Black actresses Archives - Rolling Out

Taraji P. Henson doesn’t understand why some men are “uncomfortable” around powerful women. The 48-year-old actress has said it baffles her that some men seem to be put off by strong females because she believes they will only help to make the men “look better,” as they won’t “crumble” when someone makes a “sexist joke.” She…

Viola Davis feels she’s always been limited to very particular on-screen roles. The Academy Award-winning star, who appears in the new Steve McQueen-directed heist movie Widows, has claimed that in spite of being one of Hollywood’s best-known actresses, she is rarely afforded the opportunity to play characters who are “motivated by love and grief.” Asked why she…

Alexandra Shipp believes “colorism” is still prevalent in Hollywood. The X-Men: Apocalypse actress insists it is a “real thing” that directors feel more comfortable offering her a lead role than they would a darker-skinned actress, and she finds people are not afraid to ask her “offensive” questions because she’s mixed race, but she wants to use her position to…

Superstar actress Taraji P. Henson has officially fired her longtime Hollywood manager and the man who helped launch her career and catapult her into fame and riches after reports of repeated acts of sexual harassment against aspiring Black actresses. Henson, the star of “Empire,” Proud Mary and the upcoming Acrimony movie, delivered words that are…

Los Angeles-based Adriyan Rae has made a mark carving out her path to becoming a household name. She is the epitome of a triple-threat: singer, actress and model. Hailing from humbling beginnings, Rae was born in the small city of Seaford, Delaware, and raised by a single mother who instilled the idea that you can accomplish…

By anyone’s standards, Tika Sumpter is a beautiful woman. More importantly, she’s a talented actress who has earned roles in Tyler Perry’s “The Haves and the Have Nots,” HBO’s Bessie, the “Ride Along” movie series, and even as Michelle Obama in the upcoming Barack Obama biopic Southside. Although Sumpter is successfully making her way up the Hollywood…

Tichina Arnold has plenty of experience on television, and the Survivor’s Remorse star shared her thoughts on being stereotyped as a Black actress by Hollywood and being limited as a Black actress by audiences.

Erica Tazel left New York for Los Angeles where she would go on to land her most famous role to date, Deputy U.S. Marshal Rachel Brooks on the FX hit “Justified.”

“Hollywood Divas” star Paula Jai Parker opens up about how painful it was dealing with her career stalling and how she’s encouraged by what’s happening with black women on television

Teyonah Parris has been making waves as Dawn on AMC’s critically-acclaimed drama “Mad Men.” The South Carolina native is also doing big things on the big screen; she stars in the highly anticipated comedy “Dear White People,” hitting theaters on October 3rd.

It was announced this week that Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o will be among the stars in the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII.

It’s been several months since Lupita Nyong’o accepted her Oscar for her work in 12 Years A Slave. Many breakthrough stars, including actresses like Nyong’o and Quvenzhané Wallis, were pretty much unknown and underrated before catching their big break. But they are not alone. From the big screen to the small screen, the following women…

Black actresses with and without makeup Being a black actress in Hollywood means being applauded for portrayals in television series, on Broadway and in blockbusters. Furthermore, it means gaining a gaggle of fans who not only admire your work but your beauty both on and off the screen. What happens, however, when these beautiful black actresses are…

With the popularity of TV characters such as “Scandal’s” Olivia Pope, we can’t help but take a look back at some of TV’s top black actresses and the roles they played. Check them out below. –ruthie hawkins

Although Black History Month is over, the following actors are absolutely deserving of a little extra credit. Click continue to see some of the most influential black actors who paved the way for contemporary stars. –ruthie hawkins

Continuing our breakdown of Hollywood’s hottest black actresses, check out 10 more of our top movie mavens. –ruthie hawkins

Every film needs a leading lady, but a leading lady also needs just the right outfit to make her presence pop! And in the new short film for Miu Miu, “The Door,” leading lady Gabrielle Union shines in some of the fashion house’s most stunning pieces as she leads an all-star cast of black actresses.…

Kerry Washington broke ground on a path that African Americans hadn’t walked in years when she made her debut as the lead actress in the instant hit drama, “Scandal,” last season. And now that the door has been opened again for black actors to carry dramatic shows, Meagan Good has joined Washington in prime time TV land…

With Oscar season right around the corner, we want to take a minute to reflect on some of the last years best performances. While many of the following actresses have never won an Oscar, their abundance of talent does not go unnoticed. Click to continue for 10 of Hollywood’s top black actresses and the roles…

Is the Hollywood trend making a comeback?