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Top choreographers from film, television, and digital media celebrated remarkable achievements at the World Choreography Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. The event highlighted the changing landscape of dance performance across different entertainment channels.

Fatima Robinson was a standout winner in the Motion Picture category for her revolutionary work on “The Color Purple.” Her choreography for the musical piece “Push da Button” surprised judges with its innovative mix of dance forms, which included hip-hop, African dance, tap, jazz, and Jamaican moves. Robinson intentionally used accessories such as handkerchiefs, scarves, and canes to enhance Taraji P. Henson’s performance.

“I gave her movements, so she had somewhere to go, and it wasn’t just a flat performance on stage,” Robinson said of her choreography approach for the piece.

Parris Goebel dominated the evening, winning two trophies. She won the Television Award Show/Special category for her choreography in the Super Bowl...

Fatima Robinson (“The Color Purple”) and Parris Goebel (“Super Bowl Lvii Halftime Show”) took home top honors at the World Choreography Awards.

The awards were handed out on Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Other winners included Tessandra Chavez for her work on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and Jon Boogz for Starz’s “Blindspotting.”

In a statement to Variety, founder and producer Allen Walls said, “I congratulate all of tonight’s nominees and winners. This Awards Show illustrates our intent to highlight the depth of exceptional talent in our industry. In our 14th year, there were over 275 submissions. We are the Oscars of Dance.”

Robinson fused hip-hop, dance, African history, tap, jazz and even Jamaican moves as she crafted the musical numbers in “The Color Purple.” One highlight was “Push da Button” performed by Taraji P. Henson’s Shug Avery. Robinson made sure there were plenty of props including handkerchiefs, scarves and even a cane.

Choreographer, dancer and creative director Charm La’Donna has signed with WME to help build her profile as a filmmaker.

La’Donna choreographed Dua Lipa’s videos for “Dance the Night” and “Houdini.” Earlier this year, La’Donna took home the MTV Video Music Award for her work on the latter. She previously won in 2019 for choreography on Rosalía and J Balvin’s “Con Altura.”

La’Donna also worked with Lipa on her most recent tour and appearances at the Glastonbury Music Festival. On collaborating with Lipa, La’Donna said, “Your dedication and brilliance is truly inspirational.”

In a statement to Variety, La’Donna said, “I’m excited to join WME, an agency that resonates with my commitment to building my brand and achieving my creative aspirations. Their expertise will be instrumental as I embark on this new chapter in my filmmaking career.”

As La’Donna makes the move into filmmaking,...

The choreographers behind “Wonka” and “Barbie” are among the nominees for the 2024 World Choreography Awards.

With over 200 submissions, Christopher Gattelli (“Wonka”), Jennifer White with Kisa Welham (“Barbie”) and Alison Faulk with collaborators made the shortlist.

In addition to motion pictures, choreographers in episodic television, television specials and television reality shows were also nominated. Jon Boogz and his team were nominated for “Blindspotting.” While the choreographers on “Dancing with the Stars,” dominated the television reality/variety category.

Full list of nominations below.

Motion Pictures

Christopher Gattelli – “Wonka”

Jennifer White, associate Kisa Welham – “Barbie”

Justin Peck, associate Craig Salstein – “Maestro”

Alison Faulk, Luke Broadlick, contributing Leo Moctezuma, associates Anthony Bartley and Charlie Bartley – “Magic Mike’s Last Dance”

Fatima Robinson, associates Adrian Wiltshire and Tia Rivera – “The Color Purple”

Television Award Show/Special:

Lukas McFarlane – “Eurovision,” Rita Ora

Parris Goebel – “Video Music Awards,” Karol G

Sean Bankhead – “Billboard Music Awards,” Tate McRae

Tessandra Chavez...

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Love Lies Bleeding, Girls5Eva, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Damsel.

Only Murders in the Building FYC screening

Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez and Meryl Streep took part in an Emmy FYC screening and Q&a on the Paramount lot on March 1, alongside showrunner John Hoffman and songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

Martin Short, Meryl Streep, Benj Pasek, John Hoffman, Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, Jane Lynch and Justin Paul

Damsel premiere

Millie Bobby Brown and Robin Wright walked the carpet on March 1 at the NYC premiere of their new Netflix film. Brown was also supported by fiancé Jake Bongiovi and his parents, Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Hurley.

Millie Bobby Brown and Robin Wright Jake Bongiovi, Millie Bobby Brown, Dorothea Hurley and Jon Bon Jovi

Kung Fu Panda 4 premiere

Jack Black,...

Jamie Foxx is almost ready to reveal the truth behind his recent health scare on his own terms.

A few months after his first major public appearance since his mystery illness, at the at the Critics Choice Association‘s Celebration of Cinema & Television Honoring Black, Latino & Aapi Achievements in December, “The Burial” actor was back on stage on Sunday, March 3 to accept the Producers Award from the African American Film Critics Association alongside his Foxxhole Productions partner Datari Turner.

“Everybody wants to know what happened, and I’m going to tell you what happened, but I gotta do it my way. I’m going to do it in a funny way. I’m going to be on stage. We’re going back to the stand-up sort of roots,” said Foxx from the podium at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Having implied that both a tour and stand-up special are in the works,...

Whenever Jamie Foxx steps up to a microphone, one can expect to be entertained.

And that’s precisely what the Oscar and Grammy-winning superstar plans to do when he hits the road to discuss the circumstances around his sudden hospitalization nearly a year ago.

On Sunday afternoon, Foxx offered attendees of the African American Film Critics Association’s (Aafca) Special Achievement Awards luncheon a sneak peek at the tone of that material — a mix of heartfelt reflection with some top-notch zingers — while accepting Aafca’s Producers Award alongside his Foxxhole Productions partner Datari Turner.

2023 was a big year for the company thanks to the back-to-back successes of Netflix’s “They Cloned Tyrone” and Amazon’s “The Burial.” But while Foxxhole’s movies were shooting to the top of the streaming charts, Foxx was fighting for his life after suffering a medical emergency — the nature of which has not been disclosed.

The African American Film Critics Association held its annual luncheon honoring cinematic black excellence at the 7th Annual Aafca Special Achievement Awards, on Sunday, March 3rd at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.

Guests at the event included Skye P. Marshall, Boris Kodjoe, Roxanne Avent, Jonathan Majors, Meagan Good and Isaac G. Bryan.

Courtney B. Vance, Nia Long, and Jurnee Smollett took the stage to present Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner with the Aafca’s Producers Award. The duo, known for their outstanding work through Foxxhole Productions, was recognized for their exceptional contributions to three prominent films of 2023: They Cloned Tyrone, Story Ave, and The Burial. The award acknowledged Foxxhole’s dedication to showcasing inclusive narratives.

Black List founder Franklin Leonard presented choreographer Fatima Robinson with Aafca’s Salute to Excellence Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to choreography, including her work on The Color Purple.

The founder of Lead With Love,...

Jonathan Majors was all smiles at his first film industry event following his guilty verdict.

At this time last year, Jonathan Majors was on a career high with starring roles in big-budget films like Creed 3 and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. However, in March 2023, Majors was arrested for allegedly attacking his then-girlfriend, and he subsequently went on trial on charges of assault and harassment. Majors was ultimately found guilty, and he was fired from his role as Kang in the MCU as a result. The actor was also dropped from several other projects as well. However, as reported by Deadline, it would seem he hasn't been completely blacklisted in Hollywood.

Related 'There Are Conversations': Colman Domingo Addresses Kang Casting Rumors There have been ongoing rumors that Colman Domingo might be the next Kang in the MCU. Close

Reportedly, Jonathan Majors attended the 7th Annual African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) Special Achievement Awards luncheon.

Jonathan Majors has made his first public appearance at an industry event after being found guilty of reckless assault and harassment. The Lovecraft Country alum attended the 7th Annual Aafca Special Achievement Awards luncheon with Meagan Good.

The couple walked the red carpet of the event held at the Centennial Room at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.

Majors’ sentencing for his domestic violence convictions is scheduled for April when he will find out if he’ll have to serve time in jail.

At the invitation-only luncheon, bestowed honors upon the feature film Killers of the Flower Moon, which received the Stanley & Karen Kramer Social Justice Award for shining a light on the true story of the infamous Osage Nation murders.

Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner, the producing duo behind Foxxhole Productions, were honored with Aafca’s Producers Award for their work on films like They Cloned Tyrone,...

Hollywood is often criticized about the amount of follow through there is on promises for diversity and inclusivity. Yet there is much to celebrate about the films that are being made about Black life, and the 15th annual awards by the African American Film Critics Assn. will do just that on Feb. 21.

“American Fiction,” “The Color Purple” and “Origin” — named best comedy, musical and drama, respectively — all scored multiple film honors and inclusion on Aafca’s list of top 10 films of the year. Performers including Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Lily Gladstone, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Danielle Brooks will also be celebrated during the ceremony, hosted once again by Roy Wood Jr.

Aafca will follow up that event with a March 3 special achievement ceremony honoring industry figures including Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner for their work producing films such as “The Burial,” choreographer Fatima Robinson for her work on “The Color Purple...

Burna Boy will be the first Afrobeats performer ever to play the Grammys at Sunday night’s ceremony — and he’ll be joined onstage by Brandy and 21 Savage, executive producer Raj Kapoor tells Rolling Stone Music Now. The collaboration will also mark 21 Savage’s Grammy performance debut, while Brandy hasn’t sung on the show since the Nineties. “It’s gonna be huge,” says Kapoor. “It’s gonna get everybody on their feet.”

In the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, Kapoor breaks down what to expect from...

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Expats, Feud: Capote vs. the Swans and Griselda.

Expats premiere

Nicole Kidman joined creator Lulu Wang and co-stars Sarayu Blue and Jack Huston at the New York premiere of their Prime Video series on Sunday.

Amazon’s Albert Cheng, Lulu Wang, Nicole Kidman and Amazon’s Jennifer Salke

Feud: Capote vs. the Swans premiere

Naomi Watts, Tom Hollander, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Demi Moore and Molly Ringwald walked the carpet alongside EP Ryan Murphy on Tuesday at the NYC premiere of their new Feud installment.

Jon Robin Baitz, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Ryan Murphy, Naomi Watts, Tom Hollander, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore and Calista Flockhart Billy Crudup and Naomi Watts

Griselda premiere

Netflix hosted the U.S. premiere of its new limited series in Miami on Tuesday,...

The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) announced the winners of its upcoming 15th annual Aafca Awards, which honor outstanding achievement in film. In a departure from last year, in which the organization gave Best Picture to “The Woman King,” this year’s top category was split into three, with “American Fiction” winning Best Comedy, “Origin” winning Best Drama, and “The Color Purple” winning Best Musical.

The trio of films also respectively sit atop Aafca’s Top 10 Films of the Year. Winners were voted on by all of Aafca’s 100+ members. The 15th Annual Aafca Awards will take place on February 21 at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

“It’s become a tradition to announce our winners on MLK Day,” said Aafca president and co-founder Gil Robertson said in an official statement. “And what a great year for cinema showcasing the vibrant tapestry of Black storytelling,...

The Cinema Eye Honors announced the winners for its documentary films and series competition Friday in Manhattan, with “32 Sounds” taking the honor for outstanding nonfiction feature. Maite Alberdi won outstanding direction for “The Eternal Memory” together with Kaouther Ben Hania for “Four Daughters,” while “Paul T. Goldman” won outstanding nonfiction series.

See all the winners below:

—Outstanding Nonfiction Feature

32 Sounds

Directed by Sam Green

Produced by Josh Penn and Thomas O. Kriegsmann

—Outstanding Direction

Maite Alberdi

The Eternal Memory

Kaouther Ben Hania

Four Daughters

—Outstanding Editing

Michael Harte

Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie

—Outstanding Production

Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson Rath, Derl McCrudden and Vasilisa Stepanenko

20 Days in Mariupol

—Outstanding Cinematography

Ants Tammik

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

—Outstanding Original Score

Jd Samson

32 Sounds

—Outstanding Sound Design

Mark Mangini

32 Sounds

—Outstanding Visual Design

Thomas Curtis and Sean Pierce

Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project

—Outstanding Debut

Kokomo...

Every year, the African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) recognizes stand-out achievements in TV and film, with a special emphasis in entertainment representing the Black experience. Aafca has announced its esteemed list of 2024 honorees, which will be celebrated at the group’s 7th Annual Aafca Special Achievement Awards luncheon, taking place on Sunday, March 3 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in Los Angeles.

The intimate event will bestow special statues on individuals like Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Fatima Robinson, Michael Latt and Deon Taylor, plus groups from “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Delta Airlines.

“Our list this year includes titans and trailblazers whose work has transformed the cinematic arts,” states Aafca President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson. “Their work leaves us in awe of their incredible achievements and inspires us to move forward in all our endeavors with passion, creativity and determination. Aafca looks forward to celebrating them.”

SEE5th...

The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) has revealed its 2024 Special Achievement honorees, who will be celebrated at the organization’s 7th annual Aafca Special Achievement Award luncheon on March 3 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

Killers of the Flower Moon will receive the Stanley & Karen Kramer Social Justice Award for “shining a light on the true story of the infamous Osage Nation murders,” according to the organization.

Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner, the producing team behind Foxxhole Productions, will receive the Aafca’s Producers Award for their films They Cloned Tyrone, Story Ave and The Burial, as well as Foxxhole’s continued commitment of telling inclusive stories on screen.

Choreographer Fatima Robinson will be honored with Aafca’s Salute to Excellence Award, which celebrates her contribution to choreography, including her recent work on The Color Purple.

The late Michael Latt will receive the inaugural Freedom Award, which was established in his honor,...

The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) reveals its list of 2024 Special Achievement Honorees which includes Killers of the Flower Moon, Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner at Foxxhole productions, Fatima Robinson, head choreographer on The Color Purple 2024, and others were chosen for their contributions to the entertainment industry. These honorees will be celebrated at the organization’s 7th Annual Aafca Special Achievement Awards luncheon, taking place on Sunday, March 3rd in the Centennial Room at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.

Recipients of the Aafca Special Achievement Awards are carefully selected by a committee and chosen based on their contributions throughout their careers. These honorees represent talent both behind and in front of the camera, including executives, journalists, actors, crafts artists, and filmmakers.

The invitation-only luncheon will bestow honors upon the feature film Killers of the Flower Moon, which will receive the Stanley & Karen Kramer Social Justice...

Hello and welcome to the Scene 2 Seen Podcast. I am Valerie Complex, an associate editor and film writer at Deadline.

Today, I am chatting with writer-actress-singer Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, who stars as young Celie in the new musical film version of The Color Purple, and with Fatima Robinson, the famed choreographer who helped create the movie’s spectacular dance pieces.

The Color Purple is based on the Tony-winning musical from Marsha Norman, Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, which was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Alice Walker. It comes on the heels of a classic 1985 film adaptation from director Steven Spielberg and centers on Celie, a Black Southern woman who struggles to find her identity after suffering abuse from her father and others over the course of 40 years.

Prior to appearing in The Color Purple, Mpasi was a staff writer on the Paramount+ series Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,...

Nearly 40 years ago, costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck worked as a wardrobe supervisor on Steven Spielberg‘s “The Color Purple,” collaborating with mentor Aggie Guerard Rodgers on a film that would ultimately become a classic. “My job was to clothe a lot of the background ladies and day players and assist Aggie in the fittings,” Jamison-Tanchuck told IndieWire. “It was Whoopi Goldberg’s first major film, and Oprah Winfrey‘s, and the two of them were just incredible. And of course Steven’s directing, and Quincy Jones’ music — how can you go wrong? There are such fun memories from working on that film.”

When director Blitz Bazawule called Jamison-Tanchuck to ask if she would create costumes for a new movie of “The Color Purple” adapted from the Tony-winning musical, she jumped at the chance. “I thought, what an extraordinary opportunity to come full circle,” she said. “I thought it was such an honor.

Blitz Bazawule could care less about The Color Purple’s recent award nominations. The film’s director isn’t worried about the movie-musical’s Best Picture snub at the Golden Globe or wowed by the musical’s five Critics Choice nominations and three mentions on the Oscars’ shortlist for its music. He understands the significance of such accolades, but says he prefers to focus on how viewers will receive the Broadway musical adaptation.

“I honestly do not pay attention to any of it,” Bazawule tells Rolling Stone, the day the Critics Choice nominations were announced.

Choreographer Fatima Robinson fused hip-hop, dance, African history, tap, jazz and even Jamaican moves as she crafted the musical numbers in “The Color Purple,” but there was one person in particular whose energy she wanted to capture: Beyoncé.

Director Blitz Bazawule blends Alice Walker’s text and the Broadway musical to reimagine the classic as a vibrant movie musical. “American Idol’s” Fantasia Barrino plays Celie, a woman who slowly finds her voice with Shug Avery’s (Taraji P. Henson) help. Shug isn’t just Mister’s (Colman Domingo) lover, she is a lounge singer from the big city. Preceding her arrival is a buzz of excitement in the “Shug Avery’s Comin to Town” number. But her big moment is the juke joint performance of “Push da Button,” and for that, Robinson wanted everything about it to “feel incredible.”

The juke joint was a place where people went to...

When you watch a movie like "The Color Purple," it's almost more difficult to criticize because of how well-meaning it is, and how good its intentions are. The story of the Black woman Celie as she grows up in the still extremely harsh and racist American South in the 1900s started as an Alice Walker novel before being adapted for the big screen by Steven Spielberg in 1985, eventually leading to a Broadway musical that's now being dramatized all over again on the big screen for a Christmas Day release. It's not that this story is new, per se, though a new generation may yet be discovering it through its musical version as opposed to Spielberg's '80s-era take. The concepts and ideas at the core of this story remain arresting, vital, and heartbreaking, but the way those concepts are executed in this big, sometimes splashy and sometimes grim musical are messy at best,...

For a story so filled with trauma and sorrow — violence, suffering, racism, child abduction, spousal abuse — the second screen adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel, The Color Purple, is a surprisingly joyful experience. The prevailing takeaway is its resounding themes of spirituality, self-discovery, redemption and resilience. Based on the 2005 Broadway musical that was revived to great acclaim 10 years later, the production marks a confident move onto a much larger canvas for Ghanaian multimedia artist Blitz Bazawule. It nods graciously to the imprint of Steven Spielberg’s 1985 film while vigorously forging its own identity.

The connection to the earlier version is partly built in by having Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones back on board as producers (alongside stage producer Scott Sanders). It’s also evident in the color palette of those shimmering Amblin skies, in two songs from the movie incorporated into the Broadway score and in an unbilled cameo early on.

Alice Walker started the phenomenon with her Pulitzer-winning 1982 book, and three years later Steven Spielberg turned it into a movie that got 11 Oscar nominations. In 2005, it took on new life as a Broadway musical, and in 2015 that musical got a Tony- and Grammy-winning revival.

Along the way it made big film and stage stars out of Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino, the latter now making her feature starring debut as Celie in the new film version of the musical she led 18 years ago on Broadway. The Color Purple is indestructible, and that is also a good word to describe director Blitz Bazawule’s and screenwriter Marcus Gardley’s take that breathes exciting life into the story for new and older generations but also, to quote an original song from this film, really finds a way to “Keep It Movin’.”

Musicals have gone through a tough time recently.

The American Cinematheque announced the honorees for the third annual Tribute to the Crafts, which include “Oppenheimer” for cinematography and editing, “Poor Things” for costume design and “I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie” for song. The event will take place on Jan. 19, 2024, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

Celebrating individuals in 15 categories across aspects of filmmaking, Tribute to the Crafts recognizes those “who are at the very heart of filmmaking and have exhibited extraordinary work behind the camera,” per the release. The event will also showcase clips from the films being honored.

With a 30-year career that includes 270 film credits, Oscar-winning sound mixer Kevin O’Connell will receive the Career Achievement Award. His projects from this year include “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” “Gran Turismo,” “Cocaine Bear” and “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret.”

Producers and American Cinematheque board members Franklin Leonard and Paula Wagner will co-host the event.

“Celebrating the artisans and...

In its continuing effort to shine the spotlight on industry artisans who toil behind the scenes to make movie magic, the American Cinematheque on Thursday revealed the 2023 honorees for its third annual Tribute to the Crafts.

Winning multiple honors are Oppenheimer for Cinematography and Film Editing; Maestro for Hair & Makeup and Sound; and Barbie for Production Design/Set Decoration and Song (for “I’m Just Ken”).

American Fiction, The Color Purple, Poor Things, Killers of The Flower Moon (for the late Robbie Robertson’s final score) John Wick: Chapter 4 and The Creator also are being honored in the feature film categories, while Anselm, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie and American Symphony are being recognized for achievement in documentaries.

Honorees will be tributed at the gala event at American Cinematheque’s newly restored (in conjunction with Netflix) Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood on January 19, 2024.

Tribute to the Crafts honors those who...

Talent behind movies including Barbie, Oppenheimer and Maestro are among the honorees for the American Cinematheque’s third annual “Tribute to the Crafts,” which will be held Jan. 19 at the newly renovated Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood.

The event — which will be co-hosted by producers and American Cinematheque board members Franklin Leonard and Paula Wagner — will celebrate individuals in 15 categories including Oppenheimer editor Jennifer Lame, Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington and late Killers of the Flower Moon composer Robbie Robertson.

Additionally, Academy Award-winning sound mixer Kevin O’Connell will receive a Career Achievement Award for his work, which spans 270 films over three decades. This year, O’Connell worked on projects including Oppenheimer, Barbie, Gran Turismo, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret and Cocaine Bear.

The “Tribute to the Crafts” honorees are below.

Feature Film

Choreography: The Color Purple (Fatima Robinson) – Warner Bros. Pictures

Cinematography: Oppenheimer (Hoyte van Hoytema) – Universal Pictures

Costume...

Some of Hollywood’s best and brightest stars walked the red carpet at the world premiere of The Color Purple on Wednesday night (December 6) in Los Angeles.

The movie’s stars – including Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey, Ciara and H.E.R. -arrived at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures dressed in their chicest outfits.

They were joined by so many other celebrities, who showed support at the big event. The guestlist included Oprah Winfrey (who acted as a producer for the movie), Ariana DeBose, Chloe Bailey, Quinta Brunson and so many others.

Since it was such a star-studded night, we pulled together a complete guestlist and photos of everyone on the red carpet. That way you can easily see who attended and what they were wearing!

Head inside to see photos of every star who attended the premiere of The Color Purple…

Keep scrolling to see photos of everyone who...

The Oprah Winfrey Network will give viewers an inside look into the making of “The Color Purple” in the hour-long special “OWN Celebrates The New Color Purple,” which premieres Friday at 10 p.m. Et/Pt.

Oprah Winfrey, who executive produced the new adaptation, hosts the behind-the-scenes special, conducting interviews with the film’s cast and offering an intimate look at how the story became a cultural phenomenon. Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R. and Fantasia Barrino — who stars as Celie — will share how they prepared to portray their roles in the film. Director Blitz Bazawule, screenwriter Marcus Gardley, choreographer Fatima Robinson and costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck will also discuss how they reimagined the classic story through their contributions.

Winfrey will also reflect on the impact that playing Sofia in the 1985 film had on her life — beyond earning a best supporting Oscar actress nomination — and the relevance...

It’s been a half-century since DJ Kool Herc energized a West Bronx rec room and invented the most popular musical genre on the planet. Now the celebration is going primetime.

The Recording Academy said today that it will honor the legends of the game with A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop, a concert special that will air in December on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

The two-hour program will showcase and celebrate the genre’s profound history and monumental cultural impact around the world. Among the first announced performers are Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady Of Rage, LL Cool J, Mc Sha-Rock, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke and Yo-Yo, with many more promised to be added.

Related: Aafca Celebrates Hip-Hop’s 50th With Screening Series Dedicated to Hip-Hop Films...

The “A Bold New Take” behind the scenes featurette from The Color Purple begins with producer Oprah Winfrey saying, “There’s nothing that’s been more vital to me culturally, artistically, than The Color Purple.” Interviews with the cast , including Halle Bailey, Fantasia Barrino, and Taraji P. Henson, and director Blitz Bazawule describe the importance of the story and why it’s still incredibly relatable.

Fantasia Barrino stars as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi playing the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks plays Sofia, Taraji P. Henson stars as Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.

Taraji P Henson, Fantasia Barrino, and Danielle Brooks in ‘The Color Purple’ (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)

Blitz Bazawule (The Burial of Kojo) directed and Marcus Gardley (The Chi) wrote the screenplay...

The first The Color Purple trailer has arrived with American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino reprising her Broadway role. The epic musical reunites Steven Spielberg, the director of the 1985 film, with Oprah Winfrey, who made her feature film debut playing Sofia. Quincy Jones, a producer on the original film, is also back as an executive producer along with Spielberg and Winfrey.

Fantasia Barrino’s picked the perfect project as her movie debut, starring as the adult Celie, with Phylicia Pearl Mpasi as the young Celie. Halle Bailey plays young Nettie, Ciara is adult Nettie, Danielle Brooks is Sofia, Taraji P. Henson is Shug Avery, and Colman Domingo stars as Mister. Corey Hawkins is Harpo, H.E.R. is Squeak, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is Mama.

Blitz Bazawule directed the musical and Marcus Gardley wrote the screenplay based on the novel by Alice Walker and the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman,...

A bold new take on the beloved classic, here’s a first look at the brand new trailer for The Color Purple.

Warner Bros. Pictures invites you to experience the extraordinary sisterhood of three women who share one unbreakable bond in “The Color Purple.” This bold new take on the beloved classic is directed by Blitz Bazawule and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.

The screenplay is by Marcus Gardley, based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.

“The Color Purple” stars Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Fantasia Barrino (in her major motion picture debut).

The executive producers Alice Walker, Rebecca Walker, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Carla Gardini, Mara Jacobs,...

Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg have reunited to revive “The Color Purple” into a movie musical, directed by Blitz Bazawule.

After debuting footage for distributors at CinemaCon last month, Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for the new adaptation, which is set to premiere in North America on Dec. 25. The film will open internationally beginning Jan. 18, 2024.

The trailer features visually bold motifs as it takes audiences inside Celie’s headspace with “American Idol” winner Fantasia reprising her Broadway role, in her major motion picture debut. It also gives an insight into the sisterhood of the women at the heart of the story. Elevated by grandeur, the highlights are the musical clips and jaw-dropping production set against the backdrop of Mister’s Farm.

Starring alongside Fantasia are Danielle Brooks as Sofia, who earned a Tony nomination for the role in the 2016 Broadway revival, Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Colman Domingo as Mister,...

The Recording Academy will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop at the Grammys with an all-star performance featuring Missy Elliott, Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, Queen Latifah, Run-dmc, Lil Wayne, Rakim and more.

The academy said Thursday that LL Cool J — who has hosted the Grammys in the past — will introduce the segment and give a dedication to hip-hop. Questlove will work as musical director and producer, while his band The Roots will play onstage, and Black Thought will narrate.

Others who will be part of the performance include De La Soul, Big Boi, Scarface, Salt-n-Pepa and Spinderella, Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio/Ethiopian King, Ice-t, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, The Lox, Method Man, Raheim, Lil Baby, Too hort, Future, Nelly, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Swizz Beatz, DJ Drama and GloRilla.

Questlove will produce the segment alongside Jesse Collins, Patrick Menton of Fulwell 73, creative producer and choreographer Fatima Robinson, and Questlove’s manager and president of Lnu,...

Beyoncé headlined her first concert in four years, and it was an extravagant affair.

Queen B hit the stage Saturday for what was billed as the unofficial opening of the Atlantis the Royal Hotel in Dubai. Her production company, Parkwood Entertainment, released a short clip of the fireworks that went off before Beyonce belted out her first tune, which was rendition of Etta James’ 1960 classic “At Last.”

According to a news release following the performance, Beyoncé was accompanied by Firdaus, a 48-person all-female orchestra, mentored by Academy Award-winning composer, A.R. Rahman. “America’s Got Talent” winners, The Mayyas, an all-female precision dance group from Lebanon, were also featured on stage, with stunning choreography by Emmy-nominated Fatima Robinson.

At one point, Beyonce was raised 16 feet into the air “amidst one of the world’s unique performance fountains, Skyblaze. Surrounded by a field of water and fire, a powerful rendition of “Drunk in...

Beyoncé performed her first live show in more than four years, singing tunes she rarely does onstage and duetting with daughter Blue Ivy Carter.

The Grammy-winning star gave a nearly 75-minute performance Saturday in Dubai to help launch the city’s new luxurious and opulent hotel, The Atlantis Royal. Attendees at the invite-only event included her husband Jay-Z, parents Tina Knowles-Lawson and Mathew Knowles and her three children, as well as celebrity guests, influencers and business people tied to the hotel.

“My beautiful children are here to see their mom perform,” Beyoncé told the audience.

Blue Ivy, 11, received loud applause from the crowd as she entered the stage to open with the song “Brown Skin Girl,” her collaboration with her mother that won both of them a Grammy Award in 2021.

“Where are all my brown skin girls? Give it up for my baby, my brown skin girl, Miss Blue Ivy Carter,...

The sixth and final season of “Snowfall” will return Feb. 22 at 10 p.m. Et on FX, and stream the next day on Hulu, the network announced. The premiere will include the first two episodes of the 10-episode final season.

The final season kicks off during October 1986, as a brewing civil war threatens to end the Saint family. After being wiped out by former CIA officer Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson), Franklin (Damson Idris) becomes desperate and is forced to rob his own blood to get ahead. Now faced with losing everyone he loves and everything he built, Franklin has to out-maneuver the Kgb, the DEA and the CIA, along with the LAPD’s corrupt Crash units, to survive.

The drama series was created by John Singleton & Eric Amadio and Dave Andron, and is executive produced by Singleton, Andron, Thomas Schlamme, Amadio, Michael London, Trevor Engelson, Walter Mosley, Julie DeJoie and John Labrucherie.

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Each element connected to this summer’s rollout of Beyoncé’s Renaissance has felt (unsurprisingly) flawless, from the irresistible energy of its dance-focused tracks to the ultra-stylish imagery that’s been released since the earliest teases of this seventh solo album. A master class in high fashion, both the still images and teaser videos connected to Renaissance have featured Beyoncé wearing custom looks from coveted labels that range from Gucci and Alaïa to Schiaparelli and Mugler, as well as Los Angeles-based artist Nusi Quero, who crafted the piece the superstar wears while poised atop a holographic horse on the album’s cover, an image meant to evoke thoughts of Lady Godiva.

But beyond those teaser videos, plus the official “Renaissance” lyric videos, there have been no full music videos yet released in support of the album. Today, fans who have been waiting to...

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The Beatles: Get Back and Adele: One Night Only won five awards apiece during the first of the two-night presentation of the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The Beatles: Get Back delivered two Emmys to Peter Jackson, for directing and outstanding documentary. “Shout out to the Beatles,” enthused Jackson, who is also a three-time Oscar winner for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and is now halfway to Egot.

Adele: One Night Only’s five awards included outstanding pre-recorded variety special. With the win, Adele is now just a Tony away from achieving Egot status.

RuPaul won an Emmy for hosting his RuPaul’s Drag Race, extending his record as the most honored person of color in Emmy history, with a total of 12 wins and seven consecutive wins for outstanding host.

Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.

To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Emmys Collective

Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Emmys Hub

To see old predictions and commentary,...

Look who’s joining the fun at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas? CBS announced today that Lady Gaga will perform Sunday at the 64th Annual Grammys.

Gaga, a 12-time Grammy winner, is up for five awards this year, including record of the year and best pop/duo group performance.

Make some noise, monsters…@ladygaga is performing on the #GRAMMYs stage this Sunday on CBS.

Just because the Grammys is a far different show than the Oscars doesn’t mean the producers and suits behind it think they’re immune to the kind of incident that happened Sunday with Will Smith. So says Jack Sussman, CBS’ head of specials who’s preparing for the 64th Annual Grammys this Sunday in Las Vegas.

“I think you go into every live show with the understanding that anything could happen, and it usually does,” says Sussman, who quips that he still has Ptsd from working the infamous Super Bowl Xxxviii halftime show with Janet Jackson. “If you surround yourself with really talented people behind the scenes, you’re in a position to handle it, knowing that it might not be a perfect outcome, but it’s gonna be an okay outcome, at least as far as making television is concerned.”

The Grammys have had their share of surprises on camera,...

The Recording Academy has unveiled a second round of performers for the 64th annual Grammy Awards: nominees Jon Batiste, Foo Fighters, H.E.R., Nas, and Chris Stapleton, and, as revealed by Variety Wednesday night, a special In Memoriam performance featuring songs of Stephen Sondheim by Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler.

The Grammys, again hosted by Trevor Noah, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Previously announced performers include Brothers Osborne, BTS, Brandi Carlile, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, and Olivia Rodrigo.

This year’s leading nominee Jon Batiste received 11 nominations including Record Of The Year (“Freedom”), Album Of The Year (“We Are”), Best Traditional R&b Performance (“I Need You”), Best...

A world premiere musical stage adaptation that reimagines the hit 1983 Eddie Murphy-Dan Aykroyd comedy Trading Places has cast Freestyle Love Supreme‘s Aneesa Folds in the role that made Murphy a Hollywood superstar, with Bryce Pinkham (Broadway’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) in the Aykroyd spot.

With a book by Reno 911! actor and writer Thomas Lennon, direction by Kenny Leon and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (Broadway’s First Date), Trading Places will debut at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre on May 25, running through June 26.

“I am so excited to come home with this world class cast and creative team and a new musical that I know will resonate and be embraced by the Atlanta community,” said Leon in a statement. “With Trading Places, we’re exploring the idea of what would...

The Recording Academy has announced the first slate of artists to perform at this year’s show: Taking the stage on Music’s proverbial Biggest Night will be current nominees Brothers Osborne, BTS, Brandi Carlile, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Taking place live from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas and hosted by Trevor Noah, the 64th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.

Brothers Osborne received two Grammy nominations this year for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Younger Me”) and Best Country Album (“Skeletons”).

Current nominees BTS are up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (“Butter”).

Six-time Grammy winner Brandi Carlile is nominated for Record of the Year (“Right On Time”), two nods for Song of the Year,...

The 64th annual Grammy Awards, which had to pull off its original January date in Los Angeles, will now take place Sunday, April 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah, will air live on CBS and Paramount+ at 8 p.m. Et/5 p.m. Pt. The new date was revealed Tuesday by the Recording Academy and CBS along with CMT, which as a result of the shift will now move its CMT Music Awards from its originally scheduled April 3 to later in April.

This year’s Grammys were set to be held January 31 at Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) in Los Angeles but was postponed on January 5 amid the wave of Covid infections fueled by the Omicron variant.

CBS and Grammy organizer the Recording Academy did not immediately set a new date, and with the L.A. venue booked out with NBA and NHL games,...

Swizz Beatz and Busta Rhymes will lead a tribute to Dmx at the 2021 BET Awards, which will air this Sunday, June 27th, at 8 p.m. Et/Pt.

Swizz Beatz is leading and curating the tribute, while Fatima Robinson will serve as the creative director. Additional performers include Method Man and the Buffalo rap outfit Griselda, while actor Michael K. Williams will make a special guest appearance as well.

The tribute will celebrate Dmx’s life and career and feature performances of some of his biggest hits, including “What’s My Name?...

When Lil Baby recorded his Grammy-nominated single “The Bigger Picture” last year, he didn’t expect people to even like it. “I felt like the song was going to be slept on,” he tells Rolling Stone, one day after he performed the song as part of the Grammys’ most politically charged moment. The show included a choreographed re-enactment of the police shooting of Rayshard Brooks, who was killed during a police stop at a Wendy’s in Atlanta. The case was personal for Lil Baby, who says the Wendy’s...