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Black History Captured on Film: Josephine Baker – The Original Celebrity Reality Star

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Josephine Baker used her life to build a brand, “her life was her stage.”

American-born dancer Josephine Baker redefined beauty as a Black entertainer in France during the roaring twenties, she created a brand around her persona and possessed control over her image. The Black Venus captured the essence of the French nightlife, with her famous banana skirt hypnotizing viewers across Europe.

She received 40,000 love letters and 2,000 marriage proposals, Baker was in high demand. Although her body was how she gathered the crowd, Baker captured their attention by her vivacious lifestyle up until her life ended on April 12, 1975. Baker made Black culture attractive, during a time where the collective community was considered unfavorable.

Born in June 1906 in St. Louis, Missori, Freda Josephine McDonald grew up in humble beginnings. She began touring with a dance group when she was 16, Baker eventually moved to New York in 1923, making her mark as one of Broadway’s Chocolate Dandies. There she became aware of her personal image and its charm on her viewers.

 A couple of years passed, Baker found herself performing at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in France. In the La Revue Nègre, she introduced her Danse Sauvage and stole the hearts of all French men in the room, in her time of fame, her legacy went viral, spreading across the world.

Besides her curves, dance moves, and “dark skin,” the banana skirt Baker wore during her performance was provocative and brought attention to a new fetish–the rear end. The skirt would see many different renditions over a 10-year span.

Baker was fully aware of the viewer’s desire of her, she intentionally played into the “exotic” fantasy that was growing around Black culture. Her consciousness was described as having a “third eye,” by seeing herself as a brand.

She sold ‘Bakerskin;’ a skin darkening lotion and ‘Bakerfix,’ a pomade that made a lot of her wealth besides her music-hall performances. Baker played up her “exotic” role, dancing with carefully placed necklaces and pearls, causing a scene wherever she went. When reflecting on her life, one of Bakers’ sons, Jean-Paul Baker said, ” Her Life was her Stage.”

French critics would define her style as “priminitive,” Baker responded in her autobiography. She acknowledged that she was tickled by the reports about her show, “Primitive instinct? Madness of the flesh? Tumult of the senses? ‘The white imagination sure is something,’ Baker continued, “when it comes to Blacks.” Baker was painted to be seen as coming from the jungle, but the American dancer knew she was from Missouri. (Rose, Jazz Cleopatra, 81.)

The St. Louis native didn’t hide from the injustices happening domestically and internationally, she refused to perform in states that had segregated audiences, carried out espionage activity for the French resistance, and hid Jewish refugees when they were under siege. Baker received French merit, which included the Medaille de la Resistance and the Legion d’Honneur.

Baker created her own life, living in a 24-room mansion with a pet cheetah named Chiquita. She adopted 12 children, each having a different ethnic background, Baker called them her ‘Rainbow tribe.’ She created a life of her own, her legacy and political influence continue to echo in fashion and the freedom to portray sensual personas in present-day; for example, she was the inspiration behind Rihanna’s 2014 “naked dress” Riri wore during the CFDA Fashion Awards. Baker showed the real power behind female celebrities taking hold of their image and narrating their own intimate stories.

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Zendaya Joins ‘Shrek 5’: What Fans Can Expect

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Zendaya 'Shrek 5'

Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation dropped a teaser trailer for the fifth installment of their hit animated film ‘Shrek 5.’ The 30-second video shows Zendaya as Felicia, the teenage daughter of Shrek and Fiona.

‘Shrek 5’ reunites the original trio—Mike Myers as Shrek, Cameron Diaz as Fiona, and Eddie Murphy as Donkey, with Zendaya as one of the triplets introduced as babies in ‘Shrek the Third.’

Fiona, Donkey, Shrek and Felicia in 'Shrek 5'
Fiona, Donkey, Shrek and Felicia in ‘Shrek 5’

The Shrek series, which began in 2001 with its Oscar-winning debut, has long been an audience favorite with a global box office haul exceeding $2.9 billion across four films and two ‘Puss in Boots’ spinoffs.

Known for her roles in ‘Dune,’ ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ and HBO’s ‘Euphoria’ —where she won two Emmys—the 28-year-old actress’ is a force in Hollywood’s love for the franchise runs deep. She wrote in a resurfaced 2017 tweet, “I watch Shrek too often in my adulthood,” which prompted the official Shrek Instagram account to reply, “This aged well.”

The newly released teaser offers a glimpse of Felicia, complete with green lipstick and a nose ring, exuding teenage sass as she reacts to her father’s antics with an “Ew, Dad.” The clip leans into Shrek’s meme-worthy legacy, featuring a TikTok-style magic mirror slideshow of the ogre in absurd filters—dancing giant, six-pack Shrek—set to Smash Mouth’s iconic “All Star.” Although the plot details of ‘Shrek 5’ are still under wraps, the focus on Felicia suggests a story about legacy and family dynamics.

‘Shrek 5’ was initially set to premiere on July 1, 2026, but the studio announced that it pushed it back, as reported by Deadline. The film will now drop on December 23, 2026 – a busy time for Zendaya, who is starring in other titles expected to arrive that year, including ‘Dune: Messiah,’ ‘Spider-Man 4,’ ‘Odyssey’ and ‘Euphoria’ Season 3.

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Top 5 Most Memorable Moments from the 56th NAACP Image Awards 2025

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NAACP Image Awards

The 56th NAACP Image Awards took place on Saturday, February 22, 2025, delivering a night of celebration, inspiration, and unforgettable highlights. The annual event—often dubbed the “Black Oscars”—honored the brilliance of people of color in film, television, music, and literature. Hosted by the hilarious Deon Cole, the evening was packed with emotional wins, powerful speeches, and historic tributes. From The Wayans Family’s induction into the NAACP Hall of Fame to Keke Palmer’s Entertainer of the Year crowning, here are the top 5 most memorable moments from last night’s NAACP Image Awards that had everyone talking.

1. The Wayans Family’s Heartfelt and Hilarious Hall of Fame Induction

The Wayans family at the 56th NAACP Image Awards

The Wayans family at the 56th NAACP Image Awards

The induction of The Wayans Family into the NAACP Hall of Fame was hands-down the night’s standout moment. This comedic dynasty—featuring Keenen Ivory, Damon, Kim, Shawn, and Marlon Wayans—took the stage to a roaring ovation, celebrating over 30 years of groundbreaking contributions to Black entertainment.

2. Keke Palmer’s Wins Entertainer of the Year at the 56th NAACP Image Awards

Keke Palmer at the 56th NAACP Image Awards
Keke Palmer at the 56th NAACP Image Awards

Keke Palmer stole the show when she was named Entertainer of the Year, beating out heavyweights like Cynthia Erivo, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart, and Shannon Sharpe. The multihyphenate star, already a winner earlier in the week for hosting Password, radiated joy as she accepted the Award. In her speech, the 31-year-old gave a special (and perfectly pitched) shoutout to Erivo for her “exceptional” performance in ‘Wicked.’

3. Kerry Washington’s Emotional Win and Tyler Perry Shoutout

The Wayans family at the 56th NAACP Image Awards

Kerry Washington at the 56th NAACP Image Awards

Kerry Washington took the stage to receive a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for The Six Triple Eight. The Netflix war drama, directed by Tyler Perry, also won Outstanding Motion Picture. Washington’s speech was a beautiful tribute to the real-life Black women of the 6888th Battalion whose stories the film honors.

Washington, who portrayed Major Charity Adams, thanked Perry for his vision, the brilliant cast of the film, as well as the women of the 688th Battalion before briefly leaving the stage—only to return with a laugh, saying she “forgot to thank Tyler Perry.” Which, of course, she didn’t. This candid moment was met with the audience’s playful “You DID!” and laughs.

4. Kamala Harris’ Powerful Chairman’s Award Acceptance

Former Vice President Kamala Harris brought the house down with her acceptance of the Chairman’s Award, recognizing her lifelong commitment to justice and equality. As the first Black and South Asian woman to serve as VP, her presence at the 2025 NAACP Image Awards was historic. Her speech was a rallying cry, reflecting on her journey and urging the audience to continue pushing for equity: “We stand on the shoulders of giants—now it’s our turn to lift others up.”

5. Dave Chappelle’s Raw and Real President’s Award Speech

Comedy legend Dave Chappelle received the prestigious President’s Award at the 56th NAACP Image Awards.

The Award, given annually to individuals who’ve made significant cultural or societal impact, was a fitting tribute to Chappelle’s decades-long career. Known for his fearless humor and incisive social commentary on Chappelle’s Show and beyond, the comedian took the stage to a thunderous standing ovation. In a rare serious turn, he called the honor “the most meaningful of my career,” reflecting on the challenges of staying true to his voice in a polarized world. “Don’t let the world discourage you—keep telling your truth,” he told the audience, his words resonating deeply on a night-themed “Our Stories, Our Culture, Our Excellence.”

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The Wayans Family Inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame

The 56th NAACP Image Awards, was held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 and aired on BET and CBS

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The Wayans NAACP Hall of Fame

The NAACP Image Awards have long been a beacon of recognition for Black talent, creativity, and resilience. One of last night’s biggest highlights was the induction of The Wayans Family into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

The iconic comedic dynasty has been a cornerstone of Black entertainment for over three decades. Their groundbreaking contributions to comedy, television, and film have redefined humor and opened doors for countless Black ( and other) creators in Hollywood.

The induction ceremony was an emotional, hilarious, and nostalgic affair. Damon Wayans took the stage alongside his son Damon Wayans Jr. and other family members, including Kim Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Craig Wayans, Chaunte Wayans, and Damien Wayans – to accept the honor. A montage showcasing the siblings’ journey—from the raw, unapologetic sketches of In Living Color (which launched stars like Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx) to blockbuster films like Scary Movie, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood – played ahead of the family’s acceptance speech.

The Wayans NAACP
The Wayans family was honored at the 56th NAACP Image Awards/ Getty for NAACP.

In that speech, Damon and Marlon reflected on their humble beginnings in New York City’s Fulton Housing Projects, crediting older brother Keenen’s leadership and guidance in steering the family to success. “We didn’t set out to change the game—we just wanted to tell our stories our way,” Damon said, fresh off his win for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for Poppa’s House.

The Wayans’ impact extends beyond their on-screen work. In Living Color, which aired from 1990 to 1994, was a cultural juggernaut, earning multiple NAACP Image Awards and providing a platform for Black talent when mainstream TV often sidelined them. Their films, many written, directed, and produced by family members, grossed hundreds of millions at the box office, proving Black-led comedies could dominate commercially and critically. Marlon Wayans, known for A Haunted House and White Chicks, called the induction “a love letter to our family and every kid who grew up laughing with us.”

The Wayans brothers L-R: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, Damon Wayans, Keenan Wayans

The NAACP Hall of Fame honor places The Wayans Family alongside legends like Oprah Winfrey, Sidney Poitier, and Harry Belafonte, recognizing their role in advancing Black representation. For all attendees and viewers, last night was a reminder of how the Wayans broke barriers while keeping audiences in stitches—a legacy that continues to inspire today’s comedic voices.

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