Source: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Genius Productio / Getty Marsai Martin’s 15th Birthday Photos Marsai Martin is celebrating her birthday even a month after its passing. The “Little” star/executive produce r took to Lucky Strike LA Live on Sunday night for a B-Day bash commemorating her blowing out 15 candles on her cake. The Hollywood sweetheart who turned 15 August 14 brought out a gang of her fellow celebs including Christina Milian, Violet Nash, and Jeannie Mai… Source: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Genius Productio / Getty as well as fellow teen style stunner Skai Jackson. Source: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Genius Productio / Getty Marsai’s promising fans that she’s got even more birthday turn up ahead. View this post on Instagram I told y’all we celebrating until we’re tired more photos coming soon #thegloup A post shared by Marsai Martin (@marsaimartin) on Sep 2, 2019 at 9:20pm PDT Live your life, little sis! Source: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Genius Productio / Getty More Marsai Martin birthday party photos on the flip.
Source: ENT / Splash News Marsai Martin Crafts Spotify’s Black Girl Magic Playlist The takeover continues! Today, Marsai Martin , executive producer and star of the highly-anticipated film, Little , is taking over Spotify’s Black Girl Magic playlist to celebrate the film’s theatrical release. Marsai’s selections include contemporary picks like H.E.R.’s “As I Am” and Chloe and Halle’s “Down”, as well as R&B favorites, Rihanna’s “Diamonds” and Beyonce’s “Superpower” in addition to soulful classics like Erykah Badu’s “Honey” and Jill Scott’s “Golden.” You can stream the playlist linked here . You can also follow @Spotify on Instagram to watch Marsai’s Instagram takeover.
Source: Paras Griffin/ Getty Images For Universal Pictures / Getty ‘Little’ Cast Visits Spelman Before Atlanta Premiere ‘LITTLE’ officially opens in theaters on April 12th, but some 900 lucky students from Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College packed Spelman’s Sisters Chapel on Thursday, April 4th for a LITTLE conversation with cast members Regina Hall, Issa Rae , Marsai Martin and Director Tina Gordon. Source: Paras Griffin/ Getty Images For Universal Pictures / Getty Welcomed by moderator, Spelmanite Kennedy Rue-McCollough, students and teachers went wild as the ladies walked on stage. Kennedy chatted with the ladies about the importance of women empowerment and how to uplift your sister. In addition, the ladies discussed how they personally deal with responsibility of representation in media and who they look up to for representation. Throughout the conversation, Issa kept the crowd cheering and laughing, especially with her chemistry with Regina on stage. Check out more photos from the Spelman event below, then hit the flip for photos from the premiere as well as interview exclusives with BOSSIP.
Source: Felipe Ramales / Splash News Gabrielle Union, Lupita Nyong’o, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin And Jordyn Woods Get Snapped By Paps There’s been a whole lot more black girl magic in the streets this weekend and we HAD to share it with you guys! Take for example Gabrielle Union , who stepped out of her NYC hotel looking like she was ready to walk the runway in a chic Prada dress and Manolo Blahniks… Source: Felipe Ramales / Splash News Gorgeous Gabs!
C harles D. King —the producer behind pivotal films like Fences , Mudbound and Sorry to Bother You —recently made a power move in the entertainment industry. According to Deadline , King’s media company MACRO has inked a first-look deal with Warner Bros. MACRO Inks First-Look Deal At Warner Bros. https://t.co/slakoAd7q9 pic.twitter.com/UQihafRhvL — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 20, 2019 King believes the partnership with Warner Bros. will be instrumental in helping people of color authentically bring their narratives to the big screen, the news outlet writes. One of the projects that King is currently working on through his production company is a film entitled Jesus Was My Homeboy , which is about the life story of Black Panther Party member Fred Hampton . Director Ryan Coogler and WB will work on the project as well. Actors Lakeith Stanfield and Daniel Kaluuya may star in the film. Through the deal with Warner Bros., King wants to bring more stories like these to the forefront. “We are thrilled to join forces with Warner Bros. Pictures and their visionary leadership team whose bold choices have led to some of our industry’s most successful and impactful films,” said King in a statement, according to the news outlet. “This expertise, combined with WarnerMedia and AT&T’s global assets and distribution, offers MACRO an unparalleled opportunity to expand our reach and further our mission of identifying and producing authentic stories by and about people of color.” The Warner Bros. leadership team is excited about working with MACRO. WB Production Head Courtenay Valenti and the studio’s chairman Toby Emmerich said that they are looking forward to producing films that “highlight the authenticity and importance of diversity.” Black producers are landing major production deals. In January, actor Michael B. Jordan ’s production company Outlier Society inked a first-look deal with Warner Bros. In February Marsai Martin signed a first-look deal with Universal through her company Genius Productions. SEE ALSO: Marsai Martin’s Production Company Inks First-Look Deal With Universal Pictures Michael B. Jordan Launches Fellowship For Youth [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3847091″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty Marsai Martin Signs A First Look Deal With Universal At only 14-years-old, Marsai Martin is breaking all kinds of boundaries. The Black-ish actress just became the youngest person to ever sign a first look deal with Universal Studios. This news comes only a few months after it was announced that with her upcoming venture Little , Martin would become the youngest executive producer in Hollywood. According to reports from Deadline , Marsai will develop original content that speaks through her distinct point of view and provides opportunities for other young actors as a part of this brand new partnership. Martin herself expressed her intentions to create lasting change with the work she is doing behind the camera in a statement about the deal. “I am so excited for the magic I’ll be able to create and produce with Universal,” she gushed. “My goal is to show young women and girls that our voices and ideas matter and you are never too young to dream BIG!” She also expressed her enthusiasm on Instagram, posting a screenshot of the news and writing, “Very excited to see what the future holds.” Martin’s first film as part of this deal is StepMonster , a comedy about a teenage girl played by Marsai herself, who is “adjusting to life with a new stepmother.” The film will be produced by her production company, Genius Productions. Congrats to Marsai Martin on these major money moves at such a young age!
T here are many Black youngsters who are stepping into the entrepreneurship space and thriving. Three brothers behind the eco-friendly candle brand Frères Branchiaux have landed a major deal with Macy’s, Black News reported. These young African American entrepreneurs — age 8, 10, and 13 — are brothers and also the founders of the newest line of eco-friendly candle and home fragrance products… now available in Macy's nationwide! #blackpreneur #shopblack #blackexcellence https://t.co/bLD6vjvFz2 — Black News (@BlackNews) January 28, 2019 The brothers—8-year-old Austin , 10-year-old Ryan , and 13-year-old Collin Gill —initially launched their candle brand as an avenue to spread awareness about environmentally-friendly products, give back to their community, and generate money in the process. All of their candles and home fragrances feature non-toxic, organic ingredients. The Gill brothers have watched their business grow exponentially. Their candles are featured in 21 stores across the country and they were handpicked to be featured in the Market at Macy’s. Frères Branchiaux was included at Macy’s locations in New York City, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh. They’ve also teamed up with big brands like ModCloth and Ace Hardware. The youngsters are all about promoting social good through their company. Aside from their mission of making eco-conscious products more affordable and accessible, they are giving back to those in need. Frères Branchiaux donates 10 percent of its profits to homeless shelters in the Washington, D.C. area. The brothers have also become advocates for youth entrepreneurship. “I want to give back to the community because they gave to us,” Ryan told the Washington Post . Young Black entrepreneurs are landing deals with big retail stores. Zandra Cunningham , an 18-year-old beauty entrepreneur from Buffalo, recently inked a deal with Target to sell her brand’s beauty box in their stores. SEE ALSO: 18-Year-Old Beauty Entrepreneur Lands Major Deal With Target #BossMoves: 14-Year-Old Marsai Martin To Become Youngest Hollywood Executive Producer In History [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3845214″ overlay=”true”]
B lack women are starting the year off strong in the entertainment industry. Just weeks after Regina Hall became the first Black woman to receive a New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress and Marsai Martin made history as Hollywood’s youngest executive producer, actress Taraji P. Henson has hit a major career milestone. According to Essence , Henson will be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Give @TherealTaraji all of her roses: https://t.co/HMrsRZmQ6X — ESSENCE (@Essence) January 20, 2019 The Empire actress is slated to receive her star on January 28, the news outlet writes. Walk of Fame representatives say that the honor is well-deserved as Henson has played pivotal roles in films and on television. “Taraji P Henson is a powerful woman and a powerful actress. She is an entertainer that fans cannot take their eyes off of due to her great acting ability,” said Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez , according to the news outlet. “We welcome her bright star on our Walk of Fame.” Henson recently took to Instagram to share her excitement. “This is for those lovely scary nay sayers who doubted me!!!! Welp I had a dream aaaaaannnnnnnd thank GOD I used all of your doubt to propel me to my greatness!!!,” she wrote. “I love you and I needed you!!!!” Her movie What Men Want is slated to be released on February 8. When Henson isn’t in front of the camera, she’s leading philanthropic efforts . In 2018, she launched a non-profit—dubbed the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation—that is designed to provide resources for individuals battling with mental illness. “My dad fought in the Vietnam War for our country, returned broken, and received little to no physical and emotional support. I stand now in his absence, committed to offering support to African-Americans who face trauma daily, simply because they are Black,” she said in a statement about the organization. SEE ALSO: Taraji P. Henson To Launch Non-Profit That Addresses Mental Health Stigma In The Black Community From Taraji P. Henson To Thurgood Marshall: Famous HBCU Alums [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3843475″ overlay=”true”]
I t’s been over a century since the first Broadway musical written and performed by African Americans made its debut and there are still racial barriers being broken in theatre in this day and age. Actress Brittney Johnson recently made history as the first African American woman to take on the role of Glinda the Good Witch of the North in the play Wicked , ABC News reported. Brittney Johnson @sunnybrittney makes history as 1st black woman to play Glinda in @WICKED_Musical on Broadway! https://t.co/9yi9wnAvNb pic.twitter.com/f4pZMXqvvy — Good Morning America (@GMA) January 11, 2019 Johnson joined the cast in June 2018 as an understudy and made her debut as Glinda on January 10, the news outlet writes. She was the first Black woman to play the role since the play made its debut on Broadway in 2003. Johnson is humbled to play Glinda and says that stepping on stage to perform each show is something that’s bigger than herself. She hopes that her accomplishment inspires others to push forward and fulfill their dreams. “My heart is bursting with gratitude. God is so good! I am so humbled to be the first Black Glinda and honored to fulfill the dreams and hopes of so many! I feel like my feet have yet to touch down,” she told the news outlet. “The importance of this moment in history is only amplified by the message of this beautiful show: Love, friendship, and kindness are stronger than the fear of “otherness”. Love can break down barriers to change the world. I’m so grateful to the Wicked team for trusting me to tell this story. My hope and prayer is that people see my story and have faith that they can achieve their dreams too. Nothing is impossible! And no dream is too big.” #BlackGirlMagic is reigning supreme in the entertainment industry. Actress Regina Hall recently became the first Black woman to receive a New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress and Marsai Martin is slated to make history as Hollywood’s youngest executive producer. SEE ALSO: #BossMoves: 14-Year-Old Marsai Martin To Become Youngest Hollywood Executive Producer In History Missy Elliott Becomes First Woman Rapper Inducted Into Songwriters Hall Of Fame [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3842480″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Eli Joshua Adé/ Universal Pictures / Eli Joshua Adé/ Universal Pictures Marsai Martin Talks Producing And Starring In Upcoming Universal Pictures Film ‘Little’ If you’ve already seen the trailer for the new film ‘Little’ which was released today you probably have a good idea of just how incredible leading lady Marsai Martin is — but BOSSIP had the opportunity to go on set with the actress — who at only 14 is also EXECUTIVE PRODUCING the film along with her father Josh Martin and Regina Hall. It turns out that Martin came up with the concept when she was just ten-years-old, and the actress, along with her parents, brought the idea to “blackish” creator Kenya Barris (who along with Will Packer and James Lopez, is also producing the movie). Marsai teased the coming trailer earlier this week on Instagram We found out on set just how strategic Martin is, as she described how it all came about: “I was talking to Daddy and Mommy about some of their favorite movies when they were growing up and one of mine was ‘BIG’ with Tom Hanks,” Martin told BOSSIP and other media during the set visit last fall. “So that’s really how the idea was brought out, that’s where it all started and we started brainstorming, to see how we could create a black girl magic situation.” After coming up with the basic outline the Martins wasted no time trying to bring their daughter’s concept to life. “At the Season 1 of “blackISH,” I think it was the season finale, dad went to Kenya like ‘Marsai has this dope idea,’” the actress recalled. “Kenya ended up liking it and right after was calling Will [Packer] like ‘Yo… Diane from “blackish” has a dope idea.” After that we had a meeting with him and James [Lopez] and after that he bought it and after that we went to Universal and they bought it and it wasn’t long before we shot it. I mean like, three years?” “I’m very grateful and very honored that they were just like saying yes to this 10-year-old who just popped out with this blazer and all of these things,” Martin said. “They could have said no but they actually believed in me and the story we wanted to tell.” The young starlet says she has aspirations of some day hosting “SNL” or the “Emmy’s” and experiencing the kind of success that she could retire at 18. “But I won’t!” Marsai promised. Well — if the Academy is listening they may have their perfect host right here. In the meantime, Martin’s father is focused on making sure his daughter is just as successful at life as she is the film industry. “One of the things we teach her is to live in the moment,” Josh Martin said of his teenage daughter. “Live in your moment, you don’t have to worry about what two years from now looks like. Live in your now and enjoy it! There’s no rush to grow up. Don’t start thinking too far ahead because life happens.” Marsai’s early success is no surprise to her father, who says by the age of two she was an avid film buff, enjoying projects like ‘Lackawanna Blues’ and the Ray Charles biopic ‘Ray,’ which she could mimic without actually watching. “It would be playing behind her on a screen and she would be mirroring all the moves. It was funny, she became this family party favor, grandparents would be sippin’ on something and be like ‘Look, look, do the thing…’” Josh Martin recalled. “We kinda stumbled up on it. All of this just fell into place and I’m glad it did because she really loves it.” One particular angle of ‘Little’ that hit particularly close to home was the underlying message about bullying that’s at the core of the storyline. “Jordan when she’s 13-years-old, she’s just like this sweet quirky girl, doesn’t care what anyone thinks and the more she grows up she realizes ‘Oh snap, people are bullying me, what can I do to stop this?” Marsai says. “So she started bullying them first. She thought that was the solution for people to stop messing with her.” Martin’s dad told BOSSIP that in this era of social media, he’s particularly proud that his daughter hasn’t allowed online bullying to affect her at all. “I can tell you this, the social media has been a gift and a curse, because before she was fully engaged in being this Hollywood actress she was following people like Beyoncé, people she liked, YouTubers, then she got to read comments and see a lot of people just wanted to see a reaction so she got to see how a lot of how social media worked and what she wanted her voice to be on social media and when she saw something she knew not to react. One of the things we taught her was not to look at the comments. One day somebody had said something to Skai Jackson and Skai responded and the only thing the person said was, “Oh my God, Skai replied to me.” And she was like “Oh, this is how it works?” She’s a really big fan of Beyoncé and she used to read a lot of the comments that people would leave about Beyoncé and she saw she wouldn’t give them any attention, I also make sure my presence is felt wherever she is, I let it be known she has a mother and a father and I will make a scene because I don’t care.” Well her film beginnings may be ‘LITTLE’ but it’s clear there are big things to come in the future for Marsai and it sounds like she’s got a great team behind her — both professional and family. Stay tuned for more great coverage from our set visit coming soon. Don’t forget, ‘LITTLE’ lands in theaters April 12!
