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.

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.

During the international jury photocall on Thursday, Lupita Nyong’o was photographed wearing a grey Boss suit and a gorgeous  Lafalaise Dion cowrie shell headpiece. This was an important fashion statement. Here is why.

The Oscar-winning actress was invited to serve as this year’s head of the Berlin International Film Festival jury. She became the first Black jury president to oversee the annual film showcase event in its 74-year history. Also known as the Berlinale, the festival is one of the five largest in the world, along with the Toronto, Cannes, Venice, and Sundance film festivals.

The ‘Black Panther’ star expressed her excitement to take on the role in an Instagram post, “Let the festivities begin!” she wrote, “I’m so honored to be this year’s @berlinale Jury President and look forward to celebrating one of the things I love most: cinema!”

As the jury president, Nyong’o is expected to lead the jury in selecting the films to award in the two main categories – Golden and Silver Bears.

Film festivals continue to face criticism for lacking diversity on their juries. The Berlinale directors are moving in the right direction by bringing someone like Nyong’o on board, who is a true champion for diversity and inclusion.

Nyong’o opted for a minimalist and simple Boss suit for last week’s jury photocall. She completed the look with a beautiful cowrie shell headpiece created by Côte d’Ivoire designer Dion Dewand Marcia Lafalaise, the self-crowned ‘Queen of Cowries.’ These particular shells represent wealth, prosperity, and fertility. By wearing the unique piece, the Kenyan-born and Mexican-raised star paid homage to her African roots on one of the biggest stages in the world.

Dion, who crafted the headpiece, also expressed gratitude, as her creation is now officially a part of Berlin Film Festival history. She wrote in an Instagram post –

“…At this pivotal occasion, Queen Lupita Nyong’o proudly embraces her heritage, gracing the world once again with the iconic crown crafted by Lafalaise Dion.
Her journey to this moment serves as a beacon of inspiration, resonating deeply within our hearts and souls. We are humbled and honored to stand alongside her as she etches her name in the annals of cinematic history.”

The festival is scheduled to run until February 25, when the jury announces the winning films in the major categories.