Posts by Jeandra LeBeauf
Andra Day reveals her painful road to embodying the iconic Billie Holiday
As Andra Day relaxes in San Diego, California, she muses over how hard she fought not to be Billie Holiday. Suffering from extreme imposter syndrome, she did everything she could to not land the role. But God and the universe had another idea for her. Instead of running away, she completely immersed herself not only…
Read MoreTika Sumpter excited to show character’s evolution on ‘Mixed-ish’
Tika Sumpter is excited to show how her character, Alicia Johnson, on ABC’s comedy series “Mixed-ish” is evolving into a boss this season. With Alicia now working as a partner at her father-in-law’s law firm, the entire Johnson household prepares itself for a shift in their routine. Speaking to rolling out, Sumpter explains how her…
Read MoreComedian Eddie B. melds teaching and comedy while giving back
Comedian Eddie B. is hilariously melding teaching and comedy in the social media space. Born Eddie Brown, the Houston native and self-proclaimed “teacher‘s comedian” is a former elementary and junior high school teacher. A natural-born humorist, he became an overnight sensation among educators worldwide after he began posting videos titled “What Teachers Really Say.” As…
Read More‘One Night in Miami’ stars reflect on the importance of Black brotherhood
Directed by Academy Award-winning actress Regina King, One Night in Miami centers on luminaries Cassius Clay, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown. After Clay defeated Sonny Liston in 1964 to become heavyweight champion, the quartet celebrates by discussing the power of unifying their Black voices. Speaking to rolling out, the actors who portray those…
Read MoreRegina King showcases Black excellence and brotherhood in ‘One Night in Miami’
Rolling out spoke with Regina King ahead of the world premiere of the film One Night in Miami, which represents the award-winning actress’s directorial debut. Based on the stage play written by Kemp Powers, the film chronicles a legendary night in 1964 when four icons — Malcolm X, Cassius Clay, Sam Cooke and Jim Brown…
Read MoreTessa Thompson navigates emotional road with ease in new film
Tessa Thompson appears completely at ease on a day filled with virtual media interviews. Dressed in white with long flowing braids, her effortless elegance is reminiscent of Dorothy Dandridge, Diahann Carroll and other Black Hollywood beauties who came before her. Radiance and warmth exude from her through the computer screen in front of her. Since…
Read MoreSheyi Cole explains how he channeled writer ‘Alex Wheatle’ for his latest film
Sheyi Cole embodies the essence of one of Britain’s most impactful writers in the Small Axe film Alex Wheatle. In the title role, Cole gives life to the hardships and maturation of Wheatle, a product of England’s foster care system. After years of mistreatment Wheatle finally finds acceptance in the West Indian community of London.…
Read MoreKenyah Sandy stars in ‘Education,’ a look at England’s biased school practices
Kenyah Sandy performs beyond his years in Director Steve McQueen‘s film, Education. An indictment on the biased British education system in the 1970s, the film shows how Black students were relegated to substandard schools. Sandy leads the cast as Kingsley Smith, a struggling student removed from traditional school at the slightest sign of difficulty. Speaking…
Read MoreMike Colter gives an inside look at ‘Fatale’ and how he selects new roles
Mike Colter continues to burnish his reputation as one of Hollywood’s most versatile actors. In his most recent role, he co-stars Rafe in the thriller Fatale. As Derrick’s (Michael Ealy) best friend and business partner, he’s a reminder of their early years. Ahead of the film’s premiere, Colter explained to rolling out how he selects…
Read MoreNoma Dumezweni of ‘The Undoing’ keeps audiences guessing until the end
Noma Dumezweni performance in “The Undoing” was more than memorable. The HBO limited series featured Dumezweni as no-nonsense attorney, Haley Fitzgerald. Charged with representing Jonathan Fraser (Hugh Grant) in his murder trial, the lines between consciousness and duty become blurred. Following the explosive season finale, Dumezweni spoke to rolling out about the phenomenal show and…
Read MoreTessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha embody romance in ‘Sylvie’s Love’
Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha artfully navigate the road to lasting love in the Amazon Studios film Sylvie’s Love. While working in her parent’s record store, Sylvie (Thompson) develops feelings for a young musician Robert (Asomugha). Over the course of the summer, their flirtation develops into a full-blown love affair. Ultimately, they have to meet…
Read MoreMichael Ealy juggles danger and deception in new thriller, ‘Fatale’
Michael Ealy finds himself juggling danger and deception in the new thriller, Fatale. Ealy stars in the film as Derrick, a successful businessman born from humble beginnings and currently living what seems to be a perfect life. After a momentary lapse in judgment, he finds himself trapped in a dangerous game that he doesn’t know…
Read MoreNtare Guma Mbaho Mwine of ‘The Chi’ juggles love in ‘Farewell Amor’
Now that his run as Ronnie on Showtime’s “The Chi“ has come to an end, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine juggles love and liberty in his latest role as Walter in the Sundance award-winning film, Farewell Amor. Speaking to rolling out, Mwine discusses the film’s themes of romance and reconnection when a family reunites after 17…
Read MoreWhoopi Goldberg realizes 30-year dream to play Mother Abagail in ‘The Stand’
Whoopi Goldberg says she wanted to appear in the upcoming CBS series “The Stand” due to a lack of Black representation in Stephen King novels. The series is a dark apocalyptic fantasy based on King’s 1978 novel of the same name. The legendary EGOT winner tells rolling out that she also wanted to star in…
Read MoreLaToya Tonodeo of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ emerges as notable new character
LaToya Tonodeo of “Power Book II: Ghost” is quickly emerging as one of the most notable characters of the hit series. “Power Book II: Ghost” picks up from the last episode of the original show “Power.” The show centers around Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey) and his rise in the drug game while a student…
Read More’40 Years a Prisoner’ features survivors of MOVE bombing in Philadelphia
“40 Years a Prisoner” is not as much an indictment on Philadelphia policing as it is a love letter and a plea for humanity. Philadelphia police targeted the Black radical group, MOVE, for several years before a devastating attack in 1985. Ultimately police officials launched an attack on the group’s headquarters, which resulted in the…
Read MoreMadalen Mills shines bright among a star-studded cast in Netflix holiday film
On a scorching, 90-degree day in Los Angeles, newcomer Madalen Mills is all smiles as she describes her excitement about the release of the holiday musical film Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. Presented by Netflix, the project is poised to make a cultural shift in traditional holiday movies with Madalen landing directly at the center…
Read More‘Coming 2 America’ release reset to 2021
Coming 2 America has a new release date on its new Amazon Studios platform. Originally scheduled for release in December, the highly anticipated sequel will premiere on March 5, 2021. In October, Amazon Studios acquired the film rights from Paramount Studios. At the conclusion of the original film, Akeem (Eddie Murphy) married his Queens, New…
Read MoreMarcel Spears of CBS show ‘The Neighborhood’ says Marty is still snarky
Marcel Spears of CBS’s “The Neighborhood” is fully embracing his comedic roots. In his third season as Marty — the snarky son of Calvin (Cedric The Entertainer) and Tina (Tichina Arnold) — the laughs pick up where they left off last season. In an interview with rolling out, Spears explains how his character keeps his…
Read MoreActress Alycia Pascual-Peña changing complexion of ‘Saved by the Bell’ reboot
“Saved By The Bell” not only gets a reboot but an upgrade. Alycia Pascual-Peña stars in the modern version of the 1990s classic teenage sitcom. Like the original, the new series centers around the lives of a diverse group of friends at fictional Bayside High School. In an interview with rolling out, Pascual-Peña, who was…
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