Source: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com / WENN Billy Porter inched one step closer to capturing the elusive EGOT quarter of awards, this after making history during last night’s Emmy Awards. The Pose star is the first openly gay Black man to win the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series award. Porter, 50, has emerged as one of the brightest star’s for FX’s hit series, Pose , which boasts the largest ensemble of transgender and LGBTQ and actors across any television show in its category. This follows Porter’s 2013 Tony Award win for the Broadway play Kinky Boots and his 2014 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for Kinky Boots as well. During his acceptance speech, Porter quoted the late writer James Baldwin who also combated the stigma of being a Black gay creative during a time where criticism of one’s sexual orientation was barely tolerated by many. “James Baldwin said “Took many years of vomiting up all the filth that I had been taught about myself, and halfway believed, before I could walk around this Earth like I had the right to be here”,” Porter said in his speech. “I have the right, you have the right, we all have the right!” As it has been noted in times past, Porter was indeed stylish per usual. Watch the acceptance speech below. “Please don't ever stop telling the truth.” – @theebillyporter The category is LOVE. Can we all just take the time this morning to acknowledge Billy Porter and congratulate him on his Emmy win last night? Listen his amazing acceptance speech here. : @Variety pic.twitter.com/JOMiWIYc4G — Equality Jamaica (@EqualityJa) September 23, 2019 — Photo: WENN
Time and time again, interviews with Mike Johnson showed the charmter Bachelorette alum gently set aside rumors that he was in talks with ABC. He was — and is — a fan-favorite to be the next leading man, even though Peter Weber is the Bachelor . Now, Mike reveals that he was in talks, that he did want the role, and shares the extremely noble reason why he was hyped for it. Mike Johnson had already weighed in a little on Peter’s selection — he’s a big fan! But on The Bachelor Happy Hour with Rachel & Ali podcast, he elaborates upon how much he would have liked it to have been him. “I was 100% in talks to be the next Bachelor,” Mike reveals for the first time, having previously claimed to have not been in talks. He admits that, because of this deception, “People probably didn’t think I was considered to be the Bachelor.” Mike explains that he denied being in talks “because I was trying to be so respectful of the crew at Bachelor world.” “And,” he reasons. “I didn’t want to speak about it.” “Even when I went on TV. I thought that was being extremely respectful and a gentlemen of me to the Bachelor world,” Mike says. Oh, he absolutely was. “And Peter didn’t do those interviews,” he acknowledges. “So he didn’t have to go through that.” “I 100% wanted to be the Bachelor,” Mike emphasizes. And he tells th eworld exactly why. He explains: “Reasons being: One, I do want to find a wife.” Mike then adds: “Two, it was bigger than me and I wanted to represent for all people of color.” “Talking about people of color,” Mike continues, pointing out that the black community is not the only minority underrepresented on the show. Having more than twenty seasons but zero black men isn’t a coincidence, but there’s more to it than anti-blackness. “They need to have an Asian Bachelor, they need to have an Indian Bachelor,” he correctly expressed. Mike added: “They need to have other people outside of just black and white.” He also goes into detail about how far along, how prepared, he was. “I had a list of — a Word document — of the type of woman I wanted, what I was scared of, what I wasn’t scared of,” Mike reveals. Mike makes it clear that, as important as representation is, he’s not bitter. “They chose the right person for what they want,” Mike expresses. “And there’s nothing wrong with that at all,” he emphasizes. Mike admits: “When I first found out, I’m not gonna lie, I was sad. I was annoyed when I very first found out.” “But then by the end of the night, I wasn’t annoyed no more,” he shares. Mike explains: “because I was appreciative and thankful that they told me ‘no’ right then and there, because now I could focus on myself.” We can understand why he would have felt annoyed. Not only did ABC and producers skip over yet another black candidate for leading man, but Mike must have felt strung along. Hopefully, his date with Demi Lovato soothed some of that hurt. Unfortunately, as long as a chunk of Bachelor fans decide to tune out when the lead is black — as they did in Rachel’s season — producers may still make the same choices. View Slideshow: The Bachelor Season 24: Meet the Women! Already!
Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty Tonight’s Emmys made some serious history. First up, Jharrel Jerome’s win for When They See Us made him the youngest person to win an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie as well as the first Afro-Latino to win for acting, Deadline reported . He beat out other nominees Mahershala Ali ( True Detective ), Benicio Del Toro ( Escape at Dannemora ), Hugh Grant ( A Very English Scandal ), Jared Harris ( Chernobyl ) and Sam Rockwell ( Fosse/Verdon ). The 21-year-old earned the coveted trophy for his portrayal of the Exonerated Five-member Korey Wise , who, as a teenager, was wrongfully convicted of the rape and assault of Trisha Meili in 1989. During the young actor’s acceptance speech, he thanked his mother, show creator Ava DuVernay and the five men the limited series was based on. “I feel like I should just be in the Bronx right now, chilling, waiting for my mom’s cooking or something,” Jerome began. “But I’m here in front of my inspirations, I’m here in front of people who I’m so motivated by, and the reason I’m here is because [of] actors like the people I was in the category with. I have to thank my mom, who’s with me today, my beautiful mother. I couldn’t do it without her. My dad… of course Ava [DuVernay, creator of the miniseries], thank you for giving me this opportunity, Netflix, my team… But most importantly, this is for the men that we know as the Exonerated Five. Raymond [Santana], Yusef [Salaam], Antron [McCray], Kevin [Richardson], and King Korey Wise, thank you so much, it’s an honor, it’s a blessing.” (Peep how relieved presenter Angela Bassett looked when she opened up that envelope and saw his name) Jharrel Jerome thanks “The Exonerated 5” in his acceptance speech for #WhenTheySeeUs #Emmys #Emmys2019 pic.twitter.com/1T94C5RHTl — The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) September 23, 2019 Backstage, he told the press that he’s glad he can represent Dominicans in the industry. “It’s a blessing and I hope this is a step forward for Dominicans, for Latinos, for Afro Latinos. It’s about time we’re here,” adding when he was the youngest to win this award, “well damn, that’s incredible.. kids are smart too.” Jharrel Jerome reflects on becoming the first Afro-Latino to win an acting #Emmy : “I hope this is a step forward for Dominicans, for Latinos, for Afro-Latinos. It's about time we are here” | https://t.co/wKARQy4lP8 pic.twitter.com/RKNbIAhWqj — Variety (@Variety) September 23, 2019 When asked about the Academy continuing to award stories that center on Black plain, he replied, “Unfortunately, I think our strongest stories are the stories of pain considering that’s what we go through on a daily basis. It is unfortunate that comedies or light pieces of work aren’t as praised and aren’t sent to the award season.” “The truth is our pain needs to be told. So if it has to be for the next 20 years where we are just painfully telling our stories until we can move on then I guess it has to be.” Source: FREDERIC J. BROWN / Getty Pose’s Billy Porter also had the crowd on their feet when Kerry Washington read his name of the winning envelope for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. The Tony winner became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy in the Lead Actor category. Porter plays the iconic Pray Tell, on the hit FX show, which is set in New York City’s ball scene during the 1980s and ’90s at the height of the AIDS epidemic. He stars alongside Mj Rodriguez , Indya Moore , Dominique Jackson , Angelica Ross , and Hailie Sahar , the largest cast of trans actors on a TV show in history. “I am so overwhelmed and I am so overjoyed to have lived long enough to see this day,” the 50-year-old began, quoting James Baldwin : “It took many years of vomiting up the filth I was taught about myself and halfway believed before I could walk around this Earth like I had a right to be here.” “I have the right,” Porter continued. “You have the right. We all have the right.” After thanking his team, the Pose cast and co-creator Ryan Murphy , Porter urged the crowd to keep working to change “hearts and minds.” “We are the people, we as artists are the people that get to change the molecular structure of the hearts and minds of the people who live on this planet. Please don’t ever stop doing that. Please don’t ever stop telling the truth. I love you all. They’re telling me to please stop. God bless you. God bless you. If I forget anybody, I’m sorry. I love you all.” Backstage, the Tony, Grammy, and now Emmy winner got emotional when talking about the importance of LGBTQ people seeing themselves on television. “Visibility and representation are the only things that create change. It’s when we are visible that we have the power to create empathy through the way we tell stories. Being black and gay and out and being in this position and speaking from where I get to speak from is the change,” Porter said. His voice broke as he added: “I hope that young queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.” Billy Porter has an emotional moment backstage after his #Emmys win, “I hope that young, queer people of all colors can look at me and know that they can.” https://t.co/G6ooSCPL2j pic.twitter.com/0u3HW65fd3 — Variety (@Variety) September 23, 2019 While no Black women took home a statue tonight, we want to celebrate these two brothas who gave fearless performances and continue to make us proud with their talent, spirit, and presence. Congrats Jharrel and Billy! RELATED NEWS: Billy Porter Getting Ready For The Emmys Is A Whole Mood #BlackExcellence: Jharell Jerome Is Hollywood’s New Breakout Star! #Snubbed: 10 Black Women Who Deserved Emmy Nominations [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3059309″ overlay=”true”]
F or the first time in MasterChef history, a Black woman has won the competition. According to Atlanta Black Star , Dorian Hunter edged out her competitors during the final cook-off of the show’s 10th season and took home the title. ‘MasterChef’ Names Dorian Hunter Season 10 Winner, First Black Woman Victor Wins $250k https://t.co/8DtxvraCtP pic.twitter.com/DueL05LG4D — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) September 19, 2019 Hunter—who plans on releasing a cookbook in the near future—won $250,000 and the opportunity to be mentored by the show’s judges Joe Bastianich , Aaron Sanchez , and Gordon Ramsay who also serves as MasterChef ’s executive producer. Her winning menu featured seared sea scallops with cornmeal tuille, sweet corn puree and pickled swiss chard. She served applewood smoked short ribs for her entrée and topped the meal off with a lemon blueberry tart. Hunter says competing on the show and coming out victorious has been life-changing and that she’s ready to continue her journey in the realm of culinary arts with her cookbook that will include soul food recipes with a twist. She also wants to use some of her prize money to open up a restaurant. “It is enough for me to at least feed the idea. I don’t have to go to the table with nothing, so I am definitely going to have to get investors or some sort of a loan, or find the rest of the money somewhere else, but it is going to be a nice start,” she told Parade . “I always say that having the title is more than the money. I am hoping to be able to work the title to, ultimately, open up that restaurant.” She added that she’s looking forward to being trained by the judges and says that their tutelage is more valuable than the money. SEE ALSO: Twins Launch Philadelphia’s First Black-Owned Delivery Service Black-Owned Biscuit Brand Lands Distribution Deals With Walmart, Whole Foods, Other Retailers [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3887442″ overlay=”true”]
B lack teenagers across the country are reaching new heights in academia and making history in the process. Months after 14-year-old Sydney Wilson became the youngest student to be admitted into Spelman College , a Washington, D.C.-based teen has hit a major milestone. According to The GW Hatchet , 14-year-old Curtis Lawrence is one of the youngest students to attend George Washington University full-time. At just 14, Curtis Lawrence, is navigating campus life at George Washington University, thanks to a program at his high school called Schools Without Walls. https://t.co/uJCPaIOkam — News4JAX (@wjxt4) September 8, 2019 Lawrence attended a magnet school on the university’s campus called School Without Walls. The school allows high school juniors and seniors to take college courses at the university so that they can earn both a diploma and an Associates of Arts degree. Lawrence was selected to participate in the Associate of Arts Cohort that provides 15 sophomores from the school with the opportunity to earn a degree. Lawrence’s parents were aware that he was gifted from an early age. At 2-years-old he learned how to read and started studying science and math. He skipped several grades during elementary school and middle school and was homeschooled during eighth grade. He then went on to attend School Without Walls which led him to the GW Early College Program. Lawrence plans on fully immersing himself in on-campus activities. He is a member of the African Student Association, the Black Student Union, and the Caribbean Students Association. He’s currently taking courses centered on African history, astronomy, calculus, and geology. “I feel like I was prepared for the academics because Walls is a very rigorous high school, it’s the top high school in D.C., so a lot of the work that we did reflected the work that I’ll be doing here in college,” Lawrence told the news outlet. “Most of the high school experience is replicated at GW for me in some kind of way.” After completing his associate degree at George Washington University, he plans on studying computer science at Florida A&M University. SEE ALSO: 14-Year-Old Sydney Wilson Becomes Youngest Student Accepted Into Spelman #BlackExcellence: 11-Year-Old Academic Standout Dionn Megginson Starts High School [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]
T wo Black women entrepreneurs paid it forward by giving back to students in need at their alma mater. Pinky Cole , the creator of the plant-based burger restaurant Slutty Vegan, and Harlem Hops owner Stacey Lee —both alums of Clark Atlanta University—helped 30 seniors who attend the historically Black college pay off their debt, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. These two women went back to their alma mater and asked for a list of seniors who wouldn’t be able to graduate due to outstanding balances. Then they partnered to clear them. https://t.co/UmdvX9MfAp — #becauseofthemwecan (@Becauseofthem) September 12, 2019 Lee, who founded Harlem’s first-ever Black-owned beer bar, was determined to find a way to assist students who are struggling with the cost of tuition. She contacted Cole to explore ways they could join forces and eliminate financial burdens for students so they’d be able to walk across the graduation stage. Cognizant of how the student debt crisis has hit HBCUs the hardest, the women were motivated to utilize their resources to make a difference in the lives of students of color. Cole and Lee—who are members of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated—connected with the school and asked for a list of seniors who needed to pay off debt so they would be able to graduate. They randomly chose 30 students to help and surprised them on campus to let them know that their outstanding balances have been handled. “God has been so good to us both. It just felt right,” Cold told Because of Them We Can . “Growing up in a single-family household, and being the first to go to college, I know what it feels like to not know where the money is coming from. But there were people who believed in me despite my circumstances and I wanted to be that person for someone else.” Since the inception of her fast-growing business, which has evolved into a staple in Atlanta, she has donated over $100,000 towards the education of college students in need. Entrepreneurs are stepping up to help students of different ages tackle their debt. In June, a Black-owned barbershop in North Carolina raised money to help high school seniors pay off their debt so they would be able to graduate. SEE ALSO: Black-Owned Barbershop Pays Off Debt For Students In Charlotte Billionaire Robert F. Smith Pledges To Eliminate Student Loan Debt For Morehouse’s Class Of 2019 [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3039818″ overlay=”true”]
Source: SplashNews / Splash News Kenya Moore And Marc Daly Reveal They Are Splitting It’s a wrap. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore and her restauranteur hubby Marc Daly have officially decided to end their marriage after two years together, according to People reports. Moore, 48, and Daly, 49, married in a ceremony in St. Lucia in June 2017 and Moore gave birth to their first child, daughter Brooklyn Doris Daly, on Nov. 4, 2018. In exclusive statements to PEOPLE, both Moore and Daily asked for privacy. “It is with profound sadness that I regret to inform my fans that I am divorcing my husband Marc Daly,” Moore said. “Due to recent and ongoing circumstances, I can no longer continue in the marriage. My sole concern and focus is and will always be my daughter, Brooklyn, my miracle baby. She was made in love and true commitment. I ask for our privacy to be respected moving forward.” Said Daly: “I have come to the difficult decision to separate from Kenya at this time. Our daughter has two parents that love her very much and in her best interests, this situation should remain as private as possible. I cherish our family’s good times together and will continue to co-parent in a loving way. Rumors, innuendo or false accusations only serve to hurt our family and will be addressed through counsel as the law permits. Please respect our privacy during this challenging period.” There’s a twist though… Love B. Scott is reporting that Daly may have been previously married, with two children he allegedly hid from Moore. That marriage reportedly lasted for only a year and details are still pending. People reports that the pair were seen together earlier this week when they were spotted Tuesday attending a benefit reception he hosted in honor of the Black Man Lab at the Wimbish House in Atlanta. The estranged couple made their first appearance as a family along with daughter Brooklyn on Monday’s episode of The Tamron Hall Show , filmed in NYC where they discussed their experience with infertility.
Source: Dominik Bindl / Getty Whoopi Goldberg traded in her signature black loccs for a head full of wintery white hair on the set of The View . The actress and daytime talk show host is known for her laid back style, outlandish shoes, but rarely does she ever switch up her hair. View this post on Instagram New hair, who dis? @whoopigoldberg debuts her new hair as she prepares for the role of Mother Abagail in @stephenking’s upcoming limited series “The Stand.” A post shared by The View (@theviewabc) on Sep 18, 2019 at 11:29am PDT The View’s Instagram account posted a photo of Whoopi with the caption, “New hair, who dis? @whoopigoldberg debuts her new hair as she prepares for the role of Mother Abagail in @stephenking’s upcoming limited series “ The Strand .” Not for nothing, this is a look that I can get with! Although this isn’t her natural color, the white hair gives Whoopi an edgy, fun look. I know it’s for a role, but hopefully she’ll embrace the style and keep it in for a while. It’s good to see Whoopi back to work, full throttle. Back in February she was hospitalized due to a bad case of pneumonia. She later disclosed that her hospital stint was a near-death experience. With lots of rest and some time off, she was able to return the big screen. In May she launched a clothing line named Dubgee by Whoopi, a collection of clothes that is designed to makes you look and feel good. Now she is prepping for Stephen King’s limited series “ The Strand .” This new hairstyle is a testament that if and when the mogul decides to let the greys hang out, it’ll be a good look for her. I’m 100% here for this! What do you think? Are you feeling Whoopi Goldberg’s Storm vibes? DON’T MISS HAUTE OR NAUGHT: Singer Tweet Cuts Off Her Long Natural Hair And Opts For A Short Cut For Fall The Weeknd Debuts A New Hairstyle And Black Twitter Is On One With The Jokes #NYFWNOIR: All The Natural Hair We Loved On The Runway From NYFW 2019 [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058336″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Dominik Bindl / Getty Whoopi Goldberg traded in her signature black loccs for a head full of wintery white hair on the set of The View . The actress and daytime talk show host is known for her laid back style, outlandish shoes, but rarely does she ever switch up her hair. View this post on Instagram New hair, who dis? @whoopigoldberg debuts her new hair as she prepares for the role of Mother Abagail in @stephenking’s upcoming limited series “The Stand.” A post shared by The View (@theviewabc) on Sep 18, 2019 at 11:29am PDT The View’s Instagram account posted a photo of Whoopi with the caption, “New hair, who dis? @whoopigoldberg debuts her new hair as she prepares for the role of Mother Abagail in @stephenking’s upcoming limited series “ The Strand .” Not for nothing, this is a look that I can get with! Although this isn’t her natural color, the white hair gives Whoopi an edgy, fun look. I know it’s for a role, but hopefully she’ll embrace the style and keep it in for a while. It’s good to see Whoopi back to work, full throttle. Back in February she was hospitalized due to a bad case of pneumonia. She later disclosed that her hospital stint was a near-death experience. With lots of rest and some time off, she was able to return the big screen. In May she launched a clothing line named Dubgee by Whoopi, a collection of clothes that is designed to makes you look and feel good. Now she is prepping for Stephen King’s limited series “ The Strand .” This new hairstyle is a testament that if and when the mogul decides to let the greys hang out, it’ll be a good look for her. I’m 100% here for this! What do you think? Are you feeling Whoopi Goldberg’s Storm vibes? DON’T MISS HAUTE OR NAUGHT: Singer Tweet Cuts Off Her Long Natural Hair And Opts For A Short Cut For Fall The Weeknd Debuts A New Hairstyle And Black Twitter Is On One With The Jokes #NYFWNOIR: All The Natural Hair We Loved On The Runway From NYFW 2019 [ione_media_gallery src=”https://hellobeautiful.com” id=”3058336″ overlay=”true”]
Source: JC Olivera / Getty If you thought the search for Mr. Right ends at a certain point if you don’t necessarily make it to the altar or stay with your spouse for the long haul, legendary singer Patti LaBelle would say you’re wrong. The 75-year-old “If Only You Knew” singer shared in an exclusive chat with the New York Post at the Zang Toi show during New York Fashion Week that she is still interested in making a trip down the aisle. Text “RICKEY” to 71007 to join the Rickey Smiley Morning Show mobile club for exclusive news. ( Terms and conditions ). “I still have time to find a husband,” she said. “I don’t want a boyfriend. I want a husband.” Granted, the godmother of soul doesn’t need a man in her corner, but she does desire one who is on the same page with her — not one looking to latch onto her due to her success. “I have a wonderful life,” she said. “My life is so good that a lot of men admire me and they try to look at me like that and I say, ‘Bye Felicia, Bye.’” SEE ALSO: Patti LaBelle Partners With Walmart For Frozen Soul Food Line When she does say “I do” again, Patti is looking forward to wearing a Zang Toi dress and having her man in a tuxedo by the designer, “whoever he is,” she said. She’s optimistic that it will happen because her golden years have been nothing short of fruitful. “Never stop trying,” she said. “I’m 75 and it seems like the older I get, the better things that happen to me and the younger I feel.” Sign Up For Our Newsletter! Close Thank you for subscribing! Please be sure to open and click your first newsletter so we can confirm your subscription. Email Submit If Patti does meet her match soon, it wouldn’t be her first trip to the altar. While she was previously engaged to Otis Williams of the Temptations, she was married to Armstead Edwards for more than 30 years before they called it quits and finalized their divorce in 2003. She said her marriage to Armstead, whom she credits as one of her best friends, didn’t work because they struggled to share space. “We realized that we couldn’t live together anymore. We liked each other from a distance,” she said on Oprah’s Master Class in 2016. “When you feel that, somebody gotta go.” “I never hated him. He never hated me,” she added. “We just couldn’t live together — not because of physical fights or anything. We never fought, thank God, in 32 years. We got along even when we didn’t get along! But then we realized that we had to leave each other.” [ione_media_gallery src=”https://rickeysmileymorningshow.com” id=”1642276″ overlay=”true”] This story was originally published on MadameNoire.com . ALSO TRENDING ON RICKEYSMILEYMORNINGSHOW.COM : Phaedra Parks To Join ‘Marriage Boot Camp’ With Her New Man Aoki Lee Simmons & Her Black Harvard Squad Shine In All-White [PHOTOS] Rest In Peace: ‘Fresh Prince’ And ‘Martin’ Actor Passes Away At Age 72 Follow @TheRSMS
