Michelle Obama is giving the new film Hidden Figures two thumbs up. On Thursday, the first lady hosted a private White House screening of the biopic about three black female engineers and mathematicians who worked at NASA in the early days of the space race.
Cast members Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe and Kevin Costner attended the event, where Obama delivered remarks and praised the “remarkable” and “important” film for celebrating not only what America achieved by becoming the first country to put a man on the moon, “but, more importantly, how we achieved it.”
“We sought out the very best minds in math and engineering at the time, people with diverse perspectives who could think in ways that no one had ever thought before — people like many of you in this room, the people like Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughan,” she said, naming the NASA employees Hidden Figures was based on.
“These women couldn’t even drink from the same water fountain or use the same bathroom as many of their colleagues … and folks didn’t always take these women seriously because they were black, and also because they were women,” she said.
There’s an important life lesson to be learned from these women, Obama said: “They didn’t listen to those doubters. They did not listen to the haters — because they’re always out there. They’re out there even today.”
According to Melfi’s tweet after the screening, the First Lady gave the film a “5-star review!” Mrs. Obama also delivered a speech on behalf of young girls in the education system, citing the real-life women portrayed in the film as inspiration for education.
Although the year isn’t over just yet, the ESSENCE Festival is already gearing up for the new year with the announcement of its initial lineup, headlined by Diana Ross and Mary J. Blige. The 23rd annual event will return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on June 30-July 2. So far, the lineup includes a star-studded roster of artists, like Chaka Khan, Solange, Teyana Taylor, Doug E. Fresh, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, John Legend, and June’s Diary. Other artists on the bill thus far range from hip-hop to R&B with a whole lot of soul in between. The roster also features Lalah Hathaway, Lizzo, Master P, Michel’le, Moses Sumney, Ro James, Shaggy, Sir the Baptist, The Jones Girls Feat. Shirley Jones, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Tweet, and Yuna. Additional artists will be announced soon.
“This year’s Festival lineup puts women at the forefront of an incredible weekend of entertainment featuring more than 40 of the world’s most gifted artists and performers,” said ESSENCE President Michelle Ebanks. “It is an honor to welcome the inimitable Diana Ross to the Festival for the first time. Plus, Festival veteran Mary J. Blige is back to share Strength of a Woman with her most passionate fans.”
This year’s ESSENCE Festival featured several highlights, including performances by Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, Maxwell, and Puff Daddy & the Family. Just in time for Christmas, weekend ticket packages go on sale Friday (Dec. 16) with prices starting at $126.
RIP...Alan Thicke died at the age of 69 on Tuesday in Los Angeles. The Canadian-born actor was reportedly playing hockey with his son when he suffered a heart attack, he was transported to hospital around noon where he was later pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife, Tanya, and three sons, Robin, Brennan and Carter. The Canadian-born actor had been playing hockey with his 19-year-old son Carter at Pickwick Ice skating rink in Burbank when he died, according to TMZ. 'Alan's sudden passing has been confirmed. At present, we have no further details,' Thicke's spokeswoman Monique Moss said in a brief email.
A source close to the family told Reuters by telephone that Thicke was transported to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. It is believed that some of Thicke's organs will be donated, according to the celebrity gossip site. Just hours before news broke of his death, he had tweeted on Tuesday about the Netflix Original series Fuller House, which he most recently appeared in.
He wrote, it what is now his final tweet: 'Season 2 Fuller House looking good. I even like the ones I'm not in! #fullerhouse.'
Jenny from the block is in Viva Las Vegas! After surprising fans at PARTYNEXTDOOR’s show in Los Angeles, Drake hopped a flight to Las Vegas on Saturday for a special viewing of Jennifer Lopez’ critically-acclaimed Sin City show, “All I Have.”
Drizzy wasn’t just a fan, however. He was also tasked with the duty of holding Jenny from the Block’s bedazzled New York Yankees cap. “Sure I’ll hold your diamond encrusted fitted while you catch this Vegas body,” Drake wrote on IG. “#Jenny.”
And it was all smiles after the show. He and J.Lo took a selfie and as Drake revealed in the caption, there were a “lotta” heart eye emoji faces throughout the evening. “Look who rolled up to my show tonight to say hi,” wrote Lopez in the caption. “@champagnepapi #lovehim #jlovegas #ALLIHAVE.”
Kevin Hart, Kristin Chenoweth, and Benny Medina were also on hand to show support.
“All I Have” is set to continue at Planet Hollywood through Dec. 17. After a brief hiatus, the multifaceted superstar will launch the 2017 run of her Vegas residency on Feb. 8.
Meanwhile, Drake has opted to delay More Life to 2017. The project was slated to release this month, but it will arrive “at the top of 2017,” according to Drizzy’s manager, Oliver El-Khatib.
Taraji P. Henson ushered in the holidays with her annual Fox special, “Taraji’s White Hot Holidays,” featuring some of the biggest names in music.
Teaming up for a throwback performance of “Sleigh Ride,” TLC’s Chilli and T-Boz brought their holiday classic to life. Then, as a special surprise, Missy Elliott emerged from behind Christmas presents to perform Left Eye’s spirited verse.
The track was pulled from A La Face Family Christmas, the 1993 album that famously also spawned OutKast’s classic “Player’s Ball.”
The show also featured other performances, including Snoop Dogg’s “U Name It,” which turned a Thanksgiving meme into a banger for Santa Snoop.
Rolling in on a Cadillac sleigh, Tha Doggfather delivers “the gift that keep on givin'” while giving a shoutout to Taraji.
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