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00:00:00welcome to the essence black women in Hollywood pre-show I'm your host Brandi
00:00:23Victorian and we are getting ready for another amazing event where we celebrate
00:00:28women who are inspiring trailblazing and taking things to new levels in entertainment in front
00:00:33of and behind the scenes for 16 years as you know essence has commemorated black women
00:00:38who excel as actors directors producers showrunners screenwriters and this year's honorees are Gina
00:00:45Prince-Bythewood Danielle Deadweiler Tara Duncan Dominique Thorne and Shirley Ralph super excited
00:00:51for this year's show but first we have the woman who is at the helm of it all with us here Caroline
00:00:57Wanga CEO of Essence Ventures hi babe how you feeling I'm good how are you I'm good you look
00:01:02great thank you we are being black and powerful exactly the honor's all mine yet I knew the outfit
00:01:08was gonna listen I mean if you gonna do it exactly do it right I mean this is our red carpet we can't
00:01:14just be outside you can't all regular degla and not at all it's our thing tell me about this look
00:01:19so so here's here's what's hilarious right and you know this about me like I only have one hobby
00:01:23and it's style I can't cook nothing I mean I can cook but I can't draw I have no other creative
00:01:28outlet right so this is my thing so this image was one of my personal missions is to democratize
00:01:34authenticity and I put out a contest for somebody to draw a piece of art oh my goodness that
00:01:39represented it there's an artist named La Kendra who won the contest with this image oh and so once
00:01:46we got it I said can you design a textile yes and so she designed the textile and then Veni Etienne
00:01:53longtime friend of Essence Levenity okay then took it and made it a this yeah and the beautiful thing
00:02:00about it is for me people think my passion is fashion but it's actually an armor and so there's
00:02:05these words of empowerment power authentic love right and so the opportunity to be a living walking
00:02:14example of black creativity is my honor and if I'm gonna show it I'm gonna show it here so Brian did
00:02:19this hair Alex did this face come on La Kendra designed the fabric then he made it an outfit
00:02:25I'm just the canvas you're a piece of art that's what you are and this is a huge year like we are in
00:02:32a new venue we are layout we are talk about switching it up this year you know you know this
00:02:38brandy right like we have spent a long time being a really important cultural artifact essence what we
00:02:43know is black isn't a monolith we ain't today what we were 50 years ago so the beauty of this a bigger
00:02:49venue gets more people in the door secondly this will be video on demand later for others that want
00:02:54to see it but thirdly no matter how much black women are recognized elsewhere there's nothing like
00:02:59being recognized by themselves right and so no matter what happens as we continue to have
00:03:04excellence in Hollywood it's never like going home so what we do is bring home to them and we
00:03:10celebrate them and from celebrating them we celebrate each other and then that next generation that's
00:03:15watching aims to be on that same stage and that's how we start to continue to make sure that that black
00:03:20excellence exists indefinitely absolutely what do you remember about your first black woman in Hollywood
00:03:25yeah you mean the first virtual one when COVID was out here that one let me tell you what I
00:03:30remember we were in a studio uh-huh there was no audience I was with you yep I had no idea what to
00:03:37expect yes and I'm so glad it happened that way because then when we finally came back live
00:03:43I'd gotten the kinks out yeah and could really focus my energy on celebrating so I remember the first
00:03:49one because it was virtual I'm grateful for it because then we can do today we're here exactly
00:03:54we're here exactly all the time not just during Black History Month Women's History Month in LA or
00:04:00during the Oscar week every day every day yes now you I mean it's exciting to me to have Tara Duncan
00:04:06a black woman in business come on also talk about expanding who we're honoring who we're looking at
00:04:11this is so good because one of the things we're saying will will be a part of Essence's future
00:04:15is recognizing that the black woman is CEO of home culture and community
00:04:19not black home culture and community home culture and community and we want to highlight her from the
00:04:26forefront of her life yes we know that the ecosystem that is Hollywood yes there are actors yes there are
00:04:31directors but there's other people who are making decisions that look like you and I absolutely and
00:04:35identify themselves as black women we are driving Hollywood whether behind the scenes behind a desk
00:04:41or behind a camera and so we want to make sure that even as we expand ourselves that as we continue
00:04:46to have advancements even though we're not there yet and where we're showing up we're showing you
00:04:50who's showing up exactly so that they may be the only in the room but they're not alone come on and
00:04:55Tara Duncan is a perfect example of that here and we will continue to make sure that those that are on
00:05:00the screen behind the camera and behind the desk that are helping Hollywood happen are recognized and
00:05:05given full value not because they black because they dope absolutely yes and I love having GU in
00:05:11the mix with like Dominic Thorne showing the young yeah you can have a moment too you don't have to
00:05:16wait to be recognized and you know I believe age is a mindset so I'm a millennial too just in case
00:05:21somebody was wondering but but you bring up such a good point right because I think often because we
00:05:26are still a culture that is continuing to try to create generational consistency a lot of times you have
00:05:32these moments where something like this happens and then there's nobody behind and it becomes this
00:05:35cliff yeah and then by the time you start again nobody remembers who was there before so being
00:05:40able to have the next and the next and the next and the next be honored with the former and the
00:05:46former and the current and the current is the way that we keep our generational progress going
00:05:50absolutely lose the risk of having these cliffs where there ain't nobody and we got to wait for the
00:05:55next one that will never happen again absolutely yes now I think you're speaking today right
00:06:00I think so okay yes because you always give a word to do you prep like what's your I don't I feel
00:06:07like okay you just speak um it it goes here and comes out here and I think for me it comes from a
00:06:15really good relationship with my intuition I'm a feeler okay so what I do is I sit in a room and I
00:06:21feel it okay I listen to a crowd and I feel them and then I deliver what I'm feeling based on what they
00:06:26said okay and for me it's not for the whole room it's for the one person that needed to hear it
00:06:30and if that is accomplished then I've done my job that's what living with purpose means
00:06:33absolutely I love well we're gonna feel a lot today I mean super full have reserves to go back
00:06:39and be black where you from and then we'll see y'all at festival
00:06:42New Orleans 4th of July weekend you ain't there what are you most looking forward to today
00:06:49you know what I actually really like that question I'm looking forward to I have the honor
00:06:58and privilege of being the current custodian of this cultural artifact you know I've said this I
00:07:04don't take that lightly right this is a service not a job essence belongs to our community not to me
00:07:11not to you what I can't do is fail on behalf of us in the time that I have so what am I excited about
00:07:18tonight maybe for two minutes I get to take that big brick off my shoulder put it down yes and sit
00:07:25in the fuel of sisters yes so I get the energy absolutely to continue to honor the role absolutely
00:07:31I'm glad they're being honored I need them too yep yep and so I'm so glad that we'll be here and do
00:07:38that together same safely yes I thank you for taking the time and I thank you babe and I'm so proud of
00:07:43you and what you're doing at essence thank you be holding it down out here on red carpets left right
00:07:47and everywhere I'm trying it's important for me to honor you thank you here thank you take it
00:07:54well done thank you well done I appreciate that okay thank you I'm not alone today either
00:08:01I have a co-host none of us are alone they just might be in a different room and we're at a
00:08:05different stage I'm going to toss it over to my co-host Chastity Saunders bye y'all festival bye
00:08:09thank you so much Brandi wow you look fabulous I'm your co-host Chastity Saunders and today I'm
00:08:17going to be over here holding it down for Coca-Cola now we are getting ready to have a fabulous day as
00:08:22we gear up for the 2023 essence black women in Hollywood luncheon but I am also not by myself
00:08:29because I am joined by actress Danielle Pinnock thank you so much for stopping by oh my gosh thank
00:08:34you for having me I'm so honored to be here today first of all you are giving queen realness I love
00:08:39this stretch you look absolutely it's giving Bridgerton vibes tell us who you're wearing today you look
00:08:44fabulous I am wearing selkie they are all about the Bridgerton vibes I feel like I just need to be in a
00:08:48castle somewhere yes I love it love it so much now you know this is the hottest ticket in town
00:08:53tell us what you're looking forward to the most today at essence black women in Hollywood well I
00:08:58just have to say that this has been on my vision board to come here since 2010 yes I am so honored
00:09:04to be here essence is such a pillar in our community absolutely I am looking forward to seeing
00:09:09Cherilee Ralph in all of her glory yes I cannot wait oh my goodness so I'm also looking forward to
00:09:17seeing Cherilee Ralph I mean she has been killing it this award season love love love her but tell us
00:09:21what is a women's empowerment to you because I know that you empower so many people on social
00:09:26media I'm very aware aware of your brand but tell us what is women empowerment mean to you women
00:09:31empowerment honestly for me is just making sure that people that I can inspire that um I am the
00:09:38visibility that they can say say oh wait you know what she's plus size she's a black girl she can act
00:09:44I think empowerment come you know my mother empowers me I mean strength first from mom and grandma
00:09:49so I think that's really what it's about it's about making sure that we're all strong and we can
00:09:53all stick together absolutely and so many of us have had these type of events especially essence black
00:09:58women in Hollywood on our vision board so with that being said go ahead and tell us what advice you
00:10:03can give to young girls out there that are watching and they want to be the next Danielle Pinot
00:10:07oh my gosh well first of all there can only be one me and be you be you okay being you is the most
00:10:14important thing do not let social media don't know anybody like get into your head you are the best
00:10:20version is you of you that's what matters absolutely and you're creating change you know
00:10:25making the world a different place how will the world be different as we move forward as we start
00:10:30to bring you know creativity into our own like creating our own projects because I've seen you
00:10:36do that so why do you think the future looks brighter for black women my god I want more black
00:10:40women in entertainment I want us behind the camera I want us on the camera anywhere that we could be
00:10:45I want us there and I hope that that changes and we get more opportunities for that change in the
00:10:51future absolutely do you have any amazing opportunities that you have going on that you want to tell us
00:10:56about right here while we have an exclusive with you I am currently in candy cane lane with Eddie
00:11:02Murphy and Tracy Ellis Ross I'm so honored to be in it it is going to be amazing oh my goodness and
00:11:09what's the best part of today that you're looking forward to because it's going to be a lot going on
00:11:13in that room girl I'm not waiting to get in there myself can I just say the shea butter can I just say
00:11:18just the outfits the melanin glory I'm ready for all of it oh my goodness well we're ready for it too
00:11:25thank you so much for stopping by Danielle thank you for having me amazing you too oh my god we're
00:11:30gonna have so much fun you guys as you can see it's getting hot right here on the carpet at essence
00:11:35black women in Hollywood we're gonna get ready to go ahead and talk to some more folks I'm so happy
00:11:40that you stopped by thank you so much for checking us out Danielle and with that guys I'm gonna go ahead
00:11:45and toss it back over to you Brandy hello again we are here we are still getting ready for this year's
00:11:51black women in Hollywood luncheon I have the privilege of being joined by two more of the
00:11:55boss women at essence who are bringing this event to life our vice president of content and executive
00:12:00editor Danielle cadet and our chief revenue officer Pauline Thornton how are you both doing good good
00:12:06very good always good to be with you Brandy always and you look amazing I'm loving the floral
00:12:12thank you you listen all this purple and pink coming up yes got the memo for sure there's so
00:12:21much happening we're in a new venue this year all kinds of excitement on the carpet what are you all
00:12:25most excited you know I'm just I'm most excited about the feeling in the room I think there is
00:12:30there's nothing like a compliment from another black woman right it's like we just speak a different
00:12:35language and so when you feel that palpable energy I can't wait for that I can't wait for that energy
00:12:41of like black women giving each other their flowers we so rarely get it um and I love that we just
00:12:47created our own table right we create our own table and we pulled up the chairs ourselves and that to me
00:12:52feels even better than any other accolade or anything so I'm really looking forward to that energy for sure
00:12:57for sure yeah I can't agree more with you Danielle the sisterhood is so infectious and the hey girl
00:13:05I see you is just especially in in today's society when we don't feel seen many times as black women
00:13:14and know that we have the support system and just the kind of I see you girl is everything so I'm
00:13:22really just looking forward to the sisterhood in the room and um seeing catching up with like old
00:13:28friends it's it's like a reunion absolutely if you didn't go to an hbcu you get that experience
00:13:34at black women in hollywood absolutely and everyone always remembers their first black
00:13:39women in hollywood like mine I think was 2019 I remember Nisi Nash on stage room full of tears you
00:13:44know what do you all remember about your first black women in hollywood okay so this is fun because this
00:13:48is my first are you kidding me my first so I am so excited so that's really why I'm like I can't
00:13:54wait because this is like I've reported on it for years I've covered it for years so this is my first
00:13:59black women in hollywood and what a way to do your first right as executive editor right okay you did
00:14:04it wrong okay doing the thing so I will always remember that yeah yeah yeah so 2022 was my first
00:14:12when I joined I was like three weeks in as the chief revenue officer and Anjanew Ellis last year's
00:14:21honoree she gave me the chills like brought us to church and I think we went through so many
00:14:29different emotions um so I um have always just been a fan of the event and have like loved the
00:14:36viral moments of Oprah and Lupita and to be in the room last year as my first was just incredibly
00:14:43special and you know what I think we're gonna get this year is a moment from Shirley Ralph oh yeah
00:14:48is gonna give us a moment yes and she has given me chills every time she's accepted an award when
00:14:52she sang at the Super Bowl so I feel like she is going to come with it today she's so excited
00:14:58tissues ready I got him in the bag I do I do absolutely and I want to ask you you know I think
00:15:04a lot of people watch this show aspiring actors and that and they get you know inspiration and they
00:15:10learn how to navigate but you two are boss women in your own respective fields what's your advice for
00:15:14black women who are looking at you and saying how do I get to be executive editor how do I get to
00:15:18be where the money resides that's probably exactly and shout out shout out I wouldn't be chief
00:15:26chief revenue officer if I didn't say shout out to all of our brand partners who made today's
00:15:31possible um with their support um but really for for young women um who are in starting out in their
00:15:39careers I would say take the time to really be intentional um with you know finding a mentor
00:15:48and um really building relationships you know I I wouldn't be where I am today without
00:15:55relationships with really being intentional fostering relation fostering relationships um with people that
00:16:02I aspired to be like um so I'm I'm I'm grateful for those experiences and for those people to help
00:16:10shepherd me along so I would say definitely um shepherd and also water those relationships
00:16:17on on folks that you aspire to be like that's a great one I couldn't agree with that more and
00:16:22I think I would also say you know just to remind yourself sometimes that everybody's still learning
00:16:27you know nobody's got it right no one's perfect even those people that you look at and you're like
00:16:31oh my gosh I want to be like that so badly sometimes for me knowing that everyone is constantly
00:16:37learning and constantly getting better um helps me know that there's there's not some pinnacle or
00:16:42some mountaintop that I'm supposed to reach that's going to be some you know some form of perfection
00:16:47you know um that really helps me with the imposter syndrome with the anxiety that that's the stuff
00:16:53that I certainly struggle with some days and just knowing that everyone's not perfect um and then just
00:16:59knowing again to Pauline's point with that um with those relationships know that we live in a world of
00:17:04like instant gratification right I think these kinds of things take time yeah and so knowing
00:17:10that it's not you're not going to get that instant gratification you might make that relationship
00:17:14and you might not get that job immediately but that person might circle back years later
00:17:18and help you get to your next opportunity so those are the two things that I try to live by for sure
00:17:23burn no bridges that's why never burn a bridge yes because you never our industry is so small
00:17:31media and entertainment the same those people will recycle yep they may not come to you this season
00:17:38but they may come to you another season yes so burn no bridges I hear that receive across the aisle
00:17:45yes across the aisle it doesn't always have to be up you gotta your peers are absolutely the folks who
00:17:51are going to help push forward your career absolutely I hope you all had your pen and paper
00:17:55thank you ladies for stopping excited to see you inside of course thank you you are a rock star thank
00:18:05you thank you thank you everyone their flowers yes yeah thank you I appreciate that thank you
00:18:15thank you thank you tossing over to chastity thank you so much brandy I definitely had my pen and pad
00:18:23out taking notes that was an amazing interview and I'm over here holding it down for coca-cola
00:18:28right now I am so excited because I am joined by legendary supermodel beverly johnson oh my goodness
00:18:36this is a dream come true for me oh you're so sweet oh my goodness what are you excited about the
00:18:40most today at essence black women in hollywood I'm just excited about everything it is just such an
00:18:46amazing feeling to be here with all these talented beautiful black women the energy is just off the
00:18:54chart I mean literally the first black supermodel on vogue you have done so many incredible things in
00:19:00your career tell us what does sisterhood mean to you oh sisterhood is everything I have sisters and
00:19:07then I have many other sisters I think that the sisters is what keeps us going who keep us going
00:19:14and the sisters are the ones that give us the hand to pull us up absolutely absolutely I love that
00:19:22you're all about women's empowerment I want you to tell us what does women's empowerment mean to you
00:19:26because I feel like you have used your brand and your image to spread women's empowerment your entire
00:19:31career so what does that mean to you what it means is loving yourself and loving your sister yeah but
00:19:39seriously loving your sister and just giving it out mentoring people getting mentored just constantly
00:19:46building you yes yes and you're always doing that even with your daughter who I know
00:19:52one of my first literally the first model I met in New York City modeling your daughter Anasa who's also a
00:19:58curvy model I love that you empower her to do that which also then empowered me and so many other
00:20:03women out there to go out there and follow their dreams yes actually she empowered me she taught me
00:20:09all about the plus size model and taught me how to pose and how to you know when things get a little
00:20:15how to pose and make it look absolutely wonderful and curvy she and you did what what I did for black
00:20:24women in the fashion industry you ladies did that for the women the plus size women and the women with
00:20:31all the curves thank you so much that means the world to me now speaking about no one had a model I saw you
00:20:37just now giving us some iconic poses what are you wearing today because you look absolutely stunning as
00:20:42always this is by an African designer woman named Vivian Anya is her brand she's out of Washington DC and I just love the eyes and it's and it's just beautiful couture it's fabulous and I just love her as a person
00:20:59oh my goodness yes you look absolutely stunning it's we're we're absolutely ready to go inside I know you've got to get in there we can't wait to see you in there thank you so much for coming this year and we'll see you right inside thank you so much
00:21:12I got some folks over there that you want to see so I'll send it back to you
00:21:15if they're not going to write it for you you must write it for yourself I am not the greatest writer but I'm always writing and working on something for myself and now for others
00:21:30I did not know or feel it was going to be my night I really felt it was going to be somebody else's night
00:21:41when they called my name I was absolutely totally completely in shock I was in such shock
00:21:50I had to play in my brain over and over did they really just call my name am I awake
00:21:58as a black woman in Hollywood it started with my very first film piece of the action under the
00:22:07direction of Sidney Poitier I was 19 years old and I walked into a room where we're sitting there with
00:22:15some of the greatest young black actresses at the time and I was up against two one was Tamu
00:22:23and the other was Pamela Poitier I remember one day I was walking through the Tropicana mall
00:22:33with Rosalind Cash holding her hand and she said Shirley what do you want to be and I said
00:22:39I want to be a great actress she opened her home to me when I came to California and she said you get
00:22:47you get a month and after that you're out and it was years later and I was frustrated you know I was
00:22:56starting to feel like nobody was seeing my work and I felt like I was overlooked and she said to me
00:23:02what did you ask me for what did you when I asked you what did you want you said you wanted to be a great
00:23:10actress and I said yes and she said and that's exactly what you are
00:23:15hello we are back with more of the bosses at Essence we are here with Rachel Dennis our lead for Essence
00:23:29Girls United Raku Tubman our chief of staff and Ibasu Davis president of GBAM how are you all feeling
00:23:35amazing it's great to be here I'm excited this is always just a real special moment for me this
00:23:41room is probably one of the most powerful rooms yes ever absolutely yes completely agree I mean
00:23:47this is actually my first time here okay my inaugural black women in Hollywood event so I'm excited to
00:23:53participate what do we want to start with we're in a new venue much bigger imprint I mean how are you
00:23:58feeling seeing everything look I mean I think this at this event is taking even more prominence given
00:24:04what we're seeing happen culturally what we're seeing happening unfortunately with some other
00:24:09events where black women are not being recognized in the way that they should be yes and we know
00:24:14black women specifically in Hollywood have created a path and what this event is doing is not only
00:24:19recognizing what they've done but making sure that we create a path for the future absolutely what are
00:24:25you most looking forward to today so I think I'm looking most forward to one all of the beautiful women
00:24:31that are out here but also what it represents for them to be here what it represents where Essence
00:24:37has been giving black women their flowers since it was cool to do it now we've given them gardens and
00:24:43now people are trying to give them their flowers but no and what we're doing is also building for the
00:24:48future of Essence you know with Girls United making sure that we're taking in that Gen Z audience as
00:24:54well but also you know Essence shouldn't just be something you saw on your mom's coffee table but it
00:25:00should be something for you that's what you know today represents everybody that's here everybody
00:25:05that's supporting Essence everybody that's back home you know we're here for you we're here for
00:25:10black women and we serve them deeply so that's what today's all about absolutely I'm looking forward to
00:25:16a couple of things I am usually excited by the acceptance speeches the tears the laughter you realize
00:25:23that you've gone on a journey with these women and the role that you've played in their life to get
00:25:28them on that stage but the role they played in your life yeah and putting themselves out there
00:25:32to tell these stories I love that the other thing that I also love is the power in the room so much
00:25:39happens there's a lot of love it's such a safe space so I'm looking forward to going in that room
00:25:43and feeling 100% safe absolutely from a global perspective because we get to do that too right
00:25:48so it's incredible exactly and I feel like this is like the precursor for festival like you get
00:25:53the pre-game the pre-game yes and the way again switching it up for this I feel like this is only telling us
00:26:02how special festival will be this year absolutely can you tell us any little thing I want to know too
00:26:07I don't know I seen I see a little something something across the desk overheard a couple
00:26:12conversations all I want to say get your tickets now don't call me don't yeah
00:26:17essence.com get your tickets now oh my gosh festival this year is going to be well this year is hip-hop 50
00:26:26yes that's all I'm gonna say okay it's hip-hop 50 okay it's still the black joy yes it's 29 years of
00:26:33festival so we're preparing for 30 years next year so you can imagine the climb from last year
00:26:38I could go on and on all I know is if you don't have your tickets I don't know what to tell you
00:26:43forget Rochelle listen bring your mom bring your daughters bring your sons bring your husbands bring
00:26:51your side boo that's a gym gear for you and we're not only going to give you music we're going to give
00:27:01you food we're going to give you something for your mind right we're going to make sure that people
00:27:06are provided with information about social justice economic justice opportunity so you're going to
00:27:11go and see fantastic performances but you're also going to have a substantial amount of information
00:27:17absolutely that will help us advance our culture forward thank you party with a purpose party with a
00:27:22purpose you heard them get your tickets so get them now and then we're taking it over to chastity
00:27:27oh my goodness that totally just made me so excited for essence best 2023 what's up y'all
00:27:41i'm chastity saunders and i'm over here holding it down for coca-cola and i am so excited right now
00:27:46i'm standing with one of my favorite actresses the gorgeous miss sally richardson how are you i am
00:27:52excited to be here every year this is the best event isn't this the best event it is oh my god
00:27:57it's such a treat to be here as well what are you most looking forward to today i think it's
00:28:02cheryl lee ralph yeah and gina of course oh my goodness because both of those women have been doing
00:28:09this so long and they've put in the work and the time and they're finally being acknowledged for the
00:28:18brilliant artists that they are so i'm just so excited for them yes oh my god i am as well i mean
00:28:24woman king come on come on i cannot come on that's all i have to say no for sure and and it's all about
00:28:31sisterhood today at essence you know black women in hollywood what does sisterhood mean to you
00:28:36as i've gotten older it means more than anything because i think as a young girl you know i grew up
00:28:44with a mom saying you know you can't always trust women yeah and what i realized is that you can't
00:28:50trust all women but there are your tribe is there for you and you're in your girlfriends will hold you
00:28:57down no matter what and we have to start kind of getting away from that old way of thinking
00:29:02and knowing that we need that fellowship yes and when the boyfriends are gone maybe sometimes the
00:29:10husbands not mine i mean your girls will be there for you absolutely oh my god well i'm so excited
00:29:17for today what's the most exciting thing that you're looking forward to today um besides i just think
00:29:23like i said it's just seeing our ladies talking yeah seeing shirley ralph i i i don't know what
00:29:29she's gonna sing this time on stage but i'm sure it's something oh my goodness well i'm here we're
00:29:34gonna have a special performance so i'll be looking forward to that as well okay i'm gonna go ahead
00:29:38and toss it back to you brandy thank you thank you thank you chastity you know we love watching
00:29:45movies and shows on netflix every month we tell you what's me and black on netflix and we have a very
00:29:49special project that we're about to talk about now from shonda rhimes the queen of television and
00:29:54drama but before we talk to our special guest check out this sneak sneak peek i'm sorry of queen charlotte
00:30:00a bridgerton story
00:30:07your majesty hello charlotte i'm george
00:30:15your marriage is the business of this country this cannot go wrong you are the first of your kind
00:30:32you must secure your position
00:30:33this is my home
00:30:40i am the queen
00:30:43just the beginning
00:30:45our minds are talking to each other i know i know
00:30:48wow yes yes okay that trailer i don't even know where to begin but let me intro you first
00:31:01we are here with our sema thomas she plays a young lady danbury in this special thank you for being
00:31:06with us how are you feeling i'm feeling good thank you so much for yes of course first of all i love
00:31:12love your outfit tell us about this look
00:31:14uh it's lawrence airline it's uh one of like these really really great men's wear designers
00:31:19okay
00:31:20this is streaming something
00:31:21facebook, instagram, twitter, essence, all lives
00:31:25oh yes
00:31:26it's perfect
00:31:27yeah
00:31:28okay
00:31:29now i want to get into wardrobe also for this series because that is what stands out to me most all the time tell us about it
00:31:36so i mean the wardrobe is uh one of like the greatest parts of it i think
00:31:41it is one of the things that really helps with putting the character uh in a more three-dimensional role
00:31:48um and the amount of detail that they put for this show it's amazing the color stories lynn paulo is a costume designer
00:31:58um and she like just seeing the amount of dedication made it feel like i also had to step up with my acting and make sure like the character deserved to wear these clothes
00:32:08so you're gonna see a lot of detail a lot of things that call into um some of the backstories of these characters
00:32:15yeah it's it's just an honor yeah
00:32:17and that's what i want to get into because lady danbury like a favorite on bircherton
00:32:21huge shoes to fill
00:32:22you know with that yes but then what are we learning about her backstories
00:32:27whatever you can tell us
00:32:29okay yeah i'll try and not give any spoilers but i think there is um you're gonna learn about the fact that like
00:32:36strong women they they're not like born like that you know they have to go through a lot of things and i think
00:32:43you get to see the the entire journey of what it takes to make her this you know massive crucial like pillar in society
00:32:53so you know she doesn't start off that strong she starts off you know being bent by the will of you know these
00:33:01social orders that are put in place and you see what makes her her which is like this part that like kind of just shines through
00:33:09like the catalyst of queen charlotte coming in and making lady danbury realize her own potential and what she can do to create change
00:33:18i think it's yeah it just is a beautiful story of growth yeah we're super excited tell me is this your first black woman in hollywood
00:33:26yes yeah yeah this is my first everything so i'm excited
00:33:30oh yes like what did you know about this event before coming what were your expectations
00:33:35i mean i so i've seen like a lot of the photos before i um i mean i think i was expecting that this would be one of the
00:33:43the few places that black women in this industry have to kind of just let their walls down to be safe
00:33:49and to also be able to you know be in communion with one another i think one of like the strong points
00:33:55about um a society where racism is extremely uh rampant is that you people want to divide us you know
00:34:03because that's how they conquer us and i think there is something amazing for events like these for people
00:34:09who don't usually technically work together people who i mean there are many women i already saw that
00:34:14i've looked up to growing up who are the reason i believe that i'm here today and so it makes it just
00:34:21all the more worth it truly yeah i love that and you know we talk a lot about don't put labels on
00:34:27things you know you're just an actress or actor you know for that but what do you love about being a black actress
00:34:34i think i mean i don't know anything else you know all i know is to be you know a black something
00:34:43and to be a black actress i think especially in this day and age is so amazing because you get to be
00:34:51you get to have access to a lot of the information in history of other black actresses that were there before you
00:34:57you you know you get to be able to communicate and partner with so many different other actors
00:35:04and also the content of what we do is just so ingrained in everything i am a strong believer of
00:35:10like i cannot be anything other than myself i cannot tell a story other than the story of me
00:35:16and so to be able to bring that to my art to bring that to my career and my work and have it so personal
00:35:22i think it is one of the greatest blessings like i i think of it as one of the greatest titles to hold
00:35:29yeah because i can tell these black stories and so or these stories period absolutely thank you for doing
00:35:35that last question what are you most looking forward to today yeah i'm looking forward to chat i'm looking
00:35:41forward to tea spilling i'm looking forward also to just you know being able to like make friends and
00:35:46have our walls come down i mean this is one of the like parts of the year where we get to celebrate
00:35:51a lot of the work that people have done and i'm really just excited to be able to celebrate a lot of
00:35:56some of these women yeah well thank you so much enjoy yourself and i will see you inside thank you
00:36:05toss it to you chastity thanks so much brandi i'm over here still holding it down for coca-cola and i'm here
00:36:11with the booking magnet herself miss christine horn thank you so much for joining us oh it is an honor to be
00:36:18here to be surrounded by such greatness are you kidding me i mean look around there's just fabulosity
00:36:24everywhere but i mean look at you what are you wearing please tell us about the fashion because it is
00:36:29giving thank you you know this necklace came from south africa i was just there working on a tv show shout out to
00:36:34the space that's where i got that my amazing stylist ty coachman got me together with this cute zara piece
00:36:39right i got these public desire shoes being a little playful today you know shout out to day bird my
00:36:46creative director so it's just been amazing and oh cute paints on the face yes yes i love it and i love
00:36:52seeing you in south africa oh my amazing amazing amazing amazing yes now tell us why do you love being a black
00:36:59actress because i know that you do but i want you to tell the folks out there why you love being a black actress
00:37:04i love representing where i come from who i am my culture my community i grew up watching these amazing
00:37:10women inspiring me so the fact that i get to do that hopefully for some little girl at home or for some
00:37:15grown woman at home who needs inspiration and to see herself on the screen that means the world to me
00:37:20yeah and and your brand the booking magnet tell young actresses out there that are watching because
00:37:25there's so many out there watching us right now here live at the 2023 black women in hollywood what advice
00:37:30would you give to a young actress who wants to get in this business i would say study of course
00:37:35believe in yourself um i'm a student of the law of attraction so i know everything is always working
00:37:41out for me so i know this industry may not always be the easiest but go for it don't listen to the
00:37:46naysayers yeah work hard be in your craft and lift as you climb that's what i like to do you know i've
00:37:53been really fortunate to be on the shows that i've been on yeah but now i want to help people also
00:37:57because we can all win together absolutely and we love seeing you on snowfall and bmf
00:38:02you're just killing it out there yes now i know when you are working on these shows you got to have
00:38:06a playlist tell us what's on your black woman in hollywood playlist right now what are you listening
00:38:11to as you get ready to you know gear up and go out there as your character it depends on the show so
00:38:16for you know for snowfall that's more you know hardcore hip-hop kind of energy yeah for bmf right now but
00:38:21you know playing mabel a lot of more seduct seduction kind of stuff i listen to a lot of janae
00:38:26aiko oh i love janae aiko for my mabel character she's a little she's a little extra yeah but it just
00:38:32depends but that i do i'm so glad you asked me that because music helps to get me in the zone and
00:38:36have to create the vibe and feel for my characters yeah you're you're such a dynamic light your energy
00:38:41is just so radiant every time i'm near you i just feel it so what can you share with folks out there
00:38:46about how you keep and maintain a positive outlook in hollywood because it's not always easy to get to
00:38:53these stages but you've made it here yes how do you maintain that positivity on your journey i love that
00:39:00question belief in myself unwavering unshakable belief in myself and my gift i know that even if
00:39:07i'm not booking for a season my gift is mine it was given to me by god so you can't take that away from
00:39:12me so i just keep having fun search for the fun in your life do things that help you just live a
00:39:17full life you can't be a hundred percent into acting and nothing else feel have a full life and a good
00:39:23spiritual practice something to keep you centered and you know zend out that's what helps me
00:39:27christine thank you so much for stopping by today i hope you have the most amazing time inside i'm
00:39:33gonna let you go ahead and get in there yes you guys were having so much fun right here at the 2023
00:39:38essence black women in hollywood i'm gonna toss it back to brandy thank you well we told you there
00:39:46are legends of all kinds that are here with us today and we are here with a legend in hip-hop mc life
00:39:51thank you so much for being with us how you thank you i'm excited you know this is once again it wraps
00:39:57around for another year but it's it's always exciting to see the ladies same here you know this is the
00:40:03you know this is the 50th year of anniversary i'm sorry of hip-hop i know you've been talking about
00:40:07it a lot does it feel real that it's 50 it feels real that it's 50. did i think it was gonna happen
00:40:14not really but you know i just bumped it the ladies are out today let me just say that salt i just ran
00:40:20into her on the red carpet and that is my idol salt and pepper all the way okay i love that and you know we
00:40:27talk a lot about how hip-hop has influenced every aspect of society and culture now i don't think we
00:40:32talk a lot about hip-hop in the transitions you know people have made to entertainment you yourself this
00:40:37might be the only show that you are not the voice of god and MC and can you talk about just the impact
00:40:43oh absolutely i think that hip-hop has given us all just a way to do all of the other things that we love
00:40:49to do and so before i rapped i wanted to act i wanted to do voiceover i heard radio you know carol
00:40:57ford in new york city i saw tootie on facts of life and so rapping has given me a sort of a step into
00:41:05those areas and i'm very grateful for it who excites you now in the rap or what um i just like smart
00:41:15stuff you know so kendrick lamar j cole uh tiara wack rhapsody are some of my favorites chance to
00:41:23rapper it's quite a bit and i love the variety that exists right now absolutely and you know you
00:41:31obviously have a long career in entertainment what is the secret to your longevity what advice would
00:41:37you have for other people who want to follow your path well i was just saying you need a team
00:41:41you know and what we can't lose sight of in this business is that it is a business as much as you
00:41:47love to perform and you love to get on stage and take the microphone there is an entire business that
00:41:54has to happen behind the scenes so i just say strategically put together those that are going
00:41:59to help you succeed and that are knowledgeable and skilled at what it is they do okay now what should we look
00:42:05out from you this year any special performances any shows oh goodness well i just completed a movie
00:42:10uh favorite son's christmas directed by robin gibbons i'm excited about that of course i have my show on
00:42:16all black called partners in rhyme amc and i'm doing another another movie in april and i've got uh kennedy
00:42:25center i am woman is a is an event that my company sunny girl we produce this year we'll have rhapsody cash doll
00:42:33bahamidea um myself um who else am i uh forgetting oh my goodness uh there's a there's a couple more
00:42:42that great but you know what i love them all we're gonna make a pop in at the kennedy center this year
00:42:47again amazing thank you so so much you look amazing so glad to talk to you over to you chastity
00:43:03i want you to feel worthy
00:43:24people in the community have a place to go
00:43:27we knocking down doors for everybody
00:43:35you know for the culture
00:43:42now
00:43:42elevate how you hydrate and keep it smart with smart water alkaline
00:44:12there was no magazine that spoke to black women about every aspect of our lives a big glossy
00:44:23magazine said hey you i'm yours when the girl went natural you're gonna love me in my natural state or
00:44:30don't love me at all i would look at essence for inspiration it allowed me to dream different kind of
00:44:35dreams
00:44:43hey what's up guys it's chastity saunders here i'm over here at the coca-cola stage still kicking it with
00:44:48the biggest and brightest stars in hollywood and right now i'm here with actress kelly wow
00:44:53you look amazing thank you as do you chastity oh my goodness why is it important for you to be here
00:44:59today kelly i mean if people could just look around and see all of this black beauty here everywhere i look
00:45:08i'm like oh she's amazing she's dynamic you know it is it's just like a warm hug being here absolutely
00:45:16it's all about sisterhood today so tell us what does women's empowerment mean to you personally
00:45:22women's empowerment to me means being able to stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way for
00:45:30you there are so many legends that i see out here today that i'm just grateful for and knowing that
00:45:37because of their sacrifice they have empowered me to be better and now i can sacrifice for someone else
00:45:44absolutely yeah now when you're getting ready for your your characters we're talking about the 50
00:45:49years of hip-hop you know we have some legends that are here today at essence black women in hollywood
00:45:54tell me who's on your black women in hollywood playlist as you get ready to go out there and
00:45:59and kill it on on set you can't i saw salt yes okay and i said kelly what you're not gonna do
00:46:06is have a fangirl moment but i'm like but you my karaoke push it is what i do okay at karaoke so it's
00:46:13like yeah there's mc light over there i just walked by her and i said thank you and kept walking yeah
00:46:20and and who are you looking forward to seeing today because we're honoring some of the most
00:46:24amazing women that are really killing it and at the top of their game yeah who are you looking
00:46:28forward to the most today well you know i gotta say i saw her salt i saw her yeah yeah and she was
00:46:36just as chill as she could be i love that i love that and i'm looking at you and i cannot stop staring
00:46:41at your eyes you are gorgeous this makeup looks amazing and you look gorgeous who are you wearing
00:46:46i am wearing hottie and lord yes this lovely suede velvet suit yes it's giving it's definitely
00:46:57giving and tell us what you're working on right now and what we should be looking out for you next
00:47:01i am currently on all american homecoming it airs on the cw such a fan mondays at 9 pm we're coming
00:47:08back only three more episodes for season two so you got to check it out if you've missed any episodes
00:47:13you can tune in on the cw app for free okay that's always a good thing yes and i know there's a lot of
00:47:18young actresses that are watching you on that show that have aspirations of being in hollywood one day
00:47:24what advice would you give to anybody out there who wants to be in the entertainment business that
00:47:29just doesn't know what they're doing quite yet a little bit of advice you could give them um i would
00:47:33say one for me understanding my identity yeah i am a child of the living god amen okay my identity is in
00:47:44christ and everything that i am is filtered through that lens understanding your identity and then two
00:47:50being able to redefine success success doesn't necessarily only mean oh i'm on a hit tv show right
00:47:57success could be that you woke up and you did something for your career redefine success for
00:48:03yourself i absolutely love that and you're such a positive light how do you maintain that light
00:48:09because hollywood can sometimes especially for us as beautiful black women in this industry
00:48:14sometimes they try and dim it so what do you do to keep your light shining bright every morning i spend
00:48:19time with god in prayer reading his word because again because my identity is in christ yeah all of
00:48:27the chaos all of the pulling all of the pushing that this industry can do yeah you don't get to do
00:48:34that because i know who i am and who i'm rooted and grounded in and and you know i love how you speak
00:48:40about your relationship with god i have such a strong relationship with god as well i love it i just love
00:48:44that about you i can't wait to see what you do next um i'm gonna let you get inside because we're
00:48:49gonna be starting here shortly but you look amazing i cannot wait to see what you have coming up guys
00:48:55just are you guys ready for what's happening today so much amazingness i'm gonna go ahead and toss it
00:49:00back to you brandy hey now we are here brisha brandy and jerry i feel like they're my friends oh that's
00:49:10what i'm saying how are you all feeling i'm feeling good um amazing phenomenal yes you look incredible
00:49:17brandy we talked about this the naac people i'm like this is giving cover i don't want to start
00:49:21it's giving cover i'm just saying we're ready for the cover you ready jerry you ready brisha right
00:49:26we're ready for the cover tell us about the looks first of all we got well this is a black designer
00:49:33jovanna i'm forgetting her last name right now but she's incredible she's haitian and it was rightly
00:49:40so it's a little brisk outside but i wanted to wrap it up and make it sexy yes i'm wearing ellie sob and
00:49:48of course the jessica rich a wonderful black designer absolutely style by ashley sean come on
00:49:55i'm wearing a little bit of everything but i got these pradas on come on you can sponsor me that's
00:50:00what's most important and you know i was giving y'all high femme for the past week so i was like let's
00:50:05give her androgynous guys you know what i mean and we do this is nobody's first time right black
00:50:14women in hollywood okay what keeps you coming back the women you know you never get to all
00:50:20commune like this and hug you know we're just always passing each other so it's wonderful to like
00:50:26lay hands and say hi in person in person not on instagram it's it's really awesome and sometimes we
00:50:32don't get to brunch and lunch yes so it's this is like our lunch and brunch
00:50:39and we get to look fabulous yes it's like a fast it's a family reunion and a fashion show in one
00:50:44period yeah that's exactly it it's so essence it's like when you pick when you look through the pages
00:50:50you just see beautiful black women yeah and their glory and just looking all just fabulous
00:50:55yes thank you i love it well what are you most looking forward to you know we have amazing
00:51:01honorees dominique thorne tara duncan shelley ralph who i feel like it's just gonna lay us out
00:51:06i know yes my store is killing it and we're gonna be all glory yes you know what i'm most excited to
00:51:16see danielle as well yeah because i feel like she ain't been getting a flower she deserved come on
00:51:20okay so that's why make sure she gets them today and i'm very very proud of her absolutely yes she acts
00:51:26down yes absolutely danielle acts down she's from the stage the theater she deserves yes well we owe you
00:51:34congratulations yes she's married now she's married now god did it for me he will do it for you
00:51:41what was your prayer i'd love to know look god give me what i need yeah give me what you believe
00:51:48i deserve because i'm sick of trying to figure it out all of us give me someone who loved me like i love
00:51:57and he did and he did it and he did it well thank you lovely ladies for stopping by and chatting with
00:52:04me it was fun it's always a pleasure i'm gonna let you get inside tossing back over to chastity
00:52:11there was no magazine that spoke to black women about every aspect of our lives a big glossy
00:52:22magazine said hey you i'm yours putting a girl wet natural you're gonna love me in my natural state
00:52:28or don't love me at all i would look at essence for inspiration it allowed me to dream different kind of
00:52:34dream hello we are here with the most important people of today three of our honorees with us
00:52:53so how many thor gina prince bible with tara duckett how are you all feeling incredible truly
00:53:00always looking forward to this event every year yes how are you feeling i'm feeling great just taking
00:53:06it all in this is amazing well this is the 16th year of black women in hollywood is this your first
00:53:14black woman in hollywood okay so what did you know about the event before what were you like your
00:53:20expectations i mean i think my understanding of black women in hollywood is much like my understanding
00:53:25of essence which is that this is a time and a space to commemorate the work that has been done
00:53:30not only in the culture at large but especially in the industry that black women are leading so it's a
00:53:36beautiful moment i think to get to learn about the true scope of the event by being honored in this way
00:53:44so i'm i'm very very grateful yeah now what do you both remember about your first black women in
00:53:49hollywood yeah my first was the second annual and same i was honored which brought me into it but i
00:53:58remember hearing about the first one and hearing how beautiful it was so to be in that environment to
00:54:02be honored and halle berry was my year diane carroll it was so to be amongst legends and to be in that
00:54:09room and the love that you get from that room it just fills you up and you take it out into the world
00:54:14yeah tara when was your first my first black women in hollywood was when the cast of orange
00:54:22is the new black was honored it's the first tv show i worked on where there was a cast of women
00:54:28who looked like me and we were around the same age and characters that i could personally identify with
00:54:33and to have them recognized by essence was kind of so special for all of us but that was my first time
00:54:38here and it was really great yes now the speeches are always the highlight of the event i've warned
00:54:44everyone through here have your tissues ready something to ask yourself do we need to get our
00:54:49tissues i mean you just speak such life instrument right now don't gas it up too much come on
00:55:05i appreciate that i appreciate that yeah what are you all looking forward to aside from obviously your
00:55:10moment of getting honored but what also makes this special for you i think for me it's always just the
00:55:17community you know getting to see everybody come out and sort of move through the space with the
00:55:22same understanding the same like shared love that's really what i'm looking forward to it's just a
00:55:28space for me it's i love this event and seeing people that i don't get to see often but my table is
00:55:39my family the people that have been there from the beginning so for them to show up for me
00:55:43i get to thank them personally um yeah that's my favorite thing yeah for me i'm just so excited to
00:55:52get in the room and be around the women there's so many women who i admire women who i know who i
00:55:58don't get to see that often it's really a just an opportunity for us to all love on each other and
00:56:03celebrate each other so i'm just excited to be around friends yes i thank you all so much for
00:56:08taking the time to chat with us thank you for also giving us the opportunity to honor you
00:56:12and for the work that you do i truly appreciate it excited to see you inside and i'll let you go
00:56:17ahead and head in thank you back to you chastity
00:56:24thank you so much brandy i'm over here on the coca-cola stage holding it down and as you can see
00:56:29we are overwhelmed with the beauty that is here today at the essence black women in hollywood
00:56:33valake i've got to get into this look first of all we are twinning with the white i know right you look
00:56:38gorgeous thank you so do you who are you wearing today queen i have no idea well my my shoes are
00:56:45rick owens how about that i love it it's giving yes ma'am there we go give it to them okay now today
00:56:52is all about sisterhood yes what made you come out today what was the most important reason that you
00:56:56needed to be here today at essence black women in hollywood well it was important for me to be here
00:57:01because my first one was last year and i left feeling full and enlightened and emotional sharing
00:57:09space with women who have had similar experiences as i have as i'm going to have and women who will
00:57:16have the experiences that i am experiencing currently and will in the future and i think it's important to
00:57:22have that space to to come together and share and unload and bless and be blessed and so that's why
00:57:31it was important for me to be here today absolutely and we're honoring some of the biggest and brightest
00:57:35stars that are black women and shining in hollywood who are you most excited to see honored today
00:57:42everyone yeah i'm a fan of everyone to be honest you know i grew up in nigeria and a lot of the women i see
00:57:48here are women i grew up watching back home in africa when i had no idea i would ever make it to america
00:57:55and so it's surreal i'm trying not to fan out too much um but uh everyone i'm happy to be here i'm
00:58:05happy to be in the space here and now and uh serve as an inspiration to other kids in other parts of
00:58:13africa and nigeria especially yeah i just shot my first film in africa i went to ghana what does
00:58:19it mean to you you have the best jollof though oh my goodness absolutely you do absolutely what does
00:58:25it mean to you to be an international actress and to be here representing for all international
00:58:29actresses i can't comprehend it you're saying things like the words i hear it yes i'm i'm i'm
00:58:37starting to accept it uh but um i i feel like all i can do is be the best version of me absolutely
00:58:48and that hopefully will serve an inspiration it will leave a mark yes and um it will continue on
00:58:54you're doing that you're absolutely doing it and we're so proud of you brandy i'm gonna go ahead
00:58:59and toss it back over to you give it to me what what do you think hello we need more movement
00:59:14what's it missing
00:59:20plot twist genius let's run it again zendaya how do you always keep it so fresh whatever the choice
00:59:26just keep it smart welcome back we are here with more friends here mega good jerry johnson shaneke
00:59:36chanda how are you ladies feeling oh man i feel like it's pun intended when i say good
00:59:46i'm so grateful for these spaces really happy to be here i'm excited for what's going to happen in the
00:59:51room so yeah a lot of anticipation i'm excited to have my sisters with me today
00:59:56i feel like we've been like at the same events but at different events and so it's like when we
01:00:01get together you can just feel the yeah it feels so good absolutely yes and i think the audience like
01:00:07feels that when they watch you all on harlem the conversation for season two has been hot i see
01:00:12every time i'm watching they're talking about it what has it been like for you all seeing the response
01:00:18oh man it's been amazing just to see how people are so activated and so like in touch with the
01:00:23characters are going through and they have their thoughts and their feelings they're like what's
01:00:26going to happen and it's just wonderful to see people really like you know into the show and so
01:00:31i'm thrilled i got there's a harlem board that um on facebook our fan page that i got one of my
01:00:38friends to like secretly join and it's just so good to hear all of like the bets and the wagers and the
01:00:45who is who and just all of the things that people are like being touched by yeah i'm grateful to like
01:00:53be able to represent black women and have them feel filled by it because our intention is to like
01:00:59bless us so it feels even good when like even better when the audience that you're like hoping
01:01:04and praying for to be touched by it like really feels it i'm like yes mission accomplished mission
01:01:10accomplished and that's what black women in hollywood is all about as well so i want to thank you ladies
01:01:14for stopping by thank you to all of the guests at home who are watching this we appreciate you
01:01:19thank you for sticking with us watching this pre-show and make sure to tune in to black women in hollywood
01:01:24luncheon it's airing next monday march 13th on essence.com yes thank you
01:01:29thank you
01:01:59thank you
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