Entertainment
Jussie Smollett: My Mom’s a Super Fan of Fox’s ‘Empire,’ Too
ALICIA RANCILIO, Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Jussie Smollett, one of the stars of Fox’s prime-time soap, “Empire,” says he counts his mom as one of the super fans of the series.
“She calls me every single Wednesday and I know that we have to stay on the phone at least for 30 minutes to an hour of just hearing her break down what (Taraji P. Henson’s character) Cookie did, what the brothers did, which song was her favorite, you know? So, yeah, it’s fun. It’s good fun,” said the actor at Monday’s premiere of the movie “Insurgent” in New York.
On “Empire,” Smollett plays Jamal Lyon, the middle son to a music mogul, played by Terrence Howard and his ex-wife, Cookie Lyon, who was recently released from prison after serving 17-years for dealing drugs.
Jamal’s an aspiring singer-songwriter who also happens to be gay, which his father can’t accept. He’s also the moral compass of the series.
The show has managed to climb in the ratings each week and will wrap up its 10-episode first season with a two-hour finale on Wednesday (at 8 p.m. EDT.)
Smollett, 31, says he hasn’t been able to wrap his mind around how much his life has changed in just a few months, and he hopes he never does.
“In a way … I kind of hope that I don’t realize all that’s happening. I hope that I still wake up every day the same man wanting to work hard and do something really, really awesome, you know? And just get paid to do what I love, which is awesome.”
He realized the show was a hit when he was bombarded at a grocery store by a group of elderly women who recognized him.
“They were all in Whole Foods and they said, ‘Jamal?’ and they could not figure out how to use their camera phones and that was a moment where it was so funny to me and then I sat back and thought about it and I was like, ‘Why do they even know who I am,’ you know? So it’s awesome though. It’s awesome.”
During his hiatus, Smollett hopes to spend time with his family and “maybe go somewhere and get a nice tan.”
“Empire” has also had a revolving door of famous guest stars including Naomi Campbell, Courtney Love, Jennifer Hudson, Estelle, Mary J. Blige and Cuba Gooding, Jr.
___
Online:
http://www.fox.com/empire/
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 22 – 28, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 22 – 28, 2024
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Arts and Culture
Third Annual Town Up Tuesday Lifts Oakland’s Community, Culture and Joy
Urban Peace Movement announced Town Up Tuesday, a free community music and social awareness festival dedicated to the people of Oakland to celebrate Bay Area culture and create safety by fostering connection and belonging. It will be on Tuesday, May 21, at Edoff Memorial Bandstand at Lake Merritt from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
By Kyung Jin Lee
Urban Peace Movement announced Town Up Tuesday, a free community music and social awareness festival dedicated to the people of Oakland to celebrate Bay Area culture and create safety by fostering connection and belonging.
It will be on Tuesday, May 21, at Edoff Memorial Bandstand at Lake Merritt from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The event will feature local Bay Area legends and rising stars home-grown talent that will include 10 performers: 1100 Himself, The Conscious Daughters, Michael Sneed, Trunk Boiz, 3LISE, The Animaniakz and Ms. Bria.
Too $hort is a special guest and there will also be a surprise legendary Oakland artist. The two DJs are Emelle & Dahge, and the two hosts are Dnas and Mystic.
Past performers have included: Kamaiyah, Yukmouth, Stunnaman02, Symba, Lil Kayla, Grand Nationxl, Jane Handcock, and D Smoke, among others.
“Oakland is a historically Black city and one of the most diverse and progressive in the country — a city rich with culture,” said Nicole Lee, executive director of the Urban Peace Movement.
“At a time when we are being scapegoated for political gain and negative narratives of Oakland permeate the press, we’re uplifting who we truly are and all the things that make this region so special.”
About Urban Peace Movement: Urban Peace Movement (UPM) is a racial justice organization working to end mass incarceration and the criminalization of Black and Brown communities in Oakland. https://urbanpeacemovement.org/ @urbanpeace510
Kyung Jin Lee is the media representative for the Urban Peace Movement.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 15 – 21, 2024
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 15 – 21, 2024
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