to Release Second Book

Written by lafocus on July 27, 2022. Posted in Entertainment. Leave a Comment

Kisha Smith

“When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it,” writes Michelle Obama in her new book, The Light We Carry, the follow-up to her critically acclaimed, #1 bestselling memoir Becoming.

Obama announced the book November 15 release on Instagram, posting “Like so many of you, I’ve spent a lot of time these past few years thinking about how to keep myself centered in a world filled with so much uncertainty. That process of reflection actually led me to start writing again—and today, I could not be more thrilled to tell you about my new book, The Light We Carry.

“This book,” she continued, “is a collection of stories and practices that have helped me sort through all the challenges and questions that keep us up at night: How do I know I’m good enough? How do I bring my whole self to the table? How can I overcome my fears?”

Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles—the earned wisdom that helps her continue to “become.” She details her most valuable practices, like “starting kind,” “going high,” and assembling a “kitchen table” of trusted friends and mentors.

An initial printing of 2.75 million copies reflects just how successful Penguin Random House—who has worldwide publishing rights— believes the 336-page book will be. Her first book, Becoming, sold more than 17 million units. The Light We Carry will be published simultaneously in 14 languages and 27 countries around the world. An audio edition—read by Obama—will also be available.

A-List Stars to Headline 29th Annual Pan African Film Festival, Now Underway

Written by lafocus on March 3, 2021. Posted in Entertainment, Top Stories.

The 29th Annual Pan African Film Festival launched over the weekend, kicking off with David Oyelowo’s feature directorial debut of “The Water Man.” The invitation-only virtual premiere of “The Water Man” attended by 600 viewers ended with a Q&A discussion with Oyelowo and two of the film’s stars Lonnie Chavis and Amiah Miller, according to a press release from the festival

The famed film festival will take place virtually this year, showing off 207 films from 45 different countries over the next 14 days (through March 14). Highlights of this year’s festival include the world premiere of the Coming 2 America—starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall— with Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Bella Murphy, Rotimi, KiKi Layne, Nomzamo Mbatha and Teyana Taylor. Other highlights include Nate Parker’s American Skin, and a special conversation with director Lee Daniels and the cast of The United States Vs. Billie Holiday.

Dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art, and creative expression, America’s largest black film festival was established in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover, Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois and executive director, Ayuko Babu.

The event hopes to showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, “particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience.” Films, the festival’s founders believe, are the perfect medium for that better understanding and a positive way to “foster communication.”

“This year we had to recalibrate in order to meet this moment. We will certainly miss seeing everyone in person this year out we’re excited about our innovative new platform that promises to be a unique experience for viewers and will bring the Pan African Film Festival to audiences worldwide. Virtual or in-person we remain dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art, and creative expression,” said Babu.

Among the showcased films are the screenings of four Academy Award Best Foreign Film submissions including “the Milkmaid” from Nigeria, “The Fisherman’s Diary” from Cameroon, “The Letter” from Kenya and “This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection” from Lesotho. The event will end with a spotlight of Lazaro Ramos’ directorial debut, “Executive Order.”

To attend the festival people can still purchase a festival pass or screening ticket at paff.org.

Jada Pinkett-Smith To Produce Netflix Animation About Police Brutality

Written by lafocus on December 8, 2020. Posted in Must Read, Entertainment.

By Christal Mims/ Staff

Jada Pinkett-Smith will be releasing an animated short about police brutality set to debut on Netflix. The new short, “Cops and Robbers” will premiere on Dec. 28. It was written and performed by Broadway actor Timothy Ware-Hill in response to the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.

A total of 30 individual artists, students and companies collaborated to create the short. Half of those animation artists were Black.

Pinkett-Smith, who is producing the animation, said that it was crucial to share a short such as this one, especially during what has been arguably one of the most racially tense periods in American history.

“As an African American woman, it was one of those pieces that I could feel powerful messaging with such compassion from the perspective of the African American community. It was this explanation with this bleeding heart of what we are experiencing during this particular time,” Pinkett-Smith said. “For me, it was this emotional connection that pierced my heart and soul.”

Pinkett-Smith said that despite being an animation, the messaging is powerful.

“Art is like a ladder and where we can reach a higher understanding of things. One of the reasons I wanted to be a part of this project is because I feel like this particular short provides a ladder,” she explained.

“It had so much vulnerability. A lot of times, you could get this messaging and sometimes it can be militant and have power to it. The way this particular expression that we don’t often see while talking about topics of this kind had so much vulnerability, especially through the lens of a Black man,” she added. “You do not see that a lot and that for me was important because it humanizes Black men. It also humanizes Black people and marginalized communities.”

Briefly: “Black Panther 2” is Set to Begin Filming Next Summer; L.A. Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard Partners with…

Written by lafocus on November 25, 2020. Posted in Top Stories, Entertainment. 2 Comments

“Black Panther 2” is Set to Begin Filming Next Summer

After losing its star Chadwick Boseman to a four-year long battle with colon cancer, the “Black Panther” franchise has finally made an official step to move forward. It was recently announced that filming of the sequel will begin next year in July 2021.

Details regarding the sequel are still being kept from the public but word that Letitia Wright, who plays Black Panther’s sister Shuri in the series, could take up the lead role.

Executive producer Victoria Alonso has also verified that the sequel will not use a digital double for the late actor.

“No. There’s only one Chadwick, and he’s no longer with us. Sadly, our king has died in real life, not only in fiction, and we’re taking a little time to see how we continue the story and how to honor this chapter of what has unexpectedly happened to us, so painful and terrible to be honest,” Alonso said. “Chadwick wasn’t only a wonderful human being, every day of the five years we spent together, but also, I believe, that what he did as a character elevated us as a company, and has left his moment in history.”

Marvel also hopes to somehow pay tribute to the award-winning actor in the upcoming film.

L.A. Clippers Star Kawhi Leonard Partners with X2 Performance Energy Drinks in Equity Deal

NBA star Kawhi Leonard recently entered a partnership with X2 Performance energy drinks. The Clippers player will now sit on the company’s board of directors and has agreed to an equity stakes deal.

“I have been approached by many beverage and supplement brands, but I decided to join X2 because it is natural with clean ingredients. I love the products, and the impact it’s had on my training and performance,” said Leonard in a written statement. “I’m really inspired by our X2 team and the momentum we are building.”

The line of drinks is sold exclusively at CVS and Leonard plans to be involved with the marketing of the products as well as product innovation. The brand’s focus is on clean, natural ingredients for sustained energy.

X2 CEO and board member Mark French is looking forward to working with the four-time all-star, as the drinks are used by professional teams in the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL.

“He will be the face of the brand. He’s perfect for us because he’s serious and not flashy. There isn’t a more perfect partner for this than Kawhi,” French said.

The exact terms of Leonard’s equity stake were not made available, but French said that Leonard is a “significant shareholder.”

Briefly: Businesses Around L.A. Board Up Their Shops in Preparation for Election Results; Tyler Perry to Hire Writers and Filmmakers after Facing Criticism…

Written by lafocus on November 2, 2020. Posted in Top Stories, Entertainment.

Businesses Around L.A. Board Up Their Shops in Preparation for Election Results

Several businesses around L.A. and the nation are taking precautions ahead of Election

Day results by boarding up their stores in case of any rioting or looting that may follow. Plywood window panels can now be seen covering multiple shops in cities like L.A., New York, San Francisco, Boston and Washington DC.

Rodeo Drive will be closed starting at 11:59 p.m. on Monday for two days and several businesses on Rodeo and the surrounding areas have boarded up their shops. Many shops in Downtown L.A. and Santa Monica are also boarding up ahead of Tuesday’s election night.

“As a Police Department, we cannot tell businesses what to do when it comes to boarding up,” a Santa Monica Police Department statement read. “However, we understand the need to feel secure and we respect your decisions on how to handle your day to day operations.”

Businesses down Sunset Blvd. and La Brea Ave. have also made the decision to board up their shops.

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti and Police Chief Michel Moore have stated that preparations are in place to deal with unrest on election day or the following days.

“We are very prepared for the election, but at the same time I don’t want to buy into a narrative that there’s going to be chaos during our election,” Garcetti said. “We prepare for the worst, but we are hoping and expect generally the best. There may be individual instances, we’ll see some stuff around the country, but don’t let any of that change the narrative of you, your right to vote.”

The Insurance Information Institute reported that businesses in the U.S. have faced upwards of $900 million in insured losses from vandalism during protests this year.

Tyler Perry to Hire Writers and Filmmakers after Facing Criticism for Writing All of His Content

Tyler Perry is set to begin hiring a new team of filmmakers and writers for his multiple TV shows and upcoming movies. The new billionaire faced criticism earlier this year after revealing that he did not have a “writer’s room” and did all of the writing for his TV shows and movies himself. Perry is now saying that he wants to fill his Tyler Perry Studios with young creatives.

“We’re super excited about the young, up-and-coming filmmakers and new writers that we’re working with,” said Michael Sneed, president of production and development for Tyler Perry Studios. “Tyler has solidified his place in the industry, his brand is amazing, and we’ll continue to grow that. Then on the other side, we’re working on promoting, providing a platform and advocating for this new talent, both in front of and behind the camera.”

Perry is reportedly very excited to begin working with new talent on fresh ideas, a change in tone from his response to earlier criticism, in which he said, “When I hear that kind of stuff, I’m thinking, ‘Are y’all looking at the ratings? Do you understand that the audience is in love with this? Because if you’re complaining about my writing, you’re not the audience. My audience loves the way that it’s done and the way the stories are told. And from the beginning, it’s always been about being true to them.”

The 50-year-old is now willing to expand the vision of his catalogue by hiring promising talent.

Taraji P. Henson Will Host Mental Health Talk Show on Facebook

Written by lafocus on October 30, 2020. Posted in Top Stories, Entertainment.

Staff

Actress Taraji P. Henson is set to host a new talk show centered around mental health. The series, “Peace of Mind with Taraji,” is scheduled to go into production later this year and will be on Facebook Watch. Henson will host the show along with her best friend Tracie Jade Watkins.

“I’ve long been a mental health advocate for the Black community and created the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in 2018 that has provided resources to thousands of people who are struggling,” said Henson. “I’m looking forward to bringing this new talk series to Facebook Watch, where I can continue to create conversation around an issue that is near and dear to my heart.”

Henson and Watkins will interview celebrities, experts and everyday people about mental-health issues, highlighting those in the Black community. The show will attempt to erase the stigma surrounding mental health issues.

Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is named after her late father, who dealt with mental health challenges as a result of his tour of duty in the Vietnam War.

“The work Taraji has done in the mental health space is inspiring, and we’re thrilled to have her come to our platform to educate and entertain around this incredibly important topic,” said Mina Lefevre, Head of Development & Programing for Facebook Watch. “One of our strengths at Facebook Watch is building community and conversation around topics people care about, and we’re looking forward to taking this journey together.”

The new show will be a part of Facebook’s mental health initiative that will also include a resource center on the Facebook app called, Emotional Health that will contain tips and information from experts and new mental wellbeing guides on Instagram.

Executives are reportedly hoping that Henson’s show will find the same success that Jada Pinkett-Smith’s, “Red Table Talk” has – a series that hosts an official Facebook group with over 2.8 million members.

Taraji P. Henson Will Host Mental Health Talk Show on Facebook

Written by lafocus on October 30, 2020. Posted in Entertainment, Top Stories.

Staff

Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is named after her late father, who dealt with mental health challenges as a result of his tour of duty in the Vietnam War.

Briefly: Dave Roberts Becomes Second Black Manager to Win the World Series; Iyanla Vanzant’s, ‘Fix My Life’ Series on OWN is Coming to an End; Netflix Set to Premiere New Gospel Series Executively Produced by Pharrell Williams…

Written by lafocus on October 30, 2020. Posted in Top Stories, Sports, Entertainment.

Dave Roberts Becomes Second Black Manager to Win the World Series

Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

The Los Angeles Dodgers are the champions of baseball in large part because of a masterful managerial job by Dave Roberts, who becomes just the second African American skipper to win the World Series.

The Dodgers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in Game 6 at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, the first-time Major League Baseball held the Fall Classic at a neutral site.

“It feels great,” proclaimed Roberts, who joined Cito Gaston of the Toronto Blue Jays as the only Black managers to lead their team to a world championship.

Gaston’s Blue Jays won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.

The title is the seventh in franchise history for the Dodgers and first since 1988.

Since he took over the Dodgers in 2016, Roberts’ has guided the team to three National League Championships. He also has compiled an impressive 436-273 won-loss record for a Hall-of-Fame like .615 winning percentage.

It means a lot for me personally, of course,” Roberts exclaimed as his players doused him and each other with champagne.

“But for the Dodgers organization, the franchise where they’ve always been forward-thinking and groundbreaking as far as race and color barriers,” Roberts continued.

“So, for the Dodgers and for me to be the manager of this ball club to bring a championship back to Los Angeles, I think it’s well beyond bigger than me.”

Iyanla Vanzant’s, ‘Fix My Life’ Series on OWN is Coming to an End

Iyanla Vanzant’s popular and long-running series, “Fix My Life” will be leaving OWN. Vanzant revealed that the series’ upcoming seventh season will be its last.

“This is my last season. This is my legacy season, I’m out. We out. 2020,” she announced during a virtual press conference. “This season we deal with the massive breakdowns that have occurred in families and relationships as a result of the pandemic, (and) as a result of the shutdown. We’re dealing with some very compelling issues,” Vanzant said.

Vaanzant said that she is honored to have aided her guests through some of their toughest moments.

“I salute and honor each and every guest that comes forward to tell their story out loud. Imagine, most people sleep with people they don’t tell the truth to,” Vanzant said, laughing. “These people are coming to me, a stranger in front of a national audience to tell the deepest darkest most intimate issues of their life and they had to have a swab stuck up their nose to be able to do it.”

Season seven kicks off with a 2-hour premiere on Oct. 31.

Netflix Set to Premiere New Gospel Series Executively Produced by Pharrell Williams

A new gospel show being tapped as the “American Idol for Gospel Music” is heading to Netflix. The show boasts music icon Pharrell Williams as its executive producer. The show, “Voices of Fire” will follow Williams as he aims to build one of the world’s most inspiring gospel choirs.

The show was filmed in his hometown of Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Along with Williams will be religious leader and musician Bishop Ezekiel Williams, who is Pharrell’s uncle.

Netflix describes the show as a search for some of the world’s most talented musicians with the belief that “diverse backstories can give their collective voice a greater meaning, the bishop and his team will search for people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.”

The series will have six episodes and is set to premiere on Nov. 20.

Saving Grace

Written by L.A. Focus on October 30, 2020. Posted in Saving Grace, Entertainment.

An entertainer with a lasting career like Mary J. Blige must have the ingredients to success.
“I stay grateful, I stay thankful, and I work really, really hard. I’m always trying to figure out new ways to be better, spiritually and personally. It’s not just about all of the accolades I have coming. I couldn’t have them if I wasn’t spiritually aligned and if I wasn’t strong in my mind,” Blige explained. “It’s really about staying healthy in spirit and believing the best in myself and everyone else. Good things come with prayer and meditation. Blessings come, jobs come, by the grace of God.”

The grace of God has catapulted Blige’s career to great heights. Blige has released 13 studio albums, won nine Grammy awards and sold 50 million albums in the United States and 80 million records worldwide.
But her talent doesn’t stop with music. The 49-

year-old received three Golden Globe nominations, one for a supporting role in the 2017 historical drama, “Mudbound.” She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Song for the film, making her the first person to be

nominated for both acting and songwriting in the same year. “I caught the acting bug when I was seven. My music teacher put me and this guy in a school play, and word went around the school about how great we did,” Blige recalled. “I took that with me. It was in my heart but I was scared to dream big or let people see that I was optimistic. When I got into the music business, it came back.”
Even with praise and awe coming from all areas of the entertainment industry, she says the key to success is simple.
“My formula to success is being healthy from the inside out. Learning how to love myself, honestly.”
Learning to love herself didn’t come easily.
Born in the Bronx and raised primarily by a single mother, Blige had an admittedly difficult upbringing. She was sexually abused as a child; it was singing that got her through her lowest and most difficult moments.
Her love for music is also what changed her life. In 1989, Blige became the first woman, and the youngest artist, that Uptown Records had ever signed at only 18 years old. She released her now-platinum album, “What’s the 411?” in 1992 and from then on, Blige continued to stun the world with her empowering lyrics, heartfelt storytelling and honesty.

“I don’t believe that we go through things to keep them a secret and then one day die of a heart attack because we have secrets festering inside of us. I think that we go through stuff to speak about it so we can help someone else heal,” Blige said. “That’s the gift God gave me as an artist, to be able to be trans-parent and say: ‘You know what? It happened to me, too.’ I don’t have any of the answers. That’s why I keep having to do so much work.”
Doing the work is something that Blige continues to do despite the incredible hardships she has faced, but this is how she knows that sharing her pain through art is her purpose.
“I went through it myself. It’s a whole other level for me. The higher the lever, the bigger the Devil. The more you try to work on pulling yourself away from the comfort zone, the negative stuff, you get attacked. Especially when you try to do better, you get attacked.”

“I don’t believe that we go through things to keep them a secret and then one day die of a heart attack because we have secrets festering inside of us. I think that we go through stuff to speak about it so we can help someone else heal. That’s the gift God gave me as an artist, to be able to be transparent and say: ‘You know what? It happened to me, too.’ I don’t have any of the answers. That’s why I keep having to do so much work.”
– Mary J. Blige

Blige went through a very messy and public divorce from her hus-band of 13 years, Martin “Kendu” Isaacs, who also happened to be her manager. Rumors of infidelity and private, finance information was splashed all over the tabloids. The divorce was finalized in 2018.
“The breaking point was when I kept asking over and over and over again for respect and to be respected. And it just seemed like I was beating a dead horse and it seemed like I was talking to a wall,” Blige expressed. “I just wasn’t getting it back so if I can’t get respect in the relationship, then I have to move on and save myself. That was the point where I was like, ‘I’m done. I just can’t do it any-more.’”
She has also been very open about substance abuse and described her 1994 album, “My Life” as “a dark, sui-cidal testimony.”
“We numb ourselves with drugs and alcohol and people and shopping and s***, to cover up what’s really going on inside,” she said. “You’re taking drugs so you can go out and feel courageous, or go out and feel beautiful or whatever. You’re doing it to cover up something.”
“My Life” went triple platinum and has not only helped people around the world cope with their difficulties, but Blige as well.
“I started listening to my own words, my own lyrics back. I was just crying listening to it like, wow, all those horrible, dark places I was in, going through all the hell that I was going through, these words are helping me to feel better and be okay in life,” Blige said, admitting that she’s been listening to her own music during the COVID-19 lockdown. “I wrote the lyrics to ‘My Life’ when I didn’t even want to live.”
Through self-love and spirituality, Blige has been able to completely turn her life around and keep herself hope-ful even while the world goes through an undeniably bleak year.
“I sit quietly. I’ll turn everything off and I’ll breathe and start thanking God and be grateful for everything. It’s a time when you get to reflect on your character, who you are, what rules you, what you’re grateful for,” Blige said. “I wake up in the morning happy to live my life, even though we’re in quarantine. I’m alive. Even though we’re in the middle of a pandemic, I’m alive. My mother’s alive.”
She’s also not slowing down in terms of taking on projects.
Blige is currently starring in the hit series, “Power Book II: Ghost” on Starz and she recently released her very own wine label, Sun Goddess Wines. Blige also created a production company, Blue Butterfly, for which she’s excited to begin producing content.
“Our goal is to produce content that is for the culture.
For us, by us. Create stories about great people. Heroes, women, that people don’t even know about. How there’s a Brady Bunch or Partridge Family, have something like that for us. Actually G-Unit and Mary J Blige … there’s something really big. I can’t talk about it too much but the team is amazing.”
Blige’s goal now is to continue giving her fans the authentic and groundbreaking art that they’ve come to know her for.
“I get in where I fit in and if I don’t fit in, I don’t want it because it’s a disaster for me. And my fans do know me, they’re going to notice it too. If I go against that gut feeling of, ‘don’t do that’ it’s a disaster. I don’t know how to do anything else but be Mary J. Blige.”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter