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Tag: Hollywood

  • 10 actresses in their 30s redefining success in Hollywood

    10 actresses in their 30s redefining success in Hollywood

    Actresses in their 30s are at a pivotal point in their careers, where experience meets artistry. With years of training, diverse roles, and an evolving understanding of their craft, these women continue to shape Hollywood’s landscape, bringing authenticity, maturity, and depth to every performance.

    1.       Saoirse Ronan

    Irish-American actress Saoirse Ronan, born April 12, 1994, in The Bronx, New York, has earned a reputation for her emotional depth and range. At 31, she has starred in critically acclaimed films such as Atonement, Brooklyn, Lady Bird, and Little Women. Her work has garnered multiple Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress for Lady Bird.

    2.       Margot Elise Robbie

    Australian star Margot Robbie, born July 2, 1990, is 35 and one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses. Known for The Wolf of Wall Street, I, Tonya, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Barbie, she has also made her mark as a producer through her company, LuckyChap Entertainment, which supports successful and diverse projects.

    3.       Zoey Deutch

    Zoey Francis Chaya Thompson Deutch, born November 10, 1994, in Los Angeles, is a talented American actress and producer. She rose to fame with Beautiful Creatures and Vampire Academy and has since featured in Before I Fall, Set It Up, Zombieland: Double Tap, and Buffaloed.

    4.       Eiza González

    Mexican actress and singer Eiza González, born January 30, 1990, in Mexico City, has made a strong crossover into Hollywood. Now 35, she is best known for her roles in Baby Driver, Alita: Battle Angel, Godzilla vs. Kong, Ambulance, and Ash.

    5.       Zazie Beetz

    German-American actress Zazie Olivia Beetz, born June 1, 1991, in Berlin, is 34 and celebrated for her breakthrough in the TV series Atlanta. Her film credits include *Deadpool 2, Joker, The Dutchman, and Black Mirror. She also voices characters in Invincible, Extinct, and Big Mouth.

    6.       Alicia Vikander

    Swedish actress and former dancer Alicia Amanda Vikander, born October 3, 1988, in Gothenburg, is an Academy Award winner recognized for her role in The Danish Girl. She has also starred in Ex Machina, Testament of Youth, and The Wizard of the Kremlin.

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    7.       Kiki Layne

    American actress Kiki Layne, born December 10, 1991, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is known for her captivating performances in If Beale Street Could Talk, The Old Guard, and Coming 2 America. At 33, she continues to be celebrated for her authenticity and emotional strength on screen.

    8.       Haley Bennett

    Born January 7, 1988, in Fort Myers, Florida, Haley Loraine Keeling, professionally known as Haley Bennett, made her debut in Music and Lyrics (2007). Now 37, she has appeared in The Girl on the Train, Swallow, The Equalizer, The Luckiest Man in America, and Hillbilly Elegy.

    9.       Lily James

    British actress Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, known professionally as Lily James, was born April 5, 1989, in Esher, United Kingdom. At 36, she’s recognized for her roles in Cinderella, Baby Driver, and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and Pam & Tommy, where she portrayed Pamela Anderson.

    10.   Keke Palmer

    Lauren Keyana “Keke” Palmer, born August 26, 1993, in Harvey, Illinois, is a powerhouse actress, producer, singer, and TV personality. Aged 32, she has earned two Primetime Emmy Awards and two NAACP Image Awards. Her notable works include Nope, Hustlers, Bosses, and Good Fortune.

  • Hollywood blacklisted me for refusing ‘on-screen kisses’ – Neal McDonough

    Hollywood blacklisted me for refusing ‘on-screen kisses’ – Neal McDonough

    Veteran Hollywood star, Neal McDonough, known for his roles in “Band of Brothers” and “Yellowstone”, has revealed that he was blacklisted for refusing to participate in intimate scenes that involved kissing other women.

    McDonough, who is happily married, made it clear in his contracts that he wouldn’t engage in romantic or intimate scenes that involved kissing other women, citing his personal values and commitment to his marriage.

    According to him, his decision came at a significant cost, claiming that Hollywood “turned on” him and he struggled to find work for two years.

    He added that he was fired from a TV show for refusing to wear a “modesty sock” during a simulated s3x scene.

    McDonough recalled feeling like his career was over, but he has no regrets about his decision.

    He stated, “I always had in my contracts that I wouldn’t kiss another woman on screen. My wife didn’t have any problem with it. It was me, really, who had a problem. I was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t want to put you through it. I know we’re going to start having kids, and I don’t want to put my kids through it.

    “When I wouldn’t do it, and they couldn’t understand it, Hollywood just completely turned on me.

    “They wouldn’t let me be part of the show anymore. And for two years, I couldn’t get a job, and I lost everything you could possibly imagine. Not just houses and material things, but your swagger, your cool, who you are, your identity, everything”.

    Despite the challenges he faced, McDonough’s career eventually picked up again, thanks in part to a role in “Justified” offered by producer Graham Yost.

    Read Also: Four iconic Hollywood figures who died in one week

    More recently, McDonough took full control of his narrative with the film “The Last Rodeo,” which he wrote, directed, and starred in.

    When the role called for on-screen kisses, McDonough cast his real-life wife, Ruvé, as his character’s partner, ensuring that he could maintain his commitment to his marriage and artistic vision.

    He said, “Well, my wife is really hot. She is a good-looking woman, and everything else can pale as compared to my wife, Ruvé.

    “It was financed. It was ready to go and I said, ‘I am not doing the movie unless you play my wife. Because I am not going to kiss some other woman on screen.’ And she’s like, ‘Well, I am not an actor.’ I’m like, ‘Well, you are now. So let’s go.’

  • Hollywood VFX expert, Adire producer partner on new short film

    Hollywood VFX expert, Adire producer partner on new short film

    Hollywood VFX expert Seun Faleke and accomplished producer Barbara Barbarinsa have teamed up to create a captivating new short film titled “In Between the Sound of My Hummingbird”.

    The film features a talented cast including Nneoma Wosu, Marvellous Ojo, Oyinlola Areegbe, Oluwasanmi Taiwo, Tonia Okojie, and Olawande Adetula.

     It centers on the life of a young woman, Ife Adebayo, exploring themes of memory and trauma.

    A teaser trailer will soon be released on YouTube and the official Instagram page @shbfilm. This evocative and heartwarming project promises to captivate audiences, with additional details to be announced on Instagram.

    Faleke is known for her work on notable projects such as “LIFT” and “Stranger Things,” while Barbarinsa has gained recognition for her films like “Adiré.”

  • The weekend Nollywood took over Hollywood

    When you live in Los Angeles, you often feel you’ve seen everything. You’ve most likely gone through an earthquake or two. You’ve seen men become women and women become men. You’ve seen stars rise and fall. You’ve eaten food you can’t even pronounce. You’ve been on a roller coaster through life and, sometimes, you don’t know what is real and what is make belief.

    Last week, the city saw what it hadn’t seen before, not in this light. Nigeria was in town.

    “We’re gonna rock this town the way it’s not been rocked in a long time,” beamed Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan as he strolled in his Ankara shirt under the mild afternoon sun into a meeting with the big wigs at The Egyptian Theatre on Tuesday afternoon.

    A few hours later, the online version of the prestigious Los Angeles Times spilled the beans on the unsuspecting city when it announced, “Watch Out Hollywood, Nollywood is coming to town”. This is the closest you get to a cultural coup. Nigeria, long bashed in the media for scandals, corruption and fraud, was getting a public rebranding, thanks to the Nollywood In Hollywood event.

    The headline lit up the social media. Kemi Adetiba, the queen of Nigeria’s box office whose film, KING OF BOYS, was selected for screening posted a blurb of the newspaper headline on her Instagram page with a simple line, “Hey mommy… Hey daddy… Guess who just got featured in the @latimes”. Good news must travel fast. Within an hour, the news had been viewed or shared over a million times on social media. It would expand to over ten million in the next few days.

    Nollywood in Hollywood is the brainchild of Ose Oyamendan who created the initiative to give Nigerian films, actors and filmmakers a foothold in the global center of the film industry in Hollywood. “Nigerian filmmakers are doing great stuff in Nollywood with very little institutional support. I felt if I can help the industry move the needle even a little, I should. Nigeria is at a point where we may get to the promised land quicker if we follow John Kennedy’s charge to do what you can do for your country instead of waiting for what your country will do for you,” says Ose.

    He reached out to two of the most powerful institutions in Hollywood for a partnership that would see three of the best films in Nigeria presented to the Hollywood Industry, film lovers and the African Diaspora every year. The historic Egyptian Theatre and the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California signed on and the event kicked off in 2018.

    In just it’s second edition, Nollywood In Hollywood is easily the biggest African cultural event outside the continent. Across town, Alessandro Ago, the director of programming at USC, was surveying the majestic Eileen Norris Theatre, excited about the prospect of showing LIONHEART and KING OF BOYS.  “We enthusiastically support this opportunity to share and discuss the latest films and current trends in Nigerian cinema with our students and Los Angeles film enthusiasts,” says Ago.

    Nollywood couldn’t have chosen a better group to represent it at the event. The debonair, immensely popular actor/musician, Banky W brought the charm and the natural warmth of a superstar. Adetiba brought the class and glamour. Tope Oshin, the director of UP NORTH brought a charisma that shined through the two nights.

    Guests came literally from all over the country for this event that is fast becoming the cultural rallying point for the black diaspora. Nigeria’s Consul General, Mrs. Aisha Musa led a delegation from the Atlanta. Executives with New-York based networks flew into town to see the latest Nigerian talents. Groups of people flew in from Houston, San Francisco and Washington DC.

    Every one of the six hundred and fifty seats in the Egyptian Theatre was filled for the opening night screening of UP NORTH. The fire department turned a blind eye to the extra seats in the aisle. This was a screening that became a celebration, a celebration that turned into a party!

    The party spilled into the courtyard of The Egyptian after the screening where Streamliner, a start up streaming service for African content, flexed their entertainment muscles as the sponsor of the after screening celebration. There was snack, drinks and music.

    “I am just really grateful to be here. To screen your film at The Egyptian is really a big achievement. We had a great time and you could really see that there were new doors opening for Nollywood,” chimed in Tope Oshin, director of the opening night film, UP NORTH.

    The party moved next door to the Pig N Whistle nightclub where Hollywood Entertainment Productions sponsored a fun filled after party with Nigerian music blasting out to the historic Hollywood Boulevard. The club was packed with ‘who is who’ in Nigerian entertainment in Los Angeles, studio executive, agents and managers. Hefty security men had to turn away tens of revelers who sought to join the Nigerians in the packed club.

    Banky W stepped out of the club early Saturday morning ahead of dozens of colleagues, admirers and fans, stood on the walk of fame with the names of dozens of stars on the sidewalk, took in a deep breath of the night air, looked up and down Hollywood Boulevard and flashed that million dollar smile and whispered, “Nollywood, we’re here”.

    The events moved to the celebrated Eileen Norris Theatre at the University of Southern California the next day. The school not only boasts the best film school in the world but the greatest film directors in the world have screened their films here for decades. Only two nights before, Jordan Peele screened US a day before its release and steep climb to the top of the box office. Today, Adetiba was screening King of Boys to a packed theater.

    “I am really grateful. I’m speechless actually. It was far beyond what I expected. This is really great for our industry.  I really have to thank Ose for putting this up for Nigeria. It’s really remarkable,” says Adetiba whose two films are at the top of Nigeria’s box office history.

    “We’re flying the Nigeria flag and African flag. It’s been an unbelievable two days here for Nollywood. Hopefully this will lead to more opportunities,” says Banky W.  For one weekend, Nigeria was the center of Hollywood and Nigerians everywhere could hold their heads high. Nollywood is here.

  • Nollywood in Hollywood holds next March

    The organisers of the Nollywood in Hollywood film showcase have announced March 22 and 23, 2019 as dates for the second edition of the annual event in Hollywood, Carlifornia. The event features screening at some of Hollywood’s theaters, seminars and networking by participants. It is a showcase of the top three Nigerian films to the Hollywood film industry, the international media, film lovers and the diaspora population.

    The event is organised by O2A Media in partnership with the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California and the American Cinematique, operators of the historic Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. “The debut edition was a huge success by all yardstick. Our goal is to help Nollywood be what it can bend should be, the leader in filmic stories about black people and culture,” says Maceo Willis, Head of Operations at O2a Media.

    The event is the brainchild of Nigerian-American filmmaker, Ose Oyamendan. Concerned that despite the giant strides of Nollywood, it had very little traction in Hollywood, he reached out to the University of Southern California whose film school is the world leader and the Egyptian Theatre, to co-present an event unprecedented for any African country in Hollywood.

     

  • Nollywood, Hollywood plan annual exhibition of Nigeria’s best films

    “Nollywood in Hollywood’’, a collaboration between Nollywood and Hollywood to showcase Nigeria’s best films, is now to become an annual event.

    The organisers of the event revealed this as two Nollywood films – THE BRIDGE and ISOKEN – were showcased in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on Saturday night at The Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre Complex in Los Angeles.

    The screening of the two films brought to three the Nollywood films showcased in Hollywood, with the screening earlier on Friday of 93 DAYS, a film on Nigeria’s resilience during the Ebola virus outbreak in the country.

    The film – 93 DAYS – is a compelling drama of dedication, sacrifice, resilience and survival based on the true story of the people who risked their lives to stop the spread a catastrophic virus in Nigeria.

    The screening of the three Nollywood films, which started on Friday and continued on Saturday, was the first collaboration between Nollywood and Hollywood.

    This is also the first time that national film series, the foremost film programme in the world and the most historic of all of Hollywood’s cinema houses, are teaming up to bring a film series from Africa to Hollywood.

    Nigeria joined a select list of seven countries from around the world to be part of the prestigious national screening series, according to the organisers.

    THE BRIDGE was a film about inter-tribal marriage in Nigeria and the challenges associated with it, as it seeks to end the inter-tribal prejudices and strengthen marriages among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities

    Obadare, a Yoruba prince, and Stella, a young lady from a distinguished Igbo family, are a couple whose relationship is threatened by tribal prejudice and parental plans for their lives.

    When the couple secretly weds against their parents’ wishes, the consequence shakes the very foundation and sustenance of both families.

    Similarly, ISOKEN is a romantic comedy that explores cultural expectations, racial stereotypes and the bonds that unite families in touching, dramatic and comedic ways.

    Everyone in the Osayande family worries about Isoken, although she has what appears to be a perfect life – beautiful, successful and surrounded by great family and friends.

    However, she is unmarried at the age of 34, which, in a culture obsessed with marriage, is serious cause for concern.

    Things come to a head at her youngest sister’s wedding when her overbearing mother thrusts her into an orchestrated matchmaking with the ultimate Edo man, Osaze.

    Osaze is handsome, successful and from a good family, making him a perfect Nigerian husband material.

    However, in an unexpected turn of events, Isoken meets Kevin who she finds herself falling in love with and he just might be what she truly wants in a partner.

    The only problem is, not only is he not an Edo man, he is Caucasian.

    The screening was a question and answer series moderated by the Chairman of the African-American wing of the Directors Guild of America and an open air, post-screening Nigerian party on the historic Hollywood Boulevard.

    The film was co-presented by the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California and O2A Media Inc., the production company of Nigerian-American filmmaker, Ose Oyamendan. (NAN)

  • ‘93 Days’, ‘The Bridge’ for Hollywood screening

    ‘93 Days’, ‘The Bridge’ for Hollywood screening

    Two Nigerian films, Steve Gukas’ ‘93 Days’ and Kunle Afoloyan’s ‘The Bridge’ are billed to be screened at two of Hollywood’s most illustrious institutions in an event tagged ‘Nollywood in Hollywood’.

    Scheduled for March 23 and 24, the event will be co-presented by leading film program, the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Hollywood’s screening venue, the Egyptian Theater.

    Speaking on the programme, Gukas expressed excitement not only for ‘93 Days’ but for Nollywood as a whole.

    “The pedigree of the organizations putting this together tells me this is a unique opportunity for our film, myself and the industry. The thought of my film screening at the world famous Egyptian Theatre is mind blowing. I believe this is a unique opportunity that Nollywood can leverage on to showcase itself and attract the needed support and partnerships necessary for its continued growth,” he said.

    Also reacting, Afolayan adds; “I believe the Nollywood in Hollywood event is a course in the right direction. I’m glad that The Bridge will be screening as part of the programs and I also look forward to mutual exploration between the two worlds.”

    Those expected at the event include the Hollywood film industry, the foreign media, political, economic and civic leaders in California, celebrities and Nigerians in the Diaspora. The screenings will be free of charge.

    “Africa’s most populous country is home to one of the world’s most prosperous film industries, but Nigerian cinema still has a relatively low profile in the U.S. The American Cinematheque’s mission to present the full range of motion pictures to the widest possible audience already includes annual programs devoted to new films from Spain, Germany, Italy, Argentina and other countries, so the chance to bring “Nollywood” to Hollywood for a night made perfect sense,” says John Hagelston of the American Cinematheque, operators of the Egyptian Theater.

    It will be the first official event on the Hollywood cinema calendar after the 2017 calendar ended the Academy Awards. It is the first time Nigerian films will be presented to the Hollywood industry at an event designed solely for Nigeria.

  • Darkness over Hollywood

    A seeming abuse of the gravity of sexual allegations notwithstanding, multiple accusations of sexual assault against male producers have cast a gloom on Hollywood, and this will, for a while, put a strain on whatever indulgent relationships that had existed among cast and crew members of the leading film industry in the world.

    There is no doubt that some of the claims might be true, however, there appears to be a semblance of misconstrued intention in the casual familiarity among these creative colleagues.

    Therefore, when you think of the sort of silent resentment or bipolar disorder in some people, you will learn to keep your jokes, hugs, playful spanks, and body gestures to the confines of your home.

    Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone, Steven Seagal, and former president George Bush are among about 120 men in Hollywood who have been accused of one form of sexual assault or another, all claims coming after allegations of sexual harassment and rape against film producer Harvey Weinstein by Rose McGowan, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ashley Judd and dozens of others.

    Although the trend has become alarming in the past one month, we can recall snippets of such events in recent times, especially going through series of litigation that brought American entertainer Bill Cosby to his knees for the better part of 2015-2016.

    Until the Rose McGowan claims that indicted Harvey Weinstein, Cosby was a huge subject of sexual assault allegations, ranging from rape, drug facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, and child sexual abuse, to sexual misconduct, with the earliest incidents taking place in 1960.

    As a result of these allegations, many organisations have severed ties with the comedian, while previously awarded honors and titles have been revoked. Reruns of ‘The Cosby Show’ and other shows featuring Cosby have also been pulled from syndication by many organisations. Also, 25 colleges and universities have rescinded his honorary degrees.

    To further underscore how allegations of sexual delinquency have taken a toll on the careers of people, Kevin Spacey got fired from Ridley Scott’s new movie, a month before its release. Spacey who earlier starred as J. Paul Getty in the film was replaced with Christopher Plummer.

    Producer Ridley Scott had to cut out Spacey from the already produced movie despite the risk of missing its December 22 release date, and jeopardising its Oscar eligibility.

    Crux of the matter was a wave of sexual assault allegations made against Spacey by more than a dozen people, including multiple accusations of assault on underage victims.

    Pundits say although, there have been other instances of recasting a role or conducting extensive reshoots after a film has wrapped, it is very rare and would usually only happens in the case of unexpected death — a case in study was Paul Walker’s brothers standing in for reshoots of ‘Fast &Furious 7’ after the death of the original cast.

    Let’s take a look at Michael Douglas who was accused of masturbating in front of a former employee some 32 years ago.

    Douglas who said the allegations were a “complete lie”, has had the support of his wife, but that has not taken away the trauma.

    Here’s what the actor, who said he has been “so supportive of the women’s movement”, has to say: “The part that hurt the worst is having to share something like this to your wife and your children. My kids are really upset… they have to go to school worrying this is going to be in some article about me, being a sexual harasser. They’re scared and very uncomfortable.”

  • Genevieve Nnaji stars in Hollywood

    Genevieve Nnaji stars in Hollywood

    Nigeria’s screen diva, Genevieve Nnaji is starring in a movie, “Farming” alongside Hollywood actors Kate Beckinsale, Damon Idris and Gugu Mmbatha-Raw.

    The film which is being shot in the U.K. and Nigeria started production in August and is being directed by Nigerian-British writer and director Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje.

    The film is based on Adewale’s autobiographical story, “Farming.”

    Genevieve, who shared few pictures of herself on set on her instagram is popular for classic movies including, “Ije” and “Keeping Faith,”

    The Nollywood veteran recently made her directorial debut with her upcoming movie, “Lion Heart’’.

    The script was developed at the Sundance Film Institute and chronicles his own coming-of-age story growing up fostered by a white working-class family in the U.K.

    In the film, the lead character is sent to the U.K. by his parents in hopes of achieving a better life.

    Instead, he becomes the feared leader of a white skinhead gang in 1980s England. When all seems lost and he spirals into self-destruction, a benevolent teacher (played by Mbatha-Raw) offers him one last chance at redemption.

    Genevieve won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005, making her the first actress to win the award.

    She who has starred in over 80 movies is considered to be one of the best paid actresses in Nollywood.

    Due to her contributions to the Nigeria movie industry, she became the first actress to be awarded Best Actress at the 2001 City Peoples Awards, the award ceremony that previously had only recognized politicians and business conglomerates.

    She is also the first actress to be awarded as Best Actress by the Census Board of Nigeria in 2003.

    In 2009, she was referred to as the Julia Roberts of Africa by Oprah Winfrey.

    In 2004 Nnaji signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label, and released her debut album `One Logologo line’, a mix of R&B and Urban music.

    In November 2015 Nnaji produced her first movie called “Road to Yesterday’’ which won Best Movie Overall-West Africa at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.

  • ANGELINA JOLIE GETS HER GROOVE BACK

    ANGELINA JOLIE GETS HER GROOVE BACK

    AFTER a painful divorce from Brad Pitt, Hollywood acclaimed highest-paid actress, Angelina Jolie may have found succour in the success of a new movie, First They Killed My Father, which she says was responsible for the crash of her marriage of 10 years.

    The sultry actress who shone on the red carpet at TIFF during the premiere of her film noted that First They Killed My Father was behind the breakdown of her marriage and was part of the reason she split with Brad Pitt.

    She attended the premiere with her six children – Maddox, 16, Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 11, Vivienne, 9, and Knox, 9.

    She said in another interview that while filming First They Killed My Father in Cambodia, she was inspired by the character of the lead child actor enough to know that she needed love in her life.

    First They Killed My Father is based on activist, Loung Ung’s memoir about the suffering her Cambodian family endured during the Khmer Rouge years.

    The actress said although the split from Pitt has affected the children, they are getting over it, and have remained her best friends ever.

    “They’re the best friends I’ve ever had. Nobody in my life has ever stood by me more,” she said.