- 6 months ago
In this week's episode of ESSENCE Now, Raven-Symone dishes on her new show, Nomzamo Mbatha discusses hosting ESSENCE Festival Durban, and we discuss whether Colin Kaepernick's activism hurt his NFL career.
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00:00I'm Makon Dovu, and today on Essence Now, Raven Simone dishes on her new Disney show
00:10and her life after The View.
00:13South African actress Nomza Mombata reveals why she puts African designers first.
00:18And why are Issa and Lauren such horrible daters?
00:21Our editors go in on the latest episode of Insecure.
00:24But right now, it's time for the hot list, the biggest stories you're buzzing about today.
00:30The upcoming remake of The Lion King is about to be a lit-u-ation.
00:36Alfre Woodard is now on board to play Sabari, Simba's mother, in the Disney live-action film.
00:42She joins Donald Glover, who will voice Simba's character.
00:45Chiwetel Ejiofor, who will voice Scar, the villain we all love to hate.
00:50And James Earl Jones, who reprises his role of Mufasa.
00:53And if that wasn't enough, rumors are swirling that Queen B will also be involved with the project
00:58as the voice of Nala is either a producer or contributor to the film's soundtrack.
01:03And we are totally here for it.
01:05Matthew A. Cherry tweeted,
01:07The Muslim community is understandably shaken after an explosion went off at an Islamic center
01:21outside of Minneapolis over the weekend.
01:23Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the FBI is continuing its investigation to determine if
01:28the incident is indeed a hate crime.
01:31But, um, where is 45 on this?
01:33We haven't heard a peep from Trump about the bombing while he's on his 17-day working vacation.
01:39Stop Talking Thanks tweeted,
01:41The moment the smallest attack happens at an evangelical church in the U.S.,
01:45Trump will stab everything and get on TV.
01:48But a mosque? Silence.
01:50Michael Skonick agrees.
01:51Dear Donald Trump, there was an act of domestic terrorism at the Dar al-Faruq Mosque.
01:57Your silence is deafening.
01:58Sincerely, America.
02:03The headlines say it all.
02:05Richard Sherman sees Colin Kaepernick's saga as stay in your place and justice.
02:09Or how about this one? Miami Dolphins bring 34-year-old QB out of retirement rather than sign Colin Kaepernick.
02:16Now, the NFL denies that Colin has been blackballed for his political views, but let's be real.
02:21There are players who have done far worse than protesting police brutality, and they still get to play.
02:26And many fans believe the NFL and some players, like Michael Vick, would be happier if Colin didn't express his views.
02:33So, sound off on today's viewer poll.
02:35Should Colin Kaepernick compromise to get a NFL contract?
02:40Send us your votes now using hashtag EssenceNow, because we're talking about it next.
02:45It's Tuesday, August 8th, and it's time for Essence Now.
02:48Welcome to Essence Now.
03:02I'm your host, Makon Yovu, and this is our ear to the social streets, Kayla.
03:06Hey, Kayla.
03:07How's it going?
03:07Remember, this is your show, so you can talk to us anytime using the hashtag EssenceNow or emailing us at EssenceNow at Essence.com
03:15if you ever want to come on the show to sound off on topics.
03:19Now, as mentioned in our hot list, our boy Colin Kaepernick still hasn't been picked up by an NFL team,
03:25which is leading many to think he's being penalized for his activism.
03:29Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles told the New York Daily News that although a lot of players share Colin's views,
03:35they're simply scared of jeopardizing their careers.
03:39If you ask, quote, if you ask players why they aren't speaking out on police brutality or looking to change that,
03:45a lot of it comes down to they have mouths to feed and families to support,
03:49and that is not something they're willing to sacrifice.
03:52Former Ravens star Ray Lewis also shared a message to Colin on his Twitter page.
03:57Watch.
03:58If you do nothing else, young man, get back on the football field and let your play speak for itself.
04:03And what you do off the field, don't let too many people know because they're going to judge you anyway.
04:09Hmm.
04:10So we're asking you, should Colin Kaepernick compromise to get an NFL contract?
04:14Vote A for yes, we all make sacrifices for our jobs, or B for no, he did nothing wrong.
04:20Send us your votes using hashtag EssenceNow and we'll read the results later in the show.
04:26I know some of us have comments, you have comments coming in already,
04:29so let's check in with our girl Kayla to see what you're saying.
04:33Hey, Kayla.
04:33All right, so some folks are against and feel like he should compromise.
04:38J.W. Osborne says maybe Kaep should have protested the police departments who were responsible instead of the American flag.
04:44I'm okay with the reason for the protest, yes, but the way he protested was misguided.
04:49Crystal White says if he wants a job in the NFL, Kaep should rebrand.
04:52However, if he feels it's more important to stand up for what he believes in, then he should just move on.
04:56But some people are here in support of Kaep.
04:59Vashon Ogg says, help me understand how a country that was founded on violent protests and insurrection
05:03can't handle a man kneeling against injustices that America as a whole should be against.
05:08Where were those people, what were those people taught in history class?
05:11He should be kneeling under the said flag for its lack of coverage of its black and brown sons and daughters.
05:15Mm, very interesting comments.
05:18Keep those comments coming in.
05:20All right, coming up, Raven-Symoné dishes on her love life and new show, Raven's Home,
05:25and clarifies some of her most controversial statements from The View.
05:29But first, who else needs some serious girl talk every Sunday after Insecure?
05:34Well, we got you.
05:35Tasha has constantly been trying to, like, hype up their relationship.
05:51She's constantly been trying to get way too comfortable before comfort was even introduced, right?
05:56Like, she, because she's The Weeknd, she was trying real hard to be Monday through Friday.
06:01Like, y'all are not in a relationship, so why is he meeting your family?
06:05But that's what he could have said.
06:07Right!
06:08Instead, he was like, oh, yeah, I'll go.
06:09Absolutely.
06:10No, he, I never said that he was not at fault.
06:13But Tasha was trying real hard to be Monday through Friday,
06:16and she hadn't even gotten, like, an offer letter.
06:20Issa is out here now dating.
06:23Are you originally from here?
06:25Yeah.
06:25You living near here?
06:26Yep.
06:27So where you from?
06:27Honestly, it doesn't matter what I say, because this isn't going anywhere.
06:31And then we get the guest appearance from Sterly K. Brown.
06:37Mm-hmm.
06:37I love seeing him in anything, to be honest.
06:39Anything!
06:39He's on screen.
06:40I don't want him to go, like...
06:42Anytime, I'm, like, into it.
06:43Luke James!
06:44Luke James!
06:44Luke James also makes an appearance in an awkward hookup.
06:48So awkward.
06:49He deserves better.
06:51He deserves better.
06:52And she was so confused.
06:54She was so awkward.
06:54But she was classic, like, awkward black girl.
06:56Like, I don't know what to do with my body.
06:58I keep laughing.
07:00Wait, he wants me to get the f*** out now.
07:02Where do I go?
07:03That's your bedroom?
07:04She walked into this bedroom.
07:05She couldn't find the front door.
07:07I was like, this is a mess.
07:08So embarrassing.
07:10Like, God, girl.
07:11She has to get it together.
07:12She's got to.
07:13And it was so sad watching her strike out in the bar.
07:17Because I'm, like, how are you this bad?
07:19She's bad.
07:20She's terrible.
07:20Get her your slow-walking ass up.
07:22It's my sexy walk.
07:23Like, I understand you were in a relationship for five years,
07:25but you should know how to talk to people.
07:27No.
07:28She's awkward.
07:30God.
07:30She just has, like, the whole social skills.
07:33Not hers.
07:34She didn't acquire that gene.
07:36At the end of episode three,
07:37while Tasha is on the phone with Lawrence
07:39when they, like, pseudo-breakup,
07:41she says,
07:42you know what your problem is, Lawrence?
07:43You are a f***ing a f***er who thinks they're a good dude.
07:47Absolutely.
07:47And I was like,
07:48girl, you better give him the read of his life.
07:52That is absolutely true.
07:53Read him with the truth.
07:56I was like every man who was under the age of 30,
07:59probably over that,
08:00because once y'all over 30,
08:02y'all still ain't got y'all s*** together,
08:03and it's so sad,
08:05needs to hear that line and play it on repeat
08:08on a loop in their head every day.
08:10Y'all think that y'all are, like, the good guy
08:13when really you're doing everything wrong.
08:15He never told her he didn't want to come
08:17to the family cookout.
08:18He was not explicit with her
08:20that they were not in a relationship.
08:22He was using the perks that she offered
08:23to, like, just use the fruits of her labor,
08:28and it just is like,
08:30mmm!
08:32Mmm!
08:33I just want to wring his neck.
08:39Leah?
08:40Leah?
08:41Where do you keep your bras?
08:43That.
08:44That's why I need privacy.
08:46That is the cutest thing I've ever seen.
08:48I know.
08:49I know.
08:51She's so adorable.
08:52Okay, so she wanted me to buy her some,
08:54because she went to middle school
08:54and she wanted to be like all the big girls,
08:55but it's like a headband.
08:56You're watching Essence Now.
09:01I'm your host, Makondovu,
09:02and that was a clip
09:03from the new Disney Channel show,
09:05Raven's Home.
09:05And joining us in the studio
09:07is the star and executive producer,
09:09Raven Simone.
09:10Hey, Raven.
09:10Hello, how are you?
09:11That clip is hilarious.
09:13I was-
09:13I'm glad you like it.
09:14Busting out laughing at home.
09:15All right, so this show is a sequel
09:16of Source to That's So Raven,
09:18but a lot of TV reboots
09:19like Fuller House
09:20haven't really gotten great reviews.
09:21So what made you jump on
09:23to do this show?
09:24The fact that I miss
09:25working with Disney Channel,
09:27the fact that I thought
09:28the idea of Chelsea and Raven
09:30raising a family together
09:32and showing the struggles
09:34of being a single mother
09:35through Disney Channel's eyes,
09:37and working with these talented kids
09:39was amazing.
09:41I can't really-
09:42I wasn't deterred from the reboot.
09:45What would you call it?
09:46Because, you know,
09:47Roseanne's coming back
09:48and Will and Grace is coming back.
09:49Yeah.
09:49All these things are coming back.
09:50It wasn't because of that.
09:51It was mostly because
09:52I missed playing Raven Baxter.
09:54I missed working with everybody,
09:56and I missed being
09:57with the Disney Channel.
09:57And this time around,
09:58you're not only an actress,
09:59but you're also executive producing.
10:01What is the toughest decision
10:02that you've had to make thus far
10:03juggling those two roles?
10:05Keeping my mouth shut.
10:06Really?
10:07Mostly it's me
10:08not trying to micromanage everything.
10:11You know, it's difficult
10:12when your name is on a project
10:13in multiple different areas.
10:14You want to make sure that,
10:16you know,
10:17things don't fall through the cracks
10:18and that you don't agree with
10:20so that in case somebody else
10:21doesn't like it.
10:22But you have to realize
10:23there's so many people
10:24working for the betterment
10:25of the show.
10:26Right.
10:26You have to trust
10:27who's in their place.
10:30So I'm learning each day,
10:31like, you know what?
10:32You're bomb and you're bomb.
10:33I don't have to think about that.
10:34I'm going to go sit down
10:35and learn my lines.
10:36Exactly.
10:37It's awesome.
10:37Oh, I love that.
10:38So that's part of maturing
10:40and growing up, right?
10:40Yes.
10:41That's hitting that stride
10:41in your 30s.
10:42That's the 30s.
10:43That's the 30s.
10:44And I, but you know,
10:44the comments,
10:45I was reading the comments
10:46on Raven's Home,
10:46which I love.
10:47I don't want to hear,
10:47I don't want to hear.
10:48No, I'll tell you look up there.
10:49Listen, listen.
10:50This is a good thing.
10:50I'm going to treat you
10:51like I tricked my mama.
10:52Mama, don't read me the comments.
10:53I can't handle it.
10:53I'll tell you my personal opinion.
10:55Okay, I'll take it.
10:55It was so refreshing
10:56to see you guys play divorcees
10:58and that the show is still funny
10:59and that these kids are there
11:01and they're not taking over
11:02the entire scene.
11:03Like, it's really well toggled
11:04between the three of y'all.
11:04Oh, I'm glad you guys did that.
11:05The reviews are good, right?
11:06I don't want to hear about them.
11:07I don't like them
11:08because, you know,
11:09reviews can be,
11:10yeah, oh, yeah.
11:11It's too dramatic for me.
11:13I don't read the comments
11:14as much as I used to.
11:15I learned that from The View
11:16and I can't do it anymore.
11:18Even social media,
11:19because, you know,
11:19the comments on social media
11:20are overwhelmingly positive
11:22about the show.
11:22People do really love it.
11:24So you just say no to comments,
11:25no on YouTube,
11:26no on Twitter,
11:27no on Instagram.
11:27I can't do it.
11:28I can't do it.
11:28I really,
11:29everybody in my camp does,
11:30everybody from Disney Channel does,
11:31but me personally,
11:32I can't do it.
11:33I can't read it.
11:34I have enough emotional stress
11:36to go through
11:36and I don't feel like
11:37going to my therapist
11:38just because I read the comments.
11:39I don't feel like it.
11:40I got a lot of stuff
11:40to stress about.
11:41I got you, I got you.
11:42We don't want you
11:42going to the therapist
11:43unless you need to,
11:44but not because of the comments.
11:45Everybody needs to go to therapy.
11:46That's just another conversation.
11:47Hello, Lessons from Raven.
11:49So you play a recent divorcee
11:50and then on the show
11:51you have these,
11:51obviously these psychic abilities
11:53that you pass down
11:53to your children,
11:54but in the future,
11:55I pass down to my son.
11:56To your son, yes.
11:57I pass down to my son.
11:58Booker, right?
11:58Booker, correct.
11:59Funny.
11:59So in the future,
12:00do you see yourself
12:01having kids or getting married?
12:03Most definitely.
12:03I want up to four kids
12:04even if I have to adopt.
12:09I mean, God, who knows?
12:11Yeah.
12:11Marriage is an old school construct,
12:14but I never...
12:15Hey, explain that.
12:16What do you mean?
12:16I'm not explaining that.
12:16No, really?
12:17No.
12:17It's just that simple.
12:18Marriage is an old school construct.
12:20Marriage is an old school construct.
12:21Okay.
12:22Yay for us,
12:23for LGBT being able to,
12:25but it's still an old school construct.
12:26Anyway.
12:26Yes.
12:27I see that.
12:28I see me getting my bachelor's
12:29in fine art,
12:30which I just received my AA
12:31and I'm working towards right now,
12:33and I see myself
12:34stepping from behind,
12:35stepping from in front of the camera
12:36and giving other people chances
12:38to grow
12:39and being executive producer
12:40on multiple things,
12:41but I don't need to be in...
12:42I've been in front of the camera
12:43for about 29 years now.
12:44Yeah.
12:45I'm good.
12:46I'm good.
12:46I had my spot.
12:47You had your spot.
12:48I'm good.
12:49I might do things here and there,
12:50but I'm good.
12:50What do you look for
12:51in a partner when you're dating?
12:53Do you have, like,
12:53a list of things that you look for?
12:55Uh, yeah.
12:56You have to be awesome.
12:59That's number one?
13:00That's number one,
13:01three, five, and seven.
13:02All the other ones are like,
13:04you gotta have good teeth.
13:05Mm-hmm.
13:05And, uh...
13:07You can't be using my money.
13:09That's mine.
13:10Uh, you know,
13:12at least talk to one of your parents.
13:14Okay.
13:15In a nice way.
13:15That relationship is really important.
13:16Something.
13:17Because, you know,
13:17there's...
13:18Not parents,
13:18because you can have...
13:19Even if it's a step-parent,
13:20somebody that you have
13:23in the parental figure area.
13:25Got it.
13:25Because everybody's family's different.
13:27This is true.
13:27And I don't want to judge
13:28anybody like that.
13:29But also, you have to be...
13:31I find anyone that I date
13:33is a little bit weird.
13:34And I love them for it.
13:35Okay.
13:35Like me.
13:36Like, I've never dated
13:37just, like, a button-up.
13:38Mm-hmm.
13:38Like, you can't be that way
13:40because I'm gonna be bored.
13:41And it's not gonna last.
13:43So you gotta have a little
13:43something quirky,
13:44something central about you.
13:45You gotta be quirky.
13:46Yeah.
13:46All right.
13:46Well, since you're known
13:47for being so opinionated
13:48on The View,
13:49we want to see your thoughts
13:49on some issues
13:50and see if you still have
13:52the same views
13:53in a little game
13:53that we're calling
13:54That's So Raven.
13:55Okay.
13:55Are you game?
13:56I'm game, girl!
13:57I'm right!
13:57I'm game, girl.
13:58Here's how it works, Raven.
14:00I'll read some of your
14:01most controversial statements.
14:02And if you still stand by them,
14:03you'll say,
14:04That's So Raven.
14:05If you don't
14:06and you feel differently now,
14:07you'll say,
14:08That's not Raven.
14:08Okay, but I have a problem
14:09with this.
14:10Tell me.
14:10Because That's So Raven
14:11is a Disney name.
14:13Moniker.
14:14Okay, okay.
14:14So therefore,
14:15when I say that,
14:16it is not in the reflection
14:17of what Disney feels.
14:18Yes.
14:19This is in the reflection
14:19of what Raven Simone feels.
14:21Is this correct?
14:21This is correct.
14:22So can I say,
14:23That's So Raven Simone
14:24instead of That's So Raven?
14:25I don't want Disney mad at me.
14:27I gotta finish my show.
14:27If you don't,
14:28we love you, Disney.
14:29Let's do it.
14:29I'm not trying to get,
14:30you know, okay, here we go.
14:31Raven Simone is doing well,
14:32number one rating.
14:33I'm not trying to get in trouble today.
14:34We're not trying to mess it up.
14:35Okay.
14:36Here's the first quote.
14:37Okay.
14:37I do not judge
14:38every single white person
14:39in the history of America
14:40for something that they did
14:4217 millions ago.
14:43Is that still Raven Simone?
14:45That's Raven Simone.
14:46I'm not going to judge
14:47every white person
14:47for something
14:48that their ancestors' ancestors
14:49or just one ancestor did.
14:52I have to judge you
14:53as who you are right now
14:54and your beliefs
14:55at this moment in time
14:56because if I go backwards,
14:57how can we ever go forwards?
14:59Mm-hmm.
14:59Here we go.
15:00All right, here's the next one.
15:02You once said about Beyonce,
15:03I just need someone
15:04to put some pants on.
15:05When people are performing nowadays,
15:07I think there needs to be
15:08some class in the female pop world.
15:10Did I say that about Beyonce
15:11or did I say that in regards
15:13when we were talking
15:13about what she was wearing?
15:14But did I say,
15:15did I say Beyonce
15:16needs to put pants on?
15:17Let's, about her attire.
15:18No, did I say
15:19Beyonce needs to put some pants on?
15:21I think it was about
15:21what she was wearing, right?
15:23Okay.
15:23Okay, let's clear it up.
15:24Let's clear it up.
15:25I didn't say Beyonce
15:26needs to put pants on.
15:27I said people in the industry
15:28rarely wear pants.
15:29So generally speaking?
15:30Generally.
15:31There are people,
15:32I mean, everyone has done it.
15:33I'm not gonna do it
15:34because I got some thick, thick thighs
15:35and a little bit of a stomach.
15:36I'm not gonna go out on stage
15:37like that looking crazy
15:38for myself.
15:39Yeah.
15:40But those who can wear it,
15:40wear it.
15:41But yes, I do agree.
15:42I would love to see, you know,
15:46I would just,
15:47I would love to see some, um,
15:49fashions of different kinds
15:50and not just bathing suits on stage.
15:52You know, I think
15:53there's classy ways of doing it.
15:54JLo has gone from pants
15:56to bathing suits
15:57to back and forth.
15:58So does Beyonce
15:58when she goes and does her video.
16:00She goes back and forth.
16:00But as a general,
16:02I think sometimes women
16:03are over-sexualized.
16:04Sorry.
16:04Which is true.
16:05That is true.
16:05Women are over-sexualized.
16:06Right.
16:07In music industry.
16:07There's the argument
16:08that they should own their sexuality,
16:09but you still feel like...
16:10You can own it.
16:11You can own it.
16:12But, um,
16:13I still think that
16:14there's over-sexualization
16:16of females
16:17in America in general.
16:19Around the world.
16:20And it's beautiful
16:21and it helps us
16:22understand our body
16:23and if you're comfortable.
16:23You know,
16:24Madonna did a bomb all day.
16:25So did Janet
16:26and I'm a fan of Janet.
16:27But, you know,
16:29you have to be comfortable
16:30and that's what
16:30the normal thing is.
16:32And that's okay.
16:32That's all right.
16:33And this is the last one.
16:35Okay, quote,
16:35I don't want to be labeled gay.
16:36I want to be a human
16:37who loves humans.
16:38I'm tired of being labeled.
16:39I am American.
16:41I am not African-American.
16:42Is that still
16:43so Raven-Symone
16:44or is that not Raven-Symone?
16:46That is so Raven-Symone.
16:48I am an American
16:49for the last, um,
16:51400 to 500 years
16:52my family's been here.
16:53And we have,
16:55along with everybody else,
16:57that came over through slavery,
16:59have integrated.
17:00We have integrated
17:02and built this country
17:03along with many other
17:04types of cultures.
17:06and, um,
17:07we should be called
17:08an American
17:08with the same respect
17:09as somebody
17:10that came over as well
17:12because the real true Americans,
17:14you know.
17:14Yeah, right.
17:15So, everybody,
17:17that's a different thing.
17:18Everybody should be called
17:19by their origin of country.
17:21So, if you're white,
17:22you should be called
17:23European-American.
17:24Why do you just get
17:25the word American?
17:25Or if you're this,
17:26you should be called,
17:27it should be equal
17:29for everybody.
17:29Okay, so you define,
17:30so American would be
17:31the appropriate term, right?
17:32So, you wouldn't?
17:33For me.
17:33I'm an American.
17:34Yes, I have African ancestry.
17:36Yes, I have European ancestry.
17:38But my family's been here
17:39for about 500 years.
17:41How long do I have to be
17:42in one country
17:42before I'm claimed an American?
17:44Before you can own it.
17:45Do you have any,
17:46um, because I'm from Africa,
17:48do you have any relationship
17:49to the continent?
17:50No.
17:50Or have you been and visited?
17:51Not at all?
17:51Do you have any desire to?
17:52Yes.
17:53Yes, okay.
17:53I do have,
17:54I have desires to go
17:55to all kinds of countries.
17:56And I have friends
17:57who have been there
17:58and have married from Ethiopia
17:59and everything.
18:00But, like, for instance,
18:01you're from Africa.
18:02Were you born there?
18:03I was born there, yes.
18:04You're African American.
18:05Yeah.
18:06I was born in Georgia.
18:08And my, 400 years ago,
18:10we were born in Virginia.
18:11And, you know,
18:12we came from Africa.
18:13Right.
18:14But you're African American.
18:15I do.
18:16I am, I am both.
18:17I am a mixture of both worlds.
18:18But do you understand
18:18why some people sometimes feel like...
18:20No, because they said
18:21I wasn't black.
18:21No, they said I wasn't,
18:22they said I said I wasn't black.
18:24I'm black.
18:25Yeah.
18:26And that's your point,
18:27is I am black and I'm American.
18:29Yeah.
18:29I've been here.
18:30My ancestors have been here.
18:31We've been here for so long.
18:32Yes, we came from
18:33horrible, horrible history.
18:35But you were born in Africa.
18:37Yeah, I was.
18:37You're African American.
18:38I am.
18:39Proudly so, yes.
18:40Thank you, Raven.
18:41Timmy, love you
18:42for being such a good sport
18:43and being so honest.
18:45Remember to watch
18:46Raven's Home Fridays
18:47on the Disney Channel.
18:48More Essence Now
18:49is up next.
18:50Her nails are just,
18:55we're going to have to share
18:56her nails with the gram.
18:57We're going to have to
18:57give them to the gram.
18:58Well, let's do it, yeah.
18:58Because they are just
18:59iconic.
19:00Because why should you hide?
19:02Ever.
19:03Ever.
19:03We should be celebrating
19:04all the time
19:05in every single moment.
19:07Yes.
19:07You know when people
19:08tell you that, like,
19:08okay, you have too much color
19:10or there's too much going on
19:12or you have too much jewelry?
19:13No.
19:13Put more on.
19:15So do you bring
19:15all this to work?
19:16I have to know.
19:17All of it.
19:17Like, is this, like,
19:18could you just walk
19:18into the boardroom?
19:19Yes.
19:19Yes.
19:20Love it.
19:20You're watching Essence Now.
19:25I'm your host,
19:26Makon Lobu.
19:27Now, American folks
19:28may not be familiar
19:29with my next guest,
19:30but she's a huge,
19:31huge star in South Africa
19:32and she's poised
19:33to take over
19:34the U.S. market next.
19:35She's also the host
19:36for Essence Festival
19:37Durban Hello,
19:38which happens
19:38September 26th
19:39through October 1st.
19:41Please help me welcome
19:42actress Namza Mumbata.
19:44Hey, Siswam.
19:45Unjanzus.
19:45Nya pilu unjanwin.
19:46Nya pilu.
19:47Oh, see, this is how,
19:48it's so nice
19:49to have someone from America
19:50because we can say
19:50we're going to need
19:51subtitles though
19:52because everyone at home
19:52is like, huh?
19:54Exactly.
19:54Oh, this is the second time
19:55that we've taken
19:56Essence Festival
19:57to South Africa
19:58in Durban.
19:59What should we expect
19:59from the event?
20:00You know, for me,
20:01because I went to the one
20:02in New Orleans
20:03and it was such
20:04an eye-opening experience
20:05because I didn't realize
20:06it was that big,
20:08you know?
20:09But what I hope
20:09that it's going to do
20:10is that it's going to
20:11bring out the young people
20:12and, of course,
20:14and, of course, women.
20:15I want to see more
20:16and more women
20:17come out to the Essence Festival
20:18in Durban
20:19because it's such a great
20:20space and it's a safe space
20:22for women to be
20:23empowering each other
20:24and women to just be sharing,
20:26you know,
20:26all things womanhood.
20:28Yes.
20:29So I'm excited.
20:31I'm excited.
20:31I'm excited.
20:32And I know that people
20:32are going to come out
20:33in their numbers.
20:34Everyone is excited
20:35to see TDJs come out
20:36because it's so huge.
20:37He's going to preach.
20:38But you know what I loved
20:39about it last year
20:39was the culture.
20:40Remember when they had, like,
20:41all the different cultures
20:43come out, people singing
20:44and dancing?
20:44And we're going to have that
20:45again this year
20:46because, for me,
20:47I truly believe that,
20:48you know,
20:49as South Africans,
20:50we are so versatile
20:51in who we are.
20:52I could be in a leather dress.
20:54Yes.
20:54So when I go home,
20:55I could also wear my beads,
20:57you know,
20:57my colorful beads.
20:58So there's so much versatility.
21:00And I keep saying,
21:01everyone in America,
21:02come on, come on,
21:03come on, come see it.
21:03Come see it.
21:04Come see it.
21:05We're so excited
21:05to have you there.
21:06Now, listen,
21:07we have to talk about you
21:08and your jet setting.
21:10You travel everywhere.
21:12Yeah.
21:12How do you manage
21:13your schedule
21:14and how do you keep time
21:15for romance
21:15in your busy schedule?
21:16Oh, my gosh.
21:17How do I keep time
21:18for my own sanity?
21:20Okay, let's start with that.
21:21How do you keep time
21:22for your own sanity?
21:23How do you make time
21:24for your own sanity?
21:24You know, it's so,
21:25the sad thing is
21:26about where I am
21:27in my career
21:28is that I'm literally at,
21:30um, I'm reaching my peak.
21:33And part of doing that
21:34requires a lot of sacrifice.
21:35I'm sacrificing a lot
21:36of my time.
21:37I'm sacrificing a lot
21:38of things that I enjoy doing.
21:40I haven't had a holiday.
21:42And everyone's like,
21:42no, but you're like
21:43in Barcelona and London.
21:44You are in London, Barcelona,
21:46just in the past month alone.
21:47But I'm working
21:48because I realize,
21:49I realize where I am
21:50in my life right now.
21:52Um, of course,
21:53I forget birthdays.
21:54Yes.
21:56Well, is there,
21:57I don't get to see family.
21:58Yes.
21:59You don't get to see family,
22:00but is there a special someone?
22:02And you're like,
22:02listen, you know,
22:03I gotta ask.
22:04No, no.
22:04Why?
22:04I need to know
22:05because you're so beautiful.
22:07Everything else is so together.
22:08You're at the peak
22:10of your career.
22:10So we want to know,
22:11is there a special someone
22:13in your life?
22:14Well, I, I, I.
22:15What?
22:16Yes.
22:17Okay, so that's a yes?
22:18No, that's fine.
22:20That's fine.
22:21Stop, Davis.
22:23Stop, Davis.
22:23So we've seen,
22:24all right,
22:24so I'll let you off the hook now.
22:26Yes, thank you.
22:26As long as you can confirm,
22:27yes, I'm fine.
22:28Okay, good.
22:29So we know there's a lot
22:30of different people
22:31that have broken
22:31into the American market.
22:33I mean, you look at
22:33the success of Trevor Noah
22:34and Charlize.
22:35Yeah.
22:35Can we see Nomza Mombata next?
22:37Is that the plan for you
22:38to break into
22:38sort of the global market?
22:40You know, I think
22:41it's just beyond
22:43just the American market
22:44and you're right,
22:44it is the global market
22:46because I believe
22:47that I'm a storyteller at heart
22:48and I'd love to,
22:49I'd love to play
22:50with other storytellers
22:51around the world,
22:52especially some that I respect.
22:54You know,
22:54I love Lupita, of course.
22:56But I love your Viola Davis
22:58as well.
22:59And I love Danai Gurira
23:01and I think she's just exceptional.
23:02She's just incredible.
23:03So I'd love to be in a space
23:05where I play with people
23:06who have done it
23:07and who have come before me.
23:10Hopefully it's going to happen,
23:12but I think right now
23:13it's all about harnessing my craft.
23:15I've heard a lot of,
23:17oh, your accent is amazing.
23:18Your accent is beautiful.
23:20Yes.
23:20And then a producer will meet me
23:21and then they say,
23:22where's your dialect coach?
23:23Don, an American accent maybe?
23:25So there's that,
23:26there's also that,
23:27just like navigating
23:29the American market,
23:30learning what, you know,
23:31what the global market wants
23:33and what they need at the moment.
23:34But I have so much respect
23:36for black UK actors
23:38because they come to America
23:40and they get their dialect coach
23:41and they get that American accent.
23:42And they get the job.
23:44And it's boom.
23:44Yeah.
23:44You know, look at your John Boyega.
23:46It's boom.
23:47You know, they're doing really well.
23:48So it's about learning
23:50and I think it's about
23:51investing in yourself.
23:52So that's what I'm doing right now.
23:53I'm investing.
23:53Um, which means I don't get
23:55to buy bloody shoes.
23:57Listen, you don't get
23:58to buy bloody shoes.
23:58Don't we love Cardi B?
24:00We do.
24:00Seriously.
24:01Let's talk about fashion though next, right?
24:03Because you wear
24:04some of the most iconic
24:05African pieces
24:06on the red carpet
24:07and photo shoots.
24:07Why is it so important for you
24:09to wear African designers?
24:11Oh, it's important
24:12because I want to cultivate
24:14the culture of not being ashamed
24:15of who you are
24:16and where you come from
24:17and being a representation
24:18of your continent
24:19and being a representation
24:20of your people.
24:21I put up a post
24:23the other day
24:23on Instagram
24:24and I said,
24:24we don't represent
24:25just ourselves.
24:26We represent our people.
24:27Preach.
24:28That's it.
24:29Yes.
24:29So for me,
24:30it's always so important
24:31to be that
24:32in whichever space
24:33that I want to be in
24:34to blend out
24:35but also to blend in.
24:37To stand out.
24:38Yeah.
24:38You know?
24:39Yeah.
24:39To blend out
24:40but also to blend in
24:41because you don't want
24:42to seem like you're
24:43you're aloof
24:44and you don't,
24:45you know,
24:45I'm not part of that market.
24:47I'm part of Africa.
24:47No, Africa is global.
24:49Right.
24:49You know,
24:50we're here.
24:51You're originally
24:51from Zimbabwe.
24:52I am from Zimbabwe
24:53and we're here
24:53at Essence now.
24:54Exactly.
24:55So there's that
24:56but also I believe
24:57in investing
24:58and supporting
24:59local talent.
25:01Yeah.
25:02And I think
25:02it's very important
25:03even when you're
25:03in the American market
25:04or and you're
25:06a big Hollywood star
25:07there's up and coming
25:08young designers
25:09who are doing their thing.
25:10Yeah.
25:10You don't always have
25:11to go to your
25:12established designers
25:13for clothes
25:13and for dresses
25:14or for whatever
25:15it is that you need.
25:15You can support
25:16the local talent.
25:16Just support
25:17the local talent.
25:18That's what I'm doing.
25:18And the thing
25:19that I want to know
25:20from you,
25:20Nomselma,
25:20is what's the one
25:21big thing
25:22that you think
25:22people don't know
25:23about Africa
25:24that the biggest
25:25misconception
25:25like what message
25:26would you like
25:27to tell people
25:27that probably
25:28don't know much
25:29about the continent?
25:30Oh my goodness.
25:31That we are
25:32an informed people.
25:34We are
25:35an informed people.
25:36We know everything
25:37that is happening
25:38in the world.
25:39Yeah.
25:39We know about Gucci.
25:41You know,
25:42don't we have
25:43a Gucci store
25:43in Santa?
25:44Excuse me.
25:44Yes.
25:45We have,
25:46listen,
25:46we are such
25:47an informed people
25:48and we are so
25:50developed in our
25:51thinking.
25:51We're developed
25:52in how we do
25:53and how we live
25:54and how we cultivate
25:55towards each other
25:56and how we just
25:57support each other.
26:00Musicians.
26:00Musicians come out
26:01to South Africa
26:01all the time.
26:03They go out to Africa
26:04actually across the continent
26:05all the time.
26:06I had a cop in New Orleans
26:07say,
26:08so you guys got like
26:09SUV?
26:10I'm like,
26:12how do you think
26:13I got to America?
26:14Right?
26:15The craziest question
26:16I've ever gotten is
26:17who is the president
26:18of Africa?
26:19Oh, wow.
26:19Yes.
26:20Have you ever gotten
26:20any crazy?
26:21Have you gotten any?
26:22Besides the SUV one,
26:23the how you get here?
26:23Just that one.
26:24So you got like
26:25roads?
26:26So we're more.
26:27Where is the plane
26:28supposed to take off?
26:29Exactly.
26:30We have a tarmac.
26:31Definitely did not come
26:31for a ship.
26:32But I realized
26:35when that moment happened,
26:37that's when I said
26:37it's our responsibility
26:39to change that narrative
26:41and that's what I'm doing.
26:42That we are
26:43an economically
26:44developed country.
26:45Yes.
26:46You know,
26:46and continent.
26:48Let them know.
26:48So I need to change that.
26:49Let them know.
26:50Yeah.
26:50And so much talent as well.
26:52Yes.
26:52Thank you so much
26:54for coming.
26:56Stick around
26:57because the results
26:57of today's Bureau poll
26:58and our Black Girl Magic
27:00salute are up next.
27:02We'll see you next time.
27:32You're watching Essence Now
27:39and I'm your host,
27:40Makon Lovu.
27:41It's time for this week's
27:42Black Girl Magic salute,
27:44which goes to 12-year-old
27:45Shael Johnson,
27:46who is setting new
27:47U.S. records
27:48for track stars
27:49in her age group.
27:51Shael's father,
27:51former NFLer
27:52Chad Ochocinco Johnson,
27:54recently praised his daughter
27:55on Instagram,
27:56writing,
27:57quote,
27:57congrats to baby Shael,
27:5985,
28:00on a phenomenal track season
28:01and a special thanks
28:02to her coach
28:03for everything.
28:04Now it's back
28:05to being a kid again.
28:06Way to go,
28:06Shael.
28:07And remember to head
28:08to Essence.com
28:09slash Black Girl Magic
28:10for our original
28:11Black Girl Magic
28:12docu-series
28:13for even more
28:14inspiring stories
28:15about young Black girls
28:16who are doing great things.
28:18That's Essence.com
28:19slash Black Girl Magic.
28:21Before we head out,
28:22let's check in one more time
28:24with our ear
28:24to the social streets,
28:25Kayla.
28:26Hey, Kayla,
28:27whose comments
28:27are we shouting out?
28:29Okay, so we asked earlier
28:31if we thought that
28:31Kaepernick should compromise.
28:34Malkia George
28:34says no compromise at all.
28:36He's kneeling for all of us
28:37and we need to support him.
28:38So the support is reigning
28:39and Tashi Mack on Twitter
28:41says there is nothing wrong
28:42with how he stood up
28:43for what he believed in
28:44is wrong that he cannot
28:45keep a job because of it.
28:46William Smith says
28:47I commend Kaep
28:48for attempting to bring awareness.
28:49He would be signed today
28:50if it wasn't for him protesting.
28:52Smith says
28:53if the owners were honest,
28:54they just say
28:54that they don't want
28:55the distraction.
28:56Billionaire owners
28:57take calculated risks
28:58and surely they foresee
28:58loss of ticket sales
29:00and lower profits
29:01for hiring.
29:03Very interesting comments.
29:05All right,
29:05so let's reveal the results
29:07of today's viewer poll.
29:08We asked you,
29:09should Colin Kaepernick
29:10compromise to get
29:11an NFL contract?
29:12Yes, we all make sacrifices
29:14for our jobs
29:14or no,
29:15he did nothing wrong
29:16and here's how you voted.
29:19Let's see.
29:20All right,
29:20so 91%,
29:21an overwhelming 91%
29:24said no,
29:24he did nothing wrong.
29:26I absolutely agree with that.
29:27That is spot on.
29:28Now,
29:28thanks so much
29:29to Raven Simone,
29:30Nomza Mumbata
29:31and all of today's guests
29:32for coming through.
29:33Remember to subscribe
29:34to our YouTube channel
29:35to see all of our videos
29:37and tune in
29:37next Tuesday
29:38at 3 p.m. Eastern
29:39for an all-new Essence Now.
29:42I'm Makone Globu
29:43and we'll see you then.
29:44Thank you so much
29:45for watching.
29:45Bye.
29:46Bye.
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