Giddy diva worship.
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2/26/2021
Andra Day burns up the screen in her first leading role in Lee Daniels bio-drama chronicling the FBI s unabated persecution of the immortal jazz singer.
In an uncanny instance of art mirroring life, two major Hollywood movies will premiere just weeks apart, both of which depict relentless campaigns by American government intelligence agencies to silence influential Black voices. They follow closely after an impeachment trial in which the majority of GOP senators showed their complicity in violence from white supremacist groups by voting to acquit the Instigator in Chief. That packs scalding heat into the simultaneous arrival of
Rolling Stone The Best Books About Billie Holiday
With Lee Daniels’ biopic on the legendary musician streaming on Hulu, these biographies and coffee table books will bring you closer to Lady Day
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With
The United States vs. Billie Holiday streaming on Hulu, both longtime and new fans will likely be clamoring for more of the legendary jazz singer, who died in 1959 at the age of 44. Born Eleanora Fagan, Billie Holiday was among the targets of Federal Bureau of Narcotics head Harry Anslinger, whose racist agenda fueled a so-called crackdown on marijuana and heroin. That torment, as well as the music icon’s life, is the subject of the upcoming Lee Daniels biopic starring Andra Day as Holiday and Trevante Rhod
ABC Picks Up Bucktown Pilot, Not Moving Forward With Work Wife or Shana Goldberg-Meehan Pilot
Mónica Marie Zorrilla, provided by
Feb. 12, 2021
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ABC has confirmed that it is picking up a new multi-camera comedy pilot, “Bucktown,” hailing from ABC Signature studios and written and executive produced by Emily Wilson, co-executive producer of “The Conners.”
“Bucktown” centers on a protagonist named Amy, who, after being dumped by her boyfriend and kicked out of her apartment on the eve of a big promotion, finds refuge at her mom’s house in the blue-collar neighborhood she grew up in (presumably, Bucktown). Amy reconnects with her teenage niece living there due to her sister’s latest rehab stint and resolves to stay when she realizes that her mom and niece aren’t entirely equipped to go it alone.
Letâs take a look at who all will be playing the iconic roles in the film:
Andra Day as Billie Holiday
In this screengrab, Andra Day performs during the Virtual Parade Across America on January 20, 2021. Following the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden, the Virtual Parade Across America features celebrities and performances from across the country. (Getty Images)
The 36-year-old American singer, songwriter, and actor has multiple Grammy nominations. Her debut album, âCheers to the Fallâ, peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was nominated for Best R&B Album and the album s main single, âRise Upâ, was nominated for Best R&B Performance at the 2016 Grammys. Her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the biopic âThe United States vs. Billie Holidayâ received two nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, including Best Actress in a Motion Picture â Drama and Best Original Song.
The United States Vs. Billie Holiday (2021)
Photo: Ron Eshel/AP (Courtesy of Lee Daniels), Courtesy of Hulu
On a brisk day in Montreal, Quebec in November 2019, I entered the sound stage for the production of
The United States vs. Billie Holiday. In turn, I also entered the eccentric world of director Lee Daniels, who noted that he chose Montreal because it was the closest resemblance to a past Harlem that doesn’t even exist in the actual Harlem anymore.
The Root was not only the first outlet to visit the set of
The United States vs. Billie Holiday in its final two weeks of production, but we later learned we were the only outlet to obtain on-set coverage.