tags: Acting, Black Actresses, hollywood, Kerry Washington, Paula Patton, Talent, taraji p. henson, zoe saldana
Let’s play a quick game. I’ll say a word and you tell me the first thing that comes to your mind. It’s like a quick word association. Get it?
Me: Black actresses
You: Halle Berry, Lena Horne, Angela Bassett, Dorothy Dandrige, Alfre Woodard, Whoopi Goldberg…
Good, you did well. I’m actually proud.
Okay, sarcasm aside, when one thinks of Hollywood’s Black actresses these names and a few more immediately pop up. They are pioneers who are both beautiful and talent. Many, like Lena Horne, have paved the way for Black talent to have a place in Hollywood. It’s no secret that being a Black woman in Hollywood is no cake walk. With a saturated market, few roles, and all the attention going toward their White counterparts, it amazes me that so many have been able to succeed. But then again, Black women are fighters right?
Well, I’m proud to say that Black Hollywood has a new class of actresses ready to take on the challenges of those who came before them and take Hollywood by storm. Enriched with raw talent, exotic beauty, and undeniable charm, these new leading ladies surely won’t disappoint.
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Kerry Washington
When it comes to intellect, poise, and style, few can top this beautiful thespian. Bursting onto the scene as the opinionated and wise friend to Julia Stiles’s character in Save the Last Dance , Kerry Washington was and remains an actress to keep and eye on. A graduate of The George Washington University, it’s easy to see how Kerry’s intellect plays a major role in her career as well as her portrayal of her characters. Starring in several independent films and successfully commercial films like Ray, The Last King of Scotland , Miracle at St. Ana, I Think I Love My Wife and Lakeview Terrace, it’s undeniable that the talent is there. She has several upcoming films this year and will continue to bud as a leading lady–plus she can dress her ass off. Backtrack: Did you see how amazing she look in I Think I Love My Wife? It’s no wonder he was second guessing.
Paula Patton
Known for being much more than R&B singer Robin Thicke’s beautifully exotic wife, Paula Patton is an actress who first saw her start behind the scenes. A graduate of USC Film School (my hopeful future graduate school) and a former producer of Medical Diaries on Discovery (where my current internship is)–pause: I think I like her even more–Patton’s first major role was in 2006′s Idlewild alongside Outkast. She continued her career through roles in DejaVu with Denzel Washington, Mirrors and Swing Vote. Her latest role was in the groundbreaking film Precious. Paula is a rare beauty who sizzles on screen. Her next film will be Just Wright starring Queen Latifah and Common releasing tomorrow (5/14). Backtrack: How did Robin Thicke manage to snatch that?
Taraji P. Henson
“I hate you Jodie!” Who would have ever thought that the same Taraji P. Henson from Baby Boy would bud into an Academy Award Nominated Actress. A fellow Bison, Teraji graduated from Howard University with a degree in Theatre Arts. A determined beauty, Henson worked her way through college and continues to work hard in her career. Starring in films such as Not Easily Broken, Hustle & Flow, and Tyler Perry’s Family That Preys and I Can Do Bad All by Myself, Henson has established herself as familiar face in Hollywood. In 2008, Taraji played Queeni in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and her herself a nomination for Best Supporting Actress from the Academy . She continues in her career and will be in several films this year including the remake of The Karate Kid. Backtrack: She’s a Howard University alumni? Of course she was going to strike it big.
This still cracks me up.Zoë Saldaña
The woman with the many accents in her name, the girl who captivates the hearts of several men (including myself) and the beauty who is without a doubt Hollywood’s latest “it” girl, Zoe Saldana had her break in 200o’s Center Stage where she played the headstrong Eva. After a few other roles, including Crossroads with Britney Spears, Zoe landed her first leading role in a major film, the urban classic Drumline. Since then, audiences have been graced with the beauty who has Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage. She’s been in a couple of interesting independent films like Premium and the modern day remake of Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with Bernie Mac and Ashton Kutcher called Guess Who. 2009 and 2010 have proven to be amazing years for Zoe as she has starred in Star Trek, Avatar, Death at a Funeral, The Losers, and has several more projects releasing. It seems that Saldana is slowly becoming one of the most sought after actresses in Hollywood. Backtrack: Why is she so gorgeous? No. That’s a serious question.
Each of these women possess a quality that will give them longevity in this industry. They each are unique, talented, driven, and are easy on the eyes. I can’t wait to see where each of their careers will take them. Expect to see them around a lot more.
Seriously, it was love at first sight-that moment I saw her in Drumline. Now, she’s doing monstrous movies like Star Trek and the new Avatar film that released today. Below is Zoe at the premiere for the film.
Aaron
