Madonna‘s “Into the Groove” is one of the best dance songs of the 1980s if not all time. The Material Girl said that a certain ex-boyfriend of hers made the song work. She also revealed why she doesn’t like singing “Into the Groove.”
Madonna doesn’t like ‘Into the Groove’ and some of her other hits
“Into the Groove” encapsulates Madonna’s early catalog like few other songs. It’s a catchy slice of post-disco music that seems innocent enough at first glance. However, upon repeat listens, it’s clear that the tune might be a metaphor for risque behavior. It straddles the line between innocence and innuendo in a way that made Madonna’s first two albums (Madonna and Like a Virgin) irresistible.
During a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone, the Material Girl said she didn’t have much faith in “Into the Groove.” “I’ve never been...
Madonna doesn’t like ‘Into the Groove’ and some of her other hits
“Into the Groove” encapsulates Madonna’s early catalog like few other songs. It’s a catchy slice of post-disco music that seems innocent enough at first glance. However, upon repeat listens, it’s clear that the tune might be a metaphor for risque behavior. It straddles the line between innocence and innuendo in a way that made Madonna’s first two albums (Madonna and Like a Virgin) irresistible.
During a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone, the Material Girl said she didn’t have much faith in “Into the Groove.” “I’ve never been...
- 5/17/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Madonna, the iconic “Queen of Pop,” stands at a height of 5ft 3 ¼ inches (160.7 cm) with a peak height of 5ft 4 inches (162.6 cm).
At the 2013 Billboard Music Awards held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, singer Madonna, whose peak height was 5ft 4 inches (162.6 cm), stood at 5ft 3 ¼ inches (160.7 cm) as she posed in the press room (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
The Impact of Height in Celebrity Self-Perception: Madonna’s Perspective
She once mentioned feeling like a “shrimp” in an interview due to her height, although she believed it was average. For context, the average American woman typically has a height of around 5 feet 4 inches.
I’ve always wanted to be taller. I feel like a shrimp, but that’s the way it goes. I’m five-foot four-and-a-half-inches – that’s actually average. Everything about me is average. Everything’s normal, in the books. It’s the things inside me that make me not average.
At the 2013 Billboard Music Awards held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, singer Madonna, whose peak height was 5ft 4 inches (162.6 cm), stood at 5ft 3 ¼ inches (160.7 cm) as she posed in the press room (Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock)
The Impact of Height in Celebrity Self-Perception: Madonna’s Perspective
She once mentioned feeling like a “shrimp” in an interview due to her height, although she believed it was average. For context, the average American woman typically has a height of around 5 feet 4 inches.
I’ve always wanted to be taller. I feel like a shrimp, but that’s the way it goes. I’m five-foot four-and-a-half-inches – that’s actually average. Everything about me is average. Everything’s normal, in the books. It’s the things inside me that make me not average.
- 5/2/2024
- by Erika Hansen
- Your Next Shoes
In 2004, Rolling Stone launched its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list. Tabulated from a massive vote that had artists, industry figures, and critics weighing in, the list has been a source of conversation, inspiration, and controversy for two decades. It’s one of the most popular, influential — and argued-over — features the magazine has ever done.
So we set out to make it even bigger, better, and fresher. In 2021, we completely overhauled our 500 Songs list, with a whole new batch of voters from all over the music map. Our new podcast,...
So we set out to make it even bigger, better, and fresher. In 2021, we completely overhauled our 500 Songs list, with a whole new batch of voters from all over the music map. Our new podcast,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Rob Sheffield
- Rollingstone.com
Directed by Blitz Bazawule from a script by Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker’s novel comes to life on the big screen once again with this stage-to-screen adaptation of the classic coming-of-age story. Fantasia Barrino leads the cast in her feature film debut as Celie, who, despite a life of hardships (from personal to societal), finds strength and solace in sisterhood. Featuring an A-list ensemble including Danielle Brooks, Halle Bailey, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., and more, the Oscar-nominated “The Color Purple” makes its streaming debut on Max on Friday, Feb. 16. You can watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max.
How to Watch 'The Color Purple' When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com About 'The Color Purple'
“The Color Purple” takes on a new hue as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis,...
How to Watch 'The Color Purple' When: Friday, February 16, 2024 Where: Max Stream: Watch with a 7-Day Free Trial of Max. 7-Day Free Trial$9.99+ / month Max via amazon.com About 'The Color Purple'
“The Color Purple” takes on a new hue as Brenda Russell, Allee Willis,...
- 2/16/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Warner Bros. PIctures’ The Color Purple will make its streaming debut on Max on February 16.
The Blitz Bazawule-directed musical adaptation stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Danielle Brooks.
Adapted from the novel and Broadway musical, the film takes on the classic story of love and resilience. Torn apart from her sister Nettie (Bailey) and her children, Celie (Barrino) faces many hardships in her life, including an abusive husband simply called Mister (Domingo). With the support of sultry singer Shug Avery (Henson) and stand-her-ground stepdaughter Sofia (Brooks), Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.
Bazawule directs from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, whose script is based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray,...
The Blitz Bazawule-directed musical adaptation stars Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Danielle Brooks.
Adapted from the novel and Broadway musical, the film takes on the classic story of love and resilience. Torn apart from her sister Nettie (Bailey) and her children, Celie (Barrino) faces many hardships in her life, including an abusive husband simply called Mister (Domingo). With the support of sultry singer Shug Avery (Henson) and stand-her-ground stepdaughter Sofia (Brooks), Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.
Bazawule directs from a screenplay by Marcus Gardley, whose script is based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray,...
- 2/9/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The African American Film Critics Association and the Grammy Museum on Monday unveiled a yearlong collaborative program to spotlight the intersectionality between music and content created for film, television and multimedia platforms. The initiative will be held at the Grammy Museum’s state-of-the-art facilities in downtown Los Angeles at LA Live, designed to celebrate the fusion of music and storytelling.
The program event will offer live musical performances, panel discussions, educational clinics and Ted Talk-style lectures, bringing together luminaries and entertainment, advertising and marketing experts. The goal is to raise awareness of music’s pivotal role in shaping the narratives that influence audiences worldwide.
“So many people are unaware of the role that music plays in so many of the things that we see and do each day,” Aafca co-founder Gil Robertson said. “Through our partnership with the Grammy Museum, our goal is to highlight how music functions to...
The program event will offer live musical performances, panel discussions, educational clinics and Ted Talk-style lectures, bringing together luminaries and entertainment, advertising and marketing experts. The goal is to raise awareness of music’s pivotal role in shaping the narratives that influence audiences worldwide.
“So many people are unaware of the role that music plays in so many of the things that we see and do each day,” Aafca co-founder Gil Robertson said. “Through our partnership with the Grammy Museum, our goal is to highlight how music functions to...
- 1/8/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen Podcast. I am Valerie Complex, an associate editor and film writer at Deadline.
Today, I am chatting with writer-actress-singer Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who stars as young Celie in the new musical film version of The Color Purple, and with Fatima Robinson, the famed choreographer who helped create the movie’s spectacular dance pieces.
The Color Purple is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Alice Walker. It comes on the heels of a classic 1985 film adaptation from director Steven Spielberg and centers on Celie, a Black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over the course of 40 years.
Prior to appearing in The Color Purple, Mpasi was a staff writer on the Paramount+ series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,...
Today, I am chatting with writer-actress-singer Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who stars as young Celie in the new musical film version of The Color Purple, and with Fatima Robinson, the famed choreographer who helped create the movie’s spectacular dance pieces.
The Color Purple is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Alice Walker. It comes on the heels of a classic 1985 film adaptation from director Steven Spielberg and centers on Celie, a Black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over the course of 40 years.
Prior to appearing in The Color Purple, Mpasi was a staff writer on the Paramount+ series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,...
- 1/5/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Los Angeles, California – December 06: Taraji P. Henson attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Warner Bros.’ “The Color Purple” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 06, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stewart Cook/Getty Images for Warner Bros. ) The big difference between the original film version of The Color Purple and the new version? It’s the music, of course! The new version of The Color Purple is based on the musical, which opened on Broadway in music written by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray. All were accomplished songwriters — Russell had a solo career of her own (Piano in the Dark), Willis co-wrote songs like Earth Wind & Fire’s classic September and The Rembrandts’ I’ll Be There For You, and Bray co-wrote several of Madonna’s early hits. The three brought a diverse set of ideas to the table when writing music for The Color Purple,...
- 1/1/2024
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Lachanze, the actress who played the central character Celie Harris Johnson in the 2005 Broadway musical adaptation of The Color Purple, posted yesterday about the new movie musical produced by Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg.
Lachanze said she was “thrilled for the movie’s success” and “happy for all involved,” but added, “I do want my royalty fee for the lyrics I added to ‘I’M Here.
“I am getting a lot of Dm’s and posts about why I’ve been left out of the press as the original Celie in the [The Color Purple] (musical),” she wrote. “I am thrilled for the movie’s success! Happy for all involved,” the 62-year-old tweeted Tuesday. “However, I do want my royalty fee for the lyrics I added to ‘I’M Here.'”
I am getting a lot of Dm’s and posts about why I’ve been left out of the...
Lachanze said she was “thrilled for the movie’s success” and “happy for all involved,” but added, “I do want my royalty fee for the lyrics I added to ‘I’M Here.
“I am getting a lot of Dm’s and posts about why I’ve been left out of the press as the original Celie in the [The Color Purple] (musical),” she wrote. “I am thrilled for the movie’s success! Happy for all involved,” the 62-year-old tweeted Tuesday. “However, I do want my royalty fee for the lyrics I added to ‘I’M Here.'”
I am getting a lot of Dm’s and posts about why I’ve been left out of the...
- 12/27/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
The Color Purple Movie Review Rating:
Star Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Fantasia Barrino
Director: Blitz Bazawule
The Color Purple Movie Review Out ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
What’s Good: The musical numbers are exciting for their energy and emotion. The cast assembled for this film is exceptional for fitting the roles of both a period drama and a Broadway-style musical. Despite the lengthy running time, the music is able to keep up the pace, and the drama unfolds with a heartfelt sincerity.
What’s Bad: The most concerning aspect of the film is how it stages its darker nature of r*pe, teenage pregnancy, s*xual abuse, and racism with a coat of upbeat musical numbers to break up the somberness. The musical numbers also elongate scenes longer, despite the film being less lengthy than the 1985 film.
Loo Break: When...
Star Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Fantasia Barrino
Director: Blitz Bazawule
The Color Purple Movie Review Out ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
What’s Good: The musical numbers are exciting for their energy and emotion. The cast assembled for this film is exceptional for fitting the roles of both a period drama and a Broadway-style musical. Despite the lengthy running time, the music is able to keep up the pace, and the drama unfolds with a heartfelt sincerity.
What’s Bad: The most concerning aspect of the film is how it stages its darker nature of r*pe, teenage pregnancy, s*xual abuse, and racism with a coat of upbeat musical numbers to break up the somberness. The musical numbers also elongate scenes longer, despite the film being less lengthy than the 1985 film.
Loo Break: When...
- 12/24/2023
- by Mark McPherson
- KoiMoi
For a story so filled with trauma and sorrow — violence, suffering, racism, child abduction, spousal abuse — the second screen adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel, The Color Purple, is a surprisingly joyful experience. The prevailing takeaway is its resounding themes of spirituality, self-discovery, redemption and resilience. Based on the 2005 Broadway musical that was revived to great acclaim 10 years later, the production marks a confident move onto a much larger canvas for Ghanaian multimedia artist Blitz Bazawule. It nods graciously to the imprint of Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film while vigorously forging its own identity.
The connection to the earlier version is partly built in by having Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones back on board as producers (alongside stage producer Scott Sanders). It’s also evident in the color palette of those shimmering Amblin skies, in two songs from the movie incorporated into the Broadway score and in an unbilled cameo early on.
The connection to the earlier version is partly built in by having Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones back on board as producers (alongside stage producer Scott Sanders). It’s also evident in the color palette of those shimmering Amblin skies, in two songs from the movie incorporated into the Broadway score and in an unbilled cameo early on.
- 12/19/2023
- by David Rooney
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Blitz Bazawule’s big-screen adaptation of Alice Walker’s 1982 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Color Purple and its 2005 musical theater production is basically echo-chamber karaoke. The film knows the words and tunes but, with rare exception, lacks the passion and the perspective to make them truly resonate.
Walker’s book charted the emotional, sexual, and implicitly political coming of age of an African-American girl named Celie, whose life in rural, early-20th-century Georgia is several tiers below hell. She’s borne two children by a man, Alphonso, who beats and rapes her, and whom she knows as her father. And then a barbaric farmer known as Mister comes calling. He has eyes for Celie’s sister, Nettie, but Alphonso pawns off Celie instead, women being, in the eyes of these men, chattel-like property with inarguable coital benefits.
The book is written in epistolary style, with Celie addressing an unseen God throughout.
Walker’s book charted the emotional, sexual, and implicitly political coming of age of an African-American girl named Celie, whose life in rural, early-20th-century Georgia is several tiers below hell. She’s borne two children by a man, Alphonso, who beats and rapes her, and whom she knows as her father. And then a barbaric farmer known as Mister comes calling. He has eyes for Celie’s sister, Nettie, but Alphonso pawns off Celie instead, women being, in the eyes of these men, chattel-like property with inarguable coital benefits.
The book is written in epistolary style, with Celie addressing an unseen God throughout.
- 12/19/2023
- by Keith Uhlich
- Slant Magazine
Alice Walker started the phenomenon with her Pulitzer-winning 1982 book, and three years later Steven Spielberg turned it into a movie that got 11 Oscar nominations. In 2005, it took on new life as a Broadway musical, and in 2015 that musical got a Tony- and Grammy-winning revival.
Along the way it made big film and stage stars out of Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino, the latter now making her feature starring debut as Celie in the new film version of the musical she led 18 years ago on Broadway. The Color Purple is indestructible, and that is also a good word to describe director Blitz Bazawule’s and screenwriter Marcus Gardley’s take that breathes exciting life into the story for new and older generations but also, to quote an original song from this film, really finds a way to “Keep It Movin’.”
Musicals have gone through a tough time recently.
Along the way it made big film and stage stars out of Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino, the latter now making her feature starring debut as Celie in the new film version of the musical she led 18 years ago on Broadway. The Color Purple is indestructible, and that is also a good word to describe director Blitz Bazawule’s and screenwriter Marcus Gardley’s take that breathes exciting life into the story for new and older generations but also, to quote an original song from this film, really finds a way to “Keep It Movin’.”
Musicals have gone through a tough time recently.
- 12/19/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
In response to her Golden Globe nomination Monday for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in The Color Purple, Fantasia Barrino starts the conversation with gratitude as she swore, after playing Celie on Broadway in the musical adaptation, she would never play the character again.
“I’ve said in Interviews before that I would never play this role again because of post-traumatic stress, but I am so glad that I didn’t allow fear to stand in my way,” she said after this morning’s nominations were revealed.
Barrino first rose to fame in 2004 when she won the third season of American Idol with her powerful, raspy voice and emotional performances. After releasing her debut song “I Believe,” which later became the fastest-selling single in history by an Idol contestant, she released her first album. It debuted at No. 1 and was certified platinum.
Over the next few years,...
“I’ve said in Interviews before that I would never play this role again because of post-traumatic stress, but I am so glad that I didn’t allow fear to stand in my way,” she said after this morning’s nominations were revealed.
Barrino first rose to fame in 2004 when she won the third season of American Idol with her powerful, raspy voice and emotional performances. After releasing her debut song “I Believe,” which later became the fastest-selling single in history by an Idol contestant, she released her first album. It debuted at No. 1 and was certified platinum.
Over the next few years,...
- 12/11/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Max is nothing if not a goldmine of content, with basically something to watch for everyone, and today we are making a list of the best new movies coming to Max in December 2023 that you can watch in the upcoming month. The movies in this list are ranked according to their availability dates.
Paranormal Activity (December 1)
Synopsis: After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially while they sleep. Paranormal Activity builds suspense all the way to the shocking ending.
Skyfall (December 1)
Synopsis: Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.
Paranormal Activity (December 1)
Synopsis: After a young, middle-class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic but is certainly most active in the middle of the night. Especially while they sleep. Paranormal Activity builds suspense all the way to the shocking ending.
Skyfall (December 1)
Synopsis: Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming’s James Bond 007 in Skyfall, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time. In Skyfall, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.
- 12/7/2023
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
Warner Bros. will be juggling several tunes in the Oscar race for best original song.
Along with the multiple tracks from “Barbie” by Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, the studio will also handle numbers from their two upcoming holiday movie musicals: “The Color Purple” and “Wonka.”
The upcoming adaptation of the musical “The Color Purple” will screen in front of its first official audience of industry voters and journalists next week. Two numbers have been submitted for awards consideration — “Keep It Movin'” and a yet-to-be-announced song.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
One of the film’s stars Halle Bailey, already having a breakout year with her starring role as Ariel in Walt Disney’s live adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” has co-written “Keep It Movin’.” The track is also penned by Grammy winners Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney and Morten Ristorp,...
Along with the multiple tracks from “Barbie” by Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, the studio will also handle numbers from their two upcoming holiday movie musicals: “The Color Purple” and “Wonka.”
The upcoming adaptation of the musical “The Color Purple” will screen in front of its first official audience of industry voters and journalists next week. Two numbers have been submitted for awards consideration — “Keep It Movin'” and a yet-to-be-announced song.
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
One of the film’s stars Halle Bailey, already having a breakout year with her starring role as Ariel in Walt Disney’s live adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” has co-written “Keep It Movin’.” The track is also penned by Grammy winners Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney and Morten Ristorp,...
- 11/11/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson is busting down doors and taking names as fan favorite character Shug in the upcoming movie musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.” Based on the acclaimed Alice Walker novel, filmmaker Blitz Bazawule’s film follows Celie (Fantasia Barrino) as she finds solace and perhaps more with Henson’s dazzling jazz singer Shug.
Star Barrino reprises the role of Celie after previously portraying the character in the Broadway show from 2007 to 2008 before embarking on the national tour in 2010. The Broadway show began in 2005 and was later revived in 2015, with Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo among the actresses who played Celie onstage. “The Little Mermaid” breakout Halle Bailey plays the younger version of Celie in the film that spans decades.
“Maid” writer and playwright Marcus Gardley penned the script, based on Walker’s novel and the musical stage play book by Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell,...
Star Barrino reprises the role of Celie after previously portraying the character in the Broadway show from 2007 to 2008 before embarking on the national tour in 2010. The Broadway show began in 2005 and was later revived in 2015, with Jennifer Hudson and Cynthia Erivo among the actresses who played Celie onstage. “The Little Mermaid” breakout Halle Bailey plays the younger version of Celie in the film that spans decades.
“Maid” writer and playwright Marcus Gardley penned the script, based on Walker’s novel and the musical stage play book by Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
In 1985, Steven Spielberg brought Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Color Purple, to the big screen and racked up Academy Award nominations for himself, for the film’s stars, Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg and Margaret Avery, and the film’s composer, Quincy Jones. Warner Bros. now re-adapts the story based on the musical version from director Blitz Bazawule, a multi-medium artist whose breakout first feature is the highly acclaimed The Burial of Kojo.
The official synopsis from Warner Bros. reads,
“A story of love and resilience, The Color Purple is a decades-spanning tale of one woman’s journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.”
This new incarnation of the classic story features an ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks,...
The official synopsis from Warner Bros. reads,
“A story of love and resilience, The Color Purple is a decades-spanning tale of one woman’s journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.”
This new incarnation of the classic story features an ensemble cast that includes Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks,...
- 10/10/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
The “A Bold New Take” behind the scenes featurette from The Color Purple begins with producer Oprah Winfrey saying, “There’s nothing that’s been more vital to me culturally, artistically, than The Color Purple.” Interviews with the cast , including Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, and Taraji P. Henson, and director Blitz Bazawule describe the importance of the story and why it’s still incredibly relatable.
Fantasia Barrino stars as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi playing the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks plays Sofia, Taraji P. Henson stars as Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.
Taraji P Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks in ‘The Color Purple’ (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)
Blitz Bazawule (The Burial of Kojo) directed and Marcus Gardley (The Chi) wrote the screenplay...
Fantasia Barrino stars as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi playing the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks plays Sofia, Taraji P. Henson stars as Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.
Taraji P Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks in ‘The Color Purple’ (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)
Blitz Bazawule (The Burial of Kojo) directed and Marcus Gardley (The Chi) wrote the screenplay...
- 9/15/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Without giving away a single favorite thing, Oprah Winfrey brought the house down with a surprise appearance at CinemaCon 2023.
Revelers at the annual convention of movie theater owners were delighted by the mogul’s cameo at Tuesday’s presentation from Warner Bros. Pictures. Winfrey is a producer on the studio’s upcoming movie musical “The Color Purple,” based on the 1985 Steven Spielberg classic in which the former daytime host starred.
“‘The Color Purple’ in 1985 was the biggest and most important thing that happened to me. This is a full circle moment to be part of this film. It holds great personal meaning,” Winfrey told the crowd.
Appearing with director Blitz Bazawule, the pair showed the first footage ever screened from the project — a rousing and lush production that particularly showcased femme fatale Taraji P. Henson.
The film will open this coming Christmas Day, and boasts serious musical and Hollywood star power.
Revelers at the annual convention of movie theater owners were delighted by the mogul’s cameo at Tuesday’s presentation from Warner Bros. Pictures. Winfrey is a producer on the studio’s upcoming movie musical “The Color Purple,” based on the 1985 Steven Spielberg classic in which the former daytime host starred.
“‘The Color Purple’ in 1985 was the biggest and most important thing that happened to me. This is a full circle moment to be part of this film. It holds great personal meaning,” Winfrey told the crowd.
Appearing with director Blitz Bazawule, the pair showed the first footage ever screened from the project — a rousing and lush production that particularly showcased femme fatale Taraji P. Henson.
The film will open this coming Christmas Day, and boasts serious musical and Hollywood star power.
- 4/25/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Kaiser Chiefs’ “I Predict a Riot” could be heard playing throughout both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss’ speeches outside Downing Street today (Tuesday 25 October).
People tuning into watch the live broadcast first clocked the song playing in the background of Liz Truss’s farewell speech. The ex Tory prime minister delivered her address before officially tendering her resignation to King Charles.
The song was then heard again playing during Sunak’s first address to the nation as its new prime minister.
The Metro credited the stunt to anti-Brexit activist Steve Bray, who previously blasted the Benny Hill chase theme during Boris Johnson’s resignation speech.
Online, viewers have been reacting to hearing the song with glee.
“Great vibes with ‘I Predict A Riot’ playing in the background of Rishi Sunak’s speech,” wrote Calli Kitson, a reporter for the Metro.
great vibes with I Predict A Riot playing in the...
People tuning into watch the live broadcast first clocked the song playing in the background of Liz Truss’s farewell speech. The ex Tory prime minister delivered her address before officially tendering her resignation to King Charles.
The song was then heard again playing during Sunak’s first address to the nation as its new prime minister.
The Metro credited the stunt to anti-Brexit activist Steve Bray, who previously blasted the Benny Hill chase theme during Boris Johnson’s resignation speech.
Online, viewers have been reacting to hearing the song with glee.
“Great vibes with ‘I Predict A Riot’ playing in the background of Rishi Sunak’s speech,” wrote Calli Kitson, a reporter for the Metro.
great vibes with I Predict A Riot playing in the...
- 10/25/2022
- by Megan Graye
- The Independent - Music
Multiple Grammy winner Jon Batiste is set to make his acting debut in the upcoming big-screen musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” directed by Blitz Bazawule and set at Warner Bros., an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Batiste will play the role of Grady. Grady is Shug Avery’s husband and described as a debonair, sweet-talking piano man, who is the epitome of charm and eloquence. Taraji P. Henson is set to star as Shug Avery. The rest of the cast includes Corey Hawkins, Aunjanue Ellis, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Ciara, Louis Gosset Jr., David Alan Grier and H.E.R. in what will also be the musician’s acting debut.
“The Color Purple” is set for release by Warner Bros. on December 20, 2023. Production is currently underway in Georgia.
Bazawule is best known as the director of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” and he’ll direct from...
Batiste will play the role of Grady. Grady is Shug Avery’s husband and described as a debonair, sweet-talking piano man, who is the epitome of charm and eloquence. Taraji P. Henson is set to star as Shug Avery. The rest of the cast includes Corey Hawkins, Aunjanue Ellis, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Ciara, Louis Gosset Jr., David Alan Grier and H.E.R. in what will also be the musician’s acting debut.
“The Color Purple” is set for release by Warner Bros. on December 20, 2023. Production is currently underway in Georgia.
Bazawule is best known as the director of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” and he’ll direct from...
- 4/15/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Grammy winner Jon Batiste is set to make his acting debut in Warner Bros.’ upcoming adaptation of The Color Purple.
The film, which is being directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Lee, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, which was itself adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker.
Joining a cast that includes Aunjanue Ellis, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, and Taraji P. Henson, Batiste will play Grady, a marijuana-loving womanizer married to jazz and blues singer Shug Avery (who...
The film, which is being directed by Blitz Bazawule (Black Is King), is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Lee, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, which was itself adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker.
Joining a cast that includes Aunjanue Ellis, H.E.R., Corey Hawkins, and Taraji P. Henson, Batiste will play Grady, a marijuana-loving womanizer married to jazz and blues singer Shug Avery (who...
- 4/15/2022
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Rollingstone.com
Ciara is the latest music icon to join the cast of the Warner Bros. movie musical remake of “The Color Purple,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Ciara will portray the adult version of Nettie, which already has Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid”) portraying the younger version of the character. She joins a cast that already includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Louis Gosset Jr. H.E.R., David Alan Grier and Fantasia Barrino.
Blitz Bazawule is directing “The Color Purple,” which is currently set for release by Warner Bros. on December 20, 2023. Production is set to begin this month in Georgia.
Bazawule is best known as the director of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” and he’ll direct from a script by Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”). “The Color Purple” also has a book by Marsha Norman and music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray,...
Ciara will portray the adult version of Nettie, which already has Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid”) portraying the younger version of the character. She joins a cast that already includes Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Louis Gosset Jr. H.E.R., David Alan Grier and Fantasia Barrino.
Blitz Bazawule is directing “The Color Purple,” which is currently set for release by Warner Bros. on December 20, 2023. Production is set to begin this month in Georgia.
Bazawule is best known as the director of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” and he’ll direct from a script by Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”). “The Color Purple” also has a book by Marsha Norman and music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray,...
- 3/22/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple” movie musical has found its Celie and Sofia in Fantasia Taylor and Danielle Brooks.
Both actors reprise their respective roles from the stage musical, where Taylor made her Broadway debut as Celie in 2007 following her “American Idol” win, and Brooks earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Sofia in the 2015 revival.
Taylor and Brooks’ casting was announced on Thursday as part of the ABC News special “Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising.” During the broadcast, “ABC News Live Prime” anchor Linsey Davis interviewed the women about reviving their roles for the film and following the Oscar-nominated big screen performances by Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.
Brooks relived the emotional moment when Winfrey, who is producing the new movie under her Harpo Films banner, revealed that she was chosen for the role during a Zoom call.
“I am here representing all...
Both actors reprise their respective roles from the stage musical, where Taylor made her Broadway debut as Celie in 2007 following her “American Idol” win, and Brooks earned a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Sofia in the 2015 revival.
Taylor and Brooks’ casting was announced on Thursday as part of the ABC News special “Soul of a Nation Presents: Screen Queens Rising.” During the broadcast, “ABC News Live Prime” anchor Linsey Davis interviewed the women about reviving their roles for the film and following the Oscar-nominated big screen performances by Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.
Brooks relived the emotional moment when Winfrey, who is producing the new movie under her Harpo Films banner, revealed that she was chosen for the role during a Zoom call.
“I am here representing all...
- 2/4/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson has signed on to star alongside H.E.R. and Corey Hawkins in Blitz Bazawule’s (Black Is King) adaptation of The Color Purple for Warner Bros., Deadline has confirmed.
The upcoming film is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Lee, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning epistolary novel by Alice Walker. It comes on the heels of a classic 1985 film adaptation from director Steven Spielberg and centers on Celie, a Black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over the course of four decades.
Henson will play Shug Avery, a jazz and blues singer played in Spielberg’s adaptation by Margaret Avery, and by icons including Jennifer Hudson in various adaptations for the stage.
The Chi‘s Marcus Gardley handled the screenplay adaptation. Oprah Winfrey, who played Sofia in the 1985 film,...
The upcoming film is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Lee, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning epistolary novel by Alice Walker. It comes on the heels of a classic 1985 film adaptation from director Steven Spielberg and centers on Celie, a Black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over the course of four decades.
Henson will play Shug Avery, a jazz and blues singer played in Spielberg’s adaptation by Margaret Avery, and by icons including Jennifer Hudson in various adaptations for the stage.
The Chi‘s Marcus Gardley handled the screenplay adaptation. Oprah Winfrey, who played Sofia in the 1985 film,...
- 2/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast of the upcoming big screen musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” directed by Blitz Bazawule and set at Warner Bros., an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Henson will portray Shug Avery in the film, and she joins a cast that already includes Corey Hawkins and H.E.R. in what will be the musician’s acting debut.
“The Color Purple” is currently set for release by Warner Bros. on December 20, 2023.
Bazawule is best known as the director of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” and he’ll direct from a script by Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”). “The Color Purple” also has a book by Marsha Norman and music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and the musical was a hit for its joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms.
“The Color Purple” originated as Alice Walker’s Pulitzer...
Henson will portray Shug Avery in the film, and she joins a cast that already includes Corey Hawkins and H.E.R. in what will be the musician’s acting debut.
“The Color Purple” is currently set for release by Warner Bros. on December 20, 2023.
Bazawule is best known as the director of Beyoncé’s “Black Is King,” and he’ll direct from a script by Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”). “The Color Purple” also has a book by Marsha Norman and music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, and the musical was a hit for its joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms.
“The Color Purple” originated as Alice Walker’s Pulitzer...
- 2/1/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Oscar- and Emmy-nominee Taraji P. Henson will star as Shug Avery in Blitz Bazawule’s “The Color Purple.”
The forthcoming Warner Bros. movie is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which is itself an adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The production is directed by Bazawule, best known for his work on Beyoncé’s “Black is King,” “The Burial of Kojo” and “Cherish the Day.”
Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”) wrote the screenplay, based on Alice Walker’s novel, the 1985 Warner Bros. Pictures film, and the stage musical.
In Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film version, Margaret Avery played Shug Avery — the jazz and blues singer introduced as Mister’s long-time mistress before becoming Celie’s confidant — while such talents as Jennifer Hudson, Michelle Williams, Heather Headley, Elisabeth Withers, Angela Robinson and Nicola Hughes took on the role in productions of the stage musical.
Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature...
The forthcoming Warner Bros. movie is an adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical, which is itself an adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The production is directed by Bazawule, best known for his work on Beyoncé’s “Black is King,” “The Burial of Kojo” and “Cherish the Day.”
Marcus Gardley (“The Chi”) wrote the screenplay, based on Alice Walker’s novel, the 1985 Warner Bros. Pictures film, and the stage musical.
In Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film version, Margaret Avery played Shug Avery — the jazz and blues singer introduced as Mister’s long-time mistress before becoming Celie’s confidant — while such talents as Jennifer Hudson, Michelle Williams, Heather Headley, Elisabeth Withers, Angela Robinson and Nicola Hughes took on the role in productions of the stage musical.
Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature...
- 2/1/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Variety, in partnership with MGM Studios and United Artists Releasing, is hosting an exclusive digital experience featuring Variety Streaming Room panel videos with the stars and creators behind the critically acclaimed films “No Time to Die”, “House of Gucci,” “Licorice Pizza,” “Respect” and “Cyrano.” New exclusive content will be released weekly on the microsite throughout the month of January.
During the “No Time to Die” panel conversation, star Daniel Craig, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and director Cary Joji Fukunaga discuss ushering the franchise into the 21st Century, assembling a diverse, multifaceted cast and bringing to a close a journey that has introduced the world to a new, modern Bond. In Craig’s fifth and final outing as 007, he delivers his most emotionally complex performance yet. The panel also touches on the process of releasing “No Time to Die” during the pandemic, and how the film successfully...
During the “No Time to Die” panel conversation, star Daniel Craig, producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and director Cary Joji Fukunaga discuss ushering the franchise into the 21st Century, assembling a diverse, multifaceted cast and bringing to a close a journey that has introduced the world to a new, modern Bond. In Craig’s fifth and final outing as 007, he delivers his most emotionally complex performance yet. The panel also touches on the process of releasing “No Time to Die” during the pandemic, and how the film successfully...
- 1/10/2022
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
H.E.R. has signed on for her first acting role, landing the part of Squeak in Blitz Bazawule’s forthcoming adaptation of “The Color Purple” for Warner Bros.
H.E.R. is already an Oscar winner, earning the best original song trophy in April for her song “Fight For You,” from Warner Bros.’ “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist also has won four Grammys.
In her Variety cover story, the 23-year-old songstress expressed her desire to become a top musician and a top actor.
“There is so much I want to do. People don’t really get to see my comedic and fun side, except for when I’m impersonating my aunt,” she said, with a laugh. “But I definitely want to do a lot more voice-overs, and comedy, but also some serious roles.”
Catching herself, she continued: “I’m trying to do it all, I know.
H.E.R. is already an Oscar winner, earning the best original song trophy in April for her song “Fight For You,” from Warner Bros.’ “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist also has won four Grammys.
In her Variety cover story, the 23-year-old songstress expressed her desire to become a top musician and a top actor.
“There is so much I want to do. People don’t really get to see my comedic and fun side, except for when I’m impersonating my aunt,” she said, with a laugh. “But I definitely want to do a lot more voice-overs, and comedy, but also some serious roles.”
Catching herself, she continued: “I’m trying to do it all, I know.
- 8/27/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Corey Hawkins, who was -- in my humble opinion -- the best part of the "In the Heights" movie, has landed himself another musical role. Hawkins has joined the cast of "The Color Purple," which will be helmed by "Black Is King" filmmaker Blitz Bazawle for Warner Bros. Based on the 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker, its 1985 film adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg, and the Broadway adaptation with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, the film follows a Black woman growing up in poverty in the American South.
According to The...
The post The Color Purple Musical Will Star In the Heights Stand-Out Corey Hawkins appeared first on /Film.
According to The...
The post The Color Purple Musical Will Star In the Heights Stand-Out Corey Hawkins appeared first on /Film.
- 8/27/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
“In the Heights” star Corey Hawkins is reuniting with Warner Bros. for another movie musical, this time for the musical adaptation of “The Color Purple.”
“Black Is King” filmmaker Blitz Bazawle is directing at the studio. Hawkins is expected to play the role of Harpo in the film adaptation.
“The Color Purple” originated as Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel from 1982, which was later adapted into Steven Spielberg’s Best Picture-nominated film from 1985 and then again into a musical on Broadway from 2005. Spielberg’s film was the feature-debut for Whoopi Goldberg and also featured Oprah Winfrey in a breakout role. The musical from 2005 likewise earned 11 Tony nominations and was revived again in 2016, which netted two Tonys and grossed $350 million.
The story centers on a black woman named Celie, who grows up in intense poverty in the American South and endures harsh treatment from her stepfather, husband and others in her life,...
“Black Is King” filmmaker Blitz Bazawle is directing at the studio. Hawkins is expected to play the role of Harpo in the film adaptation.
“The Color Purple” originated as Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel from 1982, which was later adapted into Steven Spielberg’s Best Picture-nominated film from 1985 and then again into a musical on Broadway from 2005. Spielberg’s film was the feature-debut for Whoopi Goldberg and also featured Oprah Winfrey in a breakout role. The musical from 2005 likewise earned 11 Tony nominations and was revived again in 2016, which netted two Tonys and grossed $350 million.
The story centers on a black woman named Celie, who grows up in intense poverty in the American South and endures harsh treatment from her stepfather, husband and others in her life,...
- 8/26/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: We hear that In the Heights star Corey Hawkins is getting back into business with Warner Bros for its feature adaptation of the Broadway musical The Color Purple, based on Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated 1995 movie. The role Hawkins is being buzzed to play is Harpo.
We’ve been hearing for some time about Hawkins circling Color Purple and that the studio was even testing actresses opposite him. As Deadline first told you, Ghana-born Black Is King filmmaker Blitz Bazawule is set to direct.
The Color Purple has a December 21, 2023 release date.
Marcus Gardley is writing the screenplay based on the Broadway reimagining of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel. The story depicts the lives of African American families and relationships in early 20th century Georgia. The musical, featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms, has a book by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
We’ve been hearing for some time about Hawkins circling Color Purple and that the studio was even testing actresses opposite him. As Deadline first told you, Ghana-born Black Is King filmmaker Blitz Bazawule is set to direct.
The Color Purple has a December 21, 2023 release date.
Marcus Gardley is writing the screenplay based on the Broadway reimagining of Alice Walker’s 1982 novel. The story depicts the lives of African American families and relationships in early 20th century Georgia. The musical, featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms, has a book by Marsha Norman with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.
- 8/26/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
It has not been an easy year for theater lovers, who have mostly made do with well-filmed performances of shows like “Hamilton” and “David Byrne’s American Utopia.”
In contrast to those projects, Liesl Tommy’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” was created as an original film, but it works best when envisioned as a Broadway-style jukebox musical.
Tommy and writer Tracey Scott Wilson are making their cinematic debuts with this sturdy retelling of Franklin’s early life and career. However, they come to the project with impressive stage backgrounds, which inform every aspect of their approach. Any stage, of course, needs a star who can command the space. That the story intermittently recedes into the background might be problematic, were it not for the fact that the spotlight remains resolutely focused on a captivating Jennifer Hudson, who was chosen for the role by Franklin herself, before she passed away in...
In contrast to those projects, Liesl Tommy’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” was created as an original film, but it works best when envisioned as a Broadway-style jukebox musical.
Tommy and writer Tracey Scott Wilson are making their cinematic debuts with this sturdy retelling of Franklin’s early life and career. However, they come to the project with impressive stage backgrounds, which inform every aspect of their approach. Any stage, of course, needs a star who can command the space. That the story intermittently recedes into the background might be problematic, were it not for the fact that the spotlight remains resolutely focused on a captivating Jennifer Hudson, who was chosen for the role by Franklin herself, before she passed away in...
- 8/9/2021
- by Elizabeth Weitzman
- The Wrap
The 63rd Annual Grammy Award winners were announced on March 14 in 84 categories ranging from the top prize of Album of the Year to outstanding achievements in genres including pop, rock, rap, Latin, classical, comedy and more. Scroll down to see who won every single prize, updated throughout the day and night as winners were announced.
The majority of awards were presented during the Premiere Ceremony that started at Noon Pacific/3:00pm Eastern. That pre-show was hosted by Jhene Aiko, a three-time nominee this year, and featured performers including Burna Boy, Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Igor Levit, Lido Pimienta, Poppy and Rufus Wainwright.
The main event started at 5:00pm Pacific/8:00pm Eastern with host Trevor Noah, who in addition to being the star of “The Daily Show” was a Grammy nominee in 2020 for his comedy album “Son of Patricia.” It featured performances by nominated acts like Taylor Swift,...
The majority of awards were presented during the Premiere Ceremony that started at Noon Pacific/3:00pm Eastern. That pre-show was hosted by Jhene Aiko, a three-time nominee this year, and featured performers including Burna Boy, Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Igor Levit, Lido Pimienta, Poppy and Rufus Wainwright.
The main event started at 5:00pm Pacific/8:00pm Eastern with host Trevor Noah, who in addition to being the star of “The Daily Show” was a Grammy nominee in 2020 for his comedy album “Son of Patricia.” It featured performances by nominated acts like Taylor Swift,...
- 3/15/2021
- by Daniel Montgomery and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The 2021 Grammy Awards winners will be revealed on Sunday, March 14 in a two-part ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The 2021 Grammy Awards nominations were announced way back on November 24, 2020. The 2021 Grammys were originally slated to take place on January 31 but the Covid-19 pandemic pushed this date back by six weeks. Scroll down to see the full 2021 Grammy Awards nominations list.
The majority of Grammys in the 84 categories spread across 30 fields will be handed out in a non-televised event, the Premiere Ceremony, on Sunday afternoon. The televised portion of the Grammy Awards will begin on CBS at 5:00 p.m. Pt/8:00 p.m. Et. Expect that 3.5 hour telecast to be dominated by musical performances with about a dozen presentations of prizes.
General Field
Album Of The Year
“Chilombo,” Jhené Aiko
“Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition),” Black Pumas
“Everyday Life,” Coldplay
“Djesse Vol. 3,” Jacob Collier
“Women in Music Pt. III,...
The majority of Grammys in the 84 categories spread across 30 fields will be handed out in a non-televised event, the Premiere Ceremony, on Sunday afternoon. The televised portion of the Grammy Awards will begin on CBS at 5:00 p.m. Pt/8:00 p.m. Et. Expect that 3.5 hour telecast to be dominated by musical performances with about a dozen presentations of prizes.
General Field
Album Of The Year
“Chilombo,” Jhené Aiko
“Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition),” Black Pumas
“Everyday Life,” Coldplay
“Djesse Vol. 3,” Jacob Collier
“Women in Music Pt. III,...
- 3/13/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Hot off of co-directing Beyoncé’s Disney+ visual album feature Black Is King, Ghana-born filmmaker Blitz Bazawule is set to direct Warner Bros. musical film The Color Purple, based on the Tony-winning Broadway musical.
I hear that the feature’s producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones caught Bazawule’s movie The Burial Of Kojo on Netflix, and were wowed by his vibrant visual style.
“We, were all blown away by Blitz’s unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life,” Winfrey tells Deadline.
Bazawule is a composer and musician of four studio albums: Stereotype (2009), Native Sun (2011), Afropolitan Dreams (2014) and Diasporadical (2016), and his musical sensibility, and what he could bring to The Color Purple, also impressed the producers as well. Bazawule co-directed Black Is King with Beyoncé and Emmanuel Adjei, helming the South African shoot.
I hear that the feature’s producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones caught Bazawule’s movie The Burial Of Kojo on Netflix, and were wowed by his vibrant visual style.
“We, were all blown away by Blitz’s unique vision as a director and look forward to seeing how he brings the next evolution of this beloved story to life,” Winfrey tells Deadline.
Bazawule is a composer and musician of four studio albums: Stereotype (2009), Native Sun (2011), Afropolitan Dreams (2014) and Diasporadical (2016), and his musical sensibility, and what he could bring to The Color Purple, also impressed the producers as well. Bazawule co-directed Black Is King with Beyoncé and Emmanuel Adjei, helming the South African shoot.
- 8/24/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Allee Willis, the songwriter perhaps best known for writing the theme song to the long-running sitcom “Friends,” died on Tuesday at age 72, according to her official Instagram page.
She died of cardiac arrest, according to Variety.
A 1985 Grammy winner and 2018 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Willis produced an extensive body of hits that included multiple songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, including “September” and “Boogie Wonderland.”
Also Read: Ed Aschoff, ESPN College Football Reporter, Dies on His 34th Birthday
Her other hits included the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” Patti Labelle’s “Lead Me On,” and the theme from “The Karate Kid,” “You’re the Best.” She earned a Grammy in 1985 for her contributions to the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack album.
In 2006, Willis earned a Tony nomination for co-writing the original score to the Broadway musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,...
She died of cardiac arrest, according to Variety.
A 1985 Grammy winner and 2018 inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Willis produced an extensive body of hits that included multiple songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, including “September” and “Boogie Wonderland.”
Also Read: Ed Aschoff, ESPN College Football Reporter, Dies on His 34th Birthday
Her other hits included the Pointer Sisters’ “Neutron Dance,” Dusty Springfield’s “What Have I Done to Deserve This?,” Patti Labelle’s “Lead Me On,” and the theme from “The Karate Kid,” “You’re the Best.” She earned a Grammy in 1985 for her contributions to the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack album.
In 2006, Willis earned a Tony nomination for co-writing the original score to the Broadway musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,...
- 12/25/2019
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Grasan Kingsberry holds a Degree from Juilliard School in Dance and is now appearing in The Color Purple - The Musical starring Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo amp Danielle Brooks. This latest version of The Color Purple has been Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Scott Sanders, Roy Furman and a group of seasoned industry vets. Book by Marsha Norman, Music amp Lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis amp Stephen Bray all under the Direction of John Doyle.
- 11/6/2015
- by Marina Kamen
- BroadwayWorld.com
HollywoodNews.com: Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced the selection of accomplished film producer Stephanie Allain as its new Los Angeles Film Festival Director, starting immediately. She succeeds Rebecca Yeldham, who recently elected to step down for personal reasons.
Stephanie will be working closely with Festival Managing Director Gloria Campbell and Festival Artistic Director David Ansen, as well as Associate Director of Programming Doug Jones, Senior Programmer Maggie Mackay and Programming Coordinator Jenn Wilson. “Stephanie has served on the Film Independent Board of Directors since 2007 and been involved in many aspects of the organization. She’s chaired the Spirit Awards Nominating Committee and been a huge supporter of Project Involve, as well as our year-round educational programs,” said Co-President Sean Mc Manus. “Stephanie has a clear vision for the Festival, a stellar track record as a producer and...
Stephanie will be working closely with Festival Managing Director Gloria Campbell and Festival Artistic Director David Ansen, as well as Associate Director of Programming Doug Jones, Senior Programmer Maggie Mackay and Programming Coordinator Jenn Wilson. “Stephanie has served on the Film Independent Board of Directors since 2007 and been involved in many aspects of the organization. She’s chaired the Spirit Awards Nominating Committee and been a huge supporter of Project Involve, as well as our year-round educational programs,” said Co-President Sean Mc Manus. “Stephanie has a clear vision for the Festival, a stellar track record as a producer and...
- 1/25/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
Happy birthday Madonna! The Material Girl has hit the big 5-0 and we thought we'd celebrate by searching through cyberspace, books and articles to find 50 fascinating facts you may or may not know about Mrs. Ritchie.
From her personal statistics, Italian roots and early successes to her all-conquering pop landmarks and the crazy things that have been named after her, feast your eyes on this treasure of trivia:
- Madonna once drummed for New York pop group the Breakfast Club. A later member of the band was American Idol judge Randy Jackson. Ex-boyfriends Dan Gilroy and Stephen Bray were also members of the Breakfast Club.
- Madonna beat out acting greats Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, Debbie Reynolds and Barbra Streisand to grab a Best Actress Golden Globe Award in 1997 for her role in Evita.
- Madonna has acted in 22 films.
- The Recording Industry Association of America has named Madonna the best-selling female rock artist of the 20th century. She's also the second top-selling female artist in the United States with 63 million certified albums.
- The Guinness World Records list Madonna as the world's most successful female recording artist of all time; she has sold over 200 million records worldwide.
- Madonna is one of six children born to Silvio Ciccone and Madonna Louise Ciccone (nee Fortin). She was named after her mother.
- She also has a stepbrother and stepsister from her father's second marriage to his former housekeeper Joan Gustafson.
- Born in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna's roots stretch back to Pacentro in Italy, where her grandparents came from. In 1988, town officials in Pacentro began to construct a 13-foot (4 meter) statue of Madonna.
- Madonna was a member of the cheerleading team at Rochester Adams High School.
- Madonna worked in a New York City Dunkin' Donuts while she was struggling to make it as a dancer in the Big Apple. She was reportedly fired after squirting jam in a customer's face.
- Madonna's first single, Everybody, was released on 24 April, 1982.
- Madonna's hit album Like A Virgin is among the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time, according to the Rock + Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted the pop star earlier this year.
- As well as starring alongside Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise, Madonna also joined her then-husband onstage in her theatrical debut Goose + Tom Tom in 1986.
- Madonna and Sean Penn separated on New Year's Eve (31Dec) 1988.
- Madonna's Confessions Tour is the highest grossing concert tour by a female artist.
- Madonna is the most successful female in her adopted U.K.'s pop charts and has more number one singles than any other female solo artist.
- Madonna has a new species of tardigrade named after her. The anthropod-type animals, also known as water bears, are often found living on mosses. They can survive in extreme conditions that would kill most other living species.
- Madonna's father, Tony Ciccone, recently decided to advance his winery business by releasing Madonna Wine, which is available in five varieties: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Prices range from $25 (GBP12.50) to $40 (GBP20) per bottle.
- Celebrity Cellars also produced a line of collectible wine, called Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor.
- Madonna made her London West End stage debut in 2002 in Up for Grabs.
- Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses, was published in 2003 and she has since published a total of 10 books.
- Madonna was among the inaugural UK Music Hall of Fame inductees in 2004.
- Madonna has released a total of 68 official singles to date, according to the singer's own website.
- Madonna was among People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People of 1991' and '25 Most Intriguing People of 2001'.
- In March 2007, Madonna created a clothing line for the retailer H+M.
- Madonna is good friends with Sting and his actress wife Trudie Styler, who introduced her to director Guy Ritchie. The couple fell in love and are now husband and wife.
- Sting is godfather to Madonna and Guy Ritchie's son Rocco.
- Madonna is the only artist who performed at the benefit concerts Live Aid (1985), Live 8 (2005), and Live Earth (2007).
- Madonna suffers from brontophobia - a fear of thunder.
- Madonna was considered for the role of Catwoman/Selina Kyle in the 1992 film Batman Returns. She turned the part down and the role went to Michelle Pfeiffer. She also fought for the role of Ginger in Casino, but lost out to Sharon Stone.
- Madonna turned down leading roles in Showgirls and The Fabulous Baker Boys.
- Madonna is 5 feet, 44 inches (1.64 metres) tall. Her measurements are 34C-23-33.
- Madonna does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was selected for the honour in 1990 but she showed no interest and the invitation has now expired. Walk of Fame spokeswoman Ana Martinez-Holler states that, in order to receive a star, Madonna would have to be "resubmitted for a nomination," adding, "since she is not interested, I highly doubt that she will give a nominator the permission to do so."
- Madonna was paid $5 million (GBP2.5 million) by Pepsi to film a commercial that never even aired. Pepsi bosses pulled the controversial ad, which was related to her Like A Prayer video and full of religious overtones.
- Madonna has won nine Razzie Awards: Worst Actress for Shanghai Surprise in 1987, Worst Actress for Who's that Girl in 1988, Worst Actress for Body of Evidence in 1994, Worst Supporting Actress for Four Rooms in 1996, Worst Actress of the Century in 2000, Worst Actress for The Next Best Thing in 2001, Worst Actress and Worst Screen Couple for Swept Away in 2003, and Worst Supporting Actress for Die Another Day in 2003.
- Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion and Mark Wahlberg are distant relatives of Madonna, according to a recent ancestry study.
- Madonna auditioned for the part of Kevin Costner's high-maintenance love interest in The Bodyguard. Whitney Houston landed the role.
- Madonna played a lesbian witch in the 1996 movie Four Rooms.
- Madonna originally dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.
- The Beastie Boys supported Madonna on her very first solo tour.
- Madonna was ranked Number 1 on VH1's '100 Sexiest Artists' in 2002.
- Madonna has been nominated for a total of 18 Grammy Awards; she has won five.
- Madonna has been a vegetarian since she was 15.
- Madonna hates the colour orange.
- Madonna was named one of People magazine's worst-dressed, in 1999.
- Madonna's controversial Sex book, which featured naked photos of the Material Girl, was so popular that a re-print had to be ordered within 48 hours.
- Madonna dedicated her album True Blue to then-husband Sean Penn, who she called "the coolest guy in the universe".
- Gwyneth Paltrow was Maid of Honour at Madonna's Scottish wedding in 2000.
- Fight Club director David Fincher was the man behind the camera on four of Madonna's videos.
- Madonna's What It Feels Like For A Girl and Justify My Love were banned from MTV.
From her personal statistics, Italian roots and early successes to her all-conquering pop landmarks and the crazy things that have been named after her, feast your eyes on this treasure of trivia:
- Madonna once drummed for New York pop group the Breakfast Club. A later member of the band was American Idol judge Randy Jackson. Ex-boyfriends Dan Gilroy and Stephen Bray were also members of the Breakfast Club.
- Madonna beat out acting greats Glenn Close, Frances McDormand, Debbie Reynolds and Barbra Streisand to grab a Best Actress Golden Globe Award in 1997 for her role in Evita.
- Madonna has acted in 22 films.
- The Recording Industry Association of America has named Madonna the best-selling female rock artist of the 20th century. She's also the second top-selling female artist in the United States with 63 million certified albums.
- The Guinness World Records list Madonna as the world's most successful female recording artist of all time; she has sold over 200 million records worldwide.
- Madonna is one of six children born to Silvio Ciccone and Madonna Louise Ciccone (nee Fortin). She was named after her mother.
- She also has a stepbrother and stepsister from her father's second marriage to his former housekeeper Joan Gustafson.
- Born in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna's roots stretch back to Pacentro in Italy, where her grandparents came from. In 1988, town officials in Pacentro began to construct a 13-foot (4 meter) statue of Madonna.
- Madonna was a member of the cheerleading team at Rochester Adams High School.
- Madonna worked in a New York City Dunkin' Donuts while she was struggling to make it as a dancer in the Big Apple. She was reportedly fired after squirting jam in a customer's face.
- Madonna's first single, Everybody, was released on 24 April, 1982.
- Madonna's hit album Like A Virgin is among the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time, according to the Rock + Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted the pop star earlier this year.
- As well as starring alongside Sean Penn in Shanghai Surprise, Madonna also joined her then-husband onstage in her theatrical debut Goose + Tom Tom in 1986.
- Madonna and Sean Penn separated on New Year's Eve (31Dec) 1988.
- Madonna's Confessions Tour is the highest grossing concert tour by a female artist.
- Madonna is the most successful female in her adopted U.K.'s pop charts and has more number one singles than any other female solo artist.
- Madonna has a new species of tardigrade named after her. The anthropod-type animals, also known as water bears, are often found living on mosses. They can survive in extreme conditions that would kill most other living species.
- Madonna's father, Tony Ciccone, recently decided to advance his winery business by releasing Madonna Wine, which is available in five varieties: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay. Prices range from $25 (GBP12.50) to $40 (GBP20) per bottle.
- Celebrity Cellars also produced a line of collectible wine, called Madonna - Confessions on a Dance Floor.
- Madonna made her London West End stage debut in 2002 in Up for Grabs.
- Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses, was published in 2003 and she has since published a total of 10 books.
- Madonna was among the inaugural UK Music Hall of Fame inductees in 2004.
- Madonna has released a total of 68 official singles to date, according to the singer's own website.
- Madonna was among People Magazine's '50 Most Beautiful People of 1991' and '25 Most Intriguing People of 2001'.
- In March 2007, Madonna created a clothing line for the retailer H+M.
- Madonna is good friends with Sting and his actress wife Trudie Styler, who introduced her to director Guy Ritchie. The couple fell in love and are now husband and wife.
- Sting is godfather to Madonna and Guy Ritchie's son Rocco.
- Madonna is the only artist who performed at the benefit concerts Live Aid (1985), Live 8 (2005), and Live Earth (2007).
- Madonna suffers from brontophobia - a fear of thunder.
- Madonna was considered for the role of Catwoman/Selina Kyle in the 1992 film Batman Returns. She turned the part down and the role went to Michelle Pfeiffer. She also fought for the role of Ginger in Casino, but lost out to Sharon Stone.
- Madonna turned down leading roles in Showgirls and The Fabulous Baker Boys.
- Madonna is 5 feet, 44 inches (1.64 metres) tall. Her measurements are 34C-23-33.
- Madonna does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was selected for the honour in 1990 but she showed no interest and the invitation has now expired. Walk of Fame spokeswoman Ana Martinez-Holler states that, in order to receive a star, Madonna would have to be "resubmitted for a nomination," adding, "since she is not interested, I highly doubt that she will give a nominator the permission to do so."
- Madonna was paid $5 million (GBP2.5 million) by Pepsi to film a commercial that never even aired. Pepsi bosses pulled the controversial ad, which was related to her Like A Prayer video and full of religious overtones.
- Madonna has won nine Razzie Awards: Worst Actress for Shanghai Surprise in 1987, Worst Actress for Who's that Girl in 1988, Worst Actress for Body of Evidence in 1994, Worst Supporting Actress for Four Rooms in 1996, Worst Actress of the Century in 2000, Worst Actress for The Next Best Thing in 2001, Worst Actress and Worst Screen Couple for Swept Away in 2003, and Worst Supporting Actress for Die Another Day in 2003.
- Gwen Stefani, Celine Dion and Mark Wahlberg are distant relatives of Madonna, according to a recent ancestry study.
- Madonna auditioned for the part of Kevin Costner's high-maintenance love interest in The Bodyguard. Whitney Houston landed the role.
- Madonna played a lesbian witch in the 1996 movie Four Rooms.
- Madonna originally dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.
- The Beastie Boys supported Madonna on her very first solo tour.
- Madonna was ranked Number 1 on VH1's '100 Sexiest Artists' in 2002.
- Madonna has been nominated for a total of 18 Grammy Awards; she has won five.
- Madonna has been a vegetarian since she was 15.
- Madonna hates the colour orange.
- Madonna was named one of People magazine's worst-dressed, in 1999.
- Madonna's controversial Sex book, which featured naked photos of the Material Girl, was so popular that a re-print had to be ordered within 48 hours.
- Madonna dedicated her album True Blue to then-husband Sean Penn, who she called "the coolest guy in the universe".
- Gwyneth Paltrow was Maid of Honour at Madonna's Scottish wedding in 2000.
- Fight Club director David Fincher was the man behind the camera on four of Madonna's videos.
- Madonna's What It Feels Like For A Girl and Justify My Love were banned from MTV.
- 8/15/2008
- WENN
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