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First Look at the Magical World of ‘Wicked’ Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo (Trailer)

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The new trailer for the upcoming movie musical ‘Wicked’ has finally dropped, leaving fans buzzing with excitement. The film, which stars Ariana Grande as Glinda and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, is set to be released in two parts.

The trailer opens with a stunning shot of the Emerald City, the iconic location from the original ‘Wizard of Oz’ story. We then see a young Elphaba arriving at Shiz University, where she meets Glinda for the first time. The two characters couldn’t be more different – Elphaba is a shy, green-skinned girl whom her peers often ostracize, while Glinda is a bubbly, popular blonde who seems to have everything she could ever want.

As the trailer progresses, we see glimpses of the musical numbers that have made ‘Wicked’ such a beloved show on Broadway. The production design features vibrant colors and intricate costumes that bring the world of Oz to life.

The pairing of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, both vocal powerhouses, is beautiful and will yield beautiful musical numbers. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Erivo mentioned that she and Grande were surprised at how well their voices complemented each other.

The trailer also gives us a glimpse of the other characters in the film, including Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, and Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz.

‘Wicked’ part one is set to premiere later this year, with the second installment scheduled for November 2025.

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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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