Celebrity News
‘SCRIPTING REEL CHANGE’ AT THE 5TH ANNUAL ESSENCE HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
March 8, Los Angeles—Black entertainment elite joined the next generation of media talent at the fifth annual Essence Hollywood House.
The networking event took place the day after Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Awards, held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and hosted by rapper-turned-producer Method Man. This year’s honorees included Danielle Brooks (‘The Color Purple’), Halle Bailey (‘The Little Mermaid’), and Nkechi Okoro Carroll (‘Found’).
The 2024 Hollywood House focused on ‘Scripting Reel Change.’ It provided a creative space for writers, directors, actors, producers, and other behind-the-scenes talent to explore and discuss what it means to gain traction in Hollywood and beyond. Guests received candid advice from prominent industry representatives and invaluable networking opportunities. They were given mini makeovers, followed by professional headshots, speed mentoring, and numerous intimate panel discussions.
During the “Black on Screen: A Global Dialogue” panel, Actress Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, known for ‘The Lion King’ Broadway musical, explained the different levels of self-love she went through to see herself in different spectrums of acting as a Black woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo. “I was in a space where I don’t know where I totally fit in, but I know the experience of feeling isolated and feeling like an ‘other’ is a feeling I didn’t want anyone else to feel,” Mpasi said, “I truly feel like the universe, God, gave me the Lion King so I can finally learn and embrace my Blackness.” Mpasi also recently starred in the remake of ‘The Color Purple’, playing the younger version of Fantasia Barrino’s Celie.
The discussion also touched on issues of colorism and the role of the African diaspora as a whole in the entertainment industry.
This year’s theme also focused on equipping film and television communities with the essential tools needed to overcome some of the entertainment industry’s most difficult issues and reach their full potential.
During “Office Hours” (a series of expert-led workshops), a panel discussion focused on perfecting one’s pitch. Leading the conversation were noted screenwriter Tiffany Yarde (‘Roadmap Writers’) and producer D’Angela Proctor (‘The Summoning’), who discussed essential items to include in a pitch. The industry pros emphasized the importance of keeping the buyer’s attention and making sure they see the vision.
Yarde dissected the elements needed for a strong elevator pitch. “The main thing you want to do is grasp the person’s attention,” she said, “The way you do that is by establishing a connection.” The Director of Competition for Roadmap Writers unpacked the value of developing connections early on in the conversation.
On the main stage, Essence’s own Stephanie Dunivan hosted a cast talkback panel that revealed an exclusive release of the first episode of “Diarra from Detroit,” a modern comedic mystery thriller that highlights dating, friendship, and possible kidnapping.
Diarra Kilpatrick, the creator, showrunner, and lead actress of the show, discussed her upcoming BET series and revealed her go-to restoration techniques for keeping up with a demanding schedule.
“I’m still learning how to do that [rest]. But for me, I would say baths are like my Prozac. I love a good bath,” Kilpatrick said, “Another thing is sex. I think it’s important, as Black women, we should always put pleasure on the menu and figure out, ‘How am I giving myself pleasure…sometimes we don’t put pleasure on our to-do list.”
The Essence Hollywood House welcomed many more notable guests, including Academy Award winner Da’Vine Randolph Joy, producer and president of Foxxhole Productions Datari Turner, and ‘BMF’ star Da’Vinchi. They discussed a multitude of industry-related topics, such as Black equity, the ins and outs of production, success stories, and what it means to be a working actor in Hollywood.
Essence partnered with BET+, Coca-Cola, Smartwater, Black Filmspace, and The Black House Foundation to make this event possible.
Batwoman‘s star Javicia Leslie is engaged!
The 37-year-old shared the exciting news via Instagram earlier today with a caption that reads, “An answered prayer.”
According to his bio, Leslie’s now-fiancé, Nana-Yaw Asamoah, is a New York native and a sports and entertainment executive. He currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of AMB Sports and Entertainment.
While the couple’s romantic relationship has not been public until now, Leslie has been open about being bisexual. In fact, she is the first Black and queer woman to play the aforementioned DC’s superhero.
During an interview on E! News’ Daily Pop, the actress shared that her role in the CW series inspired her to come out to her mom. “For me, I never felt like I had to hide anything,” Leslie said. “That wasn’t really where I was coming from. I just hadn’t had a conversation, so I just wanted to talk to my mom about it because I was living my life. I just wanted to be able to talk to her so she didn’t have to be told through the media.”
According to the shared Instagram post, Asamoah proposed to Leslie in Napa Valley, at what appears to be a winery, in front of a beautiful mountain backdrop. Friends, family, and fans flooded the comment section with congratulations and best wishes to the couple. We are joining in as well!
Lauren Speed-Hamilton and Cameron Hamilton, beloved stars of Netflix’s Love Is Blind Season 1, have announced they are expecting their first child, a milestone following a four-year fertility journey. The couple, who charmed millions of fans with their love story, shared the joyful news earlier this week, via an Instagram video and an exclusive People interview, revealing their baby is due in fall 2025.
The Hamiltons’ path to parenthood was marked by challenges, including multiple rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Cameron, 34, described the emotional moment they saw “pregnant” on a Clearblue test: “We were counting down the days… it was a huge moment.” Lauren, 37, shared that she “fell to her knees and cried,” calling the news a “relief” after years of anxiety-inducing tests. The announcement came shortly after the loss of Lauren’s father in December 2024, making it a bittersweet “light in the darkness” for their family.
The couple, married since November 2018, has been open about their fertility struggles on their podcast, The Love Seat.
Lauren, now in her second trimester, is navigating cravings for cheese and fruit, with Cameron as her steadfast supporter. They look forward to reliving childhood through their baby, with Lauren excited for “Disney on Ice and the zoo.” As they prepare for parenthood, the Hamiltons continue to inspire with their love and resilience, proving that their Love Is Blind connection remains unbreakable.
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Taylour Paige-Angulo shared that she is expecting her first child with her husband, fashion designer Rivington Angulo, earlier today.
The announcement, made official through a captionless Instagram post, featured Paige-Angulo in a white dress that beautifully highlighted her baby bump. This milestone comes after a deeply personal journey, including a decades-long battle with endometriosis, which the ‘Zola’ actress openly discussed on social media.
Paige-Angulo’s pregnancy reveal follows her first public hint at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on February 27, where she debuted her (hidden) baby bump in a chic brown dress. A TikTok video captured her chatting with fellow actors Meagan Good and Jonathan Majors.
Behind Taylour’s joyful announcement lies a challenging history with endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often causing severe pain and fertility issues. The actress has been candid about her struggle, which went undiagnosed for 20 years. In an emotional Instagram post on March 4, 2025, during Endometriosis Awareness Month, she described it as a “lifelong journey of healing” and a “really violent illness” that brought “agony and turmoil.” She recounted debilitating symptoms—pain so intense it made her “see stars,” monthly vomiting, and times she couldn’t drive.
In fall 2023, Paige-Angulo underwent a four-hour surgery to remove endometrial tissue. Reflecting on the experience, she wrote, “So many women are going THROUGH it okay. Be gentle with us.”
The Angulos tied the knot on October 5, 2022, on Paige’s 32nd birthday. Their intimate ceremony unfolded at the Wattles Mansion in Los Angeles. The couple’s romance had blossomed quickly after meeting during the pandemic at a party hosted by a mutual friend. Paige-Angulo later recalled how Angulo’s energy felt like “home” from the start. For the occasion, she wore a custom sheer white gown designed by her then-fiance. The event was attended by close friends, including a notable appearance by Rihanna, adding a touch of star power to the heartfelt affair. Paige-Angulo described the day on Instagram as “the greatest day of my life.”
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Batwoman’s Javicia Leslie Gets Engaged in Napa Valley
‘Love Is Blind’ Alumni Lauren and Cameron Hamilton Announce First Pregnancy
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Batwoman’s Javicia Leslie Gets Engaged in Napa Valley
‘Love Is Blind’ Alumni Lauren and Cameron Hamilton Announce First Pregnancy
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