Laz Alonso brought the heat to a chilly night in Chicago, as the ladies and gents packed the chic Icon Theater to see the sneak preview of Jumping the Broom, sponsored by American Airlines’ BlackAtlas.com, Sony Pictures and rolling out.
“BlackAtlas.com is a community for African American travelers,” explains Angelique Smith, social media content manager for BlackAtlas.com. “So we basically send people all over the world to find little black gems, it’s your passport to the black experience. For example, Jumping the Broom was set in Martha’s Vineyard, and we’ve found that there’s an African American heritage trail, and that they have an African American film festival. Jumping the Broom is just another example of how BlackAtlas.com is everywhere you go.”
Attendees were treated to free paparazzi photos (compliments of BlackAtlas.com), full-sized movie posters and a few very lucky attendees received dream gifts.
Necole and Kelli, mother and daughter, attended the screening for a girls’ night out. “I came with my mother and I heard it was a great movie,” Kelli says. “I like Lil Romeo, I saw him in the previews.”
Danielle Michelle, and Angela were also giddy with excitement. “It looks like a really fun and exciting movie and I like to see positive movies with African Americans,” Danielle says.
Angela adds, “I like Paula Patton and and Las Alonso, I like his show, “Breakout Kings,” as well. I think they are good actors and Loretta Divine is always funny.”
The crowd went wild when Alonso took the stage and he was really feeling them, as well. “Do you watch “Breakout Kings” every Sunday night? I’ve got a little secret for you. We don’t know yet if we’re going to be picked up for next season.”
The crowd jeers at that. “But, the good news is, if we do get picked up for next season, rumor has it that we’re going to be right here in Chicago.”
With that, the crowd goes wild again, and Alonso continues to reel them in. “This is a very special film in my career, this is the first time you will see me in a leading role. Y’all are going to see me smiling a lot, I’m not going to be angry like I usually am in my other projects.”
Alonso continued to flash his pearly whites as he doled out impressive raffle gifts and enjoyed the screening.
Photos: Zondra Hughes
