No one could have painted a picture of Black masculinity more accurately than Oprah Winfrey Network’s (OWN) TV drama David Makes Man. The series encapsulates the quality of life and its aftermath surrounding men in the Black Community.
Narrated through the lens of a brilliant male character, the audience digests a visual dissertation of unspoken experiences that shape young boys into men. Arlen Escarpeta plays JG, the younger brother of the protagonist. The Oath actor breaks down the message behind the series and the strength of silent love that happens within the masculine gender.
David Makes Man first streamed on HBO max, but OWN has picked up season two. Director Tarell AlvineMcCraney (Moonlight) grasped the eerie tones of movies like A Beautiful Mind and Six Sense, and concocted the internal struggle of a caged life as a young minority, raised below the poverty line. The viewers meet David (Kwame Patterson) as a young adult, a silent and solemn adolescent, but his thoughts are amplified enough to take over his reality.
Jonathan Greg nicknamed J.G. (Escarpeta) has a different level of mental compression and unwavering love for his brother. He is the peaceful flute playing above the overpowering orchestra that is David’s mind. Escarpeta breaks down that love, and the slew of unspoken nuances that are carefully placed throughout the series, to alert the audience: more was said than just words.
David Makes Man — 201 — “Barrel of Oranges” — Photo Credit: Rod Millington
David Makes Man is a story of a young adult with no visual assurance of making out of his situation alive, coming into the power of his mind, and then aligning himself with success. The audience has a personal view of one’s personal struggle with their gifts and the application of their power after it’s gained. David battles many versions of himself in hopes of finding peace in his internal war.
JG (Escarpeta) represents another angle of warfare, one that includes him and his projection of life to other people. The local cop is currently at a crossroads in his love life. Catching up with an old flame brings out his organic nature. However, he already created a sanctity with his wife and teenage daughter. Escarpeta’s character is metaphorically facing a three-headed beast that breathes fire. Between his wife, daughter, and the old flame, someone is guaranteed to be burned by his next decision.
David Makes Man so far has won the Peabody Award of Entertainment. Full episodes are available on OWN’s streaming service, with new episodes out on Tuesdays, 9/8c.
Preacher and producer DeVon Franklin is engaged to his girlfriend, celebrity trainer, Maria Castillo.
Franklin, who announced his split from Meagan Good in December 2021, proposed to Castillo on a Hawaii holiday vacation.
“Finding Maria has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life, so I wanted the proposal to be as special as our love,” he told PEOPLE magazine. “We went to Maui for vacation, I told her we were gonna do a photo shoot and during the photo shoot I surprised her with the proposal! It was truly a magical moment and I can’t wait to spend a magical life with Maria!”
The couple reportedly met a year ago when Castillo’s business partner, also Franklin’s friend, introduced them to one another. The two connected over their love for fitness and since that meeting, they’ve been inseparable.
See the gorgeous engagement photos below, courtesy of People magazine.
Viola Davis and Angela Bassett are set to take on roles that are not only groundbreaking but also reflect a vision of leadership that has been historically underrepresented. Both actresses, known for their extraordinary talents and impactful performances, will portray Black women presidents in two upcoming projects: “G20” and “Zero Day.”
Viola Davis in ‘G20’ on Prime
Viola Davis stars as President Danielle Sutton in the action-packed thriller “G20,” produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Set to premiere on Prime Video on April 10, 2025, “G20” unfolds during an international summit in Cape Town, South Africa, which is suddenly besieged by terrorists. Davis’s character, a former war hero elected on a liberal ticket, must use her military acumen and diplomatic skills to protect her family, her nation, and the world leaders in attendance.
Viola Davis in ‘G20.’
This film marks a significant moment as Davis, who has already achieved EGOT status, steps into a role that showcases her as a leader and an action hero. The story emphasizes her character’s resilience and strategic thinking under duress, offering viewers a thrilling yet grounded portrayal of a Black woman navigating the highest office during a crisis. The film’s director, Patricia Riggen, praised Davis for bringing an unprecedented depth to the role, turning her into a “weapon of mass destruction” in her efforts to combat the threats at the summit.
Angela Bassett in ‘Zero Day’on Netflix
Meanwhile, Angela Bassett takes on the role of President Evelyn Mitchell in Netflix’s “Zero Day,” a series that delves into the aftermath of a catastrophic cyberattack on the United States. Scheduled to stream from February 20, 2025, the film explores themes of technology, politics, and power, with Bassett’s character navigating the complexities of leading a nation in crisis. In “Zero Day,” the Commander-In-Chief teams up with a retired president, played by Robert De Niro, to unravel the truth behind an attack that claims thousands of lives.
Robert DeNiro and Angela Basset in ‘Zero Day’. Courtesy of Netflix
Bassett, known for her powerful performances in films like “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Black Panther,” brings a nuanced portrayal of the presidency, highlighting the challenges of leadership in a modern, tech-driven world. Her role in “Zero Day” is about commanding authority and the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with such power.
It’s a wrap for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards. This year’s ceremony occurred at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, hosting many of Hollywood’s biggest names. From the most iconic looks to the funniest encounters and historic wins, here are the most memorable moments from the 82nd Golden Globes.
Zendaya showed off a gorgeous $200,000 engagement ring while walking the red carpet.
Zendaya’s red carpet appearance at this year’s Golden Globes turned many heads (as usual), but this time for more than just her stunning look.
Multiple cameras captured the sparkling $200K diamond ring the “Dune” star was wearing on her engagement finger, which fueled speculation that the 28-year-old might be secretly engaged to her long-time boyfriend, Tom Holland.
TMZ reported this morning that the couple is indeed engaged. According to the publication, sources close to the couple have confirmed that “the’ Spider-Man ‘ star popped the question between Christmas and New Year’s… dropping to one knee in a very intimate setting in one of Zendaya’s family homes in the United States.”
Anthony Mackie hilariously crashes Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globes Post-Win Interview.
Anthony Mackie took over Sebastian Stan’s post-win interview with ET’s Nischelle Turner. ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ co-stars caught up after Stan won Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical or Comedy for ‘A Different Man’ at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards.
Vin Diesel had a brief and awkward interaction with Dwayne Johnson
Vin Diesel made sure to give a quick “hey” to “Fast and Furious” co-star Dwayne Johnson when he took the stage to present the award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement at last night’s Golden Globes
“Hey, Dwayne,” Diesel awkwardly said, smiling, while Johnson responded with a quick and subtle smile.
For context, Diesel and Johnson have been on good terms for the last few years despite their infamous feud, which lasted roughly nine years and involved disagreements during the production of “Fast 8.”
A source told People magazine in 2016 that “Vin has been having problems with The Rock because The Rock keeps showing up late for production. ” The source also explained that “sometimes he doesn’t show up at all, and he’s delaying the production.”
That same year, Johnson wrote (in a since-deleted Instagram post), “There’s no other franchise that gets my blood boiling more than this one…. My female co-stars are always amazing, and I love ’em. My male co-stars, however, are a different story. Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don’t,” he continued. “The ones that don’t are too chicken s— to do anything about it anyway. Candy a-—. When you watch this movie next April and it seems like I’m not acting in some of these scenes and my blood is legit boiling — you’re right.”
Later, in June of 2023, Johnson announced that Luke Hobbs would return to the Fast and Furious franchise (for FastX: Part II) via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). He added, “Last summer, Vin and I put all the past behind us. We’ll lead with brotherhood and resolve – and always take care of the franchise, characters & FANS that we love. “
Zoe Saldanawon her first-ever Golden Globe Award for “Emilia Perez.”
Zoe Saldana won her first-ever Golden Globe for Female Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for her role as Rita Mora Castro in Jacques Audiard’s avant-garde film Emilia Pérez.
The actress honored her fellow castmates in an emotional and moving speech.
“I don’t have much time, and I have dyslexia, so I tend to forget when I’m really anxious and I’m filled with adrenaline, but my heart is full of gratitude,” Saldana kicked off her speech. “Thank you so much to the Golden Globes for celebrating our film and honoring the women of Emilia Pérez. This is the first time for me, and I’m just so blessed that I’m sharing this moment with Selena, and Karla, and Jacque, and all of my fellow nominees. I’m in awe of you, your strength, your complexity, and your undeniable talent.”
Morris Chestnut attended his first Golden Globes, accompanied by his wife of 30 years, Pam Byse-Chestnut.
Morris and Pam Chestnut showed up and showed out for their first Golden Globe Awards. The couple, who tied the knot in 1995, will celebrate 30 years of marriage this year!