Entertainment

Zoe Kravitz reveals the part race plays in her approach to acting

ROLLINGOUT.COM — Zoe Kravitz looks for roles written for women of a different race.

Published

6 years ago

January 2, 2019

Oakland Post

By Rolling Out

Zoe Kravitz looks for roles written for women of a different race.

The Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald actress is proud of her multicultural heritage and wants to “challenge” stereotypes based on ethnicity within her career.

She said: “I identify with both my Black and White roots. My parents are a mix of Jewish and African American.

“Obviously, both of these groups have had large struggles in the past, so I feel proud to connect to their cultures.

“I think the only way to deal with racial identity is to remember that no one else can tell you who you are based on the color of your skin, especially in an industry where someone can say, ‘Oh no, you can’t play this kind of role because of the color of your skin.’

“I continue to challenge that, and look for parts that were maybe written for someone of a different race.

“If I identify with the story, I can identify with the character, and hopefully people will open their minds about how they see a doctor or a lawyer. There’s no rule that says a lawyer can’t be a Black woman with tattoos.”

The 30-year-old actress used to find it “exciting” when she was recognized and fans wanted to take photos, but now she’s realized it’s important to be able to have her own private time away from work.

She told Britain’s Marie Claire magazine: “My biggest boundary issue is being recognized and people constantly wanting to take pictures. At first, it’s exciting and a huge compliment, and you just want to know everyone.

“But I also have to remember that when I’m not working, I’m not working.

“Although it’s hard to say no, sometimes you feel vulnerable and don’t want your photo taken.

“Also, the time that I have with my friends and family is now so valuable and necessary for my mental health that I want to focus that energy on them.

“I’m trying to find the right balance, but doing normal stuff like going to the grocery store is so important. Just making sure I take the time to be a human being, really.”

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

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IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies at 82

Sly Stone’s musical approach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.

Published

3 days ago

June 17, 2025

Oakland Post

Sly and the Family Stone play the Opera House in Bournemouth. Mojo review. Photo by Simon Fernandez.

By Stacy M. Brown
BlackPressUSA.com Newswire

Sylvester “Sly” Stewart—known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.

His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications.

Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age 8 with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.

In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup.

The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself.

Their album “Stand!” (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era.

As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s.

Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary “Sly Lives!” earlier this year.

His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial integration both onstage and in the broader culture.

“Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.”

Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute.

“The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.”

Sly Stone is survived by three children.