Actors share their talent with us from the screen by playing made-up characters. They often do it convincingly that we as viewers forget that they are real people, with real lives of their own and real stories to tell. Books are proven to be the best way to gather their life experiences and learnings all in one place, uninterrupted.
Here is the list of the new celebrity memoirs that were published this year or will debut in early 2022.
Cicely Tyson, Just as I Am: A Memoir (published: January 26, 2021)
“Just as I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. In these pages, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet, I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and a mother, a sister and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by his hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” – Cicely Tyson.
Yvonne Orji, Bamboozled By Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dreams (published: May 25, 2021)
Written by a thriving stand-up comedian and ‘Insecure’ actress Yvonne Orji, Bamboozled is a frank and fresh advice book that takes readers on a journey through twenty-five life lessons from Orji’s own experiences and her favorite source of inspiration: the Bible. The actress shares pointers like why the way up is sometimes down and how fear is synonymous with food poisoning. Her joyful, confident approach to God will inspire everyone to catapult themselves out of the mundane and into the magnificent.
Gabrielle Union, You Got Anything Stronger? (published: September 14, 2021)
This memoir is the sequel to Gabrielle Union’s first book, We’re Going to Need More Wine, released in 2017.
In You Got Anything Stronger?, Union catches the audience up on the latest four years of her life. She takes the reader a girl’s night at Chateau Marmont, and I also talk to Isis, her character from Bring It On. Then, for the first time, she opens up about her surrogacy journey and the birth of Kaavia James Union Wade. The actress also discusses racism in the entertainment industry.
Tabitha Brown, Feeding the Soul (published: September 28, 2021)
Before Tabitha Brown was one of the most popular personalities in the world, sharing her delicious vegan home cooking and compassionate wisdom with millions of followers across social media, she was an aspiring actress who struggled with undiagnosed chronic autoimmune pain. Her condition made her believe she wouldn’t live to see forty–until she started listening to what her soul and her body truly needed. Now, in her life-changing book, Tabitha shares the wisdom she gained from her journey, showing readers how to make a life for themselves that is rooted in nonjudgmental kindness and love, both for themselves and for others.
Billy Porter, Unprotected: A Memoir (published: October 19, 2021)
Billy Porter’s Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and craft amidst deep trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice.
Will Smith, Will (release date: November 9, 2021)
This memoir is the product of a profound journey of self-knowledge, a reckoning with all that your will can get you and all that it can leave behind. Written with the help of Mark Manson, author of the multi-million-copy bestseller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Will is the story of how one person mastered his own emotions, written in a way that can help everyone else do the same. Few of us will know the pressure of performing on the world’s biggest stages for the highest of stakes, but we can all understand that the fuel that works for one stage of our journey might have to be changed if we want to make it all the way home. The combination of genuine wisdom of universal value and a life story that is preposterously entertaining, even astonishing, puts Will the book, like its author, in a category by itself.
GarcelleBeauvais, Love Me As I Am (release date: April 12, 2022)
Love Me As I Am is Garcelle Beauvais’s smart, inspiring, and raw memoir—an entertaining and unforgettable emotional rollercoaster ride that moves from her early childhood years in Haiti to her adolescence in Boston; from her heady days as a young model in New York—her first taste of real freedom—to Los Angeles and the many ups, downs, and then more ups, both personal and professional, she experienced in her three-decade acting career, including her massive fame as a star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Viola Davis, Finding Me (release date: April 26, 2022)
Finding Me is Viola Davis’ story, in her own words, and spans her incredible, inspiring life, from her coming-of-age in Rhode Island to her present day. Hers is a story of overcoming, a true hero’s journey. Deeply personal, brutally honest, and riveting, Finding Me is a timeless and spellbinding memoir that will capture hearts and minds around the globe.
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’
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.
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 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 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
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.”
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 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 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.