Rantings About Hollywood From a Southern Perspective

Keep Hope Alive!

February 1, 2018 by Wyllisa Bennett Leave a Comment

Reclaiming my time with Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) during festivities at the 49th annual NAACP Image Awards.

Today is the start of Black History Month. Like most folks, I kicked off my celebration of blackness two weeks ago with the observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 15, 2018. In my newest column for California Crusader News, I talk about keeping hope alive in the era of Trump. After all, America is constantly evolving.

I spent MLK Day attending the Men of Courage forum, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company. Launched in Detroit in 2015, the Men of Courage program is dedicated to elevating the narrative and perceptions of black men in this country.

The program connects the men with Men of Courage ambassadors, like social advocates, business leaders, entrepreneurs and other influencers. For LA’s forum, they pulled out the big guns with Grammy-nominated rapper Big Sean, retired NFL Hall of Famer, Jerome Bettis of the LA Rams/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburg Steelers; Dave Bing, retired NBA Hall of Famer and former mayor of Detroit; and Karim Webb, restaurateur and franchise owner of Buffalo Wild Wings – just to name a few.

Rapper Big Sean and his mother attended the Men of Courage program, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.

After the program, I headed off to the NAACP Image Awards afterparty where I bumped into Congresswoman Maxine Waters and (D-CA) and writer Lena Waithe, the first African American woman to win an Emmy for writing. (That’s a Black History Month fact!)

Both MLK Day and Black History Month is a time of great reflection, honoring the human sacrifices made by others in the fight for racial equality and social change. The struggle is real and constant. But, like Jay-Z rapped, “I do this for my culture!”

I hope you enjoy my column, “Keep Hope Alive.” which appeared in the January 25, 2018 issue of the California Crusader News. CCN#4_Jan_25_2018

Correction: Just to clarify, the Ford Motor Company Fund is the proud sponsor of the Men of Courage program, and not the Ford Motor Fund Foundation as listed in my column or the Ford Motor Company Foundation.

Here’s a Black History fact:

Lena Waithe became the first African American woman to win an Emmy for writing. You can see her award-winning work on Netflix’s comedy series, “Master of None.” Check out the Emmy-winning episode, “Thanksgiving” from Season 2. Plus, she’s the creator and executive producer of the new series, “The Chi” on Showtime.

Excited to bump into a “virtual mentor.” Lena Waithe became the first African American woman to win an Emmy for writing on Netflix’s “Master of None.”

“I do this for my culture … ” Jay Z, lyric in Izzo (H.O.V.A.)

‘Tis the Season: A Year in Review

December 26, 2017 by Wyllisa Bennett Leave a Comment

I love this time of year! No, no, no … I’m not talking about the plethora of holidays – that is, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Kwanzaa – which makes up the holiday season. Instead, I’m talking about another reason for me to shop: the beginning of awards season! And come January 2, 2018; there will be plenty of brunches, lunches, parties, after parties, gifting suites, screenings, etc. for me to attend that I won’t have time to do laundry or complain that “I don’t have anything to wear!”

Right now, I’m carefully curating my awards season wardrobe so I can be red-carpet ready next year. And I’m carefully watching the waistline so I can get into my new clothes. Some mac ‘n cheese here and sweet potato pie there can easily cause a 10-pound weight gain, and sideline my fashion options.

I love blinging things! My latest arts-and-craft project is the strassing of these NearlyNude block heel sandals by Stuart Weitzman. I can’t wait to wear them to some fancy, smacy red–carpet event.

It’s the perfect season to add yet another LBD (little black dress) to my wardrobe. I can’t wait to wear this long, black tulle skirt I found on sale at Bloomingdale’s. And given the fashion trend of embellishments – inspired by fashion gods like Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana – I’m revamping some of my old, favorite clothes AND shoes with DIY projects, using Swarovski crystals, sequins and rhinestone patches, and of course, glitter! With some E-6000 glue and a toothpick, I meticulously blinged out the heels of one of my favorite shoes, the NearlyNude block heel sandals by Stuart Weitzman. In eight hours, I made a great pair of shoes look simply amazing! (Side note: YouTube DIY videos are terribly addicting, and DTLA’s Fashion District is a goldmine of stuff! Shout out to the Bead Factory on Maple Avenue.)

Correction: In my article, I mistakenly called my shoes by the wrong name, the Nudist. It’s the Stuart Weitzman version with the sky-high stiletto heel. And trust me, after several attempts, and many broken heels, I’ve come to the conclusion that I cannot carry the weight of my body on a stiletto heel!

But I digress. In my latest column for the California Crusader, I do a quick year in review of all the good tv and films of 2017 with a little help from my friends at the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). “Get Out,” written and directed by Jordan Peele, has crossed the $250 million mark worldwide, gobbling up awards along the way. In fact, “Get Out” topped the AAFCA’s Top 10 list of Best Picture.

For my year in review, check out my latest column, which appeared in the December 21, 2017 of the California Crusader News. CCN#51_DEC_21_2017w

Gotta run, I’m heading out for the after-Christmas sales! There’s still more deals to be had!

“Get Out,” written and directed by Jordan Peele, has been named the top film by many film critic associations, including the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA).

AIR CHECK: On the Air With Sanya On Air

December 11, 2017 by Wyllisa Bennett Leave a Comment

#Trending Topics With Wyllisa

ENGAGED! Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle are set to tie the knot in 2018. Talk about the come up of the century!

Back on the air with Sanya On Air! I am excited to work with media personality Sanya Hudson, the radio host of Sanya On-Air, based in New York City. I’ve signed on as the social and entertainment commentator, offering my witty thoughts on all things poppin’ in pop culture. On Saturday, December 2, 2017, I discussed how Black Hollywood is #winning the game in tv, film and music. The year 2017 was an incredible year for African Americans making strides in the entertainment industry.

Plus, Meghan Markle, a Black girl from LA, is marrying Prince Harry! Talk about a come up of epic proportions! Should a woman marry for love or security? Well, you can hear my thoughts on the show. Tune in!

Blooper Alert!

By the way, I had a brain freeze while on the air, referring to rapper Kendrick Lamar as “Lamar Kendrick!” Ugh!!

I HEART DENZEL WASHINGTON!

December 1, 2017 by Wyllisa Bennett Leave a Comment

Here I am at the special event, “Clips and Conversation,” hosted by Sony Pictures and the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) on November 9, 2017 at the Regency West in Leimert Park Village.

Oh Denzel Washington, how do I love thee, let me count the ways?

I love you for that single tear that tickled down your right eye in your Oscar-winning performance of “Glory,” showing strength, yet defiance.

I love you for transforming yourself into Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X,” donning reddish hair, while echoing the speaking power of the great slain civil rights leader.

Oh, I love you for your nastiness as a dirty cop in “Training Day,” letting us know that King Kong ain’t got nothing on you, and grabbing another gold statuette along the way. We all know you’re such a gentleman, a humanitarian and a philanthropist, but it was exhilarating to watch you on the big screen as one of the bad guys.

And now I love you as Roman J. Israel, a quirky, socially-awkward, gap-tooth criminal defense attorney, who’s stuck in the 1960s, and want to do the right thing for “the cause.”

I could go on … and I did in my latest column for this week’s California Crusader News. I pay special homage to Washington for his work in the title role of his newest movie, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” It’s in theatres now.

How to Bring Down a Hollywood Honcho

November 2, 2017 by Wyllisa Bennett Leave a Comment

“Silence Is the Golden Rule” by LaJon Miller, watercolor and ink on paper

The Streets Are Talking

Once upon a time, Hollywood honcho Harvey Weinstein of The Weinstein Company was one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, until he was outed as a sexual predator by more than 90, mostly White women.

I thought Weinstein had a type — that is, young, White women. But no, he’s an equal opportunity sexual predator. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is the first Black woman to come forward as another victim of Weinstein’s sexual harassment, saying, “I felt unsafe.” In an op-ed piece in the New York Times, the actress describes how the movie mogul tried to get her all-liquored up before making sexual advances on her.

In my column for this week’s California Crusader News, I talk about the Weinstein scandal and how the women banded together to bring down the Hollywood honcho. As a result, the #MeToo movement gained renewed strength with women around the globe, sharing their stories of sexual harassment and assault on social media.

Check out my thoughts on “How to Bring Down a Hollywood Honcho,” which appears in the November 2, 2017 of the California Crusader News. Enjoy! CCN#44_NOV_2_2017_p

“Do not despite these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin … ”

–Zechariah 4:10 NKJV