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MAY 15 | 2014 | DEFENDER
entertainment
5
Anika Noni Rose
stars on Broadway, in film By KAM WILLIAMS Special to the Defender
T
ony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose currently stars alongside Denzel Washington in the Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun.” Her outstanding performance has not only earned her critical acclaim but also a Tony award nomination. She recently starred as Whoopi Goldberg’s daughter in the madefor-TV movie, “A Day Late and a Dollar Short.” On the big screen, she portrayed Lorell Robinson in “Dreamgirls.” In addition, she voiced Princess Tiana in the animated feature “The Princess and the Frog,” which Anika Noni Rose and Thandie Newton play sisters in “Half of a Yellow Sun.” introduced Disney’s first AfricanRose won a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a American princess. The film received three Oscar Musical for her role in “Caroline, or Change.” nominations and Rose became the youngest inductee Born in Bloomfield, Conn. in 1972, Rose received ever to be honored as a Disney Legend. her MFA from American Conservatory Theater and Her other film credits include “Imperial Dreams,” holds an honorary doctorate from Florida A&M Uni“For Colored Girls,” “Just Add Water,” “As Cool as I versity. Am” and “Khumba.” Here, she discusses her new film, “Half of a YelNo stranger to television, she most recently low Sun,” co-starring Thandie Newton and Chiwetel starred in the Hallmark special “The Watsons Go to Ejiofor. It is based on the novel by Nigerian author Birmingham.” She has also appeared on some of the Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and tells the story of the highest-rated network shows. Biafran War.
KW: What interested you in making this movie? ANR: I read the book when it came out, and I loved it. That book really excited me and moved me. And I read a lot. I remember thinking back then that it would make an amazing film. So, I was beyond thrilled when the call came asking whether I might be interested. KW: Is your character Kainene very close to the character in the novel or were a lot of liberties were taken in the script? ANR: She’s very close to the character in the novel. I tried to keep her as tight to what Chimamanda described as possible. The only differences, I think, are the physical differences between our bodies, and there’s nothing I could do about that. KW: How long has your journey been to get where you are and how hard was the transition for you from Broadway to film? ANR: I have been acting professionally since 1997. I didn’t feel that the transition was extraordinarily difficult, style-wise. The first film I did was not a great film, but I had a great time, and I learned a lot about things that were important to me, primarily, “Where is the camera right now?” and “What is the angle?” The big film I did was “Dreamgirls,” where I was lucky to be able to bring Broadway to the screen. But I did not feel like there was a huge difference between how I do, what I do, onstage and onscreen.
what’sup The Standard Hotel in New York City is trying to discover who leaked the security video which appears to show BEYONCÉ’S little sister SOLANGE KNOWLES punching, kicking and screaming at JAY Z in the hotel’s elevator. The video has gone viral and received more than 3 million views in 24 hours on TMZ’s YouTube channel. The hotel said in a statement that the video violates the confidentiality of it guests. “We are investigating with the utmost urgency the circumstances surrounding the situation and, as is our customary practice, will discipline and prosecute the individuals involved to our fullest capacity,” the statement said……..There are reports that former Destiny’s Child member KELLY ROWLAND recently married TIM WITHERSPOON, her manager and fiancé, in Costa Rica. According to Us Weekly, the pair exchanged vows in front of 30 people, including Beyoncé, Solange, their mom
TINA KNOWLES and MICHELLE WILLLIAMS. A source described the ceremony as “quick” and “simple.” Rowland announced her engagement last December on QUEEN LATIFAH’S talk show and talked about keeping a low-profile relationship. “It’s been a while. We’ve kept it very, very low – for years, to be completely honest,” she said…….WHOOPI GOLDBERG’S production company, One Ho Productions, has signed a deal to develop a docuseries around her daughter, ALEX MARTIN, and her extended family. The show looks at how Martin, the mother of three children, copes when her oldest daughter moves back home, resulting in three generations living under one roof. She receives support from her best friend Leisa. “I wanted to tell the story of two best friends who experience all of the major phases of a woman’s life together,” Goldberg said……..DON CHEADLE begins shooting a film about
the late jazz trumpeter MILES DAVIS in Cincinnati this summer. Cheadle is also directing the film. His costars include ZOE SALDANA and EWAN McGREGOR. Davis was considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, and played with such jazz giants as CHARLIE PARKER, JOHN COLTRANE, COLEMAN HAWKINS, SONNY ROLLINS, CANNONBALL ADDERLEY, HERBIE HANCOCK and ART BLAKEY. He died in 1991 at age 65……Several Black stars appear in network TV shows that are being cancelled. ABC shows not returning include “The Neighbors” starring TOKS OLAGUNDOYE. CBS cancelled “Bad Teacher” starring DAVID ALAN GRIER. Fox cancelled “Enlisted” starring KEITH DAVID. NBC shows getting the axe include “Crisis,” starring LANCE GROSS; “Believe,” starring DELROY LINDO, and “Revolution,” starring GIANCARLO ESPOSITO.
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