Songs, Movies & Moments: December 2020
A Look at Entertainment
by T.J. Moore –
Black Panther actress Letitia Wright came under fire recently for sharing a video spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation about vaccines and Covid-19. Wright dismissed Twitter users and commenters who bashed her for posting a clip titled “Covid-19 Vaccine, Should we take it?” from Light London Church leader Tomi Arayomi’s “On The Table” YouTube Channel.
In the video—which has since been removed from YouTube and Wright’s Twitter feed—Arayomi makes transphobic remarks, repeats several unfounded claims about the virus, and discourages people from getting vaccinated. In a response to the backlash, Wright tweeted:
“If you don’t conform to popular opinions but ask questions and think for yourself … you get cancelled.”
Later, the actress shifted her tone in a following tweet: “My only intention of posting the video was it raised my concerns with what the vaccine contains and what we are putting in our bodies. Nothing else.”
Forthcoming Covid-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna have been supported and backed by infectious disease experts and reportedly more than 90% effective, according to recent data collected from ongoing clinical trials. The Federal Centers for Disease Control approved the Pfizer vaccine for emergency distribution on Dec. 11, and Moderna vaccine is to be reviewed in the week before Christmas.
Lifetime has finally set a premiere date for the upcoming Salt-N-Pepa biopic. On January 23, the biopic will air and will be followed by an interview special.
The biopic will chronicle the legendary group’s rise in the hip-hop industry as part of a revolution that challenged how women rappers were seen in the industry. It will also look at their friendships and how relationships were challenged by their careers.
The cast includes G.G. Townson as Cheryl “Salt” James and Laila Odom as Sandra “Pepa” Denton. Monique Paul will play the group’s DJ, Deidra “Spinderella” Roper.
Catch Salt N Pepa on Lifetime January 23 at 8 p.m.
Fans of the short-lived WGN America series Underground will be happy to learn that the series will be getting a new life.
Starting January 5th, Underground, from Sony Pictures Television, will also have a revitalized presentation on OWN, with newly filmed episodic introductions by cast members, never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage. The original series starred Jurnee Smollett, Christopher Meloni, Adina Porter, Alano Miller, and Mykelti Williamson.
The series was co-created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski. They executive produced with Anthony Hemingway, Akiva Goldsman, Tory Tunnell, and John Legend.
Actresses Octavia Spencer and Jessica Chastain have been friends ever since starring together in The Help. They both won Golden Globes for their roles in the film. Over a year ago, Chastain approached Spencer for an idea for a holiday comedy for them to headline. This is what allyship is all about.
Discussed on a recent Sundance “Women Breaking Barriers” panel, Chastain’s idea made sense, as Spencer wanted to break out of period pieces and Chastain wanted to do comedies. Spencer credited Chastain for making a way for them when it came to salary negations for the film.
“We were dropping F-bombs and getting it all out there,” Spencer shared. “And then I said, ‘But here’s the thing, women of color on that spectrum, we make far less than white women. So, if we’re gonna have that conversation about pay equity, we gotta bring the women of color to the table.’ And I told her my story and we talked numbers, and she was quiet and said she had no idea that that’s what it was like for women of color.”
Holding back tears, Spencer continued. “I love the woman (Chastain) because she’s walking the walk and she’s actually talking the talk. She said, ‘Octavia, we’re gonna get you paid on this film. You and I are gonna be tied together. We’re gonna be favored nations and we’re gonna make the same thing. Fast forward to last week, we’re making five times what we asked for.
The untitled film will be produced by Chastain under her Freckle Films banner and will be distributed by Universal.
