In a recent interview with A24, Brandy Norwood has expressed her desire for Halle Bailey, one-half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, to portray her in a potential biopic.

Brandy, known for her iconic roles in shows like ‘Moesha’ and her groundbreaking portrayal of Cinderella in the 1997 television movie, has always been a trailblazer in the industry. Bailey, who herself broke barriers by starring as Ariel in Disney’s live-action ‘The Little Mermaid,’ seems like a poetic passing of the torch.

From her early days in music to her transition into acting, Brandy’s life story is rich with material for a compelling biopic. Bailey, with her rising star power and proven vocal and acting chops, seems poised to capture the essence of Brandy’s spirit and struggle.

The announcement has sparked a wave of support on platforms like X, where fans have praised the potential casting. “Legendary Brandy chooses Halle Bailey to star in her biopic! A perfect pick, as Halle’s talent and charisma would bring Brandy’s inspiring story to life in an unforgettable way,” commented one X user.

The decision to cast Bailey as Brandy would be more than just a casting choice; it would be a celebration of legacy and representation. Both Brandy and Halle have been vocal about the importance of representation in media. This potential collaboration between Brandy and Bailey could mark another chapter in Hollywood’s evolving landscape, where stories of Black women are not just told but celebrated, challenging and changing the narratives available to young audiences worldwide.

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’).

This year’s 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.

In a recent episode of Club Shay Shay, the popular podcast hosted by Shannon Sharpe, actor and former NFL player Terry Crews shared a surprising revelation about his earnings for the 2002 comedy film “Friday After Next.” In the candid conversation, Crews opened up about the early days of his acting career and the challenges he faced as a struggling artist.

Crews, who played the role of Damon Pearly in “Friday After Next,” shared that he was paid a modest sum of $4,000 for his work on the film. This revelation surprised many fans and industry insiders, as the movie grossed over $33 million at the box office. However, Crews explained that he was still relatively unknown at the time and was grateful for the opportunity to work with Ice Cube and Mike Epps. “I got my shot. I got paid maybe $4000 on ‘Friday After Next,’ he shared. “But that’s why I came up to Cube and said, ‘Thank you. Thank you. That was a start. Now, I make money now!”

During the conversation, Crews also spoke about other challenges he faced as a young actor trying to make a name for himself in Hollywood. He shared stories about working odd jobs to make ends meet and the sacrifices he made to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

Denzel Washington’s ‘Training Day’ is another movie in which the ‘White Chicks’ star appeared. Unlike ‘Friday After Next,’ he made nothing off of that job – as he initially agreed. “I didn’t get zero [for Training Day], but it changed my life forever,” he clarified. “You wouldn’t know who I was if it weren’t for a no-paying job.”

The Club Shay Shay episode featuring Terry Crews officially aired on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and garnered significant attention on social media. You can catch up on it the full interview here.